Ned I

The northern entourage poured through the Dragon Gate in a river of grey, black, and polished steel, three hundred strong, a host of bannerman and cavalry, of sworn swords and freeriders. Over their heads a dozen different banners fluttered in the gentle breeze of King's Landing, chief among them the grey direwolf on a white field, the sigil of House Stark.

Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell, was somber as he rode at the head of the column as it moved through the Gate, flanked by his eldest son, Robb, and Greatjon Umber. Somewhere behind him, the rest of his family, with the exception of his sons Rickon and Jon, and most of the rest of his principle bannerman rode in behind him. Rickon was too young, and a Stark must always be in Winterfell, and Ned wanted to keep Jon as far away from King's Landing as possible. It was not a joyful reason that brought the North to King's Landing. Indeed, it was a day Ned hoped not to face for many years. His childhood friend, King Robert Baratheon had passed away just under three months ago. It had taken those three months to come down from Winterfell to pay their respects, and to sort out what comes next.

As the column moved through the Gate, Ned saw a familiar face waiting for him. The broad shoulders, blue eyes, and beak nose of Jon Arryn would stand out even if he wasn't surrounded by banners flying the Arryn blue falcon. At the same time he almost seemed like a stranger. The last twelve years, since the death of Ned's sister, Robert's wife, had not been kind to Lord Arryn, the late King's Hand. He looked tired, almost haggard, and was beginning to show his age. "Ned. By the gods it's good to see you," Jon said as Ned got close. "You haven't changed at all."

"It's good to see you too Jon, I wish it was under better circumstances," Ned replied. Jon just nodded solemnly.

Before either of them could say anything more Robb approached as the rest of the column rode on to their accommodations. "Ned, is this your eldest," Jon asked in a amazement. "Aye, Jon. Robb, say hello to Lord Arryn, my foster father. Jon, this is my eldest son and heir, Robb." Robb bowed and offered his hand to Jon. "It's an honor to meet you Lord Arryn, my father has told me nothing but good things about his time in the Vale." Jon laughed. "I never knew your father to be a liar," Jon said to Robb before turning to Ned. "He looks more of Cat than of you, Ned, but I can still tell he is yours. It's the earnest look in his eyes." Jon paused. "Well, come on then. Best we get you settled before all the commotion starts."

Jon turned his horse and motioned it forward, Ned fell in next to him, with Robb a respectful distance behind the two old friends. "Aye, what happened to Robert. What has been happening since? Is the Princess ok? Why hasn't she been crowned?" Ned watched as Jon simply nodded. "We can't talk too much out here, we don't know who is listening. Suffice to say, Robert's death is a complete mystery. Your sister's death demoralized him to be sure, these last few years especially. But he was still, by and large, healthy. Then, one day, he was gone. Since then," Ned leaned in as Jon looked around and quieted his voice. "Lord Stannis has been making noises about taking the throne. The Lannisters are, of course, backing him. It's taken all I have to call this council."

For the first time in generations a Great Council had been called. All the great houses of the Seven Kingdoms were gathering to decide who would rule. In theory anyone could be named. Practically speaking it would either be Robert and Lyanna's daughter, Lyarra, who has just barely seen her twelfth name day, or Robert's brother, Stannis, who had married Cersei Lannister at the end of the Rebellion. Lyarra had the stronger claim by blood, but would anyone follow a young girl?

"Of course, your ward isn't going to make things any simpler," Jon added. Ned thought of his ward, Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. She was back riding with the rest of Ned's family, either in the wheelhouse or on her horse.

Ned could still remember the day he saved her life. After winning the Battle of the Trident, where Robert killed Rhaenys's father, Ned took two thousand of his Northern cavalry and rode hard for King's Landing. He wanted to be the one to kill the Mad King. He didn't make it in time to kill the King, Jaime Lannister had that privilege, but he did arrive in time to prevent Gregor Clegane from raping Elia Martell and killing Rhaenys. He was too late to save Prince Aegon, and Elia would die of her injuries, but Rhaenys was saved. For days after, until things could calm down, the little girl wouldn't leave his side. She clung to him like another piece of armor.

When Robert arrived he was furious that a Targaryen still lived. Ned was furious that Robert condoned the murder and attempted murder of children. It was only after Jaime Lannister personally guaranteed Rhaenys safety that Ned felt he could leave her.

And it was fortunate did left when he did. Ned was able to relieve the siege and Storm's End with little difficulty and, in so doing, prevent more blood shed, including the life of Mace Tyrell, whom Stannis Baratheon had wanted to execute as a traitor. More importantly, he was able to ride to the Tower of Joy and save his sister. Three King's Guard and five of his six companions died in the fight, but Lyanna was saved.

She wasn't the only one, Ned thought to himself. With Lyanna saved, Ned returned to King's Landing and made peace with Robert. Robert wed Lyanna and Ned returned home with Rhaenys and Jon, the child the world thought belonged to Ned. Robert can never know, Lyanna's words to Ned that day rang in Ned's mind now.

Rhaenys grew up. She matured in a pretty young woman with the looks of a Martell. She had black eyes and hair, a slender build, and olive colored skin. And though Ned and Catelyn tried to do the best they could for her, she remained a quiet, reserved, almost sad young woman. Perhaps it was no wonder her and Jon had become so close. Despite making them welcome, despite the North adopting both of them, they were still both outsiders, Rhaenys especially. At least Jon didn't know the truth, Ned thought to himself.

"No, she won't. I imagine Dorne is already jockeying for her," Ned said quietly. "Of course, they are. The fact she is a woman is of no bother to them and we can't exactly say she is a woman and then turn around and argue for the Princess." Ned nodded quietly thinking. This would get complicated quickly.

