The Rise Of A Dynasty
Kings Landing – 301 A.C
Eight days later...
Ned was walking through the hallways of the Red Keep towards the throne room with the aid of a cane.
Arthur, Edric Dayne, Oswell Whent and Jory Cassel were following him along with a dozen House Stark and House Dayne Guards.
Edric and twenty House Dayne Guards had arrived in Kings Landing by boat the previous day at the request of Arthur and Oswell Whent.
As they walked through the hallway Renly Baratheon came running up to them.
"Lord Stark" said Renly Baratheon in a panicked voice.
"Lord Renly" said Ned walking towards him.
"Its the King, he was" said Renly Baratheon unable to get the rest of his words out.
"What has happened?" said Ned in a worried tone.
"He… he, he was out on a hunt and-" said Renly Baratheon in panic.
Ned's eyes went wide.
"Take me to him" said Ned quickly cutting him off.
Renly Baratheon shakily nodded and turned around.
Ned and the others followed Renly Baratheon along the hallway.
Fifteen minutes later…
Ned walked over to Robert's bed where said man was lying under the sheets sweating profusely.
Edric Baratheon and Barristan Selmy were also in the chambers with them.
Barristan Selmy was stood by the door with a remorseful look on his face while Edric Baratheon was kneeling beside his Father with a sad look on his face.
As he sat down Ned saw the bloodied bandages on Robert's stomach.
Ned sighed.
"You bloody fool" said Ned solemnly.
Robert coughed and turned to Edric Baratheon.
"Go on Son… you do not want to see me like this" said Robert solemnly.
Edric Baratheon wiped the tears from his eyes and stood up before walking towards the door.
Robert looked up at Barristan Selmy and nodded.
Barristan Selmy bowed his head and left the room with Edric Baratheon.
Once the door shut Robert turned to Ned as said man lifted the bandages looking at the bloody stab wound in Robert's gut.
"God it stinks, it stinks of death… do not think I cannot smell it" said Robert bitterly as he coughed.
Ned sighed.
"How?" said Ned sadly.
Robert coughed.
"It was my fault, the boar got me… I was too slow, missed my thrust, and he got me, but I got him with my knife, right in the eye" said Robert coughing every few words.
Ned sighed.
"I want everyone to taste the boar that got me, I want the largest feast you ever saw" said Robert.
He let out a small chuckle.
"King Robert Baratheon… killed by a pig, people will laugh about it for days" said Robert amusedly.
Ned smiled.
"You will be okay" said Ned hopefully.
Robert laughed and coughed.
"I'm finished, its over now… it was my own bloody fault, I drank too much, made Selmy stay back while I went for it" said Robert.
He let out a loud cough and lurched off of the bed slightly.
"I will get you Milk Of The Poppy" said Ned solemnly.
He moved to stand up but Robert grasped his arm stopping him.
Ned looked down at him as he sat down.
"Please Ned, stay on as Hand, help my Son rule the realm, he needs your help" said Robert in a pleading voice.
Ned sighed and nodded.
"I will" said Ned.
Robert smiled.
"Help him be a better man than me" said Robert solemnly.
Ned nodded.
Robert coughed up some blood.
"Tell… tell Lyanna… tell her that I am sorry, for everything… and that I always loved her, ever since I saw her for the first time" said Robert sadly.
Ned sighed.
"I will" said Ned.
Robert sighed.
"You were right" said Robert coughing even more.
Ned looked at him curiously.
"The Girl… Daenerys… you were right, and I was wrong… cancel the order, let her live" said Robert solemnly.
Ned sighed and squeezed his hand.
"You were the only one… the only one who dared to tell me that I was wrong, all the others… Varys, Littlefinger, my Brother, Pycelle, Tully, that bloody Prince who never said a word about it… none of them told me that I was wrong to order her death" said Robert solemnly.
Ned nodded.
"Cancel the order, let her live" said Robert solemnly.
"I will" said Ned.
"Good" said Robert before arching his back in pain and coughing.
Ned stood up.
"I will get you some Milk Of The Poppy" said Ned.
"Barristan… send Barristan in" said Robert coughing.
Ned bowed his head before squeezing Robert's hand one last time.
"Farewell Brother… you were always a better man than I ever was" said Robert proudly.
Ned smiled.
"Your a better man than you give yourself credit for Robert" said Ned.
Robert chuckled and waved his hand for Ned to leave.
Ned sighed and left Robert's chambers.
He found Barristan Selmy, Renly Baratheon, Edric Baratheon, Varys, Grand Maester Pycelle, Arthur, Oswell Whent, Edric Dayne and Jory Cassel waiting outside the door.
"Ser Barristan… he wants to see you" said Ned solemnly.
Barristan Selmy sighed and nodded before placing a supportive hand on Edric Baratheon's shoulder.
Edric Baratheon turned to him with a sad smile causing Barristan Selmy to squeeze his shoulder in support before walking back into Robert's chambers.
Ned sighed and turned to Grand Maester Pycelle.
"Grand Maester… fetch him some Milk Of The Poppy for the pain" said Ned solemnly.
Pycelle bowed his head before hobbling away.
Ned turned to Jory Cassel.
"Go back to the Tower Of The Hand, all of you except for you Ser Arthur" said Ned solemnly.
Jory Cassel and the others nodded before bowing their heads and walking away except for Arthur who stayed with Ned.
Ned turned to Renly Baratheon.
