The King's Bastard
Chapter 4, World of Stone
Alora felt her handmaiden pull off her blankets. She does this every single morning and every single time Alora hates it.
"You haven't eaten in two days." Ginevra seethed, "Do you want your baby to starve to death?"
"No." Alora groaned as she sat up in her bed.
"Then go eat," Ginevra motioned towards the platter on the table. Alora rolled her eyes while she made her way over to her table and sat in the chair. The girl stared down at the assorted fruits and meats. Ginevra crossed her arms causing Alora to shove a grape into her mouth.
"Is that better, Mistress?" Alora mouthed sarcastically, "I thought you were my handmaiden."
A smirk creeped up on the ginger girls lips before leaning onto Alora's vanity. Alora glanced over at her.
"What?" Alora sighed, continuing to pile different foods into her mouth.
"Lord Baelish." Ginevra replied.
"What of him?" Alora looked up at her handmaiden.
"He likes you." Ginevra sang
"He likes everyone with breasts, Ginevra." Alora stated before wiping away any grease on her nightdress.
"I mean, in a 'I want you to have my babies' type of way." Ginevra corrected.
"I'm already having someone else's baby." Alora breathed out. The girl stood up from the chair before slipping off her nightdress and tossing it to her handmaiden.
"You should be happy… not crying yourself to sleep every night because some bastard boy was so stupid he didn't know what he had."
"Ginevra, I don't want to talk about this." Alora sighed as she slipped on a freshly clean dress.
"Alright, I'll speak of this no more." Ginevra promised
"Thank you."
"More wine, your grace?" Lancel questioned as he held out the canister. The King complied as he took it from the boy, taking a sip before handing it back.
"What was I saying?" Robert asked.
"Simpler time?" Renly reminded.
"It was, it was." Robert stated, "You're too young to remember. Wasn't it simpler, Selmy?"
"It was, your grace." Selmy agreed.
"The enemy was right there in the open, vicious as you like, all but sending you a bloody invitation. Nothing like today."
"It sounds exhilarating." Renly stated.
"Exhilarating, yes." Robert agreed, "Not as exhilarating as those balls and masquerades you like to throw. You ever fuck a Riverlands girl?"
"Once, I think." Renly answered as the group continued to trudge through the woods.
"You think?" Robert questioned, "I think you'd remember. Back in our day, you weren't a real man until you fucked one girl from each of the seven kingdoms and the Riverlands. We used to call it 'Making-the-eight.'"
"Those were some lucky girls." Renly stated sarcastically.
"You ever make the eight, Barristan?" Robert questioned.
"I don't believe so, your grace." Selmy answered.
"Those were the days." Robert laughed.
"Which days exactly?" Renly seethed as he stopped walking, "The ones where half of Westeros fought the other half and millions died? Or before that when the Mad King slaughtered women and babies because the voices in his head told him they deserved it. Or way before that, when dragons burned cities to the ground?"
"Easy, boy." Robert warned, "You might be my brother but you're speaking to the King."
"I suppose it was all rather heroic, If you were drunk enough to have some poor Riverlands whore to shove your prick inside to make the eight and get rewarded with a bastard baby girl. Al least your bastard daughter lives in this time otherwise she and her baby would have been slaughtered."
"Baby?" Robert shouted and Renly realized his very big mistake.
Alora walked through the door of the whore house before making her way to the familiar strawberry blonde.
"Alora!" Lydia exclaimed with excitement as her son laid in the crook of her arm. The strawberry blonde took the pregnant girl in her arms before scanning her appearance. "I heard about your baby."
"Does that man know how to keep his mouth shut." Alora shook her head before staring at her bastard baby brother. "How is he?"
"Happy and healthy, love. Getting stronger every day." Lydia replied before handing her son over to the teenage girl. Alora took her brother in her arms before staring into the boys pretty blue eyes, much similar to her own. "Labor is the most painful thing on this world, but I promise, it's worth it in the end."
