4th Month of 288 A.C. Winterfell
Lord Eddard Stark
Things were moving very quickly, the invasion which Ned had been expecting for some time had come, and with it had come the changing tides. Connington had won a victory against Cortnay Penrose and was heading toward Storm's End, a move that was guaranteed to draw Robert out of King's Landing, regardless of his own thoughts toward the man, there was one thing Ned knew, and that was that his friend would never tolerate a threat toward his home, especially with young Renly being there. And then there was the fighting within the Reach, Ned had not been expecting that, Mathis Rowan had always seemed a stickler for duty, and as such his act of rebellion had come as a great surprise, though now he thought about it, Ned did think he should not have been so surprised, there was something about Rowan that just seemed to fit the mode of a rebel.
Of course, it was no good merely thinking about all of this, there would be consequences, and right now Ned needed to decide what action he wanted to take, that was why he had asked to meet with his advisors as it were and as he looks around the room he can see some tension within them. He looks at his wife, and seeing her sat next to him her expression tense, he takes her hand tentatively and holds it. "I thank you for coming to this meeting. We are facing an interesting time. There is rebellion occurring within the realm, and we all know who is behind it. Now, one might think that I would fight for Robert, considering my prior activity for him during the rebellion, however times have changed. My sister and her husband are the ones leading this rebellion and as such a lot must needs be considered. Luwin you have the books do you not?"
The maester nods. "I do my lord, and I have calculated just how much might be made from this war, and how much might be lost."
Ned nods, he does not like having to think this way, and the cost of war should be counted in the bodies that will end up piled up at the end of it, not in terms of money. But that is the world they live in and as such it is one he is slowly coming to terms with. Looking at the maester he asks. "And what have you found?"
"That the cost of going to war might be more beneficial than remaining behind and waiting. King Rhaegar has the backing of some seriously powerful men and their families in Essos, the Rogare and their allies in Lys, the Maegyr and their allies in Volantis, and then there is the fact that many within Westeros are worried that Robert Baratheon is becoming a Lannister puppet. That in itself has reduced his ability to gain loans from other sources." the maester responds.
Ned looks at Benjen then and asks. "Is this true? Have you heard reports confirming this?"
His brother, the Lord of Cerwyn takes a moment to respond. "Yes, it seems Robert whilst charging off to fight Jon Connington in the Stormlands, left orders for Tywin Lannister to continue funnelling money into the royal coffers."
Ned sighs then, his friend, well the man is not really his friend anymore, but still, the man is not helping himself. "And Wyman has managed to curtail the spending that might otherwise have been necessary for this?"
"He has." Catelyn says speaking then. "He sent word that there would not be another shipment of the payment going off to King's Landing until the war was done."
Ned nods his thanks then. "Very well, so that much has been taken care of. What of the riverlands my lady? I know your father has had his doubts, but what will he do?"
"If Tywin Lannister is going to be coming to call soon enough, I do believe my father would do his duty. If I remember correctly, he had doubts about Lord Robert even during the rebellion, and as such he might well think it is more in his best interest to ensure that the family and the riverlands are protected." his wife responds.
Ned nods, before looking toward Benjen once more. "Have you had word from our allies within the Vale? What do they plan on doing?"
His brother seems to be considering this a moment before responding. "I do think that they shall be waiting to see. Jon Arryn is still alive, and the more time he remains alive, the more time they think that Robert can emerge triumphant."
Ned sighs then, he had not been expecting anything else if he were being truly honest with himself, and still it is a pain. "And, I take it that you are still in favour of ensuring that he is not there for the rest of the war?"
His brother nods. "It is the only guaranteed way to dent Robert's confidence Ned, you said it yourself. If Jon Arryn is removed from the scene then there will be a hole where the leadership once was. Robert is a fighter, you've said that yourself. He cannot command properly, remove Arryn and this will be over soon enough."
Ned ponders this. "It is true, and yet there is nothing honourable about what you propose brother. If Jon Arryn must die, let it be in battle, where one might finally show him the error of his ways. Not with a cold dagger pressed against his throat."
"Do you truly believe he will come out to fight Ned? The man is nearly old enough to be counted as an ancient. What is there that will force him to move from King's Landing?" Benjen asks.
Ned sighs then. "I do not know, but there has to be something that would force his hand. I will not see him slain without a fight."
A silence falls over their meeting then, before his wife speaks. "I think I might know a way to get Lord Arryn out into the field of battle. But I am not sure if you will like it my lord."
