Eddard Stark
The day was at its end but the Lord of Winterfell and the Warden of the North felt like he still had a lot of things to do, a lot of things to fix, a lot of things to finish. But now, he wanted to be alone, to be at peace and to escape his responsibilities for a while.
So he came to the godswood and sat on the large roots of the weirwood, he unsheathe his great-sword, Ice, the sword that came from his father and his father before him. He took the small piece of fabric he often kept in his pockets and started to polish the great sword as he always does during a stressful day at work.
This small job helps him clear his mind and forget his problems. Sometimes he can even forget himself. He forgets that he was Lord Eddard Stark, the warden of the largest kingdom in Westeros. He forgets that he is a husband and a father. He forgets that he has six beautiful children that always make him happy and proud. He forgets everything he has in the present.
But the memories of the past are still there.
He remembered how his sister Lyanna blushed furiously when Rhaegar Targaryen placed the wreath of winter roses on her lap and named her the Queen of Love and Beauty in front of everyone in attendance during the Tourney in Harrenhal.
He remembered how Robert collapsed when they heard the news that his little sister was taken by Rhaegar Targaryen. He remembered Robert's anger, he remembered how he almost killed the man he was sparring with after he learned about his beloved's abduction.
He remembered the fear he felt when he learned that his brother Brandon had stormed into the capitol demanding to see Rhaegar Targaryen, the fear he felt when his brother was branded as a traitor and the fear he felt when his father followed his brother into the capitol after receiving summons from the King.
He remembered how his world crushed and how his chest almost burst when Jon Arryn broke the news that his Father and his brother died, died by Aerys II Targaryen's orders.
He remembered how Jon Arryn scowled and angrily smacked the desk in his solar when his squire read that Ned and Robert are summoned in the capitol to face the King.
He remembered how his foster father told him that he won't turn him over to the King and how relieved Ned felt. He remembered how Jon promised that they will fight, that they will get revenge for his father and brother's death and that they'll rescue Lyanna.
He remembered coming back to the North and became the new liege lord of the kingdom and calling his banners and marched to the South to join Jon and Robert's army.
He remembered marrying Catelyn Tully, his older brother's betrothed in exchange of the Riverlands support. He remembered their wedding night, how awkward it was, knowing that the girl loved her brother but ended marrying the younger and unattractive brother.
He remembered leaving her after three days without leaving a promise if he'll be coming back alive.
He remembered the stench of blood, sweat, piss and decaying body during the war. He remembered the cry of anguish, pain and anger every soldier on either sides howled. He remembered the times they won and the times they lost.
He remembered the Battle of the Trident; he remembered seeing Robert struck his war hammer on Rhaegar's breastplate but failed. He remembered how Rhaegar's sword pierced onto Robert's exposed skin and how he fell.
He remembered the pain that he felt after his friend, the man he treated as his brother for years die in front of him. He remembered Jon Arryn pulling him and telling that they were retreating.
He remembered fighting again; he remembered how Jon fell, his legs pierced by a spear. He remembered losing the war that the Silver Prince and his father created and how his family and friends bled for it.
He remembered how Rhaegar Targaryen told him about Lyanna's death and how he punched the Prince in anger, in grief, in loathing. He remembered how he spit on him telling him that everything is his fault.
He remembered the look of sadness on Rhaegar's face but he wasn't fooled. He remembered how he told him that he loved Lyanna and that Lyanna loved him back.
He remembered learning about the King and Elia Martell's deaths of how Ser Jaime Lannister killed the King after he killed Princess Elia and threatened to harm the Prince's children.
He remembered Rhaegar's coronation, his marriage to Cersei Lannister. He remembered being summoned to the court, pardoned for his crimes and retained his lordship over the North.
He remembered how Rhaegar gave him Lyanna and the babe's ashes. And he remembered the cry he made that day, four of his family members and his best friend dead at the hands of Targaryens.
He remembered giving one last glance at the gates of King's Landing and giving the promise that he would never ever step back into the South again.
Finally he remembered going home after the painful results of the war.
He sighed. The war has changed everything. He should have been in the Eeyrie now as the Lord of the Vale but now, he was in Winterfell and he is the Warden of the North. But he cannot change the past now, there was no use to linger. It will only sadden him.