Alora imagined what her child would look like. She always thought it would be a boy with curly black hair, like his father's, and blue eyes like hers. Alora felt a smile creep up to her lips before handing her brother back to his mother.
"Lord Baelish?" Alora questioned as if to ask where he was.
"In his chambers." Lydia answered.
"Thank you, I'll visit as soon as I can." Alora smiled at the woman before kissing he brother on the forehead and making her way up the stairs. When the girl came across his room, she tapped on it a few times, unbothered by the fact women's moans came from inside. The door opened to reveal Petyr on the other end.
"Alora, come in." Petyr moved out of the way so the girl could enter. Alora walked into his chambers, glancing at the very loud girl who seemed awful familiar. "What do I owe the pleasure, my lady?"
"I wanted to thank you, again, for being there." Alora thanked as she watched the man sit down in his chair before skimming a piece of paper.
"It was really no problem, love." Petyr shook his head. He seemed to grow quite irritated with the obnoxious sounds coming from the red-headed girl. "No, no, no! Is that what they teach you up in the north? And you— wherever you're from, do you have any idea how ridiculous you sound?" Petyr stood from his chair and walked over to the two women, "Either of you understand a thing I'm saying?"
"Yes, my lord." The red head replied. Alora knew who she was now, that was the whore that was on her uncle when they were in Winterfell.
"Let's start over, shall we?" Petyr questioned before pointing to the red head, "You be the man," The man pointed at the other girl, "And you be the woman." The women glanced at each other, "Well, go ahead."
The red head motioned the darker girl to kiss her neck, "Slowly." Petyr taught before turning to Alora. "If they bother you, I could ask them to leave."
"No, no, I have no issue." Alora chuckled, "You're a good teacher."
That comment caused him to laugh, "Thank you, my lady."
Alora raised an eyebrow before biting down her lip. She did come here for a reason. Her hormones have been all over the place and the two women had sparked up her fire. Alora cursed to herself. She needed to do this now or it won't happen at all. She loved Jon. She still does. Though she'd hate to admit it. She doesn't know if she'll ever see him again. She deserves to be happy, she's just taking her handmaidens advice. Alora's tongue glided between her lips as she watched Petyr sit back down in his chair.
The girl walked over to the table where he had been before taking the piece of paper out of his hands and placing it on the other end. Alora slipped between him and the table so that she was towering over him. Petyr raised an eyebrow as he looked up at the brunette girl. Alora undid the ties of her dress, causing it to fall around her ankles. Petyr took in the sight of the girl's naked body.
The man breathed as he spoke to the two women on his sofa, "Leave."
The women stopped what they were doing and hurriedly left his chambers. Alora's stare never left the sight of the man in front of her. Petyr watched the door close before looking up at Alora again. The man went to speak but was interrupted by a thumb stroking his bottom lip.
Alora tilted her head, "Do you wish for me to stop, my lord?" Alora questioned as Petyr placed a hand on her thigh.
"No." Petyr replied as a smirk formed on the girls' lips. Alora moved her hair over her shoulder so every inch of her body was visible. The girl grabbed his hand that was on her thigh and brought it up to cup her breast. Petyr stared at the girl as if she was his prey.
"Sit." Petyr instructed as the girl sat down on the table. The man removed his hand from her breast before placing both of his hands on her knees. Alora placed her hands on the table before leaning back slightly and watching the man. Petyr ran his hands further up her inner thighs, spreading them as he went. He leaned down before placing kisses on her inner thigh. Alora held her breath as if to keep any moans silent. Petyr inched closer and closer before placing a kiss on her center. He stared up at her as he slid his tongue up in between her folds.
