CHAPTER 7

In the letter the king demand Gwen should be brought to kings landing so she can wed Jamie Lannister , this due to conflict between Stark and Lannister, the king decide this after Jamie attack the hand of the king, so Jamie is discharge from the king's guard and named the heir of casterly rock. King Robert think this may reduce the tension between the two house if the join by marriage. This happen after lady stark take Tyrion Lannister hostage.

"so mother create scene and am the one who pay for it'' she was still cry on her brother arms, Robb only held her try to calm "father will not allow it'' his voice was not like a child who lost and does not the way, Gwen still sob, her voice was crack when she speak "it is kings' order Robb and no one say no to king, even if his own hand'' she stand up and start to walks away from her brother

"Gwen'' Robb call her .Gwen turn to look at her brother tears drop in her face but she manager to give him sad smile ''we will find the way'' it only word Robb can give, Gwen only nod to him and walks away.

Gwen running down the steps as fast as her feet would take her, when she reach the door of her room she push the door enter inside and bolt it from inside, she go straight to her bed and lying there still cry, she curse why she was born a woman, if she was a boy this will not happen to her, she hate the way few people can decide what to be done with her life without even ask her for permission, she thinking of run away from winterfell were nobody can find her, but where can she running to, she think to the wall but there no place for women in wall, think to riverrum to her grandfather lord Tully but the king can still find her there too , she wish death to occur upon her but think about her family and think it selfish to wish death, she did know the time the sleep take her away from her own thought. Robb want to go to her but maester Luwin stop him "give her time to adjust the news'' Robb only nod and sigh

"I wish father was here'' master Luwin touch his shoulder "even if here was here Robb , nothing will change no one can say no to the king even your father'' he left the room and leave Robb to his own thought

Lord Eddard?" A shadow stood over the bed.

"How...how long?" The sheets were tangled, his leg splinted and plastered. A dull throb of pain shot up his side.

"Six days and seven nights." The voice was Vayon Poole's. The steward held a cup to Ned's lips. "Drink, my lord."

"What...?"

"Only water. Maester Pycelle said you would be thirsty."

Ned drank. His lips were parched and cracked. The water tasted sweet as honey.

"The king left orders," Vayon Poole told him when the cup was empty. "He would speak with you, my lord."

"On the tomorrow," Ned said. "When I am stronger." He could not face Robert now.

"My lord," Poole said, "he commanded us to send you to him the moment you opened your eyes." The steward busied himself lighting a bedside candle.

Ned cursed softly. Robert was never known for his patience. "Tell him I'm too weak to come to him. If he wishes to speak with me, I should be pleased to receive him here. I hope you wake him from a sound sleep. And summon..." He was about to say Jory when he remembered. "Summon the captain of my guard."

Alyn stepped into the bedchamber a few moments after the steward had taken his leave. "My lord."

"Poole tells me it has been six days," Ned said. "I must know how things stand." Alyn stay quite first he was not sure which news to report first, he knew we will be upset if he hear what the king did, so he decide to liar to him

"Every thing is fine my lord, you should rest''

"I rest for six day, am okay" Ned assured him. "My daughters?"

"They have been with you every day, my lord. Sansa prays quietly, but Arya..." He hesitated. "She has not said a word since they brought you back. She is a fierce little thing, my lord. I have never seen such anger in a girl."

"Whatever happens," Ned said, "I want my daughters kept safe. I fear this is only the beginning."

"No harm will come to them, Lord Eddard," Alyn said. "I stake my life on that."

"Jory and the others?"

"I gave them over to the silent sisters, to be sent north to Winterfell. Jory would want to lie beside his grandfather."

"You've done well, Alyn," Ned was saying when Vayon Poole returned. The steward bowed low. "His Grace is without, my lord, and the queen with him."

Ned pushed himself up higher, wincing as his leg trembled with pain. He had not expected Cersei to come. It did not bode well that she had. "Send them in, and leave us. What we have to say should not go beyond these walls." Poole withdrew quietly.

