The Black Wolf & The Mother of Dragons

by kinginthenorth23

James Stark sits at the Wall as eight years have passed since the events of AGOT. Just as he thought he was done with getting involved in the realms activities and the Seven Kingdom's were at peace, Daenerys Targaryen captures King's Landing. However she has other plans... A story of love and betrayal. This story is post ASOIAF saga and AU. Dany/OC. Arya/Gendry. Jon/Sansa/Arianne.

36. Chapter 36 Eddard I

A/N: I may have lied about the number of chapters left. We have this one, another one, and the final one.

Another thing about this chapter is that it is indeed, a time skip. We are going about nine years into the future from the last chapter, which means it is during the time of Robert, Lyanna, and Ned going down to King's Landing to foster under the king. And this is from Dany and James's son's POV, not thee Ned Stark.

Robert is 14; Ned is 13; Lyanna, 13; Rhaella, 13; Casella, 13.

Edric is 9, as is Catelyn aka Cat. Jaime (Bran and Myrcella's son and only child) is 10.

James and Daenerys have a new child, a son named Rhaegar. He is 2 years old.

Sansa and Jon have three children at this point. A son named Robb, who is 8. A daughter named Jeyne who is 7. Finally a 2 year old boy named Brandon.

Rickon is not in this because he is now the Lord of Karhold, having been betrothed to the daughter of Harrion Karstark. He does have a son named Rickard and a daughter named Daenerys.

Disclaimer: GRRM owns all.

Chapter 36 Eddard I

Eddard

Nine years later…

Eddard Stark reeled back as Robert lunged forward with his sword. He was happy to have his cousin and best friend back in Winterfell. He didn't think he had been this happy in such a long time. The Starks were as one in Winterfell again, it had been many years since the last time the Baratheons came up north. The only reason was because Ned and Robert were going down south to foster under King Stannis, while Lyanna was going to become a lady-in-waiting to the queen. Ned was nervous, but his father told him he had to be brave.

"How can a man be brave if he is scared?" Ned asked his father one day when the time was looming closer. His father smiled, how very little he did, and replied, "Why, Ned, that is the only time a man can be brave."

Ned was brought back as Robert attacked him again. All Ned could do was parry his attack, as Robert came back again. He slashed right but Ned quickly ducked and moved right, Robert met his sword thrust and blocked it. The Winterfell breeze was cold against his torso, as he and Robert were sparring without tunics or jerkins. Robert liked to do it this way because it was more comfortable and he gained speed. He was muscled now at fourteen, well as muscled as a boy of his age could be, and was like a maiden's fantasy. He was certainly more muscled than Ned. They both differed in appearance and personality. Robert liked women, more so than Ned ever did. All the ladies liked the future Lord of Storm's End.

And as if Ned needed more proof of this, he saw up on the balcony as a few noblemen's daughters were giggling and talking in hushed whispers. They were watching them spar, they always did this. Although Ned kept to one woman - Casella was his, in truth - Robert kept to many. Often laying with whoever took his fancy. It was an act that his sister Lyanna hated, and Ned's sister Rhaella did even more so.

Eddard looked up and saw a girl flash him a smile, before he quickly darted his gaze away. His mother told him to be careful about those girls, they were nothing but trouble. But it wasn't them he was worried about, it was Casella. If she caught wind of girls looking at him…well, he should pray to the Old Gods that they would still be alive by the moons turn.

Ned felt a sharp pain as Robert hit him in the lower back. Ned grimaced and arched his back before jogging the pain off. Robert laughed as he always did. "You lowered your attack, Ned." He pointed his tourney sword at him. "You should know better than that. I thought Uncle Jon and Ser Edmund taught you better."

Ned scratched the back of his head. His back was throbbing. "I was…I was distracted, Robert."

Robert looked back up at the balcony and winked at them, Ned saw. The girls immediately blushed and giggled. Ned rolled his eyes. Vultures is what they are. Robert chuckled as he looked back at Ned. "Them? You were distracted by those lasses. Ned, they are harmless."

"No they aren't." The sweat was coming down his neck and face, he needed a towel and some water. Water would do him good.

"Are you two done yet?" Robb asked from the bench under the balcony. "Edric and I want to spar!"

"Quiet, the adults are talking!" Robert barked at him. "Just wait your turn, Robb."

Robb rolled his eyes and sighed heavily, Edric did the same. Those two boys were growing each day, and each day Robb looked more like his mother. His eyes were blue, his face long yet Tully like his mothers, and finally his hair was a bright shade of auburn. Edric was a combination of his mother and father, well more Arya than anything. His eyes were hers, as was his face. He just had his father's dark hair.

Robert then asked, "Do you not know how to speak to girls?"

Ned scoffed. "Of course I do, Robert! Or did you forget about Casella?"

"You're still with her?" he said, rolling his eyes. "I thought that ended."

"No, it didn't end!" Ned snapped. "I'm very much in-love with her."

That made Robert laugh. "Love! The thirteen year-old boy is in love!"

"Shut up! What do you know about women?"

"Me?" Robert said, pointing to himself. "I know quite a lot about women, Ned. Why…you see that one up there, the black haired one with the brown eyes?" Ned quickly glanced to see her, she was comely. Robert then finished, "I had her last night. You see, Ned, why have one woman now when you know you'll soon have one for the rest of your life? Just have fun."

"I do have fun, Robert. It is just that Sella doesn't like it when I talk to other girls."

Robert laughed again. "I flirt with them all the time. I've seen girls looking at you, Ned. Why that lass over there, the servant girl, she's been watching you this whole time. Why don't you ask her for a towel and some water? You'll see her blush like a maiden. Do it."

Ned relented. "Fine. But if Casella finds out about that, she's as good as dead."

Robert nudged his head again and Ned sighed. He beckoned the servant girl over with a waive of his hand. "Excuse me, may I please have a towel and some water?"

For a second she did not say anything, but quickly jumped into position like a cat. She walked over hesitantly and handed him a towel. Ned saw she couldn't even look him in the eye, and she was blushing. Gods… "Here - here you are…are, my lord." She offered the towel.

Ned laughed as he took it and flashed her a smile. He knew girls liked smiles. "I'm not a lord," he corrected. "Just, Ned."

She stammered again. "Fine…Ned."

Eddard laughed once more and wiped his face clear of sweat. He threw the towel to Robert, who grabbed it and wiped his face as well. His dark coal hair matted against his face. Ned looked to the servant girl. "Pia, is it?"

She nodded. "You know my name?"

"Of course. You've only been serving here for six years, I think. Regardless, could you fetch us some water skins?"

"Certainly…uh, Ned."

Ned smiled. "Thank you."

She came back a few moments later with a water skin, he winked at her before taking a drink from his skin. She darted her eyes and walked away, giggling as she did. Ned didn't know why he was acting like this, normally he wouldn't have said two words to her besides, "please" and "thank you." But Robert had awoken something in him. He liked the attention she was giving him. It was like being drunk.

Ned took a drink before splashing some on his face. Causing Robert to scowl. "Leave some for me!"

Ned laughed and tossed it to him. "There is plenty left, Robert."

He blinked the rest of the water from his eyes and saw an auburn-haired woman coming towards him. Her dress was sea foam green with purple frills on the wrists and collar, her hair pinned up in the back as she liked to wear it. Ned strained his eyes once more and saw that it was Casella. She was still very beautiful, of course, and Ned had come to love her like no other. He and Casella had been through it all together, their love had grown strong since he was but a little boy. He knew how to read her like a book, and she was mad.

Casella walked up to him and shoved him hard. "You think I didn't see that?" she almost yelled. "Huh, Ned?"

Ned shrugged. "See what, Sella?"

She scowled. "Don't play coy with me, Eddard Stark!"

"I'm not playing coy." Ned braced her shoulders. "Sella, sweetling, I didn't do anything."

She shrugged him off. "The mere fact that you-"

Ned pressed his lips to hers to shut her up and it did just the trick for a moment or two. Her mouth was as sweet as honey. Casella broke it off in a blaze of anger and pointed a finger at him. "You cannot kiss your way out of everything, Ned! I saw you wink at her!" She turned around and pointed at Pia. "Don't think I didn't!"

"Casella, please calm down."

She narrowed her eyes in reply. "To be continued, Ned. Do not speak to me for the rest of the day. I'm going to go sow with your sister and Lya. I don't want to see you!"

And with that she walked off, angry and beautiful at the same time. Casella would be truly mad at him, he knew, but she loved him too much for her to stay mad for too long. Ned sighed to himself and walked over to throw his tunic back on. Robert laughed whilst he did. "Does she really control you that much, Ned?"

Ned sighed. "Shut up, Robert. I do care for her feelings."

Ned turned to see him standing there with his tunic back on. He scoffed with a waive of his hand. "She's just jealous, Ned. Casella knows that you're a handsome man, she doesn't like it when other girls know it too. Who cares, I say. Let them gawp, what does it matter? I know you'll never cheat on her."

"That's because I am not you."

"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked in an accusatory tone.

Eddard shrugged. "You womanize, Robert. Am I wrong in that accusation?"

He shook his head. "No, you aren't. Oh, well, I enjoy coupling too much. What can I say?" Robert then raised an eyebrow. "Would you care to take a walk with me?"

"Sure, I guess. I have to go find Casella anyway. She'll want me to talk to her."

Ned and Robert walked side-by-side through Winterfell now, and how the years had not changed it at all. This was Ned's home, as far as he was concerned. He didn't remember much about being a prince, about being in King's Landing for the first three years of his life. He remembered a little, to be sure, but not much. He remembered not seeing his father for a while. He remembered hearing his mothers cries at night, too. Ned remembered playing with Robert and Rhaella and Lyanna. He remembered his father chasing them down the halls pretending to be the evil dragon. That memory made Ned happy more than most. He remembered his fathers crown, the pointy swords that stuck from it. One memory he recalled more so is when he'd sit in his mother's lap while she sang to him and stroked his hair. Daenerys Targaryen had such a sweet voice in his memory. His father would be holding Rhaella. Ned yearned to remember more.

