Eddard Stark

Crossroads Inn, Riverlands, Year 282 AC

Their retinue increased quite a lot before even entering the Riverlands. Ethan Glover, Kyle Royce, and Jeffory Mallister were now providing company after joining their retinue at Moat Cailin after leaving Barrowton.

Apparently, Willam and Barbrey's marriage was beginning to bloom at that was good to know.

They made a little pause on their journey at Crossroad's Inn since Ned would be leaving for the Vale by the High Road while Brandon, Lyanna and the others would take the River Road to Riverrun.

Brandon was more joyful now that he had his drinking pals to amuse him. It was him who held the biggest grudge towards father, so Ned quite happy to see him drunk, laughing and singing songs.

"Gods!" Exclaimed Lya to his side. "I can't take it anymore, it's just too much noise!"

"At least he isn't pissed anymore." Ned stated.

"But I am pissed now!" she scoffed. "My head hurts with their horrible singing!"

"Perhaps it would better if you were to lay down and rest?" Ned suggested.

"Maybe it isn't such a bad idea…" she confessed while sighing. "I still don't know why father insisted for me to go to Riverrun so soon, I wanted to come at the same time as he, so I could enjoy riding Winterstorm some more."

"You can still come with me to visit the Eyrie…"

"No!" she quickly hissed. "I'm not getting near Lord Arryn or Robert after what happened at Harrenhal!"

This again… "Lya, when are you going to give Robert a chance?" Inquired Ned worriedly. "I know he has a bastard daughter, but I assure you he has been faithful to you."

"I don't want to marry Ned!" she remarked half desperate. "I want to keep living in Winterfell with all of you, I want to be free!"

"Lya, you know that no is truly free." Ned clarified. "Everyone has responsibilities."

"I know, but still…"

"Robert is going to be your husband Lya, just try to give him a chance." he insisted. "He is a good man and shares many of your interests, he likes to ride, to hunt, to fight any many more things that you like."

"And if father and his conspirators place him on the throne, Ned?" she questioned. "What will be of me? Can you see me as a Queen? I hardly know how to act like a proper lady! I'm not Ashara, Princess Elia or Catelyn Tully!"

"I know Lya." he tried to assure. "I need to speak with Jon when I get to the Vale, see what he is planning and hopefully I can tell you and Brandon something."

"And Robert?"

"I will speak with him too, but I don't think he is on par with plots, he is just far too sloppy for that."

"And if they don't listen?" she further asked.

"Robert will listen and if I tell him that you have no wish for a crown, he will do as you ask as honestly do not think he wants it in the first place," he admitted. "I'm sure you remember him at Harrenhal when he first saw you, on how I had to send him to meet his bannermen because he thought of it boring, he just hates responsibilities as much as you and Bran do."

"Okay…" she sighed once more. "I guess I will give it my very hardest to fall in love with Robert…"

He brought her closer to him, into a hug. "I know you wish to stay at Winterfell Lya and I wish you could, I truly do but…I have no power in it…it's father who does the decisions not me." he said to her. "But I will try very hardest to make your marriage to Robert as pleasant as I can."

"I know, dearest Ned…" she gave him a weak smile. He didn't like to see his sister like that…he hated it really…

He planted a big kiss on her forehead. "Cheer up a little sister, you are looking like me already…"

She smiled a bit more as he said that. "Perhaps I'm getting more brooding…though…I would have to be more…excited to marry to be like you…"

He chuckled. "If it makes you happier, then feel free to tease me."

"Lovesick puppy Ned…" she said with a big smirk.

"And happy about it." he smiled. "Maybe we should both go take a nap for a few hours and then return to bring those foolish drunkards to their rooms later…what do you say."

"I quite agree with you big brother," she said while taking another glimpse at the drunkards. "Let's hope they don't make a bigger scene than this…"

"That's always a risk, but I do think they will behave." At least he hoped so…but with Brandon it was always unpredictability…

Ashara Dayne

Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Year 282 AC

Ashara had been in King's Landing for a few days, she came with Ynys and Rhaegar to show little Aegon to his grandparents and to have him consecrated in the eyes of the Seven for all the realm to see.

