Two days ride from the tourney in the westerlands, a scout spied the royal party watering their horses beside a steady clear stream.
Katherine had never been happier to see a small party approaching with a banner of a silver ferret on a blue field. She knew her brother and sister had arrived early in the westerlands. When she asked the messenger to lead them to her sister, he said, "Princess Madeleine has not arrived yet, Your Grace. Your sister, Prince Howard has though."
"I see," she nodded. "Where is my little brother now?"
"His camp is still a days ride, Your Grace," the messenger replied. "We could not make it there with what light is left in the sky, but the head of your brother's household guard is but a few hours ride from here."
"Good news for us then," Ned spoke up, and she glanced back at him.
Her husband turned to speak to Michael who had chosen to ride with them instead of staying in the wheelhouse with his wife and twin sister, Charlotte. Daveth had chosen to stay with Charlotte as well, in case she got sick on the road because of the baby.
"Take us as far as you can today and we shall make haste on the morrow to meet up with my brother. Send a raven to him to stay put until we arrive," she commanded and turned back to Ned, who helped her back into her saddle with ease, and they set out at once.
Her brother's loyal head of his guard had made camp just outside a smaller holdfast, beside a bustling barn with various animals and three fresh graves. Ser Jamie went to one knee as Ned dismounted first and came to assist her on the muddied ground from the rain the night before.
"Good Afternoon, Your Graces," the man spoke as they approached him and Michael dismounted to follow behind, as was his duty as Crown Prince. "Your brother charged me to keep an eye out for your party and to escort you safely to him if we chanced to meet. Seeing as nightfall is near, we shall make stay here for the night."
"That sounds like a splendid plan," Ned spoke first. "What of our men and horses?"
"I have already given the order for my men to help make camp for yours and bring your horses to the stables," Jamie explained to them both with a simple, gracious smile. "My family's holdfast is not large, but we are happy to house our King and Queen, Crown Prince and Princess Charlotte. Your royal party shall have the best rooms in the holdfast and feast in your honor."
Katherine scarce liked the idea of another night slept in a tent and smiled at the idea of a soft featherbed, a warm fire in a hearth, and Ned warming their bed beside her. A feast sounded splendid as well, as it always did after days upon days of traveling.
She spoke then. "Thank you for your hospitality, my lord. You may rise and show my husband and I about the perimeter so we can assign our best men to guard it," she said, slightly waving him up to his feet.
Jamie gestured to the road leading up to the holdfast once the rest of their party had come out of the large wheelhouse, "Come, let us walk inside and get you settled. I haven't arranged any horses as I thought it would be best for them all to rest up for our travels. It is just a short walk."
Her eyes met Ned's, both worried about a trick or possible assassination attempt, even if he was her brother's sworn guard. Ned spoke for her this time, "That is very kind of you, my lord. We always enjoy seeing more of our kingdom."
He gestured for their guards to tighten their formation around their family though, just in case. They walked slowly, too many of them huddled together to move swiftly. Jamie pointed out certain buildings, explaining their histories.
Katherine looked to Ned and then back at their elder children and their spouses, who looked bored and impatient as they walked along but was trying their best to be polite.
The common people surrounded them as they moved. She could feel their stares and see their fingers pointing as they whispered to each other about them. Some even kneeled as they passed. She did her best impression of not noticing, despite hearing the odd "brother-killer" or "that whore who sits on the throne."
They said little else for the rest of their walk into the holdfast.
The banquet hall was full and the tables were of different dishes this part of the kingdom was best at making. Different gamey animals that had been killed that morning on a hunt were cooked to perfection in front of her and Katherine tried to put on a happy face, but Ned was seated on the opposite of the great table she was at and it was hard to enjoy much of anything without him.
She had wished she could have been seated with her son even, but instead, she had been sat with the wives, daughters, and granddaughters. Charlotte hadn't felt well enough an took her meal in her room with Daveth, which left Katherine alone with unfamiliar faces. She made polite conversation with them, but she really didn't know how one could sit and talk about needlepoint or fabrics for hours. The women seemed nice enough, even clever at times. Katherine tried to enjoy their company, but she didn't trust them enough to be honest and open with them.
However, when the two older women left to see to some matters in the kitchens, a younger granddaughter started giggling immediately and leaned in, "Your Grace, is it true that you were a maid on your wedding night? I have heard rumors that princesses are allowed more freedom?"
"Wylla," the older sister reproached. "Enough. The queen will not stand for such a question. I apologize for my sister, your grace."
