Winter's Knowledge

Chapter 13 Consequences

It didn't take a genius for Jon to figure out that it was his sons that were playing pranks on Brandon Stark. He knew how protective they were of their older sister. Though Jon couldn't help but find their jokes funny, Jon knew that he couldn't encourage such behavior. So, he privately called his sons into his solar and lectured them on how it was inappropriate for them to be playing tricks on their guests.

Fredrik and Hadrian looked down, “Does that mean you want us to apologize, Father?”

Jon thought, “Yes, you will apologize to Lord Stark and his son and be punished after the Starks depart. You, Fredrik, will help muck out the stables, and since you are too little to help Hadrian, you will be denied dessert for a month.”

Hadrian cried in despair; he thought his punishment was worse than his older brother's, but Hadrian had no other choice but to accept the discipline.

Jon also knew that Robert was involved in the pranks as well. Unlike his sons, Robert had a more challenging time hiding his glee every time something terrible happened to Brandon. The best punishment he could come up with for Robert was to limit his time in the training yard and make him study more with the Maester. Jon would inform Robert about his punishment later. Now that the matter was settled, Jon let his sons get back to their studies.

“Now, you two will wait here while I have Lord Stark and his son summoned to my Solar,” Jon told his sons.

Fredrik and Hadrian nodded and bowed their heads. Jon called the guard at the door and told him to get one of the servants to request Lord Rickard and Brandon meet him in his Solar. It didn't take long for the two Starks to arrive, the door opened, and Jon stood up to greet them.

“Lord Stark, Lord Brandon, I know that some awful and embarrassing thing has been happening lately, and I would like to offer my apologies. Or better said, the culprits of those pranks would like to apologize,” Jon said and looked at his boys.

Lord Rickard turned to the two small boys looking at the floor and waited. Jon cleared his throat, and Fredrik and Hadrian looked up at Jon, then Lord Rickard. Fredrik sighed, “Hadrian and I would like to apologize to you, Lord Stark, and to you, Lord Brandon, for all of the pranks we pulled on you. We were the ones that made you have uncontrollable gas, and bark like a dog, and well, all the other things too.”

Hadrian stifled a giggle, and Fredrik elbowed his little brother. Hadrian then looked up at Lord Rickard, “We're sorry, it was not the honorable thing to do,” The little boy said though he was still trying not to laugh.

Brandon's eyes narrowed, “You little-” Then he lunged for the boys, though his father caught him by the collar.

“Enough, Brandon, they were only pranks; no harm was done. But I assume you will not do it again,” Lord Rickard said.

Fredrik gave Lord Rickard a wide-eyed look, “Oh, no, My Lord, on our honor, we will not do it again,” He said innocently, but Rickard saw the glint in Fredrik's eyes.

Lord Rickard nodded and accepted their apology. Jon dismissed his sons, and they walked out and shut the door. Fredrik leaned against the door and smirked at his little brother, “At least not until their next visit. We won't play any more pranks.”

Hadrian looked at his older brother and gave him an evil grin, “Next time, we'll blame Robert.”

And with that, the boys ran off to play until it was time for lunch.

After that day, Brandon became his old self. Now that he was sure that nothing would happen, the cockiness came back in full force, and he decided that now was the perfect time to challenge Hermione to a duel. Lyanna and Ned had gone on and on about how good Hermione was with a sword that Brandon was positive they were exaggerating. And if his brother and sister were not exaggerating, Brandon was optimistic he could beat Hermione in a spar. After all, what could a Southern Flower do again, a Northman?

Brandon had been looking for Hermione all morning but hadn't seen her, so he went to the training yard to ask Ned. Ned told him that in the morning, Hermione and Lyanna were with Lady Rowena and their Septa doing their Lady lessons. Brandon wrinkled his nose, but nothing could do, so he decided to spar with Ned.

As they began to spar, Brandon would make little comments towards Ned, trying to through off his concentration. The sparring went on for several minutes; it was then that Brandon noticed that Robert, Lyanna, and Hermione had come out to the training yard and were watching the fight. Brandon started putting more effort into his fighting and began showing off, trying to impress Hermione.

Lyanna and Hermione looked at each other and rolled their eyes, and began cheering for Ned. In the end, Ned yielded to his brother. Brandon was so full of himself that he began strutting around the ring, proclaiming that he was undefeatable. Brandon turned and smirked at Hermione; he strode towards her to challenge her to a spar. Namir, who had been resting next to his mistress, lunged to his feet and placed himself between her and Brandon, and hissed at him. Brandon took a few steps back and dropped the practice sword.

Hermione giggled, “It's alright, Namir, we're only going to spar. Lord Brandon won't hurt me,” She cooed to her Shadow Cat and scratched him behind his ear. Namir looked at Hermione and let out a purr like a rumble, then went to stand next to Lyanna.

Hermione grabbed a practice sword and motioned for Brandon to pick his sword. Brandon picked up the practice sword and followed Hermione to the practice yard. Under the watchful eye of the Master at Arms, Hermione and Brandon got into position. On his signal, the two competitors began to circle each other. Hermione waited patiently for Brandon to make the first move. From what she had been told, Brandon had little patience and was impetuous, and it wouldn't take long for his patience to run out.

Sure enough, Brandon rushed towards Hermione, ready to strike her. Hermione quickly sidestepped him and swept his feet out from under Brandon, sending him crashing to the ground. Brandon scowled at Hermione and promptly got to his feet. He turned and swung his sword at Hermione, and she expertly blocked the blow. Hermione knew that Brandon was stronger than her, so she would have to rely on her speed to tire him out and go in for the strike.

Hermione nimbly avoided all attempts by Brandon to strike her, and as Brandon's anger began to rise, he became careless, leaving himself open to attacks. Once he did, Hermione was able to land several blows on the young Stark heir until she finally knocked him on his back and held her sword to his neck.

“Do you yield?”

Brandon looked at Hermione angrily, then laughed, “Aye, I yield.”

Hermione helped Brandon up, and they congratulated each other, “You are an excellent fighter, Lady Hermione. I never thought a Southern maid would defeat me.”

Hermione glowered at Brandon, “Just because I was raised South of the Neck does not mean I am helpless. You will find Lord Stark that I am full of surprises. Good day!” Hermione said in a huff and left. Namir turned and hissed at Brandon, then followed his mistress.

Brandon watched Hermione walk away, confused, “Did I say something wrong?”

Lyanna smacked the back of her brother's head, “Aye, you idiot, you implied that Hermione is weak just because she's from the South. I would think after she kicked your arse, you would know better,” Lyanna said, then left in a huff.

Brandon looked on, still puzzled, but there was one thing that he did know; his opinion of Lady Hermione had changed, and Brandon didn't think it was going to be so bad married to her. It may even be fun.