Robert had taken time to dress. He wore a black velvet doublet with the crowned stag of Baratheon worked upon the breast in golden thread, and a golden mantle with a cloak of black and gold squares. A flagon of wine was in his hand, his face already flushed from drink. Cersei Lannister entered behind him, a jeweled tiara in her hair.

"You're Grace," Ned said. "Your pardons. I cannot rise."

"No matter," the king said gruffly. "Some wine? From the Arbor. A good vintage."

"A small cup," Ned said. "My head is still heavy from the milk of the poppy."

"A man in your place should count himself fortunate that his head is still on his shoulders," the queen declared.

"Quiet, woman," Robert snapped. He brought Ned a cup of wine. "Does the leg still pain you?"

"Some," Ned said. His head was swimming, but it would not do to admit to weakness in front of the queen.

"Pycelle swears it will heal clean." Robert frowned. "I take it you know what Catelyn has done?"

"I do." Ned took a small swallow of wine. "My lady wife is blameless, Your Grace. All she did she did at my command."

"I am not pleased, Ned," Robert grumbled.

"By what right do you dare lay hands on my blood?" Cersei demanded. "Who do you think you are?"

"The Hand of the King," Ned told her with icy courtesy. "Charged by your own lord husband to keep the king's peace and enforce the king's justice."

"You were the Hand," Cersei began, "but now-"

"Silence!" the king roared. "You asked him a question and he answered it." Cersei subsided, cold with anger, and Robert turned back to Ned. "Keep the king's peace, you say. Is this how you keep my peace, Ned? Seven men are dead..."

"Eight," the queen corrected. "Tregar died this morning, of the blow Lord Stark gave him."

"Abductions on the kingsroad and drunken slaughter in my streets," the king said. "I will not have it, Ned."

"Catelyn had good reason for taking the Imp-"

"I said, I will not have it! To hell with her reasons. You will command her to release the dwarf at once, and you will make your peace with Jaime."

"Three of my men were butchered before my eyes, because Jaime Lannister wished to chasten me. Am I to forget that?"

"My brother was not the cause of this quarrel," Cersei told the king. "Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brothel. His men attacked Jaime and his guards, even as his wife attacked Tyrion on the kingsroad."

"You know me better than that, Robert," Ned said. "Ask Lord Baelish if you doubt me. He was there."

"I've talked to Littlefinger," Robert said. "He claims he rode off to bring the gold cloaks before the fighting began, but he admits you were returning from some whorehouse."

"Some whorehouse? Damn your eyes, Robert, I went there to have a look at your daughter! Her mother has named her Barra. She looks like that first girl you fathered, when we were boys together in the Vale." He watched the queen as he spoke; her face was a mask, still and pale, betraying nothing.

Robert flushed. "Barra," he grumbled. "Is that supposed to please me? Damn the girl. I thought she had more sense."

"She cannot be more than fifteen, and a whore, and you thought she had sense?" Ned said, incredulous. His leg was beginning to pain him sorely. It was hard to keep his temper. "The fool child is in love with you, Robert."

The king glanced at Cersei. "This is no fit subject for the queen's ears."

"Her Grace will have no liking for anything I have to say," Ned replied. "I am told the Kingslayer has fled the city''. "No," he said. "I want no more of this. Jaime slew three of your men, and you five of his. Now it ends."

"Is that your notion of justice?" Ned flared. "If so, I am pleased that I am no longer your Hand."

The queen looked to her husband. "If any man had dared speak to a Targaryen as he has spoken to you-"

"Do you take me for Aerys?" Robert interrupted.

"I took you for a king. Jaime and Tyrion are your own brothers, by all the laws of marriage and the bonds we share. The Starks have driven off the one and seized the other. This man dishonors you with every breath he takes, and yet you stand there meekly, asking if his leg pains him and would he like some wine."

Robert's face was dark with anger. "How many times must I tell you to hold your tongue, woman?"

Cersei's face was a study in contempt. "What a jape the gods have made of us two," she said. "By all rights, you ought to be in skirts and me in mail." Queen exit the room with anger on her face but she did not cry in front of her husband or ned

"Why would you want me as your Hand, if you refuse to listen to my counsel?"

