Chapter 19

Wow will you look at that I finally got a chapter done before 2 months again. Big hugs for me lol. But for real I am so happy with myself right now. Now lets move on.

First, I wish to give a shout out to SkyCaptain502 for helping me find a lot of fuck ups in the last chapter. Your great.

TehStorm I have been working on ideas for now the war will go for 2 years now and I am hoping I can pull off something great for all of you.

prince711 I love Ned but I agree. To be real I was not even going to have that happen, but I took Ned as far as I could in the story. It was a real downer that I couldn't have him live but time was running short and so were ideas.

HolyKnight5 it has started, and I am going to need help doing the battles in the story. Its kind of why I started my 2nd story. I don't know if you have read it but its like been my testing ground for them and I feel like I am not during too well.

don't temp me. Just joking no that will not happen.

RyuujinHimari I have been waiting for that as well for a long time now and can't wait to do it. Have some ideas and if you have any PM me.

Evil-Mickey-Hobo your going to have to wait and see lol

Darth Lelouch is it really. I mean this is Lelouch we are taking about. Why wouldn't he take the time out to teach those who are truly loyal to him a language that no one else can speak for the purposes of secret communications.

I have to say I am so happy you guys like how I killed off Robert. I really did like the guy and wanted to give him that last blazing fire moment and I am happy you all like it.

Now on with the story.

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-Red Keep 299AC

Walking as quickly as he could Ned hurried down the halls of the Red Keep. He couldn't believe the news he was just given; no, he didn't want to believe what he was told. Robert his brother in all but name was dead after being attack by a small army of brigands as he was out hunting. How could this happen? There was no way a mare group of bandits could beat Robert or the Kingsguard. So, what in the Seven Hells had happened out there?

He shook his head as he entered his office inside the Tower of the Hand. It didn't matter how it happened all he knew is that he needed to get word out to Robert's brother Stannis about his brother's death. So quickly he pens a letter to Stannis Baratheon detailing what has happen and that none of Cersei Lannister's children are Roberts. Meaning that he, not Joffrey was the rightful king of the Seven Kingdoms. Once he is done penning the letter Ned quickly moves to go to the rookery so he can send off his letter.

As he steps out of his office, he is flanked by two guards of the Northern army. Ned who was already in his armor was no fool he knew a fight was coming. With Robert dead and no will to state what should be done after he has died Cersei will no doubt move to secure her bastards place as king and kill any who know the truth of Joffrey's real status. He was of course on the top of that list and Cersei would do one of two things. Try and capture him and hold him hostage or straight out kill him. That was why he was moving so quickly, he had only a short amount of time to get this letter off, get to the throne room and capture Cersei and Joffrey before they could kill him. It would not be easy with the small number of men he had on hand, but he hoped it would do.

Maybe he should have taken Renly's help but then he couldn't in good faith let him seize the throne as he wished. It was too late to change his mind anyways, no doubt the youngest of the Baratheon brothers had fled the capital by now. Once he reaches the rookery, he is met by 300-man commander Marcyl Rok who Ned had ordered to secure it so he can send his letter without anyone stopping him or tampering with the letter. Walking into the room Ned ties the letter to a raven's leg and sends it off.

"Milord I have found three possible escape paths out of the city if things go badly." Marcyl says to his lord.

Looking over at the man Ned nods his head and walks out of the room. "Thank you Marcyl. Tell me what do you think our chances are of capturing Cersei and Joffrey?"

"Not good milord. Every last one of us are elites in the army but we are badly outnumbered. It would be wiser to escape now than to try and capture them." Marcyl says to his lord.

Ned smiles at what the man has said. Not because he is happy to hear what the man has said but because of how the man was trained. To give honest opinions based on the facts is the trademark of the Northern Army. A commander of the Northern Army won't ever tell you what you want to hear but only what they believe to be true. What military leader could ask for more.

"I must apologize than to you commander for leading you and your men for deliberately walking you all to your deaths." Ned says to him.

"No apologies are needed milord. The wolf pack are trained to expect every mission to be their last and if we are to die today than it was truly an honor to die with a man such as you." Marcyl says as he bows to his lord.

No more words are needed as Ned starts to make his way towards the throne room with 50 men of the wolf pack. The other 250 have been spread out to secure the escape routes and cause over all chaos such as setting parts of the castle on fire to help with an escape if needed.

Now coming to the door of the throne room Ned pushes them open and walks through with his men by his side. They are all armed with short swords and shields seeing as a spear will help them little in close quarters combat. The first thing Ned sees once he walks through the doors is Joffrey sitting on the Iron Throne with a smirk on his face and Cersei by his side surrounded by at least a hundred men.

"Lord Stark to what do we owe the pleasure of you just barging into the throne room and with so many heavily-armed men?" Cersei asks in a smug voice that tells Ned that she knows why he is here.

Ned was not fully sure till just now that the queen was the one that had Robert killed on his hunting trip but now, he was. He had at first half thought his son Lelouch may have been involved in Roberts killing. Ned wouldn't put it pass his son to do such a thing but then the attack smelled of desperation and was to out in the open for his son's way of doing things. Lelouch was cloak and dagger with even the smallfolk he had killed when they knew something or saw something they were not supposed to. So, he would never assassinate someone like Robert who had some of the best knights guarding him out in the open were there was no guarantee of killing him.

"You are both under arrest for conspiring the usurp the throne of the Seven Kingdom's. Step down now and come peacefully or we will be forced to remove you both." Ned says in an ice-cold voice that puts even his own men on edge.

"Under arrest. I am king you have no right to arrest me." Joffrey yells out like the spoiled brat he is.

"You are no king boy. You are your mother's bastard by whoever she spread her legs for. Now step down." Ned says as he draws Ice from his back and holds it at the ready as his men do the same with their swords.

With a face showing total fury Cersei says, "You overstep yourself Lord Stark. Guards, kill these men."

The guards on Cersei's orders draw their blades and immediately attack Ned and his men. Swords clash in the air as the fighting starts and despite their superior numbers the Lannister guards start to fall one by one faster than they can fall their opponents. For each Northern man that is killed 2 or three Lannister's are killed showing the difference between quality and quantity.

