Sansa was called to Cersei before Joellyn had a chance to talk to her and explain what had happened. Now Joellyn found herself in the company of Cersei, Lord Varys, Grand Maester Pycelle, and Littlefinger, and they were spinning their version of the events leading up to Ned's capture to his poor daughter. Sansa looked lost and confused as Varys and Pycelle explained how her father had proven himself to be a traitor by plotting to take Joffrey's rightful place on the throne after King Robert had passed. Sansa insisted that her father would never do that because of her love for Joffrey and his friendship with King Robert.

Cersei spoke to her, in an uncharacteristically sweet voice, "Sansa, sweetling, you are innocent of any wrong. We know that. Yet you are the daughter of a traitor. How can I let you marry my son?"

Grand Maester Pycelle added on by saying that as she aged, she would be likely to plan treasons herself and that Sansa was not fit to be married to Joffrey. She looked panicked as she began stating that she would not, that she would be a good wife, and that she would be a queen just like Cersei. Joellyn highly doubted that. Sansa was not stupid, but she was not as cunning as Cersei. She might one day be Queen, but definitely not just like Cersei.

Joellyn felt her skin prickle as Littlefinger spoke, "This girl is innocent, Your Grace. She should be given a chance to prove her loyalty." Littlefinger was the one who betrayed Ned. He had basically confessed as much himself. She had been right to never be comfortable with Littlefinger's presence. He was self-serving and only concerned with what would allow him to climb higher.

Cersei nodded at Littlefinger, then began speaking to Sansa again, "Little dove, my sister has already written your brother Robb to let him know about all of your father's traitorous acts and his arrest. Now it is your turn. Write your mother and tell her of what has happened. Then, if you would help your father, write your brother and urge him to keep the King's peace. Tell him to come to King's Landing and swear fealty to Joffrey."

Sansa looked hesitant and expressed wishes to want to see her father, but Cersei made her feel bad about wanting to see him by pointing out that her father is a traitor of the realm, and she should not want to consort with traitors. She then assured Sansa that her father's fate rested on the actions of both her and her brother.

Joellyn saw Sansa nod then say to Cersei, "Your Grace, would you help me write my letters? I wish to make sure that they understand what they must do."

Cersei seemed pleased with Sansa's request and walked with Sansa back to her chambers. Lord Varys and Grand Maester Pycelle left quickly, but Littlefinger lingered until he and Joellyn were alone then said, "I was sorry to hear about you engagement to Lord Eddard's son being called off. You must be disappointed."

Joellyn felt the familiar feeling of unease with Littlefinger's company but replied, "Thank you, Lord Baelish, but I am not disappointed. I did not love Robb Stark."

"You didn't," Littlefinger questioned, "I thought I had heard that you and the boy were writing to each other quite regularly?"

She paused momentarily to try to gauge why he was asking about this then replied, "We were, but it was only in an effort to get to know each other better before we were married. I assure you, there will be no more communication between Robb Stark and myself." How he knew so much about the happenings in King's Landing, Joellyn did not know. It was as if he always seemed to be two steps ahead of everyone else.

Littlefinger offered his arm to walk with her, and Joellyn could not refuse without seeming incredibly rude, but the last thing she wanted to do was spend more time with him, much less have him touching her. As she took his arm, he said to her, "That is good to know, my lady. It would be most unfortunate if the King's own aunt was conversing with the Starks. It might call her loyalties into question."

Joellyn felt herself become nervous. Was it possible that he knew that she had sent a secret letter to Robb before the one she had shown Cersei? She decided to shift the focus off of herself by saying, "Lord Stark seemed surprised that the City Watch had turned on him in the Throne Room. I wonder who gave him the impression that he had their support?"

She saw Littlefinger's eyes narrow slightly and felt his arm tighten as he said, "I told him on his first day in King's Landing that he should not trust anyone. He simply made the mistake of not listening to my advice."

Joellyn felt anger flare inside of her, and she questioned, "What did you have against Ned Stark? What had he ever done to you?"

Littlefinger stopped walking and said, "You ask a lot of questions, and you sound angry about what happened to him. Your sister is the Queen and your nephew is the King. Shouldn't you be glad that the man that tried to overtake the throne from your own family is now sitting in a cell?"

