Chapter XIII
Eddard X
Out of all the places Ned had expected to hold an emergency reunion of the remaining lords of the North, Torrhen's Square definitely wasn't on top of the list. Yet the worrying news from the Iron Islands couldn't wait and the coastline had to be secured, and fast. Deepwood Motte, Barrowtown, Moat Cailin and Torrhen's Square would be the primary targets for the Ironborn, and now with news from the south, an emergency meeting had to be called to deal with every threat.
Ned cursed inwardly. He knew he shouldn't have agreed to send Theon to the Iron Islands, Balon Greyjoy seemed to be hell bent on getting some kind of revenge in the series, even with Ned dead, and now with him alive, that resolve would only have hardened. Yet he'd been swayed by Robb who told him it didn't cost them anything to do so, and he'd eventually given in, and now he'd nearly gotten his friend killed. Jesus Christ, Robb, can you use your brain for more than a few minutes? First the whole marriage affair, now this? I'm going to be running out of capital quite soon at this rate, Ned thought.
Anyways, Theon was on his way back and the information he, Manderly and Mallister had to share just couldn't wait for them to come back to Winterfell. They'd managed to evade Ironborn ships south of Cape Kraken and anchored at Barrowtown, making their way towards Torrhen's Square. It had been a day since Ned last heard of their party, and it wouldn't be long till they'd ride into the fortified town. Ned looked out over the ramparts onto the nearby lake and road alongside it, hoping to glimpse the sight of riders approaching, but the fog was too thick, and beacons were out of the question with an Ironborn raid being a very strong possibility now.
Ned cursed Brandon the Burner for not having maintained a proper navy on the Sunset Sea. The Mormonts, Tallharts and Glovers held a few ships of course, but they weren't like the Manderly galleys and hardly great for defence. They got the job done to ward off lone raiders, but engaging in a fleet action was straight out of the question. Another thing to note for after we've won the war, Ned thought. He'd have ordered a fleet to be constructed himself, but his coffers were running low. Money was needed to man the wall once more, to continue fortifying the northern castles, and now to ensure the Stony Shore was properly defended, there wouldn't be a stag left to spend on a navy, not with winter approaching rapidly.
He was also running out of good men to hold the North with. Most of the veterans had gone south with Robb to ensure the alliance with the Tullys was fulfilled, a good decision, he thought as reports of the victory at Riverrun had reached Winterfell just a few days ago, but it had cost him most of his experienced fighters, save for a few. Theon, Manderly and perhaps even Mallister would go to Astapor as soon as possible, so having sound advice was now out of the window as well. Robb was south, not like his advice had been great already, and Jon stuck on the other side of the continent and likely dealing with his own issues. No, he was alone now, and he could only hope he would be up to the task.
Finally, a horn blew in the distance, far beyond Ned's vision. He squinted, hoping not to see an Ironborn vessel emerge from the fog into the lake, but thankfully, all he saw was a hundred riders, in Manderly, Mallister, and oddly enough, Stark colours. Seems like Theon really didn't want to associate with the Greyjoys anymore. Ned shrugged, not like it was his problem anymore.
He rushed down the stairs on the ramparts, who had been quite wet due to the downpour of these past few days. Combined with the fog, these stairs were now pretty much an ice rink, and after running down a few stairs, Ned quickly lost balance and tumbled down, only to be caught by Domeric who stopped him from going down a few feet.
"Steady there, Lord Stark!" Domeric called out, catching him before he could roll down a step. "These stairs are slippery, we wouldn't want you to break your neck."
"Thank you, Domeric." Ned let out a sigh of relief. Out of all the ways to die in Westeros, Ned certainly hadn't counted on falling down the stairs being a possibility. He could just imagine the picture: Ned Stark, who'd fought the mountain clans in the Eyrie, survived a war in the south, fighting on the Trident and at the Stony Sept, slayer of Arthur Dayne and whoever was down in that Tower, lord of Winterfell, slayer of Others and conciliator of the wildlings and northerners, killed by a slippery staircase in a shitty port city.
Ned didn't dwell on it long, though, as he turned to Domeric at the base of the staircase, rushing towards the city gate.
"The riders are who we are expecting?" he asked the Bolton squire
"Aye, my lord." Domeric nodded. "Lord Greyjoy, Lord Manderly and Lord Mallister are all alive and well but the Ironborn have slain twenty of their men in Pyke."