Jaime Lannister who was not with the king during his hunt sees that Lord Stark and his men will soon reach his son and sister. Looking towards Cersei he says. "Take King Joffrey and get out of here."

An ugly sneer comes to her face but seeing what is happening Cersei grabs Joffrey and leaves out the back. Jaime meanwhile draws his sword and enters the fray. The first man he faces has just killed one of the guards and turns to face him. They trade blows for a bit their swords meeting in combat and quickly Jaime realizes why the castle guard is having so much trouble with these men. To be plain the Northern army men were just better than the castle guard. He thanks to himself as he finally gets the better of the man in front of him and cuts him down.

Seeing his men are slowly but surely losing ground and Cersei and Joffrey have escaped Ned calls out, "Blow the horn for the retreat and slowly fall back."

An unseen soldier blows a horn letting all the men within hearing distance know that they are to fall back to the escape routes. The Northern men in the throne room start to fall back slowly cutting down any man who gets too close to them. Ned follows but before he can take two steps back Jaime moves quickly to stop him.

Seeing him Ned brings Ice up to defend himself as he keeps falling back. Jaime stops just out of reach of Ice and looks for an opening to attack from. Despite Ice's size Jaime is no fool and knows that Lord Stark can use the great sword just as well as one of a shorter size. It only takes a moment however for Jaime to spot an opening in Ned's defense and moves forward for the attack, but the opening was a fake and using Jaime's own forward momentum Ned brings up Ice in an upwards strike that will hopefully kill Jaime. He slips however on some blood on the floor and his swing is off by only a bit but that is enough for Jaime to dodge out of the way of what would have been a killing blow and thrust his own long sword forward. But like Ned Jaime is off balance and misses hitting Ned anywhere vital. Both men are injured however with Ned suffering a blow to his upper shoulder and Jaime getting a deep gash in the face from the tip of Ice's blade.

Jaime howls in pain as he clinches his face with one hand but despite the pain, he realizes this is his chance to finish off Ned and knocks Ice from his grip. With his shoulder injured Ned can't hope to hold the heavy great sword but luckily before Jaime can go for the killing blow the commander of the 300 men steps in front of his lord and blocks the strike and locks blades with Jaime.

"Go, get Lord Stark out of here." Myrcyl yells out then goes on the attack.

Jaime does not know who this man is, but he quickly finds himself on the back foot. "Get Lord Stark you idiots." He yells out as he tries desperately to keep the man at bay.

"Someone get Lord Stark's sword." A random man yells out.

"Leave it. There is no time to waste, we must escape now." Ned commands his men as he watches more Lannister guards come through the back.

With his men now only numbering 30 or so men Ned knows that capturing Cersei and Joffrey is no longer possible. Now all he can hope for his getting his men and himself out of here alive. Which is anything but easy as they have to fight more and more castle guards as they move as quickly as they can towards an escape path. It was a good thing that the men of the Northern Army had memorized the layout of the Red Keep and are able to lead Ned to the closest one at a quick pace. Because at this rate they would be overwhelmed soon enough.

When they reach the closet escape route, they find that a number of their own men are fighting a small detachment of castle guards. It is a one-sided fight and the men of the Northern Army make quick work of the castle guard but by the looks on their faces and the number of men dead on the ground these men had been fighting nonstop for some time now.

Right when the last castle guard is cut down one of the men sees their lord. "Lord Stark this way. Hurry someone has tipped off the guards about the escape paths we have found. We don't have much time before more of the castle guards show up."

"Dammit." Ned says as he hears this and follows the man into a secret tunnel. Taking a quick look around he sees there are only maybe 41 maybe 46 men left guarding this tunnel. That leaves him with only 60 men left to help him escape.

It doesn't take long for Ned and his remaining men to get to the end of the escape tunnel and once he exits, he finds only maybe 20 horses waiting for them.

"Where are the rest of the horses?" Ned asks.

"I am sorry milord, but we didn't know if you would show up at this escape path or how many men would still be alive with you. So, we got the least number of horses we thought you would need to escape King's Landing. Now please get on one of the horses you must go." One of the men says to him as they hear more men coming down the tunnel and know that they are not their men.

Cussing out loud knowing that he would have to leave even more of his men behind Ned looks at them and sees they are ready to die for him. No words come to mind that he felt would reassure them that they won't die for nothing but than from the looks on their faces no words are needed. They are brave men all of them and accept their fate. So, bowing his head Ned gets on top of one of the horses and starts to ride off as quickly as he can but before he can get very far an arrow strikes him in the back and he falls off the horse.

His men quickly rush to him and guard him as more archers from above them start to shoot down at them from the wall. They don't have time to check were Lord Stark was hit so they just pick him up and lay him across one of the horses. The man who was already on top of the horse kicks it hard and speeds away as fast as he can get the animal to move.

Ned can feel the arrow in his back and were it has hit. He is losing blood and fast but before he passes out, he says to the man holding him as they ride. "M-make for Riverrun."

-Winterfall later on that night-

Sitting on his bed crying Rickon Stark looks up as he sees his oldest brother walking into the room with a soft smile on his face.

"What is wrong my little wolf?" Lelouch asks as he sits down by his brother's side.

Sniveling a bit Rickon looks up at Lelouch and says, "I had a bad dream."

"I see and what was it that you dreamt?" Lelouch asks softly.

"I…I dreamt I was trap in a great snowstorm. I yelled out for father, mother, everyone but no one would answer. I was dying Lelouch and no one was there with me." Rickon says and starts crying a bit.

Lelouch just places an arm around his baby brother and holds him close. This was nothing new for him for all his siblings had nightmares that would keep them up at night and it would be him, not his father or mother who would hold them till sleep took them once more. Perhaps that was because he didn't have nightmares or for that matter any dreams anymore. He always slept peacefully and maybe in a strange way his brothers and sisters confused that with safety.

"There, there my little brother. You dream only dreams and nothing more." Lelouch says in a calming voice.

"But the dream was so real Lulu. I….I don't want to die." Rickon cries out.