His family had told him little about what happened, although his parents never liked to speak of it. Sometimes when he looked at his father, James, he still could not believe he used to be the king. Ned's father didn't like to be king, he knew. His aunt Sansa had told him stories about when he was, and they weren't nice. She told him about Aegon Targaryen, the battle for the city, how Stannis Baratheon betrayed them. Now Ned was going to be fostered under that same man. He didn't know what to make of it.

Robert bowed to some castle folk as they moved passed them in the courtyard. All of them were out and helping out with making Winterfell presentable once more for Lord Edmure Tully, the Master of Laws down at King's Landing and Ned's great-uncle. He had met Edmure once when he was a boy, before he came to Winterfell. His son also fostered under Stannis and was now acting Lord of Riverrun. He was apparently very good at it.

Robert clenched Ned's shoulder as they neared the center of the courtyard. "I want to ask you something, Ned."

Ned rolled his eyes. "This never ends well."

Robert laughed. "Okay, make your jests, but it is a question. May I ask?"

"Go ahead." They moved around an elderly woman. Robert then asked, "Have you ever laid with a woman, Ned?"

That took Ned for a turn. He never really had this conversation with Robert. The answer was no, of course. Ned had never been with a woman in his life, had never coupled with a whore. He had wanted to, but his love for Casella kept him back. Once he went with a few boys in Winterfell that were his age, they were nice lads who joined the guard and were now in Karhold with his uncle Rickon. One time they took Ned to the brothel in Wintertown, but he refused any advances. He just couldn't do it, couldn't dishonor his lady love.

Casella and he had gone as far as one could go without fornicating. They had kissed, touched, done it all and Ned liked it. He wanted to take her maidenhead, but wanted to wait for marriage. It was the honorable thing to do and Ned wanted to be honorable. Yet Sella kept insisting that he did. She wanted to experience it, wanted to know what it was like. Ned had only heard about it from Robert and his father. Casella stated that they were to marry one day and Ned knew that truth as well. "If we are to marry and not share any other beds then why not just do it now?" she proposed. "It is not infringing on anyones honor, Ned. Just put it inside me."

It was tempting, but he refrained.

"So, have you?" Robert pressed again.

Ned shook his head. "No."

Robert yet again laughed and placed a hand on his shoulder. "So that is why you are so serious all the time! You haven't released any poison. You're clogged up. Come, I'll find a girl to take your virtue."

Ned shrugged him off. "No, I don't think that'll be happening."

"Come on, Ned, every lady knows that his husband won't be utterly faithful. I'm sure your father-"

"-My father never laid with a whore!" Ned exclaimed. "And he has never been unfaithful to my mother."

"Your father was in-love with a whore!" Robert told him. "My mother told me. Ros, was her name. She had red hair and green eyes, much like your Casella. She was said to be beautiful."

"I don't believe you," Ned spat. "I don't."

Robert shrugged. "Fine, don't believe it. I know it is the truth. Even Lyanna said it is so. Face it, Ned, you have to do this."

"I won't. I won't dishonor Casella that way."

"Fine, fine. Have you at least gone beyond kissing her?"

Ned nodded in-reply.

Robert grinned. "That's good. You just need to take it another step."

"She wants to," Ned admitted. "It is just I don't' want to besmirch her honor and if Ser Edmund catches wind, he'll have my head."

"Ser Edmund will never know," Robert assured.

"I just can't take the chance, Robert. I respect Ser Edmund, and he likes me. He's glad I'm with his daughter."

"That's because you're a Stark and a Targaryen." Robert squeezed his shoulder again. "He knows you as a good lad."

"And I must stay a good lad," Ned told him. More for himself than Robert. "I promised him that I would look after Casella, that I'd always love her. I must do that, Robert."

Robert laughed. "I wish I was as honorable as you, Ned. I guess…I guess I'm more like my grandfather then my own father. My mother resents me for my womanizing, but…I'm just a boy, Ned."

"We're both just boys, Robert. Now we're going to become wards to the king."

"I still can't believe that. Aren't you scared?"

Ned shook his head while they moved towards the Great Hall. "I'm just nervous, coz. I'm not scared. I think I'll just miss my family and Winterfell."

Before they opened the doors Ned heard a shout from behind. He knew who that was. "Ned!" she called out. "Where are you going?"

Ned and Robert both turned around to find Cat coming to them. She was clenching both Rhaegar and Brandon's hands as they walked towards them. Cat was his little sister and they were close. He'd miss her more than anyone in Winterfell - besides Casella, of course, and his family.

Cat pouted as she nearly had to drag Rhaegar the last step. Ned's little brother petulantly scowled. "You're hurting me, Cat!" he complained. "Stop it."

"You shouldn't be so slow," she chided.

"I'm not slow!"

"Yes you are. Like a turtle."

Rhaegar released his hand from her grip and crossed his arms like a child, his lower lip petruding. "I'm not a turtle."

Ned sighed. "Cat, what are you doing?"

She sighed in-reply and used her free hand to push a strand of brown hair from her face. Cat then explained, "Mother and Aunt Sansa bid me to look after these two while they prepare for tonights feast. Why me, I don't know. Rhaella loves Rhaegar more than both of us, so she should do it!"

"And where is she?" Robert asked.

Cat shrugged. "Probably sowing her hearts content. I was just there doing needlework there with them, until Aunt Sansa dragged me out of it. That was a godsend! I hate needlework more than anything!" She pushed another strand of hair. "Why do I have to do it anyway? What will it teach me? Nothing! I'll just have someone do it for me."

Ned laughed. "I suppose I should just have someone do my sword fighting for me, too."

Robert laughed but Cat narrowed her eyes. "Shut up, stupid."

"Don't call him stupid," Brandon admonished. He was Jon and Sansa's youngest child and a sweet boy. He had inherited the Stark look from his father and was the same age as Rhaegar, both having been born a fortnight apart. They were close, Rhaegar and Brandon, more like brothers. They would be like Ned was with Robert when they were older. "That's not nice, Cat."

Cat rolled her eyes and clenched Rhaegar's hand again. The boy only looked to the ground and seemed bored. Rhaegar was two years old and Ned was eleven at the time he was born. He didn't expect to get a new sibling after Catelyn was born, he was only four when she came into this world. Rhaegar was a godsend, according to his mother. She wanted another child but his father was set against it, he said that his three were already too much. But…Ned didn't want to think about it. The thought made him sick.

It was a cold summer day when he was given the news by his mother, Ned didn't know what to think. He was in-shock to say the least, but there was excitement there. Nobody was as excited as his twin sister Rhaella. She was excited just to have a new sibling, she wasn't as close to Ned or Catelyn. Her best friend in Winterfell was Casella and she got along with her just fine. She was even closer with their cousin Jaime than with Ned or Cat. The thought made him sad. Seven hells, they were twins! His father would always say. He didn't understand it. Eddard didn't either, truth be told.

When Rhaegar was born, he was happy. He had wanted a brother - he loved Cat all the same but a boy was what he wanted - and the gods granted him his wish. He looked more Targaryen than Ned ever would, wisps of silver hair upon his head. Even Catelyn's violet eyes made her more Targaryen than Ned. But the Stark would not go away in Rhaegar. He inherited their fathers silver eyes, the same ones many of the Stark cousins shared. It was like looking at a mirror, if Ned had silver hair. Him and Rhaegar both shared his mothers face.

Eddard could still recalling holding Rhaegar in his arms the first time. He could recall sitting against the wall outside the sickroom in the Great Keep, Rhaella with him and Catelyn sitting in his lap. They weren't allowed inside. The only people in there were Ned's father, his grandmother, Aunt Sansa, and finally Aunt Myrcella. The screams were loud enough to make Ned think his mother was being gored by some violent animal. But when the screams gave way to the sounds of a wailing babe, his heart leapt for joy.

It was later in the day when Ned and his siblings were allowed to go visit their mother. Daenerys Targaryen was laying in her bed, her every being racked and tired from giving birth. The smile she gave Ned when he walked in with Cat and Rhaella would forever be etched in his memory. But when Ned was finally allowed to hold his baby brother, he felt something in him break. It was a good break, a swell of pride and protection. "We'll be great friends," Ned whispered to the silver haired, grey eyed babe. "I promise to make it so." And so he did. Rhaegar looked up to him, wanted to be him, and Ned could never say no to him. Often then not he spent a portion of his day playing knights and dragons with Rhaegar and sometimes Brandon. Ned would always be Symeon Star-Eyes, Rhaegar would be Prince Aemon, and Brandon preferred being Ser Arthur Dayne.

"Would you like me to take him?" Ned proposed.

Cat shook her head. "No, you must go see your precious lady love." Cat rolled her eyes and told him, "Sella has been talking ill of you all morning, Ned. Saying that you flirted with a servant girl. Rhaella and Lya have had to hear it the whole time. She's been complaining and complaining…"

Ned groaned at that. He hated when Casella gossiped ill about him; he'd have to hear about it from his sister for a fortnight. Plus his woman liked gifts in return.

"I'd go see her now then," said Robert, motioning to the doors. "Come, Eddard, we have some apologizing to do. Have you ever done a good grovel?"

Ned laughed. "I think not. Sella usually likes trinkets."

Robert scoffed with a waive of his hand. "Bugger that. Words of affection should do the trick." Robert shrugged. "It works for me."

"Cat, what do you-" As Ned turned around to face his sister again she was gone. He saw her running towards the godswood gate with Brandon and Rhaegar at her heels. Cat was part squirrel, Ned would alway jest. Her favorite thing was to climb trees and dirty her dresses, much to their mother's chagrin. "Why can't you act like a lady?" Daenerys Targaryen would always ask in despair. "Why, Catelyn, why?" Their mother didn't like when she did that. She wanted her to be a strong-lady, but not like her brothers.

Ned's father was a different story. James Stark admired his daughters behavior - it said it reminded him of their aunt Arya at her age. His father once laughed and pressed a kiss to her head when she came back all dirtied and muddy, with a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Ned's mother was there to see it and scowled. She didn't like it that her husband encouraged Cat's behavior, but what could he do? It reminded him too much of Arya. Even Arya herself jested that the only proof Catelyn was his and Ned's mothers child was her violet eyes.

