One month had passed since the death of Aerys Targaryen. As Ned suspected, the Tyrells sued for peace once news of the Mad King's death reached their ears. The Martells stood down as well. But the month was also filled with tragedy. Ned later found his sister Lyanna hidden away in the Tower of Joy in Dorne. With six companions Ned fought against the greatest knight alive Arthur Dayne and his fellow Kingsguard Gerold Hightower and Oswell Went. Ned and Howland Reed were the only two alive when the battle was over. Ned raced inside but he was too late. Lyanna's last words haunted him every night since. Promise me Ned. The war was finally over but now an even more important battle was about to begin.
Ned's thoughts wandered to Winterfell and how he longed to return to his home. He had seen enough fighting and didn't want to see anymore. He just wanted to go home and settle down. Before the war began, his brother Brandon was promised to Catelyn Tully and upon his death Ned married her in his brother's place. Even now Catelyn was caring for their son Robb who was born while Ned was off fighting in the war. Hopefully they would have many more that would drive them crazy. The thought made Ned smile as he waited in the entrance courtyard of the Red Keep for Stannis Baratheon.
Every major lord of Westeros had been summoned to take part in the Great Council. Its sole purpose was to decide who will be the next king. Such an event had only occurred once before nearly seventy years ago after the death of King Maekar's death. The council had chosen Aegon V who ruled wisely but his son Aerys did not. He had brought madness and death to the Seven Kingdoms and no one would ever allow a Targaryen on the throne again. The only question now was who would take the Targaryen's place?
Ned pondered this question as knights carrying Baratheon banners entered the courtyard. In the front was Stannis Baratheon, his face just as stern as ever. Ned remembered meeting him several times but they were never friendly. "Lord Stannis. Welcome," Ned greeted the Lord of Storm's End as he dismounted from his horse.
"Lord Stark," Stannis replied almost in a grunt. Ned felt awkward speaking to him. Stannis was the complete opposite of his older brother. Robert would drink, celebrate, and laugh. Stannis never smiled, never laughed, and though not a cruel man he was stern and unyielding.
"I am sorry about the loss of your brother. He was a great man," said Ned.
"I mourn the boy he was. Not the man he became. I did everything he ever asked. I did my duty as his younger brother and served him faithfully my whole life and not once did he ever thank me for it. Not a single word of gratitude for holding Storm's End for almost a year," declared Stannis. Robert always told Ned how much he loathed spending time with Stannis. They were polar opposites.
"He may not have thanked you or said any kind words to you but he always respected you," said Ned.
"A true man should speak how he feels. He shouldn't have to let his friends say it for him," said Stannis. The man was clearly bitter over not having his older brother's love. Robert never loved either of his brothers.
"Is Renly well?" asked Ned trying to change the conversation.
"Now that he can eat something other than rats. Before Ser Davos delivered the supplies he was so frail he could barely stand," answered Stannis. Ned heard that a smuggler named Davos Seaworth had broken through the blockade and delivered supplies to Storm's End. Stannis had rewarded him with a knighthood but also cut off four of Davos's fingers. Stern and unyielding.
"I saw Tyrell soldiers camped outside the city walls. Why Mace Tyrell and Doran Martell are given a seat on this council is beyond me. They fought against us, they lost, and now you would give them a voice in whomever is crowned," commented Stannis. Every great lord was permitted to keep a force of five hundred men outside the city walls and it was not the most stable arrangement. Many of these men had fought against the other, many lost friends, and now they were told to sit peacefully within each other's sights.
"Jon Arryn believes that every lord must have a say in this in order for there to be a true lasting peace," answered Ned. The truth was he was uneasy about bringing in the same people that had once swore allegiance to Aerys Targaryen but Jon Arryn said that it needed to be done if every peace was to be forged and last.
"And what do you think?" frowned Stannis.
"It does not matter what I think. I will do whatever is best for the realm," answered Ned.
"What is best for the realm is for me to be crowned. You and Jon Arryn swore to serve Robert when he fought for the Iron Throne. He won and now everything that was his is now mine by right. And you are giving a voice to the people who tried to starve me in Storm's End," said Stannis.
