"I'm going."
I was Barely four and ten name-days at the time, when the news reached the entirety of the realm of how my father and my elder brother were viciously murdered by King Aerys, after my father challenged the King to a Trial by Combat, all while his KingsGuard unfazed of the destruction gazed at my father burn. They spoke the names of the cowards that didn't acted, one of them Jamie Lannister. As always, those crud Andal Lions have something to do with the disgraces of the North one way or another. I wanted to go and face him, I didn't knew if brother knew of him or not, but I wasn't going to let it go unpunished.
"You need me Eddard. They were my family too. Lya is my sister just as much as she is yours!"
I cried out, bellowed, roared at my brother to let me take up arms alongside him, but I could already hear my heart beat skipping in fear due to the fact that I knew what he was going to say.
"Benjen, Father and Brandon are dead. A stark must always remain in winterfell and protect the children brother. My Lady Wife Catelyn could very well be carrying a Stark in her belly already. The chances of Catelyn actually bearing my child is slim to none. If I die you become Lord of Winterfell and the King in the North and protector of the Children."
"Ned."
Staying like that for a short amount of time, Ned releases me from the embrace not removing his hands though, squeezing my shoulders instead, the way father used to do when we did well on a hunting trip.
"It would be a lie if I don't admit I feel better knowing you are here. I don't want to lose any more family Ben, nor do I want to risk Catelyn. She shall be new to the North and does not know of our ways, of the children, of the giants, of the Wildlings and the Watch, of the enemy harassing every winter night. I need you to be here to protect her, to protect winterfell, protect our way of life and our culture, there must always be a Stark in Winterfell. This time, you're that Stark Benjen. Please keep out home safe." Brother wore Aeglos, the Armor of the Stark Heirs whenever they march to war on the south, though due to the status of not being a heir, he took it after himself to wear it. It made my heart feel at ease for as no other metals except Dragonglass and Fire could ever cause a minor dent on that armor.
And I didn't cry, not at that moment.
"I will Ned. Please, bring Lyanna back."
"I will try Ben, if she still lives I will bring her home."
Howland Reed walked over to us, still short to the rest of the men but he looks healthier now. Happier as he had been before the war broke out. I took the arm of my brother's old friend and beseech him a promise.
"Watch out for my brother."
"Always. Just as you all had watched out for me." Howland swears and telling ned its time to go. Maester Luwin's cough of that last winter lingers, my heart fears for him, for the last vestige the family had in our loyal maester being claimed by the winter. As Father, Brandon and Lyanna were.
As the horses marched out, Winterfell was left alone and the North left without all of its Lords, in the second Half of Winter before the Spring. Never has the North been so vulnerable since the times of the Long Night, and never has Winterfell been so lonely.
"*Cough* *Cough*."
I turned to glance at Maester Luwin staring at the retreating Stark Lord, Uelin, the forest child in the care of the Stark's godswood escorted my side. Sharing with me the painful moment of seeing brother go.
"Come boy, I have to start teaching you your duties."
I dourly nodded in acceptance, no Stark of Winterfell can just be standing there doing nothing, winter is still going on and probably a Stark will be needed.
That winter was cold that each time I remember it it still makes my spine shiver, Maester Luwin prepared me as much as he could for my role as Lord Stark during the second Half of Winter, as a war was fought in the south. And with tragedy winter claimed Maester Luwin's life, with him going away for me any hopeful feelings I had.
In what used to be his office, now empty by the housemaids to prepare for the next Maester to come, if there will ever be a next time for House Stark that is. The following week after Maester Luwin's death I hopefully waited for my Brother's letter or any news regarding him, but sadly, I found none. And each time I turned a glance to Uelin she remained silent with an apologetic glance, this much silence makes my heart feel weighted and blinds my emotions.
*Knock* *Knock*
"Enter." Dully replying to the Guard knocking I was received respectfully by the few dozens of the Castle's guard left.
"Lord Benjen, men from Bear Island have come."
"Receive them with their due guest right Ser and have their grievances written, I…I shall wait for my brother's letter here."