"I guess she left," Robert said.

Ned sighed. "I hate it when she does that."

Ned went to the Great Keep alone, to face Casella. He went into the Great Hall with Robert and had lunch with the Baratheons. Well, it was only his mother and father. Lyanna was with the girls, of course, and Edric was with Robb and Jaime, sparring. Lord Gendry, Robert's father, spoke of what to expect in King's Landing. He told them about the Red Keep, Aegon's Hill, Maegor's Holdfast. About how they'd have to wake early with the king, break their fast with Lord Davos, sit-in on small council meetings and pleas from the smallfolk. The only time they'd have to themselves was after supper and in the morning before the fast was broken. That would give Ned little time. He hoped to make friends besides Robert in King's Landing, but he doubted it. At least I'll have Lyanna to keep me company, I've always liked her. I'd marry her if it wasn't for Casella, of that I have no doubt.

The sewing room was on the east end of the Great Keep. It overlooked the courtyard via the big window in the back of the room. Grey drapes covered the window with some sown dire wolves on the pattern. There was a hearth in a corner and a sewing circle in the middle with a bench off to the side, where many a time Ned watched with his mother as his sister and Casella would sow away.

When he arrived the door was slightly creeped open, just ajar. Inside Ned could see the girls of Winterfell gossiping, like a group fishwives, as Tyrion Lannister liked to jest. Or Uncle Tyrion, as some of the Stark cousins refer him to. Ned did as well. He had known Tyrion since he was a babe, and considered him like family. All of Winterfell did, all the Starks did.

Peering through, Ned saw them in a circle. There was Beth in the front, the daughter of a nobleman in Winterfell. She had golden hair, but was not as comely for Ned's liking. She was not ugly, but not the prettiest. Her eyes were too wide apart, but Sella always insisted Beth was pretty. Then there was Darci, a girl with raven hair and sun-kissed skin, her father having lived down south before coming to Winterfell. He claimed to have lived in Dorne. Which explains the sun-kissed skin.

Then there was his sister Rhaella.

Ned's twin sister was the spitting image of their mother, except more beautiful, as many liked to say. Eddard didn't know what to make of that. He never truly thought about it. She and Ned were born on the same day, at the same time, in the same womb, but the gods did not deem them to be as close as when they came into this world. Rhaella did not prefer his company as much as she used to. At times she would, at times Ned and her would get along like close siblings. She'd tell him things, give him advice about how to treat with Casella, tell him her secrets…at times. Sometimes she'd be angry with Eddard for no reason, as if her bed was too tight last night. Ned had grown used to it by now. He had learned how to read her mood by just the look of her face.

Then beside her was their cousin Lyanna, a girl Ned considered his best friend besides his Sella. They spoke of everything together. Ned had missed her dearly since she left all those years ago. Since their departure she and Ned had written through ravens, and through that they grew closer than ever. He told her everything.

Lya was looking down at her needlework, her brown hair falling over her face - it was slightly curled and going down past her shoulders. She was in a dark green dress. Ned thought her to be very beautiful, he wondered why she had a hard time finding someone at Storm's End. She must have many admirers, of that I have no doubt.

And then there was Casella.

Now she was talking of Ned, he could hear. She was leaning forward, whispering, and each time the girls would giggle and retract. Like a group of fishwives, Ned thought to himself. All except Lyanna. She wouldn't lean forward, she'd just listen. At times she'd laugh, more a slight chuckle at most while Beth and Darci were giggling. Even Rhaella would giggle at times.

"I'm not speaking with him until the next moon turns!" Casella said defiantly as she sowed a stitch, the white blanket spilling out of her hands like a river. She was sowing something for Ned, he knew. A blanket to bring down south with him, a piece of her. Ned would miss her so much. Each day he'd spend the majority of his time with her. Since the moment the sun went up to the moment it went down. The only time they were truly apart was when he'd spar and she'd learn her curtisies.

"But why, Sella?" Darci asked.

"Because he knew what he was doing," she told her, lifting her chin. "I'm not a fool Darci, he did it on purpose! I swear it is Robert who influences him to do such things."

Rhaella scoffed, waiving her hand daintily. "Robert is just misunderstood. At times I hate his cockiness and womanizing just as much as you do, but there is good in him. He would have a girl if he didn't pretend to be what I know he isn't."

"But he is so handsome," Beth said in a dreamy voice. Ned sighed at that. She'd always taken a fancy for the son of the Lord of Storm's End. "I'd be his girl."

"And he would always cheat on you," Darci spat. Ned didn't know why Lya was just sitting there and listening while the spoke ill of her brother. He knew she didn't hold no great love for Robert, but they were amiable with each other.

"He would have one if he just had some honor," Lyanna added. "Robert is not ugly, he just needs to act like a man, not a boy. Something that Ned has learned." Ned's heart swelled when he heard that.

They all nodded.

"Ned really never had a chance to have many girls," said Beth. She smiled at Casella. "Sella has had him tied down since she was four."

The girls but Lyanna laughed, even Rhaella giggled. Casella only smirked and said, "I had known I was in-love with Eddard since I had first laid eyes upon him. I just…it was meant to be, is all I'm saying. I've loved him since I was that little four-year-old girl. But that doesn't mean he can just flirt with servant girls!"

"Robb has started doing that," Rhaella said. All the girls gasped at that.

"But he is only eight!" Beth yelled.

"Robb is smarter than you think," Lyanna said. "He knows he's handsome and uses it to his advantage. Just as Rhaegar knows."

The girls laughed at that again. Casella smiled brightly. "Rhaegar…gods, I wish I had a sibling like him. Rhaella, I'm envious."

Rhaella smiled. She and him were close, the only two Targaryens she'd say. "He is a sweet boy, of that I have no doubt."

After another moment of silence, Darci asked, "So, Sella, will you forgive him?"

Sella shrugged. "If he says the right things."

"Oh, stop it!" Rhaella playfully admonished. "You're just being jealous."

Casella buried her brow. "I am not jealous!"

"Oh, yes you are!" Beth teased. "You know you are."

Casella giggled. "Mayhaps, I am. I just want all those petty servant girls to know he is mine."

"I think everyone in Winterfell knows that," said Darci.

The girls laughed again.

Ned knocked on the door now, loudly and abruptly. All the girls looked up at him at once, laughs subsiding. They kept their smiles but Casella's turned to a frown, even Beth's and Darci's. Rhaella only shook her head but Lyanna was laughing brightly at him. She knew what was to happen next. "Hello, ladies."

"Hello, Ned," said Beth.

"Hi, Ned," said Darci.

Ned waived and winked at Lyanna, who only laughed again. He held Casella's gaze now and said, "A word, please. You know we have to talk about this."

She put down the blanket and crossed her arms. "And why must we, Eddard Stark? Do you think you deserve it?"

Ned rolled his eyes. "I did nothing wrong! I was just being nice."

"Being nice?!" she yelled. "How was that nice? You clearly flirted with her."

"Can we please talk about this in-private?" Ned asked in despair. "I don't want to do this in-front of them."

"Of who?" Sella asked. "Of girls you've known since you were but a child." She motioned to Lyanna. "Your cousin." Then to Rhaella. "Your sister." Finally to Darci and Beth. "Two girls you've known since we were what…six? Surely these are no strangers."

Ned grew tired of this. "Fine, I'll speak with you about it later." He inclined his head. "Good-bye."

"No, come back!" Casella yelled. Ned turned around to find her standing with pleading eyes. She then said, "Can you give us a moment, please?"

All the girls nodded and then proceeded to collect their needlework. Beth got up first and moved past Ned, nodding her head. Darci did the same. Rhaella came up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "She's not that mad, Ned. Just listen to her."

Ned nodded and she gave him a curt one in reply, walking off. Lyanna finally collected herself and moved to Eddard. She smirked as she approached. "Do I appear funny to you?" Ned asked.

She only shook her head. "You appear the fool."

Ned laughed again and she came up to whisper in his ear, "She's just jealous, is all. Casella won't be angry anymore."

She then strode away after that and Ned motioned to his surroundings. "May I, my lady?"

Casella rolled her eyes petulantly. "Just take a sit, you fool."

Ned walked in and took a seat beside her. He looked at her and admired her beauty. Emerald eyes with auburn hair, Ned wondered how she was so perfect. Ned's grandmother, Lady Catelyn - a woman he'd love until she passed and then some - often jested that Casella had some Tully in her. Ser Edmund, her father, came from the South. He was a tourney knight, riding in tournaments and the like. His wife was a riverlands lady he met during a tourney in King's Landing. He was a young man then, a squire, a boy. He and his lady, a woman by the name of Marissa, wed soon after they met. Ser Edmund had to go fight off with the Tullys during the War of the Five Kings, he had lived off in the Riverlands at the time near Riverrun.

After the war he decided to go north. It was then that he was offered a position in the household guard of Winterfell, and it was there he had been ever since. He brought his wife with him, of course, and they had trouble conceiving, according to Ser Edmund. That was why Casella was considered such a blessing to him, a blessing that ended in tragedy. Casella's mother had died giving birth to her, something Sella always blamed herself for. Ned always told her against that, he hated when she blamed herself. Ser Edmund loved his daughter all the same, never parted from her. They were close, Ned knew. He was happy that she was with Ned, because he said when he died, he knew she'd be in great arms.

Ned smiled at those words and Casella caught his gaze, a smile creeping upon her face. "What is it?"

Ned shook his head. "I'm going to miss you, is all."

She frowned and grabbed his hand. Casella had her hair pinned up as she preferred. "I'm going to miss you too, Ned," she said, staring at their fingers intertwined. Now she looked at him with sad eyes. "Promise me, just promise you'll write me everyday. I don't think I could go a day without getting a raven from you."

Ned patted her hand and chuckled. "You're going to have to. The Red Keep doesn't have that many ravens."