The moment of greatest anticipation was when Aerys looked to the boy. They feared disregard from him, but aside from muttering about Aegon's slightly tanned skin, he congratulated Rhaegar on managing to squeal a Valyrian enough baby from the Dornish cunt…

Ashara was so angry at the Mad King for treating her best friend in such a ridiculous and crude way, yet she knew she could do nothing to stop it…she felt powerless…luckily she did not have to face the King more times, she doubted he even knew her name and for that, she was quite relieved.

Aegon's Namesday Celebration was consummated in the day they arrived, meaning yesterday. It was held in the Great Sept of Baelor in a ceremony worthy of the soon to be Crown Prince.

Just as when Rhaenys was born, Elia wasn't able to witness such grandiose ceremony either…she stayed in Dragonstone, bedridden and recovering from the pregnancy with Jasline and Nysah.

The ceremony made her wonder how the Northmen do when children are born…they celebrate namesdays but, do they celebrate births? They must do something…She was very curious about it! She would ask it to Ned when she saw him in a moon's turn.

She missed her Quiet Wolf so much…She missed his touch, his eyes glancing her when soft as fog…she wanted to be close to him, but it was almost time for them to see each other once more and, she, of course, couldn't wait for it.

Ynys was enjoying her time with her betrothed Ser Ryon Allyrion that day, the pair of them would be getting married very soon as well. But before they could be married in Yronwood, Ynys would deliver little Aegon back to his mother's side.

Ashara was the one taking care of her best friend's child now, together with Queen Rhaella, who was very happy to watch her grandson.

"He does look like Rhaegar did when he came from my belly." The Queen said with a big smile while cooing the baby. "He is so cute."

"He is My Queen." Ashara agreed while watching the baby make a shy smile to his grandmother. "A truth delight."

"And you sweetheart?" The Queen asked whilst turning to her. "When is yours coming?"

Ashara looked at the Queen incredulously and the Queen smirked at her reaction. "My Queen!" she chided as she felt her cheeks get very hot.

"Weren't you expecting to marry a wolf from the North?" Inquired the Queen amused.

"I'm…I'm betrothed to him already My Queen…" she confessed while blushing even more. "We are too marry next year."

The Queen's eyes began shining brightly. "Oh my!" The older woman exclaimed happily. "Give me a big hug darling!" The Queen didn't give her proper time to react, because she embraced Ashara tightly, it was a pleasant feeling and Ashara hugged her back. "Oh Star of Dawn, I'm so happy for you."

"Thank you, My Queen." Somehow, Queen Rhaella reminded her of her late mother in so many ways…they had similar personalities and to an extent she felt as if it was her own mother hugging her then, giving her blessing to her marriage.

"How is he?" Asked the Queen. "Elia and the girls told me you were in love with him, is it true?"

"Yes I am." she avowed. "I find him attractive, his eyes are beautiful, I love the way they look at me and how they change the tone of color depending on his mood so I can know exactly how he is feeling." she expounded. "Personality-wise, he is kind, honorable, caring, understandable, lovely, friendly and most of all he loves for who I am."

"My, so many adjectives to describe a man…" The Queen laughed amused. "He seems like a proper man for you then."

"He is indeed a good man My Queen." Ensured Ashara.

"Well since the marriage it's actually happening, I have a little something for you, my darling." And as she said this, the Queen, left Aegon comfortably in her bed and opened her bedside table, taking a box made of gold out. "I would be happy if you could wear these."

The Queen opened the golden box and inside were two beautiful earrings…Their frame seemed to be made of silver with big amethysts surrounded by small diamonds in the middle of the frame…they were gorgeous she…she couldn't accept them…

"My Queen, I can't accept these, they are…"

"You can and you will darling." The Queen retorted while she stopped Ashara from protesting. "When I look at you I see the daughter I never had for more than mere seconds…" The Queen was, of course, talking about her deceased stillborn daughter, Princess Shaena. "Besides these belonged to my great-grandmother Dyanna Dayne so I think it's only fitting for the most beautiful woman in Westeros to wear them just like her ancestor did and have many more of course."

"I…I don't know what to say My Queen…" she confessed almost speechless…the earrings were gorgeous…

"I believe a thank you is enough for me." Said the Queen while patting her cheek.

"Then thank you My Queen." she nodded. "It means a lot really."