Alora gasped at the wet sensation between her thighs before closing her eyes in pleasure. The girl could feel the smirk as he flicked his tongue on her little ball of nerves. Alora's jaw dropped in pleasure before slipping her hand in his hair and pushing his face closer into her. Petyr continued to flick and prod at the tiny ball before sliding his middle finger into her. Alora couldn't hold herself up much longer so she slowly laid down on the table as his finger pumped in and out of her. The girl let her hands roam over her body, feeling him slip in another finger. Alora couldn't hold in her moans anymore as she climbed to her peak. It only took Petyr a few more slips in before the girl gripped onto the sides of the table, her back arching slightly from her immense orgasm.
Alora panted as the man removed his fingers before leaning back in his chair. The girl sat up and stared at him before getting up and straddling him. Petyr held her waist as the girl placed a kiss his soft lips.
"Lady Alora?" Someone shouted from the other side of the door. The two groaned as they looked at the door.
"What is it?" Alora shouted so the person on the other side could hear her.
"It's your father." The man replied, "He's been badly hurt."
Alora couldn't breathe. The girl looked at Petyr before immediately getting up and slipping on her dress, "I'm coming! I'm coming!"
Alora slammed open the doors to her father's chambers. The girl stared at her father that lie in his bed, looking a sickly pale color. Her eyes soon filled with tears before stumbling to her father's side.
"No tears, girl." Robert demanded but she ignored him feeling the tears stream down her cheeks and drip onto his bed side.
"What happened?" Alora choked as she looked beneath the blanket that was covering his wound. The girl whimpered at the sight of the deep and wide wound.
"My fault." Robert admitted, "Too much wine."
Alora shook her head as the tears continued.
"Now, now, enough." Robert comforted before placing a hand on her cheek and wiping away any stray tears, "You'll be fine."
"No." Alora breathed, "I won't."
"Yes. You will." Robert warned, "You've got my grandchild to care for."
Alora looked at her father in confusion, "What?"
"And tell that bastard he'd be dead if I weren't dying right this moment." Robert laughed as Renly walked in with Lord Stark not far behind him. Ned limped over to his King before looking at his wound.
"It stinks… stinks of death." Robert stated as his bastard daughter continued to cry, "Don't think I can't smell it. I paid the bastard back, Ned, I drove my knife right through his brain. You ask them if I didn't, ask them!"
Ned glanced over at Ser Barristan and Rely before Robert continued.
"I want the funeral feast to be the biggest the kingdoms ever saw." Robert commanded, "And I want everyone to taste the boar that got me. Now leave us the lot of you, I need to talk to Ned."
"Robert, my sweet—" Cersei pleaded as Alora stood from her place.
"Out, all of you." Robert repeated, "Not you, Alora."
Alora nodded her head before sitting beside him again, taking his hand in hers as the rest left the room.
"You damned fool." Ned cursed as he sat down on the chair beside the bed.
"Paper and ink on the table," Robert instructed, "Write down what I say."
Ned reached over and grabbed the plank of wood before placing it on his lap.
"In the name of Robert of the house Baratheon, first of— you know how it goes. Fill in the damn titles. I hereby command Alora of house Baratheon—titles, titles, to serve as Lady Regent and Protector of the Realm upon my death, to rule in my stead until my son, Joffrey, comes of age."
Ned and Alora glanced at each other before he continued writing. Alora watched closely to what he was writing and was relieved he turned her father's words around. She loved her brother, but he was not fit to be a King.
"Give it over." Robert demanded. Ned handed him the plank of wood before Robert signed his name. Robert handed back the feather and wood, "Give it to the council after I'm dead. Make sure to legitimize her. I should have done it years ago. You take care of her or so help me, Ned…"
"I promise." Ned swore as Robert turned his attention on his bastard daughter.
"You'll rule now," Robert told as Alora wiped away her tears, "You'll hate it worse than I did… but you'll do it well."
Alora nodded her head as her father turned to Ned.
"The girl—Daenerys. You were right. Varys, littlefinger, my brother… worthless. No one to tell me 'no' but you. Only you. Let her live. Stop it, if it's not too late."
"I will." Ned promised.
"And my son…" Robert continued, "Help him, Ned. Make him better than me."