"Damn bastards, killing people after offering guest rights." Theon mumbled. "Right. Tell Lord Helman that they are to be cared for, I want this meeting to start as soon as possible."
Domeric nodded.
"I'll be as swift as the wind, Lord Stark."
"See that you are, Domeric." Ned saw the boy turn his heels and run towards the gate where Lord Tallhart was already likely debating how he was going to house a good hundred men. "Oh, and Domeric."
The Bolton squire turned around, confused.
"As you may notice, your chambers are next to mine, and this isn't Winterfell. The walls of the guest chambers are made of wood, not stone. Next time you spend the night with your wildling girl, do have some mercy for an old man's sleep and quiet down or do it earlier."
Domeric blushed at the comment.
"I'll…I'll work on it, Lord Stark." He then turned his heels and ran off to Lord Tallhart before Ned could mutter another word.
Ned shook his head. He'd expected to be at least able to sleep properly here, but Torrhen's Square's thin walls had seen that he hadn't been able to get much sleep these past few nights thanks to Domeric. Damn he missed the days where Jon was his roommate.
Ned shook his head once more, then noticed that Theon hadn't welcomed Lord Tallhart's hospitality and just made a clear B-line towards him. Ned quickly embraced his friend, as they both shared a look of dread and relief.
"Ned. I swear to god if you send me on another one of these suicide missions, I'll just fuck off to Essos without your permission and bring Daenerys back alone if I fucking have to." Theon started as he broke the hug. "Damn you guys nearly got me fucking gutted!"
"I didn't expect that much of an overreaction by Balon, to be quite honest." Ned responded as he took Theon inside, out of the fog and into the wooden castle that was the seat of House Tallhart. "I'd expected the negotiations to not go well, but for him to try and kill you…"
"Yeah that's what you get for insulting him, I guess. But still, stupid idea. And I bring news."
"The news from the Ironborn can wait for the meeting of the lords tonight. We're going to have to accelerate things, including your mission to Astapor." Ned quickly replied, cutting Theon off while leading him to a small room with a window overlooking the town's main square. Ned then turned to Theon with a worried frown. "Unless it's urgent?"
"I'm glad Sea Lion has been pushed forward, but it's not about the Ironborn, it's from Jon."
Ned blinked as Theon handed him a scroll with a Sun and Spear seal attached to it.
"You might want to read this."
Ned carefully unwrapped the seal, but before he even began reading, he gestured Theon to take a seat.
"Be careful, Theon. These walls are thin, do not talk about any sensitive information, we might risk being overheard." Ned turned to his friend who nodded, and reached for another scroll in his pocket.
"I almost forgot. This is the most important part, but it has to come after this letter." Theon replied as he tended him another scroll, marked with both the direwolf of the Starks and the Sun and Spear of the Martells.
Ned nodded and took it, but began reading the first scroll, decoding it as he read it.
Dear Theon and Ned,
If you read this letter, it's because I finally made up my mind about the Throne. I will not be pursuing it as we have previously discussed, that much is certain. I also have to inform you that I might have done something stupid.
Ned frowned, another problem to deal with wasn't the most welcome right now.
I might have fallen for someone. Well, no, I have fallen for someone, and now I fear that I won't be returning North anytime soon. I will ask for her hand and I have good reason to think that her father will accept. We must waste no time, the pack must be united and so must Westeros. An alliance must be made and I must play my part. We need the Martells to join the Restoration Alliance, and by marrying Doran's daughter, I intend to secure Dorne once and for all. This is a risky move, but she and I have discussed it and consider it the best course of action for us all. I know what is coming North and I will not abandon you.
Yours truly, Jon Stark.
Ned was completely baffled. Jon getting married? Who the hell was this woman and what had she done with Jon Stark? First Robb, now Jon, it seemed like weddings would come in a series for the Starks, just not the ones he thought would be married first.
"What's her name?" Ned asked Theon, completely baffled.
"Arianne. She's the heir, remember? Turns out you'll get your wish of a marriage with the heir to Dorne after all." Theon answered. "Not my type of woman, didn't think she was Jon's type either." Theon scratched his head. "Didn't think she'd fall for Jon either, though I must admit I skimmed over her chapters, the whole Myrcella arc was kinda meh."