"Aerys is dead. There's no further reason for bloodshed," said Ned.
"There is for justice. For the men who fought and died beside Robert, you, and me. They deserve justice against everyone who fought against them," said Stannis. He walked off with his honor guards, leaving a somewhat shaken Ned. Stannis would never forgive anyone who fought against them, even if that meant continuing the war. But by all rights Stannis was the rightful heir of Robert whom Ned fought to put on the Iron Throne. Ned was starting to miss Winterfell with each passing day. King's Landing was a rat's nest filled with treachery and betrayal. In the North, honor and family meant more than anything. But here everything was about gaining power and maintaining it. He was tempted just to leave and go back home. Let the high lords settle this themselves. Ned wanted no part in any of this.
"Lord Stark," a deep familiar voice behind him. Ned turned to see the Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West Tywin Lannister. The man was the embodiment of power whose intelligence was only matched by his ambition. He was so wealthy that it was often joked that the man shit gold. Though no one ever dared say it to his face.
"Lord Tywin," Ned greeted him as he tried to contain his anger. He wanted the Lannister to pay for his attempt to murder the royal family but that would only make things worse. The peace was barely stable as it was.
"With Lord Stannis here that just leaves Prince Doran to reach us before the fate of Westeros is decided," stated Tywin.
"Do you have a point?" demanded Ned. Tywin glared at him with his cold eyes. Ned had never heard of the man losing his temper, instead he would just stare with those eyes. Most men would rather fight the Mountain then have those eyes stairing at them. Ned however was not afraid.
"I overhead what Stannis intends to do. He will start the war all over again and for what? His own foolish ideals of justice? Can the Seven Kingdoms afford such a man to sit on the Iron Throne?" asked Tywin.
"And whom do you suggest? Someone who sat back throughout the entire war and only struck when he knew which side would win? A man who ordered the death of two innocent children?" replied Ned.
"A man who brought twenty prosperous years to the Seven Kingdoms while he was the Hand of the King. A man who is willing to do whatever it takes to secure stability and order. I cannot say the same about Stannis," Tywin spoke.
"I will never support a man like you," Ned spat.
"The realm needs men like me. Had I not taken this city through treachery the war would have dragged on for years. And now you have given every Targaryen loyalist a rally point by leaving Rhaegar's children and Aery's daughter alive. And should another rebellion begin the blood of whomever is spilled will be on your head," said Tywin. He turned and left a fuming Ned.
Ned left the courtyard and headed to the godswood. He needed to clear his head and nothing else seemed to ease his mind then sitting in front of the heart tree and praying to the Old Gods. Most people in Westeros prayed the Seven but the Northerners still held the beliefs of their ancestors. Most Godswood in the south was used as gardens instead of places of worship but Ned never saw anyone other than his own bannermen pray here. A part of him was grateful for the seclusion it brought him.
"What are you praying for?" asked a gentle voice. Ned looked up to see Princess Elia standing beside him. He had been so lost in his thoughts that he didn't even hear her coming.
"My wife and son are on their way from Riverrun. I'm praying that they will arrive safely Princess," answered Ned.
"You don't need to call me that anymore. We both know I won't be keeping the title for much longer," said Elia.
"How are Rhaenys and Aegon?" Ned asked.
Elia sighed. "Aegon is well but Rhaenys still has nightmares about what happened. She screams in the middle of the night for her father even though I have told her he is gone."
"I'm sorry for everything you'd had to endure. You and your children shouldn't suffer because of Aerys and Rhaegar," said Ned.
Elia gave him a thankful smile for his words. "I loved him once. Rhaegar was the envy of every woman in the Seven Kingdoms but he was my husband. I gave him two beautiful children he loved and yet he never loved me. He might have enjoyed my company I suppose at times but never love. I knew the truth at Harrenhal when he gave your sister the crown of flowers instead of me," said Elia.
