A few days later, Aerian can be seen in the Keep library reading about the history of the North and the realm, some things that the show and perhaps even the books didn't touch on. The tranquil silence was broken by the opening of the door and Tharren, Lilliana, and little Loreth in her arms entering through.
"I'm guessing that since all of you are here simultaneously, this has to be something important?" Aerian asked, looking up from the book that he was reading.
"You would be right, my dear son, as I said to you years ago on that day that you saw and met Frostclaw when you were five days old, that you would also meet and create your bond with your white tiger." Tharren said with a smile on his face.
Hearing what he said, Aerian eyes went wide for a moment as he stood up, 'I forgot about that!'.
"When will we do this?!" Aerian asked quickly, excitement in his voice.
"We will do it in the morning, so rest today, set your mind straight, and word of advice: there's a saying that has been passed down through the ages of our house since this ritual started. The stronger your ambitions, the stronger your tiger. As creatures that rule through strength and ferocity, tigers are one of the most majestic creatures to walk the world already when they're normal, but the ones we bond with each have a special trait about them." Tharren started explaining while sitting across from Aerian, with Lilliana beside her husband.
"The tigers we bond with come from a line blessed with the magic of the children of the forest that, over time, has blessed them with more than increased strength and speed but also allowed some of the stronger ones to have the possibility to gain a trait. Frostclaw has the stealth trait that allows him to sneak around undetected, earning him the moniker the ghost of Winter. Being blessed with magic allows them to sense your emotions and ambitions; if your mentality is weak and fragile, you won't get a bond as they disdain weakness and lack of strength. On the other hand, if you have a strong mentality, strong will, and strong ambitions wh, whether it is to grow stronger, protect your family, or gain power, the chances of gaining a bond increase, and then it comes down to the tigers on if whether matches your feelings."
Aerian, listening to everything his father was saying, was getting more excited by the second. How could he not? Everyone who has seen Robb and Jon riding into battle with Ghost and Greywind at their side has probably wanted to live that dream, and now he has that chance with a creature that will grow stronger, faster, and more intelligent than the dire wolves that the starks will gain in the future.
"But father there's one thing i don't understand, if we've had these bonds for thousands of years why are we subordinate to the starks?" Aerian asked as this question has been bugging him since he arrived into this world.
"Because we never sought power over the North, as you know our ancestors once lived with the magical creatures that walked the lands before the first men came and when the war between the two happened we stood on the side of the magical creatures. Everything was balanced until a group of forest children created the night king and started the long night to which our two sides had no choice but to come together and make truce in order to stand a chance against our enemies. In that truce, it was agreed that the leader of the army of the first men, the man who came to create house Stark would rule over the north if we were to win the war but in exchange House Aurelius would be in charge of keeping the magical creatures safe and although would technically be under the Starks, have independent rights as long as we do not go into open rebellion or sow discourse that will damage the North." Tharren explained.
"If we were to keep the magical being safe then what happened to them?"
"Well over the years with the help of the children of the forest we managed to grow a forest near the mountains a few miles away at the back of the keep where we will be going to conduct your ritual bonding, in that forest live forest children along with shadow cats and the tigers. The giants decided to stay beyond the wall as the first line of defense against the wight walkers should they ever return along with half of our family back then who also decided to go with them."
Aerian was left in shocked once he heard that part. "Are you saying that some of the wildlings beyond the wall are possibly apart of our family?!"
"There's a high possibility and with them working with the giants then chances are that they have their own tribe or have made a village beyond the wall for their people to survive and if that's the case then they're probably the ones that have been keeping most of the wildlings in check which is why we haven't had much sightings or run-ins with them over the years."
Processing all the new information that was just given to them, Aerian can only nod and accept it until he finds out the truth for himself later on when he has more freedom to move around on his own.
Seeing his son lost in thought from everything discussed just now, Tharren just smiled and patted his son on the shoulder as he stood up, "Don't worry too much, Focus on the ritual bonding tomorrow and everything else can wait till the future." Tharren smiled and turned to leave as Lilliana stood up as well, "You'll be fine my son, i believe in you and that you will gain a very strong bond tomorrow but whatever happen we are proud of you, right Loreth." She said tickling Loreths tummy causing her to giggle.
"Thank you mother i will, I'll see you at dinner and you as well little snowflake" Aerian replied kissing Loreths cheek many times making her laugh again while trying to grab his face.