Chapter 4: Important Conversations

Ned took a deep breath. He did not want to leave Winterfell. His son had fallen and had not woken up, his wife was grief stricken and had not moved from their son's side since his fall, and first and foremost he did not like the Robert he saw before him. The Robert he remembered was boisterous, loud, sometimes obnoxious, but always full of kindness and compassion. The Robert he saw before him was filled with nothing but spite and anger. Why that was, Ned suspected he knew. Queen Cersei was not a caring person, she seemed haughty and full of herself, and most profoundly she was cold. She did not smile and she did not laugh, unless it was with her brother and twin, the Kingslayer. No Wonder Robert was the way he was.

Ned sighed. He knew what he would have to do as Hand of the King. He had kept in touch with Jon Arryn after the Greyjoy rebellion and had read, if not seen his friend fall into the abyss he presently seemed content to remain in. There could be no helping him from there unless he was in King's Landing. As much as it pained him to admit that. There was still so much he had to do. He had to tell Robb to keep an eye on Theon Greyjoy, the boy might be his son's friend but he was still Ironborn, even after all these years. And he had impregnated one of the Queen's lady's in waiting.

A knock on the door distracted him from his musings. "Come." He said. The door opened and Jon walked in. "Jon, what can I do for you?" He asked.

"You said to come and see you." His son said.

Ned nodded, the boy looked every day more a Stark and for that Ned was thankful. "Ah yes, of course. Forgive me, take a seat." His son did so, sitting in a manner Ned recognised as Brandon's but also his.

"What did you want to talk to me about, Father?" Jon asked.

Ned knew the boy wanted to know who his mother was, and truth be told Ned wanted to tell him, he really did, but there were other concerns he had, that needed to be voiced. "Son, I know you are going to be travelling to Essos. That you will be leaving on the morrow, therefore, I wanted to speak to you about what happened the last time a member of our family went to Essos."

"Rodrik the Wandering Wolf?" Jon asked. "Why?" He could see the disappointment on the boy's face.

"When he was there, my grandsire, your great-grandsire, was a proud man, he was a fighter and he did much and more that earned himself a place in their songs and stories. He also sired a family." Ned said. He had heard this story from cousin Bennard many moons ago and had had to confirm it himself.

"That's not in any history I've ever read on our family." Jon said.

Ned sighed. "That's because very few know about them. He was a young man when he went to Essos. He fell in love with the daughter of the Prince of Pentos, and married her. She went with him wherever he travelled, as a sellsword. She bore him some three children that we know of. Two sons and one girl. She then died some five years before he returned to Westeros. The girl joined her grandsire in Pentos, whilst the boys carried on fighting as sellswords. They never once tried to keep in contact with their father, until the day he was dying, when the eldest boy, named Jorah came to Winterfell to speak with him. I do not know what they spoke of, and no one who was there is alive now. But one thing I can tell you is that they are dangerous. Very dangerous."

"How did you learn of them?" His son asked.

"Cousin Bennard told me of them when I returned from the war to put the King on the throne. He said he had met one of them, the boy and that he was a fierce fighter and even more terrifying than some of the distant cousins we have." Ned said. It was partially true, he'd also met one of them when he had found Lyanna. "I tell you this now, to warn you."

"Warn me?" Jon asked.

"Yes, they will know the moment you enter Braavos. They will not do anything whilst you remain with Cousin Bennard, however, if you deign to leave there, you will be on their list and as such you must be prepared. Therefore, I am increasing your protection guard to forty men." Ned said simply.

"Would that not just attract more attention toward me?" Jon asked.

"No, if anything it would send a message to them that you are not there for the taking." Ned said. It will also prevent Jorah from doing something he would deeply regret. Ned thought to himself, though he did not say that aloud.

"Father, there was something else I wanted to ask you." Jon said.

Ned knew what his son was going to ask, and he was preparing for that, when the door was flung open and the King walked in. Ned and Jon both rose and bowed. The King waved them to sit down. "Perfect, just who I was looking for. Sit down." They all did, though the King remained standing, though he seemed drunk. "Ned, what is your bastard doing, when we leave?"

"He is heading to Essos, Sire." Ned said.

"Pah, a pox on that. He is your lad, Ned, and he looks every bit a Stark as you did at his age." The King looks at Jon then and Ned's heart goes into his mouth. "Indeed he looks a little like Brandon as well. Tell me, boy, would you like to see King's Landing?"

Ned goes to speak, but a look from the King shuts him up. "I…I… do not want to embarrass you, Sire. Nor my lord father." Jon replied, and the way he says that breaks Ned's heart.

"Pah, embarrass. What sort of nonsense is that? You would be honoured. You are Lord Eddard Stark's son, you are the son of the Wolf. Do you know what that means boy?" The King said. When Jon did not reply, the King continued. "You will be seen as a great help to your family, especially your sisters. There will be girls wanting to bed you." The King turned to Ned then and said. "He will serve as my squire. I need to get rid of the Lannisters surrounding me."

Ned wanted to protest, but could say nothing other than. "We thank you for this honour, Sire."

Robert laughed, a great booming noise. "Pah." Then he turned to Jon and said. "Come on then lad, let me introduce you to the rest of your fellow squires."