A/N: Standard disclaimer here. I don't own ASOIAF and only write for fun.
Eddard
Everything around him seemed to slow as time slipped by him in the quiet of the godswood. This was not Winterfell, but it was still peacefull, the thick wall of trees shut out the chaos of the castle and the noise of the city. Instead, he could hear the birds singing and the sound of leaves rustling as the wind played the grass to a calming tune.
He knelt in front of the heart tree, calm and comfortable, praying to the gods that brought him back that he had been making the right decisions. Long gone were the days where he could afford to doubt himself, as hard as that was. Living twice was a gift and a curse. He could change everything… but he wasn't good enough to do it the first time.
He heard here before he saw her. Her footsteps were loud and interrupted the music the wind was playing with the grass. She was dressed as simply as she was the last time but instead of appreciating it like he had done before, he couldn't help but wonder if it was all just a plot to get him to let his guard down. To make him think that she wasn't all that different from him.
Life had made him paranoid. Or maybe it was death.
"Why here?" Cersei asked him, standing tall and regal over him as she looked down at him with her stunning green eyes. The details were so much more vivid this time, the price of knowing. It was the small things, always the small things.
Quietly, he thanked the gods that Robert never loved her. It was harsh and cruel to her, but had Robert loved her like he claimed to love Lyanna, this would be much harder.
"So the gods can see," Ned responded, still kneeling, but he closed his eyes again. She felt her lower herself next to him, looking at him expecting him to speak but he wouldn't. Not right away. Instead he tried to recapture the peaceful quiet of the forest, tried to listen again for the wind.
He waited, whether it was a couple of minutes or a couple of hours he did not know. It didn't matter. "It is peaceful here, isn't it?"
He turned to look at her, and she nodded, a lie. The people of the North believed that it was impossible to lie in front of a face of a heart tree. They believed that the lie would die on your lips and the gods would force you to tell the truth. He wasn't sure if that were true or not, because he always believed it so he never tried. But it did not matter. This was not the north.
"Does he try to strike you often?" he asked softly. If she could feign caring, why couldn't he?
"Never on the face before," she responded calmly yet defiance skimmed the surface. "Jamie would have killed him, even if it meant his own life. My brother is worth a hundred of your friend."
"He might be," Ned responded quietly as he stared directly in her eyes. "Maybe I have judged your brother wrong. Once I was a man driven by honor. I saw your brother killed a king her had vowed to protect with his life, that he swore fealty to. He sat upon that throne as an oath breaker!"
He paused then, turning from her and looking far off into the trees. He sighed again before he spoke.
"Yet had he raised a hand against my sister, I would have gone to war for her. Had you been my sister, I would have killed him."
"Yet you have chase mine away," she responded after smiling at him. Her voice turned sad. "He was my only protection here, and you chased him away."
"I protected you," he responded simply. It was the truth. "I will always try to protect the innocent."
Queen Cersei was not innocent. He knew that. He knew that she knew she wasn't innocent but this was the game of thrones…
He sighed again. "I had no choice but to chase your brother my Queen, surely you understand that. What would the great Tywin Lannister do if a member of the Kingsguard attempted to attack him in the streets? I recall a man who destroyed a whole house over disrespect. What would he have done to your brother?"
She did not speak, not because she didn't have anything to say, but because she knew he was right. He chuckled to himself sadly and spoke again, again, quiet, again reflecting, but this time a little sad. "Although… I once had a brother who believed his sibling was in danger and acted in a similar manner to Jamie. He was strangled for it. Forced to watch his father burn as he strangled himself trying to help him. I still see his shadows struggle in that room every time I'm forced to hold court. Unlike you though, my brother didn't love me. Not like yours."
She did not flinch from the truth. Instead she lifted her head a little higher, she was proud of it. "Since we were children together and why not? The Targaryens wed brother and sister for three hundred years. Jamie and I are more than that."
"My son Bran…." he let the question hang and waited for her answer.
As he expected, she was confused by the question. She stared at him blankly before asking "what about him?"
He had to hide his smile behind a great sigh. "Shortly after we left Winterfell he was attacked by an assassin. I had reason to believe that you had something to do with it, that maybe he saw something he shouldn't have and you had Tyrion set up an assassin to kill him."
She looked at him as if he lost his mind. "I won't pretend like I didn't know that your wife was here, or why she was here, but I swear to you, I had nothing to do with your son."
