So I have an idea for a story. What if the Starks were more politiclly savvy and not isolated. A post Roberts-Rebellion Game Of Throne with Ned and Catelyn Stark major players-before Ned became hand.
Ned, 288 AC, Winterfell
Eddard Stark was in a room with three others. His lady wife, Catelyn Stark, Lord Mace Tyrell, and Lady Olenna Tyrell. They were currently in negotiations of a foster and marriage contract for their son Robb and Mace Tyrell's daughter, Margaery. Ned had another child, two year old Sansa, but Catelyn refused to beroth a child less than five years old.
"So the final terms, then." Mace asked. Ned couldn't tell if he was asking his mother or Ned.
"Robb will foster at Highgarden until the age of ten. Then Margaery should travel to Winterfell and foster there until the age of fifteen. Then they will be married at Winterfell and remain there as future Lord and Lady of the North." Catelyn said.
"Then it is final. Robb and Margaery will be married after five years at each castle." Mace said.
The contract was signed.
1 week later
Catelyn was crying and saying her finals goodbyes to her eldest. Little Sansa didn't know much, but she could tell Robb was leaving, and was uspet over it. His bastard son Jon Snow gave Robb a hug as Eddard approched his boy.
Ned crouched down and said his goodbye, "Goodbye Robb, make sure that these Southron know that Winter is Coming. Robb was off with his Direwolf pup Grey Wind. They had found a dead direwolf mother with two pups still alive a month before the berothal. They were given to Sansa and Robb. Robb named his Grey Wind, and Catelyn named Sansa's Lady. Ned looked at the departing party as it left.
Margaery, 288 AC, Highgarden
It had been a month since father and grandmother left when they saw the party coming in the distance. Wilas chuckled as she shook in exitiment and nervousness, becuase before they had left, her grandmother had told her they were securing her berothal to Robb Stark of the North, and he was coming to Highgarden. She went out on horseback with Wilas, Garlan, and Loras to meet the party. She gave father and grandmother a hug before noticing her berothed.
"Hello, I'm Margaery. You're Robb, aren't you." She asked.
Robb nodded nervously, "Well I can tell we're going to be great friends." She said.
Robb, 288 AC, Highgarden
Robb had been in Highgarden for about a month and was enjoying it greatly. He had gotten to know Margaery and her three brothers, Wilas, Garlan, and Loras. Wilas was fourteen and was squiring under Ser Baelor "Brightsmile" Hightower. Garlan was eleven and was often busy betting with the household guard when he wasn't training in the courtyard. Loras was just a year older than Robb at six, and was like a brother to him. Margaery was the person he knew best, and they spent a lot of time together. Robb was doing some training with Loras in the courtyard when Lord Mace Tyrell called them into the Great Hall. Lord Tyrell was sitting next to his mother, Olenna Tyrell (also known as the Queen of Thorns) and his wife, Alerie Hightower. Wilas, Garlan, and Margaery were also there, along with many bannerman.
"Father, why are our bannerman here? Are we going to war?" Margaery asked Mace.
"Yes, Balon Greyjoy has had the nerve to go and crown himself King of the Iron Island, and King Robert has called his bannerman, which include us and our bannerman." Lord Tyrell said, "I am taking Wilas, and my lady mother shall hold the castle and the Reach while I am at war."
Robb could have sworn he heard a few snickers and a few 'She already does." Robb had only been at Highgarden for a month, but it wasn't hard to notice that even though Mace Tyrell was Warden of the South, Olenna had all the power and respect.
Ned, 289 AC, Pyke
Ned had sent off Robb just three months ago, and now the Greyjoy rebellion had happened. It was almost over though. Lord Stannis Baratheon and Lord Paxter Redwyne at all but destroyed the Iron Fleet, and now the final war council was meeting. Himself, Robert, Stannis, Mace Tyrell, Barristan Selmy, and Tywin Lannister.
"Robert, we need to have a direct assult on the castle. It is old and worn by hundreds of years of seawater crashing down on it." Ned said to his old friend and king.
"I agree with Lord Stark, but we need something else," Lord Tywin Lannister said, "We should have a force of ten men scale the side of the castle facing the sea, and we should kill the Greyjoys. It will end the rebellion once and for all."
Ned didn't like the idea, "That isn't honorable."
"Niether is raiding the coastline. Lord Tywin, who do you say are the men?" Stannis asked.
"My eldest son, Wilas can be in the force." Lord Tyrell said.
"Aye, and Renly could use some experience." King Robert said.
"Jorah Mormont and Jory Cassel of my men can join as well."
