This is almost the same as chapter two of my story The Never Ending Sacrifice, with one detail changed. I realized that as a chapter it stands alone well enough to be a one-shot. I will eventually write a chapter two which is Ned and Cat around when he returns, but it may be awhile.
She laughed as she danced, Ned noticed. She spun and twirled like a butterfly, and her eyes, oh her eyes were the color of amethysts. He was too shy by far to talk to her. Ashara Dayne, who was so painfully beautiful that she could only be a dream. He wanted to dance with her too, and more than dance. He couldn't ask her though, he would just turn red and stay quiet.
Brandon saw Ned looking at her throughout the dances. "Go dance with her, brother. Before you freeze to stone in your seat wanting and never taking."
"I don't know what to say to her. I think of words but my mind loses them when I see her." Ned mumbled into his wine.
Brandon laughed and clapped his younger brother on the back. "You just ask if she would like to dance." With that, Brandon Stark stood and walked over to Ashara Dayne. She was retrieving a glass of wine for herself after the dance ended, and looked surprised that Brandon had gone to speak with her.
Ned reddened and looked down at the table. Surely Brandon wouldn't dance with her and insult his brother, yet Brandon was all impulse so Ned wasn't quite sure. "Excuse me," said a soft feminine voice a few moments later.
Ashara was standing before him, a gentle smile on her face. Brandon stood a bit behind her, grinning like a child who had just stolen treats he was forbidden. "Your brother said that you wanted to dance with me, but were too shy to ask. I would love to dance with you, if you want."
He swallowed the lump in his throat. "My lady, it would be an honor to dance with you."
He walked around the table and took her arm gently. He felt as though he was walking on air the whole time they danced. She was more charming up close than she had been from afar. She encouraged him through the dances, laughed merrily at the small talk they made, and asked him to escort her back to her tents.
On the walk back to her tent they laughed and talked. She was very good at putting him at ease, asking simple questions and finding out what he liked so that they would be able to speak at length. The walk to her tent was not long enough, he mourned.
"Thank you for a wonderful evening Eddard." She said softly, with a gentle smile on her face.
"Please, call me Ned, all of my friends do. I loved every moment that we have spent together tonight. I hope we can see one another more throughout the tournament." The words came pouring out of his mouth, surprising even himself. He was always quiet and thoughtful, but she seemed to be able to pull words from him with no trouble and could stop his thoughts with a smile. His pulse beat wildly just looking at her.
She caressed his cheek with her small, cold hand. "I would be delighted to see you more." Then she gave him a soft peck on the lips and before he could react she slipped into her tent.
He walked for some time before returning to his tent. Upon entering, he found his brother Brandon kissing the neck of a blonde girl while Benjen and Howland Reed slept. Ned raised an eyebrow and coughed, startling the pair. The girl flushed red, gave Brandon a parting kiss, and hurried out with her face down.
Brandon flopped face-down onto the cot and sighed. Ned just stood there, staring at his brother. "Who was that?"
Brandon shrugged. "I think a Hightower, though I could be wrong."
"You're betrothed to Catelyn Tully." Ned reminded his brother as he sat upon his own cot and pulled off his boots.
"Yes, but not wedded or bedded to her and still young enough to have fun when I see it." He laughed easily. "I'll not bed another girl once I've married Lady Catelyn. So how did you like Ashara, you were out quite late you know."
Ned mumbled something to himself as he pulled off his clothes and put on a night robe. His older brother propped himself up and looked at him. "What was that?"
"We danced, and talked, and I walked her to her tent. Thank you for having her talk to me." Ned smiled softly. "Sleep well Bran."
He groaned. "I'm too old for that name anymore Ned. Sleep well little brother."
Ned would meet Ashara at the end of the day's games or after she left Princess Elia later in the day. They would take long walks around Harrenhal and discuss the mysterious Knight of the Laughing Tree who had appeared at the tournament. Ned didn't tell her his suspicions that the knight was Howland Reed. He didn't really care, so long as he could talk to her and look at her and kiss her. He kissed her first the second time he had walked her to her tent. It was a long, passionate kiss, and they melted into one another's arms. He had kissed girls before, in the Eyrie, often at Robert's prodding. He enjoyed their kisses, but they were nothing like Ashara. It was like that every night, the walking, talking, and kissing.
Upon walking back to his tent three days into the tournament, Ned noticed his sister walking back to her tent alone. "Lya, why are you out alone this late?" His voice was scolding, he knew, and she just wrinkled her nose at him.
"Why are you out so late brother?" She shot back, her head held high.
"I am not a girl who could be harmed by a man." He said with concern.
