The first scene opens with three Rangers riding through a tunnel, leaving the Wall, and going into the woods.
"This is from beyond The Wall" Rickard Stark stated, his eyes narrowing at the sight. What was so important that the boy was showing things from beyond The Wall? Was it a mass Wildling attack they needed to prepare for?
"Do we need to prepare ourselves for Wilding attacks?" Ned asked, fully serious. Beside him Robert snorted, looking uninterested.
"Wildlings are easy to deal with if all Seven Kingdom come together. They are undisciplined and don't have shit to fight against fully armed knights."
"Aye," Ned muttered to his friend. But he had an odd feeling. Something else was happening and he wasn't sure what it was.
One Ranger splits off and finds a campsite full of mutilated bodies, including a child hanging from a tree branch. A birds-eye view shows the bodies arranged in a shield-like pattern. The Ranger rides back to the other two.
"That's horrible" Ashara muttered mouth behind her hand and horror in her eyes. "How could anyone do something as barbaric as that?!"
"They are wildlings, My Lady. They are barbaric by nature" Brandon answered. Smiling towards The Dornish woman. Ned bristled slightly at the interaction but did not speak on it.
WAYMAR ROYCE: What d'you expect? They're savages. One lot steals a goat from another lot and before you know it, they're ripping each other to pieces.
WILL: I've never seen wildlings do a thing like this. I've never seen a thing like this, not ever in my life.
WAYMAR ROYCE: How close did you get?
WILL: Close as any man would.
GARED: We should head back to the wall.
ROYCE: Do the dead frighten you?
GARED: Our orders were to track the wildlings. We tracked them. They won't trouble us no more.
ROYCE: You don't think he'll ask us how they died? Get back on your horse.
"Ah, a green boy" Jon Arryn clicked his tongue.
"You get big-headed idiots like that from time to time. Noble boys who join The Watch for glory and thinking themselves better than the rest" Rickard stated, leaning back in his seat and sighing at the stupidity of these highborn idiots.
WILL: Whatever did it to them could do it to us. They even killed the children.
ROYCE: It's a good thing we're not children. You want to run away south, run away. Of course, they will behead you as a deserter … If I don't catch you first. Get back on your horse. I won't say it again.
WILL glares but obeys. Sometime later, the three Rangers return to the campsite, which is now completely cleared.
"That shouldn't be possible" Edmure muttered, eyes wide in terror.
"Could it have been a wildling ambush? Using the dead bodies to lure enemies in?" Lyanna asked.
"Doubt it. The wildlings aren't that clever" Brandon stated with a grunt.
"They have to be, otherwise those bodies couldn't have just vanished into thin air like that!" the femme Stark argued.
"Children" Rickard spoke and the two quieted down. But his children were right. The Wildlings couldn't be that clever to use dead bodies like that. Or even if they are, it would take more time to remove them all. And they couldn't have been alive, not with how they looked. There was no way he could make sense of it.
There was one way, but he only dreaded to consider it. It couldn't be. He looked at Raven and the man seemed to stare blankly at the pictures. Of course, he would know, but Rickard had a feeling that he would not spill it just yet.
ROYCE: Your dead men seem to have moved camp.
WILL: They were here.
GARED: See where they went.
The three look around, swords drawn. They hear the wind and eerie calls. GARED finds a red cloth in the snow.
ROYCE: What is it?
GARED: It's …
As he speaks, a CREATURE with glowing blue eyes rises behind ROYCE. ROYCE turns, and the CREATURE strikes. The scene shifts to WILL, who hears a man crying out. The three horses stampede past him. He turns and sees someone standing very still in the distance. The figure turns – it's the child who had been suspended in the tree, now with glowing blue eyes. WILL turns and runs. GARED is also fleeing, and we hear strange growls and catch glimpses of the CREATURE. Both terrified RANGERS stop, some distance apart, to catch their breath. WILL sees a CREATURE behead GARED. WILL sinks to his knees and the CREATURE tosses GARED'S head to him.
A pregnant silence descended on the people in the room, the sight before them nothing short of unbelievable. It couldn't be, there was no way it could be.
"You expect us to believe this?" Tywin stood, glaring at the man that had brought them all here. "You expect us to believe the dead are rising?"
"Is that not what happened on the screen?" Raven asked simply. "You saw it for yourself. You tell me."
"This is nonsense" the man snarled. 'You're showing us what you want us to see. All of this is nothing short of fantasy and delusion! Let us out now!"
A shiver ran down Tywin's spine as the man fully turned to him, his blue eyes piercing right through him. The temperature in the room seemed to fall a few degrees as well, everyone feeling the effects.
"You think I have the time to waste on playing tricks on you?" the man barked coolly, "I have lost everything because I was too arrogant in seeing things for what they were. I was hasty, I made decisions that came to destroy everything I wanted to protect in the end. The dead rose, and the dead were beaten but not as was intended. They lingered and in time they returned stronger than ever. We were still rebuilding when that happened, none of us was prepared. We were slaughtered like cattle!" he took a breath. "Sit down and watch, all of this is the future for you."
Jaime gripped his father's hand and when the man looked at him, the boy shook his head. Everybody in the room was freaked out, but none of them felt it like his father was. They believed it, unbelievable as it was they all believed it. Jaime did as well. His father was the only one questioning it. He pulled the older man down and Tywin sat, yanking his hand away from his son's grip.
Riders from Winterfell come up behind a dazed WILL.
"So he deserted" Brandon mused, "I don't blame him."
"But he'll lose his head either way. As is the law" Ned muttered, mouth behind his hands.
The scene shifts to the castle, where BRAN is practising archery and getting frustrated, under the eyes of JON SNOW and ROBB STARK. JON pats BRAN'S shoulder.
"That's you" Catelyn spoke, eyes on the man and her entire body perking up.
"You're a Stark of Winterfell?" Ned stated dumbfounded.
"I have not been a Stark of Winterfell for a long time" Raven spoke softly, earning curious glances from the Starks and Tully's present. The boy had Tully colours, nobody doubted that he was a child of Catelyn and Brandon, who were betrothed.
"Who are the other two?" Lyanna asked.
"Robb and Jon. They are my older brothers" Raven explained.
"The boys don't look that much older than each other. If they are your brothers, are they twins?" Catelyn questioned. One of them, sure enough, inherited the Tully looks, much like Raven had. The other looked Stark through and through.
"No" Jaime answered instead, "they're not twins."
"And how exactly are you sure about that?" Edmure questioned.
"I am a twin, I would know" drawled Jaime.
"So a bastard then" Hoster Tully gruffed, glaring daggers at Brandon who looked uncaring. Catelyn beside him stiffened. A bastard? Her betrothed? The boys didn't look too different in age, so it would have to be after they married. Was she not good enough for him? Her feelings for Jon turned acidic right away.
JON: Go on. Father's watching.
We see NED and CATELYN STARK watching from above.
JON: And your mother.
"That's not me" Brandon blinked in surprise.
"That's me" Ned muttered dumbfounded.
"With me?" Catelyn squeaked.
"You! Explain!" Brandon demanded.
"You died," Raven said bluntly.
"And?" Brandon growled when the man didn't elaborate. "How did I die?!"
"You charged to the capital and demanded Rhaegar's head for kidnapping your sister" Bran explained.
"And why in Seven Hells did you kidnap my betrothed?!" Robert roared and rose to his feet. Brandon too turned his ire on Rhaegar.
"How should I know? It hasn't happened yet has it now" Rhaegar answered steadily.