"I'll…I'll do everything I can to honor your memory." Ned promised.
Robert laughed, "My memory… King Robert Baratheon, murdered by a pig. Give me something for the pain and let me die."
Ned nodded his head before getting up and limping out the door.
"Didn't you hear me, girl?" Robert questioned, "Let me die."
Alora shook her head, "I won't leave you. I won't let you die alone."
"I don't want you to see it, child." Robert sighed.
"I don't care." Alora whimpered before laying her head down on her father's stomach, away from his wound, "Please don't leave me."
Everything went in slow motion as Alora walked through the corridors. Every person that passed by her was a blurred face. She couldn't take the pain anymore. Everyone was leaving her. Leaving her all alone in the darkness. Alora didn't want to raise a child in this filth of a world. The only thing in her mind was the thought of chugging glass after glass of wine until she couldn't feel anything anymore.
She was worthless. She'd be dead soon anyway. Her father isn't here to protect her anymore. She had nowhere to go. No one that cared for her. Silent tears streamed down her face as she came upon the staircase that led to the top of the castle. Alora stopped walking as she turned towards the door. The girl opened it before her eyes trailed up the steps.
"Alora."
Alora didn't look to see who was behind her. All she could think about is the relief she would feel once she hit the ground. She felt a hand on her shoulder before glancing back to see Lord Stark.
"Alora." Ned repeated.
"I-I'm sorry, my lord." Alora spoke, causing her to choke on her sobs. Ned immediately pulled the girl into an embrace. Alora continued to sob and cry as she held onto Ned before falling to the ground, bringing the man down with her, "I can't do this. I can't. I can't. It hurts."
Ned petted the back of her head to comfort the girl, "Shh…"
"I don't want to rule," Alora shook her head, "I don't want to breathe."
The girl continued to sob into Lord Starks shoulder. The two sat there for a while until Ned spoke.
"Shh, everything will be alright, Alora." Ned promised as he took the girls face in his hands, forcing her to look at him, "I swear to it."
Alora nodded her head as she took in her surroundings. The girl noticed that Lord Stark's men surrounded them, causing the girl to turn pink.
Alora immediately stood up.
"You're leg, my lord." Alora reminded as she and his men helped him to his feet, "I apologize."
"No apologies." Ned spoke as a man rushed into the corridor
"Lord Stark!"
His men reached for their swords as two of the stopped him from getting closer, "Stop!"
"No, alright. It's alright, let him through." Ned ordered.
"Lord Stark, Lady Alora, King Joffrey and the Queen Regent request your presence in the throne room.
"King Joffrey?" Ned and Alora questioned in unison
"King Robert is gone. The god's give him rest."
Alora held Ned's arm to help balance himself as he limped outside the throne room doors. The two were greeted by the sight of Varys and Lord Baelish. Alora turned slightly pink when Petyr glanced at her.
"All is accomplished. The city watch is yours." Petyr reassured as Alora looked to Ned.
"What is going on, my lord?" Alora questioned. The three men glanced at the girl but didn't answer her.
"Good. Is Lord Renly joining us?" Ned questioned, causing Varys and Petyr to glance at each other.
"I fear Lord Renly has left the city." Varys stated, "He rode through the old gate an hour before dawn with Ser Loras Tyrell and some 50 retainers. Last seen galloping south in some haste."
Alora let out a sigh of relief to know that her uncle was safe. The girl looked over at Lord Baelish, scanning his face for a sign of emotion. Something was terribly wrong. The group began to walk in the throne room.
"All hail his grace, Joffrey of houses Baratheon and Lannister, the first of his name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven kingdoms and Protector of the realm."
Alora went to follow Lord Stark but was grabbed by Petyr.
Petyr leaned in and whispered in her ear, "Leave."
Alora scoffed before taking her arm back and walking up behind Lord Stark. Alora stared at her half-brother sitting in the iron throne.