She rolled her eyes and slipped a dagger from her boot. "I'm fine Ned. No one will hurt me. How have things been with Lady Ashara?" She was trying to distract him and succeeded. He blushed.
"We just talk." He mumbled.
"So late?" She said with a grin.
He sighed, he had to give her something before she would give anything back. "We talk a lot and… kiss. Now what were you doing?"
She had an odd expression at that, somewhere between amused and profoundly annoyed. "Being threatened by a prince." She pulled her hair to the side and he could see a thin cut on her neck. He flushed between pale from fear and red from fury. She put a hand gently on his. "Ned, it's nothing to worry about. He didn't even realize that he cut me. He was talking to me about." She paused and sighed deeply. "I was the secret knight in the jousts. He caught me taking off the armor. We talked, and then he took the shield and told me to put the armor back where I had found it. He won't say anything."
Ned shook his head. "You are too much like Brandon; I fear it will hurt both of you in the end."
She laughed. "You worry too much. I'm a free woman until I am forced to marry your horrid friend, until then I can do as I wish. Brandon will marry soon and he will settle down as well. Learn to have fun and enjoy life Ned."
He knew there was no winning the fight with her, so he hugged her. "I worry about you little sister. I am glad you are safe. Sleep well, Lya."
She smiled up at him. "I love you, you sleep well too Ned."
The following day Brandon was defeated by Rhaegar Targaryen in the jousts. Ned was disappointed for his brother; Ashara was happy for her lady's husband. They decided to take a ride away from the tournament toward the lake. They dismounted and walked around once Ned secured the horses. He took her by the hand and they strolled near the water. They had not walked very far when she caressed his face and kissed him passionately, leaving him breathless.
"I don't want this tournament to end." She murmured into his neck. "I don't want to leave you."
He sighed against her. "We could ask our fathers if we could be promised. If, if that's something you want."
"Nothing would make me happier. It may take some time. I would want to talk with my father in person about you." She smiled at him, her face radiant.
"Maybe we should wait until my brother Brandon marries, and my sister Lyanna." He said as he smiled back at her. "Two marriages is probably enough for my father to handle right now."
She laughed merrily. "I can imagine. Soon though, soon we can be together."
With few more words they resumed their kissing. Slowly, they found themselves on the ground, pulling at clothes and laces. They whispered few words, being driven by desire for one another.
His hands were up her skirts and his trousers were half off when the reality of what they were doing finally broke out in Ned's mind. He stilled, wanting her, watching her chest rise and fall with heavy breaths. "Are you... do you... I mean..."
She groaned. "I love you Ned. Please, I want you." Her eyes were dark with lust, and her hips moved against him. He realized he couldn't resist her. So he continued up her skirts, until he found his desire. He felt no shyness with her as they felt one another, and it was ecstasy that he found soon with himself between her legs. When their lovemaking was finished, they realized how low the sun was in the sky and hurried back to their horses and their tents. With a kiss that seemed almost chaste, the two parted for the night.
The following day was the final day of the tournament. Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and Ser Barristan Selmy were the final two contenders, and they fought hard against one another. Ned stood with Brandon, Benjen, Lyanna, and Robert Baratheon. Ned glanced to Ashara occasionally throughout the match; she was seated with Princess Elia and her retinue and glanced to him occasionally as well. Both men fought well, but Rhaegar won in the end. The wreath of blue roses for the Queen of Love and Beauty was placed upon the Prince's lance and he rode straight past his wife and placed the wreath in Lyanna's lap.
The silence of the crowd was deafening. Some of the people were smirking, or making crude jests to one another. Most however, had faces showing shock or dismay. Robert was furious and stomped away from the crowd. Ned noticed that the Dragon Prince smirked a little and with a bow of his head, left the field. Ned and his brothers escorted their sister to their tents. She was shaking they had realized, but they didn't realize at first that she was shaking from fury.
"I'll throw the flowers in his face!" She shouted as soon as they were within the confines of their tent.
"Lya, don't do anything rash, he's our crowned Prince," said Brandon.
She was crushing the flowers in her hands. "He won't hurt me, and I don't care!"
Months later Ned and Robert Baratheon received word in the Eyrie that Lyanna had been taken from White Harbor by Prince Rhaegar. Lord Robert wanted to go to the Stormlands and lead an army to take Rhaegar's head. Lord Arryn urged patience and caution, and they waited. They waited when news of Brandon Stark and his men riding out from Riverrun to confront the crowned Prince arrived. They waited when news of Brandon's capture and a call for Rickard Stark and the father's of the men who were with Brandon was sent out. Later, news reached them of the way in which King Aerys killed the Starks and their men. It was that same day when Jon Arryn sat the new Lord Stark and the Lord Baratheon down in his solar and spoke with them.
