Moat Cailin

[Ollie]

An uncharacteristic grin found itself on Lord Olander's lips. After the long awaited reunion with his own lady wife and children, the crannogman could empathize with his liege lord. "Open the northern gates!" he shouted, and the cry was taken up by his louder guardsmen. "Open the gates for House Stark!"

[Percy Rivers]

The gates opened just as the party passed through underneath. A curious mix of Winterfell men-at-arms, led by Yorick Cassel, and some almost barbarian looking warriors passed by the Lord of Winterfell. Roose could forgive them for not recognizing him, he had grown out his hair and bear in the south, and had matured slightly as well. Suddenly his face split into a wide grin as he noticed a woman among the riders, all dressed in furs. Beside her was a grim, almost fearsome man with greying hair...the famed Gariss Stane, the most legendary commander of men to come out from the north, and charged with protecting it while his liege lord had been fighting in the southron lands for the king.

[Ollie]

The skagosi and Winterfell troops were shown inside by the Moat Cailin guardsmen, while Olander and Osha Reed rode out to meet the newly reunited Roose and Tyla.

[Percy Rivers]

Roose approached the two on horseback, Gariss Stane suddenly swung his horse in from of Tyla, his hand darting to his mace. A protective father....

From behind the Skagosi a delicate hand appeared on his shoulder, gently pushing him aside. In the husky words of the old-tounge came a voice. "Father...do you not recognize my husband and the father of your grandchild?"

The Skagosi's eyes did not widen per se, but they certainly became less narrowed. Giving a formal bow of his head he moved aside, just in time for Roose to see Tyla dismount. Walking up to her in the brick and mortar courtyard he put his arms around her and prepared to lean in when a hand was placed on his chest. He looked down in time to see a tiny face, with a head of black hair looking up at him.

[Ollie]

The northern lords began to gather as the shouts were raised, appearing from inside the great hall and from each of the three towers. After only a few minutes, it seemed as if the entire garrison at Moat Cailin had assembled, lords and ladies, stewards and soldiers. They looked on to the northern gate, the three weirwoods behind them watching on.

[Tytos]

Pieter nodded. "Thank you for the precautions you have taken. I have found the Freys to be suspicious at best, especially the hunchbacked one named Meraxes. I will be sure to have a talk with him about this." Pieter said, as horns blew outside the northern walls. He looked on as masses of men assembled and the small host entered the gates.

[Ollie]

A crooked-toothed guard informed Lord Tully of the location of Meraxes Frey's cell, and that he would be happy to show the way.

[Percy Rivers]

Roose looked up at Tyla, and then back down at the baby. Gently he took him from her arms, turning to face the gathered lords. "Behold your heir!" He proclaimed, "The future Lord of Winterfell!"

One by one the lords fell to one knee.

[Ollie]

Olander was one of the men first to kneel, a pleasant smile on his face. "The heir! Future Lord of the North!" he exclaimed, and other men began to take up the cry as well. "Lord of the North! Lord of the North!"

[House Lefford]

Edmure also fell to his knees "To Lord Stark and his Son long may they reign!" He cried. Then he joining the chorus of the rest of the Lords in chanting "Lord of the North!"

[Tytos]

Pieter nodded as the guard showed him the way to Meraxes' cell, and steeled himself for the meeting. Who knows what Frey has to say.

[Percy Rivers]

The procession headed inside the greathall, where a great, yet simple feast awaited all.

[House Lefford]

Edmure enters the great hall just behind Roose.

[Ollie]

The ceremony before the feast was a somber affair. Beneath the three heart trees gathered all the lords of the north, great and small alike. As they knelt in the light dusting of snow, Lord Olander Reed spoke aloud, beseeching the Old Gods that watched over them now for mercy for the brave, honorable men who gave their lives in the face of invaders, to help heal the lands touched by war, to grant the North strength in the years to come. Time seemed to grow to a crawl as the speech ended, each man kneeling beneath the weirwoods in silent contemplation, rising one by one as they finished their prayers.

The Lord Reed was one of the last men to stand, and after all had finished, the gathering was seen inside. Each of the lords, regardless of their stature, were given a seat at the table above the salt, sitting with their wives and youngest children in a great council. A second table stretched on nearby, seating each of the families of the Northern houses, given comfortable placement, but detached from the council. At the third and final table, below the salt, were seated the warriors and guardsmen of the lords, their household servants and workmen, along more dubious aspects of their family trees.

The feast was a great one however, with the hearty, simple foods loved by the north. Haunches of mutton, roast fowl, giant bowls of mashed and buttered vegetables, hot and flaky breads, toothsome pastries and pies. The trial of warfare had long taken its toll on the winter stores of the Seven Kingdoms, the north particularly so, but there was food enough for all, spiced, seasoned, and flavorful.

What the feast lacked in food, it made up for in drink. Great pitchers of brown ale and red wine, honey mead and apple cider, all was crisp, strong, and above all cold. The drink poured easy, and the drink poured fast. Many of the men had waited until all the lords had been seated, but for every four that did, there was one that didn't. Men were boasting and girls were laughing, everywhere were songs strung and tales told.

There was a happy mood in the air, and it seemed to have taken a great effect on Olander Reed. "Milord Roose, we are home, at last." he said grinning, leaning over towards his liege lord. Lord Stark was given a seat of honor at the head of the feast, Lord Reed and Lord Karstark at his left and right. "We've been away for far too long. Would that we never had need leave again."

[House Lefford]

"Thats highly unlikely Olander, the way things go in the Seven kingdoms theres bound to be another war by the end of the week." Said Edmure as me munched on a large hunk of mutton. "It was too bad Pypar couldn't come down I would of liked to of seen my son William."