"Robert" Ned stood in front of Robert, who looked ready to charge. "It hasn't happened yet, it will not happen this time" Ned spoke harshly, a hand on his friend's chest to stop him from moving forward. Similarly, Rickard was stopping his eldest, who looked ready for battle.
"Sit down both of you" Raven snapped and both men turned to him. The dead look he threw them made them both shudder in discomfort. It was enough to snap them out and help their respective helpers calm them down.
"And where am I?" Rickard asked once his son was seated. "I wouldn't have let the boy go about this alone."
"You went, you died with him" Raven answered and the man nodded.
"Father and Brandon" Ned muttered under his breath. Beside him, Lyanna grasped his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. Ned gave her a thankful smile and squeezed her hand back. He still had Lyanna and Benjen, he told himself. He looked over to Catelyn, who was looking at him as well. Neither of them really looked sure about how to react to them being married.
Scene shifts to needlework practice with the girls inside the castle.
SEPTA MORDANE (to SANSA): Fine work, as always. Well done.
SANSA: Thank you.
"That one's your daughter" Edmure whispered to Catelyn who was staring mutely at the screen. She still wasn't sure how to react to her marrying Eddard Stark, but the sight of her children, future children to be exact, filled her heart. Her daughter definitely took after her in terms of looks, and she was definitely raised to be a proper lady.
SEPTA MORDANE: I love the detail that you've managed to get in these corners. … Quite beautiful … the stitching …
"Someone's a favourite" Elia chuckled softly.
"Like a certain someone" Ashara teased.
"I was not the favourite. I was just simply good at the only thing I was able to do without over-exerting myself" Elia rolled her eyes. Owing to her poor health she wasn't able to join in any training like most Dornish women are trained. This was her only way of proving herself, other than her character of course.
As she murmurs to SANSA about the embroidery, ARYA struggles with her needlework and listens to the arrows hitting and the male laughter outside.
"Someone doesn't seem to like all that southern tasks" Brandon laughed, his previous mood pushed away for now. "This one's like our Lyanna here, all wolf blood and nothing else!"
Catelyn bit her lip as she watched the girl that was also her daughter. There was no doubting it, the girl looked all Stark to not see it. And if she was sitting with The Septa, she was no bastard of Ned's. She wouldn't allow a bastard anywhere near her children.
Outside, BRAN tries and misses again. Everyone laughs.
NED: And which one of you was a marksman at ten? Keep practising, Bran. Go on.
JON: Don't think too much, Bran.
ROBB: Relax your bow arm.
BRAN pulls the arrow back. An arrow hits the bullseye. BRAN (still with his arrow), JON, and ROBB turn in surprise to see ARYA, who curtsies after her perfect shot. ROBB and JON laugh as Bran takes off after ARYA.
"She's really good" whistled Obery. "And from the looks of things, it's entirely self-taught and all observation. There's talent in that girl."
"Something tells me she won't get to explore it much" Doran mused, looking to Catelyn who looked as white as a ghost.
JON/ROBB: Quick, Bran, faster!
RODRICK CASSEL and THEON GREYJOY approach NED and CATELYN on the balcony.
"That boy, he isn't one of yours" Lyanna pointed out.
"And he doesn't look Northern" Brandon mused out loud.
"A child I'm fostering maybe?" Ned asked. Both his siblings just shrugged at that.
CASSEL: Lord Stark. My lady. A guardsman just rode in from the hills. They've captured a deserter from the Night's Watch.
NED grimaces.
NED: Get the lads to saddle their horses.
THEON departs.
CATELYN: Do you have to?
NED: He swore an oath, Cat.
CASSEL: The law is law, my lady.
NED: Tell Bran he's coming, too.
CASSEL nods and departs.
CATELYN: Ned. Ten is too young to see such things.
"Ten is definitely not too young" Brandon looked to his betrothed. "I'm not sure how it works in The South, My Lady, but Bran is old enough to know about the harshness of reality. It's a necessary lesson."
"I understand" Catelyn lowered her head and bit her lips. Ned reached out and put a hand on Brandon's arm. He gently shook his head when his brother looked at him. Brandon raised an eyebrow at him but said nothing. Ned was the softest of his siblings, the quiet one. This was expected.
NED: He won't be a boy forever. And winter is coming.
"Your House words hold a whole other meaning now" Olenna commented.
"It always has. We seemed to have forgotten it" Rickard replied.
NED departs. In the courtyard, ROBB and JON gather the arrows. CATELYN turns and glares down at JON. He looks at her and walks away.
"Don't look at him like that" Elia rolled her eyes.
"He is a bastard" Catelyn muttered, a little shocked at being addressed by the royal princess.
"And? Is it the boy's fault that his father slept with his mother?" Elia snapped back before taking a calming breath. "I'm sorry, but you're wrong to condemn the child for the sins of his father. No matter how easy it might be to shift the blame."
Catelyn did not say anything in reply. But she also did not agree with the princess. A bastard was a sin and a stain of dishonour for any woman.
ROBB: Lad, go run back and get the rest.
The scene shifts, and we see WILL being taken to the block.
WILL (muttering): White Walkers. I saw the White Walkers. White Walkers. The White Walkers, I saw them.
He and NED face each other.
WILL: I know I broke my oath. And I know I'm a deserter. I should have gone back to the Wall and warned them. But I saw what I saw. I saw the White Walkers. People need to know. If you can get word to my family, tell them I'm no coward. Tell them I'm sorry.
NED nods yes, and WILL is positioned on the tree limb that serves as a block. NED draws Ice from a scabbard held by Theon.
"You really are the Lord of The House now" Brandon muttered. He wasn't upset about it. He was dead and his brother would naturally take over because of that. He felt pride in seeing Ned perform his duty, and was a little unsure whether Ned would be able to perform it all perfectly. He was the second son, taught to follow and not to lead.
Rickard was having similar thoughts. He raised his sons well enough that they'd know what was right and wrong. But Brandon was his heir and he took special attention to teaching him a Lord's duty. He had sent his Ned to foster at the Eyrie, and the boy grew with the principles of Jon Arryn more than that of his father. It was worrying to the man.
WILL (whispering): Forgive me, lord.
NED bows his head over ICE.
NED: In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, first of his name …
"In the name of who?" Rhaegar sat up straighter.
"Why the fuck are you doing that in my name?" Robert asked, looking at Ned who shrugged. They all turned to Raven who blinked.
"After the deaths of Rickard and Brandon, Aerys demanded the heads of Robert and father. It all lead to a rebellion which Robert one and they crowned him King."
"So I died as well then" Rhaegar leaned back, blinked then straightened again. "What about my children? Rhaenys and Aegon? What happened to them?"
Raven looked away from him and back to the pictures. "Keep watching" was all he said.
JON (to BRAN): Don't look away.
NED: King of the Andals and the First Men …
JON: Father will know if you do.
NED: Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm, I, Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, sentence you to die.
"It feels weird hearing you say it" Lyanna scrunched her nose. "But it does suit you. The future you, I mean."
"Aye," Ned muttered softly.
NED swings ICE and beheads WILL. BRAN does not look away.
"Good boy" Ned muttered under his breath and Lyanna smiled, having been the only one who heard him. It was clear that Ned already cared for his children.
JON: You did well.
He walks away. ROBB turns and puts his arm around BRAN and they go to their horses together. NED approaches BRAN.
NED: You understand why I did it?
BRAN: Jon said he was a deserter.
NED: But do you understand why I had to kill him?
BRAN: Our way is the old way?
NED: The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword. If you can't look your accused in the eyes when you swing the sword, maybe he doesn't deserve to die.
"Wise words" Jon smiled at his foster son, pride practically radiating off of him. He had raised both Ned and Robert from a relatively young age, and to see one of his sons become such a respectable and responsible man made his heart swell with pride.
