AN: Here is chapter 4 a little early. I would like to thank everyone who reviewed. Everyone who guessed got it right the Stallion is based on Bucephalus the horse of Alexander the great. Shout out to ElMarquis for being the first to guess it.

Benjen & Eddard

Benjen:

As they approached the entrance to the Hall of the Hundred Hearths a herald announced their entrance, "May I present Brandon of house Stark, Eddard of house Stark, Lyanna of house Stark, and their bannerman Howland of house Reed." Once they were announced a page came and escorted to their table. Their table was directly in front of the head table keeping to Lord Whent's pattern of spoiling the great houses. Benjen was seated between Howland and Lyanna. Benjen looked around in wonder of the vast hall. The size was needed however as all the nobility of Westeros seemed to be inside the hall.

When most of the nobility had arrived Lord Whent stood up and a herald called everyone's attention to his lord. "Lords and Ladies," Lord Whent began, "It is my great privilege to host all of here tonight in my seat of Harrenhal. I am pleased to see faces from the greatest houses in Westeros. We have Lord Tywin Lannister's children Jaime and Cersei, Lord Mace Tyrell, Lord jon Arryn's heir Elbert Arryn, Prince Oberyn Martell, the children of Lord Rickard Stark; Brandon, Eddard, Lyanna, and Benjen Stark, and finally the elder sons of Steffon Baratheon Robert and Stannis Baratheon. I would like to personally thank all of you for gracing my halls with your presence. Most Importantly I would like to thank the crown Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and his wife Elia Martell of Dorne," At this the royal couple stood up in recognition of the applause. Once the applause died down Lord Whent continued his oration, "It is my greatest wish for this tourney to be known as the greatest in the entire history of Westeros. I believe that I have done my fair part providing the location and the sizable purse," his joke was received with laughter from the assembled nobility. "Now I call on all among you who are competing in the the events of this tourney to do your part in making it so this tourney will be talked about for generations. I would like to introduce all of you to our reigning queen of love, my daughter, Alira Whent," a blushing girl of about fifteen years stood up accepting the applause of the crowd. "If you are thinking crowning another I must warn you that you will find it quite hard for her crown is defended by her four older brothers, and my own brother Oswell Whent," at this Walter Whent pointed at his younger brother who was in white armor of the kingsguard.

Brandon was growing bored with the lord's pontificating and instead turned to Howland who was sitting next to him. "Do you see any of the squires that ambushed you earlier?"

Howland leaned towards Benjen before responding, "I've only seen one of them so far. He is serving wine to one of the Frey's," Howland pointed out a weasel faced squire that was obviously one of Lord Frey's extensive brood. "It figures one would be a Frey," Howland continued, "The have fought us crannogmen for centuries and believe me when I say there is no love lost between our houses."

"How do you plan on getting your revenge against the cowards?" Benjen asked, when Howland shrugged his shoulders in response Benjen continued, "If you would like I could find you some armor, you could challenge either them or their masters in the lists as a mystery knight." Benjen smiled at his thrilling idea of a mystery knight riding down the masters of the cowardly squires.

"That is a fine plan Benjen were it not for the fact I have no discernable skill with the lance and I am a passable rider at best. They would most likely unhorse me and make my shame all the greater." Benjen seemed to deflate a little at having his plan fall apart so quickly. Howland reassured him, "Where I a more fearsome warrior, like your brothers then your plan would have worked, but regardless I thank you for the offer."

At that time Lord Whent was finally winding down his speech, "...and so without further ado bring out the food and the drink and let us start this feast."

Hearing mention of the drink Robert stood and cheered, "I will drink to that!" Eliciting laughs from the assembled host. A swarm of servants came streaming in from side doors carrying varying courses and pitchers of wines from Dorne and the Reach. Benjen had his cup filled with a dry Dornish Red. It was by far superior to the wine that he had during the odd feast at Winterfell. Pretty soon Benjen had finished his glass and was motioning for a servant to refill his cup. Seeing this his brother Ned leaned over, "Careful Benjen, the Dornish wines have a way of sneaking up on you and before you know it you will be quite inebriated."

Brandon joined in on the conversation, "Do you not think that you are being a little hypocritical lecturing Benjen about the dangers of drinking given what you have told me of yours and Roberts night at the inn."

"I hardly think that you can compare what happens at an inn to what happens in this hall before three quarters of Westeros' nobility," Ned refuted.

"Aye you have a point, Benjen you are to limit yourself to only three cups of wine no more do you hear me?" Brandon ordered. Benjen rolled his eyes but still nodded his head in agreement with Brandon. The feast carried on with for a grand total of twelve courses. Benjen barely took anything from each of the courses yet he was still finding himself quite full by the time the deserts were being cleared from the tables. Conversation were being struck up as everyone was waiting for tables to be cleared and moved out of the hall to make room for musicians and dancing. Brandon and Ned had made their way over to a table that had the only other northmen in attendance; House Dustin, Hornwood, Mormont, and Manderly. Robert was in the middle of a drinking competition, which judging on his opponents swaying would not last for much longer. Benjen turned to Howland, "Have you found the other squires yet?" Benjen asked Howland. Hearing the topic of conversation Lyanna leaned in to be a part of it.

