Even in his sleep, her husband looked troubled. Too young for the wrinkles that were starting to form, too young to go from humble second son to king of seven kingdoms, but it was a weight he bore without complaint. Cersei prayed he would live long enough to voice such grievances.

"How is he?"

"I had asked for us to be left in peace." Cersei said with a noticeable lack of venom. Recent events had left her tired, tending to her husband with instructions from Maester Luwin. The Dornish woman who seemed to haunt Cersei's otherwise perfect marriage was a threat to be dealt with later, her husband's well-being was to be dealt with now.

"And I have asked to see him. We rarely get what we wish, my lady." The thread of iron was certainly there, and it was enough for the blonde queen to turn her gaze.

"I could have you beheaded." It wasn't a threat. Threats were for commoners and brutes. Queens such as herself simply stated facts. Ned may miss his violet eyed paramour, but only for a time. With his attention solely on her, Cersei felt it was more than possible that she could console him. She would make him forget everything, till the only woman in his mind was golden-haired with eyes of jade. His wife, without a trace of his mistress left. It was a tempting thought.

"With him to follow soon after?" Ashara quipped, the threat glancing off of her as Cersei's brow narrowed in confusion. Then the pieces clicked.

"You dare suggest that-!..." Cersei whispered harshly, knowing the walls had ears as she left her place at Ned's side to stand before Ashara. Amethyst met emerald as they locked eyes. "What would I have to gain from killing him? Robb isn't past his second name day, and Joffrey, barely three months. What benefit do I get from my husband dying to some assassin?"

"I was more thinking your father, but the title of regent on your shoulder, and the ability to shape the future king as you please would be enough temptation for one such as yourself." Ashara didn't back down an inch.

"And how do I know it wasn't you? You think I don't notice you waddling around? You think I am fool enough to know my husband isn't the father of whatever bastard child you are set to bring into this world! I allow him his failings because he has paid for them in kind. But if you think for one breath, that you or any of your children will sit on the throne-!"

"Why would I want that cursed thing?! I have already lost my husband over it once, do you think I wish to do so a second time?" Ashara challenged as she took a step forward. "I do not care for your treasured crown, or your titles. I never have."

"Then what is it you want? Ned? I don't know if you've noticed, but you were a bit late to take him! We both said the words, and we've both shared a bed. That," A hand jabbed in the direction of a slumbering Ned. "Is my husband. And until some beggar with knife decided to take issue with him, I was quite happy to leave things in their proper place, and avoid this." Cersei finished, seething.

"Don't even know why he was stabbed, and you are lecturing me? For daring to love a man, who would have slipped by your notice if it wasn't for Rhaegar, his stupidity and the blasted war? In another life, I'd be Lady Stark, and you, some other lord's broodmare! For a woman who can't help but imagine she is the smartest person in the room, you seem to know less than the maids!"

"Who are doing a poor job and should be punished if they are spending their time gossiping, instead of working! Why are we even arguing this?! I am the queen. Mistress or not, this ends now. Raise your little bastard in that seven damned desert of yours, and if I so much as hear a whisper about you in the capital again, I will show you the definition of a 'queen's justice'!"

"And lose the only person with the slightest clue of who did this to Ned?" Honeyed words, why are the Dornish so good with honeyed words, Cersei thought to herself. If the eunuch was keeping quiet, what would a glorified whore know?

"Apparently, a little bit of gossip while washing rags can be quite helpful. There have been grumblings from some of the local Septon's about Ned's lack of faith. Since the servants much prefer a King who isn't inclined to burn them for every insult, they saw fit to tell me what they knew. Our husband seems to have endeared himself to the populace quite nicely." Ashara continued, eyes flickering over to her prone paramour as he shifted in his sleep. If it wasn't for the stab wound in his torso, she might have chided him for paying such little attention to his surroundings.

"Those fat bastards..." Cersei swore. She needed a drink, the matter of Ashara, or the dangerous words out of her mouth forgotten for the moment. It made sense, Ned had been asking for her opinions on the Faith, with rather pointed questions on how they were using their power. "They would to, the up-start beggars."

"Teach a man a hymn, suddenly he thinks himself below naught but the Seven them-self."

"Yes, yes. Time for that later. Names, I need names." Names to be put on a list, to be shortly crossed out. A Lannister paid their debts. Cersei only hoped, as she eyed Ashara that this wasn't a debt the young queen would regret.

Ashara couldn't help but smile as she took a seat at Ned's side, brushing a few strands of hair out of his face. He was in need of a trim, she thought as Cersei found parchment and ink pots. This, the Dornish woman thought, was the beginning of a beautiful partnership.

AN: And part 3. This one is set earlier, basically year 3 or so after the rebellion. Where Ned really starts to work at cleaning up some of the seedy underbelly and fixing the kingdom. Of course as there are people who are not so enthused about such a King. The Faith was just my go to for this because I imagine they'd be the group most set against Ned being King. Ned is rather devoted to the Old God's after all. He married Cersei in a sept, in front of a septon, but aside from things he does for his wife, it's mostly lip service. Btw, yes. I kept Joffrey in. I'll probably be doing a separate drabble taking a look at -that- father/son relationship.

But yes, this is the point where Cersei and Ashara go from being two people who try to stay out of each others way as much as possible for their own reasons, to tentative allies, till later close friends down the line. It only took Ned surviving a knife wound to do it! As for why Cersei didn't get rid of Ashara from the start, Ned would have been a lot more willing to share power. That was enough for some leniency from Cersei, and cause I said so! This is my "If miracles could happen" universe, so let's try not to ask questions that break the illusion. Westeros is a sad enough place, let's just let some love blossom happily.

Anyways, comments, concerns and questions are always welcome! So feel free to leave a review, or shoot me a pm if you want to know more about this AU, or other things. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and have a good day!