Lelouch looks down at his little brother with a sad look on his face. "And yet you will, as will I and everyone we know. It is the fate of all men to die, it is the one and only truth in this world."

"I am afraid Lulu." Rickon says in between sniffles.

"So am I Rickon." Lelouch says to him.

Looking at his older brother with tears in his eyes Rickon says, "I thought you weren't afraid of anything Lulu."

Lelouch laughs a bit at this and shakes his head. "And who told you I was not afraid of anything?"

"Everyone, they all say you are unable to feel fear." Rickon says to him.

Lelouch just laughs more at this. "Then they are all fools."

Seeing the confusion on his younger brother's face Lelouch continues, "Those who claim to have no fear little brother are moonstruck fools. It is only those who admit their fears and move forward anyways that are brave men and women. So, while I fear death, I will face it head on and if I am lucky, I well be one of the few who face it with a smile on my face and have no regrets."

"But how do I do that Lulu?" Rickon asks.

"That by little brother is something you will have to answer yourself. For I cannot give you your bravery." Lelouch says as he tucks his brother back into bed.

With dry eyes Rickon looks at his brother with a brave look and says, "I will find it Lulu. I will prove I can be a brave man."

"I know you will my little wolf. Now sleep well till morning comes to welcome you." Lelouch says as he closes the door and leaves.

After leaving his brother's room Lelouch makes his way back to the tower that he lives in with his wife and enters it to find her awake and sitting up.

"Is everything alright with Rickon Lulu?" Shirley asks him as she lets the blanket that was covering her fall from her body now that she knows that it was Lelouch that walked through the door. She didn't mind showing off her body but only Lelouch got to see her naked now a days.

"He is fine. It was just Queen Mab playing with his dreams." Lelouch says as he takes a seat next to her.

"Only Queen Mab was it? She is a fickle old woman." Shirley says to Lelouch. She didn't remember who the original writer of Romeo & Juliet was but Lelouch had along with many other stories had rewritten them feeling like the great works from their original world should live on.

"Yes, she is but than they are only dreams." Lelouch says as he lays down next to her.

"Do not underestimate dreams my love. For in our dreams can be hints of the future." Shirley says as she lays on top of him.

Looking at his wife he laughs a bit but not in good cheer, "No my love Mercutio had it right. Dreams are little more than the children of an idle brain, begot of nothing but vain fantasy, which is as thin of substance as the air and more inconsistent than the wind. They only have power over us if we let them for in the end, they are only dreams."

Shirley just shakes her head at Lelouch but says nothing. This was the only part of Lelouch she disliked, his dismissal of all things that had to do with dreams. He dismissed dreams for he did not have them anymore for they had long been taken away from him. To forever be trap in the past were his dreams were taken from him in his sorrow was his punishment for the things he had done. She could make him happy she knew that, but that part of him that was back there in the past would forever wallow in its misery.

-Riverlands Days later-

Robb was sitting down at a table looking over some maps of the Riverlands thinking about the upcoming war with Tywin Lannister. After taking his time to really think about it and going over what Ros and Lord Corbet spies had told him Robb could only say about half of his lords south of the Red Fork would not betray him when the war started. It could be even less than that if he was being completely honest with himself. That wasn't good seeing as it would only leave him with about 20,000 men to fight with from those houses that were loyal to his grandfather who was at this point just barely holding on to life. It would only be when his grandfather died that he would find out who was really loyal to him.

It was sad to say that in till than Robb would have to believe that he was going to have an even lower number of fighting men than that and would have to plan accordingly. Assuming he would only have the 10,000 men his own house can call on against an army of over 30,000 well equipped men that he could count on Lord Lannister to have with him this was not a good number. On a brighter side however, Theon had been able to train half of the 10,000 men into an actual coordinative fighting force that would not be broken easily. That was still too small of an army to hold back Lord Lannister, however.

Knowing that Robb had taken it upon himself to build a simple wooden fortress at the only real crossing on the Tumblestone. The Tumblestone river was a swift moving river that was far deeper than the Red Fork which made it a natural barrier in to the Riverlands. In fact, there was only one spot that was narrow enough for a man to cross it be it on foot or by boat and even then, it was a place no real military commander would dare cross. The rational part of his mind told him it was a waste of building material, but he had been taught to expect the unexpected when it came to war and who indeed would expect an army to cross there. So even though it was most likely a waste of time and material it would serve to put his mind at ease.

Other than that, there was little he could do. The Red Fork had too many crossings that an army of a certain size could pass across. He couldn't build a fort at all of them so he would have to leave it alone but unlike the Tumblestone you couldn't cross the Red Fork by foot. You would have to build boats which would take time. Time that no commander would wish to take the time to build least he risk getting trap between the river and an enemy army.

"Still working my love." Talisa Maegyr says as she walks into Robbs office with a smile.

Looking up at his soon to be wife Robb smiles as well, "What time is it?"

"Well past evening and well into the night." She says to him as she approaches him.

Looking at her with some surprise Robb says, "I did not know it was so late, and we had a dinner planned together didn't we. I am sorry Talisa."

Talisa waves him off and says, "There is no need to apologize milord. Your mind is busy with many thoughts and plans for things that have yet come to pass." She says as she looks over the maps of the Riverlands. "Are you so sure that war with the lion cannot be avoided?"

"My brother is sure of it." Robb says to her.

"I asked if you're sure of it my love. Not the acting Lord of the North but the soon to be Lord of the Riverlands." Talisa says to him sharply. She did love Robb for his kindness and sense of honor and justice but what she didn't love was how unsure he was. Whenever it came to a matter his brother had a hand in Robb would always hesitate to say what he thought. She couldn't blame him for even back in Volantis the name Lelouch Stark was well known but by the gods she would one day see him step out of his brother's shadow.

Looking at the woman he loved Robb says, "I am sure of it. All the signs point to an all out war. There is no stopping it at this point. All that is left is someone to start the fire and see it turn to an inferno."

Hearing the confidence in his voice Talisa nods her head, "If that is the case than from what I see you have done all you can do. So, what is it that is keeping you up my love?"

