A Clueless Genius Wolf (BL)

As we arrived at Winterfell.

The journey through Winter Town passed in quiet awe. The townsfolk, pausing mid-task, turned their eyes toward the banners of House Stark waving high, a sure sign of their lord's return. But behind those familiar sights came something unfamiliar—a sleek, magical carriage, rune-etched and gliding soundlessly across the dirt road like a dream made real.

People gasped. Children pointed. Some bowed low, uncertain but respectful. A few crossed themselves in reverence or fear. They'd never seen anything like it.

At the head of the procession rode Lord Eddard Stark, solemn and steady as ever, with Robb beside him, his eyes constantly flicking back toward the carriage that bore me and my companions. His mind raced with possibilities, his heart with something newer: curiosity and something else, something warmer.

As the massive gates of Winterfell creaked open, snow-dusted stone walls towering above us, the air shifted. Old and strong magic seemed to hum beneath the very ground.

"Winterfell," I whispered as I stepped out with Kyle and the others. "It feels... ancient. Rooted." It was a beautiful sight to behold. 

Maester Luwin was the first to greet us in the courtyard, descending the steps with his robes fluttering. Beside him stood Catelyn Stark, her auburn hair braided back, eyes sharp with caution and grace. Servants and guards stood nearby, forming a semi-circle. They were all cautious, rightfully so. 

Ned and Robb dismounted and approached their family.

"Maester. Catelyn," Ned greeted, embracing her briefly. "Much has happened since we left."

Maester Luwin nodded, adjusting his chain. "We received your raven, my lord. But even your words did not prepare us for…" He turned his gaze to the magical carriage and then to me.

I stepped forward, robes clean and elegant, trimmed in silver and starlight blue. My white wolf ears twitched as I bowed politely. My tail swayed slightly behind me.

"King Damon Wolfstein of the Kingdom of Dusklight," Eddard said with measured authority. "An explorer from beyond the Sunset Sea… and our guest."

Catelyn's eyes widened at the ears. She recovered quickly but could not hide her instinctive concern. "You're… not of Westeros."

"No, my lady," I said warmly. "I hail from far across the sunset sea, where the sun sleeps. The unexplored places that Westeros had not sought from this part of the world. I've come not to conquer, but to learn and perhaps, in time, to build something better between the North and my Kingdom."

Catelyn gave a curt nod, lips pursed in a tight line, but she did not speak further. Her instincts were sharp, protective—but not rude. She would judge me carefully, as a Stark should.

Maester Luwin stepped forward, examining us all with scholarly interest. "Remarkable," he muttered, taking in Kyle, Hana, Vera, Zackery, and Ellian. "Your companions... you're called beast-kin and humans alike. Wonderful discovery. You've crossed the Sunset Sea. That alone is a feat long thought impossible."

"And yet here we stand," Kyle said with a grin. "With all limbs intact."

Robb chuckled, quieering it with a cough when his mother looked at him.

The servants and guards watched from a distance, some wide-eyed, some murmuring to one another. My people, standing with me in calm formation, gave no offense, no reason for fear. We were regal, respectful, and foreign in every way.

"Maester Luwin," I said, addressing him respectfully, "I would be honored to exchange ideas with you in the coming days. Our kingdom has extensive archives on magic, medicine, and governance."

The old maester blinked, clearly intrigued. "I would like that very much."

At Lord Stark's gesture, we were invited to follow him inside his sacred halls.

The inside of Winterfell was a world unto itself—stone hallways cool and quiet, the scent of woodsmoke in the air, the hearths burning strong. Ancient, timeless. The weight of history pressed in from the walls. Warm compared to outside.

I admired the architecture. Kyle whispered, "If we study their stonework and rune integration, we might even learn a few things ourselves."

"Maybe, or we can help discover their lost history," I said.

As we passed by, servants bowed or stared, unsure what to make of us. A small girl with braids whispered to her friend, pointing at my tail. A stablehand dropped a bucket. One guard muttered a prayer under his breath, unsure if I was divine or cursed.

Robb walked beside me now, close enough that his shoulder nearly brushed mine. He had that same thoughtful blush as he glanced at my tail. "So you're… a wolf beast-kin, you said?"

I nodded. "It surprises you?"

"Not exactly," he said. "It's just… fitting. You being a wolf, and us being Starks. The old gods must have laughed about that."

"I like to think it's fate," I replied gently, catching his eye for a moment.

He looked away quickly, ears red.

Behind us, Catelyn Stark whispered to her husband, "You trust him this quickly?"

"I trust what I've seen," Ned replied. "He came peacefully. With gifts. And his people are disciplined."

"Still... ears and tails. Magic carriages. Space portals. It's unnatural."

"Or it's a sign the world is changing," Ned said simply.

Ned and his people led us around Winterfell. Before the feast that would be prepared that evening, I was shown to guest quarters—expansive rooms usually reserved for lords of great standing. My staff was given warm rooms near mine. We unpacked a few Dusklight banners, a symbolic gesture of goodwill. I even placed a small glowing rune lantern in the window.

Winterfell had accepted us and welcomed us with their custom of salt and bread.

But only for now. We will have to see what's to come for us.