Katherine raised an eyebrow. Surprised by the girls were not the perfectly mannered ladies she'd been told most western girls were. Then again she'd received that advice from lords. What did they know about how ladies acted when they weren't around?
For the first time that night she began to enjoy herself, "Yes. I was a maid on my wedding night… sadly, I was not given the same freedoms my older brother was… before he died that is." She took the silence of the moment to take a large drink of her wine.
"Well, I suppose that it's lucky you married a man with a form and not a fat man then." Wylla retorted.
"Wyalla," the sister hissed again.
"What, Winifred? The queen has eyes. She can see all the fat men here." Wylla muttered, sipping her wine. "I'm not excited for the day father proposes I marry one of them."
"This is not appropriate dinner conversation," Winifred replied.
"I think the guest should decide," Wylla turned to her.
"Inappropriate, yes, but far more interesting than needlepoint." She replied.
Wylla grinned. "I knew I would like you."
Winifred shook her head. "Don't encourage her, your grace."
Katherine took a sip of the black beer she hadn't touched since it had been placed before her. She preferred wine, but she understood why the westerlands beer was famous.
Wylla said, "I'm just introducing her to the true west. Her grace should know that most men aren't as comely as her king. What's he like anyway?"
Katherine was back on alert, knowing saying anything about any man in power could be problematic. She couldn't insult him but couldn't say anything too sappy either and make him look less masculine. "He's very…" she struggled for a good word. Looking across the table she saw him with his standard gloomy scowl. "…broody."
Wylla laughed and even Winifred smiled. "Aye, I've heard that about him. A gloomy fuck is what I think our bannerman called him."
Winifred tutted when she saw her queen's face go sour. "You shouldn't say such things. He is the king."
Wylla nodded her head slowly. "Forgive me, Your Grace, for my impromptu comment about the king. The wine is going to my head."
Katherine's eyebrows twitched as she nodded slightly. She took a much longer sip of beer this time.
Wylla shrugged then, "Is your son like him? Prince Michael, I mean. You have more than one son."
"In many ways, but they differ in many as well." She replied, glancing down the table at where Michael drank and talked amongst the noblemen of the high table.
"It's a pity father was too slow to bring up a marriage proposal before Prince Michael was betrothed..." Winifred sighed. "Though I hope his union to Lady Kenna is blessed."
As if on cue, Lord Jamie stood. His voice wasn't booming like he was making an announcement to the entire hall, but it was loud enough that no one at the high table could have missed it. Everyone stopped talking and eating to focus on his words.
"King Ned, our families have been allies for many generations. I am proud to serve House Banks as I am to serve House Clancy." Ned's shoulders shifted as the man spoke. "I have considered your proposal and have decided to propose a more permanent alliance between our houses. You have a son nearly a man and unmarried and I have two unmarried daughters. I would offer your son Jameson his choice as a bride."
Winifred blushed and Wylla smirked. Katherine wondered how much of this was planned. There was no surprise in either woman's expression. Had this been planned since Ned sent the raven that they would be coming west? She felt her heart stop. Jameson was still a boy, hardly twelve years old and they meant for her to give him away as she had Michael just a few weeks ago.
The men of the halls banged their cups again, with shouts of "Here, here," and few grumblings of "Lucky boy."
Ned looked flabbergasted like he'd never even considered someone would bring up such a proposal at a feast. He blinked a few times, before collecting himself. "My lord…" He swallowed before starting again, "Any man would be lucky to take such beauties for a wife as your daughters, especially my son, Jameson, but he is still a boy." He stalled there.
Katherine almost pitied him. He was so unused to politics. Such things left him completely out of his element. She wanted to help him but knew she couldn't. The men here would only look down on a king who let his queen speak for him.
The lord had pounced on his king's hesitation, "Then it is settled. I know I am happy to see my house joined with House Banks. I shall send men with you on your travels tomorrow as you will be family soon."
"My lord, you didn't let me finish." Ned spoke louder now.
"So you refuse my offer? A thousand men and a wife for your son one day?" The lord muttered.
Ned looked trapped. Then a look of anger crossed his face and he stood, his chair making a harsh scraping noise that echoed across the hall. "You have been a generous host, Lord Jamie, but I have lost my appetite. Excuse me."
Katherine let out a breath. It wasn't how she would have handled that. Lord Jamie could take offense, but it reminded her of how Ned had reacted to her in their first meeting. His focus was so singular that he never seemed to notice or care about the hurt feelings he may cause in his mission.