"I command the council to make all necessary arrangement for my coronation." Joffrey spoke as Alora and Ned glanced at each other, "I wish to be crowned within the fortnight. Today I shall accept oaths of fealty from my loyal councilors."
"Ser Barristan," Ned spoke as he held out Robert's will, "I believe no man here could ever question your honor."
Ser Barristan walked over and too the paper from Lord Stark before looking at the seal.
"King Robert's seal," Ser Barristan noted, "Unbroken."
Ser Barristan faced King Joffrey as he began to read, "Lady Alora Baratheon is herein named protector of the realm, to rule as regent, until the heir come of age."
Cersei stood from her chair, "May I see that letter, Ser Barristan?"
Ser Barristan placed the letter in Cersei's hand before skimming it herself. Cersei looked over at Alora.
"Protector of the realm." Cersei mocked as she split the paper in two, "Is this meant to be your shield? A piece of paper?"
"Those were the King's words." Ser Barristan stated.
"We have a new King now." Cersei reminded.
"Lord Eddard, when we last spoke you offered me some counsel. Allow me to return the courtesy." Cersei spoke to both Alora and Ned, "Bend the knee, Bend the knee and swear loyalty to my son and we shall allow you to live out your days in the gray waste you call home."
"Your son has no claim to the throne." Ned stated.
"Neither does a bastard girl." Cersei tilted her head.
"Liar!" Joffrey shouted.
"You condemn yourself with your own mouth, Lord Stark." Cersei stated, "Ser Barristan seize these traitors."
Lord Stark's men went to pull out there swords as Ser Barristan trudged over.
"Ser Barristan is a good man, a loyal man. Do him no harm." Ned ordered and his men stopped.
"You think he stands alone?" Cersei questioned as Ser Sandor pulled out his sword.
"Kill him! Kill all of them, I command it!" Joffrey shouted as he stood from the iron throne. Alora's breath caught in her throat as she stumbled back slightly.
"Commander," Ned turned to him, "Take the Queen and her children into custody, escort them back to their royal apartments and keep them there, under guard."
"Men of the watch!" He commanded as all the men shouted and faced the throne.
"I want no bloodshed." Ned stated, "Tell your men to lay down their swords. No one needs to die."
"Now!" the Commander shouted and the men did not what was expected. Alora screamed as the city watch punctured through Lord Stark's men. Alora turned every which way till she saw a knife being held to Ned's throat. The knife belonging to Petyr Baelish.
"I did warn you not to trust me." Petyr reminded.
Alora screamed as one of the city watch took her in his arms, "Get your fucking hands off of me!"
The girl fought as much as she could but was no match to the man. Alora finally stopped struggling, causing the man to loosen his grip. The girl took her chance and slammed the back of her head on the man's nose, causing him to let go of her.
"Go! Now!" Ned shouted at the girl. Petyr gave her a cold stare as if to tell her not to go anywhere. She trusted him and he betrayed her. Alora shook her head at him before running past the city watch and out of the corridor. The girl immediately hid herself as the men came piling out of the room she came out of. Alora watched the men slaughter every person that was in sight. The girl covered her mouth, trying to hold back her sobs. Soon, the men left and Alora fell to the ground. Alora placed a hand on her stomach as if to tell her unborn child that everything was okay.
"Needle!"
Alora gasped when she saw Arya lean down and dig in her broken luggage.
"There she is." A younger male's voice spoke, causing Alora to stand from her place.
Arya glanced at him then back to her case.
"What do you want?" Arya questioned.
"I want you, wolf girl." He replied, "Come here."
"Leave me be, my father's a lord, he'll reward you." Arya stated.
"She'll reward me," He said as he began to walk towards her, "The queen."
Alora ran as fast as she could towards the two, "Stay away!" Arya shouted before sliding her thin sword into the fat boy.
"Oh my god." Alora whispered, standing behind Arya.
Arya immediately pulled it out, jumping at the sound of Alora's voice, then facing her.
"I didn't mean to, I swear!" Arya promised.