He looked down, barely controlling the smirk forming on his lips before he composed himself. He found himself understanding why people loved playing this game. When you were in control, it was so rewarding.
He looked up at her with a frown attached firmly to his features, confusion dominant in his expression. "Then I am afraid my queen, we have been played against each other. It would seem like we are being set up for war."
A question was on the tip of her toungue but he didn't allow her to ask it, instead he continued to speak, "before you arrived in Winterfell, I received a raven from my Lady wife's sister Lady Lysa of the Vale. She told us that the Lannisters killed her husband. When I arrived here in the capital, Petyr Baelish had suggested the same thing. He even told me that he lost the dagger that was used to try to murder my son to Tyrion in a bet against Jamie."
"Tyrion would never bet against Jamie," Cersie responded confidently.
"I know that now my queen," Ned responded. "I know the truth they would have me believe was the reason that Jon Arryn died, and I know that you had nothing to do with it. Lysa and Petyr killed Lord Arryn and tried to place the blame on you, because they knew what I know now, what Jon knew before he died…. Your children are not the Robert's. They are Jamie's."
"Thank the gods." She was proud.
Ned did not speak and for a while they just stared at each other. When he did, he decided that he would be clear and as honest as possible.
"You know what I must do."
"Must?" She put her hand on his leg, trying to appeal to him. "A true man does what he will, not what he must. The realm needs a strong Hand. Joff will not come of age for years. The right thing to do would be to arrest Lord Baelish and tell the realm of Lysa Arryn's crimes. The Vale would turn on her and we could save ourselves a war. No one wants war again, least of all me."
He paused, really trying his best to read her words, to feel out if they held any truth in them. It didn't matter in the end. Joffery, much like Robert, would not believe in tales of Others and threats against the realm. Jon already did. He was raised a Stark. Winter is coming.
"No," he responded simply. "If I must tell Robert the truth, I must tell him the entire truth. I would protect you my queen. I do not kill children. When he returns from his hunt, you and your children, all three, should be gone. You can't go to Casterly Rock either, Robert would look for you there. I could provide a ship to the Free Cities, or even farther, to the Summer Isles or the Port of Ibben. As far as possible."
"Exile." she responded. "A bitter cup to drink out of."
"This is life or death," he said. "You can either leave or be hunted, you know Robert as well as I. You know his wrath."
The queen stood. "And what of my wrath, Lord Stark? She asked softly, her eyes searching his face. "You should have taken the realm for yourself. It was there for the taking."
"You are right," Ned smiled at her simply. "I should have but I didn't. Maybe it was a mistake."
"It was, my lord," Cersei insisted. "When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground."
She turned up her hood to hide her face and left turned to leave him there. He waited for the footsteps to become distant before he called after her. "I do not intend to die my Queen. I hope you know that."
The bright light of moon was the only thing that broke up the darkness during the hour of the wolf. He waited for the rest of the castle to sleep before he woke his daughters, and the rest of the household who would be leaving, from their slumber. They would be gone before the castle rose with the sun.
In front of him, two direwolves trotted along slowly next to his daughters, each on high alert, looking around for danger. The fact that he killed one and let the other get away in his past life was not lost on him. If they were around the last time, how would have things been different? He supposed he was about to find out.
When they reached the docks, the ship was ready to leave. The flags of house Manderly and Stark flew high above the stern of the ship, blowing gently with the wind. The captain and his crew had been working long and hard for this trip, and Ned wanted to make sure they were thanked and properly paid.
"Captain," he said, reaching out to shake the mans hand firmly. "I take it you have everything you need for your journey home?"
"Aye, Lord Stark," he responded simply. "I also have that boy your requested go with us in a room below. The blacksmith was sad to lose him, but your letter convinced him to let the boy go. If the winds are good we will land in White Harbor in two moons. I will make sure to send word when we do."
"Send word to Moat Cailin as well," Ned responded. The captain nodded before he turned away and started shouting orders to his crew.
Robb would be there by then. He had already sent a letter to his son, to have him prepare for war. He hoped that having Sansa and Arya back home, would cause his wife to return to Winterfell as well, but with Hoster's condition it was tough to guess what his wife would do.
He smiled to himself then. Before he knew what would happen, now somethings he could only guess.
Ned found himself walking to find his daughters when he found Syrio alone staring off into the sea. "You miss home," Ned said walking up behind him. It wasn't a question but a statement judging on the direction he was looking.
