Game of Thrones: The Frozen Throne

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Maester Luwin sent letters to King's Landing on Eddard's behalf, and both Lord Jon Arryn, the Hand of the King, and King Robert Baratheon replied. When Eddard received Robert's letter, he had expected it to be written by Grand Maester Pycelle on Robert's behalf. To his surprise, it was written in Robert's own hand.

In the letter, Robert praised Eddard's plans to expand Winter Town, expressing hope that the new town would be "as grand as Storm's End and as noble as the Eyrie." It seemed Robert had completely misunderstood that Eddard was building a town, not a castle. Nevertheless, Robert generously promised to recruit a hundred blacksmiths or blacksmith apprentices from the Stormlands, the Crownlands, and King's Landing for Eddard. Once the "prosperous new town" was completed, Robert would bring the royal entourage to the North for the first royal tour.

Jon Arryn, in his letter, pledged to recruit three hundred experienced stonemasons from the Vale and send them to Winterfell. Additionally, he recommended an architect named Tansy, who was currently staying at Robert's court. Tansy had once designed luxurious mansions for the Archon of Tyrosh and had been petitioning Robert to undertake "great projects" to match the king's "great reign." His ambitious plans included building a new city south of King's Landing to ease overcrowding, restoring the Dragonpit, rebuilding Summerhall, and widening the Kingsroad. Robert, who loved extravagance, had actually considered these impractical ideas. Concerned about the financial strain, Jon Arryn decided to recommend Tansy to serve Eddard at Winterfell instead.

Following Maester Luwin's advice, Eddard had Theon write to Balon Greyjoy, the ruler of the Iron Islands, requesting blacksmiths and shipwrights. However, Balon had yet to respond.

By now, watchtowers had been erected along the western coast of the North—from Cape Kraken to the Stony Shore, Bear Island, Salt Spear, Flint's Finger, and the Bay of Ice. The garrisons at the salt pans guarded the coast while producing sea salt. Eddard was confident that pirate raids would decrease significantly.

In the hall of Winterfell, Eddard stopped Theon.

"What's going on with your father? Why hasn't he replied?"

Theon sighed. "I think he's heard about the salt pans we're building along the coast to defend against pirates. He might see it as a provocation."

Eddard chuckled. "How is building salt pans on Northern lands to defend against pirates a provocation?"

Theon explained, "We Ironborn have a saying: 'Any land that smells of salt or hears the crash of waves is mine.' We long for the Old Way. When Ironborn see watchtowers on the coast and can't raid, they feel a sense of loss. My father might not be able to accept that."

"Lord Eddard, I'm heartbroken. Even though you treat me like your own child, my father's refusal to respond to Winterfell's request makes me wonder if he truly doesn't care about me anymore. I'm his only surviving son!"

Eddard patted Theon's hand reassuringly. "I won't hold it against you if your father doesn't send blacksmiths or shipwrights. Don't overthink it."

Balon Greyjoy's refusal to send blacksmiths and shipwrights didn't surprise Eddard. Many Northerners still harbored resentment toward the Ironborn, and the Ironborn hadn't forgotten how Northern warriors helped King Robert crush their rebellion. Eddard's only concern was whether the salt pans would provoke Balon.

Although Balon had sworn to Robert that he would restrain his people and abandon the Old Way—claiming that any Ironborn who raided within the Seven Kingdoms would be drowned upon their return—small-scale raids by Ironborn pirates still occurred sporadically. Rumors suggested that Balon shared in the spoils, tacitly encouraging the raids.

While the Iron Islands provided no assistance, Northern vassals stepped up.

Deepwood Motte sent twenty carpenters. The Dreadfort provided thirty stonemasons from the Lonely Hills. Roose Bolton, more cooperative since his son Domeric had stayed at Winterfell, mentioned in his letter that their own watchtowers and salt pans were already under construction. House Ryswell of the Rills sent three experienced veterinarians to work under Hullen, Winterfell's master of horse. The Greatjon Umber sent Gaven, a pig breeder with twenty years of experience. Lady Barbrey Dustin sent thirty brickmakers, who would establish a brickworks south of Winterfell. Ser Harrion Karstark of Torrhen's Square sent fifty cavalrymen to help maintain order in Winter Town. Lord Medger Cerwyn dispatched sixty laborers for construction. Lord Halys Hornwood provided a group of tailors to assist under Septa Mordane. Lord Wyman Manderly contributed blacksmiths, craftsmen, and carpenters. He also informed Eddard that he had selected a site for a shipyard in White Harbor and had invited shipwrights from Braavos.

Eddard walked to Winterfell's forge, where Mikken was hard at work. Mikken, a tall man with silver hair and a sturdy build, looked small compared to Hodor, who stood nearly seven feet tall. Though a stablehand, Hodor often helped at the forge, lifting heavy iron ingots with ease.

Mikken noticed Eddard. "Lord Eddard, people say blacksmithing is a brute's job, that it doesn't require brains. But look at Hodor, and you'll see how wrong that is. Hodor's build is perfect for blacksmithing. It's a shame his mind isn't sharp enough. Otherwise, after all these years of helping me, even the dullest apprentice would have mastered the craft."

Eddard smiled. "Hodor is a simple man."

Mikken set down his hammer. "Lord Eddard, I heard you've recruited many blacksmiths. Am I going to lose my job? I was hoping to serve Winterfell until I couldn't lift a hammer anymore."

Eddard reassured him, "You're my best blacksmith. I'm recruiting more to prepare for the forge in Winter Town. We'll be producing weapons and armor on a large scale. Those blacksmiths will work under you because I'm putting you in charge of the forge."

Mikken grinned. "That's good to hear. Are we really going to war?"

"Winter is coming. We must prepare."

When lords in the Seven Kingdoms went to war, they often conscripted fishermen, farmers, and herdsmen as soldiers. These men brought their own equipment, sometimes even sickles and hammers as weapons. Leather armor was a luxury, let alone chainmail or plate armor. Winterfell needed to stockpile weapons to gain an advantage in times of war.

Mikken ran his hand over his hammer. "I don't think there'll be another war. Robert's firmly on the Iron Throne, and peace reigns."

At that moment, Maester Luwin hurried over, holding a letter. "Lord Eddard, one of our salt pans along the coast has been attacked. Over twenty people are dead, and the watchtower was destroyed."

Eddard was shocked. "What? Are the Ironborn on the western coast so bold? Damn those Ironborn!"

Maester Luwin caught his breath. "Lord Eddard, it wasn't the western coast. It was the eastern coast, in the Bay of Seals, in House Umber's territory. And the attackers weren't Ironborn. They were savages from Skagos—the Stoneborn!"

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