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Eddard Stark I
Winterfell, North, Year 298 AC
Ned couldn't hide the surprise on how Robert looked was still ever-present…the King had gained at least eight stone in weight…A beard as coarse and black as iron wire covered his jaw to hide a newfound double chin and the sag of royal jowls, but nothing could hide his stomach or the dark circles under his eyes…a much different Robert than what he remembered…
"You need to come south," Robert told him. "You need a taste of summer before it flees. In Highgarden there are fields of golden roses that stretch away as far as the eyes can see. The fruits are so ripe they explode in your mouth, melons, peaches…"
"Robert I care not for those southron fancies." Ned cut in. "I have more than what I have ever dreamed here, I have a beautiful wife that loves me deeply and gave me six wonderful children, I have got people who love me just as I love them, I need nothing more but this and I was never meant to have any of it in the first place."
Robert broke into laughter…it echoed through the entirety of the crypts… "Ashara Dayne…I still can't believe you married such a beauty…I didn't believe it when I saw it at Harrenhal either but I'm glad you ended up with such a good marriage, my friend."
"Your Queen isn't a plain-looking woman by any chance." Ned retorted, Ashara was way more gorgeous even after six children but the Queen was definitely not bad.
"She is beautiful indeed…but she isn't Lyanna." Robert murmured bitterly. "She is but a Gods' damned viper. I can't stand her." Robert said, his face red from the effort he was making and perhaps anger as well…Ned felt some sort of pity for the woman…how would it be if it was Lyanna in her place?
"Your Grace," Ned said respectfully as he swept the lantern in a wide semicircle, changing the subject of the conversation. Between the pillars, the dead sat on their stone thrones against the walls, back against the sepulchers that contain their mortal remains. "They are down at the end."
Robert followed him wordlessly, shivering in the subterranean chill, their footsteps rang off the stones and echoed in the vault overhead as they walked among the dead of House Stark. Ned stopped at last and lifted the oil lantern. The crypt continued on into the darkness ahead of them. "Do you have one for you already?" Robert asked confused.
"Aye." Ned nodded. "It is a custom."
"A vile custom I must say." Robert said.
"Perhaps." Ned agreed to some extent, he didn't like to think of it much, he loved his life with Ashara so much that he hoped to die at age of hundred or later…with her of course. "Here we are."
Robert nodded silently, knelt and bowed his head in respect to the three tombs in front of him. There stood everyone Ned had lost in the Rebellion…father, Brandon, and Lyanna…
"She was more beautiful than that…" Robert murmured in a whisper. His eyes lingered on Lyanna's face, somehow hoping he could bring her back to life…Ned had many times tried to do the same, to all three of them but he always failed. "Ah, damn it, Ned, did you really need to bury her in a place like this? She deserved more than darkness…"
"She was a Stark of Winterfell," Ned dismissed. "This is her place."
"She should be on a hill somewhere, under a fruit tree with the sun and the clouds above her and the rain to wash her clean." Robert continued.
"I was with her when she died…" Ned reminded his friend. "She wanted to come home…to rest beside Brandon and Father." he could hear her still at times…Promise me, Ned...Ned could recall none of what happened…it took such a heavy toll on him…
"We bring her flowers when we can," he said. "Lyanna was…fond of flowers…"
The King touched her cheek, his fingers brushing across the rough stone as gently as if it was living flesh. "I vowed to kill Rhaegar Targaryen for what he did to her."
"And you did." Ned reminded him.
"Only once," Robert said bitterly. "In my dreams, I kill him every night," he admitted. "A thousand deaths will still be less than what he deserves."
There was nothing Ned could say to that… "We should return, Your Grace. Everyone should be waiting for us."
"Gods Ned I'm tired of hearing Your Grace coming from you," Robert muttered sourly, as he started back the way they had come, his footsteps falling heavily. "I'll have your head on a spike if I hear it once more. We are more to each other than that, we are friends, we are brothers."