"We need to get out of here, now." Alora urged as she pulled the girl in the other direction.
"Lord Stark, you must be thirsty." Varys said as he knelt down to Ned, holding out the canister of water to him.
"Varys?" Ned questioned.
"I promise you, it isn't poisoned." Varys promised before taking a sip himself, "Why is it no one ever trusts the eunuch?"
Varys held out the canister again, this time, Ned took it. The man chugged from the canister, relieved of his thirst.
"Not so much, my lord. I would save the rest, if I were you." Varys suggested, "Hide it. Men have been known to die of thirst in these cells."
"What about my daughters?" Ned questioned.
"The younger one seems to have escaped the castle. Even my little birds cannot find her."
"And Sansa?"
"Still engaged to Joffrey." Varys replied, "Cersei will keep her close. The rest of your household though—all dead, it grieves me to say. I do so hate the sight of blood."
"What of Alora?" Ned questioned.
"My birds cannot find her either," Varys stated, "My theory is she is with Arya. Lord Baelish isn't very happy with her disappearance."
Ned sighed of relief to know she was safe and that his daughter was in good hands.
"You watched my men being slaughtered and did nothing." Ned reminded.
"And would again, my lord." Varys admitted, "I was unarmed, unarmored and surrounded by Lannister swords. When you look at me do you see a hero?"
"Bring me a horn of ale, Snow, and pour one for yourself." Jeor ordered as he set down the letter. Jon did as he was told and poured the ale into the horns. "The King is dead."
Jon froze as a million thought of Alora swam through his mind before walking over and setting the cups on the table.
"Is there any word of my father?" Jon asked.
"Sit." Jeor demanded. Jon sat in the chair across from him, "Lord Stark has been charged with treason… along with Lady Alora. They say that they conspired with Robert's brothers to deny the throne of Prince Joffrey."
Jon held out his hand for the paper and Jeor gave it to him. Jon skimmed the letter before setting it down and making his way to the door.
"You'll be taking your vows soon, Snow." Jeor stated, "I hope you're not thinking of doing anything stupid."
Jon stopped and looked over at him, "My sisters were in King's Landing, too."
"I'm sure they'll be…treated gently."
"Treason?" Robb asked in disbelief as he held the paper, "Sansa wrote this?"
"It is your sister's hand, but the Queens words." Maester Luwin stated, "You are summoned to King's Landing to swear fealty to the new king."
"Joffrey put his sister and my father in chains, now he wants his assed kissed?"
"There was no word of Lady Alora," Luwin mentioned, "This is a royal command, my lord. If you should refuse to obey—"
"—I won't refuse." Robb stated, "His grace summons me to King's Landing, I'll go to King's Landing. But not alone… Call the banners."
"All of them, my lord?" Luwin questioned.
"They've all sworn to defend my father, have they not?" Robb questioned.
"They have." Luwin replied.
"Now we see what their words are worth."
"Now there's a rare sight—Not only a bastard… a traitors bastard." Ser Allister chuckled.
Jon looked over at Ser Allister with a cold stare then to Pyp before making a swing at Ser Allister with the knife he was holding.
"Jon, no!" Sam shouted as Pyp blocked Jon from stabbed Ser Allister.
"Jon, stop, put it down!" Grenn demanded as he helped Pyp push Jon away from Ser Allister. The two held the boy back as Ser Allister leaned over him.
"Blood will always tell." Ser Allister mocked, "You'll hang for this, bastard."
Ser Allister walked out of the kitchens as Jeor stared at Jon.
Jeor made his way over to Jon.
"I thought I told you not to do anything stupid." Jeor reminded, "Your confined to quarters. Go."
Several weeks later
"What is it?" Jon questioned as he sat beside Sam.
Sam glanced at Jon then back at the table, "I— I cant."
"You can't what?" Jon asked, looking over at Sam.
"I—I'm really not supposed to say." Sam stuttered.
"And yet you really want to say." Jon stated, "You want to say that…?"
