(Third POV)

A few days before the arrival of Elia in Winterfell.

“They are arriving earlier than I expected. Does Elia have such a small retinue? What of her safety?” Catelyn asked Eddard during breakfast.

“Like even an army could stop her arrival,” Ned said with a small chuckle as he ate.

Benjen, seated across the table, raised an eyebrow. “He cannot be that strong. Ned, are you truly believing those tall tales?” he asked.

Ned paused and looked at his brother. “Brother, I was there when his tale was forged,” Ned said, his tone turning serious.

“He stood guard at the princess’s door for an hour, killing Lannister men one after another.”

Catelyn gasped.

“He started with killing the Mountain and formed a corpse mountain of his own,” Ned continued before being interrupted.

“I will not have talk of killing as we break our fast,” Catelyn said sharply. Ned apologized and went back to eating.

“I was wondering if I should challenge him to a friendly spar before I leave for the Wall,” Benjen muttered.

“Wonder no more, brother. I will not allow it,” Ned said firmly, his tone carrying both authority and care.

Benjen sighed. “My lord, is it wise to welcome a brute into our home if he is as you describe?” Maester Luwin asked quietly.

Ned shook his head. “He is no brute, just a true warrior. He would not harm a fly if it does not threaten an innocent.”

He stood, and so did the rest of the family. Servants brought warm water in basins for them to wash their hands after the meal.

“During the sack of King’s Landing, he spent days patrolling the streets with my men, protecting the innocents from Lannister soldiers,” Ned said as he left to begin his duties.

Those who remained were left in their own thoughts, forming their opinions.

Two days later.

In the outer courtyard of Winterfell Castle, the Stark family stood waiting to welcome their guests.

Ned, Catelyn, and Benjen stood side by side with Rodrik Cassel and Maester Luwin behind them. Baby Robb was cradled in Catelyn’s arms, wrapped in wool.

The first thing they saw was a group of knights on horseback led by the golden custodian. Behind them came two carriages rolling steadily through the courtyard gates.

Benjen and Ned straightened when they saw Ra, while the servants around the castle stared in awe and fear at the giant golden figure.

Their fear turned to confusion when they noticed a little girl with white hair sitting on the golden giant’s shoulders, holding onto the horns of his helmet.

The procession stopped before the Starks, and Ra was the first to dismount. He gently lifted the girl from his shoulders and carried her as he helped Princess Elia step down from her carriage, cradling a baby in her arms.

Ra placed the giggling Rhaenys on the ground beside her mother as they walked toward the Starks.

Elia smiled and bowed. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home, my lord, my lady,” she said gracefully.

“It is our pleasure to welcome you, Princess,” Ned replied with a kind smile. Catelyn followed, offering a welcoming smile as well. They presented Elia with a small wooden tray of salt and bread, which she accepted.

Elia gestured to one of her attendants, who stepped forward with a folded bundle, a cloak made from deep black wolf fur. A Stark servant accepted it, and Ned thanked Elia for the gift.

“You must be cold from the road, Princess Elia. Come inside, the hearth is lit and supper is waiting,” Catelyn said warmly.

As they walked, Ned came beside Ra. “Would you join us for supper?” he asked.

Ra paused at the question, and Ned sighed. “I swear she and hers will be safe here in my halls,” Ned said sincerely.

After a moment, Ra nodded. “Thank you for your hospitality, my lord,” he said.

Ned smiled genuinely as the family and Elia sat at the long table. Ra handed his halberd to a guard, who almost fell over from the weight and struggled to set it aside.

The sight drew wry smiles from those nearby. Ra took the seat beside Elia, offered to him by Ned.

He removed his gloves and hung them from his belt before slowly taking off his helmet and placing it beside him.

He looked toward Catelyn and bowed. “Pardon my intrusion, my lady.”

“There is nothing to pardon, ser. You are welcome at this table,” Catelyn said kindly, though everyone was still staring at Ra’s face.

“Well, it seems the rumors that you had horns on your head were false,” Benjen joked, drawing a small laugh from Ra.

Food was brought out, and they ate in comfortable silence for a while.

“I hope the journey was comfortable,” Catelyn said, breaking the quiet.

Elia nodded as she fed baby Aegon soft bread soaked in broth. “Ra made some adjustments to the carriage. They were a lifesaver. He is good at most things… except cooking,” she added with a wince and a small shrug.

Ra’s lips pressed thin, but he said nothing. ‘She is asking to be slapped on the backside,’ he thought as he continued eating, already plotting revenge.

“Thank you for the cloak, Princess. It is exquisite material,” Ned said, and Elia smiled, glancing at Ra.

“It was procured by Ra, brought from his homeland,” she explained.

“I have heard much of Goldmere. Could you tell me about it, ser?” Catelyn asked.

Ra wiped Rhaenys’s mouth gently before feeding her another spoonful. “I cannot say much, but I will say that Nightshade is fair and prosperous. I went from an orphan to a custodian, where else would that be possible?” he said with a fond smile.

The Starks exchanged glances. “I thought you a noble, with those golden eyes and golden hair,” Benjen said, earning another quiet laugh from Ra.

After dinner, Ra and Elia were shown their living quarters. Their rooms were adjacent, something Ned believed would put both their minds at ease.

That night, once all formalities were done, Elia entered Ra’s room. He was lying on his bed when she approached and lay beside him, resting her head on his chest.

“They seem like good people,” she said softly.

Ra nodded.

Then he lowered his hand and gave her a light slap on the backside, making her yelp and swat at his chest.

“That was for calling me a bad cook,” Ra said with a grin.

Elia pouted, then straddled him and began kissing him passionately.

A/n: Yeah, they fucked, I am not writing it though.

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