"Yes they made it easy they were all together just a while ago. There is one," Howland pointed out a stocky youth, "He serves a knight from House Blount. The final one is there," Howland pointed at a lany youth who was attending a younger son of Lord Haigh.

"What are your plans for them?" Lyanna pondered.

"I do not know really, I suppose it will have to be quite sneaky in order to live up to my reputation as a crannogmen though,"

"You can sneak them a concoction that will make them shite themselves." Benjen chimed in enthusiastically.

Howland laughed at the idea but ultimately shook his head no, "I need it to be something that will let them know that it was me." The three kept discussing plans for revenge until enough tables were finally cleared away and Lord Whent stood and addressed the nobles once again, "Now that the feasting is done I believe that it is time for merriment and dance. Our noble prince Rhaegar has offered to start the music tonight by singing and playing a song on his harp. Benjen rolled his eyes at the idea of man doing something so feminine. As Rhaegar began playing a slow mournful tune. Growing bored with the mournful tune Benjen decided to people watch instead. He saw Brandon and Ned talking and joking with Brandon's foster brother Willam Dustin. He saw Lord Wyman Manderly still feasting long after all others had finished eating. Robert had proven victorious in his drinking contest his opponent passed out on the table mug still in his hand.

As Rhaegar's ballad was finishing Benjen saw a sight the made him bark in laughter like Brandon. He would not have believed it had he not seen it with his own eyes, his sister Lyanna wiping tears from her eyes because of a sad song, "Gods Lyanna, I did not take you for the soft southern lady that cries at a prince's sad song."

Lyanna turned to Benjen and her eyes immediately hardened, "Shut your mouth you arse," she all but shouted at him. She grabbed a full cup of Dornish Red and dumped the contents on Benjen's head. The youngest Stark stood there sputtering in shock as Lyanna got up and walked out the hall. Benjen started blushing furiously when he noticed that most everyone in the hall was staring at him laughing. He stood up and walked out of the hall with as much dignity as he could, cursing Lyanna's name the whole way back to his tent.

Eddard:

Ned had been conversing with some of the northern nobility that was present commotion near the high table. What he saw made him sigh and rub his temples. Even Brandon looked exasperated at the sight of their wine soaked brother and their sister that was walking away in a huff. "Leave it to a Stark to cause a scene huh Brandon," Willam Dustin said nudging Brandon.

"That is hardly fair Willam, I never caused a scene like that in front of half of them realms nobility," Brandon rebutted. "I think we can all agree that no one relays these events to father," Brandon said looking at all of the Northern Lords present. They laughed and agreed to keep these events from their leige lord.

"Should we do something about them?" Ned asked Brandon.

"What could we do about it?" Brandon questioned in return, " Do you see us getting Lyanna to apologize, and Benjen is not a child he does not need our help changing his clothes. No let us enjoy ourselves for the time being." The music started up again, and it was not long before Brandon decided to go and find Catelyn and dance a few turns with her. Ned had never been one for dancing, It was not that he was to shy to talk to women, but rather that as the second son he had always felt rather inadequate as a potential suitor. Anything that he would ever have would be charity from his brother, or maybe Robert. So instead of joining the dancing Ned found himself off to the side talking with Willam Dustin as he was just recently married to Barbrey, formerly Ryswell, and as she was not there Willam felt no reason to dance.

"You must be worn out from keeping all of your brothers and sister in check." Willam stated more than asked Ned.

"Brandon has been remarkably well behaved surprisingly," Ned answered. "Mayhaps it is the presence of Lady Catelyn that cools his wolfs blood. But you saw the troubles that the other two can get up to when they are left alone." He added dryly.

Willam laughed at Ned's woes. The two continued chatting idly while watching the dancing in front of them. Brandon was dancing with a slightly pudgy girl with auburn hair that Brandon assumed was Catelyn's sister Lysa Tully. Lord Mace Tyrell was dancing with his wife Alerie Tyrell. The golden twins of Tywin were dancing with each other. Ned's eye was caught by the lady dancing with Ser Arthur Dayne. She was a slim fair skinned beauty with dark hair and violet hair. Her features made Ned believe that she must be some relation to the famed Sword of the Morning who she was dancing with. Ned shook his head there was no point in a second son dreaming of a woman of such beauty and high birth. She would marry the first born son of a great lord who could give her the proper comforts that she was due.

"You know the way a dance works you have to actually ask her to dance," Ned started, not having noticed his brother come up behind him.

"What are you talking about Brandon?"

"The girl you are staring at like a lovesick puppy Ned that is who," Brandon was smirking at Ned knowingly.

Ned rolled his eyes, "I was not staring at her like a lovesick puppy."