Taking a moment to think about whether or not to answer her Robb makes up his mind not to hide what he has come to suspect about his brother, "There is something that is worrying Lelouch."

Talisa has to keep herself from sighing as she hears this. Again, Robb is letting his brother control his thoughts she thinks to herself. "And how do you know something is worrying your brother?" She asks in a kind voice.

"Because I am his twin." Robb says simply.

Talisa can't help but giggle a bit at such a foolish answer, "Robb you do realize that is not really an answer, right?"

Giving Talisa a sad smile Robb says, "Spoken just like a person who does not have a twin. Have you ever heard the saying that twins no matter how far apart can always tell what the other one is feeling? Well I can tell you it is true. There is something on my brothers mind that is worrying him, I can feel it."

Deciding to humor her betrothed Talisa says, "Maybe he is worried about the war like you are or perhaps he is worried about your father."

Shaking his head Robb says in a worried voice of his own, "That is not it. By brother has long sense accepted that a war was going to happen when one or more of the greater houses decided they had had enough of the North prospering as they decline. As for my father, well Lelouch had already expressed that worry to me."

"Then what do you believe it is that is worrying your older brother." Talisa asks now taking her loves words more seriously after hearing the tone of his voice.

"I don't know, but it has to be something major to explain his actions as of late." Robb says to her.

"What actions? From what you have told me he has not left Winterfell for some time." Talisa says to him.

"That is one of the reasons why I am so worried. My brother rarely ever stays in Winterfell for very long in the past. He was always visiting some lord or checking on some project to make sure things were going smoothly and yet he has not left Winterfell in months. Last I saw him he told me he wished to meet the woman who has captured my heart but still he does not leave Winterfell." Robb says as he continues to look worried.

Looking to change the subject a bit Talisa says, "That is something I been wishing to talk to you about. How can you stand knowing your own brother is spying on you? I mean sure my family had its own spies in Volantis, but I never had to worry about my own family spying on me."

Robb chuckles a bit and says, "Don't pay it too much mind Talisa. My brother spies on everyone, seven hells he most likely even has spies watching his own wife. He doesn't do it because he doesn't trust me or anything, he just wants to know who I meet with and befriend so as to make sure they are not trying to take advantage of me."

"It sounds like to me like he doesn't trust your judgment." Talisa says to him.

"Only to an outsider looking in. Lelouch's way of showing that he cares for me and my siblings is cruel and hard in many ways but never doubt that he does love us. Each lesson he taught was meant to make us strong and ready to take on a world far crueler than he could ever be." Robb says to her.

"Well I guess it is the job of the older brother to help teach the younger ones about the world, but I don't see how that makes spying on you alright." Talisa says to him.

"That's because it is not and that is the lesson. Just because it's not morally alright to spy on me doesn't mean someone else won't. As a noble and a soon to be Lord Paramount I can't afford to fully trust anyone least I wish to be betrayed. Another lesson was once when I was only 14 name-days old my brother had convinced my father to allow me and him to pass judgment on two murderers. We of course judged them to be guilty but what I didn't know and what Lelouch didn't tell me is that we would have to carry out the sentence ourselves." Robb says to her.

"Such harsh lessons." Talisa says taken aback at this knowledge.

"Indeed, it was. I had seen an execution before that, but never did I think I would have to be the one to carry out a death sentence so soon. But I had learned something that night when I went to bed. I had learned what it took to rule and what it took to keep my family safe. It was a lesson that was further enforced when my brother took me to that village, I told you about with Jon, Sansa and Theon." Robb says in a sober tone.

What was there to say to that Talisa thought to herself as she stood there. She had grown up in a slave city where she got everything she ever wanted and didn't have to worry about at thing. It was not till after that slave saved her brother's life that she had awoken to how unfair and how hard life really was. That slave had risked his very life to save one of the nobles that kept him and others like him in bondage without a thought. And what was his reward for that, nothing that was what he had gotten. He didn't even get to keep his own life seeing as a few days later when she was walking down a street, she saw his lifeless body hanging in the middle of the street for the crime of touching a noble. She never found out who reported that poor man, but she did remember clearly how her parents acted when she told them what happen to the slave that saved their sons life. They didn't care, oh sure they thank their gods for saving his life and fussed over him for weeks but as for the slave they didn't give him a second thought. It disgusted her to think her own mother and father could be like that and it disgusted her even more that till that day she was just like them.

That was her lesson she realized, her lesson on how unfair and hard the world really was. It was way she had decided to do something with her life and to never live in a place where slavery was allowed again. She couldn't stand the thought of going back to that evil city and its evil people and though she loved her parents very much she realized they too were evil people. Her only relief was that her brother had also taken to heart the selfless act of that slave and was to her knowledge fighting for better slave rights.

They are both silent and lost in their own thoughts when a guard rushes into the door in a clear panic. Robb jumps up as the door slams open and he yells out, "What is the meaning of this interruption?"

The guard takes a few deep breaths and speaks, "Milord its Lord Stark. He just rode into the courtyard with a few men of the Northern Army. He is hurt milord; an arrow is in his back and there is blood, a lot of blood on his clothes."

With eyes wide open Robb quickly moves and pushes the man to the side as he rushes down the stairs. At the bottom of them he meets up with Theon who is looking grim himself. Theon tells him his father has already been moved to a guest room and the castle Maester has been sent for, but Lord Stark didn't look good from what he could see. Following Theon to the room his father has been taken to and Robb walks into it and sees a scene that he had only ever seen in his worst nightmares. His father was laying on his side in a bed covered in blood with a Maester by his side.

On spotting his lord Maester Vyman stands up and goes to him and says, "Milord you can't be here right now. You most go."

Hearing what the Maester has said Robb wishes to punch the man in the face but quickly gets his anger under control. Anger and violence will not help him here so looking at the Maester Robb says in a commanding voice. "Tell me how he is."

Maester Vyman does not answer right away so Robb yells at the man, "Tell me."