"How did it happen?" said Ned solemnly.
Renly Baratheon sighed.
"His squire kept giving him wine… and he kept getting even more drunk, he missed his thrust and got hit by the boars tusk" said Renly Baratheon in shock.
"No doubt his squire will be feeling guilty right now" said Varys flatly.
"Why did he keep giving Robert the wine?" said Ned solemnly.
Renly Baratheon sighed.
"He kept offering… and Robert kept saying yes" said Renly Baratheon solemnly.
Ned sighed and turned to Arthur.
"Have the boy brought to the Tower Of The Hand tomorrow, I want to hear what he has to say" said Ned flatly.
Arthur paused for a moment before nodding.
They all remained outside the door in silence until Barristan Selmy walked out.
"He is asking to see you and your Sister's My Prince" said Barristan Selmy.
Edric Baratheon nodded and walked inside while Renly Baratheon walked off down the hallway to find the other Baratheon girls.
Ned turned to Varys.
"The King has had a change of heart, the Targaryan Girl is to be spared… whatever plans have been made for her, call them off" said Ned flatly.
Varys sighed.
"I am afraid I cannot My Lord Hand… those Little Birds have already flown, the Girl is probably dead already" said Varys regretfully.
Ned sighed.
"You can go now Lord Varys" said Ned flatly.
Varys bowed his head and left them.
Ned turned to Barristan Selmy who was watching Varys walk along the hallway.
Ned sighed.
"What did the King want you for Ser Barristan?" said Ned solemnly.
Barristan Selmy turned to him looking like he might refuse to answer for several moments before he sighed.
"He asked me to watch over the Prince, to protect him as I have always done" said Barristan Selmy solemnly.
Ned nodded.
"Stand guard outside his chambers tonight, do not let anyone be alone with him" said Ned solemnly.
Barristan Selmy looked at him curiously.
"Please Ser Barristan" said Ned solemnly.
Barristan Selmy nodded.
"Yes My Lord Hand" said Barristan Selmy.
Ned nodded and they waited outside the chambers for Renly Baratheon and Grand Maester Pycelle to return.
Later that night…
Ned sighed as he took a large swig of his wine before looking up at Jory Cassel.
"Jory, gather 20 of your best men… have them escort Beric, Arya, Lyarra and the rest of the Girls back to Winterfell on the morrow, take our staff with you as well" said Ned.
"What about Lady Stark My Lord?" said Jory Cassel.
Ned sighed.
"She refuses to leave without me, stubborn my Wife is" said Ned solemnly.
"That she is My Lord" said Jory Cassel.
Ned chuckled and nodded to him.
"Make sure Beric and the Girls are guarded tonight, as many Guards as you can spare" said Ned solemnly.
"Yes My Lord" said Jory Cassel.
He bowed his head and walked out of the room.
Ned sighed and leaned back in his chair.
The next morning…
Arthur and Edric Dayne were stood side by side watching as Beric and Arya led the small convoy of Winterfell's household staff, Lyarra and her Ladies In Waiting out of the city gates surrounded by twenty House Stark Guards.
Once they were out of sight Arthur and Edric mounted their horses and set off riding back up to the Red Keep.
"Do you think they will be safe?" said Edric warily.
Arthur sighed.
"No… but they are safer outside this city than in it" said Arthur solemnly.
Edric sighed.
"We are in danger, are we not?" said Edric glancing around nervously.
Arthur nodded.
"Myself and your Uncle believe so… someone hired a Cats Paw to attack him, and if your Uncle's theory is correct… they may have also made the King die in an accident, by spiking his wine" said Arthur solemnly.
Edric was about to reply before the sound of the city bells cut him off.
Arthur sighed as he saw the smallfolk around them speaking to each other in shock and sadness.
"That only means one thing… the King is dead" said Arthur solemnly.
Edric frowned as they carried on riding in the direction of the Red Keep.
Meanwhile…
Ned sighed as he heard the bells ringing around the city informing everyone on the Kings death.
He was in his Solar with Ashara and Jory Cassel who both bowed their heads in mourning upon hearing the bells.
Ned held his tears back before sitting down at his desk.
Ashara walked over to him as he started writing on a scroll.
To Lord Stannis Baratheon
The Lord Of Dragonstone
It is my great regret and sadness to inform you that your beloved Brother King Robert Baratheon has been killed by wounds he sustained in a boar hunt.
Ned sighed and paused for a moment before continuing to write.
I ask that you sail for Kings Landing with haste to swear fealty to our new King, Edric of the House Baratheon.
I also ask that you aid me in my attempts to uncover the truth about the deaths of your Brother Robert and the previous Hand Of The King Jon Arryn both of whom I believe have been carefully murdered by the same person who hired a Cats Paw Assassin to attack me a week ago.
I believe that Jon Arryn was poisoned using the rare but deadly poison Tears Of Lys while your Brother may have been given spiked wine by his squire Olyvar Frey during the boar hunt to make him more drunk than he intended to be.
If my theory is correct then I believe that the realm will be at war very soon and I ask for your aid if it comes to that.
Lord Eddard Stark
Warden Of The North and Hand Of The King
Ned rolled the parchment up and sealed it with his sigil.
"Wyle" said Ned loudly.
The door opened and the House Stark Guard named Wyle walked in and bowed his head to Ned.
"Lord Stark" said Wyle dutifully.
