"I need some time" Raven declared as the last image flickered away. "I need to hide us better and buy us some time. I'll be back" Raven stated and then just vanished from everyone's sight. They all blinked in shock before standing and stretching their legs.
"Ned" Ashara approached the Stark family, her brother at her heel. "I would like a word with you. In private if that's alright."
"Of course" Ned nodded his head. He followed after her to a corner of the room, leaving his family and Ser Arthur behind.
"She likes him, you know" Lyanna spoke. "And it's clear he likes her as well. Which is curious because they hardly know one another."
"They shared a dance at The Tourney of Harrenhal" Brandon added, "Ned was too shy to ask so I asked on his behalf. They danced for a while and later had a long walk and dined together. I suppose this is what you'd call love at first sight."
"Tough times are coming" Rickard interjected. He turned to Ser Arthur, "I would like to talk about a potential union between my son Eddard and your sister Ashara."
Ser Arthur looked The Lord of Winterfell in the eyes and thought about the proposal. He had seen the kind of man Ned is and would become. Honourable, true to his word, fiercely protective of his family and friends, and a responsible man. "I will talk about this with my father. I'm sure he will not dissent to it."
With Ned and Ashara
"All of this has been quite an experience" Ashara spoke once they were out of hearing range. "You marry Catelyn Tully in the future."
"In that version of it" Ned corrected her. "With Brandon surviving, Cat will marry him and be his lady wife. She will be the Lady of Winterfell and Brandon its Lord."
"And you?"
"His Bannerman no doubt" Ned answered. "I am the second son, born and raised to follow. All of this, what we are seeing, what would have originally fallen on my shoulders, it was all meant for Brandon. If he hadn't died, I would have been his bannerman, and we would have been married for sure."
"Would we?" Ashara raised an eyebrow. "What makes you think that we would have ended up together?"
"I gave you my word, did I not? That I will talk to my father and make sure he proposes the marriage to your father. That has not changed for me, I still want you as my wife."
"Are you sure of that?" Ashara asked with a hint of desperation in her voice. "I've watched what you have, you and Catelyn make a good couple. And it's clear for all to see that you are both quite in love."
"I will not lie, my future self and that of Catelyn are in love with one another" Ned started, "but that is something that was built with years of work. It wasn't an overnight thing for either of them. They have both gone through experiences that brought them together. I want all of that, but I want it with you. It was duty that bound me to Catelyn no doubt, but I want my feelings for you to bind us together."
"Feelings change, Ned."
"They do. But I believe that what we feel for one another will only get stronger as the times go on. I want you, Ashara. I want only you."
"Promise me, promise me that you will not leave me should we get married. That you will not leave me should Brandon die and his duties fall on your shoulder."
"I promise" Ned gently cupped her face. "I promise that it will be you and only you that will have my love this time. No matter what happens" he whispered. Ashar gently touched the hand on her face and smiled at the man that had not only managed to sweep her off her feet in one conversation, but also deepen her feelings for him with his future actions.
With Tywin and Jaime
"How long has it been going on?"
"Father-"
"How long?!" hissed the old lion.
"Nothing of that sort has happened yet between Cersei and me."
"But there have been moments? Of when you two had the proximity?" Tywin questioned. Jaime's silence was all the answer he needed. "Once we get out of here, once you are exonerated from the duties of a Kingsguard, you will marry a woman of my choice, a woman befitting the standards of House Lannister. I will not hear a single complaint from your mouth. Am I understood?"
"Yes, father" Jaime answered, head lowered. "Who will it be?"
"Lysa Tully will still be an option since the last time it was the mad king's actions that prevented that match. But I will look elsewhere as well. Further South in The Reach maybe. Or down in The North. If all goes well you will have a wife and have children of your own soon."
"What about Cersei?"
"She is not your concern" Tywin snapped coolly and Jaime flinched. "You have brought great shame to our family Jaime, I suppose you have enough of a brain to understand that?"
"Yes, father" Jaime mumbled out.
With the Martells and Targaryens
"What are you going to do about your father?" Oberyn asked once the Martells had reached The Targaryens. "His madness gets my sister and her children killed. I hardly care what the fuck happens to the realm, but I will not have my sister and her children dying this time around."