They said no more until they had safely arrived at the Tower of the Hand. Along the way, they had stopped to allow Ned's family and retinue to get settled. Jon had a warm reunion with Catelyn and took pleasure in meeting Sansa, Bran, and Arya. Ned told Cat he had business to attend to with Jon and he would see her before the feast tonight. Stannis, it seemed, was throwing a feast both in remembrance of his brother and to celebrate the beginning of the Council, scheduled to begin in a fortnight.

Jon had wanted to go right to his Solar, but Ned insisted on seeing his niece and he had been glad for it. She was a perfect mix of his sister and Robert. Dark hair, grey-blue eyes, and a fierce spirit. She and Arya would get along great, Ned chuckled to himself. They got re-acquainted and Ned promised he would look in on her later.

With that done, Ned went with Jon to his Solar to get the full story and plan their next steps. Just hearing the summary on the ride here had him nervous. "Do you think it was poison Jon," Ned asked almost immediately after the door closed. Ned watch Jon ponder the question. The silence did nothing to calm Ned. "Perhaps. I cannot say for certain." That was enough for Ned. "I want some of my men to help guard the Princess. No one will harm my niece, Robert's and Lyanna's child." Jon nodded. "I figured that. In truth, I would appreciate it. I don't trust all of the Kingsguard and my men can only be there so much." Ned felt his head jerk almost involuntarily at the announcement the Kingsguard could be coopted. Jon could see what Ned was thinking. "Let me explain. Over the past several years, Stannis and his Lannister kin have gotten a great deal of influence here in King's Landing and at Court. It includes appointments to the Kingsguard. I trust Ser Barristan, but after that I'm not so sure. And it's not much better on the Small Council. Stannis as Master of Laws and Jaime Lannister as Master of Coin, the two most powerful seats on the Council, after the Hand, and they belong to those two." Ned took a moment to sip the wine he had been handed and think. "What happened to Stannis? He was never the most warm individual and Robert had no great love for him, but you make it sound like he is a traitor."

Jon shook his head. "Traitor, no. I don't count him a traitor, that is unless Robert was murdered. As for what has happened to him. Cersei Lannister happened to him. She got her claws into him and fueled his resentment towards Robert. He still believes in duty and honor, but not like he used to. Not true duty or true honor." Ned took another sip of his wine. He again thought of all those years ago, after the Sack of King's Landing, when he returned to the city with his sister. He remembered the look on Tywin Lannister's face as Robert rushed to Lyanna's side and forgot all about his Cersei. Ned had heard Cersei was positioned to become Queen, or had been until Lyanna returned alive. Instead, Cersei was married off to Stannis and shipped to Storm's End. Jaime Lannister of relieved of his white cloak and shipped back to Casterly Rock to marry and have children. It wouldn't be until years later that Stannis returned to serve as Master of Laws and Jaime returned to serve as Master of Coin.

"We need to do something about this then. You said the Small Council is divided, what about the Kingdoms. The North and the Vale will back Lyarra, true," Ned said and was relieved when Jon nodded emphatically. "I went to war for you and for Robert. I won't fail Robert's daughter. Not now." Ned smiled. "Am I also correct the Stormlands and Westerlands support Stannis."

"Aye," Jon nodded grimly. "What of the rest," Ned asked. "Our goodfather, Hoster Tully, has sent Edmure, along with his betrothed, and Ser Brynden to the city to represent the Riverlands. Ser Edmure tell me the Riverlands stand with us, but Ser Brynden has told me it's not complete." "You mean the Freys," Ned responded sourly. "Of course I mean the Freys. They have ties to the Lannisters and are no friend to Lord Hoster. Still, I think the Riverlands fall to us." Ned nodded for Jon to continue. "Despite the presence of Edmure's betrothed, the Iron Islands fall into Stannis's camp. Tully may have Asha Greyjoy, but Stannis, or rather Tywin Lannister, has Theon Greyjoy."

Ned remembered the settlement at the end of the Greyjoy Rebellion. Tywin would take Theon, Balon Greyjoy's only living son, as a Ward and he would be wed to an Eastermont girl when they came of age. Until then, the Iron Islands were under the care of Tywin Lannister's brother Kevan. Asha Greyjoy, Theon's sister, was sent to the Riverlands, though. It wasn't planned, but Edmure and Asha had become quite the pair and all reports truly in love. Any child they have would have a claim, Ned thought to himself. It was something to keep in mind.

"The Crownlands appear to be edging to Stannis. Dragonstone follows Renly. Renly is...unknown at the time. Dorne, you already know about. That leave the Reach." Ned was troubled by Renly, he knew that Renly loved his niece, what was he playing at. "Dorne, I believe, will resolve itself," Ned said with a small smile while Jon looked at him quizzically. "I've had the opportunity to speak with Rhaenys on the way here. Indeed, long before that. She does not desire the throne. I believe if offered she will reject it." Ned watched as Jon's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "That would resolve Dorne. Still, they may choose to simply withdraw, but neutrality is better than opposition." Ned nodded again. "What is this about the Reach now," Ned asked.

"The Tyrell's are playing their own game. I don't think I need to tell you they possess the largest single force in the Kingdoms. They could tip the balance," Jon said as he looked out at the afternoon sun. "Aye, but Mace Tyrell has to know Stannis hates him. If the Tyrells support him…" "The Tyrells, I believe, are content to wait and see how things develop. Betting that if Stannis gets desperate, he will have to give them something." Ned just nodded and took another drink of wine.

They sat and planned, but before long it was time for the Feast and Ned had to get back and get ready.