Reminiscence

Reminiscence

“Check.”

His uncle moved his piece.

Hadrian moved his bishop. ”Check mate.”

After looking over the board for a few seconds Ned released a sigh and tipped his King over. “You win again nephew.”

Harry smirks. “You did better this time.”

He is rewarded with a dry stare in return. “Thats because the last game only lasted five minutes. “

His smirk only widened. 

Ned sighed, slouched back into his chair and took a sip from his goblet. “What made you decide to make this game anyway?”

Harry just shrugged. “I was just getting a bit tired of cyvesse.”

In truth Hadrian was just feeling nostalgic. He wanted something that reminded him of his past life. While the pieces didn't move in this game, it was still chess. Playing it brought back pleasant memories of sitting in the Gryffindor common room playing with Ron while Hermione babbled about the last interesting thing she read. 

These were generally memories he tried to suppress as they always made him sad. They always made him ask ‘What if?’. They made him get lost in the past. 

It wasn't until he started making more progress with his magic with the Children of the Forest that he decided he was going about things the wrong way. Harry decided he would do his best to remember them and honor them in his own ways, instead of trying his best to forget them.

Hence, he made chess in memory of Ron. Then he spent time trying to design a press that could copy books in honor of Hermione. She would want knowledge to be more available than what it is in this world. That one was still a work in progress though. Not least because he also had to find a way to make ink that would allow it to work without smudging.

Ned took another gulp of wine before shaking his head and speaking. “I don't know how you come up with these things.”

Harry felt his lips twitch. “My genius is not to be underestimated.”

Ned laughed. “Your ego is not to be underestimated.”

He smiled before gesturing back to the board. “Another game?”

Ned sighed. “Aye, one more. I'm white this time though.”

Harry just waved his hand and started to reset the board.

His uncle started by moving his leftmost pawn two spaces forward. Harry countered by using one of his knights.

A few minutes went by in silence as they each focused on their moves before Ned broke the silence. “What are you going to do about the Mormonts?”

Harry grit his teeth when he was reminded of that irritation. His uncle had only recently got back from Bear Island and the news he brought wasn't at all pleasant. That fool Jorah Mormont selling slaves was bad enough. He had to waste a good chunk of the gold Harry sent for constructing the naval port on his wife as well.

“What is there to do? Jorah escaped. I don't want to punish the entire family as they seemingly had nothing to do with his idiotic decisions. Maege is one of my most loyal supporters. Bear Island stands to become one of the more important places in the North in the next few decades as the military port becomes finished, and that's not something I want to delay. I will put a bounty on Jorah's head but I can't punish the Mormont's without throwing even more gold away by delaying construction further.”

Ned shot him a look. “The other lords will complain you're showing too much favoritism. Youve already poured a lot of gold into the island and Benjen is going to marry Dacey. Letting them off too lightly for Jorahs slavery will not be seen in a good light.”

Harry waved his hand negligently. “Bah! The lords always complain. They complain about wildlings when they attack. They complain about the lack of fight when they go too long without attacking. They won't do anything but grumble. Besides, I have a few ideas to help them increase the prosperity of their lands. It's not only Bear Island that I hope to improve.”

Ned sighed. “Just don't get so focused on your projects that you ignore politics.”

He nodded slightly. He knew he would always have to try and strike a balance between all the lords.

Before they could continue the door was opened slightly and the voice of one of the guards came through. “My lord, Maester Luwin is asking to speak to you.”

Harry hardly needed to think about a response. If Luwin wanted an audience, it was generally important. He let out a slightly irritated sigh. He was supposed to be taking things easy. “He can enter.”

A few moments later the Maester walked into the solar and greeted them with a deferential nod of the head. “My lords.”

Harry already turned his attention back to the game of chess, he really wasn't feeling up to working right now.  “Yes Luwin?”

The maester was quick to answer. “News from the South my lord. Lord Manderly was attacked by a group of faith fanatics on his way out of Kingslanding.”

Ned stiffened while Harry just nodded absently while sending his castle after one of his uncle's pawns. “I'm aware. The fanatics tried to arrest Manderley and have him stand trial. Something about the North consorting with demons and abominations. ”

His uncle sputtered. “You know? Why wasn't I informed of this? What's being done?”

Harry sighed and finally looked away from the game. “I have spies uncle. One of them is in kingslanding.” Or at least his sparrow was. The man himself was in Duskendale. “I found out about this a few days ago. Lord Manderly is fine. He lost a few men and will probably refuse to sail south again for quite a while, but he is okay and on his way back to White Harbour. “

The tension in his uncles shoulders seemed to loosen at that. Still, he didn't lose his focus. “I'm still not happy about the spies but that's a conversation for another time. Why wasn't I told?”