"Why?" Robert laughed. "Why not? Someone has to rule this damnable kingdom. Put on the badge, Ned. It suits you. And if you ever throw it in my face again, I swear to you, I'll pin the damned thing on Jaime Lannister. Get well soon the something we need to discuss. Robbert did not tell Ned what he plan ,he going to wait until he get better , he did not want to more fight with him today.

When Gwen wake up, she wear her black breech and white tunic with black coat and boot, took her bow and sword go straight stable "good morning my lady'' a stable boy greets her

"Morning Ron, how you doing '' she take rein and pull her horse outside "need help my lady''

''no I got it'' she saddle her horse and mount him "Sam let's go boy''

"Nice ride my lady'' Ron tell her and continue with his work "thanks Ron''. when she reach on the forest she tie her horse to the tree and start her practice she shoot many arrow, all she want was the to be left alone, when Robb wake up he go straight to her chamber and she was not there , Robb go straight to stable and find Ron feed the horses ,

"Ron did you see my sister". "yes mi'lord but it was a while go'' the boy tell him,Robb gaze at the boy to continue to talk "what are waiting for boy , tell me where she went'' Ron was still looking at the young lord he look like he carry the whole realm on his shoulder "she take her horse and go for ride, but I do not know where she went mi'lord'' Ron finish to feed the horse and start to walks away " if you excuse mi'lord may take a leave'' Robb look at the boy and answer him

"Yes Ron, give my regards to your mother'' the boy bow to him "I will mi'lord'' and he walk away from Robb leave him to his own thought. Robb take the rein of horse and his wolf follow him around, he ride away to look for his sister he know she must be in the forest cause whenever she has the problem and want to be left alone it where she go. Gwen remember her brother Jon and wish she can follow him to the wall, but she snap from her thought when she hear a voice "I knew I will find you here'' her brother Robb tell her with smile on his face " you new me better brother'' she took the aim to target and throw the arrow and she hit the target, she always good at archery even her brother admit to that.

''I remember father forbid you to came here'' Robb tell her and take her hand and lead her to seat down with him "well father is not here''. Robb knew her sister was not okay even though she smile and act as everything is fine

"Talk to me Gwen, what trouble you'' she only sigh and answer him "everything Robb, am going to marry a man I do even know, I know I should not complain at least I saw is face, some are betrothone to the person they did not even meet, but I know nothing of him, I don't even know if he we will love me or mistreat me"

" he will be fool if he will not love and adore you'' she only smile at him even though it was not most of her usually smile but Robb think it better

"am going to be force to bear his children and bed him anytime he require me,'' she sigh and whisper "just as whore'' she look away hide her tears from her brother, Robb tilted her so she can face him and he wipe off her tears "you will not be his whore Gwen , you will be his lady wife and your child will be the heir of casterly rock , just as mine in winterfell'' Gwen smile the thought of her having children was foreign to her but it will be nice to hold them in her hands

"They will be beautiful like you with black hair and blue eyes a true stark'' they both laugh

"Lannister with black hair brother, they will be the first one I think '' they laugh at the thought "you will not be the first the king is Baratheon, and all Baratheon have black but his child has golden hair" Robb tell her, Gwen thought all of Robbert children they were look like they mother and none of them took from him

"Come on let go home '' they both stand and they wolf follow then they mount they horse and head back home

It was night and Ned was with his daughters eating " am glad your okay father'' Sansa tell him ,Ned only smile at her but when he look at Arya she was not eats her food "what wrong dear'' he ask her

"Did you hear the news '' she ask her father, ignore the stare her septa give her "what news " her father ask " about Gwen and j…."
"Arya stop it '' Sansa snap at her to shut up

"But he need to know what happen when he was sick'' she yell back at her sister

"He will, but he need to recover first and tell father won't change a thing so why disturb him'' Sansa look at her sister dare her to speak again but Arya did not back down "you never know maybe he can save her''

"Stop it both of you, can't you see you affect you father with you talk'' septa tell them before Ned start to speak