"King Aerys wants your heads." The old man told them simply. The two young men looked at him with anger in their eyes. Robert started to speak, but Jon simply held out his hand and continued. "I will not kill you boys, and I will not let the murders of Lord Rickard and Brandon Stark to go without protest. The King is mad, that is clear enough for anyone to see now. We will raise up our banners and go to war against him."
Lord Baratheon cheered. Eddard Stark only nodded his head in quiet agreement. My father is dead. My brother is dead. I am Lord of Winterfell. They made their plans together and raised their banners in rebellion. After the Battle of Gulltown was won for their side, the Lord of Winterfell went north to raise his bannermen and the Lord of Storm's End went south to raise his bannermen.
Jon had told Ned that they would need more allies. The wisest course of action seemed to be keeping the promise of Rickard Stark to Hoster Tully that Lady Catelyn Tully would marry the heir of the North. Lord Hoster agreed to wed Catelyn to Eddard and Lysa to Jon Arryn. So, after the Battle of the Bells, Eddard Stark and Jon Arryn led their companies to Riverrun.
The two Tully girls were beautiful; dressed in white with blue and silver accents, the girls stood before their soon to be husbands in the sept. Ned felt a twinge of pity for the younger girl Lysa, she was to marry a man older than her own father. Jon Arryn was a good, kind man, but he doubted the young girl would see past Jon's grey hair.
His eyes, however, were on Lady Catelyn Tully, his bride. Her auburn hair hung half up in a long braid and half down, flowing over her shoulders and down the length of her back. Her eyes were the purest blue, bright and gentle. She was better than Brandon had ever described.
She wasn't Ashara. He felt a stabbing pang of guilt as he said his vows, remembering the girl at Harrenhal he had given his love to, the girl whose virtue he had taken. After the tournament had ended, they had found one another again much later that day. Ashara seemed worried about Princess Elia, but they soon stopped speaking about the tournament and he found himself within her again. They had promised to speak of betrothal after Brandon and Lyanna were married. Now though, Brandon was dead, Lyanna stolen away, and the country at war. House Dayne had sworne its loyalty to the crown, and House Stark was in open rebellion. Marriage to Ashara Dayne was no longer an option.
So with duty to his house in mind, he said his marriage vows to the girl who should have been his brother's wife. The wine, music, and song made everyone merry, but he found it hard to smile. This was his celebration, but only because his family had been murdered. Later, he and Catelyn were escorted up the steps by the guests, their clothes pulled off as they went. Finally, they were alone and quite naked, in their wedding bed.
Her body was beautiful. He couldn't deny that. It was confusing to be so aroused by one woman while his heart still cared for another. Ashara is lost to me; Catelyn is my bride. He had noticed that her whole body blushed red when they had taken off her dress, he thought it beautiful.
"I," he began, pausing at the word. "I know that you were to marry my brother, and that you should have been his. I am sorry that you lost him."
She gave him a sad half-smile. "My lord, he was your brother. I can not imagine how you must feel now."
He nodded. "Please, call me Ned, I am your husband now. I will be a good husband to you, I promise that."
"Call me Cat if I am to call you Ned." She spoke gently, nervously. "I will always do my duty to you as a wife." She blushed a deep shade of red, nearly matching her hair. "We should…"
He nodded and flushed a little. He kissed her as he had a few hours before when they wed. Together they pushed the covers aside and kissed again and again, until something close to lust filled them. They touched one another gently, exploring the curious ways that it made them feel. When she seemed ready, he entered her. He muttered an apology at her pain, as he had with Ashara. Ashara had laughed and kissed him. Catelyn just nodded and said that it was ok. When they were finished, he cleaned them both and they fell asleep beside one another.
Months later Ned found himself in Dorne. He was on the way to the Tower of Joy, where Lyanna was said to be kept. Rhaegar was dead at the Trident at Robert's hand. King Aerys, Princess Elia, Princess Rhaenys, and Prince Aegon were all dead in King's Landing. Queen Rhaella and Prince Viserys had escaped to Dragonstone. Now Robert Baratheon was called King of the Seven Kingdoms.
They were seven companions Ned Stark, Howland Reed, William Dustin, Ethan Glover, Martyn Cassel, Theo Wull, and Mark Ryswell. They arrived to see Oswell Whent, Gerold Hightower, and Arthur Dayne, the last loyal Kingsguard of Aerys awaiting them. They spoke few words and then they fought. Ned could hear Lyanna scream inside the tower. He had to get his sister back, to keep her safe.
