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Eddard Stark XIII

Inn of the Crossroads, Riverlands, Year 282 AC

Their retinue increased quite a lot before even entering the Riverlands. After they passed through the Barrows, they met Ethan, Kyle, and Jeffory at Moat Cailin who wanted to go with them to Riverrun to see their friend Brandon get married. Apparently, Willam and Barbrey's marriage was beginning to bloom at that was why he wasn't with them but he made it be known that he wouldn't miss his friend's marriage.

They made a little pause on their journey at the Inn of the Crossroads since Ned would be leaving them for the Vale for just a couple of months. Ned wondered how Robert and Jon were and also poor Elbert who had been sick with the flu.

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

"Gods!" Exclaimed Lya to his side, her hands covering her ears and her expression was of annoyance. "I can't take it anymore, it's just too much noise!"

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

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

"Perhaps it would better if you were to lay down and rest?" Ned suggested, they had rent two rooms one for her and one for the rest of them. To be frank he would much prefer to sleep in his sister's room as he knew he would sleep badly tonight due to these drunkards but alas it couldn't happen…men and women can't share a room in these circumstances, rumors would spread like the wind.

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

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

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

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

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

"Lya, you know that no one is truly free, everyone has responsibilities." Ned said.

"I know, but still…"

"Robert is going to be your husband Lya, just try to give him a chance." he insisted. "He is a good man and shares many of your interests, he likes to ride, to hunt, to fight and many more things that you like as well. If you want freedom then for all his faults Robert is likely the only one who can give it to you."

Lyanna covered her face with her hands, rubbed it and placed them below her chin as she donned her face with a pensive look. "And if father and his conspirators place him on the throne, Ned?" she questioned after a while of silence. "What will be of me? Can you see me as a Queen? I hardly know how to act like a proper lady! I'm not Ashara, Princess Elia or Catelyn Tully!"

"I know Lya, that is why we are going to resolve this situation as quickly as possible," he assured as he patted her back. "I will speak with Jon Arryn and Robert once I get to the Vale and I will make sure it doesn't happen."

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

"They will, Robert will not accept a crown if he knows you don't wish it. I honestly don't think he wants it in the first place." Ned admitted. "You saw him at Harrenhal, how I had to send him to meet his bannermen because he thought it too boring. Robert hates his responsibilities as much as you and Bran do, being a King would be too much for him."

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

He brought her closer to him, into a hug. "I know you wish to stay at Winterfell Lya and I wish you could, I truly do. I regret bringing that proposal home but its father who makes the decisions in the end, not me."

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

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

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

He chuckled at his sister's words. "If it makes you happier, then feel free to tease me."

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

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

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

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

Ashara Dayne XII

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

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

The moment of greatest anticipation was when King Aerys looked to his grandson. They all feared disregard from him, but aside from muttering about Aegon's slightly tanned skin, he congratulated Rhaegar on managing to squeal a Valyrian enough baby from the Dornish cunt…Ashara was so angry at the Mad King for treating her best friend in such a ridiculous and crude way, yet she knew she could do nothing to stop it now…she felt so powerless…

Luckily she did not have to face the King too many times during her staying…she did however feel shivers down her spine because he was now glancing her with lustful eyes, something he did not do before and was seriously frightening her. If he wanted to rape her…he could and would…no one would stop him…

On a more cheering note, Aegon's Naming Ceremony was consummated the day after they arrived, meaning yesterday. It happened in the Great Sept of Baelor and it was a ceremony worthy of the soon to be Crown Prince. It was a real shame that Elia wasn't able to witness such grandiose ceremony either, she was bedridden and recovering from the difficult pregnancy at Dragonstone with Jas and Nysah.

The ceremony made her wonder how the Northmen do when children are born…they do celebrate namedays but, do they celebrate with some sort of consecration? They must do something…She was very curious about it! She would ask it to Ned when she saw him in a moon's turn. She missed her Quiet Wolf so much…She missed his touch, his eyes glancing her soft as fog…she wanted to be close to him, but it was almost time for them to see each other once more and, she, of course, couldn't wait for it.

