YEAR 283
The sun was burning bright on this what could have been a beautiful day in an other life, but not today. Today, the sun was burning Ned's skin like a warning sign of what was about to happen.
Ned turned around and faced the few men by his side. Six of his most loyal men, six he has found himself able to trust with his life. Six he was counting on to save his sister.
We'll have another Stark free today. We'll go home. Soon.
He could see those who would stand in his way, they were there shining under the sun.
Well two of them at least.
Ned recognized them easily. Ser Gerold Hightower and Ser Oswell Whent. Two of the most trusted of Rhaegar's friends. One was missing though. From the testimony he gathered beforehand, there was three Kingsguards sent to watch over Lyanna. Yet the most dangerous was still missing and Ned found himself hoping Ser Arthur Dayne wasn't there. He always had a great admiration toward the Sword of the Morning, probably even more after meeting his dear sister Ashara, but Dayne was there, he had to be, and he tried to stop him, Ned would haven choice but to end his life like Robert had ended Rhaegar's.
Ned turned once more toward his men.
It was time.
No words where needed and the Stark's company went down the hill.
The fight was ugly. Even outnumbered, the Kingsguards were still some of the best fighters of the Seven Kingdoms. Soon enough, Dayne had gotten out of the Tower of Joy, Dawn in his hand.
The fight was ugly yes, but fast and before anyone had noticed, there were only three left: Howland Reed barely standing, Ser Arthur Dayne on the ground and Ned himself holding his sword to Dayne's throat.
« Any words before you die? » Ned asked.
« Please don't hurt them, don't hurt the children. »
Surprise took over Ned's face and he found himself lowering his sword.
« What do you mean the children? »
Dayne didn't answer but rose to his feet and made a sign for Ned to follow him.
Together they climbed the several stairs to the top and the sight before Ned's eyes seemed to come right of a nightmare.
« I tried to stop the bleeding but I'm no maester. » Dayne spoke quietly, sadly almost.
« Lyanna…
- It's okay Ned, it's okay. » Lyanna's voice was barely audible but it wasn't sad nor desperate.
She smiled weakly the two babies she was holding and Ned thought that his heart had just stop.
Two babies, differents as humanly possible. One with hair as black as the sky and one with hair as white as boy and one girl.
« Please protect them. » Lyanna's voice was growing weaker. « Promise me Ned. »
Blood kept flooding on the floor.
« I promise Lyanna. » Ned soflty whispered to her, trying not to shake.
She smiled at him again and before he had time to touch her again, she was gone.
His baby sister was gone. His heart broke but he didn't cry.
Dayne had already closed her eyes and taken the children in his arms.
Ned knew instantly that he couldn't bring both babies home, especially not the white haired girl.
It took them two weeks to arrive at Starfall. The road was hard and transporting Lyanna's body as well as carrying two children without getting noticed wasn't easy.
Things will be easy and we'll be safe inside Starfall.
But they weren't. Ashara had just lost her child. Maybe his child but he couldn't bring himself to think about it. Out of despair, Ashara had killed herself.
Another one to mourn.
Dayne and him put things in order quickly. Dayne was to stay, protecting and raising the girl, her physical characteristics making her easily pass for a Dayne. She will be a Sand though. Ashara's daughter form an unknown father. Rumors will make him the father.
They'll explain Ashara's death by grief from the loss of her dear friend Elia and that the shame of the birth of her bastard was to hard to support.
Ned will convince Robert to let Ser Arthur live as long as he'll stay in Dorne's borders.
Himself will take the boy home, making him his bastard from a sideway whore. Howland Reed was sworn to secrecy.
« What name would you give her ? » Dayne asked Ned before he left.
« Mila. Her name is Mila. Shall she ask one day, her brother's name is Jon. »
Then Ned left. And he didn't turn back. Not once.
And just like that it started to rain.
