Chapter 4

NED

It had only been a couple of weeks since he had been named hand of the king but to Ned, it felt like years had gone by. He could feel the stress that came with the honour that was bestowed upon him by his friend. It felt like he was creating two problems every time he solved one. The crown's finances were in a dire state no thanks to Robert whose wayward spending had put them in great debt to the Lannisters and the Iron Bank. A significant portion of the crown's income went towards interest payments alone. What concerned him was the fact that no one in the capitol was serious about saving for the winter which Ned knew was surely coming.

"Lord Stark!" he heard a voice call him as he was leaving the small council chambers and heading back towards the tower of the hand. He turned to see the crown prince and his former ward not to mention his future son by marriage.

"My prince," he bowed his head. "You were quiet in the meeting today," he said.

"I only speak when I have something to say. Ever since I am back I feel more and more that everyone in this city keeps talking all the time but nobody has anything to say. Walk with me."

Wise words thought Ned. He was impressed that the prince was taking interest in the small council meetings, something Robert had not done since he sat the crown. But still, there was something about the boy that Ned didn't like. He could not place a finger on what it quite was but something about him made Ned uneasy. He knew that the boy was Robert's son through and through with his strong build, his father's face, and his love of women but it was the Lannister in him, his blonde hair and green eyes that concerned him. But still, he promised his daughter's hand to him because his King asked that of him.

"What concerns you my prince?" asked Ned.

"My uncle Renly's marriage to Margaery Tyrell. Do you think it is a good idea?"

"It was Jon Arryn's idea. The marriage would strengthen the Crown. With the situation with Dorne as it is, this will be a good idea. The Reach also grows the most food in the seven kingdoms and we will need them for the winter that is to come."

"Yes yes. Jon Arryn was a weak man. You loved him like a father, I know but weak. He groveled in front of the Tyrells to get this match which they still haven't agreed to by the way. It's pathetic."

"Jon Arryn was a good hand. He kept peace in the kingdoms."

"He did but at what cost? Sometimes peace costs more than a war. It was his idea of peace that made him go to Dorne and permit Rhaenys Targaryen to flock around like a free bird. Now that girl draws people to her cause every time somebody disagrees with the crown's decision. To solve this problem that Jon Arryn himself created, he is making another mistake with the Tyrells. He has offered them too much, something that will hurt us long after he is in the grave."

"I will not stand here and hear you disrespect a man who has given his life to running your father's kingdoms."

"More like running the kingdoms into the ground. I don't have to tell you how much the crown is in debt. Now my grandfather has to clap his hands and the crown will go running to do as he asks. You know about my uncle, Jaime Lannister?"

"I know the kingslayer well enough," replied Ned getting tired of the conversation.

"You wanted him to hang for his murder of the mad king. My father wanted him hanged for saving the Targaryen girl. And Jon Arryn allowed him to remain free in Dorne. Now, thanks to my grandfather's strong will, my father has allowed him to the tourney in Highgarden. Pretty soon, he'll be back in Casterly Rock if things keep going like this. That is the definition of weak."

"I am tired, my prince. If you'll excuse me?" asked Ned. The prince's words got on his nerves.

"Of course my lord hand. Take rest, we leave for Highgarden soon. I want you to reconsider. I don't want you making the same mistakes your predecessor did," replied Joffrey and turned to leave.

Ned's hands turned into a fist, anger flowing through his body.

"Oh, one more thing. I hear my uncle is bringing his wife, Lady Ashara Dayne. I heard you brought her the remains of her brother and his sword. I hear she is a great beauty. She is bringing her bastard daughter to the tourney as well. Can you believe it? It will be a good chance for you to reconnect with her. Since Lady Star was back in Winterfell I know you have been feeling lonely. Anyway, I'll take your leave, my lord," said Joffrey and left.