He saw her face flicker with sadness and she grabbed him into a fierce hug. She threaded her fingers through the back of his head. He felt her bosom press up against him and he quickly diverted his thoughts elsewhere, less he wanted an embarrassing experience right now. "Must you go, Ned? Must you? I-I don't want you to leave." He could hear her choking on her words.

Eddard Stark hugged her just as fiercely, stroking her back up-and-down. "You know I must, Sella. My father made a promise to the king, a promise you do not break. I'll be back before you know it…"

"But that is three years, Ned," she whispered. "I don't know if I could last that long. Without you, that is."

"I know, my love."

She sat back to look at his face, cupping his cheek. He pressed a kiss to the palm of her hand. Sella then said, "Tonight, Ned. I want you to take it tonight."

"Sella…"

"No!" she said defiantly. "Three years, I will be without your touch, your smell, your laugh, your kiss, everything…The least you could do is give me this, Ned. Just take my maidenhead, please…"

Ned shook his head. "I can't, Sella. That would be dishonorable…"

"You are to be my husband, when you return." Sella kissed him quickly. "Your father promised to it, he said that we could marry once you return. I would see it happen."

"You have three years to prepare."

She scoffed. "I would marry you in the middle of Wintertown, if it came to it. I don't need three years."

"Nevertheless, Sella. I'm guessing I am forgiven?"

"No."

"No?"

"No."

Now Ned stood up and placed both his arms on the top of her stool, trapping her. She stared him down, the fire burning in her green eyes. Casella was unnerving in this moment. "You are cross with me, but I do not know why."

"I am not cross, Lord Stark."

Ned sighed at this, she only called him that when she was treating him mockingly.

"But you are, Lady Stark." Ned grinned at him calling her that, she only smiled back. "We have been a couple for ten years, I can tell when you are angry."

Ned could see her trying to suppress a frown, he knew her too well and she knew this. Casella hated being bested. "I'm not angry," she repeated. "Although I do not appreciate seeing an honorable man like you flirting with common servant girls just because Robert persuades you. It is unseemly of you, Eddard."

Ned looked into her eyes. "Indeed?"

Casella sat up straighter and held her chin up in defiance. "Indeed, Eddard. And seeing as you only do it to get a rise from not only me but yourself, I think it is insulting to me that you do so. You think I do not see the way girls look at you and Robert when you spar without tunics? You don't think I see the stares and giggles from other girls? Oh these eyes see true, Ned."

Ned smiled softly. "Jealousy is unbecoming of you, Casella."

She snorted. "Jealous? I have no use of that emotion. I know you are mine."

"Lyanna said you were jealous, but I couldn't believe it."

"Lya?" Sella snapped. "Since when did she give you such advice into my emotions?"

"Lya is a trusted cousin and friend," said Ned, "you know this. Trust me, Casella, you are the only woman I look at. The only one I wish to kiss." He pressed one to her lips and pulled back. "No one stands equal as you."

Her face softened and she said, "I could never stay mad at you. You are forgiven. But please do not throw it in my face anymore."

"It was not my intent. Although know that I also have to see other men looking at you. You know you are very beautiful."

She gave an innocent small smile. "A quality of my mothers, my father always tells me. I wish…I wish I got to meet her, is all." Casella shook her head. "Nonetheless, your family has been like mine since I was a girl. Your mother is like my mother to me, so…I guess that makes us siblings?"

Ned laughed. "Are we Lannisters?"

"Targaryens wed brother and sister for centuries," she jested. "Are you not Targaryen?"

"I am," Ned conceded. "But I am also part Stark."

She shrugged. "You do look nothing like a Targaryen."

"A fact that is well known, Sella."

She clenched his hand. "Tonight, Ned. I will come to your chambers."

"Rhaegar shares his chambers with mine, you know that."

"Then come to mine."

"And arouse suspicion? What would my own parents think if I did not sleep in my own bed?"

"I'll ask Rhaella if she'll let Rhaegar sleep with her and Catelyn tonight," Casella proposed. "I know she will let him. She loves him too much."

"Well, if you put it that way…"

She laughed. "Tonight, Ned. I'll be there."

Ned gave her another kiss and strode from the sewing room. In the halls he heard hushed whispers and saw Lyanna and Rhaella in what looked like a heated discussion. Lyanna was explaining something to her, Ned saw, and Rhaella was only shaking her head in-reply. Ned could sense something was wrong. Rhaella then broke off from her, her face sad and angry at the same time. She shook her head and in the distance he saw Lyanna, her gaze down to the ground.

Rhaella was startled when she met his gaze, and she quickly broke it off, darting it towards the floor. She tried to move past him, but he blocked her. "Let me through," she demanded. "Move, Ned…"

"No." She tried to move past but he blocked her again. "I've never seen you and Lyanna argue. I saw what just took place. Tell me what happened?"

"Oh, just move out of the way. I cannot speak to you about that."

"Why not?"

"You don't want to know, Ned."

"Is it serious?"

Rhaella nodded.

"Then tell me. Why don't I deserve to know?"

"Lyanna didn't want me to tell anyone."

"About what?"

He could see her struggling with something, but finally she said, "It is about a boy. A boy…she likes. She's making a mistake."

"What boy?" Ned asked.

Rhaella's face faltered. "Uh, uh, a boy in Storm's End. Some boy she likes but cannot have. She-she likes him, no, loves him, but he does not love her back. She doubts he even knows."

Ned put a hand to his chin. "I see. And what is his name?"

She paused. "His name? Why, his name is…is Maric and he is a nobleman's boy down at Storm's End."

"And what is the problem?"

"That he loves another. He, he loves another."

"I see. And he does not know?"

Rhaella shook her head. "No, he doesn't. She wants to tell him but doesn't know how. I'm surprised Lyanna hasn't spoken to you about him."

"I am surprised as well." Ned grunted. "I must speak with her about it."

"Yes, yes, go ahead."

Rhaella moved passed him again and left. Ned sighed to himself and spent his day going back to spar with his cousins and Robert. It was all he really had to do in Winterfell, besides Maester Willem's lessons. Usually those would take place after breaking their fast, but since Ned left in a day it was postponed.

Robb, Edric, and Jaime looked up to them. They wanted, in a sense, to be like Robert and Ned. Well, Jaime wanted to be like Robert especially. As did Robb. They admired how the girls gawked over him, like bees to honey. Edric was the one who spoke to Ned, who asked what it was like to have a girl, to be honorable. He took Ned aside at one point and asked. "I don't see why they want to be like my brother so much," Edric told him. "I mean, Robert is a nice brother, but he treats women like objects. I want something more than that, Ned." Ned knew he had a crush on Rhaella. He thought her very beautiful. It was just a boys infatuation, nothing more. And Ned told him, told him to treat them like humans. "They'll come around, Edric," he assured. "They always do."

Ned made his way to the Great Hall to sup, once all was said and done. He had just finished praying in the godswood. He prayed for his family and guidance, that most of all. After the godswood he found his sister Catelyn marching towards the Great hall with Jeyne. Her and Jeyne were best friends, very close, even though Cat was a year older. Jeyne was very pretty, her hair as auburn as her mothers with eyes and face like her fathers. She was the only daughter of Jon and Sansa, and Sansa's favorite at that. It was no surprise to Ned, he knew that his aunt had wanted a daughter more than anything. Jeyne liked Ned, it was more of an innocent crush. He encouraged it, of course, he couldn't be mean to her. Her favorite thing was when he'd give her flowers from the godswood, the blue ones that Ned's mother favored. Jeyne was sweet and innocent, she could do no wrong.

As Cat spoke with Ned she bid him to go riding one last time tomorrow before the feast with her and Jeyne, Ned agreed. He had to spend what little time he had left with his family. He'd already spent time with the boys, he did each day, it was the girls he wanted to spend time with now. Catelyn and Jeyne especially. Rhaella…well, he already tried that.

As Ned was going towards the entrance to the Great Hall, a voice rung out from behind him. "Ned!"

Eddard turned to see Lyanna coming towards him, a worrisome look on her face. It was then he remembered about the boy Rhaella told him about. Perhaps that is why she comes to speak with me.

Her brown hair bounced as she approached with the hems of her dress clutched in her hands. "Do you have a moment?"

Ned nodded. "Of course. What is it you want to speak about, Lya?"

"I want, I wanted to speak with you about something," she said, catching up with him. "It is something I do not have too much time to speak of in this moment."

"When would you want to talk?"

"Before we left to King's Landing."

"Well that is only in a couple of days."

"I know," she said. "Just give me a mere moment is all I ask. We never have time for each other. I just wanted to spend some time…"

Ned waived away her worry. "I know, Lyanna. We will have this moment on the morrow. When and where?"

"Godswood, after the feast," she wasted not time in telling him. "Come alone, Ned. Don't bring anyone with you."

Ned raised an eyebrow in suspicion. "All right…Lyanna…I guess I could do that. And the subject of this conversation?"

"One that I would not tell you of now." She sighed. "I've been wanting to tell you for a long time."

Ned gave her a quick hug. "I promise to listen to every word."

She smiled. "Good. Now let us sup together."

The Starks were around the table when they entered. The whole family was there, each of them. There was his uncle Jon with his aunt Sansa, there children eating with them. There was Tyrion sitting there with his cup of wine. Tyrion told stories to the Stark children, usually about their time spent in King's Landing when Ned's father was king. Ned figured he's know nothing about that part of his family's history were it not for Tyrion Lannister. The Baratheons sat across from them with Tyrion beside them; that is where Lyanna took her seat. The Lord of Winterfell was at the head of the table with his lady wife, Myrcella, a nice lady who treated Ned well. And Jaime was with them. Lady Catelyn was beside Ned's father. The only Stark missing was his uncle Rickon, who was now the Lord of Karhold. He was betrothed to Harrion Karstark's daughter, for he had no sons. He thought it a blessing for his daughter to be betrothed to one of the Starks of Winterfell. Now he had a son of two they named Rickard and a daughter he named Daenerys. Ned laughed when he heard that choice of name.