"I have not forgotten," Ned replied quietly, thinking about Elia Martell and her children…dead…of Ashara crying and slapping him so many times before he could tell what really happened… "Tell me about Jon," he begged as he tried to change the subject once more, especially in his mind. "How did he die?"
Robert shook his head. "I have never seen a man sicken so quickly…We gave a tourney on my son's name day, if you had seen Jon then, you would have sworn he would live forever. A fortnight later he was dead…the sickness was like fire in his gut, it burned right through him." he paused beside a pillar, before the tomb of a long-dead Stark. "I loved that old man…"
Perhaps Ashara's theory was true…perhaps Jon had been poisoned… "We both did." Ned paused for a moment. But who did it? "How does his wife fare?"
Robert's mouth gave a bitter twist. "Not well in truth…" he admitted. "I think losing Jon has driven the woman mad, Ned, she has taken their son back to the Eyrie, against my wishes too. I had hoped to foster the boy with Tywin Lannister at Casterly Rock. Jon had no one ever since Elbert and Denys died…"
Ned would sooner entrust a child to a pit of vipers than to Tywin Lannister, Ashara would agree, but he said nothing. "The wife has lost the husband," Ned said carefully. "Perhaps the mother feared to lose the son as well."
"The boy is six and sickly and now Lord Paramount of the Vale." Robert further clarified. "Lord Tywin had never taken a ward before, Lysa ought to have been honored with it." Ned had to disagree with Robert there… "The Lannisters are a great and noble House and yet she refused to even hear of it and then she left in the dead of night without as much as a by-your-leave…Cersei was furious." Robert sighed deeply. "The boy is my namesake, did you know that?" Ned actually remembered a letter six years ago explaining just that. "Robert Arryn is his name…I am sworn to protect him and how can I do that if his mother steals him away?"
"Maybe if you tried to ward him somewhere else?" Ned suggested. "I could foster him here…"
"A generous offer, my friend," Robert admitted. "But it's too late now, Lord Tywin has already given his consent and fostering the boy elsewhere would be a grievous affront to him."
"I have more concern for Jon's son that I do for Lannister pride." Ned declared.
"You don't sleep with a Lannister in your bed." Robert laughed, the sound rattling among the tombs and bouncing from the vaulted ceiling. "Ah Ned…you are still too serious, how do you pleasure your Dornish wife?"
"I have my ways…" Ned replied.
Robert broke into laughter right as Ned finished this line and then he felt his friend's massive around his shoulders. "I take what I said back, maybe you are little looser…I must congratulate your wife for that." Robert looked at the floor for a bit before he resumed the conversation. "I had planned to wait a few days to speak to you but…I see there's no need for it…come walk with me."
They started back down between the pillars as the King kept his arm around Ned's shoulder. "You must be wondering why I finally came north, to Winterfell."
Ned has his suspicions but did not voice them. "For the joy of seeing the realm's most beautiful woman and her sour husband?"
Robert broke into laughter yet again. "I really need to congratulate that woman…"
"You need to see the Wall…to walk along its battlements and talk to those who man it." Ned changed the subject once more. "The Night's Watch is a shadow of what it once was, my brother says…"
"No doubt I will hear what your brother says soon enough." Robert cut in. "The Wall has stood for what, eight thousand years? It can stand for a few days more, I have more pressing concerns…" he added. "These are difficult times and…I need good men about me, men like Jon…he will not be easy to replace."
"His son…" Ned began.
"His son will succeed to the Eyrie and the Vale and with it, all its incomes," Robert said brusquely. "No more."
That took Ned by surprise and so he stopped, startled and turned to look at Robert, the words came unbidden. "The Arryns have always been Wardens of the East, the title goes with the domain."
"Perhaps when he comes of age, the honor can be restored to him," Robert said. "I have this year to think of, and the next. A six-year-old boy is no war leader, Ned."
"In times of peace, the title is only an honor." Ned dismissed. "Let the boy keep it, for his father's sake if not his own. Surely you owe Jon that much for his service."