"Right, right." Ned started to remember. Arianne was the first, Trystayne was the one married to Arya, and there was Quentyn, that's the middle one who went to Meereen and got killed. "So that's good for us, right?" Ned asked.
"Depends." Theon replied. "He's going to need to convince Doran and for that he's going to have to reveal his identity and hope Doran tried to have his blood on the throne through him. And we have to hope Oberyn doesn't have the sudden urge to gut him right then and there."
Ned sighed. "Well it's in Jon and fate's hands now. What about the second scroll?"
"It's an official declaration." Theon answered. "No code involved, and I need it back."
Ned nodded as he started reading.
I, Jaehaerys Targaryen, trueborn son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen as witnessed by the honourable Eddard Stark, sixth of his name, King in the North, Lord Howland of House Reed of Greywater Watch and Lords Martyn and Edric of House Dayne of Starfall and raised in Winterfell as Jon Snow, do renounce all claim to the Iron Throne under certain conditions.
I forfeit my rights to the Iron Throne to my aunt, Daenerys Targaryen, the mother of dragons and the true Queen of Westeros. I will not challenge her claim and neither will any of my children as I abdicate any rights to the Iron Throne for the title of Prince-Consort of Dorne through marriage to Princess Arianne Martell.
We only ask that no retributions be made against the newly formed Kingdom of the North by the new Queen, or to any member of Houses Tully and Arryn that haven't done anything against her grace or her followers personally, and the recognition of said Kingdom of the North by her grace Daenerys Targaryen, first of her name, following the breaking of fealty her father made when he executed both Rickard and Brandon Stark under false pretences, breaking the pact made with Aegon the Conqueror and thus forfeiting House Targaryen's rights to the North.
Signed, Jaehaerys Targaryen, son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, also known as Jon Stark. As witnessed by Princess Arianne Nymeros Martell of Sunspear, Lady Allyria of House Dayne of Starfall and Princess Arya of House Stark of Winterfell.
"Do you think it's going to be enough?" Ned asked his friend as he eyed the letter carefully, returning it to Theon.
"Probably not, but you're sending me there to convince that person, no?"
Ned nodded.
"Aye." Ned sighed. "And that's what we're going to have to announce at the council in a few minutes."
"You mean you will have to announce that." Theon patted him on the back as he made a move to exit the room. "Well, let's go then."
Ned nodded and exited the wooden room, making his way towards the ramparts and the central hall, where the lords of the north had gathered, well the rest of them anyways. As he entered the hall, everyone rose up as Ned continued to make his way towards the centre of the room. Looking around, he watched as most of the lords sat back down, some upon wooden chairs and benches, and some straight up upon the tables of the room. Indeed, the guest hall of Torrhen's Square wasn't designed to hold that many lords, and lacked a lot of seating.
Domeric rushed to him, handing him several scrolls. Ned untangled them and placed them upon the stone table before him, before gesturing the lords that hadn't sat down to do so. Theon sat down to his left, along with Wylis Manderly. Helman Tallhart, the Lord of Torrhen's Square, sat to his right, along with Roose Bolton and Maege Mormont. These were the two most experienced commanders Ned had, the rest having followed south.
Ned still didn't trust Roose Bolton, but he'd warmed up slightly to the leech lord. He wasn't exactly pleasant company, but at least he wasn't plotting with Freys and Lannisters, Ned had his own network of spies working on ensuring Roose didn't get any iffy ideas. Maege Mormont was much better company, although less experienced in battle than Roose, she was still a warrior, and Ned needed her advice for the war to come, especially the scuffle against the Ironborn, since the Mormonts had been fighting the Ironborn for hundreds of years now.
In the room stood most lords of the north that hadn't gone south with Robb, or had other duties elsewhere. Jory Cassel represented his family at the same time as being one of Ned's sword shields, Rodrik having stayed at Winterfell to train the new recruits for the Wall. With Medger Cerwyn gone south with Robb, it is his son Cley that represented him here, while Barbrey Dustin represented the Dustins especially since Barrowtown was now a primary target for Ironborn raids. Both Robin Flints were here, their forces having been totally kept by Ned to ward off a possible Ironborn attack, while Larence Snow represented the Hornwoods, Halys being at the Wall with the Northern reserves while Daryn was at the Stony Shore training the wildlings with Mance Rayder.