"I personally would not want them to die as well, since they are my wife and children as well. I'll dispose of him once Daenerys is conceived."
"And Viserys?" Doran asked.
"I'm hoping that keeping him away from father and still having the comforts of a royal life would keep him sane" Rhaegar argued.
"And should it not? Should he fall into a pit of madness like he does in what we are seeing? What then? What if he becomes a threat to you, your children and my sister?" the head of House Martell questioned.
"That will not happen" Rhaella spoke this time, more force in her voice than she had expected. "Viserys will turn out for the better. He will have me this time. I will not allow it."
"I'm asking about the chance of him falling. What then, Queen Rhaella?"
"Then… he'll have to be dealt with like his father" she whispered softly, wringing her hands nervously. She looked to Elia who gave her a kind and understanding smile, a hand on Rhaella's shoulder for comfort. She smiled back at that.
"I'm still pissed at you for crowning Lyanna Stark instead of your own wife" Oberyn hissed, viper-like eyes glaring at the man before he turned on his heels and went back to his seat. Doran gave them a nod and followed his brother.
"Calm down," Doran said once they had stopped by their seats.
"I am calm" Oberyn let out a calming breath. "In all this chaos, I never asked. How're your legs? You seem to be able to move fine here."
"I suppose it's because my physical form isn't here" Doran smiled, flexing his leg slightly. "It feels better to stand on my own two feet and move around with it hurting" he added, making Oberyn smile.
Raven returned not long after and they all returned to their respective seats. But this time around, The Martells and Targaryens sat closer, with Elia smack in between and acting as the buffer between the two families. Similarly, Ashara and Catelyn had joined The Stark side, Ashara sitting in between Lyanna and Ned, while Catelyn sat in between Brandon and Lyanna. Neither of them noticed the looks being sent their way from Ser Barristan.
The scene starts at Winterfell, Hodor enters carrying Bran.
"Wyllis!" Lyanna exclaimed with a laugh. "Look how big he's gotten!"
"Looks like he never recovers," Brandon said softly. Raven felt a stab of guilt from that.
Tyrion Lannister: So it's true. Hello Bran. Do you remember anything about what happened?
Maester Luwin: He has no memory of that day.
Tyrion Lannister: Curious.
Robb Stark: Why are you here?
"Your son needs to learn his courtesies" Rickard gruffed.
"To be fair to him father, he suspects Tyrion to be in on what happened to Bran" Lyanna defended her nephew.
"It's still no excuse" Ned added his support to his father's words, "he is the acting Lord and a Lord must swallow his personal dislikes towards a guest and act as tradition demands of him" he added. Lyanna and Brandon rolled their eyes at their brother, but Rickard smiled at his second son with pride.
Tyrion Lannister: Would your charming companion be so kind as to kneel? My neck is beginning to hurt.
Bran Stark: Kneel, Hodor.
Tyrion Lannister: Do you like to ride, Bran?
Bran Stark: Yes. Well, I mean I did like to.
Maester Luwin: The boy has lost the use of his legs.
Tyrion Lannister: What of it? With the right horse and saddle, even a cripple can ride.
Bran Stark: I'm not a cripple.
Tyrion Lannister: Then I'm not a dwarf. My father will rejoice to hear it.
"Might even arrange a few tourneys too" Oberyn whispered to his sister who gently swatted at his arm.
Tyrion Lannister: I have a gift for you. Give that to your saddler. He'll provide the rest. You must shape the horse to the rider. Start with a yearling and teach it to respond to the reins and to the boy's voice.
Bran Stark: Will I really be able to ride?
Tyrion Lannister: You will. On horseback, you will be as tall as any of them.
Robb Stark: Is this some kind of trick? Why do you want to help him?
Tyrion Lannister: I have a tender spot in my heart for cripples, bastards and broken things.
Robb Stark: You've done my brother a kindness. The hospitality of Winterfell is yours.
Tyrion Lannister: Spare me your false courtesies, Lord Stark. There's a brothel outside your walls. There I'll find a bed and both of us can sleep easier.
Before Tyrion exits Winterfell for the brothel, Theon sees him off in the courtyard.
