Chapter five

Not all Lannister's

It was a week more until the monotony of life as hand of the king was interrupted again. He was sat working on some papers about the gold road needing upgrades when he was told that Lord Baelish was requesting an audience with him. Ned rolled his eyes but allowed it.

"My Lord, I have someone who wishes to speak to you about an urgent matter." Baelish smirked.

"Well, where are they?" Ned said.

"They are waiting in the city. But trust me My Lord you will want to see this cat." Littlefinger smiled.

Ned was confused, Baelish was hinting his wife was in King's Landing but that should be impossible. Cat was safe in the north, in Winterfell, or she was supposed to be. If she did come to the capital, it must be for a very good reason. With this he rose and called to Jory "We are going into the city, low guard, just yourself and one other." He told Littlefinger to meet him at the stables and went to tell the septa's he would be going out for his duties. Sansa was in the room sewing and Arya was wherever it was that Arya spent her time, although since he heard no complaints from anybody about her behaviour, he let it continue. Ned then went to change into some riding clothes and set out to meet Littlefinger and see his wife.

Baelish continued to try and bait Ned on the ride down to the city, talking about his time at Riverrun and how well he knew Catelyn. Ned had heard the rumours around the Red Keep that Baelish had deflowered both of the Tully girls in their youth, he didn't know about Lysa, but he knew that his Cat came to his bed a maiden, the sheets proved that fact. As they reached the city Ned turned to Littlefinger and asked where to find what he was looking for expecting an inn however he was surprised when he heard the answer come out of Littlefinger's mouth. "One of my brothel's."

"You took my wife, the Lady of Winterfell, to a brothel?" Ned said angerly.

"The last place they'll look for a respectable lady? Of course, it was the best way to keep her safe." Baelish smirked. "I of course have her best interests at heart."

Ned refused to react and adopted his hard mask, he knew that Littlefinger wanted him to react, but it wouldn't help Ned, so he just rode one. As they reached the brothel Ned looked around guiltily knowing that if anyone saw him enter, they would assume he was there to have sex with a whore and not to meet with his Lady wife. It was worth the rumours as he had missed Cat and knew she must have some grave news. Ned felt anticipation build in his stomach as Baelish led him further into the building, it had been moons since he saw his wife. They approached the door and Baelish stepped aside and gestured to Ned to enter before him.

"Ned!" Catelyn cried and rushed forward to embrace him. Ned held her close and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head before gently pushing her away.

"My Lady, not that I am upset to see you but why are you here? You were meant to be in Winterfell with Bran and Rickon. Is it Bran? Did he pass?" Ned questioned his wife quickly.

"Bran awakened Ned. He is lame and will never walk again but he lives." Catelyn took a breath. "However, before he did there was a incident. Everyone was lured away from his rooms by a fire set in the library, but I stayed. There was a man, My Lord." She showed Ned her hands that were stiff with scars. "I fought and shouted but nobody came. He had a knife and I thought Bran was going to be killed but his direwolf came and killed the man. It was the Lannister's Ned, I know it!" Catelyn's voice was shrill by the end, and she pulled the knife out of the folds of her dress and gave it to Ned.

Ned took the knife and saw that it was a very good quality knife, valerian steel and far too fine for a common assassin. "This knife isn't proof enough Cat. It could be anyone's."

"It was mine." Littlefinger spoke from the corner where Ned forgot about him as he spoke to his wife. At this sentence however Ned was upon him with a hand around his throat.

"Ned! My Lord. Please. Let him finish, I promise Petyr told me everything." Cat cried.

Ned released Baelish but kept himself between the man and his wife. Baelish stood there gasping and rubbing his neck for several minutes before Ned lost his patience. "Talk. Now. Before I finish what, I started."

"The knife was mine, but I lost it before we headed North, I gambled it at a tourney, and I lost it when Jamie Lannister lost."

"Get to it Baelish. Who did you lose the knife to?" Ned snarled.

"Tyrion Lannister." Baelish smirked. "The Lannister's had control of that knife that tried to kill your son. I will leave you and Cat to talk." With this he left but Ned knew he wouldn't be far. He pulled Cat close and whispered into her ear.

"Cat, I love you and our children, and I will get to the bottom of this. It is not however as simple as it seems. Baelish is not to be trusted." At this Cat looked up as if to interrupt but with a look Ned silenced her. "Baelish has spread rumours about you Cat, and about your sister, he has told people he took both of your maidenheads back at Riverrun." Cat looked shocked and went to refute these claims. "I know. You came to my bed a maiden, of course I know that. But this proves that the man is a liar."

Catelyn agreed to leave King's Landing without seeing the girls as it was too dangerous for anyone who was watching to know she was here, she wanted to travel back up the King's Road, but Ned managed to convince her to catch a ship straight up to White Harbour as she would get back to the boys quicker.

That evening found them both cloaked to avoid detection at the dock's saying their goodbyes. Rodrick Cassel, who had accompanied Cat south, was stood with Jory a few steps away saying goodbye as well as keeping an eye for anyone watching. Ned wanted nothing more than to embrace Cat and kiss her goodbye but knew any little birds could report this back to the spider, so he smiled softly at her and spoke "Trust me Cat. I will look after the girls and find out the truth. It could be a Lannister but not all Lannister's are the same. I've been working with Joffrey and the boy is troubled yes but he is also damaged and needs a father figure."

"I trust you, my lord. I miss you but I know you are here for our family. I will see you soon." Cat smiled sadly. She walked away to get on the ship and Ned felt the tears gather as he didn't know when he would next see his wife, however he gathered himself and walked slowly back to the Red Keep in silence.