Finally Ned found his family and took a seat between Rhaella and Rhaegar. His little brother looked up to him with a smile and a mouth full of bread. Ned could only smile and muss his hair. Rhaegar straightened it and giggled.

"Don't laugh with your mouth full," Rhaella admonished.

Rhaegar nodded and swallowed his food. Ned shook his head and dug into his meal of chicken pie with a soup and salad. "So how was everyones day?"

Lady Catelyn looked up from her food. "Fine, dearest Ned. How was yours?"

He shrugged. "Eventful. Robert and I sparred today, and the like." Ned noticed Sella wasn't here. "Where is Casella?"

"She decided to eat with her father today," his aunt Sansa told him. "Why do you ask?"

"Because she usually sups with us, Sansa," said her husband.

"I found a cat today," Brandon blurted, causing Rhaella and Lyanna to giggle. "Well, me and Rhaegar did."

"Is this true, Rhaegar?" asked their grandmother.

He swallowed a bite of chicken and nodded. "Yes, grandma. We chased after it and…"

As Rhaegar went into detail about finding a cat in the godswood with Brandon, Eddard felt Rhaella nudge him in the ribs. She then leaned in and whispered, "Why does Sella want me to have Rhaegar sleep in me and Cat's chambers tonight?"

Ned stopped cutting a bite of his chicken pie but found his composure. "I have no idea what you are talking about."

He felt her nails dig into his arms through his tunic. Ned winced in pain. "I have no idea, Rhaella!"

"I'm no fool, Ned."

"Nobody said you were."

She dug her nails into his skin again. "I know her too well, Ned. Sella wants you to take her maidenhead, doesn't she? Doesn't she?"

"She just wants one last night together," Ned told her as the adults were laughing at Brandon, who was imitating Rhaegar chasing the cat. "Rhaella, I'm being honest. I have no intention of doing that with her."

"You know Father would be furious," she whispered. "And Mother as well. Ned, she isn't ready for this. I know that Casella loves you more than the moon does the stars, but you're too young. It…it would be wrong."

Ned leaned in and whispered, "It doesn't matter, Rhaella. I plan on marrying her when I return, I can wait three years. It is just that Casella is romantic, is all. Rhaegar would love to sleep in your chambers with Cat. Just let him one night, please."

"Fine. But if I hear that something more than talking happened…"

"It won't, I promise."

Supper ended after that. Ned ate his fill and afterwards the Stark-Targaryen children - his uncle Jon was still a Targaryen at the end of it - gathered around in Lady Catelyn's chambers while she told them all a story. She had done this each night for them since they were naught but children. And as the family of Stark cousins expanded, the tradition grew. Ned's father said they had a woman named Old Nan who'd tell them these same stories, a woman who's teeth would clank as she spoke.

Ned sat on the bed with Jeyne's head in his lap as they listened to their grandmother tell stories. Ever since Jeyne was a girl she'd place her head in Ned's lap while he threaded her auburn hair, and he always obliged her. Needless to say it was another thing he'd miss about Winterfell. Rhaella was next to him, Rhaegar in her lap. Cat was beside Jeyne, Robert next to her. On the floor was Lyanna with Brandon in her lap. Next to her Robb, Edric, and Jaime sat together in a row, legs crossed.

Lady Catelyn was telling them the story of the Young Wolf, the last King in the North. It was a story she'd never tell, but since Ned was leaving it was a must. This was the last story she would tell him before he left. Lady Catelyn was reclining in her chair, telling the story.

Ned looked down to see Jeyne really listening, half her face exposed while her hair was splayed down Ned's thigh. She had her face turned to their grandmother.

"And finally the Young Wolf head down south to save his father and sisters," Lady Catelyn told. Ned knew who this story was really about. It was about his late uncle Robb. A man that his father never spoke of. It pained him so. It pained Ned's grandmother even more, so she always referred to him as the Young Wolf in the story. "He won many victories against the Lannisters," she continued. "But he broke a promise."

"What promise?" Robb asked.

At that their grandmother frowned. "A promise he made to marry a girl of the House Frey. He broke his promise."

"For what?" asked Rhaegar.

"For love, my sweet," she answered with sadness. "For love."

"What happened to the Young Wolf?" Edric asked. "Did he go live with his lady love somewhere?"

"Did he defeat the Lannisters?" Jaime asked.

Lady Catelyn shook her head. "No, my loves, this story does not have a happy ending. The Young Wolf was betrayed, was killed by the evil Walder Frey."

All the children were quiet after that. Ned saw Jeyne looking sad, so he only threaded her hair even more. She smiled at that while keeping her gaze towards their grandmother.

"Why did he have to die?" Brandon asked.

"Yeah, why?" Rhaegar added.

"Why didn't he win?" Cat asked. "The heroes always win."

"Because life is not a song," Lady Catelyn ruefully said. "Because it is not a song. Sometimes the hero doesn't win. Sometimes he is betrayed." She stood up from her chair. "But that is enough stories for one night. Come, to bed…all of you."

The children groaned. Ned could only laugh as Robb rolled his eyes, little did he know he was named after the Young Wolf himself.

"Grandma!" Robb pouted. "I'm not tired!"

"It is late and time for rest," she answered. "Your brother Brandon and cousin Rhaegar need their rest. They are but two."

"But they are babies!" said Edric. "I'm nine, I'm not a baby!"

"Yeah, me too!" said Cat.

"Listen to our grandmother," Lyanna said. "Come on, Starks, let's go. Off to bed with you all."

Ned looked to Robert who only smirked and nodded. Robert now spoke up, "Grandmother, I couldn't help but notice that Rhaegar and Brandon were quite scared by this story. Rhaegar was shaking."

"I was n-" Rhaegar was about to protest, but Rhaella covered his mouth. She caught on to what Robert was doing.

"He was," Rhaella finished for him. "Little Rhaegar here was trembling."

Ned looked to his sister Cat and nodded, she then said, "I was too, Grandmother. I don't like the Young Wolf dying."

At that Lady Catelyn raised an eyebrow. "You, Catelyn? A girl who isn't scared of anything?"

"I was scared!" she protested.

"So, Grandma," Ned said now, "can we just keep them here for a little until they settle? We will tell them another story and it'll be off to bed, I promise."

"On my honor as a Baratheon," Robert jested, a hand over his heart. Ned laughed at that.

"You're also a Stark, stupid," Cat chided.

Robert only narrowed his eyes at her.

Lady Catelyn threw up her hands in defeat and went towards the door. She then turned around and said, "But if your parents asked, I said off to bed!" Catelyn winked at Ned before closing the door behind her.

Robert, Rhaella, Ned, and Lyanna, the eldest of the Starks, crawled up onto lean against the headrest while the younger ones sat before them. Brandon snuggled into Jeyne's lap, Rhaegar into Cat's, and the boys sat there and listened.

"What story should we tell them?" Rhaella asked. "What would you like to hear?"

"Bran the Builder!" said Brandon, causing everyone to groan.

"Not again, Brandon!" Robb protested. "Baby brother, that is the third time this week!"

"I like that story," Brandon pouted.

"How about a new one," Lyanna proposed.

Jaime raised his hand, making Ned chuckle. "Jaime, this isn't one of Maester Willem's lessons, you can just speak your mind."

"Can you tell us about when your father was the king?" Jaime asked. "My father never tells me and I've always been curious."

"What would you like to hear?" Robert asked.

"Tell us everything!" Jeyne asked, her eyes beaming.

And so they began. Ned told them all he could remember, about how it was like being a prince. All were listening with intent as each of them told a memory about King's Landing. Rhaella told them about a time when her father was sad, and her mother was crying. Ned told them about when his father was almost killed, much to their sadness. Robert told them about when Rhaella was poisoned, which made everyone too sad for words. Lyanna finally said something happy, about when she would swim in the bathes with Ned, Robert, and Rhaella. It was a happy memory.

Once the stories were over they put the children to bed. Rhaella took Rhaegar with her to her and Cat's chambers, but the boy wanted to be tucked in by Ned himself. Each night Ned did that for him and he couldn't sleep until he did. So Ned tucked him in tightly. Once Rhaegar was sound asleep, he snuck out of the chambers and went into the hall. Lyanna was there too, she sighed heavily and smiled when she saw Eddard. He bid her a good-night, pressed a kiss to her cheek and went towards his chambers.

When Ned entered he found Casella there staring out of the window. She was wearing nothing but a simple nightshift and in the moonlight you could see through it. It made Ned's pulse quicken. Casella had a woman's body now at thirteen, she had for a couple of years. She's so beautiful, he thought. Her hair was spilling down her back in curls. Ned just wanted to take her in his arms.

"Casella?"

She turned to him and smiled, it always cut through him. Her emerald eyes flickered in the gloom. "I've been waiting for you."

Ned gulped. "Have you?"

She nodded and closed the distance between them, taking his hands in hers. "Yes, I have. I love you, Ned." She bent up on her toes to kiss him. "Truly, I do. I know I don't say it enough but it is the truth. I cannot imagine being with anyone but you."

"I've loved you since I was that boy of four. Since the first moment I laid eyes upon your beautiful face."

Sella smiled and lead him to the table. Ned saw a flagon of wine there and two cups. He couldn't help but laugh. "Did you sneak these from the kitchens?"

Casella poured them each a glass. "Yes. I figured things would be easier and…less painful if we were drunk." She drained her first glass and poured herself another.

It did not take Ned nor Casella too long to get drunk. He had not drank that much in his life before this moment, maybe once or twice with Robert. His younger cousins were not old enough to be allowed wine at feasts, maybe one cup was allowed. It was all Ned's father would allow him and Rhaella. Casella and he had gotten drunk before when they were eleven, and it was there she kissed him until his lips bled. She also stroked him until he spilled his seed into her hands.

When they were drunk enough - Casella laughing and laughing away - she walked to the bed and sat down, patting on it. "Come, Ned," she said. "Come…come, my love."

Ned took a deep breath and nodded before sitting down next to her. She looked at him in the eyes, he looked at her, and he couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure, Sella? Are-are you sure this is what you want, my lady?"

