Part 4: Ned Stark

"I hate you!" Six year old Sansa yelled at Jon Snow. "You're a bastard and I hate you! Mother left because of you!" She started sobbing again, her face almost as red as her hair, she stamped her foot. "I wish you had died!" she yelled.

Ned had come running as soon as he had heard the yelling, Jory only steps behind him, the sight that greeted them broke Ned's heart. His oldest children were at a stand-off in the middle of one of the main courtyards of Winterfell. Robb and Jon were on one side and Sansa was on the other with the Steward's youngest daughter, Jeyne Poole, beside her. Ned's ward, Theon Greyjoy, was off to the side, the older boy was smirking as if he had somehow been the cause of the trouble. Jon stood helplessly, the look on his face suggesting that he believed what Sansa was yelling was true. Sansa's face was tear-stained and angry. Robb was red-faced, like his sister, but his position and posture clearly said that he was actively defending Jon.

"Sansa, that's not true, apologise to Jon right now!" Robb yelled.

"No!" Sansa yelled back, her greenish-blue eyes looking more green the more angry she got, like churned water where two rivers meet. "He's not my brother and I will not a-polly-gess! Mother left because of him!"

"Did not!" Robb yelled, his blue eyes seeming to get darker.

"Did too!" Sansa retorted.

"No, she didn't." Ned stated firmly. He sighed, he was at a loss as to which child to comfort first, Jon looked completely heartbroken but at least he had Robb. Sansa, although Tully in looks, was showing that she was every bit a Stark, but her only support was a girl who was not blood. The only way that Ned was going to deflect his daughter's rage from Jon was to take the brunt of it himself. "Sansa, sometimes marriages just don't work." He said quietly. "Your mother left because of me… and because she doesn't like the North."

Sansa stamped her foot again. "I hate the North too!" She yelled. "I hate the North, and I hate Jon, and I hate you… I want my mummy! I want my mummy…. Why doesn't she want me?! Why didn't she take me with her?" The child's anger gave way to confusion and despair, she started sobbing loudly.

"At least you know who your mummy is." Jon said quietly, silent tears running down his face.

Ned looked on feeling helpless, suddenly Old Nan was there, scooping Sansa up in her arms and talking softly to her. Old Nan, who had done the same for his older brother, Brandon, many times. Brandon had initially blamed Benjen for their mother's death. Old Nan would know what to say to Sansa, Ned turned his attention to Jon. Robb had placed himself between Jon and Sansa, because of the direction from which Ned had approached the argument Robb was also between Ned and Jon.

Jon looked over Robb's shoulder and up at Ned with accusing dark eyes. "It's true, isn't it?" He said quietly. "Robb, Sansa, Arya, and Bran don't have a mother because of me."

"Jon." Ned sighed, it was four years since Catelyn had left, he had hoped that things would be starting to get better by now. He took a step towards Jon but Jon took a step backwards. Robb remained between them. Ned couldn't help but feel a surge of pride at how Robb always protected Jon, and a surge of regret that Catelyn was the reason that Robb felt Jon needed to be protected.

"Tell me." Jon begged. "You won't even tell me who my mother is! Why won't you tell me the truth?!"

"Jon, I've told you, we'll talk about your mother when you're older." Ned tried to reach out to Jon but he pulled away.

"Lie." Jon whispered. He took a step backwards, shaking his head, and then another. Robb held his ground, trying to make himself a barrier between Ned and Jon. Pride and sadness wared in Ned at the action. Jon continued to talk quietly, but the anger and sadness in his voice was clear. "You always lie when it comes to me! Why? What is so terrible… you never lie about anything… except me!"

"Jon…" Ned sighed, he gently pushed past Robb and crossed the space between them, kneeling in front of Jon. "Jon… you are my blood. You are my blood and I love you very much, don't ever forget that. I have had to make some hard choices to keep you safe, not talking about you mother is one of them. I know you don't understand, and I'm sorry that I can't explain it to you." He touched Jon's face gently, making Jon look at him. "You are my blood, you may not be a Stark, but you are my blood. I made a choice to raise you and keep you safe, I made a promise to love and protect you. As to your mother, that is not something we can talk about, not yet."

"Why?" Jon asked, and then he burst into tears.

Ned pulled him close and hugged him, suddenly Robb was there, also trying to offer Jon comfort, Ned pulled Robb into the hug. It was heart-breaking, kneeling there in the mud, with Jon sobbing, knowing that he couldn't explain it to him. Ned knew that the lack of explanation made Robb angry too. But they were too young… it was too dangerous… he would tell them the truth one day.

"Jon." He whispered. "There is nothing terrible about you, and I promise that I will tell you about your mother when you are older." He promised. "But not today. I love you, and I will keep you as safe as I possibly can, but I need you to stop asking about your mother."

Jon nodded. "Is my mother the reason that Lady Catelyn left?" He asked quietly.

