A field of blue roses rotted before him as a wolf howled. "You promised me! You promised me Ned."

"I did." Ned whispered. "I kept it."

"Liar!" she wailed, and the wolves howled. A pack of them with fiery red eyes and he stumbled back as they circled him and lunged with teeth and claws. Ned lifted his arm up as an antlered stag gutted the wolves.

Ned closed his eyes, and when he opened them he saw the vaunted Iron Throne. "Dragonspawn!" Robert roared across the throne room, wearing the antlered helm of House Baratheon. Two crimson cloaks. Two babes that resided underneath. Ned winced.

"Robert, they were children."

"Not that one." He pointed with his war hammer and laughed. "Now Lyanna is avenged."

Maggots grew out of the stark like corpse, as crows pecked at his flesh, his grey eyes plucked clean. "Jon," He fell to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks as Robert laughed and laughed. "You thought you could hide the dragonspawn from me? What a fool you are Ned!"

Ned woke up hot and bothered. The nightmare had his heart racing like a horse. Oh, why did you have to want Jon to come south, Robert? He unentangled himself from the furs and Cat, whom still dreamed. He tied a robe around himself and opened the door to the balcony. Cool, brisk northern air kissed him. This is where I belong. Not in the South. If only Robert had never ventured up North. If only he could keep them all in Winterfell. Robb and Jon crossing swords in the training yard. Sansa and Arya quarreling with childish pranks. Bran climbing every nook and cranny of Winterfell. They were sweet days of Summer and Winter was Coming.

Starks didn't do well in the South. He thought of Lyanna as free as northern air and fierce as a northern blizzard, and Brandon as wild and crazed as a wolf. Both had never returned to Winterfell. Both had died young. Lyanna barely a woman grown. Now, he was expected to head south with Robert and his family into a den of Lannisters with Jon. Jon would be safer in Winterfell, not Kings Landing. Even the Wall would be better. An oath of a watchman would protect him. What if someone recognizes him in the capital? His nephew needed to know, but he couldn't tell him.

Once spoken, it couldn't be unspoken.

It would mean war. Dead children. Oaths broken.

Yet, he dare not rely upon the men of Roberts court to keep him safe from the kings wrath should it be uncovered. I need Stark men. Ned thought. Those that would heed his call to battle should that day come that Robert called for his head.

, For a long moment he stood thinking of these things as arms wrapped around him. "Come back to bed Ned." Cat said and when he stayed, she sighed. "How long have you been out here?"

"Not long enough."

"You know the king won't just leave if you hide out here."

"If only." Ned smiled and shook his head. "Gods, when did he get so fat?"

Cat chuckled and their fingers interlocked as she rested her head on his shoulder. She was as naked as her nameday and snuggled against him in the cold northern air. "I think I know what ails you." Seventeen years they had been married. Then they had been two youths doing their duty to win the war, yet those light blue Tully eyes he had grown to love. If anyone understood him completely, it was his dutiful wife.

Ned nodded and squeezed her hand. "Hows our nephew?" His voice softened thinking of Jon's son.

"As well as to be expected." She said. "He tries to handle his loss with grace, but it bothers him as it would any young lord." The duel was a fierce one, and it filled him with great grief watching them fight. Ned tried to forbid the fight, but Robert was enamored with the idea. "Let the lads fight." He said. "Gods know, I often did with my brothers and look at us now."

If only I had, Jon would be safe and not going into the vipers den.

"It's Snow isn't it?" Her eyes narrowed, and she smiled, surprising him. He pushed her a foot away, and the smile faded. "I know not why, though. The Kingsguard will knight the boy, and will probably take up the white cloak at the next opening. It's perfect Ned. It really is. He'll father no children and will be kept far away in the South. Away from Robbs children."

Ned rubbed his temples. How can she be so cruel to the boy? It always surprised him how much she hated him. You did this to them. If you only told her…

But that was a bridge he chose not to cross, and it was too late now.

She bristled at his displeasure, and he didn't wish to fight with her about it. Not when he was heading south with Robert. "It's not that Cat." He said defusing the tension between them.

"Then what Ned? Tell me."