Feeling nervous again, Joellyn pulled away from Littlefinger saying, "Of course I want my family safe, but what of Sansa and Arya Stark. They had no part in this. What of their safety?"

Littlefinger replied, "Careful, my lady. It sounds like you are dangerously close to becoming a Stark sympathizer."

Joellyn narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms saying, "I hope whatever you are given for betraying Ned Stark is worth it, Lord Baelish."

Littlefinger bowed then said, "I'm sure it will be, my lady," then before he walked away from her, he said quietly, "Remember, there are eyes and ears everywhere in the Red Keep."

Joellyn was left standing in a hallway. She felt like her heart had dropped into her stomach. He did not tell her in so many words, but Littlefinger knew that she had written a letter to Robb and sent it without Cersei's knowledge. She had antagonized the man, and it sounded like their conversation ended with a threat. Joellyn was going to have to be much more careful about how she communicated the things that were happening here to Robb. If Littlefinger knew, that put him in a position of power over her. That was not a position that she wanted to be in.

Some days later, Joellyn was standing in a crowd of people on a balcony by the Sept of Baelor. Unfortunately, Littlefinger was part of that crowd, and he had chosen to stand right beside her. Trying her best to ignore him, Joellyn thought of the events of the past few days. Word had reached King's Landing that Robb Stark had rallied the Northern bannermen and had begun marching South with an army of 20,000. This was unsurprising. Even with Sansa writing a letter, begging Robb to come swear fealty to Joffrey, Joellyn knew that he would not. They had also heard word that her father had raised the Lannister forces to combat the Starks and Stannis Baratheon. Apparently, word had reached Stannis that Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen were not Robert's children and were bastards born of incest. Stannis was fighting to claim his rightful spot on the throne. War was brewing in the Seven Kingdoms because of the actions of the man that would soon be standing before them.

Lord Varys had gone to see Ned Stark in his cell and told him about the events that were happening. Sansa was still engaged to Joffrey, she had begged Joffrey for mercy on him, Robb had raised an army to defend him, and Stannis had raised an army to claim his spot on the throne. After much conversation and reminders about how Sansa's life was ever in danger as long as he was imprisoned in King's Landing, Ned expressed his intent to confess to crimes which he did not commit. That was why they were gathered at the Sept. To see Ned confess his crimes and accept a position in the Night's Watch so that he could live out the rest of his days.

Arya still had not been found by any members of the City Watch. Joellyn prayed that the girl had gotten out of the city. If she was in the city, she was sure to be part of the crowd that had gathered to see the traitor, Ned Stark, lie as he confessed his supposed crimes. That was not something either of his daughters needed to see, but Sansa had no choice. She was standing on the steps of the Sept with Joffrey, Cersei, and many of the city's gold cloaks. Joellyn surveyed the crowd, trying to see if there were any sign of Arya, but there were too many people gathered. There would be no way that she could ever identify one girl in that large of a crowd.

She felt Littlefinger lean closer to her and he whispered, "You look like you are in deep thought."

Joellyn continued staring straight ahead and refused to acknowledge that he had spoken to her, but he spoke again, "Who are you more concerned for? Your sweet friend Sansa, or her traitor father Ned?"

Joellyn rolled her eyes and sighed, no longer able to ignore him, "Both actually. In spite of what Lord Stark has done, he only ever treated me with kindness."

She saw Littlefinger smirk in response, "And look how he repaid you. He was responsible for the capture of your brother and trying to steal the throne away from your family."

Joellyn went back to ignoring Littlefinger. It was easier to pretend to not hear the man than it was to engage in any sort of conversation with him. She did not have to ignore him for long, as Ned was escorted out onto the steps of Baelor. She watched him closely. When he was arrested, he was still in the process of healing from his injury from Jaime. He still looked like he was struggling with the wound, but he also looked like a whipped dog. He was defeated. She had never seen the look of defeat on his face before.

Littlefinger spoke quietly to her again, "Look what has become of the honorable Ned Stark. His honor was his downfall."

"No, Lord Baelish," Joellyn quietly replied, "You were his downfall."

She did not even look to see what his response was, but looked down again at Ned as he began to speak, "I am Eddard Stark. Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King. I come before you to confess my treason, in the sight of gods and men. I betrayed the faith of my King and the trust of my friend Robert. I swore to protect and defend his children, but before his blood was cold I plotted to murder his son and seize the throne for myself. Let the high septon and Baelor the Blessed bear witness to what I say: Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the Iron Throne, by the grace of all the gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm."