The Karstarks were represented by Harrion Karstark, Rickard Karstark's eldest son, the old lord of Karhold having gone south with his son Torrhen. Eddard Karstark was still in Karhold with his uncle Arnolf, while his daughter Alys was in Winterfell. Rodrick Ryswell represented his house, having stayed with the reserve cavalry, although this did not amount to many troops, and the Smalljon represented house Umber while his father was fighting south with Robb's army and his uncle prepared the defence of Last Hearth. Finally, Galbart Glover represented Deepwood Motte, worried with the Ironborn threat as the castle was likely under threat now. A wildling was also present, with Rayder absent, it was Sigorn of Thenn who was chosen to represent the free folk at Torrhen's Square. Ned expected to face a cannibal savage, but actually found a well-mannered man, clean shaven with war paint on his face, wearing bronze armor and a light bronze sword.
There were also a few non-northerners present, with Brynden Blackwood and Jason Mallister representing the Riverlands, Mya Stone and Albar Royce representing the Vale, Tyrion Lannister representing himself rather than the Westerlands, and finally a newcomer, whom Ned didn't recognize, but Tyrion did say had information regarding the situation in King's Landing.
"My lords." Ned finally rose up. "If I have gathered you here, it is because our situation has changed drastically. As you know the Ironborn have rebuilt the Iron Fleet. Balon Greyjoy has crowned himself king and is now hell-bent on claiming the North as part of his new kingdom."
The room started mumbling, and Theon silenced them by starting to speak.
"The negociations with my father didn't go well. Our party was attacked on Pyke and several Manderly men were slain." Theon said as he turned to Wendel Manderly who nodded. "We managed to escape thanks to Lord Jason's intervention, but my father has renounced me. I am now no Greyjoy, he has declared me a Stark. He does me great honor, I do not wish to be assimilated to him any further."
"Hear, hear!" a few voices rose up as some lords clapped.
"The Kraken is now a wolf." Lady Mormont chuckled. "Well, that is quite the surprise."
"And what proof do we have that he won't turn to betray you?" Tyrion Lannister asked.
"If I wanted to betray you, I'd have stayed on Pyke or given the plans to the Moat to my father. Instead I spit in his face and he disinherited me, is that enough for you?" Theon asked annoyed.
Tyrion didn't have time to answer as Ned cleared his throat.
"In any case this means war. Another war we do not need." Ned spoke up. "The war to the north must remain our utmost priority, but we have to face the new reality, our western shores must be secured. Deepwood Motte, Barrowtown, Moat Cailin, Bear Island and Torrhen's Square along with the Stony Shore must be reinforced."
Lords Glover and Tallhart and Ladies Dustin and Mormont nodded.
"I've sent only fifteen thousand men south." Ned continued. "This means we have a reserve of thirty thousand men here, plus a hundred thousand of the free folk."
A few growled at that last party, but Ned pressed on.
"I won't uncommit our whole reserved from the Wall, but I will send five thousand men to reinforce Deepwood Motte and Torrhen's Square, there are the most lightly defended places."
"What about us?" Lady Dustin questioned.
"We have a thirty thousand of the free folk on the Stony Shore if my estimations are correct. A bit too much to defend a few fishing villages. In any case they are being rearmed, will they be combat ready anytime soon, Sigorn?"
"We're the free folk, we've been combat ready our whole lives." The Thenn sighed. "But with proper weaponry, I'd say within a moon if everything goes to plan."
Ned nodded. "Good. Bear Island will be reinforced with ten thousand, a further five thousand will reinforce Barrowtown and five thousand more will head to Moat Cailin while the rest stay on the Stony Shore."
"You expect us to ally with wildlings?" Lady Dustin protested.
"Well I can't really pull soldiers out of my arse." Ned answered. "The free folk are the only reinforcements we have. As I've said, I cannot commit the reserves, we need veterans on the wall. Again, you can refuse the reinforcements and I can try to raise a new host from the smallfolk, but they won't be as experienced."
"Fine." Lady Dustin conceded. "The wildlings it is." She said with a snarl.
"We cannot fight the Ironborn at sea. But we can burn their ships to the ground when they land." Theon Greyjoy added. "Cut off any chance of escape, set fire to their longships with flaming arrows when you see them, then massacre them where they stand."