Syrio looked at him strangely, but Ned only smiled. "Your eyes shout the truth. You look towards bravos."
"Yet I travel to the North," Syrio responded simply, but he wasn't contesting it, just stating fact.
"I will reward you for your service," Ned replied. "Although no reward would be enough for you protecting my daughters on this journey. I can not thank you enough."
Syrio nodded at him before he spoke again and turned back toward the sea. Ned would not bother him anymore, and again began his quest to find his daughters.
They had already settled in cabins below the ship when he found them. Jory and Theon stood guard outside their rooms. He decided he would visit Arya first.
She was trying, but failing to keep herself awake as she stared out her window, Nymeria snuggled tightly at her feet.
"My little wolf," he said quietly, watching with amusement as she jumped at the sound of a visitor. She reminded him so much of Lyanna it was scary. Even her smallest of mannerisms, the way she wiped her eyes in defiance, telling the world that she wasn't sleep even though she clearly was, the way she would always try to train and wield a sword when the world told her it wasn't her place, her ferocity and heart, it was all Lyanna.
"Father," she breathed, getting up and running to hug him. "Why can't you come with us?"
He smiled sadly at her. "There are things that are about to happen that I need to be here for, things that I can't explain to you right now. Just know that I love you and that I just want you to be safe."
"But who will protect you," she asked, her eyes searching his own for an answer. She started to ramble on and on, much like Lyanna would when she was tired. "… maybe Nymeria could stay here with you. She could protect you. Her and Lady, I'm sure Sansa wouldn't mind."
Ned laughed and smiled. "The wolves belong with you. I will have Jory and Theon here with me. I promise I won't put myself into too much danger."
"Swear it," she cried. "On the old gods and new."
"I swear my little wolf," he responded and held her tighter before letting her go. "Now get some rest. You will be home before you even realize it. I need you to listen to your sister and don't give the septa too much trouble. We all just want the best for you."
"I promise father," she responded as she lied back down and put her head on her pillow. Nymeria got comfortable again at her feet and he smiled at the sight. He realized something then. Once upon a time he had suggested his sister marry his friend, but Lyanna wasn't a typical lady and neither was Arya,
"Arya," he started, "remember when I told you that you would have to grow up to be a proper lady and marry a lord and have his children and raise them to be fine lords and ladies of their own right?"
"Aye," she responded sadly.
"That isn't you," he said simply. "You are much like your aunt. You'd rather get up and train with your brothers than learn pleasantries in a yard and that is okay."
She smiled brightly at him. "Really father?"
"Aye," he responded, "but if that is your choice, then do it. Those times when you get up early and you work hard. Those times where you sneak out in the middle of the night and work hard. Those times when you don't feel like working. You're too tired. You don't want to push yourself, but you do it anyway. That is what it takes to reach your dreams. Remember this, and the world is yours."
"I will father," she said and yawned before she closed her eyes. He waited quietly by the door until she was sleep and whispered, "I love you my little wolf," before he turned and closed her door.
Sansa and Arya were opposite. Where Arya was tired and fighting sleep, Sansa was awake and alert, taking in everything and trying to figure out what was going on. While he sometimes missed the daughter from his last life, he had managed to instill this confidence she had now that she didn't have this early the last time. She wasn't naive. She was strong. She was everything a man could want a daughter to be.
"Father," she breathed, just as Arya did and hugged him.
"Sansa," he said. "I hope I do not burden you too much. I meant what I said. I need you to be the Stark in Winterfell."
"But Robb, Bran, and even Rickon would be more proper choices father, you know this."
He frowned at her. "I do not know that I do. When Robb, Jon, and you sat with me while the people of Winter Town brought us their issues, who came up with the best solutions that lead our people to prosperity? Who did those people thank for not only listening to their problems, but coming up with kind and credible solutions to their needs?"
He laughed then before continuing, "You know these Lords, these ladies, they have it wrong. They always say that you need a son to carry on your legacy, but they are wrong. You, Sansa, will carry on my legacy just as much as Robb, Bran, or Rickon will. I do not doubt it. I hope you will not either."
She smiled at him. "I won't anymore."
"Good," Ned said and his expression turned serious. "It is time that I tell you the truth. Winter is coming. By the time you get home, Robb will be in Moat Cailin readying the North for war."
"Why?" Sansa asked.