Harry shrugged. “What difference would it have made? Right now, there's nothing we can really do but wait for Lord Manderly to arrive back in the North.”

Ned pursed his lips. “I still should have been told. I am still your regent, no matter how capable you have been at ruling, I have a duty.”

Harry sighed and nodded. “Very well. I will be sure to inform you of any important news from now on.” In truth, Harry didn't really mean to keep him in the dark. He was just busy and it slipped his mind that he wasn't told.

His uncle relaxed. “Thank you.”

He looked at the board and moved a piece almost negligently. After a moment or two he continued. “Still, what was the Kings response to this? Do you know?”

Harry moved his next piece before answering. “He was furious. It's a terrible look for random members of the faith to think they can judge the nobility. Robert had them executed. He wanted to march off and kill the fanatics causing trouble in the Vale as well, but Arryn talked him out of it. Instead, Jon Arryn is going to be going to the Vale personally.”

Ned took a sip of wine before sighing. “Hopefully he can resolve this mess.”

Harry resisted the urge to laugh. 

He turned his attention back to Luwin. “Was there anything else, Maester?

Luwin shook his head in the negative. “Nothing truly important my lord. A few minor matters, but they aren't urgent. “

Harry smiled and clapped his hands together. “Excellent.  Are my cousins finished with their lessons yet?”

Luwin nodded. “They finished about an hour ago my lord.”

Harry leant back into his chair. “Summon them and Aisha for me would you? “

“It will be done my lord.”

Harry's attention was brought back to his uncle when he was questioned. “What do you want the children for?”

He shrugged, looked at the board and moved his queen. “Check mate. I want to teach them how to play. Hopefully one of them will give me more of a challenge.”

Ned looked the board and then laughed. “You cheeky brat.”

Line break------

The next morning Harry found himself in the Godswood laying with his back against the Weirwood tree with his eyes closed.

For all that it looked as if he was sleeping, Hadrian's mind was hard at work.

This was a recent habit that he would try and force himself to do. Early each morning, before even some of his servants were awake, Hadrian would look into the Weirwood network for about an hour.

He spent most of the time looking into the past of Winterfell. Looking for events that he knew had happened in the castles recent past and trying to understand why some lords made the decisions that they did. He tried to learn from their tactics and skills when it came to ruling. Once he left the Green he would write anything important he discovered in a journal, for the reference of any Starks that came after him.

It was extremely slow going. So far, he hadn't even looked a century in the past. Even then, there was a lot he had missed as he mostly tried to focus on the most important events only.

Other times, like today, he let his mind wander and take him where his subconscious desired.

That is how a shade of Harry ended up sitting on a log in a different part of the Godswood. Watching as a young girl wacked her younger brother with a stick as the poor boy tried in vain to block with his own.

“You can do better than that Ben!” She laughed. Hopping back, dodging the counterattack.

“Stop dodging Lya! Let me hit you!” A young Benjen Stark shouted at his older sister while continuing to miss his every strike.

“Where would the fun be in that?” She asked and whacked Benjen on the back.

The younger boy grew frustrated, threw his stick away and tackled the girl with a loud yell. Both children fell to the floor and started wrestling. Rolling around on the floor, over piles of leaves and dirt. Leaving them in an absolute mess.

This went on for a few minutes until they both fell onto their back gasping for breath with smiles on their faces.

Harry gave the scene a sad smile before it shifted.

He found himself standing on the battlements of Winterfell. An older Lyanna Stark was standing a few feet away from him looking over Wintertown. In her arms was a baby.

“One day, this is all going to be yours Harry. You will rule over the entire North, making choices that will shape the lives of millions. I know that you can be great. You can make the North strong. Work hard and we won't need to rely on Southern alliances. You won't need to sell your daughter to a whoremonger to keep the North safe.” She wiped tears from her eyes, her voice bitter.

“Hah, look at me. Crying like this, I'm not setting a good example for you, am I?” She leaned down and laid a kiss on his head.

The baby reached a chubby hand and placed it on her cheek. As if trying to comfort her.

Lyanna burst into laughter. “Ha Ha Ha! You're such a sweet boy! Thank you, Harry. I needed that.”

The baby yawned.

“Oh, you're tired. Let's get you to your room to have a nap.” She walked away while singing him a low melody. “High in the halls of the Kings who are gone, Jenny would dance with her ghosts....”

The vision faded, replaced by chambers. Sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard with a toddler next to her and a book on her lap. Lyanna read out loud, tracing the words and speaking slowly. As if she was trying to teach him how to read.