"He isn't too bad. Compared to Ser Jaime's arrogant nature and Cersei's shrewdness" Lyanna stated.
"Yet it was his dagger that was used" Ned added. "Which would make no sense if he's wanting to help Bran right now."
"It would make sense if it was not Tyrion who had done it" Ashara suggested.
"Someone trying to shift the blame on Tyrion?" Catelyn questioned.
"It is a possibility" Brandon. "It has to be someone that wants The Starks and Lannisters at each other's throats. But who?"
"Let's continue watching and we'll find out" Robert added and the group nodded their heads.
Theon Greyjoy: Couldn't resist some northern ass? If you like redheads, ask for Ros.
Tyrion Lannister: Come to see me off, Greyjoy? Kind of you. Your master doesn't seem to like Lannisters.
"His… master?" Ned asked, a little surprised at what he heard.
Theon Greyjoy: He's not my master.
Tyrion Lannister: No, of course not. What happened here? Where is lady Stark? Why didn't she receive me?
Theon Greyjoy: She wasn't feeling well.
Tyrion Lannister: She's not in Winterfell, is she? Where did she go?
Theon Greyjoy: My lady's whereabouts...
Tyrion Lannister: My lady? Your loyalty to your captors is touching. Tell me, how do you think Balon Greyjoy would feel if he could see his only surviving son has turned lackey? I still remember seeing my father's fleet burn in Lannisport. I believe your uncles were responsible?
"Did the Greyjoy rebel?" Rhaegar questioned.
"Balon Greyjoy desired independence for the ironborn" Raven spoke, "Since House Greyjoy had only joined the rebellion near its end, they did not suffer heavy losses like the other Great Houses. Over five years Lord Balon constructed a new fleet of one hundred war galleys, the Iron Fleet. Balon believed that Robert's rule was insecure, that the new king lacked support amongst the nobility and would not be able to muster a host against the ironborn. Six years after Robert overthrew House Targaryen, Balon proclaimed himself King of the Iron Islands and led a rebellion against the Iron Throne."
"How successful was it? It's obvious they lost but how much damage were they able to do before they were thwarted?" Ser Arthur questioned.
"Balon began his rebellion with the burning of the Lannister fleet at anchor, a surprise attack on Lannisport in the Westerlands planned by his brother Euron and led by another brother, Victarion, Lord Captain of the Iron Fleet. Victarion tossed the first torch onto the flagship of Tywin Lannister" Tywin's jaw set in anger, hands clenched into fists. Someone had dared to attack his home, in his presence and thought to get away with it?
"What happened next?" Tywin ground out.
"Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone and the master of ships, joined the royal fleet with the Redwyne fleet from the Arbor and ships from Oldtown."
"I'm sorry," Stannis interrupted, "but Lord of Dragonstone?"
"You were made Lord of Dragonstone after Robert won The Throne and Renly Lord of Storm's End. You were his heir so thought it was the right choice since Dragonstone belonged to the heir to The Throne at that time" Raven explained.
"That makes sense" Robert nodded his head. But Stannis was not happy.
"How does it make sense?!" Stannis snapped, surprising his brother, "I'm the second son, Storm's End should be mine by right. You can't take that from me!"
"You were my heir. The heir gets Lordship of Dragonstone. I couldn't have you being the Lord of two lands."
"That was for the Targaryens! You're a Baratheon of Storm's End! Storm's End should be where the next in line should be from! And Dragonstone should go to your children!"
"I-"
"That is enough" Jon interrupted the brothers. "That is not going to happen so there is no reason for you both to argue about this now."
"I will talk to him about it" Ned promised Stannis who only gave a curt nod. When Robert went to speak Ned silenced him with a look. They will talk about this later. "Bran, please continue."
"They caught and smashed Victarion's Iron Fleet in the Straits of Fair Isle. Aeron Greyjoy was captured and spent the rest of the war beneath Casterly Rock. Stannis's victory over Victarion near Fair Isle allowed Robert's forces to cross from the green lands to the Iron Islands."