Emy was also very happy these past few days, her brother Anders had a son this time, named Cletus and invited her to visit, which by the looks of it Emy was quite adamant about doing, after returning Aegon to his mother of course. Ashara also deduced old Lord Ormond Yronwood, their father, would have his daughter finally marry someone now that there was yet another male in the succession line that still preferred men over women. She supposed Emy would be married to a Stony Dornish since the Yronwoods were still the most conservative in Dorne.

Since her friend was still sleeping, as they had a tiresome day yesterday, Ashara was spending some time with her best friend's child along with Queen Rhaella who was so very happy to watch her grandson. Ashara noted that the Queen's dresses were still hiding most of her skin…no doubt because of the bruises and scars the poor woman had… "He does look like Rhaegar when I first saw him." The Queen said with a big smile while cooing her grandchild. "He is a cute little dragon."

"He is My Queen." Ashara agreed while watching the scene. "A true delight."

"And you sweetheart?" The Queen asked whilst turning to her, a smirk in her lips. "When is yours coming?"

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

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

"Yes…I'm betrothed to him…" she confessed while blushing even more. "We are to marry later this year…"

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

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

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

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

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

"He is indeed a good man My Queen." Ensured Ashara. "And I'm sure he will like to know he has been approved by the Queen herself."

"Well since the marriage is actually happening, I have a little something for you, my darling." And as she said this, the Queen left Aegon comfortably in her bed and opened her bedside table, taking a box made of gold from inside. "It would delight me so much if you could wear these in the ceremonies."

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

"You can and you will darling." The Queen retorted while she stopped Ashara from protesting. "When I look at you I see the daughter I only had for mere seconds…" The Queen was, of course, talking about her deceased stillborn daughter the Princess Shaena. "Besides these belonged to my great-grandmother Dyanna Dayne so I think it's only fitting for the most beautiful woman in Westeros to wear them just like her kin did."

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

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

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

"It's nothing sweetling, you, Elia, the rest of the Dornish ladies and my boys are what give me the strength to endure my brother's madness…" The Queen murmured as she patted her arms, no doubt touching where her bruises hurt the most. "I'm happy that at least you will have a pleasant marriage."

"I wished My Queen had the same luck…" she truly did, such a nice person deserved happiness…

"I'm lucky enough." The Queen insisted. "I have two beautiful sons and a few truly lady friends to keep me company, I don't need to ask for much more." Ashara knew all of the ladies-in-waiting that Queen Rhaella used to have were all dead by now and Aerys refused to allow her to choose new ones, so Elia's ladies-in-waiting were hers too to some degree. Of course, none of them had problems with it, they all loved the Queen very much. "And when and where is the marriage exactly darling?"

"It will take place in the ninth moon of this year at Winterfell," Ashara explained. "His older brother will get married very soon and I will attend with my betrothed, then we will march to the North where his sister will get married to Lord Robert Baratheon and our marriage will happen on the same night."

"Showing the world he is taken…by attending his brother's marriage with him…" Rhaella smirked.

"My Queen knows me too well…"

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

"A real shame, My Queen, I would love to have you present." Ashara admitted saddened, she would have loved to see Rhaella at Winterfell.

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

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

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

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

After having lunch with the Queen and Emy, she went to the Godswood to meet with her little friends. Ashara had befriended quite a large group of little kids during her time in the capital and Dragonstone where she also had some friends. Most of them were parentless and were from Sunshine Orphanage, an orphanage founded by Elia when she came to King's Landing and where Ashara and the others helped when they had free time. Now she and Emy were sharing the leftovers from yesterday's feast with the children.

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

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

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

"True and wise words." Emyly agreed as she gave some leftovers to a girl named Cindy. "You are all nice too, we love you all."

"And is there anything we should know?" Ashara asked. "We have been absent from the scene for quite some time now."

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

Aerys was a stubborn fool, Lyanna was far away and safe, yet the simple notion that Aerys didn't seem to give up on discovering her identity was worrisome…so what could she do? "Anything else?"

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

"There some lords getting engaged and not, but nothin very important." Miley of twelve added.

"A normal day in King's Landing I guess…" she commented making them laugh. "Thank you, children."

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

Varys? What does he want? "Emy keep doing what you are doing, I will intercede him."

"Of course Ash." Her blonde friend nodded. "Come along children, Ash will leave us for a little bit but I'm still here."