"The Ironborn do not fear death, that is their weakness." Lord Mallister spoke up. "They'll just run at you in full force. If we have good weapons to resist sieges or sound tactics, it will be easy to beat them on land."
"I agree." Ned answered. "But even then, they'll be upon us soon. We need to organize our defences as soon as possible. Lady Maege?"
"Lord Stark?"
"I need you to send a raven to your daughter Alysanne. Tell her to make Bear Island impregnable and to be ready for an Ironborn raid soon. Once you are done, you will rush to Barrowtown and lead the defences there with Lady Dustin."
Maege Mormont nodded. "I will serve, Lord Stark."
Ned turned to Roose Bolton then.
"Lord Bolton, you will come with me to Deepwood Motte along with Lord Glover. Deepwood Motte is the least defended of the castles mentioned, and we will need to lead the early stages of the defence there. Sigorn will accompany us with a thousand men of Rayder's free folk."
Lord Bolton nodded and mumbled something uncomprehensible.
"Lord Tallhart, I trust you can manage the defence on your own. In any case, Lord Ryswell will assist you with manning the defences of the city."
Lord Tallhart nodded, while Lord Rodrik bragged about "kicking Ironborn arse back to their forsaken islands". Ned could only hope it would work; he was running out of men quickly, and good men couldn't be replaced.
"Now." Ned continued. "Onto what matters most. The war in the south. As you know, our forces and our Riverlander allies have scored a great victory at Riverrun."
Celebratory screams could be heard across the room, but Ned didn't let them last.
"Unfortunately, I bear ill news as well. Robert is dead and Renly Baratheon has been slain at Storm's End, by his own brother."
Shocked faces quickly replaced the celebratory ones.
"Stannis slew his own brother?" Rodrik Ryswell asked. "In battle?"
"No, with blood magic." The news of Robert's death seemed to be completely ignored. It wasn't like many thought him to be alive by now anyways. "A shadow with Stannis' face slew him in front of several witnesses." Ned continued as he handed a scroll to Roose Bolton, who examined it.
"Blood magic? Aren't the Reachmen just mad that they'd been defeated in battle and Renly slain?" Lord Cerwyn questioned.
Roose Bolton shook his head and passed the scroll to Maege Mormont who bleached at the signatories on the letter.
"Aye." Her voice quickly rising in the room. "It has been signed by Olenna and Loras Tyrell, Mathis Rowan and Arys Oakheart alright."
"Hah! Reachmen lies then, Lord Cerwyn is right!" Harrion Karstark stood up.
"It has also been signed by Brienne of Tarth, a Stormlander, Robar Royce, a Valeman, and…" Maege Mormont paused for a moment. "…and Catelyn Stark."
The room gasped for a moment, as Maege Mormont passed the scroll around. Ned just turned to Albar Royce.
"Lord Royce, forgive me, but would your cousin lie in any way?"
The Vale lord shook his head.
"I knew Robar since he was a boy, he would never lie. He is an honorable man, and a knight. He would never lie about something like this."
"And I doubt my wife." Ned blurted out the words but nearly died laughing while mentioning Catelyn "Would lie about something like this."
"The question is why would Lady Stark be at such a negotiation…" Rodrik Ryswell continued
"Believe me. If I knew, I'd tell you." Ned answered, drinking a cup of water before continuing. "In any case, Stannis has rallied the Stormlands and the Crownlands as well as parts of the Reach. He's declared the Tyrells traitors to the crown and destituted them of the paramountcy. The Reach is now a wildcard yet again. Worse, he's somehow managed to repulse Tywin Lannister's attempt at taking King's Landing."
"What?" gasps erupted around the room.
"But Tywin had five times the numbers Roland Storm had to defend the city! How did he repulse them?" asked Lord Mallister, dumbfounded.
"Blood magic. Again." Tyrion Lannister answered sombrely. "Boy, come here" the Imp gestured for a young boy to come, the one Ned didn't recognize when entering the room. The boy was tall, heavily built, with blue eyes and thin, black hair. The spitting image of Renly Baratheon with shorter hair, he heard someone whisper.
"What is your name?" Ned questioned.