Ned remembered the first time he met Rhaegar. It was during the Tourney of Harrenhal while Ned was speaking to Brandon, Lyanna, and Robert when the prince approached them. He seemed to be a kind man but Ned noticed that he couldn't take his eyes off Lyanna and she couldn't stop looking back at him. He should have said something, acted on his instincts. Instead he did nothing and Lyanna was dead.
"Lord Stark…" Elia started to say, her voice desperate. "…when my brother arrives, you and every other high lord will decide whom to crown. And in doing so you will be deciding the fate of my children. Whoever sits on the Iron Throne will want no rivals to his claim and should someone like Tywin Lannister or Stannis Baratheon be crowned, Rhaenys and Aegon will be killed. It is for their sake that I beg you to claim the Iron Throne."
Ned couldn't believe what she was saying. He had no claim to the Iron Throne nor did he want it. The Baratheons had the true claim with their Targaryen ancestry. Something the Starks did not. "No. I can't," protested Ned.
"You must. My brother has no chance of gaining the throne. Jon Arryn is a good man but he doesn't want to be crowned. I don't trust Mace Tyrell, Hoster Tully, or Balon Greyjoy and my children are as good as dead if Tywin or Stannis becomes king," pleaded Elia.
"Ruling seven fractured kingdoms is not a responsibility I want to put on my family. If I become king every ambitious and power hungry lunatic would target them just as they did the Targaryens. I am not fit to rule regardless," Ned shook his head.
"That's where you are wrong Lord Stark. You are the only man who is fit to rule. Tywin is a power hungry man who would gladly kill anyone who gets in his way. Stannis is apathetic to the lives of others around him. Mace Tyrell is just plain stupid and my brother cannot win this throne no matter how hard he tried. You and Jon Arryn are the only ones among the council that don't want the throne. Jon is a good leader but he does not inspire greatness as you do. You challenged the Mountain to protect your enemies' family. Would anyone else have done what you did? If you won't do it for the sake of my children then do it for the good of the realm," said Elia.
Ned said nothing. He stared at the heart tree thinking. "I should go and check on Aegon. Please think about what I've said," Elia told him before she left.
When Ned got back to his room, he walked out onto the balcony and looked over the city. It was still reeling from Tywin's attack. Though Ned's army managed to minimize some of the damage by keeping Tywin's forces at bay, hundreds possibly thousands were dead. How can knights and men who claim to worship the Seven and took oaths to do good commit such brutality? The same could be said about Aerys Targaryen and his madness. Rhaegar Targaryen could have been a great king. He was loved by the common people and a kind man by all accounts. And yet he too fell into the trap of power. When you are given a crown and unlimited power, why does it always seem to change a man for the worse? Was it simply power itself that changed someone or did it just simply bring out something inside that was always there? Stannis saw the Iron Throne as his right. Tywin saw it as the ultimate prize. Both of them wanted power and Ned knew it would not end well for the seven kingdoms if either of them got their wish. War and bloodshed would follow and more lives would be lost all for a damned metal chair. And what of Rhaenys, Aegon, and Daenerys? They are innocent and if he put someone on the Iron Throne that will kill them, that would make Ned just as guilty. How could he live with himself?
"I never wanted this," Ned whispered to himself. A knock on the door made him clench his fist. All he wanted right now was to be left alone. "Come in," he groaned. He was pleasantly surprised when Jon Arryn entered.
"Prince Doran has arrived. The council will meet tomorrow," announced Jon. He stared at Ned for a moment. "And you look like you haven't slept in days."
"Perhaps because I haven't," sighed Ned.
"I think I know you well enough to know there's more to it than that," spoke Jon as he took a seat. Ned sat down as well. "What's really bothering you?"
"Who will you support tomorrow?" asked Ned.
"Truthfully I don't know. I won't support Tywin but perhaps maybe Stannis. He had a real claim to the throne and he was on our side during the war," shrugged Jon.
"And what happens if he commands us to rally our troops and march against House Tyrell and House Martell?" asked Ned.
"What makes you so sure he'll do that?" frowned Jon.