"Robert was supported by father, and Lord Tywin. Stannis subdued Great Wyk in his brother's name, while Ser Barristan Selmy, Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, led the attack on Old Wyk. Balon Greyjoy surrendered, his two eldest sons Rodrik and Maron were killed, and his last surviving son, Theon, was made a ward of House Stark as a hostage."
Balon Greyjoy, Rhaegar thought. He'd need to keep an eye out for that man. He was trouble that the realm did not need.
Theon Greyjoy: Must have been a pretty sight.
Tyrion Lannister: Nothing prettier than watching sailors burn alive. Yes, a great victory for your people. Shame how it all turned out.
Theon Greyjoy: We were outnumbered 10 to one.
Tyrion Lannister: A stupid rebellion then. I suppose your father realized that when your brothers died in battle. Now here you are, your enemy's squire.
"He really does not mince his words does he" Elia winced.
"I believe he knows how to speak and when to speak it better than most" Doran said.
"He's amusing" Oberyn added with a chuckle.
Theon Greyjoy: Careful, Imp.
Tyrion Lannister: I've offended you. Forgive me, it's been a rough morning. Anyway, don't despair. I'm a constant disappointment to my own father and I've learned to live with it. Your next tumble with Ros is on me. I'll try not to wear her out.
The scene changes to the top of The Wall where Sam joins Jon as his watch partner.
"Oh, a new recruit" Lyanna mumbled, eyes squinting at the figure. "He doesn't seem like the type to be a fighter. A pampered younger son?"
"He's Samwell Tarly, he'll go on to being one of Jon's closest friends at The Wall" Raven explained.
Samwell Tarly: Hello. Ser Alliser said I'm to be your new watch partner. I should warn you, I don't see all that well.
Jon Snow: Come stand by the fire. It's warmer.
Samwell Tarly: No, that's all right. I'm fine.
Jon Snow: You're not. You're freezing.
Samwell Tarly: I don't like high places.
Jon Snow: You can't fight. You can't see. You're afraid of heights and almost everything else probably. What are you doing here, Sam?
"What exactly is he doing there?" Ned blanched. He was no warrior, he was afraid of how high he was and he had issues with his eyes. Why was he even there? The Watch was no place for boys like him.
Samwell Tarly: On the morning of my 18th name day, my father came to me. "You're almost a man now," he said, "but you're not worthy of my land and title. Tomorrow, you're going to take the black, forsake all claim to your inheritance and start north. If you do not," he said, "then we'll have a hunt and somewhere in these woods your horse will stumble and you'll be thrown from your saddle to die. Or so I'll tell your mother. Nothing would please me more."
"That's… horrible" Elia muttered, horror etched in her eyes and mouth. As a mother herself, she couldn't believe what she was hearing, or how she'd behave if her children were to be subjected to this.
"Randyll Tarly has always been a hard militaristic man" Rhaegar spoke softly. But even this was going too far for any father.
"When he's old enough, I want him to come where ever we end up. Be as a ward or a squire. Away from that man is what he needs, far away as possible" Elia said in a hard tone. Rhaegar just looked at her and let out a soft huff of amused air.
Samwell Tarly: Ser Alliser's going to make me fight again tomorrow, isn't he?
Jon Snow: Yes, he is.
Samwell Tarly: I'm not going to get any better, you know?
Jon Snow: Well… You can't get any worse.
"It's the small things, I guess" Edmure muttered. He wasn't that good either when it came to fighting or even leading. He has known that for a long time. But he was lucky that he was born as a Tully of Riverrun. He shuddered to think what life as a Tarly would have been.
Scene changes to Ned and Petyr walking through the gardens of King's Landing.
Petyr Baelish: I hear you're reading a boring book.
Eddard Stark: Pycelle talks too much.
"What's so interesting about this book that Petyr would mention it?" Catelyn asked.
"It's a book that details the Lords of the past and their heirs, along with the physical traits each of them bore" Raven explained.
"So Ned's figured out that Cersei's children are not mine" Robert grunted.
"Not yet. He's trying to solve Jon Arryn's murder" Raven explained.
"Alone? That's fucking dangerous" Brandon snapped his head to look at his brother. "Are you mad to do it so openly?!"
"I'll ask my future self and let you know" Ned answered dryly. Brandon just huffed an annoyed breath out.