"Ah but you admit that you were staring at Lady Ashara Dayne do you?"

Frustrated with the line of questioning Ned turned to face his brother, "What is it you want from me Brandon?"

"I want you to have some fun Ned let loose. You do not have to take everything in life so seriously. Ask the girl to dance the worst that could happen is that she turns you down and sicks her brother on you," Brandon added the last bit to loosen Ned up and make him laugh.

"I have no desire to dance Brandon," Ned tried to tell his brother who was not having it.

"Ned you can go and ask the girl to dance or I will ask her on your behalf," Brandon threatened Ned.

"Fine, fine I will ask her if it will stop all of your badgering." Ned got up from the bench he was sitting on. He straightened his doublet and attempted to smooth out the wrinkles only to stop when he heard snickering from Brandon. Ned refused to look back because he could see Brandon's smirk perfectly clear in his mind.

He told himself that Brandon was right, the worst that could happen is she turned him away. Lady Ashara was in a conversation with the Princess Elia when Ned approached. Ned cleared his throat, "Excuse me your grace," Ned bowed to Elia, "I was wondering if I could borrow Lady Ashara for a dance," he turned to Ashara, "That is if it is a alright with you my lady." Ned could feel his collar getting warm but resisted the urge to tug at it.

Princess Elia looked at Lady Ashara as if to say it is up to you. "I am afraid you have me at a disadvantage good ser. You know my name but I do not know yours." Ashara said to Ned.

Ned's collar got even hotter and he was thankful for the warmth given off by all the hearths. He could pass off his embarrassment as being flushed from the heat. Ned apologized, "Pardon me your grace, my lady, my name is Eddard Stark."

Ashara smiled at him, "I would love to take a turn around the dance floor with you Eddard Stark." Ashara got up from her seat and Ned led her to the dance floor. As the musicians began a new song Ned and Ashara began dancing. "May I ask what has brought you to this tourney, are you competing in the tourney?" inquired Ashara.

"Please call me Ned, most everyone does," he implored of her, "and I will be competing in the joust."

"Ah so do you seek to take Lady Alira's crown for anyone in specific Ned?" Ashara queried.

"No," Ned laughed, "I think there is little hope for me to be the champion of the joust. If by some miracle I found myself as champion I would present the crown to Lyanna my sister."

Ashara smiled at this, "Ah you mean the fiery one who dumped her wine on who I am assuming is your younger brother."

Ned cleared his throat, "Ah yes, that was not the best representation of house Stark, but yes the very same sister."

Ashara laughed at Ned's embarrassment, "I am a woman with two brothers Ned I perfectly understand what drove her to dumping wine on your younger brother."

Just then the song ended. Ned shuffled his feet awkwardly, unsure of what to do. Before he could decide however, Ser Arthur Dayne approached. Getting Ashara's attention he told her, "Princess Elia is feeling unwell and wishes for you to accompany her back to her rooms."

Ned thought he saw disappointment flash across Ashara's features, but it was gone before he could be sure. "Very well," she flashed a smile at Ned, "I enjoyed our dance and best of luck to you in the joust." Then she turned and followed her brother out of the hall.

Ned starred after her for a second before turning to go find his brother. When he looked around he could not find Brandon and noticed that the Hall was slowly emptying. Spotting Willam Dustin he inquired of him, "Have you seen Brandon or know where he has gone."

"He left with Lady Catelyn to take a walk around the grounds." Willam informed him.

"Lord Hoster let them go off alone?" Ned asked incredulously.

Willam laughed, "Gods no, he has heard some tale Brandon's reputation I am sure. He insisted they take Lysa as well to chaperone."

"Ah very wise of him," Ned noted. "Well I think I shall retire for the night. I will see you tomorrow Wilam."

"I shall see you tomorrow then," Willam said as he gave Ned a wave goodbye.

Ned was in his tent getting ready to retire for the night when Brandon slipped into the tent, "Well if it is not the lovestruck Eddard Stark."

Ned shook his head at his brother, "I danced with the girl once Brandon, yet you seem to be making some great affair of it."

"I am just so proud of my little brother, is all. Wooing a lovely Dornish woman. Though you must be careful Ned, Dornish women run hot and have burnt many a more experienced man." Brandon mock warned.

"What do you know of Dornish women? You have been south of the Neck all of four times, three being to see your betrothed, and the final being this tourney," Ned accused Brandon.

"Word travels for those who are listening," Brandon said in a mock mysterious voice.

"What you really mean is you have listened to too many sailors tales of their lovers in every port."

"You know me too well brother." Brandon said letting loose a bark of laughter.

Ned looked at him with a deadpan face, "Get out you curr I need to get some sleep tonight."

Brandon left the tent, but not before getting the last word in, "Tell the Lady Ashara I said hello when you see her in your dreams."

AN: So that wraps up chapter 4. I hope that you enjoyed it questions and comments are always welcome.