"I spoke with Luwin about the kings court. Positions. Titles. Offices that need to be seized. Our nephew was right. I need men around me, I trust. I can't rely on the men around Robert." He remembered his dream and his voice turned to ice. "I'm not going South otherwise." Ned sighed loud and bothered as he rubbed his temples. "It's all vexing me, Cat, the favors and alliances. What position is best suited for who. And Gods, I have to include river lords and men of the vale. I scarcely have knowledge of either, and I'm meeting with Robert in the morning and he does not know." He finished tired. "I need to be prepared, Cat."

Cat gave him a sympathetic look. "My poor foolish husband." She chided. "You should have to come to me. I would have helped you with coming up with names of good men from the Riverlands, and my uncle can certainly give you some good advice for the Knights of the Vale."

Ned raised a brow. "Not our nephew?"

"Let the boy rest Ned."

And he nodded in agreement.

"My uncle is a night owl." Cat told him. "He'll be up. We'll send a servant to fetch him."

Ned looked at her from toes to head and raised his eyebrows with some humor. She blushed lightly. "Ned! Yes, I was going to get dressed, you silly man." He chuckled as he rubbed his chin and she swatted him playfully.

True enough, they didn't wait long for Ser Brynden to be ushered in. Gruff and austere. The man was a weathered solider and, despite the silver in his beard, still a formidable knight. "Little Cat." He said as they embraced a tender expression formed across his stern face. When they were finished, Ned offered him a nod.

"Tully." He said.

"Stark." Ser Brynden replied, as they shook hands and took their seats.

Some amusement flickered in his eyes. "Now, tell me what you could need an old man for? Dragging me out of bed in the middle of the night."

"You were already up, uncle." Cat said, chuckling. "And you are still young, as always."

"The kink in my neck says otherwise."

"I think Ser Rodrick would agree with my wife." Ned said dryly.

At that Ser Brynden lips twirled up slightly, and he gave a soldiers snort. "Maybe I still have a few tricks left in me." The amusement left his eyes as they became as hard as stone. "But the hour is late for the two of you. Tell me to what this is about."

And they told him. Told him of their proposal they intended to send to His Grace, and Ser Brynden nodded along. "Makes sense. The Lannisters seized too much and you want good men around you, but-" Anything before the word, but his horseshit. Ned thought. "I don't see why this concerns me."

"Uncle, we hoped you would provide us some names from the Vale." Cat said, her hands folded over her lap like a perfect southron lady.

Ser Bryndens eyes narrowed as tight as arrow slits. "And not Jasper?" His voice hardened, taking them both aback.

"The boy is young." Ned said. "Surely you understand that."

"We meant no slight towards our nephew." Cat added on.

That appeased Ser Brynden, whose shoulders relaxed with a sigh. "Aye. Jasper is young." He said. "Forgive me Cat, I know you meant nothing by it. I'm just defensive of the lad."

"There is nothing to forgive uncle." Cat said. "In fact, Jasper offered your service as Commander of the City Watch. Would you be willing to consider that?"

Now it was the Blackfishs turn to be taken aback. "Foolish boy." He grumbled. "I can't Cat. The boy needs me. He's young, as they say, and still has much to learn and despite his many good qualities, he still needs me by his side." Ser Brynden paused and lifted his hands up to soothe Cats concern. "He has the makings of a good Lord of the Vale, dutiful and knowledgeable of his vassals and mindful of Arryn tradition, but he's too impulsive, and acts rashly and harshly when angered. I fear he's made some enemies needlessly, but he'll learn given time I think."

Cats face cringed with alarm. "He's a very distant boy, isn't he?" Her voice lowered. "Is he truly well? How I wish he were raised amongst his cousins. I know not what Lysa was thinking."

Ned had seen the boy during his stay at Winterfell and he was so unlike Jon Arryn. Distant where Jon had been, warm and personable. Judgmental where Jon had been understanding. He shared his courtesy, and he saw hints of Jons kindness in the boy, or he would not have sent Bran to him, but they were few and fleeting like storms of summer snows. It always surprised him. How Jasper Arryn had turned out so differently from Jon was beyond him.

"I told Lysa this." He admitted. "But she would not listen. Nor would she let anyone be fostered in the Eyrie."

"And Jon went along with this?"

Ser Brynden nodded.

"That doesn't sound like Jon." Ned said in disbelief.

"Believe what you will. It's what happened."