Robert did not look pleased as he took his arm from around Ned's shoulders. "Jon's service was the duty he owed his King," he said. "I am not ungrateful Ned. You of all men ought to know that. But the son is not the father, a mere boy cannot defend the east." Then his tone softened. "Enough of this, there is a more important office to discuss." Robert grasped Ned by the elbow. "I have need of you Ned."
"I am yours to command, Your Grace." These were words he had to say and so he said them, apprehensive about what might come next.
Robert scarcely seemed to hear him. "I need you by my side again, Ned, I want you down in King's Landing, not up here at the end of the world where you are no damned use to anybody." Robert looked off into the darkness, for a moment as melancholic as a Stark. "I swear to you, sitting on the throne is a thousand times harder than winning one. Laws are a tedious business and counting coppers is worse. And the people…there is no end to them…I sit on that damnable iron chair and listen to them complain until my mind is numb."
"They all want something," Robert continued his rant. "Money or land or justice…and the lies they tell…the lords and ladies are no better, I am surrounded by flatterers and fools…it can drive a man to madness, Ned. Half of them don't dare tell me the truth and the other half can't find it. There are nights I wish we had lost at the Trident…ah, no, not truly but…you get my point don't you?"
"I do…" Ned said softly perfectly knowing what he was talking about for Ashara and Jon had warned him long ago.
Robert looked at him. "I think you do my friend." he smiled. "Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the King."
Ned dropped to one knee. The offer did not surprise him…for what other reason would Robert come so far from King's Landing? Being Hand of the King was the last thing Ned wanted…
"Your Grace…" Ned murmured. "I am not worthy of the honor."
Robert groaned with good-humored impatience. "If I wanted to honor you, I'd let you retire already. I am planning to make you run the realm and fight the wars while I eat and drink and wench myself into an early grave." he then slapped his gut and grinned. "You know the saying about the King and his Hand?"
Ned did know the saying. "What the King dreams, the Hand builds."
"I bedded a fishmaid once who told me the lowborn have a choicer way to put it…The King eats, they say and the Hand takes the shit." he threw back his head and roared his laughter, the echoes rang through the darkness and all around them, the dead seemed to watch with cold and disapproving eyes. Finally, the laughter dwindled and stopped, Ned was still on one knee, his eyes unpraised.
"You helped me win this damnable throne Ned so now help me hold it. We were meant to rule together…if Lyanna had lived, we should have been brothers, bound by blood as well as affection…Well…it's not too late, I have a son and you have a daughter. My Joffrey for your…Elianna…it shall join our houses, as Lyanna and I might once have done."
This offer surprised him… "Ashara needs to be consulted before anything can be decided."
Robert laughed yet again. "That woman has you in her pockets…the great and grim Eddard Stark controlled by a Dornishwoman nor less…fine tell her what you must, sleep on it too if it helps you." Robert reached down clasped Ned by the hand and pulled him roughly to his feet. "Just don't keep me waiting too long, I am not the most patient of men."
This is my place Robert, the North is my home, not the south...This is where I belong to …with my family.
Ashara Dayne II
Winterfell, North, Year 298 AC
The Great Hall of Winterfell was hazy with smoke and heavy with the smell of roasted meat and freshly baked bread. Its grey stone walls were draped with banners, white, gold and crimson: the direwolf, the stag, and the lion. As in any feast, a singer was playing the high harp and reciting a ballad. Ashara remembered that Rhaegar always wanted to do the same in every feast he attended…he was born in grief, sang about grief, brought grief and no doubt he died in grief.
