A long, narrow ship built for speed and grace, with polished cedar woodwork and deep orange and crimson sails emblazoned with the Martell sun and spear sigil, docked at White Harbor in the early hours of the day.
The longship had another vessel tied to it that looked Ironborn in design, tethered for some reason.
The ship was welcomed by Wyman Manderly and his eldest son Wylis Manderly, with important members of their household present, including Ser Marlon Manderly.
After the docking process was complete, a colossal warrior in complete golden armor, carrying a halberd as big as himself, descended from the ship first.
Despite having met Ra before, Wylis still could not stop himself from taking a half step back in sheer admiration of the warrior and the feats he had accomplished.
Wyman Manderly saw his son reacting and placed a comforting but firm hand on his shoulder, whispering to him, "Stand straight, son."
Wylis nodded and stood straight the next moment.
After Ra, they saw a beautiful Dornish woman descend the ship. Wyman Manderly smiled as he heard someone mutter, "The 'Flower of Dorne' epithet was made for her."
With Elia, her children descended as well, the six-year-old Rhaenys and four-year-old Aegon. The children had smiles on their faces as they took in the beautiful sight of White Harbor in the early morning.
Ra stood in front of Wyman and nodded his head. "It is a pleasure to see you again, my lord. It is a pleasant sight to see your city, made better by your presence," Ra said as Wyman smiled jovially.
"The pleasure is ours, friend. It is a pleasant sight to see you return north," Wyman said with a hearty laugh and bowed slightly to Elia as she neared him and Ra.
"Welcome to White Harbor, my lady. It is a pleasure to see you walking our shores," Wyman greeted Elia, receiving a smile and a curtsy from her in return.
"The pleasure is ours, my lord. Thank you for such a warm welcome," Elia said.
"New Castle stands ready to offer you comfort. Rest here and let the sea winds soothe the weariness from the long journey," Wyman offered, smiling at the children as well and placing his hand briefly on their heads.
Ra and the family were welcomed to the castle, their arrival treated with happiness and courtesy.
A feast was prepared for their arrival, with Wyman laughing and exchanging stories with Ra and the family.
"The easiest fourteen ships and one war galley we ever got," Wyman said with a laugh as they talked about the time Ra had helped with the Ironborn raid on Bear Island.
They had taken a total of twenty-one ships and one war galley from the Ironborn. Ned had sold his share of the ships to the Manderlys at a low price and Ra's share at a fair price, giving Ra's share of the gold to Ra.
With their own share for their contribution to the defense, the Manderlys had procured fourteen ships and one war galley while Bear Island was given seven ships.
"We couldn't do shit and just stood there as he did all the work," Wylis said with a laugh, gesturing to Ra.
"What's shit?" Aegon asked Elia suddenly, making her glare at Marlon lightly.
"It's a bad word, little one. I am going to teach my son not to use it again," Wyman said with a laugh and slapped Marlon's back.
Aegon giggled and went back to being fed by Ra in his lap while Rhaenys was pouting as she had to eat herself because she was 'big now' according to Elia.
"How about you get more comfortable, Ser Ra. You have my word you and yours are honored guests under my roof," Wyman asked Ra, who had not removed his helmet yet.
Wyman dismissed the people who were not part of his family or Ra's, except his close servants and trustworthy men.
Ra nodded and took off his helmet, placing it in Aegon's lap. The boy smiled and held the helmet by the horns as he was being fed by Ra.
"As I told you at the feast after the Ironborn raid, you should take your helmet off more," Wylis said with a chuckle. He had been part of the troops the Manderlys had provided as aid to Ned Stark alongside the ships.
"My son told me of your prowess at the raid. I admit it is still unbelievable and out of the realm of reality for me," Wyman Manderly said with a shake of his head.
Ra shrugged at that and fed some food to the waiting Aegon. "It was my duty, my lord," Ra said simply.
"Was it. Pardon me but you are not from the Seven Kingdoms, are you?" Wyman said. Marlon, Wylis and the men who had fought with Ra paused as they heard that question and seemed dissatisfied but did not voice or show their dissatisfaction.
"It was my duty to protect the innocent, my lord. I would not have interfered if it was a war of two armies and none of my loved ones were involved in it," Ra said simply.
"And he is my husband now, my lord. Am I not of the Seven Kingdoms?" Elia said. She did not hide her dissatisfaction at Wyman's question.
"I apologize, Ser, and my princess. I merely wished to ask of Ser Ra's convictions. Forgive me for any offense as it was the farthest from my intentions," Wyman said and to his credit, Ra and Elia could sense he was truly apologetic.
Ra and Elia accepted the apology with a nod and were shown to their rooms after the feast. They were given two rooms in the family wing, one for the kids and one for them, with guards and servants one call away.
After escorting Ra and the family to their rooms, Marlon returned to Wyman and saw him sitting with Wylis and some of their trusted men.
The room was silent and contemplative and the people in the room seemed to be in their own thoughts. They were brought out of them when they heard Marlon enter and shut the door behind him.
"Ah Marlon. I hope our guests were satisfied with their accommodations?" Wyman asked and Marlon nodded.
"The little boy gave me this as thanks for helping his father when he heard I had been with him during the defense of Bear Island," Marlon said, showing everyone a little wooden sword he had gotten from Aegon as a gift.
The people in the room chuckled, their moods lifted and Marlon carefully tucked the little sword in his pocket.
"So the little ones see him as a father," Wyman muttered to himself in a low voice, no one herd his muttering.
"Father?" Wylis said. He did not ask a question but there was one in his tone.
"I did not lie. I wished to ask of his convictions," Wyman said.
"You could have asked us, Father. We fought with him. Well... he did most of the fighting," Wylis said, getting nods and hums from some men in the room.
Wyman waved his hand. "What's done is done. I have apologized and they accepted it," he said.
"It seems they were attacked by an Ironborn vessel on their way. The crew seems eager to join the Watch and the ship is for us," Marlon said.
"We should offer gold for the ship anyway," Wyman said.
A/n: The the power stones tho.. Now.