6th Month of 288 A.C. Lys
Queen Lyanna Targaryen
It seemed that there would not be an end to the fighting, she and Rhaegar had eloped together and a war had broken out, she had never forgotten the moment when she had been told of her father and brother's deaths. The anger, the fear, the loathing she had felt for herself and for Rhaegar in that moment had been something terrible, and then slowly she had allowed herself to grieve, and then had come the anger with Rhaegar, he was older than her, he should have known better, then had come the other realisations. Here they were now, five years after that moment, both a little older and a little wiser, and her husband was to go off to war once more, and Lyanna did not know how she felt. She was worried, terrified that he might not come back, and she was happy he was going to fight for what was theirs.
She looks at her husband now, playing with their son, Jon, who at five looks almost like Benjen did at that age, she smiles at the sight, and Rhaenys is sat there as well, sewing. She looks at her husband and then asks. "Did you make sure everything was in place?"
Her husband looks up at her and nods. "Aye, I did. I have made sure that we have all the supplies and back up supplies we could need. Nothing will go missing I am sure of it. Ser Gerold assures me of that."
Lyanna nods. "And what of Ser Jaime? Has he decided what he will do?"
"I think he is rather hoping to avoid answering that question anytime soon." her husband responds softly. "I believe, that he thinks if he fights well enough he can prove himself worthy of a place within the Kingsguard. I do not think he wants to be Lord of the Rock."
"Why do you think that is?" Lyanna asks.
Her husband sighs then. "Because he does not want the burden that such a title brings with it. Because he feels more comfortable fighting than ruling. I do not understand it, but I will not force him into doing something he does not want to do."
From the way her husband is looking at her Lyanna knows he is talking about her as much as he is about Ser Jaime. "I came of my own free will Rhaegar. You did not force me to come here. And yes, I might have said something different when we were in the tower, but I was young and foolish then. I know better now."
Her husband looks at her with so much emotion in his eyes, that Lyanna feels as though she herself might cry. His voice is very soft when he says. "I am sorry Lyanna, truly sorry for what I did. I did not think before, and I know that you would not be in this situation if it were not for me. I promise I will make it better, I promise you I will do all I can to make sure you and our children never have to run again."
Lyanna looks at her husband and nods. "I know. I also know that if you try something funny, I will personally gut you." she smiles then and her husband laughs.
"Oh I always knew you had fire in you." Rhaegar responds smiling.
Lyanna smiles back at her husband before asking him. "What word has there been from Westeros? I know there was some trouble within the Stormlands but I was not sure what that was exactly."
She can tell by the way her husband's shoulders tense, that the news might well not be good. However, he does not, not tell her, instead he says. "Jon fought Robert Baratheon and died. He was slain fighting the man himself, and his force was pushed back."
Lyanna reaches across and takes her husband's hand then. "Oh I am sorry my love. I know you were good friends with Jon."
Her husband smiles sadly. "Aye, but he did his duty, and now we must make sure that there is nothing that means his sacrifice was in vain. Lord Cafferen took over command of the army and as such has led a retreat back to Summerhall, whilst it seems Baratheon is at Storm's End at the moment trying to heal himself."
"Where will you land?" Lyanna asks.
Her husband takes a moment to consider and then he says. "We shall land in the Rainwood, it makes sense to go there, and from there we shall march up to meet with Cafferen's army."
"What of the Dornish what will you do about them?" Lyanna asks.
Her husband sighs then and says. "I do not know, I do believe that we shall need to sit down with them and discuss some things before the time ends. After all, they might well have had a hand in what happened to my mother and brother, as well as my sister."
"How are they doing?" Lyanna asks.
Rhaegar looks at her his expression sad. "They are well, though my mother seems in ill health. I shall need to see what more can be done before I leave."
There is a pause in their conversation, and then their son speaks. "Papa, can I come with you?"
Her husband looks surprised. "Well, if you were older I would say yes my boy, but if you come with me who will protect your mother and Rhaenys?"
Jon seems to consider that before responding. "I'll stay papa, and I will promise mama and Rhaenys, I promise."
Her husband kisses the top of their son's head and responds. "I know you will son. I know you will."
Lyanna stands up then and says. "Jon, Rhaenys I think it is time to say goodnight to your father."
Her son and her adopted daughter stand up kiss their father good night before walking out of the room accompanied by Ser Oswell Whent. When they are gone, Lyanna looks at her husband and asks softly. "How will you deal with Robert?"
Her husband looks at her then and responds simply. "I shall do what I should have done long ago. I will kill him."