Ned ducked his head and smiled. Rickard looked at his son and felt pride in him as well. But knowing that it was more Jon Arryn than him in his son's actions made him feel off.
BRAN: Is it true he saw the White Walkers?
NED: The White Walkers have been gone for thousands of years.
BRAN: So he was lying?
NED: A madman sees what he sees.
"You don't believe him" Lyanna whispered harshly.
"Hard to believe him when I've not seen one myself. Or thought they'd be real" Ned whispered back. Lyanna rolled her eyes and leaned against him.
Scene shifts to a dead stag's head. The Winterfell men gather on the bridge They see a ravaged deer before them.
JON: What is it?
"That is a stag" Edmure answered.
"He meant what did that" Oberyn corrected him.
"I knew that. I was jesting" the Dornishman rolled his eyes at the Riverman.
THEON: Mountain lion?
NED: There are no mountain lions in these woods.
With swords out, they begin to search. NED finds a dead direwolf with antlers through her throat. Her pups are whimpering around her.
"Is that a direwolf?" Brandon's jaws fell open in shock.
"There are no direwolves south of the wall" Ned muttered in equal shock.
"Now there are five" Lyanna pointed to the pups.
THEON: It's a freak.
"Got a wild tongue that one" Rickard mused, a dangerous glint in his eyes. Unlike his eldest and his only daughter, he could hold his displeasure back. The two in question though were expressive of theirs.
NED: It's a direwolf.
NED and CASSEL glance at each other.
NED: Tough old beast.
ROBB: There are no direwolves south of the Wall.
JON: Now there are five.
"Look at you two, mimicking the children" Brandon teased. But Ned and Lyanna just grinned at each other and then at him.
Jon picks up a pup and offers it to BRAN.
JON: You want to hold it?
BRAN: Where will they go? Their mother's dead.
CASSEL: They don't belong down here.
NED: Better a quick death. They won't last without their mother.
"Don't kill the pups!" Lyanna smacked Ned on the head.
"Hey! Ow! That hurts!" Ned grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. Lyanna scowled at him.
THEON: Right. Give it here.
BRAN: NO!
ROBB (disgustedly to THEON): Put away your blade.
THEON: I take orders from your father, not you.
BRAN: Please, father!
NED: I'm sorry, Bran.
JON: Lord Stark? There are five pups. One for each of the Stark children.
"You have five children?" Brandon whistled. "You've been busy Ned."
"Shut it" Ned grounded out, face flushing. It made his siblings and Robert laugh. Over on the other side, Edmure laughed at his sister for similar things.
JON: The direwolf is the sigil of your House. They were meant to have them.
Everyone looks at NED, BRAN with great hope.
Lyanna was looking similarly at Ned, who still blushing was also creeped out.
"None of that has happened yet" Ned muttered.
NED: You will train them yourselves. You will feed them yourselves. And if they die, you will bury them yourselves.
BRAN cradles his pup as JON hands more pups to ROBB.
BRAN (to JON): What about you?
JON: I'm not a Stark. Get on.
"Poor boy" Elia whispered softly. She knew just how the boy was treated from the way he spoke. Catelyn Stark did not make his life easy. Over with The Starks Lyanna couldn't help but feel for the boy. He was such a nice boy.
JON walks away, pauses, and hears another whimper.
ROBB: What is it?
JON pulls up a white wolf pup.
"Look at that, he does get his own" Brandon smiled.
"Starks having Direwolves again. The Old ways are coming back" Rickard thought.
THEON: The runt of the litter. That one's yours, Snow.
Scene shifts to bells ringing at Kings Landing. In front of the Iron Throne, surrounded by druidical-looking celebrants, lies the body of JON ARRYN.
"You're dead" Ned muttered, the good feelings in him going up in flames. Beside him Robert stiffened as well, hands gripping the arms of the seat he sat on.
"It was bound to happen at some point" Jon gave a weak smile. It was only a matter of time for him. He was old already. But if his body was in what looked to be the throne room, it meant that he had been the King's hand. He wondered how well he did.
Up on the balcony, CERSEI watches the scene below as JAIME approaches.
"Why is she there?" Jaime sputtered, having silently been watching up till this point.
"Probably because she might be the Queen or the wife of someone on The Council" Tywin answered. But he knew that it would have to be the former rather than the latter.
JAIME: As your brother, I feel it's my duty to warn you: You worry too much. It's starting to show.
CERSEI: And you never worry about anything. When we were seven, you jumped off the cliffs of Casterly Rock. One hundred feet drop into the water. And you were never afraid.
JAIME: There was nothing to be afraid of until you told father. [In a whisper, mimicking] We're Lannisters. Lannisters don't act like fools.
"We don't" Tywin ground out. Jaime ducked his head in shame.
CERSEI: What if Jon Arryn told someone?
JAIME: But who would he tell?
CERSEI: My husband.
JAIME: If he told the king, both our heads would be skewered on the city gates by now. Whatever Jon Arryn knew or didn't know, it died with him. And Robert will choose a new Hand of the king, someone to do his job while he's off fucking boars and hunting whores. Or is it the other way around? And life will go on.
"Careful Lannister" Robert growled menacingly.
"Or what? You'll smash my head in with your hammer?" Jaime taunted.
"Enough" Jon Arryn cut in. He could see the red in Robert's eyes and face. Any more and it would have dissolved into a fight. Over on The Lannister side, Tywin glared at his son and pinned him with it in his place.
CERSEI: You should be the Hand of the king.
JAIME: That's an honour I can do without. Their days are too long, their lives are too short.
Scene shifts to a raven approaching Winterfell. CATELYN crosses a busy courtyard and finds NED in the godswood.
CATELYN: All these years and I still feel like an outsider when I come here.
"Maybe because you haven't accepted the ways of The North properly" Elia suggested, saying it with no bad intention. But Catelyn took it as a slight and gave a stiff nod.
NED: You have five northern children. You're not an outsider.
CATELYN: I wonder if the old gods agree.
NED: It's your gods with all the rules.
CATELYN: I am so sorry, my love.
NED: Tell me.
CATELYN: There was a raven from Kings Landing. Jon Arryn is dead. A fever took him. I know he was like a father to you.
Ned and Robert lowered their heads, as did the rest after them, in respect for the man that Jon Arryn was.
NED: Your sister. The boy …
"What does this have to do with Lysa? And her son?" Catelyn whispered. Hoster had an idea. With Jaime being a Kingsguard, and what the future version of his eldest just said, he had married Lysa off to Jon Arryn, probably during the war so they could have the Riverlands' support.
CATELYN: They both have their health. Gods be good. [pause] The raven brought more news. The king rides for Winterfell. With the queen and all the rest of them.
NED: He's coming this far North, there's only one thing he's after.
CATELYN: You can always say no, Ned.
"Why would he say no?" Robert asked with genuine curiosity. "He could rule the seven kingdoms with me."
"Robert" Lyanna spoke gently, "father and Brandon were the last Starks to go South I'm guessing. They didn't return."
"Another King, another time. You think I'll let anything happen to Ned?" Robert asked. Lyanna did not say anything more.
Scene shifts to the Winterfell great hall where a great banquet is being prepared.
CATELYN: We need plenty of candles for Lord Tyrion's chamber. I'm told he reads all night.
MAESTER LUWIN: I'm told he drinks all night.
CATELYN: How much could he possibly drink? A man of his … stature.
LUWIN: We've brought up eight barrels of ale from the cellar. Perhaps we'll find out.
CATELYN: In any case, candles.