The sole member of the pack now, Eddard has left it and now is the lone wolf that goes to the south. There is however no time to mingle himself with the thoughts of the realm when his brother is fighting outside against the Kingdoms.
Silence
Uelin said that day. A knock was heard and I turned, grunting.
"Enter."
The door was opened by Lady Maege Mormont, aunt to the heir of Bear Island. The Guard interrupted.
"I apologize for interrupting you m'Lord, but our visit was quite adamant in seeing you."
"Lady Maege, I assure you that the moment we can have disposition of grain and goods you'll be notified."
I droned not even turning at them at all, turning once more my attention to the table, waiting for my brother's letter to magically appear.
"Calm down pup, we come here to confirm that we accept your formal request to have my daughter Dacey as your company during your regency as Lord Stark." I slowly turned to them, not exactly knowing what they talked about.
Then I realized it. And my eyes started to grow watery.
It was Maester Luwin whom knew the winter was going to take him and wanted me not to be alone in Winterfell. Lady Maege and her daughter, a dark haired maiden three name-days his minor at most. House Mormont based in Bear Island on the Northwest. Actually Ser Jorah Mormont took south with his brother Eddard, leaving the temporary leadership to his aunt, since his father Jeor took the mantle of Lord Commander of the Night-s Watch after his wife died of her third miscarriage. A stout, dark-haired woman and a fierce warrior dressed in patched ringmail with her favored weapon a spiked mace.
Called by many as the Legendary She-Bear of Bear Island, for the many Iron-born Raids she stopped and pirates she claimed with her mace. Bear Island is the poorest of our vassals and the ones whom receive less, the Winters on Bear Island have made their people gruff and rough, even more than ours in the mainland. Due to their poverty they hand out part of little they have as tax and are given just the same amount in spare, most of what they have is spent in a constant battle against the Iron Born assaults. Lady Maege has only one daughter, probably would have a second by now probably, in case Ser Jorah ever perishes in the rebellion. Turning to Lady Maege, opening my dried mouth about to explain them the situation.
"I apologize my Lady, but, M-m-maester L-luwin wrote the letter without my knowledge." Arising my head, ready to face the consequences and with a sullen face I continued.
"We just buried Maester Luwin yesterday after the winter took him."
"On behalf of house Mormont you have our condolences my Lord." Lady Dacey, a maiden of mere ten name-days spoke kind words I haven't heard and that we weren't allowed to feel yet, for as war has been set on our hearts ever since father and brandon went to the south.
"I shall leave you two cubs alone."
"A-."
"It all started with a simple slight. A pair of southern Reach knights mocked Howland Reed and picked on him, Lyanna defended Howland and scared the knights off as she swung a sword wildly." I laughed when Lyanna nagged to me cursing about pompous southern knights.
"She promised Howland justice, therefore she registered to the Joust just as the knights that mocked him, stealing some gold coins from father's and Brandon's purses she bought an impromptu armor, took a Rivermen steed and asked for her sigil to be a green tree with laughing faces. Entering to the Tourney of Harrenhall as the knight of the Laughing tree. She defeated the first knight in the melee yet nobody noticed it since she scurried away during the wild charge of the free for all." He smiled in remembrance how his sister looked epic unseating southern knights.
"The second and Third Knights were unseated in the jousts, one after the other, she never got down of the horse." He closed his eyes and his eyes grew bitter. "But King Aerys hated mystery knights, he was paranoid and seeing enemies everywhere. He demanded for the Knight's head to be brought before him and the Prince Rhaegar sought out and found Lyanna hiding in the household of a small-folk trader. There is where they both met, and where Rhaegar fell for my sister and my sister…fell for him."
A gasp was heard in the room and I bit my lip.