She nodded. "Never been so sure of anything, Eddard. Never…"

"You know it will hurt."

"I know, but it'll be sweet knowing it is you." She cupped his cheek. "My…my love, my Ned."

And that night caution was abandoned. They began to kiss soon after, kiss until their hearts content. Ned took off her shift, beholding the beauty before him. He spent a while getting to know her body with his hands, committing them to memory. Remember how sweet she smelled, how sweet she felt. You won't be able to for years. Casella reached over and pulled his tunic over his head, unlaced his breeches, and removed his smallclothes. She made him hard with her mouth and gently they moved to the bed.

Ned laid her down, looked into her eyes, played with her hair. He kissed her breasts, between her legs, made her limp with pleasure so it would not be so painful. Finally he laid between her and prepared himself. It was when she gave him that reassuring nod that he slowly pushed inside her. Slowly he inched his way inward, the wetness enveloping him. Casella braced his arms, digging her nails into them. Her eyes were closed, she was biting her lower lip so as to not scream out in pain. And finally it broke in a snap, sounding as if someone had broken a twig and Sella tried not to scream out, although he could see tears in her eyes. Ned kissed them away quickly.

Eddard Stark hadn't felt something so great as when he was finally fully inside the woman he loved. His lady love. Casella looked him in the eyes and bucked her hips, telling him to start moving. Slowly he paced himself, moving his hips while she clenched his back. Each time he thrusted slowly as to not pain her, she'd whimper out in obvious pain. But soon it gave way to ones of pleasure and Ned took her a bit faster. In the end he did not last long, it was about another twenty strokes before he spilled his seed inside her. Never had he felt such pleasure.

When it was over he laid beside her and she crawled into his arms, letting the sleep take her. Ned Stark decided to do the same. They did it once more in the middle of the night and once in the morning when she awoke to find him hard. When the sun was breaking over the horizon she snuck from his chambers and Ned felt on top of the world. Now he understood why Robert loved it so much, but perhaps Ned loved it so much because it was with a beautiful girl like his Sella. He now knew he wanted to marry her the second he returned from King's Landing. He wanted to marry her, have children with her, and finally live out their days together, watching their children grow. Ned Stark couldn't wait to see the day.

Eddard Stark awoke the next day with a smile on his face and a spring in his step. He felt as if he was on top of the world. Yet for all his happiness one thought kept lingering in his mind: this was his last day in Winterfell for three years. On the morrow his great-uncle Edmure would arrive to take him, Robert, and Lyanna down south to foster under the king. He felt his stomach tumble up in nerves, but he would not let it damper his day. It was his last to spend with Cat, with Casella, with his family.

Ned dressed quickly, a simple dress of tunic and woolen breeches, before he made his way to the Great Hall. By the time he arrived the whole family was breaking their fast together. Everyone was huddled in conversation and it seemed Ned was the last to arrive. He took his seat between his father and Rhaella. A servant girl then came over and put a plate of eggs, bacon, bread, and ale in-front of him. Ned nodded in thanks and began to tear into the eggs.

"How is everyone doing today?" Ned asked with a smile, he felt alive. "It is a glorious day, is it not?"

Robert, Uncle Jon, and even his father gave him curious looks before turning back to their food. Even his uncle Bran raised an eyebrow and went back to reading his raven scrolls. Robert then smirked and went back to eating. Ned's pulse quickened and nerves crashed over him. Robert knows…

His father then asked, "It is a good day, my son. Except why are you so happy?"

"Yes, why are you happy?" his mother then asked, her smile wide. "Did something happen?"

Ned shrugged. "Nothing, Mother. It is simply a good day."

His father laughed and shook his head, then sharing a glance with his wife. Daenerys Targaryen only smirked in-reply and returned to her food. Eddard did as well.

His uncle Bran then asked, "So how are you fairing on your final day, Eddard? Robert? Lyanna?"

Lyanna shrugged in a brown woolen dress. "Nervous, of course. Although I am looking forward to seeing the Red Keep again." She put a bite of egg into her mouth.

Robert then answered, "Incredibly nervous, I might add." He then pointed at Ned. "Okay, I'm sorry, I must ask this. Ned, who did you fuck last night?"

Ned was taken back while the half the table either gasped in disgust or giggled. The men did not seem to care, Ned's father just shook his head. The boys - Robb, Jaime, Edric - were laughing away at Robert's language; while the women, Lady Catelyn especially, were abhorred. Rhaella was angry as well, and Lyanna just rolled her eyes. Brandon and Rhaegar were simply laughing because the older boys were, there was no way they knew the meaning of that word.

"Robert Baratheon!" Lady Catelyn admonished, "Do not use that kind of language in-front of the children!"

Arya Stark smacked him in the back of the head. "Don't be so crass, Robert. Was that necessary?"

"You're gross, Robert!" Rhaella yelled. "Must you act like that?"

Robert shrugged. "I'm sorry for my use of language, but I know that Ned…did something last night. He is glowing, happier than a dog with a bone, and has an all too optimistic outlook on his last day in Winterfell. Tell us true, Ned."

Suddenly Eddard grew small as all eyes were on him. His nerves grew so large he could not contain the beads of sweat forming on his brow and the back of his neck. Lyanna looked at him with wide eyes, his sister Cat was disgusted, Jeyne didn't know what to do.

He finally found his voice. "I didn't do anything, I swear! Robert, stop being such an arse. I didn't do anything. Must you put me in this position?"

He snorted in-reply. "Liar. I can tell, Ned."

"Enough!" their grandmother yelled. "I won't have this kind of talk at the table and in-front of children. Rhaegar and Brandon are naught but two."

Robert nodded. "Fine, Grandma." He glared at Ned. "To be continued, Eddard."

Ned gave him a hard glare and returned to his food. Everyone finished breaking their fast soon after and Ned told Cat to prepare to go riding with Jeyne. She nodded and ran off to the stables with their cousin to prepare the horses. While Ned stood from his chair, Rhaella pulled him aside, Lyanna with her and Robert joined them. They took Ned to a secluded area of the Great Hall where they were out of ear shot of the servants.

Pinned against the wall with six eyes glaring at him, Ned couldn't help but feel nervous. Rhaella pointed a finger at him. "You promised me nothing would happen, Ned!"

"Did you really?" asked Lyanna. Ned could see pain in her eyes for some reason. Mayhaps she thought too highly of him.

"Did he what?" Robert asked. "I know he coupled last night for the first time, I can tell. Who was it with, Ned?"

Rhaella groaned. "Gods you are such an aurochs, Robert! It was obviously with Casella."

"Casella!" Robert exclaimed with wide eyes, he then smiled and playfully punched Ned in the arm. "Good job, coz."

Ned laughed and nodded causing his sister to scowl. Rhaella slapped him across the face, the dragonsblood was on her. "Gods, you have no idea what you have done! You dishonored her, Ned! Why?!"

The sting on his face felt as if he was stung by a bee. "Rhaella, I never said-"

"-Save it," she spat. "I can see it too, Ned. And don't think that Sella won't tell me later." She shook her head, silver hair bouncing. "You aren't supposed to be like Robert."

Robert raised an eyebrow. "What is that supposed to mean?"

Ned glanced at Lyanna to see her visibly hurt. She then shook her head and walked off without so much as a word. Ned felt sadness when he saw that. He didn't know that she thought so much of him. Perhaps Lyanna wanted him to be different from her brother.

Rhaella saw that and sighed. She glared at Ned. "You have no idea, Eddard." After that she walked off after Lya, leaving Ned and Robert alone.

"Was it everything you imagined?" Robert asked.

Ned shook his head and said, "Yes, but please, not now, Robert. I-I have to go clear my head."

Eddard Stark walked off and went towards the stables, feeling sad and disappointed in himself. He didn't know that they would be so hurt by this, Lya especially. Ned felt ashamed, as if he had done something horribly wrong. When he found Cat and Jeyne at the stables, he was not in the best of moods. He wanted to not go riding, but he could not disappoint his sister. Cat was the only one who loved him unconditionally without question. It was the least he could do.

Cat picked up on his distress when he arrived and asked him what was wrong. Ned only put on a feign smile and told her he was fine. When they mounted their horses and began walking out the gate towards the Wolfswood, Jeyne expressed her disgust at Robert's language. She didn't like how he spoke so foul. Cat only shrugged and said that although Robert was a dullard at times, he was still nice and kind to everyone. Ned agreed with that much. Robert did not take much seriously, but he did have a giant heart that not many people knew about. If only he showed more of that side to himself, a lot more ladies would like him. He needn't lay with wenches.

When Ned and the girls arrived at their favorite stream, they dismounted to explore together. Cat, Ned, and Jeyne climbed a tree which was tall enough to look over Winterfell. In the distance they could see the smoke rising from it, a sight Ned had seen numerous times in his life. How he would miss it.

Catelyn rested her head on his shoulder, Jeyne on the other. "I'll miss you both a lot," said Ned, wrapping a protective arm around each. "I will write you two all the time, I promise."

"You better," said Jeyne.

"Yeah, you better," echoed Cat.

"Three years will go by fast, I promise."

"It will feel like a lifetime," Cat said. She then sighed. "I wish I could go with you. I don't want to stay here with Rhaella and her friends. They don't like me very much and I hate needlework."

Ned rubbed her shoulder. "They do like you, Catelyn. Casella would love to get to know you better if you gave her the chance. And Rhaella…well, I fear she will come around in time. Just look after mother and Rhaegar. Don't let Mama cry for me, or Rhaegar change."

"I promise to look after them, Ned. And are you sure about Sella? I'd like to be her friend..."

Ned smiled. "Yes, I'm sure. Catelyn, she likes you very much and would love nothing more than to be the sister I know Rhaella should be. Rhaella should give you advice, not chide you. She has much to learn. Get to know Casella while I'm gone, and watch as you two become friends. She could teach you needlework."

Cat looked at Ned with those violet eyes. "Okay, Ned. I-I look forward to it."

"Good. I'll make sure to tell her."

Ned then turned to Jeyne. "And you, lovely girl. Don't change either."