"It's nothing sweetling, you, Elia, the ladies-in-waiting and my boys are what give me the strength to endure my brother's madness…" Sighed the Queen. "I'm happy that at least you will have a pleasant marriage."

"I wished My Queen had the same luck…"

"I'm lucky enough." The Queen insisted. "I have two beautiful sons and a few true lady friends to keep me company, I don't need to ask for much more."

Ashara knew all of the ladies-in-waiting that Queen Rhaella used to have were all dead by now and Aerys refused to allow her to choose new ones, so Elia's ladies-in-waiting were hers too to some degree.

Of course, none of them had problems with it, they all loved the Queen very much.

"And when is the marriage darling?"

"In the ninth moon of the year that is coming," Ashara explained. "His older brother is getting married in three moons and I'm to attend with my betrothed."

"Showing the world he is taken…"

"My Queen knows me too well…"

"I sure do." The Queen laughed. "I would love to see you getting married but I'm afraid I'm not allowed."

"A real shame, My Queen," Ashara admitted saddened. "I would love to have you present."

"I will make you a simple demand as your Queen." Informed the Queen with a smile. "I wish that you bring me your husband after getting married, so I can see his face."

"It's a promise then My Queen." Ashara nodded. "I'm but a humble servant of My Queen."

"Good." The Queen said with an authoritative stance but then began looking at her weirdly. "Gods, give me another hug."

"Of course My Queen," she said. "I will give My Queen all the hugs she demands."

After having lunch with the Queen, she went to the Godswood to meet with her little friends. It was quite a large group of little kids she befriended during her time in the capital, most of them were motherless and fatherless that worked as servants in the Red Keep.

She was there to share the leftovers from Aegon's consecration feast.

"Thank you milady." Said a boy of nine named Tom, who showed her a big smile.

"Milady is very nice." Said the girl named Clarisse of thirteen, one of the few that went with her to Harrenhal.

"Oh it's nothing everyone it's a better outcome for this food rather than being wasted," Ashara assured. She had befriended most of the cooks too with some of them being in her spy network as well. "Anything I should know?"

"The King has sent people to find the Knight of the Laughing Tree once again, milady." Said another boy named Cletus of eleven. "He insists on finding the man at all costs."

Aerys was a stubborn fool, Lyanna was far away and safe, yet the simple notion that Aerys didn't seem to give up on discovering her identity was worrisome…

"Anything else?"

"Just the usual milady." Scoffed Alysanne the Little, because there was also Alysanne the Big. "Some lords and ladies trying to court each other and screwing others."

"They are some lords getting engaged and disengaged, but nothing very important." Miley of twelve added.

"A normal day in King's Landing I guess." she commented making them laugh.

"Milady!" Came Melissa, a little girl of six running to her. "The Spider is coming!"

Varys? What does he want? "Move along children take the spares and share amongst yourselves and do be rude with each other!" she commanded.

"Yes, milady." They replied in chorus as they left, while she, however, stood in her seat as the eunuch come by her.

The Lyseni was plump and bald, constantly powdering his face and having a strong smell of lavender, lilacs, and rosewater. Every time she saw, he wore rich silks, velvets, damasks, and soft slippers in his feet an exotic look to emphasize his Lyseni origins. Like always he had a big smile in his face.

"Lady Dayne a pleasure to meet you here." he said.

"Pleasure is mine Lord Varys," she replied with courtesy. "It's a beautiful day today isn't it?"

"Certainly My Lady, very pleasant indeed considering it's Winter and the Blackwater Rush is close to being fully frozen." he said.

"It's sunny."

"My Lady seems to have taken an interest in Godswoods lately." he murmured. "I wonder if it's because of a certain Northmen."

How did he…Of course, he knows…he is the Spider…

"My Lord seems well informed." she said smiling.

"As a man can be, but My Lady isn't too bad either is she?" he questioned. "My Lady's spy network is considerable."

"I don't know what My Lord is talking about…"

"My Lady knows that neither of us is dumb, so why keep the play?" he inquired.

"How come I still have my head?"

"Good people don't deserve to die," he said. "Many people would miss My Lady's company."

"I'm certainly flattered Lord Varys."

"You should be My Lady." he insisted. "Not many people would use your power for good as My Lady does."

"Lord Varys is one of them certainly." she provoked, she wanted to know what was his deal.