"N-n-Ned insisted to father Rickard to marry Robert to Lyanna, she hated Robert, he lied with every woman in the realm and already had an unrecognized bastard. And Father in his wisdom followed Ned's advice, I tried convincing father otherwise knowing that if I told Ned I would hurt his heart, but…but Father was unmoving. I told her, I told Lya I tried but I failed. She told me of the letters, of the correspondence in secret she kept with the Prince and the Princess. Princess Elia had a stillbirth that almost took her life, they replaced Aegon with a bastard in hopes for Rhaegar finding a new wife to sire a prince. Lya loved the Prince and wished to be with him. I told her to speak with father and make him understand, but all she did was hold my shoulder and tell me It will be alright, before you know it, I'll bring Rhae and Ellia for our wedding in the Godswood, with the Children singing and the Old Gods to watch. But she needed a day, a date and a moment to do so…and I, I made that moment. I rushed my brother Brandon's wedding to Catelyn in the Riverlands and before Maester Luwin could read the letter, with the help of Uelin's advice I forged Lord Hoster's letter and have Brandon go a few days in the Riverlands before the wedding."
…
"And when Father went to say his goodbye's to Brandon, in the Godswood gate. Rhaegar came with Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Oswell Whent; I saw her go with them. It was all my fault." I couldn't handle my sadness anymore, at the tragedy of my household caused by by own foolishness in attempting to give Lyanna a chance." I hung my head and cried, not without however finding myself in her arms.
Prologue
The Silent Wolf Awakens
The battle of the trident was a mess, a holy mess. A damnable mess, floods of men fought and battled. They battled fiercely, they battled well and they gave their all. He fought alongside many riverlanders against rebellious riverlander lords, with such Eddard tried. Truly tried to make them yield. But war was war and Uelin's lessons were now more onto him than ever.
An unmovable wolf before the chaotic fires you are. Had it easy did you hmm? We'll see, we'll see.
As he was healed, he walked out into a tent with many Stormlanders and Robert's men, where Jon Arryn emerged from Robert's private tent with a frown on his face. He looked older, even more than he already was, as he walked. Men opening before him. "Robert…Robert is dead." Jon Arryn said, his voice cracking at the last word. "The venom of the Dornish Spears, was too much for his strong body to receive. His forces had to go through the Dornish front, too much lances found their way towards him."
Pain pierced his being, his very heart. His chest, his very soul.
"Robert's wounds alongside the mortal neck slash he received from Rhaegar was enough to kill him." Rhaegar died and the Rebellion was subsided, but Robert died also. His best friend, the one he marched and rose his swords with, was now forever gone. Forever taken away and thus now, the realm would have more war than peace now. He loved Robert as a brother, and he knew Robert loved him the same. He always used to say that Ned was his real brother, not Stannis or Renly. He cared not for them, and knew only that Stannis was a stiff prick and Renly a little baby prancing around the castle in Storm's End. He did not love them, and if given a choice, he would have Ned as a brother instead of the lot of them.
People already spoke of the glory of Robert defeating Rhaegar under the Loyalists that now have thrown the towel. He defeated Prince Rhaegar Targaryen in the Battle of the Trident, and already he heard of how Robert smashed Rhaegar's ruby-encrusted breastplate with his warhammer, sending the jewels scattered in the water. The village people had already started searching for the So-called jewels scattered in the waters. Each of course would be able to fetch a high price, of course, it had been the power to bring a poor man to riches if the money gained was spent wisely.
"Damn it Robert." He thought out loud as he knelt down, grief stricken as he hung his head. Rickard Karstark approached to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Come on Ned." Rickard Karstark long distant member of a cousin family to his own, comforted him of his grief, as Maege Mormont also approached, as tears cascaded down his eyes.
"Who will occupy the throne now?" A stormlord boomed and he felt it in his chest.
What was with people and the damned Iron Throne? What was that it had that caused so many to feel enticed to it, wishing for it to be theirs. What was the value of it? It made him growl as he got up. Before Rickard or Mage could say anything he pushed through everyone.
"Is this what you all joined Robert!?" He boomed out to everyone in the tent as he faced his father figure Jon Arryn whom so grieving simply couldn't think what else could felt it in his veins, Eddard felt cold. A coldness of winter into his very body. "Is this what you rebelled against! For a damned Throne! Robert and I gathered you all for Justice!" He boomed before all the men and he roared even further.