After those four were put in, Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, Addam Marbrand, Edmure Tully, Marq Piper, and Baelor Hightower were decided, making the ten Wilas Tyrell, Renly Baratheon, Jorah Mormont, Jory Cassel, Beric Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr, Addam Marbrand, Edmure Tully, Marq Piper, and Baelor Hightower. They started to scale the wall just as 2,000 Ironmen left the walls for one final defense.
Wilas, 289 AC, Pyke
Wilas was near the top of the rope, behind Baelor Hightower, Thoros of Myr, and Beric Dondarrion. He just ahead of Renly Barathon, with Jorah Mormont and Jory Cassel behind, followed by Edmure Tully, Marq Piper, and Addam Marbrand. The rope was dangling, and if it wasn't for Baelor's great strength, they would have died. After the they reached the top and entrered a dark tower, Marq Piper was stabbed by a guard, which Wilas killed imediatily after. Piper was okay, and they continued.
Balon, Euron, Aeron, and Victarion, along with young Asha and Theon, were in a war room. Baelor montioned for the archers of the group (Addam Marbrand, Marq Piper, and Edmure Tully) to take out Euron, Aeron, and Victarion. Addam hit Aeron in the throat, killing him instantly. Edmure Tully hit Euron Greyjoy in the eye, and he jumped out the window, escaping. Injured Marq Piper shot Victarion in the shoulder, pinning him to the wall. Beric, Baelor, Thoros, Wilas, Jorah, and Jory jumped out with their swords. Asha jumped at them with a dagger, but Jorah Mormont cut her in two. Balon charged at them with a warhammer, hitting Baelor before Jory Cassel and Wilas borth stabbed Balon, subdueing him. Little Theon was hiding in a corner, and when Thoros went for him, Wilas slapped him,.
"Hes a child!" Wilas yelled at him, and Thoros stopped.
Addam and Edmure helped a limping Marq Piper while Renly gave his shoulder to Baelor Hightower. Beric Dondarrion carried Asha Greyjoy's two pieces, while Thoros of Myr carried Victarion unconcious body. Jorah Mormont and Jory Cassel helped Theon Greyjoy while pulling Balon along fell to Wilas. They came out of Castle Pyke while the men of the seven kingdoms, lead by Lord Stark and King Robert roared in victory. The ten were all knighted on the spot, save for Thoros of Myr, who was a follower of R'hllor and Baelor Hightower, who was already a knight. Asha and Aeron were both thrown into the sea, and Theon was given to Lord Tywin as a ward.
"Victarion Greyjoy, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet, you have two choices. Taking the black, or death." King Robert said. Victarion took the black after urging from his nephew.
"Balon Greyjoy, I give you no such choice. I, King Robert Baratheon, the first of my name, King of the Andals, Rhoynar, and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, name you traitor. I take your head." Robert said as the army roared their approval.
Balon was allowed last words, "If this is what you do, I ask that you do it yourself." Robert obliged him, and took his head off with a massive longsword around the size of Gregor Clegane's. Lord Stark pushed the corpse into the sea.
Margaery, 289 AC, Highgarden
We had recevied news of the war's ending a month ago, and today was the day father and Wilas, now Ser Wilas were supposed to return. They had heard that Wilas had been in a group of men that had captured Balon Greyjoy, and had subdued him, even. Just then they heard a storm of horses, and Margeary knew it was father. She waited outside the gates with Garlan, Loras, and Robb, awaiting the return. Margaery hoped there would be a tourney!
Robb, 290 AC, King's Landing
Seven year old Robb was in the capital for a grand tourney in honor of the Greyjoy Rebellion. There had already been one, yes, but King Robert was bored and demanded another one. Robb and the Tyrells were there to see Wilas compete in the tourney, his first. Wilas had stood out exeptionally in the Greyjoy Rebellion, and was kinghted in honor of it. But what Robb didn't exepect that his father would be there too.
Robb and Margaery were on horseback riding next to eachother when Ser Jory Cassel approuched him.
"Lord Stark, your father wishes to see you." He said.
Robb was shocked. Margaery told him to go, and Robb and Grey Wind were suddenly in his father's arms, a big hug.
"Hello Robb, how has Highgarden treated you?" Ned asked warmly.
"Great father, I'm friends with Margaery, and Garlan, and Loras, and Wilas is amazing! He's even fighting in the tourney today!" Robb exclaimed.
"Is he now? Well so am I." Ned said.
Robb asked why, and Ned told him, "Sansa is being berothed to Prince Joffery, and I want to win the tourney to show the Starks are worthy." Robb's father answered.