Ned pondered this. Robert turned fat. Jon neglected his son and heir. How had this happened? He had no answer. Jon Arryn wasn't a negligent man, and Robert should be a peerless warrior. Had the Iron Throne, and the Handship changed both of them so? What would it do to him? He swallowed those ill feelings.

They turned to the business they had summoned Ser Brynden for. For the North They decided on Ser Tallhart, on Commander of the City Watch. Ser Brynden had suggested Lord Jason Mallister, but he wanted a Northman. Several officers from the Watch of White Harbor would be summoned under his command. Three hundred men of arms from the North. (Not including his one hundred guardsman as Hand) One Hundred from the Vale and Riverlands a piece. Five hundred men of the City Watch would be retired and given small plots of land in the Crownlands to maintain the Watch standing of 2000 men. Of the seven commanders of the gatehouses. Five would be off the North: Eddard Karstark, Arnolf Karstark, Ser Wendel Manderly, Mors Umber, Hother Umber. One of the Vale, Ser Vardis Egen. and one of the Riverlands, Ser Mooton. Each would be expected to bring a small household guard and retinue and given a position for them and their families should they wish it at court. Donnel Waynwood for Master of Arms. Albar Royce for Royal Huntsman. Ser Marq Grafton of Gulltown for Harbormaster with twenty-five sergeants from White Harbor and Gulltown to serve as custom officers. Warden of the Kingswood and Crackclaw Point would be offered too Ser Marq Piper and Ser Ronald Vance, respectively, with the twenty knights and wardens they would bring with them. Overall, they would collectively have seized two-thirds of all titles and offices for the North, Vale, and Riverlands. The Small Council would remain the same.

The North shall have the majority of swords and security with the Vale and Riverlands in charge of more courtly and trade positions in Roberts court.

If the Lannisters wished it to come to blows, they would have the upper hand in any fight for the capital. And if Robert discovers Jons secret, we would have enough swords to fight our way out. It would make Ned sleep more soundly, knowing his position in the capital was strong.

, With a quick farewell to Ser Brynden, he and Cat retired for the night. Ned dreamed of falling snow and howling wolves.

The next day Ned walked to the kings quarters, the sun well overhead them and thanking the Old Gods the Kingsguard on duty was not Ser Jamie. He wouldn't have to deal with his irksome quips. Ser Arys offered a nod. "Lord Stark." And peered his head through the door as Roberts voice boomed.

"LET NED IN YOU DAMN FOOL!"

Ned let himself in and gave a sad smile at the sight of his old friend. Kingship has not treated you well, Robert. Robert could barely fit in his doublet without sending buttons flying and it was barely midday and his breath was already thick with wine and beer. "Your grace." He said, giving a slight dip of his head.

"Ned, you bastard, don't just stand there!" Robert said with a wave of his hand. "And no your grace nonsense, you hear me! Or I'll have your head!" He japed.

"You may wish to Robert with what I've come to speak of." Ned said, as solemn as a statue.

Robert raised a brow, and his laughter ceased as his face darkened. "And what's that Ned?"

Ned handed him the parchment and watched the storm that was Robert unfold. At first, he looked in disbelief as he scanned over every word. The calm before the storm. "You can't be serious Ned!" He said, taking a long drink. "Seven Hells! This must be at least half of my court you wish to replace."

"Two-thirds." He corrected. "The price for my Handship."

"Now is not a time to develop a sense of humor Ned."

Ned didn't blink, and Robert scowled.

Robert paced, his face growing redder as he shook his head. "Ned, Ned, be reasonable about this." He pleaded. "I can't just replace this many. My wifes family would not be pleased."

"Then you must return south for I shall not be your Hand otherwise."

"Jon-"

"I'm not Jon, Robert." Ned said. "You told me you wanted me to rule your realm while you drank and whored your way to an early grave. I can't do that without men I trust."

When they were wards of Lord Arryn and Robert was told no, he would laugh, and try to cajole the answer to yes. Failing that, he would anger and start shouting and would try to back you down like a charging stag. After that, normally came a fist fight that would leave them bloody and smiling. Then acceptance and Robert agreeing with whatever was asked of him.

This time they skipped the fighting stage, as Robert knew he wouldn't hit back, and tossed the goblet of wine against the wall. "I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT NED! YOU HEAR ME! I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT!" And he overturned a table in his fury, causing a concerned Ser Arys to peer his head in. "OUT! THE HAND AND I ARE TALKING!"