Ned sighed and held the scroll out for him to take.
"You will set sail for Dragonstone with haste, you will give this to Stannis Baratheon, and him only, not his squire, not his Wife, not his Captain Of The Guard, you place it straight into his hand" said Ned sternly as Wyle slowly took the scroll.
"Yes My Lord" said Wyle.
He bowed his head and walked out of the Solar.
Ned sighed and stood up.
He paused for a moment before turning to Jory Cassel.
"Take a dozen men and have Olyvar Frey brought here for questioning concerning the death of King Robert… and have some of your men bring Ser Barristan Selmy and His Grace Edric Baratheon here" said Ned flatly.
Jory Cassel bowed his head before leaving the Solar.
Ned sighed and walked out onto the balcony followed by Ashara.
"If you are right about this… and the King was murdered, who would gain the most from his death?" said Ashara warily.
Ned sighed.
"Only one person benefits from this more than anyone else… the Queen" said Ned solemnly.
Ashara sighed and wrapped her arms around his waist resting against his back.
"If we do not act soon, it will be too late" said Ashara solemnly.
Ned nodded.
"Then we better move fast" said Ned.
"You know what they always say… when you play the Game Of Thrones you either win or you die, there is no middle ground Ned" said Ashara flatly.
Ned grasped her hands.
"I heard that one too" said Ned solemnly.
The two stood there for another fifteen minutes before there was a knock at the door.
Ned moved over to the desk to pick his longsword up.
"Its me My Lord" said Jory Cassel from behind the door.
Ned breathed a sigh of relief.
"Come in" said Ned.
The door opened and Jory Cassel walked in with a regretful look on his face.
"Olyvar Frey is not in the Red Keep Lord Stark" said Jory Cassel.
"What?" said Ned in shock.
Jory Cassel nodded.
"It appears he left Kings Landing yesterday My Lord" said Jory Cassel.
Ned growled.
"Gather your men along with my Nephew's men, assemble them in the Tower Of The Hand… and find Lord Renly, as I understand it he has about 30 Men At Arms in Kings Landing, but do it discreetly so we do not arouse suspicion" said Ned.
Jory Cassel bowed his head before leaving.
Ned and Ashara stood there in silence until Arthur and Edric Dayne returned along with Barristan Selmy and Edric Baratheon.
"What is this Lord Stark, why do you have armed Men ready for a fight?" said Barristan Selmy sternly.
"Insurance Ser Barristan… in case something goes wrong" said Ashara.
Barristan Selmy sighed.
"Are you expecting a fight Lord Stark?" said Barristan Selmy sternly.
Ned sighed and nodded.
"I am hoping we could do this without bloodshed, but if I am right, then trouble will be waiting for us in the Throne Room" said Ned regretfully.
Barristan Selmy sighed and nodded.
"Do you really believe the King was murdered, along with Jon Arryn?" said Barristan Selmy remorsefully causing Edric Baratheon to look at him in shock.
Ned nodded.
"I do Ser Barristan, and I know you have doubts that King Robert's death was a simple hunting accident" said Ned solemnly.
Barristan Selmy glanced at Edric Baratheon before turning back to Ned and nodding.
"What is your plan Lord Stark?" said Barristan Selmy.
Ned sighed and sat down with a weary look on his face.
One hour later…
Ned walked into the courtyard along with Barristan Selmy, Edric Baratheon, Jory Cassel, Oswell Whent and Renly Baratheon.
They were surrounded by around sixty to seventy Guards from House's Stark, Baratheon and Dayne.
Arthur, Ashara and Edric Dayne were walking behind the Guards accompanied by a dozen House Dayne Guards.
Arthur glanced at Ashara spotting the worried look on her face.
"I watched them ride through the gates over an hour ago Sister… they will be long gone by now" said Arthur.
Ashara sighed.
They approached the doors leading back into the Red Keep where Ser Brynden Tully and Ser Manfred Mallister were waiting for them along with a host of at least 50 House Tully Soldiers.
"Lord Stark, you are to come with us at once" said Brynden Tully.
Arthur stopped Ashara and Edric as the Tully Soldiers surrounded Ned and the others.
"What is the meaning of this?" said Ned.
"The Queen has requested your presence in the Throne Room" said Brynden Tully.
"The Queen Regent you mean… you stand before your King Ser Brynden" said Barristan Selmy warily as he stepped in front of Edric Baratheon protectively.
"My King is dead Ser Barristan… my Queen requests the presence of all of you in the Throne Room" said Brynden Tully.
Ned and the others quickly unsheathed their weapons as the Tully Soldiers moved closer to them.
"Come peacefully… and we can avoid bloodshed" said Brynden Tully.
"Move aside Ser Brynden" said Oswell Whent.
Brynden Tully and his Soldiers drew their weapons.
"So be it… take Lord Stark and the bastard King alive… kill the rest" said Brynden Tully with a hint of regret.
Within a split second the two groups clashed together where Brynden Tully cut down Renly Baratheon as he unsheathed his own sword to attack him.
Arthur drew Dawn and moved towards the battle as Soldiers from both sides fell one by one.
Before they knew it they were swarmed by a small host of Dornish Soldiers and Gold Cloaks.
Ned killed one of the Tully Soldiers before turning to Barristan Selmy who was fighting Manfred Mallister.
"Ser Barristan, get the King to safety" shouted Ned.