"Gendry, mi'lord. Gendry Waters. I…" the boy hesitated for a moment but Tyrion urged him on. "I am the late king Robert's bastard. One of them anyways. My mother worked at an alehouse, she was a commoner you see. I worked as a blacksmith for Tobho Mott, until Stannis came to find me…"
"You're a long way from home, Gendry." And not at all what I expected you to look like, Ned wanted to add. "How did you end up here?"
"Stannis Baratheon took me in during his regency in the capital, he brought me to Storm's End to serve as a blacksmith in his army. There, his red woman, after killing Stannis' brother with blood magic wanted to sacrifice me to her fire god. Said I had king's blood in my veins, that Stannis needed me to die to save the capital from his enemies."
People gasped in shock as Gendry fumbled slightly.
"Go on." Ned urged the boy.
"His hand, Lord Davos Seaworth, he helped me escape. Said he wasn't going to let an innocent die. He pleaded your lady wife to send me here, and she did. Sent me with a few men who were homesick from down there up to White Harbor where Lord Tyrion and Mya welcomed me. I came straight here afterwards."
"Hang on." The Smalljon interrupted. "You said he wanted to sacrifice you to the red god to stop Tywin from taking the capital, but you are still here and Tywin flees from the capital. What happened?"
"This would tie in with this raven." Ned passed it to Lord Bolton who skimmed over it, passing it to Lady Maege without a second thought. "He took Storm's End, where Joffrey Waters was held. He was burned alive outside the castle walls in front of all of Stannis' army as a sacrifice to the lord of light by Stannis' red priestess, a blood sacrifice to stop Tywin from making it to the capital."
Good riddance to that little shit, Ned thought, but still, burned alive by Stannis Baratheon…a chill went down his spine. Pretty bad way to go.
"Seven fucking hells…" Wendel Manerly blurted out.
"Still…a shadow…then blood magic…this doesn't make sense." Brynden Blackwood said aloud.
"We've got dead men over the wall, wights beyond the wall, direwolves in Winterfell, and you tell me a shadow with a dagger and a blood sacrifice doesn't make sense?" Theon retorted, silencing the young riverlord.
"With Stannis being completely mad and a kinslayer, Renly Baratheon dead, and Tommen Waters a bastard…" Rodrik Ryswell shook his head. "Where does that leave us?"
"Fuck it." Lord Tallhart stood up. "We bent the knee to the Targaryens because they had dragons. We bent the knee to the Baratheons because Robert was your friend, Lord Stark. But now they're dead, and I say fuck it! Let us rule ourselves like we used to three hundred years ago!"
"Aye!" Maege Mormont rose up in turn. "No southern kings went to help us when we showed them what we were facing at the Wall. No southern king ever cared about the North, only northerners ever cared about the people of the north. I say we bow no more. I say we name Eddard Stark the King in the North!"
"I must agree with my fellow lords. We have endured and lost too much to the south." Rodrik Ryswell stood up, unsheathing his sword and brandishing it into the air. "Lord Stark led us during the Rebellion, during the Greyjoy Revolt and beyond the wall to fight the dead. He's more of a king than all the southron ones. Eddard Stark, the king in the north."
"The king in the north!" the room resonated with swords being drawn into the air and fists slamming on tables.
"The king in the north! The king in the north!"
Ned couldn't believe his eyes. What had been a deathly silent room a few moments ago was now bursting aloud with screams and shouts. Without even Theon's help to give them a push, Ned had been crowned king. King in the North. Ned felt a jolt of pride and relief for sure, but also a jolt of fear. Getting named king was the easy part, and now came the hard bit.
He rose up as the room died down slightly, and observed the foreign lords who were eyeing him expectantly, as if awaiting their fate.
"My lords, I am honoured by your word. You are right, the south has failed us time and time again. The Targaryens have broken their pact with us, and now the Baratheons are a dying line. I will accept the crown and do my utmost to protect the North and its people from any threats it will face, may it be from the south, the west, the east or the north, that I swear to you."
Applause and cheers rang throughout the room, but Ned dropped his smile and turned serious once more.
"But you've seen what lies beyond the wall. We as the North cannot defeat the enemy alone, we need the kingdoms to be united to face this threat. We need a king on the Iron Throne."
"You mean to declare for Stannis then?" Wendel Manderly asked, disappointed.