Tywin stiffened and ground his teeth the whole time his youngest was being spoken about.
Scene shifts to Robb, Theon, and Jon getting barbered.
JON: Why's your mother so dead-set on us getting pretty for the king?
THEON: It's for the queen, I bet. I hear she's [sleek as a mink?]
"The boy talks a lot" Jaime smiled sweetly, an edge to his smile.
"Jaime" Tywin warned and the boy stayed down.
ROBB: I hear the prince is a right royal prick.
THEON: Think of all those southern girls he gets to stab with his right royal prick.
ROBB: Go on, Tommy, shave him good. He's never met a girl he likes better than his own hair.
Scene shifts to the royal procession approaching Winterfell. Bran sees them from his perch high atop a castle wall and clambers nimbly down to tell everyone. CATELYN and LUWIN walk to the courtyard, passing BRAN's wolf pup.
"Gods they grew so fast" Catelyn mumbled.
CATELYN: Gods, but they grow fast.
"Guess you don't change much" Edmure chuckled, earning himself a smack on the arm from his sister.
CATELYN: [Seeing BRAN on the wall] Brandon!
"You really like to climb don't you," Catelyn asked, looking at the man that was apparently her son.
"I did" Raven answered. She saw him grip the furs over his leg tightly.
BRAN: I saw the king! He's got hundreds of people!
CATELYN: How many times have I told you: No climbing!
BRAN: But he's coming right now! Down our road!
CATELYN: I want you to promise me: No more climbing.
BRAN (looking down): I promise.
"Benjen does that too" Lyanna pointed out.
"So do you" Brandon ruffled his sister's hair. He laughed when she slapped his hand away.
CATELYN: D'you know what?
BRAN: What?
CATELYN: You always look at your feet before you lie. Run and find your father. Tell him the king is close.
BRAN runs off, followed by his wolf pup. Scene shifts to the grand entry of the king's horses and men. ARYA, wearing a helm and cloak, pushes her way into a tall wagon for a better look. In rides JOFFREY, followed by the HOUND. The other Starks wait in a greeting line.
"That one's gonna be trouble" Oberyn chuckled. He really took a shine towards the youngest Stark girl.
"She reminds me of you when you were younger" Brandon pointed out to Lyanna, Ned nodding along.
"It's boring being a proper lady anyways" Lyanna huffed, puffing her chest out to show that she was proud of her 'wolf blood'.
CATELYN: Where's Arya? Sansa, where's your sister?
More riders with banners. ARYA scoots past her parents to get in the receiving line.
NED: Hey, hey, hey, hey. What are you doing with that on? [Pulls off ARYA's helm]
ARYA (pushing BRAN): Move!
"So much like you two" Brandon chuckled. His younger siblings smiled at one another.
JOFFREY rides up, SANSA smiles at him, ROBB glares at JOFFREY.
Robert blanched at the sight of his supposed eldest. That was his son? All Lannister and no Baratheon.
The HOUND pulls up his helm. The coach carrying CERSEI lumbers in, followed by KING ROBERT. All kneel. ROBERT heaves himself off his horse. NED looks shocked at the sight of his old friend, now fat and red-faced.
Ned of the future was not the only one. Everyone present stared dumbly at Robert of the future, comparing it with the Robert of the present. It was an understatement that the man had let himself go.
ROBERT signals for all to rise and looks at NED.
NED: Your Grace.
ROBERT: You've got fat.
"I've gotten fat?" Ned raised an eyebrow.
"You do look a little pudgy" Robert mused out loud. The two friends stared at each other before breaking into laughter.
[NED gives ROBERT a "What about you?" look. They start laughing.]
ROBERT: Cat!
"Guess you're familiar with The King too" Edmure whispered with a smile. "Maybe your daughter and his son could end up marrying."
"That would be something' Catelyn whispered. Her daughter, the future Queen. And her the Queen mother. It was a thing of a dream.
CATELYN: Your Grace.
ROBERT: Nine years. Why haven't I seen you? Where the hell have you been?
"Nine years? You left me in a pit of vipers alone for Nine years?!" Robert raged.
"You had Jon Arryn" Ned pointed out.
"Both of you would have been better" the future king grumbled.
NED: Guarding the North for you, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours.
CERSEI and her other children descend from the coach.
ARYA: Where's the Imp?
SANSA: Will you shut up?
"They don't look like they get along that well" Edmure whispered to Catelyn.
"The two of them are worlds apart in terms of nature. This is natural" Catelyn whispered back to him. But it was worrying. They were sisters, family even. Hopefully, it was just that much and the dislike didn't run deep enough.
ROBERT: Who have we here? You must be Robb. (To Sansa) My, you're a pretty one. (To Arya) Your name is?
ARYA: Arya.
ROBERT (to BRAN) Ooh. Show us your muscles. You'll be a soldier.
"You adore his children" Arthur mused.
"Of course I do. They are basically my nieces and nephews" Robert answered without hesitation. Arthur just nodded his head, Robert adored Ned as a brother, that was well known to him and everyone. It was logical Robert would adore his children as well.
JAIME removes his helm.
ARYA: That's Jaime Lannister. The queen's twin brother.
SANSA: Would you please shut up.
"That was mean. Arya is just trying to hold a conversation with her older sister" Elia frowned.
"I wonder what could have fostered this hostility between them" Ashara mused.
[CERSEI approaches.]
NED: My queen.
CATELYN: My queen.
ROBERT: Take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects.
I'm not that close to Brandon" Robert frowned. But then again, it is Ned's brother and father. Obviously, he would be wanting to pay respect to them.
CERSEI: We've been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait.
ROBERT: Ned.
"Let them rest Robert" Ned frowned.
"Aye," Robert muttered, not exactly caring.
ARYA: Where's the Imp?
CERSEI, humiliated in front of all, walks back to JAIME.
CERSEI: Where is our brother? Go find the little beast.
Scene changes to the crypt.
NED: Tell me about Jon Arryn.
ROBERT: One minute he was fine, and then … Burned right through him, whatever it was. I loved that man.
"Still do" Robert muttered.
"We both do" Ned added.
Jon Arryn couldn't help but smile at that. He has raised two brilliant young men. He had no children of his own, these two were his everything.
NED: We both did.
ROBERT: He never had to teach you much, but me … You remember me at 16? All I wanted to do was crack skulls and fuck girls. He showed me what was what.
"Not like you listened" Ned threw him a dirty look and Robert laughed, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. Besides Ned, Lyanna gripped the skirt of her dress tightly. This was the man she was betrothed to?
NED: Aye.
ROBERT: Don't look at me like that. Not his fault I didn't listen. (They laugh. ROBERT sighs.) I need you, Ned. Down at Kings Landing. Not up here, where you're no damn use to anybody. Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the king.
NED kneels.
NED: I'm not worthy of the honour.
"You and your bloody honour and formalities" Robert grumbled good-naturedly. Ned smirked beside him.
ROBERT: I'm not trying to honour you. I'm trying to get you to run my kingdom while I eat, drink, and whore my way to an early grave. Damn it, Ned, stand up. You helped me win the Iron Throne, now help me keep the damn thing. We were meant to rule together. If your sister had lived, we would have been bound by blood.
"If Lyanna had what now?" Robert sputtered.
"I'm dead?" Lyanna muttered in a shaky voice. She had expected it, somewhere deep down she had expected that she didn't survive the war. Cersei being Queen when Robert was betrothed to her was the biggest clue. She knew but it still hurt.
She felt a hold on her hands and looked down to see Ned holding her hand. It was reassuring but at the same time, the grief of losing her was palpable in his touch and on his face, especially in the way he looked at her.