Ser Arys fled like a ghost at the kings fury.

Robert jabbed a finger towards him with a simmering anger. "Eddard Stark Lord of Winterfell, I command you to serve as my Hand."

"In this I must disobey Robert. I could not be a good hand to you without this." The words left his mouth, but he felt shame in asking this of his friend. It was dishonorable, courtly politics he liked little. This politics was something Lannisters partake in and thats how they had grown in power around Robert. He steeled himself. For Jon. For the Realm. And that was worth the price of this dishonor.

The fight left Roberts eyes as he took another large drink and sat down rubbing his temples, and laughed. "I'm surrounded by lannisters and their blond curls. Ha! Now, you'd have me be surrounded by wolves."

"You'll find wolves have better manners than lions." Ned offered a small smile.

Robert roared with laughter. "Gods help those poor bastards. It's the Hour of the Wolf come again."

Ned frowned. I'm not taking heads like Cregan.

"Alright, Ned. I can't accept every name on this list." He lifted his hand up to placate. "But you shall have the majority of my court, I promise you this." Robert poured a drink and shoved it into his hand. "Drink Ned. You owe me that much."

And Ned shoved the bitter beer down his throat as Robert leaned forward, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Though Ned, why did you only ask two thirds of the court. Why not the whole damn thing?"

"That would not be honorable Robert." He said. "The Queens family deserves that much and your brothers as well." A nice middle of the road approach he favored as Lord of Winterfell. His nephew wanted him to seize the whole damn thing or as much as could be seized, but Jon believed we could placate them and he had to honor that. A stronger position gave him enough to keep Roberts peace. Why would they fight me when I had more men?

"Ah, Ned. You, honorable fool, how I missed you." Robert smiled and pinned the broach of the Hand on his chest. It was as heavy as a burden as the realm itself. I'm really leaving the North. My fate sealed. "Now that we have the matters of state covered, I want to kill something Ned. Gods, I want to kill one of these Northman bears. Ya coming?" He grinned like a boy.

Ned gave a chuckle. "Always Robert."

A Hand of the King always followed his King.

Authors Notes: This ends the single POV per chapter. From here on out, each chapter will have multiple POVs. Only reason I did the single POV style was to give Jasper some air time before going to the established guys and I already had the Ned chapter plotted out. Next, up the Trident and all of that fun.

ATP: Well, it's always possible for Jon to die in Kingslanding, but in this case Neds positon is stronger. Ned is a guy that often needs a push to act decesively. He was pushed by his nephew and Jon going to the capital. He's also not focused on uncovering Jon Arryns death, and is more focused on ruling.

The Jingo: Thanks, I try!

Enchanting Evening: Well, thanks for saying so. I was aiming for flawed and human. I'm happy when people review this is honestly my favorite part writing these little responses out.

Marxgreyjoy: Thanks for such a long review! I really enjoyed reading it. In fact, it actually caused me to change the Trident sequence cause the more I thought about it the more I agreed with you. Honestly, that Arianne comparison is sort of accurate. Jasper is a bit like Arianne. Distant father whom they love and resent. Both insecure over possible threats to their rule. Arianne with Quentyn, and Jasper with Harry. Arianne thinking about improving Dornes position by crowning Myrcella thinking of Dornish law. Jasper thinking of making Tommen heir, by making him into a martial knight influence by the culture of the Vale. Both are capable players, but have the flaw of being impulsive and foolish. And yes the Blackfish would certainly try to slap some sense into Jasper if Joffrey is king. But Jasper would probably ignore him going all. "As High as Honor! Lord Stark was killed by King Joffrey. He has broken the contract between king and lord. There sits the rightful king! King Tommen the First of His Name!" And the knights of the vale would start chanting King Tommen as the Blackfish cursed them all for being fools. Won't say what will happen with Jon, but I enjoy the thoughts. There will certainly still be conflict with the Lannisters even without the whole investigation plot line. They are an ambitious and power hungry family that won't take kindly to the Vale-Riverlands-North coming down to seize all of these honors. Plus, Cersei is in charge of the Lannisters, and she isn't exactly the sharpest tool in the shed. I hope you enjoyed this chapter aswell.