"We march to King's Landing on the morrow to bring justice to the Mad King Aerys. If you all value Robert as I did, I hope you all of you get to see the justice he desired be done on his name." He roared toeveryone and soon, all the Stormlords, Riverlords, and any gazes of those on standby were dismissed, Eddard then turned to embrace his father figure whom cried in his shoulder for Robert.
"The throne Ned, the Throne." Jon said exasperatedly as he faced him firmly, the whole sight of Jon Arryn paranoid and broken like this made Ned sink deep into the coldness he felt now. "With Robert gone, no one will take it and rule. We most certainly cannot let anyone, most especially, Tywin Lannister-take it for himself."
Ned tore when his Father figure caressed his face.
"Please Ned, You must take it. Please, take the Throne, rule the Seven Kingdoms. No man is more perfect for the job than you. Promise me Ned, that you won't allow Tywin to take it. Promise me." Jon Arryn clutched a superficial wound and staining some fingers in his blood, he grasped his ward's hands cupping them in between both of his hands. "Promise me Ned."
And he felt for the first time truly fearful, but he nodded sharply.
"I shall. The moment I arrive to King's Landing I shall put it all in order." Eddard reassured his foster father and marched out into the Northern tent where all the Lords of the North that marched with him were now waiting for his orders. With the death of his brother Brandon Stark, Hoster Tully expected Eddard or Benjen to occupy the spot his elder brother had. However, while Eddard would've for his honor's sake occupied that spot. He thought about the moment he'll have to march south, and Robert needing an alliance. He convinced Jon Arryn through a letter to press upon Hoster Tully to honor the marriage for the sake of the rebellion, and thus Catelyn Tully was now Lady Paramount of the Vale.
"What will happen now Ned?" Wylis Manderly asked him as he turned to Howland Reel, Maege Mormont and Galbart Glover. He nodded and dismissed all others, placed guards of their hosues around the tent and once again stared at then.
"Howland, I want you to lead Maege, Galbart and a few more men you trust as an expeditionary force into the Red Mountains of Dorne, Lyanna is believed to be here. I want you to retrieve her, I case you are to meet any of the Kingsguard, do not engage. The priority is Lyanna, whatever they want give them offer. If they ask, tell the truth of the state right now. What the realm doesn't needs is further war anymore. My vendetta is against King Aerys. You{re to take your horses now." Eddard ordered with immediacy, and soon his most lealest Lords were gone with their horses, taking very few men and soon Lord Bolton, Manderly, Karstark and Umber were inside as they were summoned by him.
"Lords, I{ll ask you a single favor. You and the other men around. I want them exploring the camp. Westeros must know of Robert winning, of us conquering the Loyalists. If any information about Robert's death and fate leaks out. You shall all be to blame. Those orders are to be done now, because if we don't. We might have loyalists waiting to end us in King's Landing."
Thus now his Lords were scattered and controlled the Trident, the Karstarks, Manderlys and Umbers were merciless in managing the camp and letting not a single person go out or in without making it clear with threats what cannot be said. No man went out and no man went in.
Once alone inside his office, he went back to Robert's Tent where the Sisters started to do the rites for his burial at Storm's End. Lord Eldon Estermondt and Casper Wylde arrived alongside Jon Arryn inside as they both looked at him. "The Tyrells are still around Storm's End." Lord Eldon was a man in his early to mid-fifties and his face wore a frown, Robert died without a wife and unmarried, therefore now both were worried about Robert's official heir on the Stormlands being Sieged by the Tyrell Loyalists. "We haven't received anything from Stannis for a long while, we however are aware that Mace Tyrell sitting his ass on the walls doing nothing is a benefit for us. It allowed us to defeat the Loyalists here." Lord Casper Wylde discussed alongside Lord Eldon, both were the main Stormlords that gathered and managed Robert's operations. While Robert charmed the men and fought the war, it was his uncle Eldon whom managed every lord and got them to be organized.
"While killing Rhaegar is surely an acheivement, it hardly wins us the war my Lords. The only way to decisively conquer above the Loyalists is to take King's Landing. When King's Landing is taken then from there we can manage the Tyrells and start the next process of our rebellion." Eddard crossed his arms harshly as everyone turned to him.
