Chapter 34:

EDDARD

Eddard knocked on the king's door.

"Come in."

Eddard opened the door to find Renly in his robes with Ser Loras. He already knew of the rumors between them, but did not feel comfortable bringing it up to them, especially after he and his son made a pact.

"Lord Stark, so good of you to come," said Renly, who smiled. "Ser Loras was just leaving."

"Your Grace," said Loras who left the room abruptly without looking at Ned.

"You'll have to forgive Loras, he does tend to get overprotective of his king."

"You wished to speak with me, my Lord?"

"I do," said Renly. "Please have a seat."

Ned obliged, with Renly following suit.

"Would you care for some wine?"

"No, thank you."

"I'm very sure you've been wondering why I've brought you here during the hour of the wolf, pun not intended."

"Duly noted and yes, I'm rather curious."

"Very well then," Renly said. "Your son seems like a well-raised young man. If he's anything like you, I'd like to have him on my side as long as I can. We may have made a truce this afternoon to put aside the bloodfeud between the Baratheons and the Targaryens, but one wonders how long it will last."

"I assure you, my son will uphold his vows," said Ned. "I've raised him well enough the Northern way to know he won't do otherwise."

"That is good to hear," said Renly. "Because you might want to hear what I have to tell you first before I consider telling him."

"What is it?" asked Ned.

"I wish for us to be allies in the long run," Renly said. "Robert was in the right direction when he planned to join together your House with ours, only he allowed his bloodlust to get in the way of true peace." He clicked his tongue. "That and my late goodsister cuckholded him with her own brother."

"How do you intend to do that, my Lord?" said Ned.

"Come now, Ned, you're much too modest," Renly said, smiling again. "Robert always said so, may the gods grant him mercy." His smile fell as he cleared his throat. "I wish to betroth your son to my niece Shireen."

Ned stared at him in surprise. If he had taken a cup of wine at that moment, he was sure he would spit in shock at Renly's face. "Are-- are you sure that-- is wise, Renly? She is a girl of but one-and-ten."

"If I recall, your daughter Arya is the same age as her, yet my brother thought it was a good idea to betroth her to his son."

Ned said nothing.

"I know what you're thinking, but believe me, I think is the wisest course of action for many reasons. One, not only would it finally unite our Houses, but it would put an end to the feud between the dragons and the stags. Two, my niece needs someone to care for her now, not only as a husband, but as a friend. The gods know that my goodsister Selyse has not been very fond of her all these years, especially after the passings of both my brother and his man Ser Davos, who was her friend. Thirdly, it would return the lands of Dragonstone back to the Targaryens and bridge the long gap between us."

Ned was impressed by Renly's political thinking of the future for both their houses. Not only would it reconcile their differences, but it would finally build Jon's future at best.

"Very well, my Lord," said Ned. "I would like to take some time before I tell Jon about this."

"Of course," Renly said, nodding.

Ned stood up and walked over to the door. He stopped as he grabbed the doorknob before he turned and said, "Renly. Thank you."

Renly nodded again as Ned closed the door behind him.

Now Ned would have to wait and see what his son would think about this, but that would have to wait until after he returned from beyond the Wall.