"You die in the war" Raven answered.
Robert, who had been in shock for the entirety of Lyanna's mental talk down and Raven answering, finally moved. He bolted to his feet and turned a hateful glare at Rhaegar.
"TARGARYEN!" he roared and charged toward the heir to The Throne. Rhaegar rose to meet him. But before both could come to an exchange of fists, they both stopped, unable to move anymore.
"That is enough" Raven spoke with full authority, his eyes completely white. The same eyes were on Robert and Rhaegar. The Targaryen sits back down and The Baratheon returns to his seat. Their eyes go back to normal and they were both confused about it all. They didn't rise again.
ROBERT: Well, it's not too late. I have a son, you have a daughter. We'll join our Houses.
"I don't want to say I called it, but I called it" Edmure grinned at his sister, the moment of tension passing over now and him just wanting to move forward. Catelyn didn't give a verbal response, just letting out a little choked noise.
Scene changes to JAIME in the Winterfell settlement. We see Tyrion inside a whorehouse, swilling liquor and laughing as a woman pops into view after servicing him.
Tywin stiffened, eye hardening at the sight of his youngest. So he was whoring himself out now. Like Tytos Lannister.
TYRION: Mmh. It is true what they say about the Northern girls.
ROS: Did you hear the king's in Winterfell?
TYRION: I did hear something about that.
ROS: And the queen. And her twin brother. They say that he is the most handsome man in the Seven Kingdoms.
TYRION: And the other brother?
ROS: The queen has two brothers?
TYRION: There's the pretty one. And there's the clever one.
Jaime smirked. He loved his little brother truly, unlike his father and twin. The kid was smart, even now Jaime knew Tyrion was going to be something great, even with his disability. Hearing him now, he knew his beliefs were right.
ROS: I hear they call him the Imp.
TYRION: I hear he hates that nickname.
ROS: Oh? I hear he's more than earned it. I hear he's a drunken little lecher into all manner of perversions.
"I don't doubt it" Catelyn blanched.
TYRION: Clever girl.
ROS: We've been expecting you, Lord Tyrion.
TYRION: Have you? The gods gave me one blessing.
She climbs on TYRION. JAIME walks in without knocking.
JAIME: Don't get up.
ROS: M'lord.
TYRION: Should I explain to you the meaning of a closed door in a whorehouse, brother?
JAIME: You've much to teach me, no doubt. But our sister craves your attention.
"That sounded wrong" Oberyn whispered, making Elia snort.
TYRION: She has odd cravings, our sister.
JAIME: A family trait. Now, the Starks are feasting us at sundown. Don't leave me alone with these people.
"You don't seem too fond of The Starks" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"I can tell" Jaime muttered. What could have happened between them for him to dislike The Starks?
TYRION: I'm sorry, I've begun the feast a bit early. And this is the first of many courses.
JAIME: I thought you might say that. But since we're short on time, (he opens the door; a bevvy of whores enter and descend on TYRION) Come on, girls. See you at sundown.
[JAIME leaves.]
TYRION: Close the door!
"You indulge him too much" Tywin warned, looking at his son from the corner of his eyes.
"It's better to have him finish now rather than have him slip out in the middle of the feast" Jaime defended his future self's actions. Tywin's nose flared slightly before he looked away.
Scene changes to the Winterfell crypt, at Lyanna's tomb. Robert places a feather in the hand of her statue.
ROBERT: Did you have to bury her in a place like this? She should be on a hill somewhere with the sun and the clouds above her.
"That's not me" Lyanna whispered. "I'm a Stark of Winterfell, my place is with my family," she said boldly.
"You have a statue" Rickard narrowed his eyes. "So does Brandon. What is this? That is not tradition."
"Father commissioned statues for all three of you after the war. So none of you would be forgotten with time" Raven explained. Rickard wasn't sure how he felt about that, a long tradition changing like that. Brandon and Lyanna though were more than grateful.
NED: She was my sister. This is where she belongs.
ROBERT: She belonged with me.
"I belong to no one but me" Lyanna glared at Robert.
"I'm sorry. I don't know what my future self is thinking and saying" Robert ducked his head. It went lower when Brandon glared at him as well.
He touches Lyanna's face.
"You're in love with your version of a dead woman's memories" Olenna made a face at Robert. "You clearly know nothing about her from the little interaction from what we are being shown."
"Ned has told me enough about her" Robert argued.
"Oh? Has he now? And he's been around his sister more than away from her has he?" Olenna sneered, "You know nothing about her, you haven't tried to know anything about her. Yet you insist she belonged to you? You built her up in your head to how you would like a woman. You don't love her, you don't want her, you crave the memory of her that did not exist!"
Robert clenched his fist and shook in anger. How dare that old hag to tell him who he liked, who his betrothed was. He knew Lyanna better than she did, hell he knew her better than anyone. How dare she?
From the corner of his eyes, Ned watched Robert with a frown. ON his other side he saw the look on Lyanna's face. Did he make a mistake bringing this betrothal to his father?
ROBERT: In my dreams, I kill him every night.
NED: It's done, Your Grace. The Targaryens are gone.
"All of them?" Rhaegar questioned.
"All of them at The Capital" Raven confirmed.
Rhaegar fell fall in his seat defeated, eyes blank and his heart breaking at the thought of his children. His Rhaenys and Aegon. Elia was having similar thoughts, sobbing into her hand at the loss of her children. She had to change this, no matter what it took she needed to change it for her children.
"Did Elia survive?" Oberyn was a whisper, but Raven heard him and he shook his head. The man grits his teeth, hands clenched into fists. Hateful eyes turned to Robert as a fire for vengeance burned in them. He will not let the man live in peace for this.
"Oberyn" Doran whispered, giving his brother's shoulder a squeeze. "It hasn't happened yet. Oberyn turned to retort but was struck speechless at the emotions rampant on Doran's face. "It hasn't happened yet" he whispered this part to himself, squeezing Oberyn's shoulder tighter. "It hasn't happened yet."
ROBERT: Not all of them.
Scene shifts to Daenerys on a balcony in Pentos, across the Narrow Sea.
"I have a sister?" Rhaegar blinked. "You said all of them were gone."
"I said all of those at The Capital" Raven corrected the man."Viserys and your mother were sent to Dragonstone by your father before the start of the war. Your mother gave birth to a girl and died in the process. Later the two were smuggled to Essos by Ser Willem Darry, where they now reside."
Rhaella sat a little straighter hearing that. Viserys had survived, and a daughter of hers that was yet to be even conceived. She felt the joy of two of her children surviving, but the grief over losing her eldest and two grandchildren were still eating at her.
VISERYS: Daenerys!
"He looks like father" Rhaegar commented, "more here than he does now."
"Let's hope that's where the similarities end" Rhaella whispered, more a prayer than a statement.
"She took after you" Rhaegar whispered to his mother, taking hold of her hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. Daenerys looked like their mother, much like how Viserys looked like their father.
VISERYS: Daenerys! There's our bride-to-be! Look – a gift from Illyrio. Touch it. Come on. Feel the fabric. Mmmm. Isn't he a gracious host?
"Are they marrying?" Edmure questioned. He was aware of the incest that was strong in House Targaryen, but still, it made him recoil with disgust."
"That seems the logical thing to do" Hoster muttered. "But if they are in Essos and wanting to get back to Westeros to reclaim the throne then they'll each marry into a strong House that is still loyal to them" the man added.
"I don't think that is an option for them" Brandon muttered. "Nobody liked Aerys and Rhaegar is dead. Rhaegar was their preferred King, they don't know anything about Viserys so they won't want to take the risk."