"I won't, Ned," she assured. "I'll miss you."

He kissed the top of her auburn head. "I'll miss you too, Jeyne."

Ned then jumped from the tree and they followed. They returned to Winterfell by the time the sun fell from the sky and it was time for the feast. Ned returned with Cat to their parents chambers, where they were already dressing Rhaegar. Ned's mother had him sitting in her lap, doing his hair. His father was on the bed talking with Rhaella, who was in a black dress with the red Targaryen dragon on the bodice.

Ned quickly dressed wearing his grey doublet and black breeches. He snapped on the direwolf brooch to his collar. Catelyn sat down with their mother while she combed out her now tangled chestnut-brown hair. She chided her for getting her dress dirty. Ned sat on the chair and stayed to himself, watching Rhaella play with Rhaegar. He smiled a small smile, thinking to himself that it would be the last time in years he'd hear his brothers laugh. By the time he'd return, Rhaegar would be five years old and growing. He may not know his little brother anymore. Rhaella glanced up at Ned and looked at him in disgust before giving a big smile to their younger brother.

His father strode over to him and took a seat, raking a hand through his hair. James Stark had grown older, some grey strands were now appearing in his beard, but he was still very youthful. "Ned, tell me true, did you take her maidenhead?"

Ned could never lie to his father, even though he wanted to. He knew he'd be more sympathetic than anyone. "Yes."

He sighed and closed his eyes, shaking his head. "That's dishonorable, Ned. I understand that you love her, but what you did was a big milestone in your life."

"I am to marry her, Father. What would it matter if I took it now or in three years? It is me who is taking it regardless."

That made him laugh. "Is that what you tell yourself?"

"If need be."

He shook his head again. "I understand you are a boy, and a boy has urges. Trust me, I know. I was your age when I lost my virtue to a whore, no older than twenty she was."

"Ros," said Ned. "That was her name. Robert told me about her."

He nodded. "That was her. I thought I loved her, Ned, truly I did. I-I was a fool for her. Besotted, I guess. She controlled me, changed me, and I though she loved me. It was only in the end, when I found out she didn't. Ned, my son, I love you and I want to steer you in the right direction. Do not make the love I know you have for Sella into something that is purely lustful. Your mother and I did not couple until we were married, something I always cherished. I got to know her and I fell for her, for Dany."

"And I fell for you," Ned's mother echoed, putting bows in Cat's hair. She looked at Ned. "Your father speaks the truth, my sweet boy. Listen to him, he makes sense. You cannot turn back the sun and change what you did, but you can at least correct your mistake. I know this can be exciting but heed his word. Trust me."

"I trust you, Mama."

That made her smile. Daenerys Targaryen, the Mother of Dragons, Ned's own mother, was very pretty. Her silver hair was still silver, her eyes still purple, and most people considered her the most beautiful woman in the world. Sometimes Ned couldn't believe she was his mother. He loved her so much.

Ned's father then reached over and patted his hand. "Plus, Ned, by taking Casella's maidenhead you have made her your own. Now you must marry her."

Ned nodded. "I know that, Father. I plan on doing so anyway."

James Stark laughed softly and said, "You misunderstand my meaning, my son. How long will you be gone?"

"Three years. Why are you asking me this?"

"Three years," he echoed. "I know you won't like to hear this, but a lot can happen in three years. Time, is the biggest test for love. The longest I have been without your mother was six, and that was most difficult. I shared two children with her by then, a third along the way. I never doubted my love. But for you, Ned, a boy of only thirteen...who knows what could happen."

"What are you saying?" Ned spat. "Are...are you suggesting I'll fall out of love with Casella?"

"He's just warning you, Ned," said his mother. "Do not get angry with him, child. Three years is a long time, who knows what could happen?"

"That means three years she won't be able to see you," his father said. "She won't be able to talk to you, kiss you...things of intimacy that keep a relationship strong. Without that bond, it breaks. I don't wish for this, Ned, trust me, I do not. I'm just warning you that things like this may happen. What if she were to meet someone else in Winterfell? What if you were to meet somone in King's Landing? Now do you see what taking her maidenhead has done? She will be tainted, besmirched. If she met some highborn lordling, he would want a maiden."

Ned stood from his chair in anger. "She is mine!" he yelled, "And no others! I can't believe you are suggesting that happens."

"There is a reason people say time is the loves greatest test," said his mother. "Because sometimes when people are apart for too long, they fall out of it. I'm sorry, Ned."

Ned sat down again and collected his thoughts, he didn't know what to think. His father said nothing, his mother neither. Ned understood where they were coming from, he just didn't want to believe it. He had loved Sella since he was four, it had almost been ten years since they were a couple. How strong was their love?

Rhaella then said, "Remember, Ned, Lyanna wants to speak with you after the feast. Go to her."

Ned almost had forgotten. "Oh, yes, how could I forget? At the godswood?"

Rhaella nodded. "Yes. Don't forget, Ned."

"I won't."

Ned followed his family to the Great Hall, where the feast had begun. The smell of fresh bread and meat filled the air, a smell Ned was all too familiar with. He took a seat next to Casella, who was looking beautiful in a dress of crimson that brought out her eyes. The feast passed by in a flash and Ned did not remember what happened. He had drunk and ate his fill, he even said hello to his great-uncle Edmure and great-aunt Roslin, who were seated at the seats of honor beside the Lord and Lady of Winterfell.

Casella was smitten with him the whole night, she couldn't keep her hands of him. She'd always kiss him on the cheek, hold his hand under the table, and talk to him the whole time. It was the last night he'd be with her, so he could not say no. They danced to their hearts content - mostly because she wanted to dance - and by the end Ned was tired with the whole world spinning around him. He'd drunk too much ale.

When the dance was over and the feast died down, Casella wrapped her arms around his waist and whispered, "I'm coming to your chambers tonight. Rhaegar is sleeping in Rhaella's chambers again. We can have one last night together."

"I can't, Sella. I can't dishonor you again. I love you but I don't want our relationship just to be about sex."

Sella laughed sweetly. "Ever the honorable man, Eddard. I know where you are coming from, and-and I understand. I just want one last night with you inside me. One last, Ned. You leave tomorrow…and.." Tears threatened her eyes. "I'm sorry. It is finally happening."

Ned hugged her. "One last night, my lady. We have one more between us. Come, go to my chambers and I will meet you there. I must break words with Lyanna first."

She pulled back and raised an auburn eyebrow. "Lyanna? About what?"

Ned shrugged. "Not sure. Although Rhaella told me it is about a boy she likes who won't like him back."

Sella smiled. "Ooo, gossip. Tell me more."

Ned laughed. "Well, she loves some boy who doesn't love her back. He is in-love with a girl that he has loved for awhile. She just wants him to love her."

"That's very sad," said Sella. "But Lya is so pretty! How does he not love her?"

"I'm not sure. Nonetheless, I'll see you later."

Casella kissed him and strode away. Ned sighed to himself and went to the godswood.

It was quiet when he arrived, the stars shone out brightly, the leaves rustled in the wind. The trees cast giant shadows against the cold ground in the moonlight and Ned felt a chill go down his spine. As he neared the weir wood, the tree he'd prayed to numerous times as a child with his father, he found Lyanna sitting by the black pool. She was in a dress of black with a golden stag upon her bodice, her hair was pinned up in the back. Ned thought her beautiful. Lya was gently cupping the water with her hands and was letting it fall through her fingers.

"Lyanna."

Lya looked up at him and smiled, her teeth glowed in the gloom. Ned felt his heart skip a beat, as if he had just seen a rare flower. It was then he shook his head and approached.

"Join me, Ned."

Ned nodded and took a seat beside her. She then said, "Do you remember this place as children? How before I left Winterfell we'd run around and play."

"I remember."

She smiled at the water. "I'll never forget Winterfell. I'll never want to, truth be told. I'm nervous and scared of going down south but I have nothing to be afraid of. I'll miss my family, of course, but I'll see them again." Lyanna looked at him. "And I'll have you, the man I love."

Ned laughed. "I love you too, Lyanna."

At that she gave a frown. "I know you do, but not the way I do."

Ned was confused. "I'm sorry, what do you mean?"

She shook her head. "Dearest Ned, have you never known?"

Now he was scared at what she was saying. "Lya, what do you mean? Have I never known what?"

Lyanna looked at him now, her silver eyes piercing his own. She was his mirror image in a girl, both of them having inherited the Stark look. Her gaze was unnerving and he could tell something was bothering Lya. "Is this about that boy in Storm's End?" he asked. "Is that what you are referring to?"

She looked confused. "What boy in Storm's End?"

"Rhaella said that you loved a boy in Storm's End, a boy who you wished loved you back. That he was in-love with another."

Lyanna chuckled sweetly. "Is that what she told you?"

"Yes. I mean, Lya, what are you trying to say?"

Ned saw her take a deep breath. She then snaked her hand and took his, clenching it deeply. Lyanna looked down at their hands and then back at Ned with moisture in her eyes. Ned had never seen her cry. She exhaled. "She was talking about you, sweetling. Ned, the boy is you."

Ned was taken back. "Wh-what?"

"You're the man I love, Ned. It is you who I love."

Ned disentangled his hand from hers and felt his eyes grow wide. "Lya, are you drunk?"

She glared at him in anger. "Am I drunk? How could you say that?! No, I'm not drunk. I've had one glass of wine!"

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend."

Lyanna shook her head. "It doesn't matter. I had to tell you this, I had to. I-I couldn't live with myself until I did. Each day I'm at Storm's End I think of you. I…"

"Lyanna…I-I don't know what to say. I-you're my cousin!"

"I don't care!" she snapped. "What do you think Aunt Sansa and Uncle Jon are? They're cousins, Ned!"

"But, Lya, I-I think of you as a sister. I couldn't feel that way about you. I-I love Sella, I'm sorry, I just can't."

Ned stood from the ground now and wanted to run. He had wished he had never come to the godswood, for now things between him and Lya could never be the same. He had never known, he had no inkling of her love for him. How long had she felt this way? Why had she felt this way? What did he do to deserve her love? Ned did not see her everyday. Lyanna, sweet Lya, pretty Lya, as most called her…had always loved…him. No wonder she has never had a boy to call her own. She's been in-love with me.