Maester Vyman motions for Robb to follow him out of the room. Once outside the man says, "It doesn't look good milord. The arrow is very close to his heart and infection has already set in. Lord Stark has also lost a lot of blood and though I have some of the new medicine from the Academy to help with infection it may be too late to help him."

Robb at hearing this takes a deep breath and looks away for a bit and hits the wall several times. Turning back to face the old Maester Robb says in a hard voice, "Do what you can for my father."

"Yes milord." Vyman says and bows his head and walks back into the room and closes the door.

Turning to face Theon Robb says, "Muster the men of the castle and close the gates. First thing in the morning start summoning every able body man for battle."

"The war has finally come has it?" Theon says to his friend.

"Yes, whatever happen to my father you can bet it involves the Lannisters. The war has started and we must be prepared to face the lion come two weeks' time for that is how long I predict it will take Tywin Lannister to have his own men ready for battle." Robb says.

"That is if he does not already have them ready to move right now." Theon says back to him. Like Robb Theon had been taught the simple lesson of hope for the best but expect the worst. Especially in times of war.

Pausing for a bit Robb says, "Let's hope that is not the case."

"Where are you going?" Theon asks as Robb starts to walk away. He had thought that his friend would stay by his father's side.

"To write my brother and let him know what happen. That is if he doesn't know about what happen already." Robb says as strongly as he can and walks off back to his office.

-The next moning-

Like Robb had suspected Lelouch did indeed know what had happen in King's Landing. Well apart of it at least. His spies inside the Red Keep had not been able to send all the information at this time but after reading the letter Lelouch looked up at his knight Jeremiah and says, "Jeremiah go find my mother and go tell her what has happen. Keep it quiet for now in till we receive word on were my father is."

"Yes milord." Jeremiah bows his head and leaves the room to go follow his lord's orders.

Standing up Lelouch goes and stands by the window and looks out it in deep thought. Shirley who is in the room with him and who had looked over his shoulder and read the letter starts to say. "Lulu…."

"He is hurt Shirley. My father is out there hurt somewhere with no medical attention, he may even be on the verge of dying. The spy who sent this letter can't confirm it but thinks my father maybe dead already. He heard one of the guards saying my father was shot in the back with an arrow right in his heart." Lelouch says in a tone she has never heard come from him before.

Knowing there is nothing she can say to make her husband feel better Shirley just walks up behind him and wraps her arms around his waist and lays her head on his back. It is a weak attempt at making him feel better she knows but it is all she can do.

As for Lelouch he just lets her do as she will and takes what little comfort it brings him. There is little else he can do till more information came in and hope for the best. He already knew that if the injuries are even half as bad as the spy had reported to him than his father would bleed out or die of infection if he could not get medical attention soon. Of all the books he had read in his old world he had never once thought about reading any medical books past that which would allow him to perform first aid. It would seem now he was paying the price for his oversite. And the price would be his father's life if things went poorly.

He needed more information and he needed it now but when he got it he would wish it never came. For just before evening came Jeremiah would walk in with a letter from Robb. Taking the letter from Jeremiah's hands Lelouch reads it and his eyes narrow and a shadow covers his face in darkness for a moment. A blinding, red hot rage rises up inside of him but Lelouch pushes it back down where it belongs. Decisions based on blind rage will not help him now.

So, looking up at his knight once again Lelouch says in a calm voice, "Go and gather my mother, brothers and sisters. Update my mother on what is happening with my father but keep my siblings in the dark till your out of Winter Town."

"Yes milord." Jeremiah says not even bothering to ask his lord if he was not going. He knows his lord to well to ask such a question.

When Jeremiah leave Shirley looks at her husband with an upset look on her face and asks, "Lelouch are you sure you don't wish to go with them."

"There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. Besides you read the first letter. My father before he went to confront Cersei and Joffrey sent a letter to an unknown person. I don't know what was in that letter or who it was sent to, but I have a feeling I know who it was and what it said. And if I am right the Seven Kingdom's is about to enter a very chaotic time. I must be ready to react to what will come." Lelouch says to her in an ice-cold voice.

Yes, she had read that letter just like she read the one just now but still she couldn't help but feel if Lelouch didn't go to say goodbye to his father he would regret it for the rest of his life. Her good-father maybe dying but there was nothing he could do about it and he had responsibilities to attend to and a war to prepare for so he would not leave. Seven hells she could go on his behalf if he would just ask her to go, but he wouldn't, and she would not leave his side if he didn't ask her to. Her place as Lelouch's wife was by his side.

"But Lulu if you don't go your regret it for the rest of your life if he dies." Shirley says in a sad voice.

Standing up quickly and slamming his hands on his desk Lelouch says in an angry voice and tears in his eyes, "I already regret more than you or anyone else will ever know Shirley. What are my feelings and regrets worth compared to the safety of my family? There is too much to do, too much to worry about and if I need to give up saying goodbye to the only man I would have ever thought of as my father to ensure my family's protected then so be it."

He is right, Shirley knows this. He had told her about what was to come from the Far North and with the news Jeremiah had given him about the others being back Lelouch had become increasingly worried about it. If he did not beat the others when they came than his family, the family he has grown to love more than anything would be lost to him. So truly what was his feelings or regrets compared to losing everything else, but why must his life be so cruel as to not even let him say goodbye to the man she knew he saw as his real father.

Walking over to him Shirley holds him and says, "I am sorry Lulu."

"Whether my father lives or dies Shirley this is the last time the Lannisters cross me. Tywin, Cersei, Joffrey and anyone else that takes their side will watch as I burn down their world and turn it to ash." Lelouch says with a dark hateful look on his face as he holds his wife.

-A few days later-

Standing outside in the courtyard Robb waited for his family to arrive. It had taken almost a week for his family to arrive in Riverrun but do to the improved roads in the North that Lelouch had started way back when he first started his projects the trip only took so long because the Riverlands roads were not as good. When the carriage arrives in the courtyard and comes to a stop the door is immediately open by his mother who steps out looking far older than last, he saw her. Robb also sees is younger siblings step out as well all of them with tears in their eyes. Had they cried the whole way, he suspected they had. Who he doesn't see however is Lelouch and there were no signs that he would be showing up. Feeling a hot anger taking over he is about to ask his mother where he is when she speaks up before he can say anything.