He should be strong like his brother and his father.
He should be strong for winter is coming.
A soft touch awaken him from his thoughts and he realised that he his eyes were closed and he was no longer holding his sword as he relished his memories.
He hastily opened them and looked over his shoulder and saw his wife, his beautiful wife Catelyn, the woman who should have been his brother's but now his. She was smiling at him but there was worry on those big blue Tully eyes she has.
He frowned and placed his hand over hers. A cool breeze passed by and both of them shivered. His lips curled into a soft smile as his wife shuddered at the cold. He immediately reached for Ice that was now lying on the ground and placed it back on its handle.
He then gestured his wife to sit beside him and she obliged lowering herself on the protruding root of the ancient tree. A soft sigh came from her lips; it was then that he realized that Maester Luwin was with them, standing a couple of meters from the weirwood.
He too had a worried expression on his face similar with the ones he saw from his Cate's eyes. He wondered what caused them to have the look. He was about to ask but it was his wife who spoke first.
"A raven came from King's Landing my lord." She said as she handed him a piece of paper that she took from her sleeve.
Ned felt his heartbeat quickened as he saw the familiar crest of House Targaryen, the three headed dragon sticking from the parchment that his wife placed on his hand. Years of having no contact with the capitol except for the official announcements they sent, and this was the last thing he would like to have to end his day.
A letter from the capitol. He wondered what the message was but basing on the gloom on his wife and maester's faces, it was no good. So he decided to learn for himself.
His hands shook as he opened the now crumpled parchment and took a deep breath to ready himself before finally reading what it said. And his eyes widened at the message inside.
"The Queen has been found guilty for treason; her children have been proven to be bastards born of incest she committed with her brother, Ser Jaime Lannister. The five of them are executed for committing crime against the crown." He read and sighed in relief but was surprised when he learned that the Queen and her brother are having an affair and sired children, he wondered why the Queen do such yet his heart went to the three children who died with them.
Even if they were bastards, children born of incest and were considered as abomination they still were innocent of their parents' crimes. The King should have considered this and let them free thinking that they lived with him all throughout their lives, that they considered him as their father.
Yet he knew that the King's actions had several consequences and he knew Jaime Lannister's value, especially to his father, Tywin Lannister, the Warden of the West and the richest man of the Seven Kingdoms second only to the crown.
"That was interesting." He sarcastically commented and closed the letter and turned to her wife. "You shouldn't worry my lady, if Tywin Lannister would retaliate, we would be safe here in the North. The King… the King has promised that the North is free of the businesses of the South, should anything happen there, we won't be involved." He reassured her but Cate shook her head and handed him another letter.
This time, it wasn't the Royal Crest of the crown but the personal crest of the King. This time, he felt himself sweating despite the coldness of the weather. He slowly opened it and this time, his face fell as he read the contents.
He swallowed as he read it aloud for Maester Luwin and Catelyn to hear, though he knew that the two already know the contents.
"He rides for Winterfell… along with his children and half of his court… he wants us to prepare… and… and he sends his regards to our eldest daughter… to Sansa." He read, his heart pumped rapidly and he faced Catelyn who's beautiful face darkened and to Maester Luwin who was looking at the dried leaves on the ground.
Sansa, why send his regards to Sansa? He thought as his brows furrowed as he thought of possible reasons why the King would go here and why would he asked for his regards to be sent to his daughter.
"What does he mean by this? Why did he have to mention Sansa?" He asked, his voice rose causing the two to flinch.
Why would he mention my daughter in his personal letter? Was he out of his mind? He tried to think about Sansa, his auburn haired daughter, the little girl who was born out of love. But instead, his mind formed another, an urn whose remains are that of a brown haired and grey eyed girl who used to play with him and call him, brother.
His wife only looked at her hands folded on her lap and it was Maester Luwin who met his eyes and answered his question praying that he this was only a stupid mistake.
But the King rarely makes mistakes and doesn't write letters without purpose.
"My lord. It only means one thing… the King seeks for a new bride… Another Stark this time." Maester Luwin said in his shaky voice.
A sob escaped Catelyn's lips.
A gasp came from his.
No.
Not again...