Kings Landing, Crownlands( 281 AC)
As the northern party consisting of Ned, Ashara, Howland and two infants passed through the streets of King's landing they came upon the sight of utter carnage and poverty. With Tywin Lannister sacking it, the city had reached devastating heights of debauchery, crime and poverty. The city that was once the pride of their continent laid in ruins. All of them were disgusted by it but were helpless to do anything. They could only hope that Robert would help these people come out of their current miserable state and usher into a new era of prosperity.
As the Red Keep, the castle of the King came into sight the Northern party began to prepare itself.
On the road to Kings Landing, Ashara had taken a huge liking to little Jon and Damien seemed to enjoy his company as well. Within a few days, Jon began seeing Ashara as her mother figure and cried bitterly when separated from her. Ashara returned the favour by always feeding Jon herself, besides Damien, and began to see him as her own son.
As both the infants were left with the wet nurses, the adults walked towards the throne room. Upon seeing Ned, Robert couldn't contain his joy and approached them.
"Ned, it's so good to see that frozen face of yours. Have you found her? Have you found my Lyanna?" Robert asked, eyes full of hope and longing.
"I am sorry Robert, Lyanna died before I could reach her, the summer fever took her." Ned lied effortlessly.
"Sister fucking goddamned dragon spawns. I will kill every last one of them." Exclaimed Robert with eyes full of tears and hatred, throwing a jar of wine across the throne room.
"What happened was a terrible tragedy Robert but Rhaegar is dead, the mad king is dead. All the people responsible for our sufferings are gone. I implore you to see reason and let go of this hate you seemed to have developed for the name Targaryen. I beg of you, don't spill any more innocent blood. Enough blood has been spilt as it is." Ned reasoned with his friend hoping that he would see the right way.
"Are you a dragon lover now Ned? They will all die." Robert roared back angrily.
Jon Arryn decided to intervene before his wards, whom he thought of as his own children, came to blows.
"Enough of this nonsense. Robert, you will reign in your anger. I will not allow any more innocent blood to be spilt. Now who are the children that came in with you Ned and why is Ashara Dayne with you ?" Jon asked.
"The older one is my nephew and Ashara's and Brandon's son. They married in secret before weirwood tree at Harrenhall. Meet Damien Stark the heir to Winterfell and the future warden of the North." Ned introduced his nephew proudly who seemed to be relishing in the attention he was getting from the three elders. Robert started laughing as Damien tried to slap him, much to Ned and Ashara's horror.
"And who is the other one ?" asked Robert joyously as he tickled little Damien making him laugh.
"This is my bastard son, Jon. Her mother perished shortly after giving birth to him. I decided to take him and raise him. I decided to name him after you Jon as you are the best man I know" Ned explained hoping to all the gods that his lie works.
As expected Robert started laughing loudly prompting little Damien to giggle as well, and Jon Arryn looked proudly at his ward.
"I hope this boy becomes like you one day Ned. He already looks a lot like you and is even a little sombre like you" Jon remarked as he tickled his little namesake under his chin who smiled a little and went back to cuddling Ashara.
"He has taken a liking to you it seems," Jon said to Ashara who smiled motherly at little Jon
"Yeah, I have taken a liking to him as well. I will raise him as my own son. He will be Damien's shield and give him council" exclaimed Ashara as she fondly hugged little Jon who seemed to be enjoying his adoptive mothers embrace.
"Hoster will throw a fit over this, not only is his grandson not going to rule the North but Ned has also fathered a bastard. This will cause some strife with the Tully's." Remarked Jon as he noticed Ashara hugging Jon possessively.
"Fuck Hoster Tully, tell him if he has a problem then he can take it up with the King. I never liked that opportunistic son of a bitch anyway." Robert exclaimed loudly.
"Thank you, Robert, I knew I could always count on you to watch my back," Ned said with a slight smile.
"Always Ned, you are my brother in all but blood. I will always have your back." Robert said with emotions clear in his eyes.
With the royal wedding approaching Ned and Ashara stayed a few days in the capital and then began their journey to Winterfell. Ned was excited to meet his son whom he had never seen due to this pestilential war. He was also filled with trepidation about Catelyn's reaction to all of these new developments. With all these thoughts still in his mind, he began his journey towards his home with its new heir in tow, the North.