Barristan Selmy slashed Manfred Mallister in the stomach wounding him before moving towards Edric Baratheon and pulling him towards him.
He spotted a gap in the Tully line and made for it as Arthur cut down two Tully Soldiers with ease.
"Go!" shouted Ned.
Arthur sighed and moved away from the battle as more Tully reinforcements arrived.
"Ned, Ned!" screamed Ashara.
She made a move to rush towards him before Arthur quickly pulled her back.
"Go!" shouted Ned as he held off another Tully Soldier while Oswell Whent and Jory Cassel fell one by one along with the rest of the Stark Guards.
"No!" screamed Ashara as Arthur pulled her back.
She screamed as she watched Ned fall to the floor after one of the Soldiers cracked him over the back of the head with the handle of his sword.
Arthur quickly knocked her out by hitting her in the back of the head before lifting her into his shoulder.
"Get after them" shouted Brynden Tully.
Arthur and the others turned and ran as ten Tully and Dornish Soldiers chased after them.
"Take your Aunt" said Arthur quickly as they ran back into the Red Keep making for the secret passage leading to the crypts.
Edric Dayne took Ashara from him before Arthur unsheathed Dawn and attacked the Soldiers.
Barristan Selmy pushed Edric Baratheon away and helped Arthur against the Soldiers.
"Make for the crypts and keep running, we will find you Your Grace" said Barristan Selmy as he cut one of the Dornish Soldiers down.
"Come on!" shouted Edric Dayne.
He and Edric Baratheon carried on running down the steps and through the hallways for several minutes before arriving at the entrance to the crypts.
When they arrived in the crypts they immediately made for the skull of Balerion The Dread and hid behind it.
Edric Dayne propped Ashara up against the back of the skull and unsheathed his longsword.
The two waited there in silence for a good few minutes before footsteps could be heard running down the steps.
Edric Dayne peaked out from behind the skull to see Arthur and Barristan Selmy run into the crypts with their bloody weapons in hand.
He breathed a sigh of relief before sheathing his sword and picking Ashara up.
"Come on Your Grace" said Edric Dayne quickly standing up and walking out from behind the skull.
Edric Baratheon followed him over to their two protectors.
They left the crypts almost immediately coming out on the shore of Blackwater Bay before making their way along the shore towards the entrance to Flea Bottom.
Later that night…
"It is too dangerous Ashara" said Arthur bitterly.
"Please Arthur… he is my Husband, the Father of your beloved Nieces and Nephews, please save him" pleaded Ashara.
The two of them were hiding in an abandoned warehouse in Flea Bottom along with Edric Dayne, Edric Baratheon and Barristan Selmy.
Arthur growled.
"It is too dangerous, he would not want us to throw away our lives on a suicidal rescue mission" growled Arthur.
Ashara slapped him hard causing him to clutch his cheek and wince slightly.
"I thought you would understand… given that you know the feeling of losing the one you love" said Ashara icily.
Arthur froze up.
Ashara turned to Barristan Selmy who had a remorseful look on his face.
"Please Ser Barristan… will you save my Husband, please" pleaded Ashara.
Barristan Selmy sighed.
"There is a way to do it My Lady… but it is very dangerous, even if it were successful we would be trapped in this city if they discover your Husband missing, which they will" said Barristan Selmy regretfully.
Ashara sighed before moving away from all of them over to the bed.
She sat down with her hands in her lap looking down at the floor with a sad look on her face.
"Do you think you could do it Ser Barristan?" said Edric Baratheon after several seconds of silence.
Ashara looked up at Ser Barristan who sighed and nodded.
"Yes Your Grace… I know of a route from the Black Cells leading down to the Crypts, I will do as you command" said Barristan Selmy humbly.
Ashara looked towards Edric Baratheon with a hopeful look on her face as he glanced towards her.
"Ser Barristan… will you rescue Lord Stark from the Black Cells?" said Edric Baratheon.
Barristan Selmy knelt before Edric Baratheon.
"I will do as you command Your Grace" said Barristan Selmy dutifully.
Ashara breathed a sigh of relief.
"And he will not go alone" said Arthur walking towards them and kneeling before Edric Baratheon.
Edric Baratheon nodded.
"Go when you can Sers" said Edric Baratheon.
Barristan Selmy and Arthur bowed their heads to him.
Ashara wiped the tears from her eyes and wrapped Barristan Selmy in a hug.
"Thank you Ser, I will be forever in your debt" said Ashara.
Barristan Selmy smiled.
"No thanks needed My Lady, your Husband was always fair to me even when he had enough reason not to be" said Barristan Selmy fondly.
Ashara smiled and let go of him.
Arthur sighed.
"The Red Keep will be swarming with Guards right now… it might be a few days or more before we are able to slip in quietly" said Arthur solemnly.
Barristan Selmy nodded.
"Agreed" said Barristan Selmy.
They sat their in relative silence for another hour before Ashara, Edric Dayne and Edric Baratheon finally decided to get some sleep while Arthur and Ser Barristan Selmy stood guard for the night.
Winterfell – 301 A.C
Two days later…
Jon was stood in the hall with Margaery, Theon, Martyn Glover, Ethan Forrester, Eddard Karstark, Daryn Hornwood, Karl Cerwyn and Smalljon Umber as Maester Lewin approached them holding a raven scroll in his hand.
"A raven My Lord… from Kings Landing" said Maester Lewin solemnly.