"It okay, save who Arya'' her father ask her she hesitate for moment before reply "Gwen''

"What happen to your sister'' he was puzzle he did not what they were saying

"after Jamie attacks you king dismiss him from kings 'guards, and he decide to join our family with Lannister by betrothane Gwen to Jamie'' Sansa told him Ned was shock with the news her daughter was betrothal without his permission, he was angry at Robbert fell betray by him how can he do this to him his innocent, charming, sweet girl he stand up "am going to talk to him, how he think his to betrothane my daughter without my permission'' he exit the room

"Did see what you have done they going to fight because of you'' Sansa tell her sister before she can answer her back

"To bed both for you'' they septa told them Arya did not wait for another word she wakes up from her seat and leave

Ned got to king chamber when he reach he ask the guard if he was inside when they answer him he enter straight without waiting to be announce

"Who give you the right to betrothrone my daughter without my consent'' Ned admonish the king he know it against the law but he was angry and furious at him

"so you already heard , I was waiting until you get better so I can tell you'' Robbert knew what he is done was wrong so he was calm wait for Ned to respond "even if you king you do not have the right'' Ned tell him

"Am king Ned and I can do whatever I wish to do''

"Robert, I beg of you," Ned pleaded, "hear what you are saying. She only a child what was you thinking''

"To put an end to this madness you and Lannister create, you should not blame me for this is your wife doing if she did not take that blood imp ,this will not happen" the king growled. Ned look at his friend wonder what was going in that head of his "but ….." before he can finish the king growl

"No more, Ned," he warned, pointing. "Not another word. Have you forgotten who is king here?"

"No, Your Grace," Ned replied. "Have you?"

"Enough!" the king bellowed. "I am sick of talk. I'll be done with this, or be damned. What say you all? I have already dismissed kingslyer in kings' guard this marriage will happen". Ned only sighs and exit the room think of his daughter and how miserable she must feel now, if only he accept the offer from the lord Tyrell of highgarden, she will be betrothrone to willias Tyrell now the heir of highgarden it was better than the Lannister but there was nothing he can do now.

Jamie was with his father when the news of dismissal from king's guard and betrothrone reach him "it look like your returning to you rightful place as heir of casterly rock" Tywin Lannister was happy with news he did not care if the girl was stark as long as his son his no longer the member of king's guard

"I am tired of having highborn women kicking pails of shit at me, Father. No one ever asked me if I wanted to be in the King's guard, but it seems I am. I have a duty -" he rose from where he was seated

"You do." Lord Tywin rose as well. "A duty to House Lannister. You are the heir to Casterly Rock. That is where you should be''

"NO!" Jaime had heard all that he could stand. No, more than he could stand. He was sick of it, sick of lords and lies, sick of his father, his sister, his king, sick of the whole bloody business. "No. No. No. No. No. How many times must I say no before you'll hear it? And if you think for one misbegotten moment that I would wed her..."

" The girl's still maiden.".

"She can die a maiden as far as I'm concerned. I don't want her, and I don't want your Rock!"

"You are my son -"

"I am a knight of the King's guard. And that's all I mean to be!" Firelight gleamed golden in the stiff whiskers that framed Lord Tywin's face. A vein pulsed in his neck, but he did not speak. And did not speak.

The strained silence went on until it was more than Jaime could endure. "Father..." he began.

"You will wed her, you will put a child in her belly and give me another heir to casterly rock and I will hear no more of you vow, which you already broke them before." Lord Tywin turned his face away. Jamie only remains silence and walk away when he reach the door he hear his father

"Your will go to king's landing wait for your to be lady wife, and after the marriage your will both move to casterly rock'' Jamie only sigh he know there nothing he can do about it "and what about Tyrion '' his face was still look away from him "the king order lady Stark to return him, but he will go to Winterfell first to receive the future lady of Casterly rock'' he turn his head and look at his son , who said nothing to him .

Many reader tell me I need a beta so am looking for one, anyone who reader the story and wish to be my beta please tell me. And thanks a lot to jafcbutterfly ,other who review it mean so much to me.