"Where is your father?" Cat asks her son in a half-broken voice.

Looking at his mother and seeing in her eyes that she is barely holding it together Robb feels his anger disappear and in its place, grief takes hold. "This way mother, follow me."

Cat does as her son tells her and follows him and is closely followed by her other children who are being deathly quiet. "How is your father?"

"He had taken a turn for the worst 3 days ago. Maester Vyman has done all he could but father is beyond help now." Robb says in an even tone. He needs to be strong for his family, but he feels so weak right now and just wishes he could break down and cry himself. And when he hears his siblings start to cry behind him, he feels like he has been hit by a war hammer.

When they get to the room that Ned is in, Robb opens it and lets his mother walk in first. Cat steels herself before she walks in but is still not prepared to see her husband in this state, he is in. Nor are her children as they start to sob behind her as she walks into the room. Walking slowly, she goes to a chair that is by his bed and sits down taking his hand in to her own. His hand is as cold as ice and she knew than that they had made it just in time.

"Father, father everyone is here now." Robb says softly as Ned opens his eyes slowly.

Looking around and feeling his wife's hand in his he grips it softly and smiles. His grip is weak and Cat sobs as she feels how cold his hand is.

"Where is Lelouch and Jon?" Ned asks in a weak voice.

"Jon is still at Hardhome and most likely word of what has happen has not reached him yet father. And Lelouch didn't come and is most likely still in Winterfell." Robb says to his father.

Ned gives a small smile, "Than all is how it should be."

"No, no it is not. Jon is one thing but Lelouch should be here." Robb says trying to stay calm and fighting back his tears.

"There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. War and chaos is coming to the land and Lelouch knows his duty is to protect the North and his family." Ned says to his son in a weak voice.

"Dear please don't talk. Save your strength." Cat says as she cries over her husband.

Looking over at his wife Ned gives a sad smile and says, "Cat my love of all the horrible things that came from the war all those years ago our marriage was not one of them. I love you, I what you to know that."

Cat just cries as he says that.

Looking over at Sansa his oldest daughter he says, "Sansa my little dove what a beautiful and strong young woman you have become. What father could ask for a better daughter? It feels like a lifetime ago when you were born, and I held you in my hands. How I wish I could have been there to see you marry the person of your dreams and see what children you would have had. Tell Lelouch to make sure you marry someone you love and not someone your supposed to."

Sansa with tears in her eyes says, "Yes father."

Smiling he turns his eyes to his youngest daughter, "Arya how much you remind me of my sister. Just as fiery as she was but more in control of your temper than she was at your age. I wish I could have been there to see what kind of woman you would have grown to be. I am sure you will go on to do great things. Things that no other woman has ever done before. I love you my little shewolf."

Arya strong little Arya can't stop the tears from falling from her eyes at her father's words. The love she feels in them she would cherish for all her life.

"Brandon there was so much left to teach you, so much left undone. I am sorry I could not teach you more, but you are a smart lad. Lelouch says you are in many ways smarter than he is and I agree. You will no doubt do some great things when you grow older. You will make us all proud I just know it." Ned says with such certainty in his voice that all who are in the room believe him.

"I will make you proud father. I swear it." Bran says as he tries to act strong like his big brother Robb but fails horribly and just cries.

Looking over at his youngest son who is clinging to his mother Ned tries his best to give the boy a reassuring smile. "Do not be afraid my little wolf. Things are going to change from now on, but life is about changes. No sooner do we say hello than do we have to say goodbye to all those we know but we must be brave for we cannot fight this fact. So be brave my son, be brave."

"I will try father." Little Rickon says with snot in his nose and tears falling from his eyes.

Finally looking back at Robb, Ned says, "What is there for me to say to you Robb that has not been said before. You are a man now and am about to start a family of your own. You know what needs to be done so go out and do it. My father once said to me that if you must fight you win. Win my son, and don't forget I am proud of you."

Robb stands straighter than before and feels his heart fill with a mix of joy and sadness at his father's words. He does not realize it yet but in the years to come knowing his father is proud of him will be what gets him through them.

"Listen all of you when life gets to hard or you feel like you can't stand or move any more grab on to Lelouch. He will pull you forward for even if the world falls on him your brother will not bend to its weight and will keep moving forward. And please tell Jon I love him and am proud of him to." Ned says with one last smile on his face and then closes his eyes and takes his last breath before life leaves his body.

-Weeks later-

It had been weeks sense his father had died and Lelouch had been busy. He had put the whole of the Northern Army and Navy on full alert and had summoned the lords of the North to Winterfell. He would have like to go right on the attack, but he had to convene with his bannermen before he did that especially after his suspicions of what the message his father sent out proved to be true. Stannis Baratheon had sent out word that Joffery was not Robert's son by birth nor was Myrcella or Tommen. He had also demanded that all the lords of the kingdom support his claim as king. Lelouch had to keep himself from laughing at that demand. Stannis was truly a fool if he thought he would get the support he demanded.

Lord Stannis's power and wealth could be considered that of a minor lord at best. At worst he was not even as powerful as a lower house. Though well-liked by the men who fought with him in the past, those people were mostly soldiers who had no real political power whatsoever. He was also not well like by the nobles or smallfolk alike and this was not helped by his isolation on Dragonstone. Last he heard from his spies before they were all killed was that unrest was building on Dragonstone between him and the people that call the island home do to him letting that Red Woman burn so many of them into steak. It was a weakness that could easily be exploited by anyone with half a brain.

His younger brother Renly Baratheon on the other hand was well liked by the nobles and smallfolk. The man had a very charismatic personality and made friends easily with whomever he talked with. He had also made it no secret that he thought he should be the next king, and this was well before Stannis sent out his little message or even before his oldest brother Robert had died. Lelouch had to wonder would the youngest Baratheon use Robert's death and the claim that Cersei's children were illegitimate as a way to stake his claim as king. If he did, he had a halfway decent chance at beating Stannis, especially if the Reach backed him.

