(A/N: Here's our first interlude, as I struggle to get over my crippling fear or writing characterization. Robb and Ned finally get to chat, and at the end we hear a little bit from the SI again! Hope you enjoy.)

Robb stood in a large tent, over a table with a map of the area covering it. Starks and Lannisters had been skirmishing for weeks now. If his mother was anyone but his mother he might blame her for the start of hostilities, but he was nothing if not loyal to family, so all of his distaste and anger were directed at the Lannisters who had begun the conflict.

And ontop of that he was receiving reports of strange happenings in King's Landing. His father had been arrested and accused of treason. This had only spurred him on, because of course his father had to be innocent. There was no doubt in his mind of that, this was just another Lannister plot meant to harm his family. But then reports of his father's trial trickled in. His father's confession. The "mercy" the King had supposed shown, in letting his father take the black instead of executing him.

Put bluntly, Robb was full of anger, confusion, and doubt at this point. The perfect time for a caravan to arrive, a caravan led by the Night's Watchman Yoren, who was accompanied by none other than Ned himself. A scout burst into his tent to inform him of this and he all but rushed out, to meet the caravan at the edge of camp. Yoren was there to greet him at its head, with Ned seated upon a horse a few feet behind.

"My Lord Stark."

That was how the Night's Watchman greeted him and it left him confused for a long moment, he honestly thought the man was talking to his father until he bowed before Robb. With a grumble Robb had Yoren rise. Yoren was quick to present Robb with a letter that apparently came from King Joffrey Baratheon himself. Marshalling himself, Robb growled.

"I would speak with my father. Alone."

Yoren clearly didn't think it proper, but also wasn't going to make a fuss about things it seemed. He nodded to Ned, who slipped off his horse and handed over the reins before moving to Robb. With a growing smile, Robb stepped forward and hugged him tightly for a long moment, before leading him back to his war tent. Once they were inside Robb wheeled around and took in his father.

"Father what is going on?! What happened in King's Landing, why are you riding North to take the Black? Please, explain this madness!"

Eddard Stark seemed more subdued than Robb had ever seen him, as he spoke, his tone low and his voice raspy from disuse.

"There must not be another war Robb. The realm cannot handle conflict after conflict. You are Lord Stark now, but if you will listen to an old man's words one last time, I beg of you to pull back from this battlefield, rein in all Stark men, and fortify the North. Before you reply, please, read the letter Yoren gave you."

Ned said, even as he gestured to the parchment still clutched in Robb's hand. With a convulsive gulp, Robb did so, moving to the table and opening the envelope to pull out the letter within. He set it down and read it quickly, a growing frown upon his face as he did so.

"He offers me leniency. All of this, honeyed words. He speaks of how he wishes no more death, how he would invite me to King's Landing to affirm my loyalty and attend his wedding to Sansa. He asks that I bring his Uncle Jaime with me, and be prepared to take Arya home to the North when I leave. Father, what is this farce? We just captured the Kingslayer last eve! How could he possibly know he is in our possession so soon?!"

Ned merely shook his head, hands raised in a calming gesture.

"Robb, it matters not how he knows. What matters is this chance to end this before a war can begin for real. You must do as he asks, for your sisters and for our people."

Robb growled at that, pacing back and forth across the tent as he considered.

"If I go to him, I walk into the same trap your brother and father did. My uncle and grandfather."

Ned seemed to consider that, before replying.

"An intelligent conclusion. You must turn this around on them instead. Suggest holding the wedding in a more neutral location. Or perhaps gain oaths and make Joffrey swear to name you Warden of the North and Lord of Winterfell before you will go anywhere near King's Landing. Joffrey is not Aerys. He is no Mad King, or I would not be alive now. For your sisters Robb, I beg of you, do not let this become a war."

Robb gulped down as he found his eyes stinging with unshed tears. He had to keep control, he mustn't break down in front of his father. It seemed Ned saw right through him though, as a moment later he stepped forward and embraced Robb fully, sighing as Robb cried into his shoulder.

"Do not fret my child. The Wall is our heritage, and there are none in Westeros closer to the Night's Watch in blood and allegiance than we. I go to join them, and I am sure that you will make me proud. Can I trust in you my son?"

Robb could not bring himself to speak, and so settled for nodding violently into his father's shoulder. Eventually they separated, and not a moment too soon as a scout burst into the tent. He seemed taken aback by Ned's presence, but found his voice as Robb turned to him.

"M-milord. The Lannisters are in retreat! All scouts say they are pulling back towards their own lands! Will you give the order for us to pursue?!"

Robb seemed to consider for a moment, glancing one last time at his father before straightening up and setting his jaw.

"No. Tell the men we are returning to the North. King Joffrey Baratheon has beseeched me to end the bloodshed, and I shall entreat with him. The North will not be the cause of more violence on this day or any other day."

The scout seemed shocked, but quickly bowed and gave a quick 'Milord' before leaving the tent.

Robb turned to find Ned smiling at him.

"I am proud of you my son. You will make a fine Lord Stark."

With those parting words Ned turned and left the tent, presumably to rejoin the Night's Watch caravan. Robb took one more look down at the letter in his hands before curling it into a fist. For now, he would broker peace. But the Starks were not the ones in the wrong here. Someday, the Lannisters would pay.

A While Earlier (Think before Chapter Four! Also back to SI!Joffrey's perspective here!)

I smiled as the young Knight I was waiting for entered my sitting room. Lancel Lannister, my cousin. He knelt before me in supplication and I chuckled.

"Rise cousin. You did well to come with such haste."

He stood up and smiled tentatively.

"Of course Your Highness. When the King calls for you, it is proper to answer as quickly as one can."

I chuckle at that, as I slowly walk towards him, stopping only a few feet away.

"And when a… Queen calls?"

I ask suddenly, my tone having grown quiet as I studied his face. He blinked in seeming confusion.

"I… I'm not sure I understand Your Grace. What do you mean?"

I sigh and roll my eyes at that turning and walking several feet away. If he gets violent I want to have some distance to call the guards with. I spin back around and answer him bluntly.

"I mean that I know you've been fucking my mother Lancel Lannister."

He seems shocked, mouth opening and closing like a goldfish out of water. But it's not anger he settles on, but pure terror as he goes pale and begins to try to make excuses.

"M-my K-king, your Mother, she…"

I wave my hand at him dismissively, cutting him off and finishing his sentence.

"She is an evil incestuous temptress, I know. Before you, it was my Uncle, Jaime. But I did not call you here to punish you Lancel. I aim to teach you. She is using you, and I find myself with a much better use for you. As well as a second chance at proving that you are loyal to me, before her. Understand?"

He takes this in and gulps nervously before replying.

"Anything my King. I am yours to command."

I grin at that as I move to my desk, taking a sealed letter and stepping back towards him.

"Good, I could almost believe the sincerity that time."

Holding the letter out towards him, he takes it timidly and then looks at me for further instructions.

"You will take this to my grandfather. You will find him in the Riverlands. Deliver this letter to him, and stay at his side. This is your chance to redeem yourself cousin. I will deal with my mother on my own time."

Lancel nods once, and seeming to accurately sense the dismissal, turns and leaves the room. I smiled as I looked out a large window down at a courtyard below. Hopefully Tywin Lannister would be able to appreciate what I was attempting. I would have peace, and the first step to that was making the Starks heel, without them even realizing just how much they could have taken from me, if only they'd stayed the course.

After the Starks, well, there were still some true Baratheons to deal with, before my claim to the throne was totally secure.

(A/N: If you've gotten this far and have the time to spare, please leave a review telling me what you think!)