Tales Of Winter

2

Ned Stark sat up in his large double bed as he awoke with a groan, stretching out his arms as he yawned. He turned his head and he smiled at the dark-haired beauty who lay asleep next to him. He learned over and pressed a kiss to her hair. "Time to wake up love."

Ashara Stark turned over as she woke up and looked up at her loving husband and Ned as he did every morning thanked all the gods that they had seen fit to bless him with such a beautiful, intelligent, kind and generous woman for his lady wife. Ashara smiled gently and her lavender eyes seemed to almost glow in the light of the morning sun. "Good morning my sweet Ned." she murmured as she had not yet fully awakened.

Ned leant forward and gently placed his lips on Ashara's, who wrapped her arms around Ned's broad shoulders. As much as they would both have loved to stay in bed all day they knew that it wouldn't be possible and so, they reluctantly pulled apart and got of their large, warm bed to get dressed to start their day.

After they got dressed they went their separate ways with only a kiss goodbye to sustain them until nightfall, as Ned was his elder brother's castellan he had to work all day and he couldn't retire to his bed chambers until his elder brother had retired to his.

And Brandon didn't retire until late at night, he had surprised Ned with how much he had taken being lord of Winterfell seriously. But, it seemed as through his brother had left his days as the 'Wild Wolf' far behind him or. He had for the most part at least.

He had surprised Ned even more when he turned out to be an excellent father, he had always thought that Brandon would be a very indulgent father who would allow his children to get away with murder but no, he turned out to be more like there father. A man who adored his children but did not spoil them and knew when to crack the whip.

He had also turned out to be a very dedicated husband which has surprised Ned even more, he had made it clear many times to both Ned and their father he didn't want to marry Catelyn Tully but there father had told him, just like he had told Lyanna when he announced her betrothal to Robert, that he really had no choice in the matter and that it had to be done.

But while it had took them both a great, great deal of time Catelyn and Brandon had come to love one another and with the birth of each of their children that love had grown and grown and now you would never think that there had been a time where they hadn't utterly adored one another.

Ashara would spend the day with Catelyn and would help her to manage the castle and the servants while also keeping her company, the two women had become very close other the years. Perhaps because they were both strangers to the north and they were both from the south.

Ned made his way to his brother's solar but decide to cross through the training yard first, he smiled when he saw his three oldest sons. Jon, Robb and Arthur practicing archery and there younger sisters Elia and Nymeria were watching them as they practiced there needlework. His children could always make Ned smile no matter what.

A concerned frown spread on Ned's features as he saw Benjen, visiting from the wall, walk over to his boys and started to talk to them about something, most likely try to convince them to take the black.

He would have to have a talk with his baby brother, he knew that there was great honour in serving in the night's watch but he didn't like the idea of any of his sons having to forsake the warmth of friends and family and love, there were other ways to achieve honour.

Ned sighed, he would speak to Benjen and his children later. For now he had to get to his brother's solar. He didn't think it would look good if the lord Castellan of the castle kept the actual lord of the castle waiting.

And so, he turns on his feet and leaves his children to their day. He walked through the long, grey, stone hallways of Winterfell and allowed himself a small smile. He had always loved Winterfell, he never wanted to be it's lord, and he was glad he would never have to be, but he could never imagine leaving it.

Ned arrived outside His brother's solar and reached out with a hand to knock on the door. A loud, strong, clear voice sounded out from behind the solid door. "Enter." The voice of the lord of Winterfell commanded.

Ned pushed open the door slowly and stepped into the Solar, Brandon was sitting down behind the large oak desk that seemed to dominate the room, Brandon himself had grown into a strong man, his face was now fully bearded and his eyes, their father's eyes, Ned noted to himself, were now full of the same wisdom and kindness that their father's had possessed.

They were also filled with an emotion that their father's eyes had never possessed. A large amount of happiness and good humour which is something that sadden Ned as he looked back on it now, he couldn't remember a time where he saw his father happy, which he supposed made sense, he had spent most of his childhood at the Eyrie. While he wouldn't trade those days with Robert and Jon Arryn for anything he was sad that he didn't get to know his father more before it was too late.

Brandon looked up from the letter he was reading with an amused smile on his face. The smile brightened at the sight of Ned. "Little brother!" He said in that booming voice of his and stood up from his desk. He walked over to Ned and slapped his meaty hand down on Ned's shoulder. "I've got good news little brother."

"What is the news my lord?" Ned said, Brandon might have been his brother but in his eyes he would always be the lord of Winterfell first and foremost.

Brandon shook his head in exasperation. "Honestly little brother it's just us, we can actually talk like we are brothers when we are alone." He shook his head once more. "Anyway it doesn't matter, Lyanna and her husband and their daughter are coming to visit."

"Robert?" Ned asked, not quite sure why he had.

Brandon looked confused his younger brother's question. "Of course Robert, who else has Lyanna married?"

Ned shook his head. "I'm sorry, I don't know why I said that. It's just for a moment I thought that I…" Ned couldn't find the words to carry on, his mind had emptied. It was like something he couldn't remember, something he didn't want to remember.

He was brought out of his troubled thoughts by Brandon gently shaking him. "Ned, Ned snap out of it."

Ned shook his head and glanced around, and his jaw dropped open. He was no longer in Brandon's solar. He had somehow found himself in the great hall and a great feast was already under way, the smell of meat and ale filling the air.

Ned turned to look at Brandon. "Bran, what are we doing here. We were in your solar a minute ago."

A concerned look appeared on Brandon's face. "Ned, we haven't been in my Solar since this morning." He shook his head. "I've been working you too hard, go and sit down and have some ale." Brandon then grinned suddenly and nodded to something behind Ned. "You're pretty wife is waiting for you, it would be rude to keep her waiting." And Brandon then walk off without waiting for Ned to respond.

Ned turned his head and smiled when he saw Ashara sitting at the main table, Jon and the rest of their beautiful children sitting at the side of her. On the other side of her were Lyanna and Robert, a dark haired girl was sitting in Lyanna's lap. Brandon and then Benjen came over and sat down at the table. There were two places left at the table, one for Catelyn and one for him.

His family were smiling at him, it was time for him to take his place.

But before he could even take one step a small and delicate hand took hold of Ned's wrist and stopped him from even taking a step. Ned turned his head to look at who had grabbed him. It was Catelyn, her blue eyes sad.

"Lady Stark, what is the matter?" Ned asked concerned, Catelyn didn't say anything merely looked past his to stare at the main table. Ned turned back to look at the table and gasped in horror at the horrific sight in front of him.

His children and Ashara had disappeared, aside from Jon who was suddenly dressed in thick furs who smiled sadly at his father before he was lead away from the table by Benjen, Ned wanted to go and stop them but he couldn't make his feet move no matter how hard he tried.

Brandon was slumped in his chair, ugly purple and blue bruises on his throat. Robert had disappeared and in his place was a tall, slim man with long sliver hair and bright purple eyes who smirked at Ned. Lyanna, beautiful, kind Lyanna, was covered in blood with a crown of blue flowers in her hair and her daughter was gone. She smiled sadly. "Promise me Ned."

And with those words Ned found himself awoken in his bed, he glanced to his side and his wife resting easily in her sleep, her beautiful red hair following down like a curtain.

Just a dream.

Ned sighed heavily and sadly before laying back down to rest his head on his pillow. He closed his eyes. Within a few moments Eddard Stark was asleep once more, he never had the dream or any like it ever again.

No matter how much he wished he could.

End