57AC
Winterfell
The ancient stones of Winterfell echoed with the quiet rhythm of my footsteps as I wandered through its familiar halls. My mind, however, was far from the present, lost in the swirling eddies of memory and anticipation. My heart ached with a familiar longing, a longing for family.
My grand-daughter, Morgan, and my grandsons, Artor, Harrion, Eddard, William, Torrhen, and Alaric. Their faces flickered in my mind's eye, each distinct, each precious.
The chill of the North seeped into my bones as I continued my wanderings. I passed a group of maids, their faces flushed with work, carrying baskets of freshly laundered linens. "Good day, ladies," I offered, my voice a low rumble.
"Good day, Lady Stark," they replied, their voices a chorus of respect. A small smile touched my lips. Even in my advanced years, the traditions of Winterfell held firm.
Further on, I encountered a pair of guards, their hands resting on the hilts of their swords, their eyes scanning the corridors with practiced vigilance. "Anything to report?" I inquired.
"All is quiet, Lady Gilliane," one of them responded, his voice deep and resonant. "The lords and ladies are still abuzz with the wonders of the College."
"Aye," I murmured, my thoughts drifting back to my family. "Wonders indeed."
My steps led me to the solar of my good-daughter, Diana. She was seated at a large oak table, poring over a stack of parchments, her brow furrowed in concentration. The fire crackled merrily in the hearth, casting a warm glow on her face.
"Diana," I said, my voice soft.
She looked up, her expression softening as she saw me. "Mother," she greeted me, rising to her feet. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything is as well as can be," I replied, my gaze fixed on her. "But my heart yearns for family. I have been thinking of Morgan, Artor, Harrion, Eddard, William, Torrhen, and Alaric. They are at the College now, are they not?"
Diana nodded, her eyes filled with a gentle understanding. "Aye, they are. They are eager to learn, and they are thriving in this new environment."
"I know," I said, my voice firm. "I wish to see them. I wish to see my granddaughter and my grandsons with my own eyes. I wish to visit College"
Diana's expression became thoughtful. "It is a long journey, mother," she cautioned. "And you are not as young as you once were."
"I am strong," I insisted, my voice laced with a hint of steel. "And I am determined. I will not be denied this."
I paused, my gaze meeting hers. "I will speak with Brandon," I continued. "I will tell him myself that I wish to go to the College of Winterhold."
Diana nodded slowly. "Very well, mother," she said. "I will also come with you."
She led me out of the solar and through the winding corridors of Winterfell, her footsteps steady and sure. My own steps, though slower, were filled with a newfound purpose. I would see my family. I would see the College. And I would not let anything stand in my way.
We found Brandon in his solar, poring over maps and ledgers. He looked up as we entered, his expression softening slightly as he saw me. "Gilliane," he greeted me.
"I wish to go to the College of Winterhold," I declared. "I wish to see our grand-daughter and grandsons. I wish to see this place that Theon has built."
Brandon became thoughtful. "It is a long journey, my dear," he said. "And the roads are treacherous. You are not as young as you once were."
"I am strong," I insisted. "And determined. I will not be denied this. I have a right to see our family."
Brandon relented. "Very well, my love. If you are determined, I will not stand in your way. But you must take a proper escort." He arranged for my journey, and I prepared to depart, my heart filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.
The journey to the College of Winterhold was indeed arduous, but the sight that greeted us upon our arrival was enough to dispel any lingering weariness. The College, a sprawling complex of stone buildings and verdant gardens, stood as a testament to Theon's vision and the North's capacity for innovation.
As we entered the College grounds, we were met by a group of students, their faces bright with curiosity and enthusiasm. Among them, I spotted Morgan, my granddaughter, her eyes shining with excitement.
"Grandmother! Mother!" she exclaimed, rushing forward to embrace us. Her hug was warm and strong, a welcome reminder of the family I had missed so dearly.
"Morgan, my dear," I said, my voice filled with affection. "You look well. And this place... it is even more magnificent than I had imagined."
We were quickly surrounded by my grandsons: Artor, Harrion, Eddard, William, Torrhen, and Alaric. Each of them greeted us with warmth and respect, their voices filled with the eagerness of youth.