It might get him in trouble someday. She thought of the scars on his chest. It already had, actually.
When a blast of cold night air blew into the chamber, Katherine pulled the furs up to her chin and Ned breathed deeply, taking the cold into his lungs as he stared into the distance before turning to face his wife.
He was still thinking about Jameson. He was hardly even twelve. Was betrothing him the right thing?
"We were five when we were promised to each other," he said quietly, finally coming to terms with it in his head. "Why does it feel different promising someone to our son?"
She looked over at her husband, her face softening as she sees her husband's feeling of emotional conflict. "Because they are our children. We don't want to see them put in any harm."
"They are growing up fast. All of them are," he sighed softly, smiling in the dark at her.
"Yes, they are. I don't know how we are going to make it through all of this," she whispered.
Ned rolled out of bed and stretched in the dark, as he had a thousand times before. He crossed the room, pulling back the heavy curtains, and threw open the high narrow windows one by one, letting the spring air into the chamber.
The wind swirled around him as he stood facing the dark, naked and empty-handed. He was looking out on the harbor and the way the moon played on the water. Katherine had to admit, it was a pretty view, even with a chill in the air.
She pulled the furs to her chin and watched him. He somehow looked smaller and more vulnerable, like the youth she had married in the great church, twenty long years gone. She let the silence fill between them. It was strangely comfortable. Then again, they both spent time constantly talking at meetings during the days despite their true nature being more introspective.
As Katherine moved out of bed and closer to him, he tugged at her, and at first Katherine thought he'd decided to skip talking about the pretty view like she had intended, but he didn't pull her to the bed. He brought her into his lap and wrapped his arms around her, so they could both watch the waves crash up against the holdfast's southern wall.
Katherine hadn't felt peace in such a long time. She closed her eyes and let head drop onto his shoulder. Ned pressed a kiss to the side of her forehead. He squeezed her a little closer to him, kissing her neck. Nothing tepid about him or his affection for her. She leaned back into him.
"What do you think I should do?" he asked.
She remembered when she'd asked him the same question. "I think you should hold out until our son is old enough to want to be married." She gasped at the feel of his hands caressing up her thighs. "I may be biased though. I don't want to lose another of my children. Not so soon after Michael was married."
He chuckled, bringing her flush against him. She could feel his erection pressing against her backside and brought an arm around to hold him close to her. A look of concern returned to Ned's features and he pulled away. She cursed at him for being a tease.
"I suppose you are right," he muttered. "I'll speak with Lord Jamie before we leave tomorrow. Unless you think we need his men?"
Katherine rolled her eyes. "No, of course not. We don't need Lord Jamie's men. We have plenty."
Ned chuckled and kissed her again, his misgivings mostly gone. She turned around fully, pushing him to sit on a bench in front of their bed, her knees falling on either side of his hips before she kissed him fully for the first time that night.
He needed no further encouragement, his hands falling to her ass and squeezing. They stayed on the bench for a while before the groaning of the furniture began to make them both too nervous. She wasn't sure how she'd explain away a busted bench the next morning if their rough treatment wrecked it.
Ned picked her up and her legs wrapped around his waist. Their lips stayed connected as their hips ground against each other. It was glorious.
He deposited her on the bed, pulling away long enough to go close the windows. When he returned, he got to work kissing every inch of her, making his way down her body. Katherine bit her lip to keep her sounds to a minimum. They were no longer in their home castle surrounded by supporters. She had no idea what someone might hear or what they might say about her or her husband.
She had to put a hand over her mouth to silence herself when he started nibbling on her thighs. It got worse when his tongue licked at her. She could only hope her hand quieted her screams enough.
Once she saw stars and her muscles released their tension, she brought her hand away from her mouth. It wasn't long before Ned was kissing her again.
"I love you," she breathed, holding his face between her hands while she looked deeply into his eyes and kissed him. "Make me forget about the proposal," she whispered.
He didn't ask any further questions.
Ned slipped out of the bed as carefully as he could so as to not wake Katherine the next morning. He wished he could stay with her, cradling her in his arms so they could wake up together, but they were no longer home. They didn't even share chambers here, not that anyone would bat an eye at the king sharing his queen's bed.
He found his pants on the floor, pulled them on and laced them up. Next, the tunic went on followed by his boots. He looked out the window as he finished dressing, then back to Katherine on the bed. She was naturally warm, he knew. And a leg and breast peeked out from under the furs wrapped around her. He went over to cover her, kissing her forehead as he did so.