"Yes, milady." They replied in chorus, making her smile as she walked to meet the Spider.

The Lyseni was more to the plump side than not and he was bald, he was also constantly powdering his face and leaving a strong smell of lavender, lilacs, and rosewater behind. Every time she saw him, he wore rich silks, velvets, damasks, and soft slippers in his feet, an exotic look to emphasize his Lyseni origins though he was a newly rich man. Like always he had a big smile in his face.

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

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

"Certainly My Lady, very pleasant indeed considering it is Winter and the Blackwater Rush is close to being fully frozen, the threat of disease lurking over us." he said.

"It's sunny."

His smile did not leave his face but now he was looking around the Godswood, the place which she and Emy had chosen to meet the children. "My Lady seems to have taken an interest in Godswoods lately." he murmured. "I wonder if it's because of a certain Northman."

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

"My Lord seems well informed." she said smiling, hiding her feelings of dread.

"As a man can be. But My Lady isn't too far away either is she?" he questioned. "I have noted some of your friends watching me on a variety of occasions."

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

"My Lady I see no need for us to keep playing a farse, we both know of each other's doings."

"Then why haven't I lost my head yet?" she asked curiously. If he knew of her spy network, then why hasn't he told anything to the King? Did he come here to blackmail her perhaps?

"I believe that good people don't deserve to die, My Lady," he replied. "Many people would miss you very much."

"I'm certainly flattered Lord Varys."

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

"Lord Varys is one of them certainly." she provoked, she wanted to know what was his intention, what he wanted with her.

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

"But My Lord prefers King Aerys over Rhaegar, Harrenhal proved as much." she countered, she knew he knew of this so she wasn't committing any mistake by telling him this.

"My Lady is free to think about what she wishes to, but I firmly believe a picture is worth more than a thousand words."

"What are you talking about?" she asked confused. A picture is worth more than a thousand words?

"Had it been only Prince Rhaegar's words to account for, many lords would not believe the dire situation we are currently facing, yet with them seeing King's in his decadent state, they know they have to do something about it." His reasoning had fundament but…

"You undermined us! The King's presence decreased our ability to work…"

"Did I My Lady?" he asked with a serious tone now, his smile long gone. "As far as I know, the Prince kept doing what all of you planned despite King Aerys' presence, so did I have blame in it? Everything was bound to work if not for a certain girl knight appearing and a certain crowning."

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

"My little birds whispered some songs to my ears, particularly the size of the knight, motives and it's sigil, a laughing weirwood tree…such sigil could only be from a Northman." Varys elaborated. "A wild girl that saved a crannogman from a beating could very well fight for his honor in the jousts couldn't she? My little birds said she looked regal while beating them and the knights they squired for." Ashara was petrified by what she was hearing…Lyanna was certainly in danger now…she had to do something… "Worry not My Lady, the King will not hear it from this eunuch's mouth, though he is insistant on finding her. I keep seeing him trying to deduce who she is and I must confess the King is smart if puts his mind into thinking that is…I fear for your friend if he finds out…"

"Am I supposed to believe that you are not going to say anything?" she scoffed. "Lord Varys is the King's Master of Whisperers, the counselor he trusts the most."

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

"But what is it that you wish? Why do you go around whispering things and not? What is your goal?"

"Peace and prosperity My Lady," he answered. "What we both want, I'm sure, yet I'm afraid it won't last for very long…the way things are going…how schemes are being made all over the realm, how the King's paranoia keeps increasing and so does his desire to find the Knight…"

"You think war is inevitable then?" she questioned.

"We are both trying to stop it, Lady Dayne, but our peace is being held by a small thin string that anyone can break and as I said there are many who wish to do it."

"I'm not going to let it happen." she proclaimed. "I'm going to resolve this without a war."

"My Lady is free to try it and I will be very happy if My Lady succeeds, yet I believe...Better not say it…it's a grim thing…I wish you a happy marriage, Lady Dayne and a rest of a good day."

"Thank you…" she murmured, unsure of everything that transpired. The Spider smiled once more and left.

And then Arthur emerged from between the trees, which surprised her. "Ash?" he called with a surprised expression. "What was the Lyseni doing here?"