"I will be cheering for you." Robb said and Ned nodded.
Robb- The Tourney
Robb and Loras were sitting next to eachother as the first matchup was called out
"Lord Renly Baratheon vs Ser Beric Dondarrion"
"Isn't Lord Renly only thirteen?" Robb asked his future goodbrother.
"Yes, but so is Garlan." Loras said semidreamily, staring at Renly.
"Garlan is competing?" Margaery said from next to Robb.
"Of course," Loras said, "The cut off age is thirteen. King Robert wanted fresh blood in the tourney."
By the time the conversation was finished, young Renly had defeated the lightning lord.
AN: I'm going to put the matches in bold
Prince Oberyn Martell vs Ser Emmon Frey
The Frey was defeated easily
Lord Yohn Royce vs Lord Eddard Stark
"Your father is competing?" Loras asked, shocked.
"Yes, he is berothing my sister Sansa to Prince Joffrey and decided to compete."
"I had Bronze Yohn winning you bastard!" Loras fake-punched Robb.
Robb's father defeated Bronze Yohn after three broken lances.
Ser Wilas Tyrell vs Lord Randyll Tarly
Lord Randyll was one of Lord Mace's most loyal banner man, but he still went his all in the joust, before Wilas defeated him in three tilts.
"Go Wilas!" The three children cheered after Tarly was knocked from his horse.
Garlan Tyrell vs Sandor Clegane
Despite the younger two Tyrells and Robb's cheering, Garlan was defeated in the second tilt.
Lord Commander Barristan Selmy vs Thoros of Myr
The famous Lord Commander of the Kings Guard defeated the meleeman quickly.
Ser Jaime Lannister vs Ser Jory Cassel
The Kingslayer defeated Jory after a single tilt.
Ser Gregor Clegane vs Walder Frey
"Black" Walder Frey was no match for the Mountain That Rides.
Lord Stannis Baratheon vs Ser Kevan Lannister
The two right-man men faced off in six tilts before King Robert's brother knocked off the old mastiff.
It continued until the quarterfinals, where only Lord Stannis, Lord Renly, Ser Jaime, Ser Gregor, Sandor, Ser Barristan, Prince Oberyn, Lord Stark, and Ser Wilas remained.
Robb's father had defeated Ser Mandon Moore and Ser Boros Blount of the Kingsguard to get there, while Wilas had defeated Ser Meryn Trant and Ryman Frey.
Prince Oberyn Martell vs Lord Stannis Baratheon
The Dornish Prince knocked off Stannis after King Robert had yelled at his brother, "Don't fall you stone faced bastard. Robb was sure it was meant as a joke, but Stannis looked as if Robert had fucked their mother.
Lord Eddard Stark vs Sandor Clegane
Robb cheered for his father at the top of his lungs as he broke twelve lances with The Hound before Clegane was finally knocked to the ground.
Lord Renly Baratheon vs Ser Jaime Lannister
The Kingslayer knocked off the inexperienced Renly after two tilts, all as Loras scowled at Ser Jaime.
Ser Wilas Tyrell vs Ser Gregor Clegane
"Oh no." Margaery said, frightned for her eldest brother. Robb wrapped her in a hug for comfort.
Wilas came out in a diffrent setup. His lance had twice the size and point it used to have, and his shield was much smaller.
"Why is he using those instead of the ones hes already been using?" Margeady asked?
"Wilas wants to use the smaller shield to steady the bigger lance. If he uses a massive lance, it will generate enough force for a man such as Ser Gregor to fall easily." Loras answered.
"How did you know that?" Robb asked.
"I've wanted to be a knight. I need to know how to take down the Mountain." Loras said simply.
Wilas and his plan succeded, as he took down Gregor Clegane in just one tilt, to the crowd's amazment. Only Lord Mace, Lady Olenna, Littlefinger, and Garlan didn't lose their bet for the match. Gregor however, was infuriated. He charged at Wilas, preparing to kill him. As Margaery screamed and buried her face into Robb's shirt, Ser Barristan saved the day, injuring The Mountain enough to make him fall unconcious, but not without suffering a deep thigh wound that took Barristan The Bold out of the joust. King Robert ordered the mountain to be put in a cell, with only a single Maester to treat his wounds.
That left the joust with their semifinalists. Prince Oberyn, Lord Stark, Ser Wilas, and Ser Jaime.
Lord Eddard Stark vs Ser Jaime Lannister
Robb's father left no time to waste, as he charged to second the match started. Ser Jaime was caught off guard by Ned's shocking speed, and after seven tilts, the Kingslayer fell.