"He told me," answered Ned. Jon sighed as he held his hand against his forehead. The two were silent for a moment before Ned broke the silence. "Have you ever wished someone else was Lord of the Vale and not you?" he asked.
"Sometimes yes…" admitted Jon. "…but it's not about what I want. I have a duty to protect or govern the people of the Vale to the best of my abilities. As the firstborn son of my father I had no choice in the matter but I decided that I would try to always do what was right. Just as when I joined you and Robert's Rebellion not just because I loved both of you as if you were my own children but also because it was the right thing to do."
"I'm starting to wonder what the right thing truly is," said Ned.
"Do whatever you think is right tomorrow Ned. I can't tell you what that is or whom to choose. But you are the most honorable man I have ever met and I know you'll do the right thing no matter what you decide. Now get some rest," said Jon.
In the morning, Ned stared at a mirror for what seemed like hours. He had fought dozen of battles but those were won by swords, armor, and training. Now he was dressed for a different kind of battle, where words were the weapons and allegiances changed like the tides. The war of politics. Ned straitened his brown leather tunic as he prepared for the most important meeting to take place in centuries. The Throne Room had been redesigned to hold a table with eight chairs where the head of every major household would sit and discuss the future of Westeros.
Ned Stark of the North, Jon Arryn of the Vale, Tywin Lannister of the Westernlands, Mace Tyrell of the Reach, Stannis Baratheon of the Stormlands, Doran Martell of Dorne, and Hoster Tully of the Riverlands. Balon Greyjoy of the Iron Islands was summoned but had not arrived. Ned doubted he would even show up from the start. The man always believed himself to be outside of the King's authority even before Robert's Rebellion. Ned walked outside his room where Rodrik and Reed were waiting for him. They were armed but Ned doubted that would be necessary. No one would dare strike anyone in a meeting like this. "Are you ready my lord?" asked Reed.
"Let's go," nodded Ned. He followed them to the throne room. Two guards outside the doors for them as the three stepped inside. The throne room looked very different from when Ned had severed the Mad King's head on the floor. The dragon skulls that had hung on the walls were smashed on the floor and a large table sat in the middle of the room. Jon Arryn, Tywin Lannister, and Hoster Tully were already waiting with their squires and two guards for each of them. They were allowed to bring no one else to the meeting.
Ned gave Jon a nod before taking a seat. Tywin eyed him silently from his seat no doubt pondering what Stark will say in the proceedings. For the first time in almost a hundred years, all the great houses would decide who the next king would be. Which meant everyone needed to know who would swear fealty to whom. The two finally broke their stares as Mace Tyrell walked in with his servants with Doran Martell right behind him. The last man to enter was Stannis Baratheon. When he took his seat, the throne room doors shut and would stay that way until a new king was decided. No one was leaving until then.
"Welcome my lords. Aerys Targaryen is dead and his dynasty never to return. We are here to decide who shall take his place and ensure that a madman does not sit on the Iron Throne again," said Jon Arryn.
"There is nothing to decide. My brother was to sit on the Iron Throne and now that he is dead that right belongs to me," said Stannis.
"If it weren't for the Lannisters and the Starks you'd still be starving in Storm's End," spat Mace. The leader of House Tyrell was not about to swear fealty to a man he would have defeated had news of the Mad King's death not reached his ears.
"The noble houses sworn to us are also looking to us for leadership. They will want to see a man they know they can trust to run this kingdom efficiently and rationally," agreed Tywin.
"And I assume you're referring to yourself? A Lannister always pays his debts right? You can be sure one day I'll repay you for trying to kill my sister and her children," snapped Doran Martell. The Martells knew that Tywin ordered the Mountain to kill the royal family which included Princess Elia, Doran's sister.
"My lords please calm down," Jon said trying to ease tensions but it wasn't working.
"The Lannisters stood back and did nothing during the war. They only got involved when they knew Robert would win. They also entered King's Landing under a banner of friendship before attacking it. Do you expect us to trust you with the Iron Throne after that Tywin?" nodded Hoster.
"You stood back and let the rest of us do most of the fighting Foster," snapped Stannis.