It was no good to think of such dreadful things, especially when she was still shaken from having to be escorted by Robert to her seat…he had walked like a man half in his cups even before the feast began, it was disgusting as the sweat falling through his silks…was this what became of the mighty Robert Baratheon that killed Rhaegar? The man who fought so many battles during the Rebellion? He had been very handsome at Harrenhal and now he is but a mere shadow of his former self…
Her night got brighter when the children came. Jon came in grey wool trimmed with white, the Stark colors. Her oldest preferred black over grey and white but today was a special occasion so he would have to suck it in. He had Princess Mrycella on his arm, a little Cersei in everything, her hair was a cascade of golden curls under a jeweled net. Ashara smiled when the little Princess gave the looks to her son but she could see him tense, he didn't like too much attention from those who were not his family…he is Ned in everything after all…
Then came her oldest daughters escorting the Royal Princes, all dressed in light grey northern gowns. Arya paired with young Tommen whose hair was longer than hers…Elianna drew the Crown Prince, Joffrey Baratheon with grace, she also gave him the eyes for the Prince looked just as handsome as his uncle Ser Jaime but she noticed the pouty lips and the bored and disdainful way he looked at Winterfell's Great Hall, the same look his mother gave…Prideful creatures these two…I will remember that. And so will Elianna…
Arthur came with Lyra in his hand next right after, her youngest daughter was still afraid, even when her brother held her…she supposed it was a scary sight for a timid three years old…
Then came the other two Lannisters, Ser Jaime now called the Kingslayer dressed in crimson silk, the man who killed Aerys…While Ned thought of it as an atrocity, Ashara didn't think him as such a sinner, he did the right thing after all. Arthur wanted to have done the same, but it was Ser Jaime who stained his honor first.
Tyrion Lannister came waddling along half-hidden by his brother. He was ugly but blameless in Ashara's eyes, she pitied him but somehow she thought he wouldn't want pity…
The last of the high lords to enter were sweet Benjen and Theon. Benjen gave her a smile and she smiled back, her Ned gave him his shy smile too. Theon seemed a bit lost as always…she tried her best to be a mother like figure to him but somehow he always seemed tense around her…
After everyone was seated, toasts were made, thanks were given and returned, and then the feasting began. The cooks made their best today lest to leave the King unimpressed and disappointed so she enjoyed the meals quite a lot. She always did anyway.
She could see her sweet Quiet Wolf being conflicted with something for every time she tried to make him laugh he simply smiled weakly…a contrast to Robert's many bursts of laughter…something happen in the crypts and she would find out what…
Ashara enjoyed it all, the conversations with her children, her brother-in-law…to some extent Robert's japes…he was funny and she had to give him that. The Queen, however, seemed to love faking smiles for she was always doing them. She had to thank her though because the guests began retreating as soon as the Queen was excused.
Silently, Ashara ordered for all the female servants to call it a day, she did not wish to have one of them abed with the King and make a scandal in her home. This made the King look uncomfortable to the point he retired as well…interesting…the children left next and finally, it was her and Ned's turn.
Time to know what happened…She grabbed his hand when they left the Great Hall and made them increase their pace to their room. Once there, she opened the door and quickly closed it once they were inside. Now she was free to be Ashara Dayne Stark once more, she could take away her mask as Lady of the North and do as she pleased.
Ned was thrown by her to their bed while she unlaced her dressed as quickly as she could. Once naked, she jumped onto her husband and pressed her lips against his as she helped him undress in the meantime. Once done, she kissed all over his body until she mouthed his cock and gave him pleasure, Ned was simply in the Seven Heavens with the treatment he was receiving.
Once his shaft was hard, she pressed her cunt down on it and began riding him fiercely. She knew this was the position that he had the most difficulty holding himself in, but at that moment, she wanted to relieve the stress from both of them. Staying true to her fame she began moaning loudly with the pleasure their coupling was giving.
It took some five minutes before she felt his seed in her loins…maybe she could give little Lyra a sibling closer to her age next…maybe it could help her be a bit more extroverted.
Ashara climbed down from her panting husband, crossed the room, pulled back the heavy tapestries and opened the narrow windows one by one to let the night air into the chamber. This was just round one…
The wind swirled around her as she stood facing one of the windows, she liked to do this when she made love because Winterfell was so hot especially in summer. She also liked to contemplate the view it provided. Then she felt Ned's big and kind arms wrap her into a big hug and his rough lips patting her cheeks with many kisses.
"Feeling a little better, love?" she questioned, enjoying his holding.
"Much better already." Ned whispered in her ear.