Petyr Baelish: He never stops. Do you know Ser Hugh of the Vale? Not surprising. Until recently, he was only a squire... Jon Arryn's squire. He was knighted almost immediately after his master's untimely death.
"That is suspicious. And for no reason at all?" Elia wondered.
"Sounds like a cover-up more than anything" Oberyn hummed. "Somebody is keeping his mouth shut. But how long until he's being pushed aside and silenced for good?"
"Not too long I'm guessing" Doran added.
Jon Arryn was worried about hearing the Martell siblings talk. Hugh was a Valeman and for him to betray one of his own. The future really was a dark place, and he needed to tread carefully.
Eddard Stark: Knighted for what? Why are you telling me this?
Petyr Baelish: I promised Cat that I'd help you.
Eddard Stark: Where is Ser Hugh? I'll speak to him.
Petyr Baelish: A singularly bad idea. Do you see that boy there? One of Varys's little birds. The Spider has taken a great interest in your comings and goings. Now, look there. That one belongs to the Queen. And do you see that Septa pretending to read her book?
Eddard Stark: Varys or the Queen?
Petyr Baelish: No. She's one of mine. Is there someone in your service whom you trust completely?
Eddard Stark: Yes.
"Surrounded by ears everywhere and you readily answer him?" Lyanna shot her brother an annoyed look. "Don't you dare, you and I know very well that you'd do the same thing now" she snapped.
"Just… watch please" Ned sighed. His sister wasn't wrong in that assessment.
Petyr Baelish: The wiser answer was no, my Lord. Get a message to this paragon of yours... Discreetly. Send him to question Ser Hugh. After that, you might want him to visit a certain armourer in the city. He lives in a large house at the top of the street of Steel.
Eddard Stark: Why?
Petyr Baelish: I have my observers, as I said, and it's possible that they saw Lord Arryn visit this armourer several times in the weeks before his death.
Eddard Stark: Lord Baelish, perhaps I was wrong to distrust you.
Petyr Baelish: Distrusting me was the wisest thing you've done since you climbed off your horse.
"You're going to rely on him more aren't you," Robert asked.
"Probably" Ned sighed. He was putting too much trust in a man who was only helping him for the woman he cared for. There was no loyalty in that man for Ned to lean on.
The scene changes once more to inside the Castle Black mess hall, Jon and Sam were cleaning up.
Alliser Thorne: Enjoying yourselves? You look cold, boys.
Samwell Tarly: It is a bit nippy.
Alliser Thorne: A bit nippy, yeah, by the fire, indoors. It's still summer. Do you boys even remember the last winter? How long has it been now? What, 10 years? I remember. Was it uncomfortable at Winterfell? Were there days when you just couldn't get warm, never mind how many fires your servants built?
"I remember him" Rhaegar suddenly spoke up, "he's one of the crownland knights. I don't remember him being this harsh."
"When The Capital fell he had been given the choice to either die or join The Watch. He stayed loyal to House Targaryen and still is. But the years have turned him bitter and the people joining the brotherhood have made him disgruntled. And Jon is Ned Stark's child, and Ned Stark is a good friend and played a big hand in helping Robert get the throne. So he is particularly harsh towards Jon."
"Everyone is trying to crucify the child for the actions of their fathers" Ned grumbled, elbows on thighs and hand covering his face.
Jon Snow: I build my own fires.
Alliser Thorne: That's admirable. I spent six months out there, beyond the Wall during the last winter. It was supposed to be a two-week mission. We heard a rumour Mance Rayder was planning to attack Eastwatch. So we went out to look for some of his men... Capture them, and gather some knowledge. The Wildlings who fight for Mance Rayder are hard men. Harder than you'll ever be.
"He can't know that for sure!" Lyanna said in outrage. "Sam maybe, but Jon is a good fighter. He can get better the more he fights. And with half a decent master at arms teaching him" she fumed.
"Lya" Brandon snorted, patting his sister on the back. "Easy there. That won't be happening so you don't have to be so worked up about it."
"Shut up" Lyanna muttered, slapping the hand away.
