There he sat, King Joffrey Baratheon, the first of his name. It was merely the dawn of the day after the King had been brought back from his hunt on the last legs of life and Joffrey had already crowned himself King, with his mother as his regent stood on his right. On his left stood Baelish and beside him Varys, and Ser Barristan was stood at the foot of The Throne. Renly was nowhere to be seen. Jon was not surprised by that, he already knew that Renly had run off to Highgarden with Ser Loras and his men.
"All hail his Grace, Joffrey of Houses Baratheon and Lannister, the first of his name, King of the Andals and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm" a messenger called forth and the people in court all bowed, all but Ned Stark who waited to be called forth. He had come alone because he was the only one summoned. Jon thought it prudent to not be present where he wasn't summoned.
"I command the council to make all necessary arrangements for my coronation. I wish to be crowned within the fortnight. Today I shall accept oaths of fealty from my loyal councillors" the newly made King commanded his council, who all nodded their heads. "First, Lord Stark please come forward and swear you fealty to me, your new King."
Ned moved forward, the only thought in his head being that Joffrey did not deserve the power he was getting. He was no Baratheon, an abomination made from the union between brother and sister. Yet Jon's warning flew through his head, the faces of all those that were killed because of his bullishness. So he bent his knee, lowered his head and spoke his words of fealty to the True King of The Iron Throne. Cersei did not look too pleased with the wording but Joffrey was more than happy with it. He told Ned Stark to stand, instilled the Wardenship of The North on him and told him to hand over the pin of The Hand. Ned was all too happy to do that. Joffrey thanked him for his services and bade him a good fortune on his way back to The North. He made no inquiries about Sansa Stark, his betrothed.
Those had been the events of a day ago. Ned, Jon and the remainder of The Stark men were on a ship bound for White Harbor. The roads would have been too unsafe to travel at this time, with Tywin Lannister's men still on the prowl. A letter of apology on behalf of House Stark had been sent to Casterly Rock after the incident with Jaime Lannister. But neither Ned nor Jon trusted Tywin to pull away so soon.
"Where did you get these?" Ned Stark questioned, looking over the documents that proved without a doubt that Jon was not only the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark but also that Rhaegar had annulled his marriage to Elia Martell and married Lyanna Stark. That made Jon a trueborn Targaryen and the true King of The Seven Kingdoms.
"I have friends on the other side of the narrow seas" Brynden took the papers back and deposited them in a bag he was carrying. "They know a few Maesters at The Citadel and pulled connections to get these papers out from the archives."
"And how exactly is it that you know about these documents?" Ned questioned the man with suspicion in his gaze.
"Brynden knows more about things than half the people of Westeros. His gift from the old gods is stronger than that of mine" Jon explained.
"So you knew about Jon then?"
"I did" Brynden confirmed. "I didn't find Jon out there that night by chance. I knew he'd be there and that if I didn't find him he'd be dead" he added. A lie, but a necessary one.
"Where are you from exactly? You told me you were from beyond the narrow sea" Ned asked.
"I have my roots in Old Valyria. But I was born in Pentos" Brynden explained. A half-lie this time.
"You knew about it, right? Robert's death and that of Jon Arryn as well?" Ned questioned, an edge to his voice at the accusation.
"I did" Brynden answered, standing straighter. "Jon Arryn was a man past his prime. Had I saved him there he would have died a more painful death later on. And Robert Baratheon had wasted his life and the longer he remained the more the realm would have broken and more the chaos would have eaten its inhabitants. Joffrey Baratheon is an abomination and the Mad King incarnate. I will not kneel to them. Viserys is much like Joffrey and Daenerys would end up corrupted should power be given to her. Jon on the other hand was raised a Stark and find The Throne a duty over right. He has the head on him to lead the men to peace. And he listens to his advisors for once, a rare trait. That is a man I'd bend the knee to" the man explained.
"Father" Jon spoke and Ned's attention went to Jon, "I trust Brynden with my life, as he does with his life. You have nothing to fear from him."
"Can he swear to that?" Ned questioned.
"I can" Brynden confirmed. "I swear that I Brynden, choose to never plot the demise of Jon Targaryen or any of his family. I swear to lay my life down for him should it need be and serve him as his faithful sword. I swear to it on the old gods, the seven, the old gods of Valyria and those that are worshipped all through the free cities."
Ned looked placated but the distrust was still in him, though he didn't speak of it much. "So we make copies of this once we are in Winterfell?"
"Make copies and send them along with the summons and truth of Cersei's children to every bannerman in The North. I need their support and your voice will add a lot to it. They trust you, they believe in you because of the reputation you have built, the relations you have forged through the years" Jon explained.
"The Lannisters will not be very happy about this."
"They're already not happy" Brynden pointed out. "It's too late to warn them now, not when Tyrion's capture has already spurred The Lannisters. Your letter of apology to them did little to calm them. Lord Tywin cares little about his youngest son, but the action has shamed his family name. And he cares nothing more than the family name."
"I will think about this" Ned declared, letting out a tired sigh. "Leave me for the moment, please" he stated but then motioned to Brynden. "You stay. I want to have words with you."
Jon looked at Brynden who shrugged. The boy walked out without another words. "What is it you wish to talk about?" Brynden asked.
"I need you to tell me what would have happened had you not found Jon that night. What would have happened to my family?"