"No." Ned answered. "Stannis is a kinslayer, and as fit for rule that he is, he is also a fanatic, his first order as king being to burn the sept on Dragonstone, and the second to burn both the sept and the godswood in Storm's End. No. I will not bend to a religious nuthead. I do not wish to see our thousand-year-old weirwoods reduced to dust. But we need someone to rally behind."
Ned thought about revealing Jon's heritage right then and there and going on to talk about his resignation, but the truth was that it didn't mean a thing. Hell, the northern lords would then press Jon's claim ahead of Daenerys' and that would just cause unneeded conflict. No, he needed to get straight to the point, and the Smalljon provided that opportunity.
"Then who do we support?" the Umber heir asked.
"Daenerys Targaryen." Ned answered sternly, causing the room to go into huge uproar.
"The mad king's daughter, you cannot be serious Ned!" Maege shouted.
"We don't have a choice!" Ned shouted. "The girl has three fully grown dragons!" A lie, by now they would still be young, although still of respectable size. "What do you think she'll do to the kingdom that was responsible for her family's downfall? I'd be lucky if I didn't end up burned alive or eaten by one of her beasts."
"You mean to bend the knee like Torrhen did?" Helman Tallhart asked.
"No." Ned answered. "I won't. The pact of Ice and Fire made upon the banks of the Trident has been broken, and I intend to make her aware of that. But I also intend to not make an enemy of her considering what forces are backing her."
"How will you convince her? She will want to keep all seven kingdoms with no exceptions." Barbrey Dustin asked with a sly smile.
"I'll be sending Theon Greyjoy, Wendel Manderly and Lord Jason Mallister on a mission to Meereen to enter talks with the Dragon Queen." Ned sighed. "They'll have the task to bring her back to Westeros and convince her to accept the deal that I'm offering her."
"And what deal would this be?" Roose Bolton asked.
"An offer she cannot refuse. Westeros on a silver platter. In return she will acknowledge the North's independence and fight with us against the dead."
"That's easier said than done." Harrion Karstark objected. "Our Riverlander allies won't be happy we've sold them to the Targs."
Jason Mallister shrugged.
"The Riverlands independent would be an easy target, and as part of the North, they'd be hard to control." He shook his head. "No, the Riverlands will be better off in a stable, centralized kingdom where we don't have to worry about where the next threat comes from. Lord Tully will see that and he'll follow your advice."
"And the Vale?" Domeric Bolton asked.
"I fear we don't have much of a choice either, the Vale can hardly self-sustain itself and lacks much of the geography of the North to keep us independent for long." Anbar Royce answered. "But our political situation is degrading, hence my presence here." Ned nodded, and urged the Royce lord to continue. "And if we can avoid every keep in the Vale being burnt to a crisp, we'd do it happily."
"And the Westerlands?" Tyrion Lannister asked.
"Part of the deal does end up with you being Lord of Casterly Rock." Ned answered, earning quite a few glares from the room.
"Casterly Rock…hum." Tyrion thought to himself. "An interesting offer, I will dwell on it."
Ned rolled his eyes, not like he had any choice in the matter anyways.
"So, what do we do now?" Maege Mormont asked.
"We destroy the Lannisters, Tywin is too cunning a man to be left to roam free in the kingdoms. Then we move onto the capital and secure it for the Dragon Queen in exchange for her help in the war to come. I will have a raven be sent to Riverrun to inform the rest of the lords of our decision here." Ned answered sternly yet again.
"Do we really need her help in our war to the north?" Sigorn of Thenn asked "Shouldn't we have enough men here?"
"You were at the Elk's Pass weren't you? We were nearly slaughtered to the last man despite us having fire and a host of five thousand to a small walker raiding party." Ned eyed the wildling coldly. "Daenerys Targaryen has three fire-breathing dragons capable of burning entire keeps down in a few seconds. You've seen what fire does to the undead, now imagine a dragon. This would give us an undeniable advantage over the walkers."
Many lords nodded their heads, Ned knew that he'd made his point, the dragons could be a perfect tool to beat the Others if well utilized.
Rodrik Ryswell sighed.
"I guess it is for the best." The lord with the stallion sigil said softly. "If we maintain the integrity of the North, and our freedom, by handing the capital over to the Dragon Queen then so be it. I do not wish for the Rills to be burnt to the ground. And you're right Lord Stark, we won't be able to stop the Others alone, we need help, and we need the realm to be united."