"On the contrary My Lady, I do use my power for good."

"Lord Varys prefers Aerys over Rhaegar." she countered. "Harrenhal proves as much."

"My Lady is free to think what she wishes too." he declared. "But I firmly believe a picture is worth more than a thousand words."

"What are you talking about?" she asked confused.

"Had it been Prince Rhaegar's words the only thing to account for, many lords would not believe, yet with them seeing King's in his decadent state, they know they have to do something about it."

"You undermined us!" she hissed, how could he not see it?

"Did I My Lady?" he asked with a serious tone. "As far as I know, the Prince kept doing what all of you planned despite King Aerys being present, so did I have blame in it?"

"It made our work more difficult."

"My Lady is not dim-witted and knows I speak the truth." he insisted. "Everything was bound to work if not for a certain girl knight appearing and a certain crowning."

"How do you…" she asked aghast, this meant Lyanna was in danger!

"My little birds whispered some songs to my ears, particularly the size of the knight, motives and it's sigil, a laughing weirwood tree…such sigil could only be from a Northman." He elaborated. "A wild girl that saved a crannogman from a beating could very well fight for his honor in the jousts couldn't she?"

Ashara was petrified by what she was hearing…Lyanna was certainly in danger now…she had to do something…

"Worry not My Lady, the King will not hear it from this eunuch's mouth."

"Am I supposed to believe that?" she scoffed. "Lord Varys is the King's Master of Whisperers, the counselor he trusts the most."

"His Grace doesn't have to know everything, Lady Dayne," he replied. "I don't whisper to his ear everything otherwise the whole realm would be nothing but ash."

"What is that you wish?" she pushed forward.

"Peace and prosperity My Lady," he answered. "What we both want, I'm sure, yet I'm afraid it won't last for too long…"

"You think war is inevitable?"

"We are both trying to stop it, Lady Dayne, but our peace is being held by a small thin string that anyone can break."

"I'm not going to let it happen!" she barked.

"My Lady is free to try it and I will be very happy if My Lady succeeds." He said with a big smile. "I wish you a happy marriage, all the same, Lady Dayne."

"Thank you…I guess…"

"You are welcome, My Lady." Varys nodded. "Rest of a good day to My Lady."

With that said he left and Arthur appearing in between the trees not too long after.

"Ash?" he called. "What did the Lyseni want with you?"

"Did any of my friends warn you?" she inquired, they must have…

"Yes, Alysanne the Big and Tom," he replied. "But I asked you a question I wish to have an answer for."

"I don't know what the point of his talk was," she began. "But he is well aware of our plot, who the Knight of the Laughing Tree is and of my marriage to Ned…"

"Seven hells…the King is going to kill us now…" Arthur muttered worriedly.

"He said he won't tell the King." she tried to assure Arthur, though she herself wasn't fully assured either.

"And you believe him?" Arthur question as if she was insane or something.

"Well he does seem to have known this for quite some time and he didn't sell us out…at least yet…" Ashara explained. "He appears to be trying to help us out, though, in a weird manner, I might add, that seems like he is prejudiced us more than helping."

"I don't trust him, Ash." Arthur insisted. "He is dangerous, better keep an eye on him…"

"I already do that."

"Just making sure…" Then he looked at her in a weird manner. "Wait a moment…did you just said my marriage to Ned?"

"I did," she replied with a big smile, she still didn't tell anything to her brother. "It's set on the ninth moon of the next year, would you like to attend perhaps?" she teased.

"Would I like?" he asked indignantly. "Do you think I would miss my little sister's marriage?"

"I don't know…" she teased him further. "Will the Sword in the Morning find the time I wonder…"

"Stop being rude to me, dear sister!" he barked.

"My! Someone is being a crybaby now…"

"I'm proud and happy for my sister," he said. "Is it a sin?"

"Of course not," she said as she got closer to his shoulder. "I will be very happy to have you there leading me to Ned's hand."

"I…still want myself some wolf pelt shoes…"

"If you lay a finger on my Ned, dear brother…" she began with hopefully a serious look. "Not even Dawn will save you from me."

"I know better than piss my little sister." he planted a kiss on her cheek. "I value my life…more than wolf pelt shoes…"

Another chapter done, as always thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day.