The week following Ned was inundated with work as Hand and was unable to do much investigating about the knife. He was happy that Baelish seemed to be trying to avoid him, sitting far away at council meetings, and even turning around a few times when Ned encountered him in the corridors. Ned could only assume it was due to the almost strangling he had given Baelish and the reputation of his brother on the man. Joffrey also seemed to be opening up to Ned more, talking about how his mother stifled him and he wanted to be a man to be remembered and not a boy hiding behind his mother's skirts. Ned still didn't like the boy, he honestly thought he had some innate character flaws, and he wouldn't be letting Sansa marry him, but he also thought he could be moulded to be a decent King.

This thought trail led him to think about the current king, his once best friend. Robert when he was younger was loud, liked his drink and was passionate about both women and what he believed in. Now well he was still loud and liked his drink, but he had lost all his passion. He still fucked whores as Ned heard it, but all his charm had gone, he used to charm women into bed but now he had to pay them. Ned thought when he came south that he would be helping Robert to rule now however he knew it was him who was ruling as Robert did nothing.

With a sigh Ned stood from his chair and headed to go collect his daughters as it was a day he was dreading. The day of the Hand's Tourney or more like Robert's tourney. He found Sansa as he did most days in a solar of the tower sewing something or other, but Arya was nowhere to be found. He wasn't worried as Arya found things to keep her busy and she knew she was expected at the tourney grounds this afternoon.

As they arrived in the tourney ground's they were greeted by loud cheers from the assembled common folk. Ned had been holding court for Robert and had kept his fair approach he used to govern the north, this had given him a good reputation with them. Within court however his standing was different as word had gotten out that he had demanded that some of them return home. Many thought he had done so in order to consolidate his grip on the king, but many didn't think that hard and just resented giving up life at the royal court. Luckily Robert was happy to be rid of anyone Lannister and some of the more simpering hangers on. Joffrey thought it was hilarious when Ned told him and was glad it meant his allowance wasn't being downsized too much.

He reached his seats in the royal box and as he sat Arya appeared out of breath, he just gave her a significant look and sat next to Robert.

"Ned! Finally! Thought you were going to miss out on your own damn tourney." He laughed. "Begin." He roared and lifted his goblet to his mouth. Ned spent longer talking to Joffrey about ruling than he did watching the knights play war.

"As a ruler you should always know information on your subjects." Ned said softly. "For example, the allegiance of your Kingsguard before they were sworn in. Yes, they say they forsake their family's but if it came down to war or assassination these are the men you would depend upon. Do you think your uncle could fight if it was the west who rebelled? His own father or his friends from his youth?"

"My uncle would serve me as he does my mother." Joffrey said confidently.

"Ok, another example then. The Tyrells fought for the Targaryen's but claim now to serve the king, but if you listen carefully Oleanna Tyrell always says the crown but not who wears it. It is small details like this that will help you sort out the faithful and those who's words mean less than wind." Ned counselled Joffrey some more until the matter that he wanted to bring up arose. It was a delicate matter which meant Joffrey had to be the one to approach the subject.

"What about those on my small council? How will I know which ones are proper servants?" Joffrey wondered.

"It is those closest to you who need the most scrutiny my prince. Pycelle is bound by his vows as a grand maester but if you watch closely his old feeble man act is just that, an act. To what end I am unsure. Varys is mysterious as befits his role, but I know little as he answers directly to the king, so you'll know more than I when the time comes. As you should. It will be you who rules, your grace, and I believe you will be a great king with some guidance." Before Ned could continue, he was interrupted by the Mountain who Rides trying to kill Ser Loras Tyrell, but the hound intervened to Joffrey's amusement.

"Should be a fun fight." Joffrey smirked. "I appreciate your council, my lord. Nobody ever taught me how to be a king only told me I would be one."

Once Robert intervened the tourney was over and called to a halt with the melee being fought the next day Ned lost sight of Joffrey and escorted his daughters into the castle for the feast. Ned found his attention waning throughout the feast and allowed Arya to leave early as she looked as bored as he was. Sansa however was having the time of her life with the music and the dancing and Ned didn't have the heart to cut her evening short.

Towards the end of the night Joffrey slide into an empty seat next to him and continued the conversation the two of them had earlier that day. "My lord, your advice on my future council members seems to be bearing fruit. I questioned the Grand Maester and agree that he is much less feeble than he portrays himself to be. What are your opinions on the rest of the members?"

"Well, your uncle, Lord Stannis I don't have much of an opinion on and I'm sure you know him best. Your father never really spoke of him during our time in the Vale and everything I have heard since says the same. He in unyielding in what he believes is right. Littlefinger. Well, I have to say my prince is the worst of the lot. I have found evidence he has been taking money out of the treasury for his own gain for years." Ned said quietly.

"That little worm! That ungrateful bastard." Joffrey cursed. "I'll have him hung for treason!"

"That's not all." Ned supplied. "I believe he has also been sowing lies to the court about the royal family yourself included. Which is why it is important to handle this properly, so they see his lies for what they are. If you go in raging, they'll think he's speaking the truth and needs silencing but if you have ironclad evidence then you'll have just cause."

Joffrey smiled before saying "And I trust you've been working on gathering this evidence my lord?"

"Of course." It was just then that several soldiers entered the great hall in a panic.

"The King has fallen ill. We must secure the Crown Prince."


Please enjoy. I could never believe that Littlefinger got away with as much as he did. He honestly just doesn't seem that smart.

xxxcrazyxladyxxx