"A valid point" mused Hoster.
DAENERYS: We've been his guests for over a year and he's never asked us for anything.
VISERYS: Illyrio is no fool. He knows I won't forget my friends when I come into my throne. You still slouch. Let me see. (He pulls off her gown.) You have a woman's body now. (She endures it as he strokes her breast.) I need you to be perfect today. Can you do that for me? You don't want to wake the dragon, do you?
"That proves your point then" Ned added. "They have been guests at this Illyrio's place for over a year and with how he's spoiling them, he is the one investing in them and not anybody else. It would seem they are making allies in Essos."
Wake the dragon? Rhaegar thought, eyes dangerously narrowing down on Viserys.
DAENERYS: No.
VISERYS nods and starts to leave the chamber. He turns.
VISERYS: When they write the history of my reign, sweet sister, they will say it began today.
Daenerys turns and steps into a steaming hot bath with a despairing look on her face.
"It's too hot" Rhaella called out with worry. What was that girl doing?
But DAENERYS keeps stepping deeper.
"She doesn't feel it" Rhaegar muttered dumbly. It wasn't uncommon for a Targaryen to be immune to the effects of heat, their blood made them more resistant than most other. But even this was too much. Yet Daenerys showed no discomfort. Curious.
The scene shifts to ILLYRIOS, DAENERYS, AND VISERYS outside the mansion, awaiting Khal Drogo.
VISERYS: Where is he?
"Who are they waiting for?" Edmure asked.
"If you sit still and watch you'll see," Catelyn told him coolly. Her brother rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
ILLYRIO: The Dothraki are not known for their punctuality.
"The… Dothraki?!" Rhaegar sputtered. "He's handing our sister over to those savages?!"
"He's desperate" Rhaella tried to defend his younger son. But even she was shocked at what she saw.
A host of Dothraki comes riding up. Khal Drogo wheels his stallion into the front.
ILLYRIO: (Greets them in Dothraki.) May I present my honoured guests? Viserys of House Targaryen, the third of his name. The rightful King of the Andals and the First Men. And his sister, Daenerys, of the House Targaryen.
VISERYS (to DAENERYS) Do you see how long his hair is? When Dothraki are defeated in combat, they cut off their braid so the whole world can see their shame. Khal Drogo has never been defeated. He's a savage, of course, but he's one of the finest killers alive. And you will be his queen.
"He's willing to sell his sister for the throne" Lyanna blanched.
"He's like his father" Ned muttered darkly.
ILLYRIO: Come forward, my dear.
KHAL DROGO watches as DAENERYS walks toward him. She does not hesitate and looks straight at him, although there is fear on her face. KHAL DROGO gazes at her and then leads his horsemen on a charge away.
"She's got her mother's spirit" Barristan tried to diffuse some of the tension and ease the worries of his Queen and Prince. It didn't help much, but they were grateful to him regardless.
VISERYS: Where's he going?
ILLYRIO: The ceremony is over.
VISERYS: But he didn't say anything. Did he like her?
ILLYRIO: Trust me, Your Grace. If he didn't like her, we'd know.
The scene shifts to ILLYRIO, VISERYS, AND DAENERYS ON A GARDEN BALCONY OVERLOOKING THE SEA.
ILLYRIO: It won't be long now. Soon you will cross the Narrow Sea and take back your father's throne. The people drink secret toasts to your health. They cry out for their true king.
"I highly doubt that" Jaime muttered.
"Don't be blind Jaime" barked Tywin, "there will always be loyalists even in times of peace."
"Yes, father" muttered the young Knight.
VISERYS: When will they be married?
ILLYRIO: Soon. The Dothraki never stay still for long.
VISERYS: Is it true they lie with their horses?
ILLYRIO: I wouldn't ask Khal Drogo.
VISERYS: Do you take me for a fool?
ILLYRIO: I take you for a king. Kings lack the caution of common men. My apologies if I've given offence.
"He's playing him quite well" mused Jon Arryn. This Illyrio was a smart man, one to look out for should events still lead to Robert being put on the throne and him as his hand.
VISERYS: I know how to play a man like Drogo. I give him a queen and he gives me an army.
DAENERYS (pleadingly) I don't want to be his queen. I want to go home.
"My poor girl" muttered Rhaella, already feeling the maternal instincts take over for the daughter that was yet to be conceived.
VISERYS: So do I. I want us both to go home. But they took it from us. So tell me, sweet sister, how do we go home?
DAENERYS: I don't know.
VISERYS: We go home with an army. With Khal Drogo's army. I would let his whole tribe fuck you, all 40,000 men and their horses too if that's what it took.
"That little shit" Rhaegar growled dangerously. How dare he even think like that, about his own sister? He was no stranger to political marriages, his own being one. But this? This was too much, the lengths Viserys was willing to go just to get the throne back.
"Rhaegar, calm down" his mother snapped him out of his internal ranting. One look at her told him that she saw what he was seeing. Viserys was a lost cause.
He gives DAENERYS a brotherly kiss on the forehead and walks away. The scene shifts to a bedroom in Winterfell, where CATELYN is fixing SANSA'S hair.
SANSA: Do you think Joffrey will like me? What if he thinks I'm ugly?
"I think that is the least important thing for any of us" Oberyn stated bluntly.
"She is a child Oberyn, let it be" Elia smiled at her brother, gently patting him on the arm.
CATELYN: Then he is the stupidest prince that ever lived.
"Your Grace-"
"I am no King" Robert huffed, "not yet anyway. And you might be right. He looks spoiled beyond necessary" the man added before looking away from Catelyn.
SANSA: He's so handsome.
CATELYN rolls her eyes.
The Catelyn watching also rolled her eyes. Children and their fantasies.
SANSA: When would we be married? Soon or do we have to wait?
CATELYN: Hush now. Your father hasn't even said yes.
SANSA: Why would he say no? He'd be the second most powerful man in the kingdoms.
"Ned Stark? And caring about power?" Robert barked a laugh. "Power is the last thing this man has ever wanted."
"Really sets him apart from the rest doesn't it" Brandon chuckled. The lack of ambitions made his brother stand out from those around him, it made him a man who could separate things between what is good and what is bad. He wouldn't be afraid to stand up for his beliefs.
CATELYN: He'd have to leave home. He'd have to leave me. And so would you.
SANSA: You left your home to come here. And I'd be queen someday. Please make father say yes.
"She really wants this" Arthur commented dryly.
"Someone must have been filling her head with stories such as this" Ashara mused out loud. "It is worrying, down the road, it could cause her problems."
"Aye," Ned muttered. He shared a look with Catelyn who seemed to be thinking along the same lines.
CATELYN: Sansa…
SANSA: Please, please. It's the only thing I ever wanted.
Scene shifts to the Winterfell banquet. Laughter, music, KING ROBERT getting bawdy with a wench.
"You have a wife" Lyanna snarled.
Robert looked away, unable to meet his betrothed's eyes.
CATELYN and CERSEI watch, CATELYN is embarrassed for CERSEI, who looks disgusted. Out in the courtyard, JON takes out his frustration on a fencing dummy.
"Bastards attending a royal feast would be insulting," Edmure said, feeling slightly sorry for the boy. So far what he had seen of Jon, he didn't mind the boy much. He did cringe when his sister glared at him.
BENJEN: Is he dead yet?
JON: Uncle Benjen!
"That's Benjen?!" Brandon laughed. "Look how big he gets!"
"He looks like father if you shave him completely" Lyanna added in awe at the sight of what was her younger brother, now a man.
