The following morning,
Ra and his family joined the Manderlys for a shared breakfast. Lord Wyman Manderly, having reduced the serving staff to only the most trustworthy individuals, ensured that only his family and the people who had fought with Ra were present.
"You did not have to inconvenience yourself on my behalf, My Lord," Ra said to Wyman with a slight nod.
"Consider it an apology for my crude words last night," Wyman replied with a chuckle and a characteristic wave of his hand. Ra accepted the apology gracefully.
The seating arrangement at the table was a source of great amusement. Rhaenys, with her usual determination, had secured her seat on Ra's lap before Elia could even notice, and she was now molding his face into different shapes.
Aegon, meanwhile, had to sit with the smiling Elia, who was feeding him while trying to contain her amusement at the situation.
"Ser Ra, it seems some friends from Bear Island will be coming to give you a visit," Marlon Manderly said, with a letter in his hand.
Ra tilted his head curiously, but then simply nodded, as he could see for himself who would be arriving.
After breaking their fast, Ra carried Aegon on his shoulders and Rhaenys in his arms, as they both wanted to get a better view of the exquisite sculptures of mermaids and mermen carved into the walls of the castle.
"You spoil them too much," Elia said with a soft smile as she walked beside Ra.
"Not much time before we start training them, then they will hate me," Ra said with a chuckled.
"No, I will never hate papa," Rhaenys protested immediately, and Aegon nodded his vigorous support as well.
Ra and Elia chuckled together as they stood by the harbor, awaiting the arrival of their friends from Bear Island.
Ra put the children down just as they saw a ship bearing the proud sigil of a black bear in a green wood approaching the dock.
Ra smiled under his helmet when he saw Maege and Dacey Mormont descending the ship.
Maege had a one-handed battle-axe on her belt, while Dacey wore a longsword.
The mother and daughter smiled and approached Ra's family as soon as they saw them. "Could see you shining gold from Bear Island," Maege said with a laugh.
"It is a pleasure to see you, Princess Elia," Maege then greeted Elia with a formal bow. Dacey did the same and offered a warm smile to Ra.
"We heard you would be arriving at White Harbor and came here to thank you for the gifts," Dacey explained, gesturing to the sword and the axe she and her mother carried.
"You could have sent a letter instead of making such a long trip and inconveniencing yourselves," Ra said with a shake of his head.
"We also wished to thank you for the help you gave our island. The ships and steel have truly changed our lives," Maege said, her expression sincere as she raised her hand to pat Ra's chest plate. "This ship was on its way for trade some fur and timber and that is entirely because of your aid," Maege added, pointing at the vessel they had arrived in.
"Did you help papa when he was fighting the bad people?" Aegon asked innocently, looking up at the women.
"Your papa here did most of the work himself, little one," Dacey said as she crouched to Aegon's level and smiled at the boy.
Aegon nodded as if this information was now obvious, drawing a chuckle from the women.
"Welcome, My ladies. I hope the journey was not of much inconvenience," they heard Wyman's voice boom.
Dacey got up to give Wyman a bow and greeted him alongside her mother. "Not at all, My lord. It is a pleasure to see you," Maege said.
"The honor is all mine, My Lady. My son tells me of your character and prowess. I hope to host you at the New Castle," Wyman said, with unconcealed admiration in his eyes. Maege and Dacey looked at each other before they accepted the generous offer with a shrug.
They were then led to Wyman's solar, where Ra took off his helmet so they could have a more intimate talk.
"It is good to see your lands prospering," Wyman said with a jovial smile to Maege.
"It would have not been possible without your help, My Lord," Maege said.
"We are all loyal vassals of the Starks, My Lady. It was my duty to help," Wyman said with a familiar wave of his hand.
Wyman then gestured to some wine. "Please, help yourselves. Princess Elia brought this wine from Dorne."
"Don't blame me if I finish all of it," Maege said, drawing a chuckle from Wyman.
"We have more wine, please take some with you to Bear Island as a gift," Elia offered as she and Dacey chatted.
"Thank you, Princess. I hope the North does not cause you discomfort," Dacey said.
"I find the North has its own beauty, and the children will learn much from Lord Stark," Elia said with a soft smile as she watched the kids playing nearby with Ra.
"He is good with the children," Dacey said, matching Elia's gentle smile.
"Yes, he... is the father they have. And I thank the gods for that," Elia replied, and Dacey ignored the deeper implication of her words with a small, knowing chuckle.
They chatted and drank for a little longer while Ra entertained the kids.
Ra and Elia agreed to stay another night as they genuinely liked the company of the Mormonts.
They explored White Harbor for the rest of the day, as Elia shopped for some gifts to give Robb and baby Sansa.
At night, Ra tucked the kids in the bed and kissed their foreheads before returning to his room.
"Did they ask you for a story today?" Elia asked Ra as he entered the room.
"They did, and fell asleep just as I started," Ra said with a chuckle as he began to get ready for bed.
"Don't get your clothes for bed yet. You have work to do," Elia said with a seductive smile.
"As my lady commands," Ra said before giving Elia a passionate kiss.
A/n: how about you give me your thoughts on the chapter while they break the bed.
And power stones, all of them, right here right now, no excuses, gimme gimme.