She stirred, but didn't wake. She didn't look like a queen like this. She looked soft and beautiful and he ached to join her in bed again. Not for sex, just to hold her and watch her sleep.
His heart tightened, and he backed away with a shake of his head. There was no time for this. He had made his way silently to his room, but slowed when he saw the light peeking out from underneath the door. He looked down the hallway. Ned was pretty sure this was in fact his room and that someone was waiting for him.
He opened the door gently so that he could peak in and leave if necessary. Though if this really was the wrong room, he had no idea where he was going to sleep, as he couldn't ask for assistance this late at night. They'd either know he'd been up to something or think him a complete idiot. Probably both.
Ser Scott sat at the small desk provided in his room, reading something. Ned entered, knowing the knight's room was down the hall. He closed the door behind him and the sound made the man look up.
"What are you doing in my room?" Ned asked.
"I should be asking why you weren't in your room, Your Grace." Ned opened his mouth but Scott raised a hand to cut him off. "Oh, I know where you were and what you were doing. The servants are amuck of whispers. Most men don't visit their wedding beds as enthusiastically as you do."
Ned said nothing. He knew the man was right. "Why are you here though?"
"Lord Jamie is one of your strongest allies. He fought with your brother, but he mostly stayed out of the battle with the Boltons, which means he has one of the biggest armies in the West right now." Scott replied. "You can't afford to alienate them."
Ned sat down on his bed. "So you think I should marry my son to one of his girls?"
"I didn't say that," Scott sighed. "I actually think you were right. You shouldn't be looking at marriage to anyone until the boy is older."
Ned said nothing, which was answer enough. "So what is it you want me to do?"
"I want you to play the game. You can't marry one of them to your son, but you have a brother-in-law." Scott explained. "An unmarried one at that who is a trueborn son of James Clancy."
Ned stood. "I can't sell my family off like that, especially not Howie. He would never go for it."
"That's what being a lord, being a king is. You have been in the great game for years now, Ned. You have to play it or you will be crushed by it in the end," Scott replied.
Ned saw the emotion in his eyes. Jim Clancy hadn't really played the game, or at least not well. He knew that's where this talk was coming from. His friend didn't want to see him die. Ned sighed, "Who knew fighting rebels was going to be the easy part of being king?"
Scott chuckled. "Fighting's usually the easiest for men like you and Jim. Neither of you even flinched at making the tough calls. But ruling is more than that, you also have to be a politician."
"Jim always said that a good politician cannot be a good man. My father too," he sighed, running his hand across his furrowed brow.
"That's probably true. It's also probably why he failed in trying to give his kingdom to Katherine," Scott said sadly. "I'm asking you to learn from his mistakes. You are a good king, Ned. Perhaps one of the best. It's why I serve you as best I can and that means pointing out hard truths to you."
The rest was left unsaid, the uncomfortable moment standing while he processed Scott's words. They were good and the knight was right. But Ned couldn't see a solution besides the one that Scott had given him.
Ned sat down on his bed again. "I'll speak to Howard when we see him later today." Ned looked over to the fire still burning in the lamp, "What were you reading?"
Scott looked embarrassed, "Nothing important. Just wanted to practice."
Ned got up and looked at the cover. He looked back, "The tales about the dragon riders were always my favorite too. I'm glad you are learning to read, old pal."
"Me too," Scott replied. "My children are as well."
It had started raining that morning and hadn't stopped by midday, and Ned cursed its bad timing. He sent some men out to assess the roads. They hadn't returned yet, which he took as a bad sign. They had to leave today.
He had much to do, but with last night's conversation in mind, he accepted his host's invitation to lunch. Ned was the last to arrive and even surprised to find his spot was still the one of honor despite what had happened last night.
Lord Jamie greeted him warmly, making him wonder if it had all been a bad dream, "Your majesty. Sit, eat. I am sorry to see that the weather may delay your party but I am happy for the extra time in my king's company."
Ned gave the lord a curt nod and took his seat. His eyes immediately drifted to curling brown hair and saw Katherine whispering with their daughter.
"Have you given more thought to my offer, your grace?" Jamie asked.
So it hadn't been a bad dream after all. "My answer remains the same as last night, my lord. My son, Jameson is far too young to marry anyone. I have a proposition for you, but have not spoke to him yet… how would you like for one of your daughters to be betrothed to my wife's younger brother? Prince Howard is the jewel in the eyes of most women in the kingdom."