Last was Lord Tywin who to Lelouch somewhat surprised didn't go on the immediate attack after King Roberts assassination. News out of King's Landing was slow for a time so Lelouch didn't have a full picture of what had happen the day his father tried to arrest Cersei and Joffrey, but after one of his spies had gotten the full report to him about what had happen everything became clear. King Robert was assassinated in what could be called the worst assassination plot of all time and it reek of desperation. To try and kill a king right out in the open during broad daylight when he has guards with him showed no higher thought process than that of a wounded animal in a corner. In other words, not Tywin Lannister's style. The man was much too smart to attempt something so stupid, but his daughter was.

Lelouch never really thought much about Cersei Lannister. She was beautiful, arrogant, and shortsighted but somewhat smart from what he could tell so he didn't believe she would try something so open. It would seem that he had missed judged her and badly at that. She seemed to be more along the lines of the stupidly dangerous type of person who at first seemed unpredictable. But really her kind was easy to predict, and her shortsightedness had cost her father his best chance at beating him. Because she didn't think things through Tywin Lannister was now on the back foot and scrambling to get gather his forces.

This oversite on her part came at a price. It would take another week are so till Tywin could gather his full force and by than Robb would have already made preparations to stop him from sending men to reinforce King's Landing. That would leave King's Landing with a garrison of some 6,000 men against Stannis or Renly when one of them came to take the Iron Throne.

Lelouch on the other hand had no desire to take King's Landing and so would leave it alone. The Iron Throne meant nothing to him and with how he was feeling right now he was more tempted to burn the city off the face of the earth and toss the ugly thing into the sea. In fact, he may still do that if he gets the chance.

Hearing a knock on the door Lelouch looks up to see his wife walk in along with Jeremiah. Stopping just in front of his desk Shirley says, "Lulu, Robb and the rest of your family have just been spotted about 2 hours away from Winterfell."

"I see thank you my love. Now tell me are you ready yet to leave with Myrcella to Sunspear?" Lelouch says.

"Yes, Lulu but do I really have to go? I feel like my place is with you and not at Sunspear." Shirley says.

They already had this talk she knew and agreed with Lelouch that Myrcella could not stay in the North. She was a sweet girl and had nothing to do with what had happen in King's Landing but they both knew she could not stay here in the North. It was to unsafe to keep her here. Not for them mind you but for her. The chances that some simple-minded fool would try and kill her for Lord Starks death was just to high. The people of the North loved her good-father like he was their own and would go to great lengths to feel like they avenge his death. They wouldn't care one bit about how sweet she was or how she was completely innocent of the crime her mother and brother committed. They wanted blood and so because she had no real value as a hostage Lelouch had made up his mind to send her to Sunspear were she would hopefully be safe.

"I know my dear, but we talked about this. Right now, your homeland is far safer than the North is for her. Me, your father and uncle may not see eye to eye but they both like me would not let any harm come to the girl if they could help it. Plus, the love the people of Dorne have for you will all but guarantee her safety if you are with her." Lelouch says to his wife.

Giving a sigh and pouts Shirley accepts Lelouch's point. She hated it but he was right if there was one place in the Seven Kingdoms Myrcella would be safe it was Sunspear. Her father and uncle would never allow her to come to harm and like Lelouch said she herself was loved there. Just the knowledge that Myrcella was under Shirley's protection and would have the whole of Dorne up in arms to protect her. Because they knew any friend of Shirley's was a friend, she was willing to die for and the people of Dorne would die for Shirley.

"I understand Lulu. I will go find Myrcella and tell her we are leaving for Dorne within the hour. Poor girl will be happy to hear it. She has been too afraid to leave her room without Fenrir by her side ever sense the news came in about what happen in King's Landing." Shirley says and leaves the room.

Lelouch gives his wife a sad smile as she leaves. In truth Lelouch didn't wish to send Shirley to Dorne. She was the person who had helped him work out his grief over his father's death. But sadly, she was a distraction at this point in time that he couldn't afford. She would insist that he allow her to join him on the battlefield and he would give in to her he knew it. That would make him worry about her however and make him take his mind off of those he was fighting.

"Jeremiah escort my wife to White Harbor and see to it she gets to Dorne safely." Lelouch orders the man.

"Yes, my lord. Should I return right away once Lady Shirley is safe back in Sunspear?" Jeremiah asks his lord.

"Ask permission to stay and protect my wife but don't insist on it. Her father would take it as an insult to his pride if you do so. Last thing we need is an upset viper on our hands." Lelouch jokes making Jeremiah smile a bit.

"One last thing my knight will you go find Obara for me and tell her to come and see me?" Lelouch asks of him.

"Of course, my lord." Jeremiah says and leaves the room.

Around 30 minutes later Obara walks into Lelouch's office unannounced and without knocking. She never liked Lelouch and this was her way of showing it. "You wanted to see me Lord Stark."

The coldness in Obara's voice amuses Lelouch and he stands up, "Yes Obara I did. I am going to make this quick so if you will just follow me." Lelouch says as he walks out his office and heads towards the Winterfell armory.

Obara is hot on his heels as she follows him from his office into the armory. She wishes to get whatever it is he wants done with quickly seeing as being around him has always given her the creeps. "Why are we here in the armory Lord Stark?"

"We are here so I can give you something that will help you protect my wife and your sister better." Lelouch says to her.

"What do you mean? Are you saying I am not skilled enough to protect my little sister without your help?" Obara asks as she looks at Lelouch with narrowed eyes.

"Not at all my dear good-sister. When it comes to skill alone you are the best female warrior in the land save maybe one. But tell me now that war has come do you believe that your father or uncle will be able to keep Shirley from going to the battlefield when Dorne takes the field?" Lelouch asks in a cold voice.

Clenching her teeth Obara answers him with a simple, "No."

"And how do you feel about your baby sister going to the battlefield?" Lelouch asks.

"I hate it." Is Obara simple answer to him. She truly did hate the thought of Shirley going to the battlefield. People died on the field of combat and if you were a commanding officer that was captured by the enemy, you could expect worse. Needless to say, she didn't even wish to think about what would happen to Shirley if she was taken alive after a loss on the battlefield. She herself had made peace with what could happen to herself but the thought of her sister being rape was something from her worst nightmares.

