KING ROBERT

Robert Baratheon is the eldest son of Steffon and Cassana Baratheon. He and his brother Stannis witnessed their parents' ship sink at a young age. Robert was sent to ward with Lord Jon Arryn in the Vale, his brother Stannis with their mother's family and young Renly with Lord Selmy Tarth. A year later Robert was joined by Eddard Stark of Winterfell. The two young men became close friends, so much to the point that Robert often referred to Eddard Stark as the brother he chose.

When Ned's sister came to visit him in the Vale with her father and brothers, Robert fell in love with Lyanna Stark. Eddard helped Robert convince Rickard Stark to betroth Lyanna to Robert, but it was not meant to be. Rhaegar was accused of kidnapping Lyanna, both Rickard and Brandon Stark died at the command of the Mad King and the war started.

The Targaryens were overthrown and Robert is made King. He had been ruling for the past thirteen years. His wife Queen Cersei gave him three children. Prince Joffrey the eldest and heir to the throne, Princess Myrcella, and Prince Tommen. Robert had always wanted to unite Houses Baratheon and Stark. His friend has a daughter, a girl named Sansa, who is said to be very beautiful. Yes the time had come to unite their Houses.

The morning of the second day of the week Robert sends for his wife and children to break his fast with them. "What is all this?" Cesrei asks entering with the children.

"I thought we'd eat morning meal together."

"Why?" Joffrey asks, "We hardly ever eat together."
"Sit boy!" He commands.

"Good Morning, Father…" Myrcella says.

"Good Morning…" They all sit down with Robert at one end of the table and Cersei the other. Joffrey sits to his father's right, while Myrcella and Tommen sit to the left side of the table. "I asked you here because in two months Joffrey turns ten and four. I think it's time to betroth him to Sansa Stark of Winterfell."

"Betrothal!" Joffrey exclaims in shock.

"Robert…He's too young to think about Marriage."

"He's the Prince…The crown Prince…The time has come."

"Is this about Joffrey's future or your friend?"

The Question is ignored and after they eat Robert takes Joffrey for a walk. "Listen to me boy. You are spoiled and that is partly my fault for allowing your mother to spoil you. Eddard Stark is my brother in all but blood. But with you and his daughter that will change." As they talk a Seagull is perched on the wall observing them.

"I have seen little to nothing of me in you. You take after your mother, but you are my son…Be the man…The Prince I know you can be…Show Lord Stark that you are worthy of his daughter."

"Yes father I will."

"Good now I know how your mother likes to look down on anyone who isn't a Lannister…Ned…Lord Stark has legitimized his bastard…I want you to be nice to the bastard."

He sighs, "Yes father I will."

"No boasting or bragging about your sword skills either…The Starks of the North and the Northerners are a tough folk…If you are beaten in the training yard then take it like a man."

CERSEI

Cersei nervously paces back and forth waiting for her brother in the Dragon Tower. She is not pleased with Robert's decision to betroth Joffrey. "Cersei."

"Jaime." They hug and kiss.

"What took you so long?"

"Sorry I came as quickly as I could. I heard about the betrothal."

"No one knows Robert better than Eddard Stark…What if he figures it out."

"You forget about Jon Arryn…He knows Robert as well and has yet to figure it out. Besides Stark can't make any accusations without proof."

EDDARD STARK – WINTERFELL

Ned summons Lysa Arryn to his solar. Cat and Jon Connington are present. "Lysa…We are sending you and Jon to Karhold until the King leaves."

She looks at her sister, "You promised me revenge…This is the perfect time to…"

Cat interrupts her, "You will get your revenge. The Queen will be taken down, but you must be patient."

"Justice will be done for what she did to you." Ned says speaking up. That evening as the sun sets Lysa and Jon leave for Karhold. The next morning the servants begin preparing for the King's arrival. They dust, decorate, change sheets in the guest rooms and air the rooms out.

"My Lord we just received word from Greywater Watch that the King's company has passed by Moat Cailin. Lord Reed escorted them himself."

"Thank you my friend." The plan is to accept the betrothal and let the kids rile up Prince Joffrey so that he can show his true nature. Then Ned would be free to break off the engagement. The day had finally come and the Stark Household gathers in the main courtyard to greet the King. The servants and guards are present as well.

