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Chapter 51

Chapter 51: First Anniversary in Castamere
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Third POV

1 year timeskip

Castamere, once a grim reminder of the Reyne and Tarbeck rebellion, had undergone a remarkable transformation in the year since Richard's arrival.

What had once stood as a symbol of Tywin Lannister's unyielding wrath was now reborn—a shining beacon of House Neméos and the rising power of the Lionheart family.

When Richard first arrived in Castamere, he brought not only a vision but the determination to see it restored.

His first act as lord Galahad of Castamere, was to clear the rubble and begin the monumental task of restoring the castle.

Over 5,000 smallfolk, recruited from his lands, were paid generously for their labor on Castamere.

With their combined efforts, the debris that had once choked the castle and its famed mines was cleared away, paving the way for a full-scale restoration.

The first priority was the castle's defenses. The once-damaged high walls of Castamere were rebuilt with precision, their towering presence now a symbol of strength and unyielding resilience.

Stone by stone, the fortress reclaimed its former glory, standing tall as if to defy the memory of its fall.

Once the walls were secure, attention turned to the castle's heart. The crumbling structures within were carefully restored under Richard's meticulous supervision, their grandeur returning with each passing day.

The great hall, a place once filled with silence and ruin, now gleamed with polished wood and stone.

The kitchens, where fires had long gone cold, were reignited, filling the air with the scent of roasted meats and fresh-baked bread.

The lord's quarters, official chambers, guards' barracks, guest chambers, and servants' quarters were all revived, each space serving its purpose once more.

Life returned to the desolate fortress as servants and workers moved about with purpose, their tasks bringing the hum of activity to halls that had been silent for decades.

Beneath the castle, the infamous mines of Castamere were being slowly reclaimed.

The massive boulders that had sealed the gates were removed, replaced by sturdy iron gates standing as a new line of defense.

Though progress in draining the flooded tunnels had been slow, with only 60% of the water cleared till current day, Richard's careful direction ensured the work continued.

The mines, once abandoned, were gradually being restored to their former glory, ready to serve as a valuable resource for house Neméos and the lionheart family.

Back in the early moons of his takeover, Richard also set his sights on establishing a new port town along the nearby coastline.

This was one of his many innovations, part of his broader plan to improve the prosperity of his lands.

What began as a modest settlement quickly grew, attracting smallfolk eager for a fresh start. Many chose to relocate to the port permanently, finding homes and livelihoods while contributing to the restoration of Castamere.

Within eight moons of its creation, the port town's population had swelled to 10,000, its bustling docks alive with the sounds of trade and activity.

Merchants, sailors, and craftsmen had flocked to the thriving port, drawn by the opportunities that Richard's vision provided.

Till the present day, the port, now known as Nemosport had grown even further, its population closing in on 15,000.

The docks were now a vital artery of commerce, connecting Castamere to the wider world and cementing its place as a burgeoning center of prosperity.