"As do I. That is why when the inevitable happens I want you to give her this." Lelouch says as he walks up to a thick cover that is clearly covering up a suit of armor. When he pulls the cover away Obara can't help but gasp in amazement at what he just revealed to her. She had seen Ice up close and person a number of times in the past and could easily tell that the suit of armor he just revealed was made entirely of Valyrian steel. The most amazing part however was it was clearly made for a woman.

Obara is entranced by what she sees and walks up to it and runs her hands over the suit of armor. "I thought your brother only found weapons in Valyria."

"Everyone does. There are few women warriors in the Seven Kingdom's and only two who would fit these armors, so I never felt the need to reveal their existence till now." Lelouch says.

"Armors?" Obara asks as Lelouch moves to another cover and pulls it off to reveal a matching set of Valyria armor.

"I have no idea who made them but when I saw them, I convinced my father to hide them away. I knew if Shirley saw them, she would wish for one and I would not be able to deny her. This of course would make her push even more for permission to go to the battlefield when the war came. And now that it is here, well do you think I could have gotten her to leave Winterfell." Lelouch asks to his good-sister.

Giving a dry laugh Obara says, "You would have better luck convincing my father to stop fucking everything that catches his eye."

"Exactly and that is why I am giving you these two armors for safe keeping. One for you to give to her if the time comes were, she cannot be kept from the battlefield any longer and the other for you because I know so long as you draw breath you won't let anything happen to her." Lelouch says to her.

"So, you plan to use me as Shirley's meat shield." Obara states.

"Yes." Lelouch says to her.

"I can agree to that." Obara says back.

-2 hour later-

Lelouch instead of going back to his office when he was done talking to his good-sister decides to go to his father's office. Once he arrives there, he takes a moment to reminisce about his times here with his father. The number of arguments they had in here numbered well with in the hundreds, but god would he miss them. Anyone who thought his father had just let him do as he wished over the years clearly didn't know Ned Stark very well. His father would fight him tooth and nail on anything he felt was not necessary or was being taken too far and as Lord of Winterfell there was really very little he didn't know about. True his father still didn't know everything Lelouch had done and that went especially for the darker things he had done behind his back but when it came to most things Lelouch had tried to keep the man in the loop.

Now however there would be no more arguments, no more fighting to get his father to see things his way. It was to put it simply saddening. Lelouch had enjoyed those arguments immensely and would miss them dearly. Hearing hurried footsteps approach Lelouch turns just in time to see Robb bust through the door before he grabs him by his collar and pushes him up against a wall.

Looking his brother in the eyes an angry Robb yells at his brother, "Did you know Lelouch."

"Know what?" Lelouch asks his little brother coldly.

"Don't play games with me Lelouch. I have had enough of your games. Did you know that father would be killed in King's Landing?" Robb yells at Lelouch.

"Yes, I had my suspicions that father would not come home alive." Lelouch answers him.

Robb is so angry at his brother right now that he lets go of Lelouch just long enough to punch him in the face and watches him hit the ground. "Then why, why didn't you do anything?"

Getting up off the ground slowly as if he had not been hit at all Lelouch swallows the blood in his mouth instead of spitting it out like most people would do. "Am I a god brother?" Lelouch asks him.

"What?" Robb asks confused by his brother's question.

"Am I a god? Yes or no." Lelouch asks in a bitter and angry tone that Robb has never heard come from his older brother before.

"N…no." Robb answers.

"Then stop asking me to be one. Yes, I suspected father may not come back from King's Landing alive before he left but so did, he and so did you. Or are you going to tell me you didn't have your own suspicions about that?" Lelouch asks his little brother with anger in his own voice.

Robb who was ready to lash out at his brother some more feels his body deflate at his question. He did, he did have his own suspicions that his father may indeed die in King's Landing. He knew how bad things were between House Lannister and House Stark for years. Lelouch had never hidden that information from him and he had also told him about his suspicions that King Robert was most likely terminally ill and had little time left. So yes, he knew that a keg of black powder was going to blow soon but still how was he to know this was going to happen. In fact, how was Lelouch to know it as well.

"That still doesn't excuse you from not being by father's side when he passed." Robb says weakly to Lelouch.

"Doesn't it? Father is dead and war is upon us. I don't need to explain myself to you brother for you already know why I was not there. It is the same reason why you didn't call your bannermen right away and march towards King's Landing or the Westerlands. You know why I stayed here so don't you dare accuse me of not loving our father just because I couldn't be by his side when he passed." Lelouch practically yells at his brother.

Robb who came in here with what he thought was righteous anger now feels like the villain. Because of how cold Lelouch is on the outside it is easy to forget how much he loves his family. His brother just showed it in a different way.

Rubbing his forehead Robb says, "Lelouch I am sorry."

"Forget it brother. What is said is said and in the past dead where it belongs. The same place our enemies will be when I am done with them. There will be no surrender for our enemies. No appeasement or tribute that will stop me from burning down House Lannister. So, unless the other noble houses of the Westerlands deliver Tywin Lannister, Cersei and Joffrey to me, its total war till the end." Lelouch says with pure hatred in his voice and anger on his face.

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And end

Well I have to say I think I did a good job this one. I was going to give Robert a shot to say good by to his friend but I thought it was best to let him just die right their on the battlefield like a warrior instead of a bed so sorry if I disappointed any of you.

As for Ned's death I hope you liked it. I really wanted Lelouch to be their at the end but I wasn't feeling it and had to redo that part of the chapter more than one till I finally went that way I did. Some of you will like it some not so much but I did the best I could.

Now I was going to jump right into the battles and the killing and Lelouch fucking killing everyone in this chapter but then I took a step back and thought wait I should probably show the aftermath of what happen after King's Landing. Was not very happy about that. But to give you a bit about what happens the next chapter we are going to see everyone start scrambling to get ready for war. People are going to take side reactions will be seen and then the frist battle of the war will take place.

Like always leave a review after you are done reading and in till next have a good holiday.