Alliser Throne: They know their country better than we do. They knew there was a storm coming in. So they hid in their caves and waited for it to pass. And we got caught in the open. Wind so strong it yanked 100-foot trees straight from the ground, roots and all. If you took your gloves off to find your cock to have a piss, you lost a finger to the frost. And all in darkness. You don't know cold. Neither of you does. The horses died first. We didn't have enough to feed them, to keep them warm. Eating the horses was easy. But later when we started to fall... That wasn't easy. We should have had a couple of boys like you along, shouldn't we? Soft, fat boys like you. We'd have lasted a fortnight on you and still had bones leftover for soup. Soon we'll have new recruits and your lot will be passed along to the Lord Commander for assignment and they will call you men of the Night's Watch, but you'd be fools to believe it. You're boys still. And come the winter you will die... Like flies.
"I was starting to feel sorry for him until he ranted on at the end" Ashara grunted. "Cannibalism, seriously?"
'When you're hungry it hardly matters where the food comes from" Rickard answered, shifting in his seat. "These men that join The Watch need to be taught about reading the weather. They'll be serving for life, might as well give them the means to survive beyond the wall."
"Things to implement once we get back" Brandon stated.
Scene changes to an inn along the King's Road. Catelyn is heading back towards Winterfell.
"I have a bad feeling about this" Catelyn muttered, feeling the dread creep up inside her.
Marillion: Seven blessings to you, good folk!
Catelyn Stark: And to you.
Rodrick Cassel: Boy! Bread, meat and beer, quickly.
Marillion: Good idea, grandfather. I'm starving. A song while we wait or?
Rodrick Cassel: I'd rather throw myself down a well.
Marillion: Grandfather, this may be your last chance if you're heading north. The only music the northerners know is the howling of wolves!
Tyrion and Yoren of the Night's Watch enter the inn. Catelyn attempts to hide herself.
"Things are about to get bad aren't they," Brandon asked. But Raven did not respond.
Masha Heddle: I'm sorry, my Lord, we're full up. Every room.
Tyrion Lannister: My men can sleep in the stable. As for myself, I don't require a large room.
Masha Heddle: Truly, my lord, we have nothing.
Tyrion Lannister: Is there nothing I can do... to remedy this?
Bronn: You can have my room.
Tyrion Lannister: There's a clever man. You can manage food, I trust? Yoren, dine with me.
Yoren: Aye, my Lord.
Marillion: My Lord of Lannister! Might I entertain you while you eat? I can sing of your father's victory at King's Landing!
Tyrion Lannister: Nothing would more likely ruin my supper. Lady Stark! What an unexpected pleasure. I was sorry to have missed you at Winterfell.
"Shouldn't have approached her" Oberyn clicked his tongue.
"He doesn't know that she's out for Lannister blood," Elia told him but sighed as well. Things were winding down now.
Masha Heddle: Lady Stark.
Catelyn Stark: I was still Catelyn Tully the last time I stayed here. You, Ser... Is that the black bat of Harrenhal I see embroidered on your coat?
"She's going to arrest him" Ashara realized.
Knight of House Whent: It is, my Lady.
Catelyn Stark: And is Lady Whent a true and honest friend to my father... Lord Hoster Tully of Riverrun?
Knight of House Whent: She is.
Catelyn Stark: The red stallion was always a welcome sight at Riverrun. My father counts Jonas Bracken amongst his oldest and most loyal bannermen.
Knight of House Bracken: Our lord is honoured by his trust.
Tyrion Lannister: I envy your father all his fine friends, but I don't quite see the purpose of this.
Knight of House Frey: Lord Walder as well, my Lady. He has asked your father for the honour of his presence on his 90th nameday. He plans to take another wife.
"He's still alive?" Edmure groaned, yelping when he was cuffed by his father on the back of his head.
"Behave," he said sternly. But internally he too groaned. Walder Frey was a man he would love to be rid of.
Catelyn Stark: This man... Came into my house as a guest and there conspired to murder my son, a boy of 10. In the name of King Robert and the good Lords you serve, I call upon you to seize him and help me return him to Winterfell to await the king's justice.
All of the knights draw their swords toward Tyrion.
"So this is where things start going really out of control" Brandon sighed. "Cat-"
"I know," the woman interrupted him before he could continue, "I know."