“Aemon was devastated by the death of King Daeron. He felt he failed his duty as a Kingsguard to live when his King died. When he got back to Kingslanding, he trained harder than he ever had before. Threw himself into his duties more than ever before. Determined to not fail Baelor the way he felt he failed Daeron. Unfortunately, Baelon died due to the one thing that Aemon couldn't protect him from. Himself. After only a few short years of ruling, Baelon starved to death because of all the fasting he did. Aemon once more outlived his King. Unfortunately, the next King he served wasn't nearly as worthy as the previous ones. Aegon was a whoremonger. He had a different woman in his bed every night. He would bed lords daughters when he visited their castles and would sire bastards all over the Seven Kingdoms. Feasting and drinking until he grew fat and slovenly.”

The toddler lying next to her gave Lyanna a funny look. “Aunty, are you sure this is a story for children?” The young boy spoke with a dialect that was eerily advanced for his age.

She looked to the toddler and then back to the book before blushing and slamming it closed with her face red from embarrassment. “Maybe not. But it's not my fault Harry! This is supposed to be a book about Aemon the Dragonknight! I thought it would be about his battles and deeds! Not whatever this is!”

The small boy couldn't help but break out into laughter. “Ha ha ha! Its- it's okay. I'm sure there are worse books you could have got.”

Lyanna narrowed her eyes. “I think someone's getting a bit too clever for his own good. Maybe a bit of punishment is in order.”

She leant over the boy, grabbing his sides and began tickling him.

“No, No-n-no no stop it. Ha Ha Ha Ha! P-please. Ha!”

This went on for a few seconds before she finally stopped. Giggling at the boy pouting.

“Now what did we learn Hadrian?”

He glared. “That your vicious.”

She smiled sharply. All teeth. “It seems someone didn't learn their lesson.”

He quickly backtracked. “I mean that your wisdom is without equal.”

He smacked his cheeks before leaning forward to kiss his forehead. “Good boy.”

Once again, the vision faded, replaced by a small room lit up by a small window and a few torches on the walls. The room smelled of blood. A baby's cries sounded. On the bed, a woman held the hand of a young man a few years older than her, while she pled with him.

“-Robert will kill him. Please protect him. Please Ned. Please.” Her voice got gradually weaker as she spoke.

“I swear.” The young man's voice trembled.

She smiled, pure relief in the expression. She relaxed her grip, her whole body starting to slacken. Just before her eyes lost their light, Harry swore they settled on him and her smile became slightly wider and her eyes glinted briefly before they lost their light.

“Lya! Lyanna! Please. Sister, please!”

Harry pulled himself out of the Weirwood network.

He sat up rubbing the tears from his eyes, as he couldn't help but mourn once more for the closest thing to a mother he could really remember. Even with being the Master of Death and having near perfect memories of his past life, his memories of Lily potter were fragmented. His memories only really became clear when Lily Potter was killed, and Voldemort first cast the killing curse at him.

When he finally gained his composure and looked at his surroundings he was surprised to find Leaf sitting on a log a few feet away. Staring at him intensely.

He cleared his throat. “How long have you been there?”

She blinked. “Long enough.”

“Why didn't you wake me?”

She shrugged. “You looked busy.”

Then she narrowed her eyes. “It doesn't do to hang on to the past Hadrian. Believe me. There were times over the millennia when I did the same thing. It started similar enough. I would go into the Green and watch moments of the lives of those I loved. Just fragments really. Then the longing would grow and I would watch more. Then more. Until one day I realized I had spent over a century watching. Obsessing over moments of their lives that were ultimately meaningless. Missing out on living my own life so that I could watch theirs.”

Harry nodded. He understood. Sometimes seeing your greatest desire was more torture than anything. As Dumbledore once told Harry when he first found the mirror of Erised in his first year. Men have wasted away in front of their desires. Still, it's not like he purposefully looked at those moments, he just let his subconscious take where it may.

He decided to move on to less painful and awkward topics. “Why are you here? Our magic lessons aren't until this afternoon.”

She narrowed her eyes at him for a fraction of a second before seemingly deciding to move on. “You asked me to get a few of my people to gather some magical plants we recognized from the Neck a few moons ago. Said you wanted to eventually build a garden of them so that you could use them in potions. Well, they have returned with seeds and some saplings from a few different plants.”

Harry stood dusting the dirt off himself as he did so. “That was faster than I thought it would take.”

She scoffed. “The Neck has hundreds of different species of magical plants. They only gathered a dozen or so. I figured it would be a long-term plan of yours and that it was better to go slow to learn how to grow them properly.”

He nodded. “Sensible. I was only expecting a few anyway. This is a project that will probably take years. Come, i have one of the glasshouses cleared for this project.”

Without further ado, Harry walked out of the Godswood with Leaf close behind. Her people were waiting at the entrance near the guards. A serant with them was holding a box that Harry guessed had the seeds and saplings.

