Lyanna sat in chambers in the Red Keep that had been set aside for her. She glanced up to see Ned entering.
"The king does not wish to see me?"
"Do you wish to see him?"
Lyanna gave him a sharp look. "Then he must be aware of the maester's conclusions. And of the information which I expected you to impart."
"Robert - the king - is aware."
"I cannot in body be suitable as a queen - should my temperament be equal to the task, I should be fit for no man. And this disgrace… "
"Don't call it that, Lyanna."
"When the walls have ears?"
Ned checked himself and nodded. Lyanna pulled at her gown, and mouthed:
"Look at me, Ned. If I stood you would see the blood in my underclothes. To gain by such an opportunity as not needing to be Robert's wife, the ultimate price must lay a burden upon my shoulders. My stomach aches for him, Ned. If not in my hands, then at least - at least growing in my belly."
And here she voiced: "And yet I cannot ever hope for a second. He must be considering Cersei Lannister, surely?"
"Jon Arryn hopes to broach the match. It is timely… "
"For men, it is always the opportunity. Lord Tywin must see my condition as no real obstacle to remove me entirely. Did he truly sack the city?"
"You have heard it from the servants, then. An account from me could scarcely have gone farther. I rode into it, Lyanna. And his son sitting the Iron Throne."
"I must go north, Ned. Whatever infatuation the king holds for me, he cannot now do as the Targaryens did and keep me his consort."
"He does still claim to love you, Lyanna."
"He will have Cersei Lannister for that - and heirs besides."
She mouthed: "One night with me would remind him that there are women who cannot abide him, that no heirs could carry his name with me, that he would grow contemptuous that Rhaegar defiled me."
Lyanna shook her head, and voiced, "It is the era of the new king - long live His Grace Robert. Take me home, Ned. Now."
They rose, and Lyanna held up her hand.
"You are married, are you not?"
"Catelyn Tully of Riverrun. She will make Winterfell a fine mistress."
"And she will carry your children, will she not?"
Ned blushed. Lyanna raised her chin.
"I must envy every woman who - to every high lord's diction - can breed. Yet you will not find me resentful of her truly. She will come to love Winterfell as we do. And it will be good to see children… "
Ned made to embrace her, but Lyanna shook her head.
"Call for the servants - however it is done in a royal castle."
"What is the matter?"
"Just call for them - "
"You must tell me, Lyanna."
"To put it lightly, soldiers are not the only ones who must deal with blood."