AUTHOR'S NOTE: I forgot to say previous Author's Note's, that purely for the reason of being able to move the fic along, if I don't change anything that's happened it's more than likely I won't write about it directly, unless it's important to this story. For example, this chapter is in Ned's POV, but takes place after the crypts scene in the first book. Ned has been appointed Hand of the King, but I just haven't seen the point in writing about it since the crypts scene between Ned and Robert is basically the same as the books. However, because the whole Joffrey/Sansa thing is important to the fic, their betrothal will be addressed in this chapter.

That's kind of long winded but I thought I'd better get it out there just so there isn't any confusion.

Here's the next chapter. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Ned

Newly appointed Hand of the King, Eddard Stark made his wearily towards the room they had given over to Robert for the duration of his stay at Winterfell.

It had been five days since Robert had named him Hand, and Ned still wasn't sure how to feel. He had never been able to refuse Robert anything when they childhood friends; how he could deny him as his King?

The King had requested his presence at midday. Ned had found that strange in itself; Robert Baratheon would not give a second thought to demanding Ned's company.

As Ned approached the door to Robert's room, he pushed his ever growing feeling of dread to the back of his mind and made the choice to show some faith in Robert before jumping to conclusions about his plans.

The Kingsguard knights posted outside his door were Barristan Selmy and Meryn Trant. Selmy nodded in recognition of Ned's arrival, yet Trant remained stony-faced as he moved to allow Ned access to the door.

Upon entering the King's chamber's, Ned found his oldest friend sitting at his table enjoying a goblet of wine with Tyrion Lannister. At first, Ned had been shocked to find that Robert genuinely enjoyed the company of his wife's youngest brother. But after meeting the youngest of the Lannisters he understood. Robert and Tyrion shared a fondness for certain things, wine and women most prominent amongst them, resulting in a pleasant friendship evolving.

"Your Grace." Ned bowed deeply to his King.

"Ah, Ned," exclaimed Robert. "Come join us."

"No thank you, Your Grace." Eddard Stark was not a fan of drinking through the day. A small cup with his evening meal perhaps, or a couple at a feast, but no more.

"Suit yourself," grumbled Robert.

With that, Tyrion Lannister rose from his seat. "Pray excuse me, Your Grace. I know you and Lord Stark have much to discuss."

"Right you are Tyrion," Robert replied as the Lannister more commonly called the Imp left his chambers.

"Come now Ned, take a seat. You're sure you wouldn't like some wine. Or ale?"

"Thank you Your Grace, but no," the Lord of Winterfell replied politely.

"Enough of this 'Your Grace' nonsense. I count on you to tell me as a friend when I'm acting the fool. I do not regard you as another High Lord I must lavish with empty courtesies. Do not think of me as your King who you must treat accordingly. You are a true friend to me Ned, and I find that I am far too short of those these days." Robert paused to take a gulp of his ale.

With Robert silent, Ned took a moment to properly analyze his friend. He certainly was not the man Ned had last seen 9 years ago. Robert Baratheon was once the strongest man in the Seven Kingdoms; a fierce warrior able to inspire confidence and love from even the most unlikliest of sources. During the Rebellion, Ned and Jon Arryn had been the tacticians, but Robert was the natural leader.

King Robert Baratheon was a entirely different man to behold. Overweight, with a coal black beard covering his face, Ned had been shocked when Robert first arrived at Winterfell. But as the Royal visit continued, Ned began to recognise the man he had once known. Robert's humour and personality had certainly not changed, although the pressures of being King had deflated him slightly.

"Your Sansa," Robert began, "she's quite a beauty."

Ned smiled a small smile at that; a smile a father smiled when one of his children were complimented. "She is," he agreed simply.

"A true little lady. Lyanna had been much on my mind. Being in Winterfell, it was impossible that she would not be. I called you here today to put this idea to you. My Joff, your Sansa. Let them join our Houses in the way Lyanna and I should have all those years ago."

Ned feigned shock at Robert's proposal although he had aniticpated a proposition of this sort.

"I'm not suggesting marriage, not yet. But a betrothal. Joffrey still has many lessons to learn. He shall be King one day, and your Sansa will make the perfect Queen."

Gods, Sansa Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, Ned thought. He had always wanted the best for his children but the thought of his eldest daughter as Queen did not overjoy Ned as it undoubtably would Sansa. King's Landing was not Winterfell; it was an entirely different way of life in the South. Regardless of Ned's own doubts, he knew Sansa would prosper in the the capital. Even before the suggestion of a betrothal to Prince Joffrey, Ned and Catelyn had broken words about Sansa, Arya and Bran joining him in King's Landing.

In fact, they had argued for most of the evening about Robert's decision and what it meant for their family. Catelyn deemed Ned being appointed Hand of the King a great honour, one not to be passed up. In the end, despite his own misgivings about leaving Winterfell, Ned agreed to travel to King's Landing and take up office as Robert's Hand. Cat had agreed that Sansa and Arya should leave Winterfell. As daughters of House Stark, they would be expected to make good marriages in the South while Jon ruled as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North. Bran was another matter. Catelyn had amadantly refused the notion of her beloved Bran going South with her husband and daughters. It had taken much reasoning for her to submit to Ned's will on the matter.

"This is a great honour, Your Grace," Ned managed to say, the words empty of any true meaning.

"There we have it!" boomed Robert, a grin spreading across his face. "House Baratheon and House Stark were always destined to be joined. I had prayed that Lyanna and I would have been the ones to do it, but Joff and Sansa will make a regal couple."

Robert jumps up from his seat, eager to embrace Ned. Indulging his friend, Ned pushed himself up.

Sansa is overjoyed with the news, as Ned knew she would be.

"Betrothed to Joffrey," she breathed, blue eyes positively alight with happiness. "Oh Father, it's everything I've ever wanted."

Ned smiled for Sansa, keeping his own reservations to himself. She will not be alone, I too will be in King's Landing, he reminded himself. What he had seen of Joffrey so far gnawed away at him; they boy did not seem to take after his father in any way. But, it would be many years before Joffrey was crowned King; Ned prayed the boy would begin to show some of the more favourable Baratheon traits before then. Joffrey seemed Lannister through and through, which made Ned feel increasingly uneasy.

"Sweetling, you understand that marriage is still many years away. Even so, when you leave Winterfell two days hence, you may never have the chance to return."

Sansa's grin did not falter. "You mean, I will be staying in King's Landing forever? How wonderful!"

Ned sighed. "Yes sweetling, wonderful." It would be no use trying to explain to Sansa the finality of leaving Winterfell, he could only hope she would realise it herself before she left.

Winter was coming.

But the South awaited.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I hope you all found that ok. These first few chapters are very much just laying the groundwork. We all know what I'm building up to, I just hope I can put my own spin on things.

Thanks so much for all the suggestions regarding the direwolves. They haven't had much to do yet, but have no fear, they will. I hope you will all be pleased with the decision I have made.

And a huge thanks for the reviews last chapter, and the on going favourites and follows. They mean a heck of a lot.

Until next time!