"Did any of my friends warn you?" she inquired. They must have gone get him…

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

"I don't know what the point of his talk was, but he is well aware of our plots and schemes, of who the Knight of the Laughing Tree is…about my marriage to Ned…"

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

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

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

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

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

"I already do that and knows it."

"Seven hells…is there anything that the man doesn't know?" As he said this he looked as if he got enlightened by something and so he looked at her. "Wait a moment…did you just said marriage to Ned?"

"I did," she replied with a big smile, she still didn't tell anything to her brother as he had been occupied with his duties. "It will be on the ninth moon of this year, would you like to attend perhaps?" she teased.

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

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

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

"My! Someone is being a crybaby now…"

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

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

"I…still want myself some wolf pelt shoes…" he murmured chuckling.

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

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

"Good brother, now let's go help Emy with the children." she proclaimed as she grabbed his arm. "I'm sure some of the boys will like seeing and talking with the Sword in the Morning…and some girls too…"

"Ash…" What could she do? She loved to tease her brother and her Ned…that was the way things went…

Lysa Tully III

Riverrun, Riverlands, Year 282 AC

Catelyn was very happy, that much Lysa could see and it made her bitter. Brandon Stark was going to arrive soon to spend some time with Cat before they get married. On the other hand, Lysa was not happy mostly because Petyr was also not happy.

"Can't you forget Cat, Petyr?" she asked him, they were away from father, Cat and uncle Brynden's gazes, by a balcony and he was brooding.

"No." he simply said. Why can't someone love me the way they all love Cat? Am I that ugly of girl that no man can love me?

"Cat is going to marry Brandon Stark, father has made his choice and so did Cat…" she said, hoping this would make him forget Cat…and turn to her…the one who gave him her maidenhead…

"There is one more thing I can do…" Petyr said. "And this one thing is what will save Cat."

"What?"

"I will challenge Brandon Stark for Cat's hand." Petyr said with a confident tone and posture that no doubt only he had in this circumstance.

"Petyr, Brandon Stark is giant with twice your size and thrice your muscles, he is experienced at fighting, Cat told me so and we both saw him jousting at Harrenhal!" she said deeply concerned especially knowing that Petyr always struggled with his sword lessons… "Please Petyr I beg you to…"

"Worry not Lysa, he may have the power and skill but I have the brains." Petyr dismissed and she got more worried because a seasoned warrior like Brandon Stark would also have brains to fight.

"You are twice smarter than me Petyr, I cannot deny it but this is a battle you cannot win, you can die in it as well!" she insisted. "You are not made for duels Petyr!"

"No wonder men don't care for you, you are constantly pushing them down." Those words brought tears to her eyes…was it this that made her so undesirable? Her concern for their well beings? "I will fight to save Cat from that Northern barbarian that doesn't deserve her and then she will be mine."

"Why must you bother with Cat when you…when you have me?" she asked crying. "Petyr I…" When she was going to say love you, she saw that he had already left her side, saying he needed to prepare his strategy to fight Brandon Stark…why…

"Sweet Lysa, why are you crying?" Her uncle asked when he found her crying in a corner. "What happened?"

"Nothing…" she murmured between tears. Uncle wouldn't understand her suffering…he loves Cat too much.

"Something ought to have happened for you to be crying…come on, tell your uncle what happened..." Her uncle insisted as he approached her. "Come on Lysa…"

"Nothing!" she said with a louder tone and more bitterly.

"Lysa…" Her uncle insisted with a sad expression. "Where is Petyr?"

"NOTHING!" she screamed as she stormed right to her room. There she picked her pillow and cried all her tears in it. Stupid Cat…I hate you so much! You are the source of all my pain and suffering! I wish you would suffer just a little bit of what I suffer every day, it's so unfair, the Seven are unfair. I just want to be loved…


The guest who spoke of the prophecies: No one ever said prophecies are useless, the problem is that many people fail to interpret them properly (Melisandre for example). In other cases, they try to nullify them but while doing so they end up causing them (Cersei in canon for example). They should be taken with a grain of salt.

RedRat8: True, there are plenty of them like the ones Chronus and Zeus got amongst many others, they usually provoke them while trying to avert them.

Thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day.