"The Stark seed is strong" Jon Arryn commented. All three of Rickard Stark's boys shared the Stark look heavily. Not a surprise considering his wife too was a Stark. While Brandon completely took after him, Ned and Benjen had a mix of both their parents in them, Ned favouring their mother while Benjen their father.
BENJEN: You got bigger. I rode all day. Didn't want to leave you alone with the Lannisters. Why aren't you at the feast?
JON: Lady Stark thought it might insult the royal family to seat a bastard in their midst.
BENJEN: Well, you're always welcome on the wall. No bastard was ever refused a seat there.
"So he joins The Watch" Rickard mused. It was not uncommon for the youngest to join The Watch, it was even an honour.
JON: So take me with you when you go back.
BENJEN: Jon…
JON: Father will let me if you ask him, I know he will.
BENJEN: The Wall isn't going anywhere.
JON: I'm ready to swear your oath.
BENJEN: You don't understand what you'd be giving up. We have no families. None of us will ever father sons.
"He sounds like he regrets joining" Ned frowned. Did he force Benjen to join then? Why would he do something like that?
"And his insistence on Jon thinking things through before deciding to join" Brandon frowned. There was more at play here than things spoke.
JON: I don't care about that.
BENJEN: You might if you knew what it meant. … I'd better get inside. Rescue your father from his guests. We'll talk later.
Left alone again, Lyanna thought to herself. Oddly she felt a sort of yearning to hug the boy. She was confused by the feeling. She knew it wasn't some familial thing she would feel for her nieces and nephews, it was something more, something stronger.
TYRION: Your uncle's in the Night's Watch.
JON: What're you doing back there?
TYRION (drinking): Preparing for a night with your family. I've always wanted to see the Wall.
JON: You're Tyrion Lannister. The queen's brother?
TYRION: My greatest accomplishment. You – you're Ned Stark's bastard, aren't you?
"Oh, he really doesn't like to be reminded of that" Oberyn whistled.
"With how things outside Dorne are, I'm not surprised" Doran shook his head.
"He's got power in his swing" Barristan spoke.
"A little more polishing and he could be a good swordsman" Arthur commented and Barristan nodded.
TYRION: Did I offend you? Sorry. You are the bastard, though.
JON: Lord Eddard Stark is my father.
TYRION: And Lady Stark is not your mother. Making you a bastard. Let me give you some advice, bastard. Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armour. Then it can never be used to hurt you.
"Wise words" Jon Arryn mused.
"Words he's probably learned through years of mistreatment" Stannis added.
"Aye," Jon muttered, looking at Tywin Lannister who had his jaw set.
JON: What the hell do you know about being a bastard?
TYRION: All dwarves are bastards in their fathers' eyes.
"Is that right, Lord Tywin?" Olenna Tyrell asked.
"He is too dramatic" the old lion stated coldly. It made Olenna smirk.
TYRION departs. JON picks up his sword and attacks the dummy with new ferocity. The scene shifts back to the banquet, in full raucous swing. NED is off to himself; BENJEN comes up to him.
BENJEN: You at a feast - It's like a bear in a trap.
"He isn't wrong" Lyanna chuckled. Ned was never good in crowds, let alone feasts like that.
"Too rowdy and hot for my liking" Ned muttered under his breath.
NED: The boy I beheaded. Did you know him?
BENJEN: Of course I did. Just a lad. But he was tough, Ned. A true Ranger.
NED: He was talking madness. Said the Walkers slaughtered his friends.
BENJEN: The two he was with are still missing.
NED: A wildling ambush.
BENJEN: Maybe. Direwolves south of the wall. Talk of the Walkers. My brother might be the next Hand to the king. Winter is coming.
NED: Winter is coming.
"Winter is coming" Rickard muttered. His children were not prepared for what was to come. He couldn't help but feel responsible for it.
ROBB: Uncle Benjen.
BENJEN: Robb boy. How are ye?
ROBB: I'm good.
KING ROBERT gets even more bawdy with a wench.
Robert ducked his head in embarrassment. Of all times for that man to show these things was when his betrothed was around.
CATELYN: (in desperation) Is this your first time in the North, Your Grace?
CERSEI: Yes. Lovely country.
CATELYN: I'm sure it's very grim, after Kings Landing. I remember how scared I was when Ned brought me up here for the first time.
SANSA approaches and smiles shyly at CERSEI.
CERSEI: Hello, little dove. But you are a beauty. How old are you?
SANSA: Thirteen, Your Grace.
CERSEI: You're tall. Still growing?
SANSA: I think so, Your Grace.
CERSEI: And have you bled yet?
"An odd question to ask in public" Elia frowned. She was The Queen, she should have that much of decency at the least.
SANSA (discomfited): No, Your Grace.
CERSEI: And your dress. Did you make it? Such talent. You must make something for me.
SANSA departs.
CERSEI (to CATELYN): I hear we might share a grandchild someday.
CATELYN: I hear the same.
CERSEI: Your daughter will do well in the capital. Such a beauty shouldn't stay hidden up here forever.
SANSA and JOFFREY catch each other's eye. JOFFREY smiles at her and she turns to her friend. JAIME and NED meet up. JAIME blocks their path.
NED: Your pardon.
JAIME: I hear we might be neighbours soon. I hope it's true.
NED: Yes, the king has honoured me with his offer.
JAIME: I'm sure we'll have a tournament to celebrate the new title if you accept. It would be good to have you in the field. The competition has become a bit stale.
NED: I don't fight in tournaments.
JAIME: No? Getting a little old for it?
NED: I don't fight in tournaments because when I fight a man for real, I don't want him to know what I can do.
JAIME: Well said.
"There is something serious between you two, and it's not remotely good," Lyanna said grimly.
"I wonder what he did" Ned muttered to himself.
ARYA flips food onto SANSA's face.
SANSA: Arya!
CATELYN signals a laughing ROBB to deal with the girls. He hoists up ARYA.
ROBB: Time for bed.
The scene shifts to after the banquet. NED and CATELYN are in their bed.
NED: I'm a Northman. I belong here with you, not down south in that rat's nest they call a capital.
"A snake pit is a better name for it" Barristan muttered, Arthur nodding beside him.
"But a rat's nest isn't too far off either" Ashara added.
CATELYN: I won't let him take you.
NED: The king takes what he wants. That's why he's king.
CATELYN: I'll say, 'Listen, fat man, you are not taking my husband anywhere. He belongs to me now.'
The room bore into a bout of laughter, much to the embarrassment of Catelyn. Why did they have to see such an intimate moment between man and wife? She looked at Robert to apologize but found the man laughing as well.
NED: How did he get so fat?
CATELYN: He only stops eating when it's time for a drink.
There's a knock at the door.
A VOICE: It's Maester Luwin, my lord.
NED: Send him in.
Luwin? What happened to Walys? Rickard wondered. Sadly nobody could give him an answer to that.
LUWIN: Pardon, my lord, my lady. A rider in the night from your sister.
"From Lysa?" Catelyn perked.
NED: Stay.
CATELYN: This was sent from The Eyrie. What's she doing at the Eyrie? She hasn't been back there since her wedding.
"Shouldn't she still be at The Capital?" questioned Robert.
"She should be" frowned, Ned.
CATELYN reads the note, looks up in alarm, and then burns it.
NED: What news?
CATELYN: She's fled the capital. She says Jon Arryn was murdered. By the Lannisters. She says the king is in danger.
The declaration was by raised brows and suspicious glances. Tywin Lannister himself was surprised by the accusation.
"What purpose would killing Jon Arryn serve us" Jaime muttered in confusion. Nobody answered him, but he was met with curious yet suspicious looks.
