The convoy of ships carrying Lord Aeos and the rest of his entourage reached the port of White Harbor with all the fanfare. A massive crowd had gathered at the port to welcome him.
The smallfolk were not as aware as their lords about the happenings in Essos. But they had heard enough of Lord Aeos from the mouths of people who traveled to Essos.
They had heard about the grand changes he had brought to the lives of the smallfolk in the cities he ruled. They had heard how the smallfolk in his reign were happy and satisfied. They had heard that smallfolk did not have to worry about the next day's meal or about a rich or powerful man abducting their wives, sisters, and daughters. They did not know if their lives would ever transform or not. But they, anyhow, wanted to get a glimpse of this legendary man.
Even House Manderly had gone a great deal in preparation for Jon's arrival. The port had been decorated with various colours and flowers. A grand and exotic feast had been prepared at the New Castle.
It had been a hard challenge for the men of Wyman Manderly to maintain order. It was the first time they were seeing a phenomenon of this kind. The crowd was almost going mad just to get a glimpse of the man. They had never experienced anything like this. It was taking a lot of effort for these men to keep the crowd in control.
The moment Jon appeared on the edge of the ship where the gangplank had been lowered, the crowd went wild. A loud wave of cheers, shouting, and screaming erupted from them. A current of frenzied excitement was coursing through them.
Even Jon was taken aback with a bit of surprise seeing such grandeur for him. He had not thought that he would be loved so much even among the smallfolk of Westeros.
Jon descended the lowered gangplank onto the port of White Harbor. It had been years since he had departed from this very same port to begin his journey. And now he was back. He did not really know the emotion he was feeling right now.
The first man Jon spotted after stepping down was an extremely obese and oversized man. He was leading a group of men to welcome Lord Aeos. Jon recognized the man in a glance. He needed no introduction. Wyman Manderly, Lord of White Harbor.
"Lord Aeos," Wyman trudged his heavy body forward. "Welcome! Welcome! Welcome to White Harbor."
"Thank you, Lord Manderly," Jon responded with a smile.
The rest of the men who were standing behind Wyman Manderly also stepped forward and greeted Jon with almost a flattering gesture. Though he did not command the same power, he commanded in Essos, but the presence he carried was still heavy, majestic and commanding.
Wyman looked around, towards the massive crowd that was going wild.
"I have never seen anything like this in my life," Wyman remarked. "The moment the word got out that your fleet is closing in, they started to gather here."
Jon merely smiled at Wyman's words. He raised his right hand and gave it a wave. It was as if the wave riled them even further. The cheering and the shouting got even louder. The people were getting almost frenzied.
"Lord Aeos," Wyman said in a hushed tone. "We should go to the castle. If you continue standing here, the Seven know what they will do."
"Please!" He added with his hands extended.
"Aye," Jon nodded his head in response. "It is for the best."
Jon, along with Melisandre, Slyvia, Grey Worm, and a few more soldiers and Dothraki, followed Wyman Manderly towards his castle. A few of the officials of Wyman Manderly stayed behind to make sure that Lord Aeos' entourage deboarded the ships without any issues.
The arrangement for the accommodation of these men was also left in the hands of these officials.
While Jon was being led to the New Castle of House Manderly, a different scene was playing out in Winterfell.
Maester Luwin had brought another letter from King's Landing for Ned Stark. But unlike most other times, the letter this time was not meant for Catelyn but for Ned himself. The seal of the Hand of the King was stamped onto it. Ned tore open the letter and unfurled the parchment. As he read through, creases formed on his forehead and a heavy frown settled on his face.
"What does the letter say, My Lord?" Rodrik Cassel questioned. "You look tense. What does Lord Arryn say?"
He had been in the solar with Ned when Maester Luwin had brought the letter.
"Jon has expressed disappointment with me," Ned replied with a sigh.
He crumpled the parchment in his palm in frustration.
"What for?" Rodrik questioned with narrowed eyes.
"Over my failure to inform, or rather seek permission from the crown, about the arrival of Jon Snow in the North," Ned replied.
Rodrik did not need to have it explained what this implied. He was proficient and experienced enough in politics to understand its implications.
"Oh!" He responded.
"What more does it say?" Maester Luwin interjected.
"He says that he and Robert trust that I have had no ill intention, but the court has been talking," Ned answered. "That whatever has happened has happened."
"He wants a very detailed report about the purpose of his visit, and then from now onwards he wants a detailed report about everything that I talk about with Jon and whatever happens here at Winterfell."
Though a lot was written in the letter, Ned summarised it for Rodrik and Luwin.
"If it was only the court talking, Jon Arryn would not have asked for detailed reports," Rodrik remarked with a snort. "It is clear that even he is anxious and tense about this visit from Jon Snow."
"I think it is quite understandable," Maester Luwin interjected. "Lord Stark might be considering it only as a visit from Jon Snow, his bastard son, but King's Landing is taking it as a visit from Lord Aeos, a man who rules his own kingdom in Essos."
"What will you do, My Lord?" Rodrik questioned.
Ned did not answer immediately. He took a few moments to compose his answer.
"For now, I will inform him that apart from talking about the schedule of Jon's visit, we have held no discussion about the purpose of his visit," he answered. "And as for the regular updates, I will think about it."
Rodrik and Maester Luwin nodded their heads in acknowledgement.
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