Jon stepped towards him and took the scroll.
He unrolled it and started to read.
Lord Jon Stark
Your Father Eddard Of The House Stark has been arrested for treason against the Crown. You are to ride to Kings Landing within the fortnight and swear fealty to the rightful Queen Minisa of the Houses Martell and Baratheon. In exchange your Father will be granted permission to join the Nights Watch and further bloodshed will be avoided.
Catelyn Baratheon, Queen Mother
Jon looked at Maester Lewin in disbelief.
"Treason?" said Jon in disbelief before Smalljon Umber took the scroll from him.
Maester Lewin nodded.
"It would appear so" said Maester Lewin.
"And what now?" said Margaery as she read the scroll.
"There is no mention of my Mother, or Beric, or Arya, or Lyarra, none at all" said Jon.
"Maybe they escaped" said Theon.
"Lets hope so" said Karl Cerwyn.
"What will you do My Lord?" said Maester Lewin solemnly.
"First a Cats Paw attacks my Father, now he is imprisoned and they want me to bend the knee" said Jon spitefully.
"My Lord, this is a royal command, if you do not go to Kings Landing they will declare you a traitor to the realm" said Maester Lewin.
"He cannot go to Kings Landing… he will be a prisoner as soon as he rides through the gates" said Eddard Karstark bitterly.
Jon placed both hands on the table.
"If this new Queen wants me in Kings Landing I will go to Kings Landing… but not alone" said Jon bitterly as he glanced at the others who nodded in confirmation.
Maester Lewin sighed before nodding.
"I see My Lord, shall I call the banners?" said Maester Lewin.
"Damn right you will call the banners Maester" said Daryn Hornwood bitterly.
"Call them Maester, order them to ride for Winterfell with haste, with as many men as they can gather, we are going to war" said Jon causing Margaery to grasp his arm.
"All of them My Lord?" said Maester Lewin.
"They have all sworn to defend my Father have they not?" said Jon testily.
"They have My Lord" said Maester Lewin.
Jon nodded.
"Now we will see who values the vows they make" said Jon.
"At once My Lord" said Maester Lewin.
Jon nodded before Margaery stepped forwards.
"Send riders to every major house in the Vale, the Reach and the Stormlands, tell them that their rightful King Edric Baratheon calls for their aid in the coming war, none of them shall claim ignorance after the fact, they will fight for their King or be branded as traitors" said Margaery.
Jon looked at her with an impressed look on his face while some of the other Northerners looked shocked.
"Very well My Lady" said Maester Lewin.
He bowed his head before walking out of the hall.
Jon sighed as he stepped away from the table.
"Rest assured Jon… every one of us will march south with you to crush those fish stinking fuckers, then we will free your Father from his cell in the Red Keep" said Smalljon Umber placing a hand on Jon's shoulder.
Jon looked up at him and nodded as he grasped his hand.
"Thank you" said Jon.
Smalljon Umber nodded.
Margaery offered Jon a small smile before leaving him in the hall with the rest of the Northerners and Theon.
Jon looked down at his hand which was trembling slightly.
"Your shaking" said Theon.
"I guess I am" said Jon flatly.
"Good" said Theon.
Jon turned to him.
"Why is that a good thing?" said Jon warily.
"It means your not stupid Stark" said Smalljon Umber.
Jon sighed and glanced at the others.
"And you are all with me?" said Jon.
"The entire North stands with you" said Karl Cerwyn.
"Rest assured Jon… we will follow you all the way to Kings Landing, and we will bring your Father back with us" said Martyn Glover.
They stayed there talking amongst themselves for several minutes before walking out into the courtyard.
As they walked through the courtyard Jon saw Gendry walking over to him holding onto his warhammer.
"Lord Stark" said Gendry.
Jon nodded to him.
"Gendry" said Jon.
Gendry quickly knelt down in front of Jon bowing his head.
"I heard about your Father, is it true?" said Gendry.
"It is" said Jon flatly before gesturing for Gendry to stand up.
Gendry stood up.
"Let me come with you" said Gendry.
Jon sighed.
"This is a war we are going into Boy, not some training yard fight" said Eddard Karstark.
"I know that… but Lord Stark gave me a better life here at Winterfell, I owe my life to him, and I want to fight for him" said Gendry proudly.
Jon looked at the ground.
"I might not be good with a sword, but you know how good I am with this" said Gendry giving his hammer a slight shake.
Jon looked up at him after a few moments and nodded.
"Very well… get back to work for now, we will leave in a few days" said Jon.
Gendry bowed his head before turning around and walking towards the gate.
"You sure that is wise… bringing an untrained boy with us?" said Martyn Glover.
Jon turned to him.
"He can fight Martyn, and we need men and women who can fight in this war" said Jon flatly.
After a several minutes they watched as several ravens flew out of the rookery into the sky.
Each one bearing words of the upcoming war.
Kings Landing – 301 A.C
The next night…
Ned glanced towards the cell door from his place on the floor of his dark, dirty cell.
"The same cells Brandon found himself in all those years ago" thought Ned bitterly.
The days he was spending in the cells were starting to take its toll with his hair and facial hair starting to look untidy and dirty while black lines were slowly appearing under his eyes as a result of his disturbed sleep.
He spotted a flaming torch light through the bars in the cell door.
The door unlocked and opened before someone walked inside.
Catelyn.
She walked towards him followed by Brynden Tully and Ser Jonothor Florent.