"The next process?"
"Aye, Robert and I ever since we've met in Stoney Sept and made Connington run with the tail between his legs we've been imagining how things would be once we get to the throne. At the time it was a rough idea, but now that I've lost a brother. It's all now clearer." Eddard Stark growled, the North asked for blood. His Father and his brother demanded blood and now apparently also Robert will demand it.
'My Father and my Brother died, my sister did so too. And Benjen is alone and under threat; merely commanding the men on this war would mean injustice to them. To just get to King's landing means that there won't be justice, where would my honor would be if I let King Aerys's crimes be unpunished. Where will justice be by letting all those that could've managd the realm better not be seen. No; I won't let them run away.' His blood froze as he stared coldly and detached at the map. Silently and not making a single reaction.
'I don't trust the Lannisters to not stab my back. The news of Rhaegar's death will be all over the realm already, that's something I can allow. The Lannister never aided us, therefore we owe them nothing.' He frowned and pondered on what the trip to King's Landing will bring.
Kingsroad to King's Landing
283 A.C.
On the Road to King's Landing Eddard Stark shared the sides with his mentor Jon Arryn, Hoster Tully and Lords Eldon and Casper as they saw the black smoke emerging from King's Landing. As they approached, the Lannister sigil was even more noticed, on the back the casket with Robert's body was carried and had an Honor Guard with the best and most leal men of the Rebel faction, while the few prisoners taken, have been forced by Eddard Himself to be in chains and walk all the way to King's landing. Dornish Spears, Loyalist Blades and Archers, even mounted warriors, many so many were in the trail with many soldiers watching over them. It took a total of Three days to get the camp running out and two more days to arrive to the vicinity of King's Landing.
He cared not for the damages done to the City, the Mad King was clever enough to siege himself in the Red Keep and history has proven it to resist siege of even Dragons for months. Once inside the city however, it was all a tragedy. Unarmed civilians were dead on the streets, Lannister blades all around stopped their burglary once they saw the northern blades.
The cry of a little girl was heard when a Lannister man was about to attack her.
"Jon." He spoke in between his teeth as the giant Lord of House Umber which towered above the armored guard placed his weapon between the girl and the Lannister man who was about to attack him, but once seeing the banners, stayed his ground and scurried away. Carelessly turning once more to the road, buildings in flames, more people dead and everything was in disarray until finally, in the throne room of the Red Keep, on the stairs was king Aerys II Targaryen, he analyzed the entirety of the scene as a young male with blond hair whom sat in the throne rose up.
"I was waiting for you to come, I was keeping it warm for you."
Many were silent, Eddard Stark's blood turned cold.
"Rickard, Jon; cease this man and put him chains."
"What!?"
Eddard coldly got off his horse and stared at the scene.
"You killed your king and broke your oath. You were King Aerys's Kingsguard, you shall testify your version on my father's and brother's cruel assassination." His stern voice made the young Lannister almost mute.
"I-I-I…"
"Your words speak enough Ser, you were there."
Both Rickard and Jon approached and forcefully binded the arms of the young Kingsguard. Who fearfully glanced at them all with shock.
"Where is the Red Keep's Maester?"
"Lord Stark, it is a relief you finally came. Where is Rober-."
"Lord Stark."
Both Varys and Pycelle appeared, and Eddard wasn't going to spare either.
"Cease them too, he was the Maester of the Mad King. And Varys was his Master of Whispers. Put them in the cells."
Eddard declared which got Jon to widen his eyes, even many Lords were shocked at the amount of honesty and crass roughness Eddard treated them.
"Ned, are you-." Jon Arryn tried to defuse the situation in the Throne room but Eddard rose his arm and shook his head and went towards the throne, facing it for the first time. The blasted thing that took away his family, he glared at it with disgust and almost snarled. He sat in the throne without any effort and even many saw his body touch the rested blades yet he wasn't cut, he wasn't wounded. It almost look as if the throne, reverred to him, as if it bowed in submission to the Stark Lord.