"No," Ned whispered sadly. "Cat left because I couldn't be the man she wanted me to be, in the end she was honest, compared to Brandon I was a disappointment."

"I don't think you're a disappointment." Robb said quietly. "I'm glad you're my father, I wish you would tell Jon about his mother but I'm glad you're our father." Robb hugged him tighter.

"Gods, my boys." Ned muttered. "My brave boys, I've made a mess of everything, haven't I?" He suddenly didn't care that half of Winterfell was watching, he needed them both to know that they were loved.

"We'll be alright." Robb said with certainty. "When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives."

Ned replied by hugging both boy's tighter. Suddenly Maester Luwin approached, looking somewhat flustered.

"Eddard, forgive me, I would not interrupt if it was not important, but a rather urgent raven has just arrived. May we speak in private?"

Ned nodded. He dropped a kiss on Robb's forehead and then on Jon's. "I love you both, never forget that." He said quietly. He released both boys and stood, turning towards the direction of his Solar. Maester Luwin fell into step silently behind him.

~~/~~

Ned re-read the note, yet no matter how many times he read it he still struggled to process the information.

Lord Paramount, Eddard Stark of Winterfell, Warden of the North.

I, Catelyn Tully of Riverrun, humbly request to visit the children as I will soon be moving to Pentos and may not get another opportunity. I furthermore request permission to bring my betrothed, Magister Illyrio Mopatis, that he may meet the children. I will understand, but be disappointed, if you refuse this request. My word is still my word.

I await your quick reply.
Lady Catelyn Tully.

Ned decided that it was the formality of the raven that hurt the most, he had held out little hope that Catelyn would actually return in any capacity. At least Catelyn was an honourable woman, she could have chosen to use Jon's parentage against Ned, but she hadn't. Ned could feel Maester Luwin watching him carefully.

"The answer is yes, of course, but I do not know how to word the raven." Ned muttered quietly.

"I could reply on your behalf if you wish." Luwin suggested quietly.

Ned nodded. "Perhaps that would be for the best." He agreed. The Maester nodded and turned to leave but Ned stopped him. "Let's not mention this to the children just yet." He said quietly.

Maester Luwin nodded. "Of course, but we will have to prepare them for it." He gave Ned a sympathetic look. "Is there anything else that I can do for you, Lord Stark?"

Ned gave him a grim smile. "No, unless you can convince my children to make peace…"

"Sadly that is beyond my levels of negotiation." Maester Luwin replied, he gave Ned a quick bow and left.

~~/~~

Illyrio Mopatis was nothing like what Ned Stark had expected, he was extremely overweight and his jewellery alone was likely worth enough to buy Winterfell, he was covered in finery and furs and attended by many servants, or perhaps they were slaves? He had a guard of Unsullied, they were certainly slaves. Ned had to constantly remind himself that in Essos slavery was accepted.

Illyrio was a sweet smelling man with soft hands, who had likely never worked for anything in his life. Ned had every reason to suspect that the marriage had been arranged by Hoster Tully, Illyrio was not the type of man that Ned could see Catelyn choosing for herself, he was nothing like Brandon. And Hoster Tully was a politically savvy man. Illyrio was rich, powerful, and in need of heirs. Also he was foreign which meant that Hoster could send the embarrassment of a divorced daughter away in exchange for a trade deal. The Riverlands were fertile, but Ned worried at the thought of Westrosi food being sent across the Narrow Sea instead of being stored for winter, the further south the Wall had to look for food the more it would cost them, Ned resolved to store more of his harvests to pick up the slack, and to encourage other lords to do the same.

The thought that Catelyn was marrying a man not of her choosing for a second time also worried Ned, but he did not know how to approach the matter. The merchant-prince seemed to behave kindly towards Catelyn, and his obvious wealth meant that he could give Catelyn a very comfortable life if he chose to.

Illyrio also seemed very generous, so generous, in fact Ned had been embarrassed by the lavish gifts that Illyrio had brought with him. The gifts had included a dozen Dothraki horses, gems, silks, spices, cheeses and even six bows made out of dragon bone. The horses were amazing, they were far leaner than the war horses which Ned was accustomed to, but were nimble and fit, they did not seem to like the cold much though. They even came with the unique Dothraki saddles which allowed archers to fire from horseback. All of the horses were Stark colours; Grey, black, and white. There were nine mares and three stallions. One stallion was pure white, one stallion was pure black and one stallion was a dapple grey with black markings on its muzzle, the points of its ears, and the lower half of its legs with black mane and tail, almost like the black markings on a wolf.

Edmure Tully and his young wife Brienne had accompanied them, as had their twin baby boys. Edmure rode a chestnut Dothraki stallion with flaxen mane and tail. To Ned's surprise Brienne wore full armour and rode a pale charger, a wet-nurse accompanied them.