Ned growled and spat at her feet causing Brynden Tully to punch him in the jaw.
"Uncle" said Catelyn in a slightly warning tone.
Brynden Tully stepped away from Ned.
Ned looked up at them with a hateful look on his face.
"You killed Jon Arryn" said Ned flatly.
Catelyn sighed.
"Of course… he had figured out the truth about my Sister and Petyr, he was going to tell Robert who would have killed them both" said Catelyn flatly.
Ned chuckled.
"But that is not the only reason is it?" said Ned.
"No… he was too close to my fool of a Husband, he would have stopped us from doing what is right, as would you, so I sent that Cats Paw to give you a warning you would not forget" said Catelyn.
"And what do you believe is right?" said Ned in disbelief.
"Giving my Niece what she deserves, the throne that was denied to her when Robert made that bastard of his a Prince, he did not deserve the crown" said Catelyn icily.
"Neither does she… she is not a Baratheon" said Ned.
"She has the name… that is all that is required, you should be proud Lord Stark, your Niece will be the most powerful woman in all of Westeros" said Catelyn.
Ned let out a harsh laugh.
"Your Daughter is no Stark… no Northman or Woman will ever kneel to her" said Ned.
"And you believe they will kneel to a Targaryan Queen instead?" said Brynden Tully amusedly.
Ned froze up.
"What are you talking about?" said Ned.
Catelyn smirked.
"Varys… he discovered your little secret, that the bastard bitch you told everyone was sired by my Brandon Stark, is in fact the true born Daughter of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan, so much for your honour" said Catelyn bitterly.
Ned lowered his head.
"And worse yet… my Husband was willing to marry her to the bastard even after learning the truth, despite his hatred for the Targaryans he was still willing to let his bastard marry one, he was not fit to be King" said Catelyn icily.
"So you had him killed?" said Ned icily.
Catelyn laughed.
"Robert killed himself… I may have aided in his death but he killed himself with drink, the only shame is that the boar got him instead of one of us" said Catelyn bitterly.
Ned sighed.
"And to think Brandon actually cared about you, at least in some way… how foolish he was when it came to you" said Ned bitterly.
Catelyn froze up.
"He never loved you you know… he never wanted to marry you, I doubt he would have done so had our Father not forced him too… my Father may have thought you would make a worthy Lady Of Winterfell, but Brandon knew better" said Ned bitterly.
He suddenly felt two punches connect with his face one after the other from Brynden Tully.
"Uncle" warned Catelyn.
Brynden Tully stepped away from Ned.
Catelyn sighed and looked around the cell.
"They say even the strongest of men can go insane in these cells, I guess you will be able to prove just how true it is Lord Stark" said Catelyn.
She turned around and left the cell followed by Brynden Tully and Jonothor Florent.
Ned sighed and leaned back against the wall as the door slammed shut.
Winterfell – 301 A.C
The next night…
Jon sighed as he was sat across from Greatjon Umber as the large Lord drank his ale.
"I will be leading the vanguard, there is no one better to do so than me" said Greatjon Umber.
Jon placed his hands under his chin.
"Lord Galbart Glover will lead the vanguard Lord Umber, you will march behind them with the infantry" said Jon flatly.
Greatjon Umber looked at him with an amused look on his face.
"The Wall will melt before an Umber marches behind a bloody Glover" said Greatjon Umber amusedly.
Jon growled.
"My Father is in a cell in Kings Landing… he counts you as one of his closest friends, and yet here you sit arguing with me over your pride, have you no bloody honour My Lord?" said Jon bitterly.
Greatjon Umber growled at him.
"You dare question my honour… I answered your Father's call to battle every time he summoned me… you will show me respect, or I will take my men and march them home" said Greatjon Umber bitterly.
Jon stood up with both hands on the table.
The rest of the hall looked at him in silence.
"You are welcome to do so Lord Umber, and when I return with my Father, I will ride to the Last Hearth, root you out of the castle, and behead you as an oathbreaker" said Jon flatly.
Greatjon Umber growled.
"Oathbreaker" growled Greatjon Umber.
He moved to pull his dagger out of its sheath.
Quick as a flash Ghost leapt onto the table and jumped onto Greatjon Umber tackling him to the ground and biting down on his left hand.
The other Northerners at the table stood up and went for their daggers themselves as Greatjon Umber shouted in pain.
After a few seconds Ghost jumped off Greatjon Umber who was holding onto his bloodied left hand which was now missing its index and ring fingers.
"My Father always taught me that it was death to bare steel against your Liege Lord" said Jon icily.
Greatjon Umber stumbled to his feet glaring at Jon.
"Doubtless… I am sure the Greatjon only intended to cut my meat for me" said Jon flatly nodding for the other Northerners to put their daggers away.
The other Northerners did as instructed and turned back to Greatjon Umber.
"Your meat… is bloody tough" said Greatjon Umber before he started to chuckle.
Jon chuckled along with the other Northerners.
"Lord Glover will lead the vanguard, Lord Karstark and Lord Ryswell will lead the main cavalry, Lord Umber will lead the bulk of our infantry, Lords Cerwyn, Hornwood, Manderly and Greyjoy will ride alongside me, Lord Locke and Lord Mazin will mobilise the rest of our reserves before joining us" said Jon.
The other Northerners muttered and nodded in agreement.