"Martyn, send a letter to the Citadel. Tell them that all the members of Aerys II Targaryen's small council shall face trial, including Maester Pycelle. Tell them that I won't accept any other Maester in King's Landing except the Maester of the Wall. If they ask about Robert, tell them what happened." He growled at his friend Martyn Dustin whom bowed and turned to Theo Wull and nodded at him, both took some few men and went to the Maester's office.
"Martyn, I want you to also cease any and all letters that the Maester keeps in his office. Every paper there shall go through my eyes."
His face however got more livid when Ser Gregor Clegane, Ser Amory Lorch and Tywin Lannister himself delivered the bodies of Elia Martell and Aegon Targaryen in Lannister Cloths.
"We present to you the bodies of Elia Martell and Aegon Targaryen, Lord Stark." Tywin Lannistered reverently offered as many Lords glanced at the scene, the Silent Wolf sized the Old Lion, for once the eternal silence in the room made many creep out.
"Lord Tywin." Hoster Tully tried to receive the Lord yet before the man could say anything Eddard who sat in the Iron Throne stared at the man.
"Eddard, what will happen to the Stormlands?" Finally it was Lord Estermondst's turn to ask, as Eddard got up from the throne and approached to the Lords, as Lord Arryn and Wylde approached. "Tomorrow a third of each of our forces shall leave to the Storm Lands and face the Tyrell. Lord Mace Tyrell and Randyll Tarly shall be brought to King's Landing. A letter shall be sent to Dragonstone and one to each member's of King Aerys's Small Council Members. Where they shall all testify on the crimes of Mismanagement of the Kingdom, The Assassination of Lord Rickard Stark, Brandon Stark and The Kidnapping of Lady Lyanna Stark. Including the Burning of People. Lord Qarlton Chelsted, Grandmaester Pycelle, Lord Symond Stauton, Lord Lucerys Velaryon and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. Also each member of Aerys's Kingsguard shall be put on trial for being witnesses of the murder of the Lord Paramount of the North and his heir."
Lord Tywin bristled and almost went mercurial as he watched his son escolted by two Northmen on his sides and chained.
"I also prompted the Citadel to have a Maester I could trust here. And that is the Maester at the wall. A man who can hold to the Night's Watch oaths is a friend to the Stark' my Lords, prepare your men, we're marching tomorrow. Camp outside the red keep."
Eddard was gone, leaving the others to themselves. The Stormlords were surprised and satisfied to see the siege over the Stormlands being lifted so soon, meanwhile Lord Tywin Lannister felt not so comfortable leaving Northmen in charge of his son's partial imprisonment.
Hoster Tully
If Brandon Stark was pure muscle and the wildness of the North, then Eddard Stark might as well be the coldness and roughness of the North. The moment Robert Baratheon died, something snapped in the boy, something broke. The boy's face was cold and mostly poker-faced. He rarely spoke with emotion and he gave crass orders and indications to his men. His management of Tywin's boy was phenomenal, his idea to put all the member's of the Mad King's small council on trial alongside the kingsguard was something insane. The letter to dragonstone for the leftover Targaryens and the Queen Dowager was extreme, he was even planning of judging the Targaryen family. The boy even had the guts to sit in the Iron Throne and get up from it afterwards. He didn't went mad, all his decisions were almost as if flawlessly played.
The Stormlords were placated almost immediately and tomorrow they'll be marching to kick Mace Tyrell's ass a new one. In short, Eddard Stark made himself into a new Cregan Stark. And he was damn regretful of not pushing more forward the notion of marriage of Catelyn towards him. He would've had granted his daughter the Iron Throne's power, he crassly cursed.
"So, what do you think?" Jon Arryn seemed nervous, in maybe a few weeks the Red Keep will be the most chaotic place in the entirety of westeros. It would almost be as if it were a Great Council, the only different is that it will be to deliver justice.
"Remarkable. I didn't knew someone so silent hid some so, decisive and firm." Jon Arryn laughed at his words.
"That's Ned for you Hoster. That's my Ned."