"Welcome, Grandmother," Artor said, his voice deep and resonant. "We are honored to have you visit the College."
"We have so much to show you," Harrion added, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "The libraries, the workshops, the Glass Gardens... you will be amazed by everything."
"We are eager to hear about your studies," Diana said, her voice filled with a motherly pride. "Tell us, what have you been learning?"
The grandchildren eagerly shared their experiences, each recounting their favorite subjects and discoveries. Morgan spoke of her fascination with the healing arts, describing the medicinal properties of the plants cultivated in the Glass Gardens.
"I am learning from Maester Thomm," she explained, her voice filled with passion. "He is teaching me how to heal the sick and ease their suffering."
Artor, like his father, was drawn to the practical applications of knowledge. He spoke of his work in the workshops, where he was learning to build and repair complex machinery.
"Father's inventions are truly groundbreaking," he said, his eyes shining with admiration. "I am learning how to harness the power of steam and create machines that can improve our lives."
Harrion, with his keen intellect, was drawn to the theoretical aspects of knowledge. He spoke of his studies in the College's vast library, where he devoured ancient texts and debated philosophical concepts with the scholars.
Eddard, ever the quiet observer, spoke of the bonds of camaraderie he had formed with his fellow students.
"We are all from different parts of the North," he said, "but we have become like brothers and sisters. We learn together, we work together, and we support each other."
William, with his natural curiosity, was eager to explore every corner of the College. He spoke of his adventures in the observatory, where he studied the stars and learned about the mysteries of the cosmos.
Torrhen, with his practical mind, focused on the potential of the College to improve the lives of the Northern people. He spoke of his studies in agriculture and engineering, and his desire to use his knowledge to develop more efficient farming techniques and build better infrastructure.
"The College can help us to overcome the challenges of our harsh environment," he said, his voice filled with determination. "We can learn to grow more food, build stronger homes, and create a better future for our people."
Alaric, the youngest of the group, spoke of his passion for the arts and his desire to use his talents to celebrate the beauty and history of the North.
"I am learning to paint and sculpt," he said, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "I want to create works that will inspire and uplift our people, and remind them of the strength and resilience of our heritage."
Diana and I listened intently as our grandchildren shared their experiences, our hearts swelling with pride. They were all thriving in this new environment, embracing the opportunities that the College offered, and forging their own paths towards becoming the future leaders of the North.
"We are so proud of all of you," I said, my voice filled with emotion. "You have all grown into such remarkable young men and women. Theon has created a place where you can flourish, where your talents can be nurtured, and where your potential can be realized."
Diana added, "Your father would be so pleased to see how well you are doing. He has always believed in the importance of knowledge and innovation, and he would be overjoyed to know that you are carrying on that tradition."
Morgan, ever perceptive, noticed the warmth in our gazes. "We are grateful for this opportunity, Grandmother, Mother," she said, her voice filled with sincerity. "The College has opened up a whole new world to us, a world of possibilities that we never knew existed."
Artor nodded in agreement. "We are learning not just from books and scholars," he said, "but also from each other. We are forging bonds of camaraderie and shared purpose that will last a lifetime."
Harrion, ever the scholar, added, "The College is not just a place of learning; it is a community. We are all working together to build a better future for the North, a future where knowledge and innovation are valued above all else."
Eddard, ever the pragmatist, spoke of the practical benefits of the College. "We are learning skills that will be invaluable to our people," he said. "We are learning how to heal the sick, build better homes, and defend our lands."
William, ever the explorer, shared his excitement about the discoveries being made at the College. "The scholars here are pushing the boundaries of knowledge," he exclaimed. "They are uncovering the secrets of the universe and developing new technologies that will change the world."
Torrhen, ever the leader, spoke of his vision for the future of the North. "We are learning how to create a more prosperous and equitable society," he said. "A society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their birth or station."
Alaric, ever the artist, shared his hopes for using his talents to inspire and uplift his people. "I want to create works that will celebrate the beauty and history of the North," he said, "and remind us of the strength and resilience of our heritage."