Ned controlled his anger till the boy left and hit his fist into the wall as soon as he was away. Now he was sure why he hated the boy. How dare he throw his relationship with Ashara in his face. And the daughter, he brought up the little girl as well. He had been putting off his thoughts of Ashara away for quite a while now. The only woman who Lord Eddard Stark lost his honour for.

...

He was back on the road again. This time for Highgarden. The biggest tourney the realm has ever seen they were calling it. Bigger than the tourney of Harrenhall. The Tyrells were showing their wealth and power to the entire seven kingdoms. Ned had always found these southern activities a waste of time and money. It was something the southern folks played at, their tourneys, their knighthoods and their maidens. He was a northerner and was not used to the luxuries men from the rest of the seven kingdoms enjoyed.

Still, he was thankful for something that would distract him from the rage he had been feeling ever since he had signed the letter which was in all sense a pardon for Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer. Robert had been in a better mood since they had left the capital. Ned too was somewhat relieved to get away from scheming, politics and the stench of Kings Landing. However, there was a conversation that he had to have with Robert as his hand which was sure to ruin his good mood. He had been putting it off for a long while now but it could not be delayed further.

"Are you looking forward to the tourney Robert?" he asked as they were drinking wine after the camp had been made.

"Wine, beautiful girls and men killing each other for sport. What's not to like?" he laughed. "But my apologies Ned, because of these bloody Tyrells I wasn't able to throw a tourney in your honour."

"That's an honour I can do without your grace," he replied. "Since we are on the topic, the Dornish will be present at Highgarden."

"I know."

"Along with Rhaenys Targaryen."

"That damned dragonspawn," said Robert, anger growing over him.

"Robert!" began Ned. This was precisely what he wanted to talk about. His anger. It would be a catastrophe if Robert lost his cool in Highgarden after seeing the Targaryen girl.

"Why now? Huh, Ned? Eighteen years they had her hidden in that desert. Why bring her out now? In front of all the eyes of the seven kingdoms. What do you think about that? They are prying Ned, looking for allies and weaknesses. Hoping to get enough to one day strike and take the Iron Throne in her name."

"We cannot be sure of that," answered Ned.

"The longer we wait, the stronger we get. How long are we going to keep playing these stupid games? Trying to appease every lord so that they don't go over and join that little bitch. Let's be done with that Ned. Raise an army again, you and me marching against the Targaryens once again. Think about that."

"March where? Dorne? You do know that Dorne has never been conquered. Even Aegon Targaryen with his 3 dragons couldn't conquer them. Thousands of men have given their lives in Dornish wars. In the end, it was diplomacy that brought Dorne into the fold," replied Ned.

"Jon Arryn tried diplomacy for eighteen years. Look where it got us."

"It wasn't just diplomacy. Daeron the second married a Martell princess. That was what ended the Dornish wars," said Ned.

"What are you saying, Ned? Speak clearly," said Robert clenching his teeth. Ned knew one wrong word here could set off that famous Baratheon rage.

"A marriage between your son and heir Joffrey and Rhaenys Targaryen."

There was silence for a couple of seconds. Robert's face didn't give away much. Then he took the bottle of wine and threw it on the ground as he got up, his face all red and started screaming.

"Are you out of your damn mind Ned?" he roared. "My son with that dragonspawn. So that they can produce more dragonspawn. If it was somebody other than you who has suggested this I would have had his tongue."

Robert continued to rage as he mumbled for him to be excused and left there. He knew there was no sense in talking to Robert when he was in such anger. He looked towards the skies and sighed. He knew Robert would not take this suggestion well but he still had to present it as he believed it was the correct way forward.

Still, he hoped that he might be able to persuade Robert. He still wasn't sure if the Dornish would agree to the match. But he had to try because if he failed then there would surely be a war.

Author's note:

Wow, I posted. Thanks for reading guys. I know this isn't the biggest chapter but still, it was needed before the tourney starts in the next chapter.

I know it has been too long. Special shout out to folks reading this who have been here from the start.

Toodaloo.