Jamie nodded his head to mean he would think about it but said nothing. Ned could only hope that would be the end of it, but he doubted it.
The Lord turned his attention to his queen. "Your Grace, we have prepared a beautiful carriage for the rest of your trip. My son can escort when you and Princess Charlotte when you've finished eating."
"Thank you, my lord, I am sure Charlotte will love the carriage. Since she had found out she is with child that would be best for her, but I am a queen. I do not ride in carriages unless necessary."
Ned didn't miss the sour look on many men's faces. Their advisors had been arguing for her to stay hidden in a carriage for her safety, but you could only fight his queen so much once her mind was made up.
Lord Jamie almost looked impressed at Katherine's response, which pleased him to see. The Lord then answered, "Do you have any preference of horse, Your Grace?"
"A white mare if you have it," his wife answered.
"We will see it done," Jamie said.
The rest of the meal was uneventful. When it ended, Jamie's eldest son escorted Katherine to the stables. Ned rose, intending to check the roads for himself and hopefully prepare to depart, but Jamie stopped him, "Your majesty, a moment?"
Ned nodded and sat to speak with his lord. Jamie said nothing until the room had cleared leaving them alone. He grew uncomfortable in the silence.
The Lord said, "I'm an old man, your grace. I fought in King Aiden's Rebellion, I fought in the many wars besides Aiden's son, King James, and honestly, I'm too tired for another war with you now." Ned didn't react to that, not sure how this man expected him to. Jamie continued, "When you get to my age, boy, you no longer have much left. My greatest joy in life was riding horses, which I no longer can do. I loved my wife, a rarity in a noble's life, but she's gone, and I've buried two sons and a daughter since then. There's not much left for me but my death. But before I go, I want to see my family live on, and live well. Do you understand?"
Before Ned could answer, the Lord answered for him, "Of course you do. You are a man and a king. You have seven children. However, you couldn't understand the ravages of old age, not yet. I tell you truly, young king, I am happy the rain may keep you here longer. Because I want your son to marry one of my granddaughters. I want to know I did one thing right, marrying one of my girls to a Banks boy. You Northmen are loyal to your women."
Ned stood, "I am sorry to disappoint you, Lord Jamie, but my son is far too young for marriage. It wouldn't happen for years down the line. If you want marriage now, I will speak to Prince Howard, but if you will not be honorable enough to wait for a few moons, I will have to decline any offer in the future as well. I'm not sure how much the support of your house means, considering you served that madman who stole my sister. You just let Ramsay Bolton rape my sister and do unspeakable things. Wait, no, you did do something, you pledged your support to House Bolton."
Jamie defended himself, "King James was wrong to give Katherine the throne. It was Howard's right as a man, even if he was a boy at the time. I have always told him so and here I stand, still loyal to GrandVista under Katherine's rule with a foreign king."
"You will listen very carefully, Lord Jamie, you will begin to respect me and my wife as your true rulers or one of two things will happen. One, we end trade with your port and move it further south. The trade would work faster and we would lose fewer shipments in the drastic weather of the west. Or two, as your king, I may be inclined to let the wealth you enjoy as Lord go to a more loyal family and you will live to see the end of honor to your family."
Jamie processed his words slowly, taking them in and turning them over. He looked at him with narrowed eyes, "I may have underestimated you, Your Grace." He stood, extending his arm. "I pledge my house to you, King Ned. I am sorry for any bad blood between us."
Ned clasped the other man's forearm to seal their words and added, "When I do see Howard, whenever that is, I will keep your daughters in mind. The prince needs to marry one day or another."
The lord smiled, but Ned could tell he didn't believe him. "Aye. That we can agree on."
The door to the hall burst open, startling a few jokes into nervous laughter as a squire came running in. The boy approached the high table and came toward him, holding out the scroll with a bow. "A message for the King," the squire said.
The scroll had looked like any other, with a seal of House Clancy, but the news it carried made it a symbol of doom.
The rain had finally stopped, but Ned knew they'd still be delayed by a day or two because of the terrible road conditions. He hated it, but then Lord Jamie's men needed time to prepare for their departure and this meant they may be able to ride with them.
Ned read the message as finished the cherry tart in front of him, but the contents made him stopped in his tracks.
Lord Jamie had noticed. "What is the message, if you don't mind me asking, Your Grace?"
All eyes that sat at the high table turned to Ned, he could barely speak, dropping the parchment in his mug of beer, ruining the terrible words.
"Prince Howie is dead. He was poisoned last night," he said bitterly.