Robb was reserved and cautious, but he enjoyed spending time with his new baby cousins, Arya was enthralled with the horses and very taken with Brienne, Sansa was in awe of Illyrio and his servants and Bran was too young to care. The visitors stayed for two weeks, Ned encouraged the children to spend as much time with Catelyn as they could but Robb refused, saying he would not do anything that Jon or Theon could not be a part of, he spent more time sparing with Edmure and Brienne as both were happy to spare with Jon and Theon as well. Brienne was surprisingly good! Edmure and Brienne seemed to have a unique, and healthy, relationship, it gave Ned hope that there were men out there that were not threatened by a strong woman. It also made him wonder if he should take the She-Bear's offers more seriously, Arya was already showing strong interest in both sword and bow. Hmm, six bows… six children, including Theon… that was interesting.

Sansa was on her best behaviour, but that dissolved into her usually melancholy on the day that Catelyn was set to leave. Sansa yelled and screamed, hit people and pulled hair, all the while begging Catelyn to take Sansa with her.

"Sansa," Catelyn said sadly. "You are a Stark of Winterfell, you belong here with your brothers and sister."

"I hate Winty-fell, I hate my brothers and my sister… why don't you want me?! Why don't you love me?! Why won't you take me with you?!" Sansa stomped her little feet and started crying.

"Oh, Sansa." Catelyn sighed, she picked up the crying child and Sansa hugged her fiercely. "I do love you." Catelyn started to cry as well.

Illyrio cleared his throat. "Sansa, do you really want to leave your home and go to a strange place?" Sansa nodded her head up and down so fast that she almost head-butted Catelyn in the chin. Illyrio looked thoughtful. "Lord Stark,"

"Please," Ned interrupted. "I have told you, call me Ned."

Illyrio smiled. "Ned, Sansa seems quite distressed… perhaps we could take her to Pentos for a while? She might enjoy the warmer climate, and it would be nice for Catelyn to have at least one of her children present on her wedding day. If she likes it she could perhaps become my ward?"

Ned was reluctant, he had promised Catelyn that he would never keep their children from her, but Riverrun was one thing, across the Narrow Sea was a completely different situation, there was no way to protect Sansa if anything went wrong.

"Please. Mommy, please take me with you. I hate Winty-fell and I don't want to be a Stark anymore." Sansa sobbed.

"Sansa, you don't mean that." Catelyn replied. "Winterfell is where you belong."

"No, it's not." Robb, who had been very quiet since Catelyn's arrival spoke up. "Sansa doesn't belong here, just like you don't. She hates it as much as you do and she doesn't fit. She's mean and nasty, she's cruel to Jon and rude to Theon, just like you were, and she picks on Arya all the time. We're northerners, Sansa doesn't belong here. "

"Robb…" Ned sighed. He knew Robb was angry, but were things really this bad?

"If she doesn't want to be a part of our family why make her?" Robb asked him. "Let her go, she's our blood and that will never change. But if she wants to leave, let her. Let her have her pretty dresses, we're soldiers, she's not." Robb rested a hand on Arya's shoulder as he made the 'we're soldiers' comment.

Ned swallowed thickly, he loved Sansa, but Robb was right. Gods, war was easier than daughters… He was hesitant, but Catelyn would ensure Sansa's safety. Hopefully a little time away would make Sansa reconsider things. He turned his attention to Illyrio. "You would give me your word that you will protect her as if she were your own…"

"Of course." Illyrio agreed.

"And if she changes her mind you will arrange her immediate safe return?" Ned insisted.

"A given, such a sweet girl should want for nothing." Illyrio replied.

"I'll go get her myself if I have to." Brienne added, Ned believed her, although what she could do against Unsullied he did not know.

Ned did not want Sansa to grow up believing that slavery was acceptable, he did not want her so far away that he couldn't protect her, yet on the other hand he wasn't protecting his other children by keeping her here. Robb's entire personality seemed to be developing around protecting Jon, and that wasn't healthy. Sansa was cruel to Theon, and she and Arya did fight a lot, children fight, but Ned had to admit that with Sansa it was bad.

"My Lord," Jory said carefully. "I've always wanted to see Essos, I could perhaps go with her?"

"As could I." Another guard volunteered.

"And I." Offered another.

Ned sighed, then slowly nodded, Illyrio had shown nothing but kindness and generosity since he had arrived, he had treated Catelyn, Ned, and the children well. Illyrio had done nothing to offend, yet Ned was still hesitant. He sighed again, if he refused Sansa would never forgive him, and the other children deserved a little peace… there was no real reason for him to distrust Illyrio, he should let Sansa spend some time with her mother. "Then perhaps she could go with you… for a few months." He agreed reluctantly.

Arrangements were made, Sansa left with a dozen Winterfell guards, her mother and Illyrio, but months turned to years, the guards returned, but Sansa did not. Every now and then gifts would arrive from Illyrio and there would be letter's about how Sansa was from Catelyn, but Sansa herself never wrote.

~~/~~