Joellyn bowed her head slightly and squeezed her eyes shut. This did not feel right. Every word that came out of his mouth just then was a lie, but it was a lie that would hopefully preserve his life and protect his family. The septon spoke about the justice and mercy of the gods and asked Joffrey what he wished to be done to the traitor.

Joffrey stepped forward, "My mother wishes me to let Lord Eddard join the Night's Watch. Stripped of all titles and powers, he would serve the realm in permanent exile. My lady Sansa has begged mercy for her father. But they have the soft hearts of women."

Joellyn felt her knees buckle at his last statement, and she grabbed onto the railing of the balcony to keep her balance as he continued, "So long as I am your King, treason will never go unpunished. Ser Illyn, bring me his head!"

Chaos erupted on the steps. Sansa began screaming and Cersei spoke words that Joellyn could not hear to Joffrey. Joffrey paid no heed to his mother and pushed her aside as Ser Illyn approached Ned, who had been pushed to his knees. Joellyn continued to hold tightly to the railing as Ned looked around at the crowed, then meekly bowed his head. He had accepted that he could not fight this, but Sansa had not. She continued screaming and crying as a member of the City Watch held her back. Ser Illyn raised his sword and with one swift motion, Ned Stark's head was removed from his body. As his head rolled across the steps, Sansa fainted, Cersei watched with a look of desperation, and many people that had gathered in the balcony were dispersing quickly away from the sept. Joffrey had made a horrible mistake. War was going to come to King's Landing because of this. This was not an act of punishment, it was an act of war.

Joellyn finally turned and looked at Littlefinger, "Is this what you intended to happen," she asked in anger.

For once, he was not quick with a reply. Littlefinger looked like he was shocked at the outcome. This was probably the first time he had not known what was going to happen before it happened.

Since he remained silent, Joellyn spoke again, "You had no problem betraying him and getting him arrested. Did you not consider this was a possibility?"

Littlefinger finally gathered himself and looked smugly at her, "You mistake me, my lady. I knew this was a possibility all along. I am just shocked that it happened so publicly."

Joellyn glared at him, "You are a despicable man," then shoved past him.

But Littlefinger grabbed her arm and turned her to look at him again, "Do not think your family name will protect you should you choose to continue to insult me and continue sending information to the Stark boy. It would be wise of you to not make an enemy of me."

Joellyn pulled out of his grip and said, "And it would be wise of you to not touch me again," then turned away and went quickly back to the Keep so that she could write to Robb before everyone else returned.

She arrived in her room, then shut and locked the door. Joellyn did not forget Littlefinger's threat about eyes and ears all around the Keep, but Robb had to know. He deserved to know the truth of what happened. But as she found herself alone in her room, she was overcome with grief for the Starks. Ned was killed unjustly. Their family had been torn apart because he chose to say yes to his friend's request to become Hand of the King. She felt tears forming in her eyes, but she had to write quickly.

Robb,

Joffrey promised mercy if your father confessed to his supposed crimes. The Queen and everyone else in the royal court were under the impression that if your father confessed to treason that he would be allowed to join the Night's Watch and live out the rest of his life there. When your father confessed, Joffrey ignored the wishes of his mother and your sister and said that treason would always be punished as long as he was King. I am so sorry, Robb. Your father did not deserve to die. He lied and confessed to crimes that he did not commit to try to keep your family safe.

Sansa is still engaged to Joffrey, but she is as safe as can be expected. No one has seen or heard from Arya since your father has been arrested. It is assumed that she escaped the city, but I have no knowledge past that.

I will continue to update you as often as I can.

Joellyn was wise enough to not sign her name to the letter. If the letter was found it would be traced to her easily enough, but she still knew better than to attach her name to the letter. She sealed the letter and attached it to a raven's leg, then released the raven. The Keep still sounded very quiet, so Joellyn assumed that she had been able to send the letter without anyone's knowledge, but Littlefinger's threat still lingered in her mind. Ned Stark was not actually a traitor, and he just had his head removed from his body. Joellyn's letters to Robb were the acts of a traitor. Much worse would probably be done to her if Littlefinger ever decided it was in his best interest to tell about her secret letters.