(Third-person perspective)
In the heart of Winterfell, the Stark children gathered in the Great Hall, the warm torchlight casting dancing shadows on the stone walls. Scrolls, parchment, and a series of maps lay scattered on the table before them, vivid evidence of their lively discussion. The House Stark children— Jon, Robb, Arya, Bran, and Sansa —sat around the long wooden table, their expressions a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. The departure of their friend Aermir weighed heavily on their hearts, reminding them of the deep friendship Aermir had forged with them during their time at Winterfell.
The House Stark children's loyal companions— the Direwolf —lay beside them, eyes half-closed, soothed by the wolf pack and the warm fire.
Throughout their discussion, Theon Greyjoy, the resident of Winterfell, remained on the fringes of the conversation. Although he had formed a friendship with Robb, Arya and Sansa were not enthusiastic about his arrival. Theon's temperament and words sowed seeds of discord between him and the Stark sisters, creating a tense atmosphere whenever they spoke.
Theon's negative feelings towards Aermir are evident in his frequent derogatory remarks. He denounces Aermir as a "pretentious nouveau riche," a statement that chills the hearts of those who value their friend. His words are particularly harsh on Jon, as he openly belittles and insults Jon for being a bastard. Theon's mockery of Jon Snow's parentage aims to weaken and humiliate him, revealing the cruel nature beneath his outward appearance.
But he only did this when he was alone with Jon or with other knights and nobles who disliked bastards, and when these words reached Robb's ears, he always denied insulting Aermir or Jon.
Lord Stark encouraged them to maintain a friendly relationship with Theon, treating him as a guest under their roof. Nevertheless, Arya and Sansa deeply resented the young Greyjoy. Their contempt stemmed from his constant belittling of Aermir, Jon, and his wanton behavior towards the other women and servants of Winterfell.
Although they remained polite in his presence, they rarely wanted to interact with him except when necessary. No matter what the sisters did, they couldn't convince Robb what kind of person Theon was. Since their father had always instructed them to be friendly to Theon, Robb wanted to maintain peace.
Theon's interactions with Robb are quite different. He appears friendly on the surface, trying to position himself as a loyal friend. However, even in his interactions with Robb, a keen observer can detect a degree of flattery, suggesting a more selfish nature beneath his outward charm.
"It's such a shame Aermir couldn't come."
Jon said, his voice tinged with disappointment. He looked down at a detailed map of the North, his fingers tracing the familiar outlines of the land, his brow furrowed.
"He's been busy with things at Moat Cailin, but Rickon's Name Day is a big deal."
Robb nodded in agreement, his eyes fixed on the plan before him.
"And I also have to handle the Lord's training matters. Even if I wanted to go, I couldn't. I can't be away from Winterfell for too long, otherwise Maester Luwin and Rodrik will nag me to death."
Arya's eyes sparkled mischievously as she leaned forward, adding to her thoughts.
"Well, that gives us even more reason to make this a memorable feast. We need to show Rickon that his older brothers can still throw him a lavish party."
She was trying to soothe Robb's pride and urge him to move forward with the plan. Bran's thoughtful expression held a hint of longing.
"It's been a long time since we've all gotten together like this. We should make the most of this opportunity."
Sansa, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke, her voice carrying a gentle persuasion.
"I think this is a great idea, what do you think? Let's bring friends from all over the North to celebrate Rickon's Name Day."
Jon and Robb exchanged a glance, their expressions softening as if they were considering the proposal.
"That's good."
Robb acknowledged, a slight smile playing on his lips. Jon nodded in agreement; his gaze remained fixed on the map.
"Yes, we can invite other noble families. As the next lord, you can establish closer ties with them."
Seeing her brothers' enthusiasm for the idea, Sansa's smile held a hint of satisfaction.
"And you know, such a feast can demonstrate the unity of the North, how we came together for each other."
Arya rolled her eyes, a playful smile appearing on her face.
"Don't tell me you've become a Southern noblewoman now, Sansa. You speak exactly like them."
Sansa's gaze met Arya's, her tone light and teasing.
"Yeah, and you keep scratching yourself like a dog. Do you have fleas? You look like Wildlings."
Arya stuck her tongue out at Sansa and started making faces to annoy her. After some playful banter between the siblings, the conversation shifted from the guest list to the menu, from the logistical arrangements for accommodation to the entertainment for the event. Jon and Robb's initial reluctance seemed to completely dissipate as they began discussing the finer details. Sansa's skillful maneuvering had convinced them to wholeheartedly embrace the idea, and now they were all contributing ideas to make the feast a truly unforgettable occasion.
As the Stark children continued to discuss the details of their plan, an unseen force seemed to guide them toward unity. Sansa's subtle influence was like an invisible thread, skillfully weaving their individual ideas into a harmonious whole. Although Aermir was absent, his memories seemed to permeate the room, attesting to the deep friendships and alliances forged during their time at Winterfell.
Unbeknownst to her siblings, it was Sansa had conceived the idea of a feast to celebrate Rickon 'Name Day. Over the past month, she had keenly sensed Aermir's absence and longed for the warmth of their conversations. Through intimate exchanges with each of her brothers and sisters, Sansa cultivated a shared memory of Aermir. She met with them one by one. They talked about the crazy and mischievous adventures they had shared with their friend.
In these conversations, they fondly recalled their mischievous childhood escapes with Aermir. They reminisced about their daring escapes, the secret hideouts they explored, and how Aermir's quick wit and resourcefulness always managed to keep them out of trouble. Sansa's vivid portrayal of their friendship skillfully touched their hearts.
The most heartwarming memories are of Robb, Jon, and Aermir's pranks on some of the minor nobles of Winterfell. They would set up camp on the Citadel the Wall, buckets in hand and plans for their mischief. While the nobles gathered in the courtyard beneath the archway for a meeting, the three would wait for their perfect moment.
Aermir signaled to his companions. They accurately poured buckets of water onto the unsuspecting nobles below, followed by sacks of flour. The nobles were furious, but no one was punished for the prank. This was one of the advantages of being fellow Stark heirs. Every minor noble knew Robb was one of those responsible, but they simply kept quiet.
Lord Stark had utterly thrashed them in the training grounds with deadly drills because they had wasted precious food. They had to run around the training grounds until sunset, and if they passed out, the training would start all over again. It took them three days to complete the training without collapsing, but it remained a fond memory.
As Sansa weaves her web of nostalgia, a subtle longing for Aermir begins to take root in the hearts of her siblings. The solidarity and companionship they felt with Aermir seem to have permeated every corner of Winterfell. Thus, when Sansa finally speaks of Rickon's first Name Day and all the lords being in Winterfell...
A light shone in Arya's head. She conceived the idea of throwing a grand feast for his next Name Day. She told Robb and Jon about her "idea." Sansa might have thought herself an expert in this area, but Jon and Robb weren't naive; they knew whose idea it was and were simply playing along. The feast was initially intended to celebrate Rickon's Name Day, but it soon took on a deeper purpose—a reunion with old friends, a celebration of cherished memories, and a rekindling of the bond she had forged with Aermir.
Sansa meticulously planned and even persuaded their father, Eddard Stark, to extend formal invitations to the North lords. Her sincere enthusiasm and desire for everyone to gather touched Eddard Stark, who readily agreed to her proposal. Everyone was filled with excitement and anticipation for the upcoming feast.