Kings Landing – 301 A.C
Two nights later…
Arthur and Barristan Selmy crept past the black cells checking each one for Ned in complete silence.
The two had chanced it by waiting several days for the presence of the Guards in the Red Keep to reduce before finally making their move.
They had evaded the few Gold Cloaks there were as well as the Tully Guards making their way into the Red Keep through the crypts and taking a mostly unknown shortcut down to the black cells.
After checking four of the cells they finally found Ned's cell and unbolted the door.
Arthur walked into the cell while Barristan Selmy stood guard at the door.
Ned looked up at him in surprise as Arthur stopped in front of him.
Ned breathed a sigh of relief before Arthur helped him to his feet.
"Come on… we have a ship waiting to take us back North" said Arthur placing Ned's arm around his shoulders and helping him out of the cell.
Barristan Selmy drew his sword and led them back out of the dungeons once Arthur had locked the cell door once again.
"We should hurry, there is no telling how much time we have" said Barristan Selmy as he led them away from the dungeons.
They made their way down to the crypts and out onto the beach where a row boat was waiting for them which took a good half hour.
Fortunately for them it was a new moon on this night making their journey across Blackwater Bay into the hidden cove four miles offshore much easier.
The Narrow Sea – 301 A.C
Four hours later…
"Never do that again" said Ashara bitterly.
She was lying on the bed in the cabin with Ned.
They were onboard a House Dayne Longship bound for Deepwood Motte with them due to arrive in four weeks.
Ned had his arms wrapped around her holding her into him.
"They would have killed you that day… at least you managed to get away" said Ned solemnly.
"You know how scared I was when I saw you fall?" said Ashara sadly.
Ned sighed and pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"That was the last thing I heard… your scream, I thought you had been killed right then and there, I have never been so scared in my entire life" said Ned.
Ashara pressed her head into his chest.
"And now the realm will bleed with war" said Ashara sadly.
"It will… a war to crown the rightful King and Queen" said Ned solemnly.
Ashara sighed.
"Jon has called the banners… the entire Northern army is making its way to Moat Cailin, ready to march south" said Ashara flatly.
"We need to send a raven to Moat Cailin… the boys must be worried sick about us" said Ned.
"And we will" said Ashara.
Ned sighed.
"They gave me enough food and water to survive in those cells, even though it was not much" said Ned solemnly.
Ashara kissed his chest.
"They needed you alive… as a hostage" said Ashara sadly.
"Aye… and now they have no hostage" said Ned.
Ashara nodded.
"Thank the Gods" said Ashara.
Ned smiled.
"Hey… I am alive remember, here with you, not in those wretched cells awaiting the day when they will execute me, I am here with you" said Ned reassuringly.
Ashara sighed and pressed herself into him.
"How long until we reach Deepwood Motte?" said Ned.
"Four weeks at least, we are going to get more supplies at Starfall before we continue on" said Ashara softly.
Ned sighed.
"Stuck on this ship for four weeks, unbelievable" said Ned in a slightly frustrated tone.
Ashara sighed.
"You are stuck on this ship with me, so it cannot be too bad" said Ashara softly.
Ned pressed his chin into her forehead.
"I suppose not" said Ned.
The two remained there in each others arms neither of them wishing to move.
Meanwhile…
Arthur looked down at the raven scroll in his hands from his sitting position on a crate on deck.
Jon
Your Mother and Father are safe as is the King. We will see you at Moat Cailin in a few weeks. Keep the army there and do not move South unless we order you too.
Arthur
He rolled the scroll up and sealed it before walking over to the cages containing three ravens with one of the Ships Crew stood next to them.
"Send this to Moat Cailin with haste" said Arthur.
"Yes Ser Arthur" said the Crewman.
Arthur handed the raven scroll to him.
"And this one to Runestone" said Arthur pulling another sealed scroll out of his pocket and handing it to him.
The Crewman nodded.
"At once Ser" said the Crewman.
Arthur nodded and walked away from him towards the Captain who was stood on the main deck.
Starfall – 301 A.C
Two weeks later…
Ashara breathed a small sigh of relief as they docked at the port at Starfall.
To her surprise Vorian Dayne was stood at the dock along with several House Dayne Guards as the Crewmen lowered a ramp onto the dock.
Ashara quickly descended down the ramp followed by Arthur, Ned, Edric Dayne, Barristan Selmy and Edric Baratheon.
"Father wants to see you" said Vorian quickly after Ashara wrapped him in a hug.
Ashara let go of him and nodded.
"Take us to him" said Ashara.
Vorian nodded and started to lead them away from the docks followed by his Guards.
Half an hour later…
Ashara, Ned and Arthur sat down in Arron's Solar where Arron, Lysanne and Ellaria Dayne were sat waiting for them.
"What is it that we must talk about?" said Ned.
Arron sighed.
"You can come out now" said Arron flatly.
Ashara, Ned and Arthur turned to the balcony as someone walked into the Solar.
Rhaenys Targaryan.
She sat down next to Ellaria Dayne.
"Rhae… what are you doing here?" said Ashara in slight shock.
Rhaenys sighed.
"I made my choice… as did my Uncle's" said Rhaenys sadly.
"What do you mean?" said Ned.
Rhaenys sighed.
Sunspear – 301 A.C
One week earlier…
Rhaenys sat down in Prince Doran's Solar where Prince Doran, Prince Oberyn, Arianne Martell, Ellaria Sand and Oberyn's Daughters Obarra, Nymeria and Tyene Sand were sat looking at her with neutral looks on their faces.