His sword ran through Arthur Dayne, Ashara's brother, and it felt like betrayal. Beside him all were dead except Howland. Ned climbed the tower and found Lyanna, laying in her bed with blood everywhere. He barely noticed the young woman in the room who was crying.
"Ned," Lyanna's voice came softly. "Ned I'm so sorry, sorry for everything."
"No." He gently caressed her cheek. "Lya, nothing was your fault."
She shook her head in protest. "It was all my fault. I married him Ned, at an old weirwood tree. We ran away together." She let out a ragged sob. "It was going to be a secret until I had a child, but then Aerys..."
"Aerys is dead. Our family is avenged." He said soothingly.
With what little strength was left to her she shook her head vigorously. "The guards were for my child. Ned, promise me you need to keep him safe."
Ned looked and finally saw the young woman who was holding a babe in her arms. Howland was in the room then, surveying the scene quietly.
"Promise me Ned," she whispered again. The color was draining from her face as her blood soaked the bed.
"I promise Lya." Ned whispered, a lump in his throat. "I promise to keep them safe."
He sat there, grasping her hand as she died. He was frozen in grief and guilt. What have I done? What have we all done? The Kingsguard were for my sister and the child she was about to bear. I killed Ashara's brother. Howland pried Ned's hands from those of his dead sister.
They prepared the bodies as best they could, lighting funeral pyres for each of them from the furniture within the tower. Lyanna's bones were carefully gathered from her pyre and placed inside a chest so that she could be buried in Winterfell. The rest were laid to rest in funeral cairns made from stones that they gathered from the tower. There were fresh horses in a stable, and goats as well. They used the goat milk for the babe, and finding a carriage, loaded what they needed inside. Jyana, the girl who had been Lyanna's maid, cared for the infant as they traveled. They were riding to Starfall, Ashara's home, where he would return Ser Arthur's sword to his sister.
Their arrival at Starfall was a solemn one. He met Lady Ashara in her solar. She was as beautiful as he remembered, but he now had a wife and a child at Riverrun. Howland, Jyana, and the baby boy were being tended to elsewhere, and a wet-nurse had been called for him. Ned placed Dawn, Ser Arthur's greatsword, upon a table before her. To Ned's surprise, she didn't even shed a tear.
"I'm so sorry Ashara," he whispered. "I'm so sorry for all of this."
She walked to him and touched his cheek gently, as she had so long ago at Harrenhal. "When last I saw you, there was nothing in the world that could make me sad. Now... When I heard that you married Catelyn Tully, my heart broke. When my father died in the war I felt that my strength was gone. Now you bring me my brother's sword and tell me that you are sorry."
She didn't seem angry, he found that he wished she was angry. She just seemed numb, as numb as he felt. "Did you kill him?"
He could only nod sadly. "May the gods give him rest." She whispered. "Walk with me Ned."
He complied and walked with her. They walked in silence, side by side, neither wishing to speak. She led him out of the castle to a large graveyard. Eventually she knelt before a small stone beneath a large tree. "This was my greatest loss Ned." He scarcely heard her whispered words as she looked at the grave with tears in her eyes.
He didn't understand, not at first. Then he looked around and saw that all of the grave markers in the section they stood in were smaller than in the rest of the yard. They were in a section reserved for infants. When had Ashara known a child who died?
"Rhaegar's child can have the nurse Wylla accompany him on your trip back to Winterfell." Ashara's words shook him to the core, if she knew then so could anyone else. "Oh Ned, of course he is your sister's why else would my brother and the kingsguard have been at the tower. The secret is safe with myself and Wylla. She nursed my little Rosalyn when she wouldn't latch onto me. She looked so much like you Ned. She had your eyes. She got sick... so sick..."
Ashara stopped talking and just started to weep. Ned fell to his knees and held her as she sobbed. That's when the tears came into his eyes as well. He had lost a father, a brother, a sister, and friends in this war. He had lost Ashara when he married Catelyn. This though, he had never expected that he could have lost a child that he never knew.
"I'm sorry Ashara. I'm so sorry. I loved you. I still love you. I would have married you." He whispered into her hair as he held her.
She stared at him with her beautiful violet eyes. "Would you leave her for me?"
He felt a knife go through his heart. There was no way he could say yes, even though he wanted to stay with her. "I can't."
She lowered her eyes sadly, picked herself up, and walked away. He stayed at the grave, memorizing every detail of the stone which said so few words. It was night when he returned to the castle. The next day, Ashara Dayne was dead. She had thrown herself from the Palestone Sword.