All bowed their heads as he walked past. Children of the Forest and human alike. “Come.”

They walked across Winterfell in silence. It only took a few minutes to reach the glasshouses even with how slowly Hadrian was walking due to how close it was.

When they reached it, two of Hadrians guards entered first to check if it was safe before Hadrian followed with the Children and the rest of his guards stationed themselves at the door.

Inside of the glass gardens there were long rectangular containers lining the walls. With wooden boards breaking them up into sections. In the middle of the floor there were more of these containers. The containers were filled with the most fertile soil Harry could find. The space was packed as much as it could be while still having room to walk around and work.

Harry gestured to the back wall and spoke. “Plant what you can there. We'll see how well they grow in this sort of environment.”

The two Children who were following Leaf nodded without a word and went to do just that. Hadrian followed them to see exactly what pants they got for him.

A quick look at Leaf got her to explain whilst they commenced with planting the seeds.

“Thats wolfsbane and Hemlock.” She spoke when they placed the seeds down and buried them.

The next seeds came out. “Dittany and Dragonsbreath.” So, it went until all the seeds were planted. Each in their own container. Whilst this was happening Hadrian had one of the guards fetch a servant to get water.

Silence fell as Hadrian was lost in his own mind trying to picture the best way that he could make use of these plants for potions experiments when Leaf spoke.

“I thought you would be more reluctant to use one of your glassgardens for such a thing. As far as I know, they supply the North with much needed food in the winter.”

He hummed. “Thats true. These gardens are very important, but the food situation has been steadily improving over the last few years. The North has been growing more food than ever before and buying much less from the South now than we ever used to. In the next few years, I expect that we won't need to import food at all except in very dire winters. So we shouldn't need to rely on these gardens quite as much. Then there's all the gold we have been making. Thanks to not importing as much food and because of such a successful trade voyage, we have enough gold to order more glass from Myr for the first time in a very long time. Lord Manderly will be handling that once he gets back to White Harbour. He will also be ordering glass to build another glass garden for White Harbour as well and then he will be organizing another trading voyage. If the economy keeps improving like it has, in a few years I expect a few more Houses will be building their own glass gardens. If it does become a problem in winter anyway, there should be enough gold to purchase what we need.”

She nodded. “I see. The economies of men still confuse me. Even after all these years. My people have always relied on the land to give us everything we need.”

Harry smiled slightly. “It's not fun to think about but it is necessary. You will have to adapt if you truly want your people to thrive.”

She had a serious expression on her face. “I suppose we must.”

A servant entered with a bucket and prepared to water the seeds. Harry watched for a moment before he turned to leave. “I will speak to Luwin about teaching you what you need to know. I will have to make sure the Giants learn as well. It will be difficult, but I'm sure Luwin will relish the chance to learn about your cultures as he teaches you.”

“Thank you.”

Harry just waved her off. “The easier you adapt the better it will be. Both for you and the North.”

They walked in silence for a few moments. Hadrian lost in his head thinking about which potion he should prioritize trying to recreate while Leaf was lost in her own thoughts. Without even thinking about it, he wandered back towards the Godswood and entered. He was broken from his trance when Leaf asked another question.

“Who will be taking care of the plants?”

Harry shrugged. “I was going to have a servant do it. Why?” Although he had his suspicions.

She just cocked her head. “Would it not be better if one of my people did so? We are connected to nature in a way men are not. Our magic is meant to promote growth. It will be easier for us.”

He didn't even need to think about it, she was right. “True. I have no issue with that. Pick someone who you believe can get it done. They will eventually need to explain how they grow each plant though. As I hope to eventually have more than just that glass garden.”

Leaf pursed her lips. “Twig would be a good choice. She is smart, is good with plants and can speak the human tongue better than most. I will let her know.”

Hadrian smiled. “Excellent. Now while we already in the Godswood, do you mind starting our lessons earlier today?”

She shrugged. “Thats fine. What do you want to focus on today?”

Harry walked back over to the Weirwood tree and sat on one of its roots, leaning against the trunk. “Well, your people lived underground most of the time. In large tunnels that were connected to other tunnels. I was wondering if you had any magic connected to moving the earth. Anything that makes digging easier or faster? Or something that would allow you to raise earth in mounds?”

She adopted a thoughtful expression. “Earth magic. It is more difficult for my people than magic related to growing. Or connecting with animals. We specialize in magic related to life. But yes, there are ways we know of. What you must understand is that earth, by its very nature is unyielding. To wield earth one must be even more so. It isn't like growing plants where one is coaxing it to do what you want and helping it along. With earth you must be forceful. So must your magic. You must command it.”

Harry nodded. Drinking in the lesson with the utmost attention.

It seems Leaf saw that as she smiled slightly. “Let us begin.”