Robb almost cheered himself hoarse.
Prince Oberyn Martell vs Ser Wilas Tyrell
Margaery, Loras, and Robb cheered for Wilas. He and the Dornish Prince each broke nine lances on eachother, but everything went wrong on the tenth try. Oberyn Martell knocked Wilas off his horse, but his foot got caught in the saddle. Realzing what was about to happen, Robb jumped out of the stands and cut the saddle off the horse, allowing Wilas to remain unscathed. The horse still fell due to the previous momentum, but Wilas managed to get away before it could crush him.
"The crowd figured out that Robb had saved Wilas and was cheering for him. Wilas gave Robb a hug and thanked him, and when Robb got back to his seat, Margaery gave him a kiss.
Lord Eddard Stark vs Prince Oberyn Martell
Robb's father used his suprising speed to his full advantage against the Prince. Oberyn however, was one of the best riders in the seven kingdoms, and matched Ned's speed completely. What Oberyn didn't have though, was Lord Stark's strength. On the fourth tilt, Robb's father jammed his lance at Oberyn so hard not one person in the ground was suprised that it shattered. Oberyn hit the ground. Robb's father had won.
Lord Stark named his Queen of Love and Beauty Robb's mother, Catelyn Stark.
Wilas, 290 AC, The Tourney
Wilas was sitting in a tent with his father, mother, and younger brother Garlan. Garlan was helping him with his armour, and Wilas helped Garlan with his. Wilas waited until his match was up, and walked out to the cheering crowd. He was up against Lord Randyll Tary, his father's most loayl bannerman. He wasn't a particuarlly skilled jouster however, and Wilas defeated him.
Wilas watched as Garlan hit the ground with a loud thud after being unhorsed by The Hound. Wilas pat his younger sibling on his back after Garlan seemed a little too upset. Wilas then defeated Ser Meryn Trant of the Kingguard. If they were that terrible, then King Robert was very vunerable. Ryman Frey was nothing more than a joke, whose Frey nephews threw the matches for him in hopes of gaining favor with the man second-in-line to The Twins. Wilas was nervous about Gregor Clegane, but he had a plan. His father gave him a massive lance and a small shield. The Lance had a long reach, and he needed it, becuase if this plan worked, Wilas counldn't be hit. He wasn't. The plan worked, and Wilas found himself in the final four against Prince Oberyn Martell. After being knocked from his horse, his foot got stuck. Wilas was terrified, the horse was going to collapse on him and break his leg! Luckily, Robb Stark saved the day, cutting the saddle and allowing Wilas to get away. Wilas thanked his future good brother.
Ned, 290 AC, King's Landing
Ned was sitting at the head of the table, where Robert and his wife also were. Robert anounced that Sansa and Joffrey were berothed. Ned looked over to Joffrey. He was four years old same as Sansa. Joffrey was a fat child, waddling and picking up his stomach to walk around. Sansa looked exactly like her mother, Catelyn. Catelyn was currently holding their third child, Arya, and she was also pregnant with their fourth. Robert then make another anoncement.
"I would also like to welcome Petyr Baelish to the position of Master Of Coin, as the previous one has stepped down." Ned's old friend said.
Eddard remembered that Petyr Baelish had dueled Brandon for Catelyn's hand. Brandon had defeated him, but spared Baelish's life. And now he was master of coin, with a probable grudge against any Stark not named Catelyn. Ned would have to do something about that. The next day, Ned was invited to a small council meeting as an advisor. Also in the room were Lord Jon Arryn, Grand Maester Pycelle, Barristan Selmy, Petyr Baelish, Varys, Lord Stannis Barathon, and Lord Yohn Royce. Robert stumbled in, actually pretty sober.
"Jon, how goes the Iron Islands after their little rebellion?" Robert asked.
"Your Grace, it is chaos after we executed any Greyjoy not hamed Theon. They are in a kingsmoot to decide the next ruling family, and it may spread to war."
"If war happens, have Stannis and Paxter Redwyne go with a fleet of ships to end it." Robert ordered.
"Your Grace, we are currently 200,000 dragons in debt, what do you say to that?" Petyr Baelish asked.
"I say that as master of coin, it is up to you. Out of debt, I mean." the King said.
Ned sighed, this was going to run long.
Well that was pretty long. One thing I didn't like about this chapter was how I wrote Margaery. I think that the Wilas ones were my favorite. By the way, here is the age of the kids in the story right now:
(As of 290 AC)
Wilas- 16
Garlan- 13
Loras- 8
Robb- 7
Margaery- 7
Sansa- 4
Joffrey- 4
Arya- 1