Sam complied as he looked over at Jon, "There was a raven… I read the message to Maester Aemon... It's your brother Robb."
"What?" Jon asked in disbelief, "What about him?"
"He's heading south." Sam admitted, "To war. All his bannermen have rallied to his side. They'll keep him safe."
"I should be there." Jon breathed, "I should be with him."
Alora nearly vomited right then and there as she watched Arya snap the pigeon's neck. You could see the outline of her pregnancy now. She couldn't keep it a secret anymore. Alora kneeled before Arya to hide her face from the passing guards as if to scold her. She let out a sigh of relief when they passed by without a notice. Soon, two boys ran towards the ringing bells.
"Hey! Where's everyone going?" Arya questioned but they ignored her.
"Let's go find out." Alora said as she stood from her place before taking Arya's hand and making their way towards the crowd. Arya dropped the pigeon in her hands and followed close behind the older girl. The two girls found their way to the executioner. Alora helped Arya up onto the large statue before climbing on it herself to get a better look. Alora sat on her knees to keep somewhat out of sight and held Arya in front of her so that they were peaking from behind the statue. The crowd began to get rowdy and let out obnoxious cheers.
Alora gasped when she saw Lord Stark being dragged out.
Ned scanned the crowd to be greeted with the sight of Alora holding his daughter. The man let out a sigh of relief to see that his daughter was okay. The men dragged him through the crowd then to where the high-born's stood. Alora felt her heart quench at the sight of a smirking Petyr. How could he? He betrayed her. He betrayed the blood of her blood. Alora shook her head. He meant nothing to her. Not anymore.
"I am Eddard Stark." Ned started, "Lord of Winterfell and hand of the King."
Ned looked over to his eldest daughter before looking back at the crowd, "I come before you to confess my treason in the sights of gods and men. I betrayed the faith of my King and the trust of my friend Robert. I swore to protect and defend his children, but before his blood was cold… I plotted to murder his son."
"Traitor!" The crowd shouted. The two girls gasped when someone threw an objects at Lord Stark's head. The man stumbled but Ser Sandor held him up.
"Let the high septon and Baelor the blessed bear witness to what I say: Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the iron throne, by the grace of all the gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms… and Protector of the Realm."
The crowd let out angry cheers.
"As we sin, so do we suffer. This man has confessed his crimes in sight of gods and men. The gods are just but beloved Baelor taught us they can also be merciful." Maester Pycell spoke before turning to the King, "What is to be done with this traitor, your grace?"
"My mother wishes me to let Lord Eddard join the Night's Watch. Stripped of all titles and powers, he would serve the realm in permanent exile …and my Lady Sansa… has begged mercy for her father… but they the soft hearts of women, so long as I am your King, treason shall never go unpunished. Ser Ilyn, bring me his head!"
The crowd went wild as Sansa's pleads and screams filled the ears of the people. Arya climbed off the statue and weaved herself through the people.
"Arya!" Alora seethed, crouching, following close behind her, "Arya, stop."
The men bent Lord Stark down on his knees as the executioner unsheathed his sword.
A man dressed in black grabbed Arya's arm.
"Let me go!" Arya pleaded before feeling Alora's arms wrap around her.
"Leave her be!" Alora shouted at the man.
The man shook his head, "Don't look! Look at me!"
Alora looked passed the man as the executioner walked towards Lord Stark. The man pulled the girls into an embrace to keep them from looking at the scene. Alora held Arya in her arms as the man had his hands wrapped around both of them. Arya's head rested against the older girl's ample chest. Alora's hand was placed on the little girls face to keep her from looking the other way. Alora winced at the sound of the blade making contact with Lord Stark's neck.
Everything felt as if it was in slow motion again. The cheers from the crowd and the frightened birds were fading. Everything went black.
A/N: So far my favorite chapter ^_^ I appreciate all the reviews guys. A bit ahead of myself when writing these chapters. Better than being late I guess! Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Feedback is always accepted :)