"But not fully well…" she murmured and felt him sigh next to her ear. "What happened in the crypts?"
"Robert wants me to be his Hand," he explained and she had expected this… "I knew that it was the reason he came here for, but still…"
"And what do you want to do?" she inquired.
"I don't want to go…but he needs me…" Ned sighed once more… "I simply don't know what to do…"
"You know you will have to face the vipers if you accept, don't you?"
"I know…" he sighed.
She didn't like this one bit…Ned wanted to refuse but he was way too kind with his friend…friendship is a powerful thing…especially when it involves a best friend…I have lost mine…but Ned lost his father, brother, sister, foster father… "Maybe we can achieve a compromise with him?" she suggested.
"What sort of compromise?" he asked curiously.
"You become Hand of the King for a year, see what troubles the realm, see what you can do to fix it, and find yourself a proper replacement in the meantime, a man of both your trust and Robert's, then when your term is done, you return home."
"It sounds simple but hard to implement…" Ned said. "Robert will not like it."
"If Robert doesn't like it, it's his problem, let him find someone else for the job," she said bitterly. "This is more than enough, in my opinion, he deserves nothing more if he refuses it. You don't wish to ride south anyway."
"I don't…" Ned admitted. "You know what happened when my father answered the King's summoning, he never returned."
"That is why I'm going to you," she said. "To make sure you don't die, my love. I know the capital, I lived three years there."
"There is different people now, a different King, a different Queen…"
"But the intrigue is always the same Ned." she dismissed. "The vipers are always there, their faces are different but it's the same."
"And Jon rules Winterfell in our absence?" he inquired.
"With Maester Yolan's help of course, maybe Artie and Theon will give him a hand too." she nodded. "He will rule Winterfell one day, might as well allow him to get some experience at it before the time comes. So he doesn't end like you did, lost."
"I would prefer for him to have your counsel but…I do believe I will need you too…" Ned murmured. "Also…Robert…wanted Elianna to be betrothed to his son."
"That is not going to happen!" she quickly hissed while turning around, her breasts were so close to his chest that her nipples touched it. "I hope you didn't accept it, Ned!"
"I told him I need a word with you first," he explained. "I didn't accept."
"That will do for now." she sighed in relief. "I want to know if the Crown Prince is proper material for our girl, somehow I doubt he is though."
"I doubt it either…" Ned admitted as he began eyeing her breasts. "He seems a Lannister through and through."
"That's what I fear love…I don't want our daughter with a Tywin Lannister."
"Nothing came from it and will come if we stop it." Ned assured her while kissing her.
"Lyra ought to come with us…she is too young still to be away from me or you…" Ashara said as she made way to bed. "Maybe the children can come for a while too, for them to get a proper glance of King's Landing, of how the world is outside these walls…"
"Are you sure?" Ned asked as he stood still by the window.
"They need to learn before it's too late," she admitted. "I told them the world is not a song but they are still naïve and it's better that they learn with some help rather than alone."
"It's true…it would only make them stronger…" Ned nodded in approval.
"If we fill threatened though, we evacuated them," she said. "I will not take any risks."
"Of course." Ned agreed. "Surely we can ask Lord Manderly to provide us with a ship for the duration of this if Robert accepts."
"I like that idea…a private ship…ready for us to use if need be…" Ashara nodded. "That makes me feel safer."
"We will see how it goes with Robert." Ned murmured. "I certainly do not look forward to it."
"Now love…" she purred from the bed, showing her naked body to him. "Forget Robert and join me for some playtime and…round two…the night is young still…"
"You are ruthless…" he murmured as he came by her side and kissed her on the lips.
"Didn't we know that already?" she said smirking. "Oh, my poor sweet Quiet Wolf…come here…I'm going to make you howl now…"
So yes the first part of the chapter is still very close to canon, but I will try to make them more unique as it goes.
I said it in a comment and I will say here that I have no pairs for the Stark children, just some vague ideas. I don't wish to get too nitpicked with them this early.
Thank you for the reviews and for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day.