"Aye, I agree." The Smalljon replied. "I also do not wish for Last Hearth to be reduced to dust, and if I can avoid that without kneeling, I'll take any chance I can get. So, what happens now, how do we get the girl here?"
"As I said." Ned addressed the room with a small smile "Theon Greyjoy, Wendel Manderly and Lord Jason will depart with a fleet for Meereen as soon as possible. You might hear rumours about the Dragon Queen's whereabouts, but make no mistake, Meereen is where she will be heading. I also wish for you to make a stop somewhere."
"Where would that be?" Wendel Manderly asked.
"Driftmark." Theon answered with a smile, and Wendel's face illuminated.
"That's…that's a great plan!"
Lord Mallister nodded. "As great of a plan as it is, I'm afraid I am loyal to the Tullys first, I will need my lord to draft these orders, Lord Stark, no offence meant."
"Aye I agree." Ned answered. "But now every single minute matters, and getting an answer will take time and we don't have it. We'll need a man with your experience in politics and warfare at Driftmark and Slaver's Bay. Head with our party and if Lord Tully refuses for you to go, you may turn back."
Lord Mallister nodded. "I can accept this."
"Let my daughter Alysane join you as well." Maege Mormont added. "She's a shipwright since birth, and a woman who knows what it means to rule. She'll be of use."
"Let my son Roger join as well." Rodrik Ryswell added. "He's a talented fighter and I can handle the cavalry by my own. You'll need good men to come with you."
Ned nodded to them both. If they were as talented as they said they were, it would prove to be an asset, especially since it cost little to try. He then turned to the trio who'd be sailing out soon.
"Make for White Harbour as soon as possible, and gather a fleet large enough to ferry troops. Lord Theon will have detailed instructions later on but they are to be delivered to you only when on the ships." All three men nodded intently. "Furthermore, no Dothraki, those savages can stay at home, except if it is the Dragon's Queen personal guard. No sellswords either, make sure the Second Sons or Company of the Cat stay well clear, by any means necessary." The three men nodded again. "Good luck, my friends, the future of Westeros could very well hinge in the balance."
"One more thing, Lord Stark, or should I say, your grace." Harrion Karstark objected. "We have discussed the North, the Riverlands, the Vale, the Westerlands, but what about the Iron Islands, the Stormlands, the Reach and Dorne?"
"The Iron Islands will burn to the ground eventually." Ned said with a hint of rage in his voice, "But that isn't our priority. The Stormlands have aligned with Stannis, they are our enemies. As for the Reach and Dorne, I am counting on someone to bring them to our side."
Please Jon, please bring them to our side, we need them now more than ever.
With that, the meeting was dismissed, and after discussing with several individual lords about the future assignments they'd be sent to, Ned joined Theon, who was readying his horse.
"Going already?" Ned asked.
"You said as soon as possible." Theon answered. "If we ride hard we'll be at Castle Cerwyn in two days, and at White Harbour in four."
Ned chuckled.
"I guess you really wanted to go?"
"Do you blame me?"
"No, quite the opposite. I wish you the best of luck, Theon."
"You too, have fun holding the realm together."
"Don't mention it, I'm going to go for an early retirement I think."
Theon chuckled.
"You'd have deserved it." Theon then sat on top of his horse, hoisting himself on the saddle. "I wish you good luck my friend."
"Good luck to you too." Ned responded. "A lot rests on you now."
Theon nodded. "Don't get killed", he said, as the castle's portcullis opened.
"Nor you." Ned whispered as Theon rode out of the castle with his men. A tear rolled down his cheek. His friends were now gone, all four on separate parts of the world. He could only hope everything would go well, but he couldn't help feel in his heart that this wasn't going to be.
He turned back to face the ramparts of Torrhen's Square's castle. He sighed deeply before walking towards the dissipating fog. He had a kingdom to rule, and ravens to write.
Wow that was LONG. Longer than I expected it to be. Hopefully this week's update will be nowhere as long as this, but a lot of things are happening and the wheel is turning fast. Next stop is Riverrun, better hold on tight, we're going to see how Robb manages to screw things up again. Don't forget to leave a like/kudos/comment if you enjoyed.