"What is this about?" said Rhaenys warily.
"We only wish to talk" said Prince Doran flatly.
"About your Sister" said Prince Oberyn icily.
Rhaenys scoffed.
"What Sister?" said Rhaenys feigning shock.
"Visenya Targaryan… or should we say Lyarra Snow, Daughter of the whore Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryan, promised to the Usurpers Son" growled Arianne Martell.
Rhaenys reeled back in shock.
"Why did you never tell us?" said Prince Oberyn icily.
Rhaenys glared at him.
"You had no right to know" said Rhaenys bitterly.
"No right… we are your family girl, yet you betrayed us for those Northern savages" said Ellaria Sand bitterly.
"Ellaria" warned Prince Doran.
Ellaria Sand glared at him.
"How did you find out?" said Rhaenys icily.
"Varys may be a man one can never completely trust, but he does have his uses" said Prince Oberyn.
"You lied to us… to your family" said Arianne Martell bitterly.
Rhaenys glared at her.
"I did what I had to do to protect my Sister, no different to what you would have done" said Rhaenys bitterly.
"Calm yourselves, both of you" said Prince Doran.
Rhaenys turned to him.
"What happens now… Uncle?" said Rhaenys icily.
Prince Doran sighed.
"There will be a ship bound for Starfall leaving in half an hour… you will board it, and never return here again" said Prince Doran flatly.
"And how do I know that I will not be killed as soon as it leaves port?" said Rhaenys bitterly as she glanced at Obarra and Nymeria Sand who were glaring at her hatefully.
"I loved your Mother more than anything… you think I wish to see her last surviving child dead?" said Prince Doran in disgust at her accusation.
Rhaenys sighed and stood up.
"You have made your choice, as I have made mine" said Rhaenys spitefully.
She turned and walked straight out of the Solar without looking back.
"My Uncle kept his word… and I arrived here four days ago" said Rhaenys flatly.
"What will you do now?" said Ned.
Lysanne Dayne sighed.
"She cannot stay here… Dorne is not safe for her any more, she will go north with you and stay at Winterfell until the war is over" said Lysanne Dayne.
Ned sighed and nodded.
"Of course, we wish to leave at first light if possible" said Ned.
Arron nodded.
"I have already called our men to ride here, we will sail for Deepwood Motte when we are ready" said Arron.
Arthur nodded.
"How long?" said Arthur.
"Three weeks, any sooner and the Martell's will realise that we have sided against them, and they will probably attack us here" said Arron.
Ned nodded.
"Very well" said Ned.
He and Ashara stood up and left the Solar heading to her chambers for some rest.
Moat Cailin – 301 A.C
Two days later…
Jon, Robb, Lyra, Lyanna and Theon were stood around the large rectangular table in the main hall as they went over a large map of Westeros with several Northern Lords.
The map was littered in wooden sigils of all of the great houses along with a few wooden ships.
"How many men do we have with us as of now?" said Jon.
Greatjon Umber slid a few sigils of varying Northern houses towards the Moat Cailin location on the map.
"20,000, another 15,000 will be here in two weeks, and if we use our reserves and conscripts we could have up to 45,000 men… but it will take even longer to mobilise them, and we may have to leave without them" said Greatjon Umber.
Jon nodded.
"What of your Good Father boy... do we have those flowery twats on our side?" said Maege Mormont.
Jon sighed and shook his head.
"House Tyrell have refused to back us and so far have remained neutral... but we received ravens from Houses Hightower, Tarly, Cuy and Beesbury who have pledged their forces to the rightful King Edric Baratheon, between them they have some 20,000 men, all we need do is send word to them when we are ready to march into the Riverlands" said Jon bitterly.
There were grumbles of disappointment around the hall before Robb banged his fist on the table.
"That is not all... House Dayne has joined our cause with some 5,000 men, they will be arriving at Deepwood Motte in just under three weeks, though the rest of Dorne have sided with the false Queen Minisa Baratheon" said Robb getting noises of disapproval from the other Northerners.
"That Girl spits on Brandon Stark's good name" growled Rickard Karstark.
The grumbles and angry comments in the hall got louder.
Lyanna sighed and turned to Jon and Robb.
"I will take a group of riders with me and leave soon, to find the others" said Lyanna flatly.
Jon and Robb nodded in understanding.
"We have not heard from them at all" said Jon worriedly.
Lyanna sighed.
"That is why we are going to ride hard down the Kings Road and find them… before anything bad happens to them" said Lyanna flatly.
Jon sighed and gave her a hug before Robb did the same.
"Take care of yourself Aunt Lyanna" said Jon.
Lyanna nodded her head to them and smirked.
"You need not worry about me, I could give most of these Northerners a challenge in any fight" said Lyanna cheekily.
Jon and Robb watched as she left the table before they turned to Theon.
"You go with her Theon, find the others and make sure they get back safely" said Jon.
Theon bowed his head to them before giving each of them a stiff handshake.
"I will, I swear it on the Drowned God" said Theon dutifully.
He turned around and left them.
Jon sighed and turned to Robb.
"I only hope they can find the others soon, before someone else does" said Jon flatly.
Robb sighed.
"Pray that they will" said Robb.
The two Brothers turned back to the table to carry on discussing plans with the rest of the Northerners.