Elana Stark knew her duty. As the only child of Brandon Stark and Ashara Dayne, she was the heir to Winterfell and the North. Raised for the first few years of her life in Starfall, she never met her father and only heard stories of the Wild Wolf fr...
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
Sun Tzu
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The next few days passed normally with the older Stark male children often found in the tiltyard practicing with swords and bows while the girls were with their Septa. Elana's oldest children were standing with Rickon by a saddle mount near the stables watching as Robb and Jon taught Bran how to shoot an arrow. Cregan and Lynara were with Ayla being entertained with the many toys she had constructed for her children. Her uncle and aunt stood with her on a balcony overlooking the yard as they watched over the training. Wearing a blue-grey dress with a navy blue birka on top of it and black fur-lined boots to keep her feet warm, the Lady of Winterfell observed the boy's stance and was mentally correcting the form in her head.
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Bran had currently missed his target as he hit the barrel next to it, much to his frustration. Jon comes around from behind to place his hands on her younger brother's shoulders, a comforting presence to the young boy.
"Go on, father's watching," He told him, as they both glance up to the balcony. "And your mother."
The two parents smiled down at their second youngest son, while his cousin gave a small twitch of her mouth. Bran nodded his head at them before turning back to the bow in his hand. Pulling the string back, he focused on the target before letting go, watching as it sailed over the wall behind it. Jon, Robb, and Rickon burst out laughing, with the twins giggling with them as the young archer stomped his foot.
"And which one of you was a marksman at ten?" Ned asked ceasing the laughter as the children all looked up at him, silent in their embarrassment. "Keep practicing, Bran. Go on."
As Bran busied himself with nocking his next arrow, Jon leaned down next to him, "Don't think too much, Bran."
Robb observed his younger brother's stance as he pulled the string back, "Relax your bow arm."
Bran adjusted his hold and was prepared to fire when an arrow whizzed past the group to hit the target, dead center. The three males turned around, shock on their faces to see their sister Arya holding a bow. Having their attention, she gave a small mocking curtsey as the teens started laughing when Bran decided to chase his sister.
"Quick, Bran! Faster." Jon shouted as the three on the balcony chuckled at the antics of the group down below.
"Lady Stark!" A voice came behind them as footsteps got closer to the small group. Turning around, the three were a bit surprised to see Ser Rodrik Cassel, the master-at-arms of Winterfell, and Theon Greyjoy. Seeing that his liege lady was not alone, the older male bowed his head to the other two people with her, "My lord, my lady." He turned his attention back to Elana, "A guardsman just rode in from the hills. They've captured a deserter from the Night's Watch."