"There are many of reasons," Ned responded not quite knowing where to start. "I found out the reason that Jon Arryn died for. King Robert's children are not his. Queen Cersei's children are not his, but they belong to her brother, the kingslayer."
"You plan on telling him?" Sansa asked. Ned frowned, she clearly did not think that was the right choice. "There has to be a better way that will not lead to war."
Ned sighed before responding quietly, "I do not believe that I will ever get the chance to tell him."
Sansa gasped. "You believe the Queen will make an attempt at his life."
"She already has," Ned responded truthfully. "You have spent time around Robert and you where there when they had that argument about fighting in the melee. How do you think a man like Robert would respond?"
"He wanted to fight?"
"I talked him out of it," Ned responded, "but just like I couldn't save Jon Arryn or even Maester Pycelle, I do not know how much longer I will be able to keep him alive."
"Yet you stay," Sansa scolded him and he felt ashamed. Maybe he raised her too well.
"I will not be here long," Ned responded. "If things go south, I promise that I will leave. I won't be stuck here."
"That is dangerous and irresponsible," Sansa responded.
"Our lives have always been danger," Ned responded. If he wanted her to be the Sark in Winterfell, he had to treat her like it. Before she could speak, he continued. "There is something you must know. Jon… Jon isn't my son. He is your aunt Lyanna's. Rhaegar Targaryen never kidnapped your aunt. They fell in love at Harrenhall and decided to run away together. He got his marriage to Elia Martell annulled and married your aunt in secret. By the time I found out, it was too late. The war was already over. I told the world Jon was my son, and brought Ser Arthur back to Winterfell to look after him."
Sansa stared at him in shock before gasping. "If King Robert dies, you plan to put him on the throne."
He grimaced and shook his head. "Even if Robert does not die, Jon will be King. Sansa you know the work we have been doing to secure the North. The others, we have evidence that they have risen and that they will attack. King Robert does not believe this threat. Joffrey will not believe this threat. For the sake of humanity, we need a King that can unite the realm against this threat."
"You believe Jon could handle it?" Sansa asked, worry in her voice.
"I will be there to help him, as will Robb and Arthur. He has to be able to handle it, or the realm as we know it could end."
She paused for a moment, before speaking again. "I will be there too," she said, "I will help him by making sure that the North still is ready for anything while you all are away."
Ned smiled. "I'm glad you understand."
"Winter is coming father," Sansa responded, "but mother has words too. Jon is my family so I must support him. I have a duty to the North, my people to help guide them through winter and you have taught me that although honor goes last, it is still important."
"Aye," Ned smiled again. "I must leave now, so the ship can leave, but understand that I love you more than anything."
"I know," Sansa smiled brightly back at him.
"Hug Bran and Rickon for me when you return home, and don't be afraid to teach them their duty as I have taught you. As unfortunate as it might be, the young are often forced to grow up too soon in times of war."
"I will father. I will teach them everything you have taught me."
"And when the snow falls and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies..." Ned started.
"The pack survives," Sansa finished. He hugged her tightly one last time, and turned to walk out the door.
A/N: Sorry for the wait. A lot has been happening in my life. As you all probably know, Earthquakes just hit Puerto Rico. Well, my good brother and his fiance lived there, and in those earthquakes much of their apartment they lived in was destroyed. Long story short, he had to come back home to New York, and with no where to stay, I gave up my office, where I stayed up to type and played my video games so that they could have a place to stay so its just been hard to write new chapters and edit with all thats going on.
Also, I will not lie, this chapter probably should have been longer. I planned on adding more, but I lost the will to edit as much as I wanted to today with the news of Kobe Bryant.
I know it seems silly to idolize a person you never met, but you must understand, I grew up in a generation that shouted out Kobe every time we shot anything, whether that was a wad of paper in a trash can or a ball in a hoop. Through all his faults, he inspired a generation of people to work hard in all they do, no matter what that is... so yeah today has been depressing. The only athlete I looked up to more was Derek Jeter (whoever didn't vote for him should lose their vote!).
Edit: I forgot to add that i added two quotes directly by Kobe in this chapter when Ned talks to his daughters. Kudos to you if you recognize them.
I know this A/N had nothing to do with the story, and for that I'm sorry but I just had to vent for a moment. Next chapter will be Robb, and I hope I can get that out sooner, but I can't make any promises.
Until then, thanks for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. You all are great and big motivators.