PRINCE JOFFREY

Prince Joffrey rides into Winterfell beside his Father King Robert. As he enters, Joffrey locks eyes with Sansa Stark. She is beautiful, with her red hair, flawless face, and her blue eyes. Definitely worthy of one day becoming his Queen. He stands behind his father and mother as introductions are made. His father goes with Ned Stark after saying he wanted to see her. Joffrey had heard rumors that his father loved Lord Stark's sister before marrying his mother.

Queen Cersei, Princess Myrcella, and Prince Tommen go with Lady Catelyn Stark, leaving Joffrey with Robb Stark and his siblings. "Would you like to get settled first your grace? Before I take you on a tour of Winterfell."

He looks at Jon, "The bastard won't be there will he?" He arrogantly asks.

"I'm not a bastard your Grace…I was legitimized by my father."

Joffrey sneers, "When I become King bastards won't be allowed to be legitimized."

"And what would you do with the bastards Your Grace." Sansa asks playing her part.

"Send them to the wall of course."

"Actually Jon is one of the best swords in Winterfell."

"I'm the best sword in Winterfell…The best in all of Westeros!"

"If that is true then perhaps you can demonstrate your skills to us." Jon says with a smile irritating Joffrey to no end.

"It has been a long journey, perhaps tomorrow." He replies and walks away.

When it came time for the feast, the procession is King Robert escorting Lady Catelyn, Lord Stark walking with the Queen, Robb is with Joffrey and Sansa, Robb and Princess Myrcella, Arya and Tommen, Bran and Rickon walk side by side, then Jon and Jame Poole. "Is it wise for a bastard to be walking with his betters?" Queen Cersei says.

"Your Grace, Jon is not a bastard. He has been legitimized…He is a Stark."

"Still he should not…"

"Cersei let it go!" Robert commands.

They enter the main hall and are seated. The food is served and the musicians start to play. The next day Robert and Ned go on a hunt. During the hunt Jon stumbles across a dead Dire Wolf and a Stag that it had killed. There is also a litter of Dire Wolf Pups, six in all. Each of the Stark Children gets a wolf. "What are you going to name it." Joffrey asks after the hunt.

"Lady."

The next day the children gather in the yard to train. Theon and Robb are sparring, Joffrey is present watching them. Then they are joined by Jon. "Care to spar My Prince?"

He looks at Jon, "With you? A bastard! No."

Robb beats Theon and then Joffrey takes his place. Joffrey has skill, but Robb is stronger and has more technique. Joffrey has speed and is able to put Robb on the defensive. But soon he becomes frustrated with Robb's defensive capabilities. Neither does he has the endurance to maintain his speed. Robb counters and is able to knock Joffrey's sword from his hand.

Instead of yielding Joffrey angrily removes his armor and walks off, but stops when he hears Jon say, "You are right your grace…Fighting you would have been a waste of time."

That night another feast is held and Jon asks Princess Myrcella to dance. "Get your hands off my sister bastard!" Joffrey yells trying to shove Jon. Jon having seen what would happen before it happened, grabs his wrist, pulls Joffrey forward, sticks out his foot and trips him. The music stops and everyone to stairs.

"Oh my Prince are you alright?"

"Get away from me you stupid bitch!" Joffrey yells swinging his arm and hitting Sansa. She starts crying and runs off with her mother chasing.

"Joffrey!" Robert yells.

EDDARD STARK

Joffrey's cries could he heard echoing through the hallway to his room. Afterwards Robert meets with Ned and Cat in his Solar. "How is she?"

"She has a bleeding lip." Cat angrily says. "What kind of a Prince behaves in that manner?"

"Ned…Cat…I'm so sorry. I tore his hide."

"Robert your son has a lot more growing up to do before he is betrothed to anyone. My daughter won't come out of her room. May I suggest that you name Tommen your heir and when he and my daughter Arya are of age they can marry."

"There is a tourney planned to announce Joffrey and Sansa. Come south with me to the tourney and later I will name Tommen as the heir to the Iron throne."

Later Ned meets with Robb and Jon. "Robb you will remain here as acting Lord of Winterfell."

"What about Theon?" Robb asks.

"I will take him with me. Along with your mother, sisters and brothers."

"Sansa as well?" Jon asks.

"To keep up appearances, yes." And so after preparations are made Eddard Stark leaves Winterfell with his wife Lady Catelyn, Sansa, Bran, Rickon, Jon, Jeyne Pool, Jorey Cassel, Septa Modane, and a hundred men of his household guards.