NED: She's fresh widowed, Cat. She doesn't know what she's saying.
CATELYN: Lysa's head would be on a spike right now if the wrong people had found that letter. Do you think she would risk her life, her son's life if she wasn't certain her husband was murdered?
LUWIN: If this news is true, and the Lannisters conspire against the throne, who but you can protect the king?
"Absolutely not!" Lyanna rose in defence of his brother. "They killed one hand already. What's stopping them from killing another?!"
"Whoever this 'them' is" Brandon added, grey eyes staring blankly at the screen.
CATELYN: They murdered the last Hand. Now you want Ned to take the job.
"You and your future sister-in-law have the same idea" Edmure whispered. Catelyn blinked them and looked at Lyanna who smiled at her. Catelyn smiled back.
LUWIN: The king rode for a month to ask Lord Stark's help. He's the only one he trusts. You swore the king an oath, my lord.
CATELYN: He spent half his life-fighting Robert's wars. He owes him nothing. (To NED) Your father and brother rode south once on a king's demand.
LUWIN: A different time. Different king.
"Doesn't change the fact that a hand has been murdered already" said Lyanna dryly. "Nothing against Robert, but if one can be killed under his nose without him realizing, then another can too."
"I will not let that happen" Robert swore, snarling out his reply. "I will not allow them to kill my father and my brother" he declared, slamming his fist on the arm of the chair. Lyanna was only startled by the outburst his words doing no favour for her. Stannis clenched his jaw tightly. Would Robert have said the same thing if it was him or Renly?
The scene shifts to the wild wedding celebration of KHAL DROGO and DAENERYS. Fighting and fornication. DAENERYS looks stricken at everything around her.
"Is this normal?" Rhaella questioned, looking just as stricken as her daughter.
"I suppose" Rhaegar answered a little unsure.
VISERYS: When do I meet with the Khal? We need to begin planning the invasion.
ILLYRIO: If Khal Drogo has promised you a crown, you shall have it.
VISERYS: When?
ILLYRIO: When their omens favour war.
VISERYS: I piss on Dothraki omens. I waited 17 years to get my throne back.
"The boy's a menace" muttered Doran. Any thoughts of supporting his claim should the need arise were dashed away quickly. The seed of madness was strong in him. Maybe he could deal with him and focus on Daenerys instead.
The sex and violence intensify. Two men fight to the death over a woman each is trying to rape. KHAL DROGO watches avidly.
ILLYRIO: A Dothraki wedding without at least three deaths is considered a dull affair.
"Dull he says" Edmure muttered, looking a little green.
A knight in Westerosi garb appears. KHAL DROGO greets him in Dothraki. It is JORAH MORMONT, bearing books.
"That looks like Jeor's son" Rickard muttered in surprise.
"What's he doing on Essos?" Ned narrowed his eyes. The Mormonts of Bear Island were loyal to their bone, they would never not support their liege.
JORAH: A small gift for the new Khaleesi. Songs and histories from the Seven Kingdoms.
DAENERYS: Thank you, ser. Are you from my country?
JORAH: Ser Jorah Mormont of Bear Island. I served your father for many years. Gods be good, I hope to always serve the rightful king.
"Has he now" mused Brandon. To think there'd be a traitor amongst his own people. He felt the disgust.
DANY is presented with a chest with three dragon eggs in it.
"Where did that man get those?" Rhaegar's eyes widened in shock, a certain yearning in his eyes. Rhaella did not like that look. It was a look she had seen in her grandfather's eyes on that accursed night.
ILLYRIO: Dragons' eggs, Daenerys. From the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai. The ages have turned them to stone, but they will always be beautiful.
DAENERYS: Thank you, Magister.
KHAL DROGO rises and strides forward. DAENERYS follows him, looking sick with fear. The Dothraki crowd behind her as she goes. The KHAL leads her to a white mare.
"That's beautiful" muttered Ashara softly.
DAENERYS: She's beautiful. … Ser Jorah, I don't know how to say 'thank you' in Dothraki.
JORAH: There is no word for 'thank you' in Dothraki.
The KHAL puts DANY on her horse and mounts his.
VISERYS: Make him happy.
The fascination about the eggs faded soon after and a scowl made home on his face.
The scene shifts to the seaside at sunset. The KHAL begins to unwrap DANY's dress. She is sobbing. He touches the tears on her face.
KHAL DROGO: No.
DAENERYS: Do you know the Common Tongue?
KHAL DROGO: No.
DAENERYS: Is 'no' the only word that you know?
KHAL DROGO: No.
"I'll take that as a yes" muttered Edmure, who had an idea about what was going to happen next. He reached out to his sister, who gripped his hand tightly.
He takes off her gown and bends her down. The scene shifts to Winterfell. Tyrion and the Hound are seated outside the day after the banquet.
"Thank you" Rhaella muttered. She was shaking but the relief was in her eyes. She didn't have to see her daughter go through that. Through the things, her husband put her through. Similar looks of appreciation were on the faces of the other women. Raven simply looked forward, not a word spoken.
THE HOUND: Rough night, Imp?
TYRION: If I get through this without squirting from one end or the other, it will be a miracle.
THE HOUND: I didn't pick you for a hunter.
TYRION: The greatest in the land. My spear never misses.
THE HOUND: It's not hunting if you pay for it.
The king and Ned come into view.
ROBERT: Are you as good with a spear as you used to be?
NED: No, but I'm still better than you.
ROBERT: I know what I'm putting you through. Thank you for saying yes. I only ask you because I need you. You're a loyal friend. You hear me? A loyal friend. The last one I've got.
"You said yes" Lyanna muttered in disbelief and defeat.
"I can't leave him alone up there" Ned muttered to her, smiling back at Robert who threw him a thankful smile.
NED: I hope I'll serve you well.
ROBERT: You will. And I'll make sure you don't look so fucking grim all the time. Come on, boys, let's go kill some boar!
The king's party rides off NED nodding goodbye to BRAN, whose wolf pup begins sniffing at his feet.
BRAN: Come on, you.
BRAN begins climbing, his wolf pup crying at the bottom of the castle wall.
"You're really good at climbing" Lyanna complimented. Raven showed no expression, only the tightening of his grip on his fur.
As he nears the top, he hears a woman and man moaning. Peering in the window, he sees CERSEI and JAIME having sex. CERSEI sees BRAN.
CERSEI: Stop. STOP.
JAIME runs and grabs BRAN at the window.
JAIME: Are you completely mad?
CERSEI: He saw us.
JAIME: It's all right. It's all right.
CERSEI: He saw us!
JAIME: I heard you the first time. (To BRAN) Quite the little climber, aren't you? How old are you, boy?
BRAN: Ten.
JAIME: Ten.
JAIME looks at CERSEI, who gazes back imploringly.
JAIME: The things I do for love.
He shoves BRAN out the window.
The entire scene before them was met by silence and varying degrees of disgust. For the Targaryens it was more disgust at a Kingsguard breaking his vow and bedding The Queen rather than brother and sister fucking. For the rest, it was the act of incest that disgusted them. But what Jaime did next made the silence thick and choked many. Jaime himself was in disbelief at what he saw. Not only was he fucking his sister. He and Cersei had always been close, it all starting from when they were young and the girl had insisted on touching what was in his pants. Their mother had separated them and made him swear to never do it again. He broke the oath he made his mother and went even further it seemed. And then there was the murder of an innocent ten-year-old. That one horrified him more than the former.
But before he could process that part, he felt something collide against his nose. He heard the crack and felt the ground meeting his back. He then felt multiple more impacts on his face and saw dark and dangerous grey eyes glaring down at him with hate and venom.