Mace I
Insanity, pure unadultered insanity. Was all his mind would think, as he was lead, escorted and almost chained by the Rebel Forces, Lord Eddard Stark arrived with forces from the Vale, The Riverlands, The North and the West with him. And he decisively and politely threatened him to drop the weapons and be escorted back to King's Landing where rendition penalties shall applied. He gulped at the thought as he marched alongside the Lords behind the rebellion. It was in that day where Storm's End was opened to everyone and Eddard brought back Robert's body to both Stannis and Renly whom didn't still believe that Robert died. Yet what made him shiver even more was what he said.
Stannis; since you're Robert's eldest brother I want you to come with me to King's Landing.
Stannis was merely a teenager but understood his duty and obeyed the Stark in all what he did, the feast was however shortlived to his liking. By the time the moon was almost over they marched back to King's Landing, Stannis marched with his lealest guards and lords and soon the Red Keep was seen once again. It was there to his surprise that a coffin waited everyone, as if perhaps stating that there were more victims to this war than what was expected. A short army and some Lords of the North waited, as a wet-nurse carried a baby heavily covered in quality silk sheets.
Eddard II
Tower of the Hand
The Lords of the North ere all crowded in the Tower of the Hand as Eddard held his nephew with watery eyes, the boy was of Targaryen blood not doubt. He had Rhaegar's hair, a gray left eye and a targaryen purple right eye.
"So, Ser Gerold Hightower, Ser Arthur Dayne and Ser Oswell Whent are in the cells also?" He inquired to Maege Mormont whom nodded once again and this got him to think. Eddard's original plans were to strip the Targaryens off of the right to rule ever again and vanish them all to Essos. That was following Robert's original plan to kill all the Dragonspawns without actually doing the killing. However Maegor's entitlement to the Iron Throne cannot be denied, and the boy is his nephew and Lyanna's only child. He failed her by not being with her in the last moments of her life. Now all what he had left were her bones. His blood froze even more at the thought of his sister dying to a mad prince's whims.
"What are your plans for Lyanna's son Eddard?" Maege asked to which many of the Northern Lords around glanced at each other. He frowned and glared at the floor, he remained straightened and stared at the chest that was opened, at his front were wedding papers and birth registry papers.
"What were your plans for the surviving dragons?" Rickard Karstark asked and Eddard turned at them.
"Robert wanted to kill them all,you stared at what Tywin Lannister did. It's short for what Robert would've allowed him to do. Do you really think I would do the same? How's that justice?" He asked at them and all the Northern Lords stayed silent, yet Lady Maege Mormont remained stern and spoke sharply. "You're our Lord and now with the King's authority. You're of the North Ned, we follow you. You've now the absolute power over the Seven Kingdoms. The Starks hold the Iron Throne, the North is now the one in power. In a few more days The Hour of the Silent Wolf will start."
All the Northern Lords nodded, and Eddard could only shiver. He didn't knew if it was of fear or of excitement, the last time a Stark was given that much power in the south was none other than Cregan Stark. A man that he read about and knew of, yet Cregan Stark's north wasn't the North he rules nowadays, he cannot abandon his lords to battle something as impossible as seizing the lands. What he has done however is having the Lords. Cregan didn't a fought a war, but Eddard did and won.
There were contrasts but they were the same.
"How will you plan to carry the trials? We believe in the Old Gods, they believe in the seven. Their southern justice isn't our northern one. You know how their southern justice is." Galbart Glover spoke harshly and Eddard gripped the pommel of his sword tightly with his right hand. Ice demanded blood, and he shall feed it. His head hung and he growled.
"Did Cregan Stark ever allowed trials of the Seven?" His question went unanswered because the figure was obvious.
"Then you already know what will happen. Galbart; I want Northern men to watch over all the prisoners. Maege; I want the best northmen to watch over my room in the Holdfast. Howland, I want you to be my masters of whispers. Spy on all the Lords and hear what they have to say and notify me. Have your Crannogmen on my Castle's shadows."
The Hour of the Silent Wolf has begun.