"Fighting? You sat on your ass in Storm's End for a year!" shouted Hoster.
"At least I have the resources and the loyalty of my banners. Which is more than I can say for you Stannis. I hear that you're having difficulty keeping your nobles in line," replied Tywin. Stannis glared at him.
For the next hour, insults and shouts were exchanged in the room. Not everyone nominated themselves for the Iron Throne but no one agreed on any choice. Another idea occurred that the seven kingdoms should be independent of each other but that idea was shot down. The men in this room weren't about to let the chance of being king of all seven kingdoms pass them by. The whole time Ned was silent, secretly wishing he was somewhere else. He loathed this game of thrones. At least on a battlefield he knew who his enemies and allies were. He also loathed what he was about to do next.
"My lords," Ned spoke, his voice cutting through the banter among the others and silencing them. "We need someone who we know can keep his word and follow the rule of law. Someone who can take the role of King as a duty instead of a right. Every king is called Protector of the Realm and we need someone who will act like it. Who will put what is best for the Seven Kingdoms instead of his own selfish ambitions," spoke Ned.
"Do you have anyone in particular in mind?" asked Jon.
"I nominate myself," sighed Ned. Mace rolled his eyes in annoyance and Tywin seemed to do the same. Hoster and Jon were in shock while Doran stared at him. Stannis was furious. This was a gamble on Ned's part but he felt it was the right thing to do.
"Explain yourself," demanded Stannis.
The whole room was silent. Ned had their full attention. "I don't have the gold of House Lannister or the claim of House Baratheon. All I have to offer all of you is my honor and that I vow I would do everything in my power should I be crowned to establish peace to the Seven Kingdoms and end the bloodshed. I will raise my children to treat the throne as a burden and not a right," he said. While Tywin and Stannis were unmoved, Jon gave Ned a nod and Hoster seemed to do so as well. Mace Tyrell seemed changed also.
"House Martell swears fealty to Lord Eddard Stark. Though you were my enemy, you saved my sister and her children. You are a man of honor and someone whose word I can trust," spoke Doran. That caught everyone off guard except Ned. He suspected that Elia would convince Doran to support him.
"I agree. House Arryn swears fealty to him and no other," smiled Jon.
"If someone who was once your sworn enemy trusts you then that's saying something. If Stannis or Tywin promised no retribution against my house I wouldn't believe either of them. But if you promise no retribution would come to my family for fighting against you, I would believe you Lord Stark. House Tyrell swears fealty to you and no one else," said Mace.
"I…suppose you're right. House Tully chooses Lord Stark," conceded Hoster. Tywin and Stannis were completely speechless. They had to have known it would be difficult to gain support for themselves but Ned suspected they didn't think the rest would agree on someone unanimously like this. Ned knew that Doran would support him for saving Elia and her children. By being married to Catelyn, he would gain Hoster's support. Jon Arryn almost seemed like he was just waiting for Ned to step up. And Ned said he would bring peace to the realm which caught Mace Tyrell's interest. The Lord of Highgarden was probably fearful of retribution on Stannis's part and didn't trust Tywin. Hearing Doran, once Ned's sworn enemy, swear fealty to him convinced Mace that Ned could be trusted.
"This is insanity. He has no claim to the Iron Throne!" shouted Stannis.
"Neither do you. The Targaryen blood in your veins does not you make fit to be a king," shot back Tywin knowing which way the momentum had shifted. He took a deep breath. "Eddard Stark will have House Lannister's support."
And all eyes turned to Stannis. He knew he couldn't win the Iron Throne. Nothing he said would change that. He was an unyielding man but even he knew he couldn't fight six of the other seven kingdoms. Not when he was still having trouble with his own bannermen. All he could do now was simply say, "House Baratheon swears fealty to Eddard Stark."
"It is decided then. We need to send messengers to all of our bannermen and let them know that a new king will be crowned. Long may he reign," said Jon.
(Darksnider05 you are proof that I need a beta reader. If there's one thing I do repeatedly, it's that I miss my screw-ups.)