Lyanna stood from the ground with him, tears breaking the lids of her eyes. "Don't walk away, Ned. Do not walk away. Just hear me out, listen to me."

"Listen to what?" Ned yelled in-despair. "Listen to how you love me? Not how a cousin loves another, but as a man does his wife? I don't know what to make of this, Lya. I can't listen to this; I love you, I love you as a cousin, as a friend. I've always loved you in a way, and if it wasn't for Casella I'm sure this news would be met with joyous ears. But, now…I can't. I'm sorry."

She began to cry. "No, don't be sorry. I'm just a fool. Such a fool to do this, such a fool to ever believe that you could love me more than just a cousin. I'm an idiot, a dullard. Now things will never be the same between us. It is I who should be apologizing, Ned, not you. I guess the little girl in me won't die. The same little girl who has loved you since you spent the day by my side when I my scraped knee. Who kissed away the cut when I fell from the tree. That is who loves you."

And with that she stormed passed him, wiping the tears from her eyes. Suddenly Ned saw the memory she was speaking of. It was a cold day in Winterfell, they couldn't have been no more than four years old. It was when his father was away fighting the Ironborn with Uncle Bran. Lyanna wanted to go to the godswood, but was too afraid to go alone. Ned went with her, Robert and Rhaella were not interested. They spent the day together. They ran across the rocks, swam in the pool, chased squirrels. He and Lyanna laughed and had fun. When the day was drawing to a close, she climbed the Heart Tree. Suddenly she fell and cut her arm, tears coming down her face.

Ned sat there with her and cradled her in his arms, kissing the cut. He waited as her wails were loud enough to draw the attention of a few guards. Lady Catelyn and Maester Willem came a few moments later with the guards, and Ned had stayed with Lyanna the whole time. The memory made him sad, for that was the moment she loved him like a wife does her husband.

"Lyanna!" Ned called out, causing her to turn to face him.

"What?" she spat, wiping her tears.

"Come here, Lya. I-I can't let it end this way."

Lyanna approached him and Ned sighed. He didn't know what possessed him to do what happened next. Ned took her hands and said, "Listen, Lyanna. I love Casella. I have since I was four and that cannot change in a fortnight or simply one night. You probably know I took her maidenhead, and now I understand why you were so upset at that revelation. Regardless, I don't want this to change anything between us. I-I love you as a cousin does, I perhaps could love you even more than that. I appreciate you, and you're so beautiful. But you mustn't let me get in the way of you finding happiness. You can't wait for me, Sweet Lya. If it wasn't for Sella, I would marry you. I don't doubt that for a moment. You're beautiful." Ned felt tears come to his eyes.

Suddenly and without warning she pressed her lips to his and Ned did not know what to do. Part of him wanted to pull back, the other scream at her in disgust, but finally he kissed her back. He felt a part of him yell that this was betrayal to Casella, but another said that Lya needed this. Perhaps she needed this closure. Lyanna's mouth tasted of sweetness and wine, and everything else. Ned felt a tingle in his chest and this felt right, in a way.

Eddard Stark did not know how long it lasted but when it was over they were both out of breath. Ned took her into a gentle embrace and she tucked her head under his chin. He then whispered, "I hope you find someone who can replace me in your heart. I hope you do, I pray you do. When we go to King's Landing, I hope you find a man who has more honor than me."

Lyanna sniffled. "I don't think I ever will find someone who I love more than you. I don't think that will ever happen."

"But you have to try, Lya. I will marry Casella when I return to Winterfell."

"Then why did you kiss me back?"

"What?"

"Why did you kiss me back?"

"Lyanna…"

"No!" she said in defiance. "You kissed me back. You feel something, don't you?"

"I don't know what I feel, Lya. This night has been very confusing."

Lyanna pulled from his embrace that he had taken her in. "No, Ned. It is not confusing. It is very simple. I know that three years is a long time. Your love with Sell may be strong, but…I love you, Ned. I know you will see its worth someday."

She strode off then, leaves crunching under her feet. Ned sighed and sank down in-front of the Heart Tree. He then spoke to it as if it were a human being, as if it were alive. His aunt Sansa told him once that the Old Gods answered to you by making the wind pick up, the leaves shake, you just knew in your bones if they were listening. As a Stark, Ned felt a connection to them, as his grandfather did, his namesake. A man he wished he had met on numerous occasions. It had been years since his death but it was keenly felt each passing day.

Ned prayed for guidance and strength. He loved Casella more than life itself and couldn't imagine a day without her. Yet he'd have to go three years without her and it was too much to bear. He could remember their first kiss, their first everything. The first time she hugged him even. And finally his thoughts drifted to Lyanna's confession, her love for him. The kiss she gave him felt so wrong, they were cousins and it was as if he betrayed Sella. But something felt so right with her lips against his, as if it was meant to be. Like two people becoming one. They looked so much alike, you'd think them for siblings.

Casella was waiting for him when he returned to his chambers and it was there Ned let himself be most vulnerable. He could always be himself in-front of her. He would tell her his troubles, his feelings, what was bothering him. And as if she were reading a book, Sella knew he was angry and sad upon arrival. She moved from the bed to him, taking him into a hard embrace. Ned cried into her shoulder when it was all said and done, she only held him as he did. No, he could never tell her of what Lyanna told him. He didn't want to do that to Lya. But finally the weight and reality of tomorrow hit him like eight stone upon his shoulders and he only found comfort in Casella's arms.

That night he had her in every way he wanted to, and she gave herself willingly. Ned was gentle, of course, it was only her second time. Yet he did it to forget about Lyanna, to forget about the fostering, just to simply forget. And when the sun was coming up, he made love to her one last time. The last time in three years, it would be. Casella cried softly as he held her, no boundaries such as clothing or coverlets to hold them back. She never really weeped, Sella looked down upon women who used tears as weapons, but she did openly in front of Ned. Always in-front of Ned.

As the Starks broke their fast, nobody said a word. Ned sat in-silence with his sister Catelyn who did not want to be ripped away from him. It would not be as difficult to say good-bye to his parents as it would be to Catelyn or Jeyne or Casella. He knew he'd see his parents in about a year and a-halfs time. They were allowed to go see Ned that far into his fostering, to check up on him and the like. It was Cat he wouldn't be able to see, his grandmother or aunts or cousins too.

Even though Ned thought the good-byes wouldn't be as hard, he couldn't have been more wrong.

The courtyard was bustling with Stark, Baratheon, and Tully men when the family gathered in the courtyard. They were loading Robert, Lyanna, and Ned's items onto wagons. Robert's parents were not going with them, they would stay a little bit longer. It was just Ned and his two cousins who were going down south with Edmure Tully and his wife Roslin. As Ned helped Lyanna with her trunks, he could not look her in the eye. The memory of her lips to his and the emotions they invoked were still too fresh in his mind. He knew he'd get over it in-time, but not yet. Lyanna only looked at him with ashamed eyes and would not stare at him openly.

When finally the sun was highest in the sky, it was time to leave. Ned stood there with his cousins in a trance as he gave his final good-byes. His grandmother was weeping softly, she didn't want him to leave. When Ned hugged his aunt Sansa, it was just as hard. She and him had always been close and he always looked to her for guidance behind his mother. He said his final good-byes to the rest of his aunts and uncles. His uncle Jon wished him luck, as did his uncle Gendry and Bran. Aunt Myrcella pressed a kiss to his cheek and told him they'd be waiting in three years time. His aunt Arya did the same and made him promise to look after Robert, to make sure he took it seriously. Ned promised he would.

When it came to his cousins, it was just even harder. Ned had seen some of them grow up, had held them as babes, and in a way they were more siblings to him than cousins. Robb, he had always seen as a younger brother, so when he shook his hand it was difficult. Brandon bid Ned luck, told him he loved him and would miss him. He had a good heart. Jaime had always been closer with Edric than Ned, but still he was his cousin. It was the same with Edric. Jeyne cried as he held her, he'd never forget her above all his cousins.

Ned began to weep when it came down to his family. His father held back tears as well, he could see. Never had Ned seen him cry. His father shook his hand, hugged him, told him he'd take care of his mother. That made Ned laugh lightly. Ned's mother was of a different nature. She cried openly and held him for a fortnight, always she had a soft spot for him. Rhaella even hugged him but no tears threatened her eyes. Rhaegar was crying too, well, because he saw everyone else cry. Ned told him to be strong, to take care of their mama, and Rhaegar promised. Ned held Cat for a fortnight as well, cried with her as she cried and he held her face one last time.

When it came to Casella he never let go. She was crying, of course, Ser Edmund was there to witness it. Casella bawled into his shoulder, beat his chest with her fists in anger and kissed him for what felt like a whole year. When Ned let go, she cried into Ser Edmund's arms.

Ned took one last look at Winterfell before he stepped into the carriage he would share with Lyanna and Robert. He looked out the window towards Winterfell one last time. Its grey walls, the smoking rising from it, even the air he committed to memory.

And finally the carriage began to move and it was all too real.

Eddard reached into his pocket and took out a piece of Casella's auburn hair that she had given him. In his trunk he also had the blanket, too. She would always be with him, he realized. Yet Ned hoped their love stood the test of time, the greatest test of them all.

As the carriage made its way further down the Kingsroad, Ned looked up to see Robert looking out the window and Lyanna doing the same. Finally she looked at him and gave him a small smile, which Ned returned in-kind. She reached out and took his hand, which Ned gave a small squeeze. Her smile grew wider, Ned's heart beat faster. Perhaps he felt something for her that was deep inside him but he did not know. He wondered what would happen in three years, or in one or two. Would he still love Casella? Would she find another in Winterfell to replace him? Ned didn't know, he did not wish it so.

Eddard Stark prayed for Casella and the family he loved, the Starks, the only family he'd ever known.

A/N: Two more chapters after this. I decided to include a chapter of their fostering in King's Landing. Thanks for reading.