DISCLAIMER: Chapter one.

Chapter rating: T

Chapter Thirteen: Death of a Stag

(King's Landing)

Ned was sitting reading a few new letters, one from Rhaenyra and the other from Robb, Rhaenyra's letter was originally sent to Sansa who passed it onto her father. He paused when a shadow suddenly blocked his light as he looked up to see Queen Cersei standing there.

"You're in pain," she spoke softly, feigning concern as Ned frowned.

"I have had worse, My Lady," he said gruffly as she frowned.

"Then perhaps it's time for you to return North? The South doesn't seem to agree with you," Cersei urged the veiled threat hidden so well by her honeyed words.

"I know the truth Jon Arryn died for," Ned stated, clearly making the Queen frown before she sat on the opposite bench.

"Is that why you called me here? To give me riddles, Lord Stark?" Cersei questioned sharply, feeling her walls going up. Ned's eyes went to the bruise from Robert's slap earlier that week.

"Has he done this before?" the man asked as he motioned to the bruise.

"Jaime would have killed him if he had. My brother is worth a thousand of your friend. Our King," she sneered at the term as Ned frowned.

"Your brother...or your lover?" he questioned as she smirked.

"Targaryens wed brother to sister for 300 years to keep their bloodlines pure," she spoke with a knowing smile.

"They had a reason to keep their lines pure, what reason do you have?" Ned wanted to know.

"Jaime and I are one...we shared a womb...we belong together...we are more than brother and sister," the queen explained passionately.

"Really?" Ned began slowly. "Because 17 years ago your brother was set to guard the queen and her ladies. A certain lady who now resides in Winterfell, but there was something from her time in the South. Most of the guards had dark hair. Only one was blonde at the time," Ned finished with a slight smile as Cersei snarled furiously.

"I bore all three of his children. I ensured Robert left no seed in me when the drunken fool left his whores long enough," Cersei bragged as Ned glared disgustedly.

"You've always hated him?" Ned asked sadly as Cersei scoffed.

"Hated him? I worshipped him!" she began. "Every girl in the Seven Kingdoms dreamed of him, but he was mine by oath. The night of our wedding feast, the first time we shared a bed, he called me by your sister's name. Lyanna, he whispered as he was on top of me, in me, and stinking of wine," she finished on a growl. Ned paused, his sister drifting to his mind. But thinking of her made his daughters come to mind as his resolve hardened.

"When the King returns, I will tell him the truth. You and your children must be gone. I will not have their blood on my hands," Ned ordered as Cersei felt her hackles raise, like a lioness. "Robert's wrath will follow you wherever you go," he finished as the queen scoffed contemptuously.

"And what of my wrath, Lord Stark?" she asked dangerously. "Jaime told me the day you took King's Landing. How you were first in the throne room, you made him give it up when you found him sitting on the Iron Throne. Such a sad mistake you did not claim it yourself," she continued with a smirk as Ned shook his head.

"I have made many mistakes, but that was not one," Ned denied as Cersei chuckled.

"But it was," she began, standing up to leave. "When you play the Game of Thrones, you win or you die," Cersei said matter-of-factly walking away. Ned watched her walk off before he saw Arya coming with Sansa right behind her, and Lady who was always on guard. And Ned knew his need to protect his girls came before his loyalty to the crown and his best friend. He knew his choice and would do it again.

XIII

(Winterfell)

Rhaenyra was walking down the hallway with her dragons following. Shrieking and trilling as she walked through the halls, ensuring everything was in place. She had been awaiting letters from her family on both sides; Dany in the hope the assassin failed and her Stark family in the South. Her servants greeted her respectfully as she passed before they came across the new servant. Osha, a spear-wife of the Wildlings, Rhaenyra overheard her story from Bran who Osha's group attacked. Rhaella seemed to recognize her as well as she landed in front of the skittish woman who jumped as the dragon growled while sniffing her air as her sisters joined. Chirping and trilling as their mother came up, seeing the startled look in the woman's eyes.

"Girls," Rhaenyra's sharp tone made them back away as Osha looked to her with cautious eyes.

"Milady," she greeted. Remembering the maester's words, it was how they were to greet the lord and lady.

"Hello, Osha. How is your time here?" Rhaenyra asked as Osha continued to do her job, all the while keeping an eye on the dragons who tackled each other.

"Many treat me kindly, the cook, the maester. A few of the maids, I get food, so I cannot complain," Osha spoke as Rhaenyra listened.

"I hear From the maester you meant to end up further south than this?" Rhaenyra asked curiously as Osha nodded.

"If he told you, did he tell you why?" Osha questioned her.

"I know what the legends used to say. Things that did not eat, sleep, nor rest. They marched when the nights went on and no sunlight. They rode their dead mounts to spread their plague across the land. Creatures that slept for thousands of years, the white-walkers," Rhaenyra spoke softly, remembering her stories as Osha who had been spreading the straw paused at the young woman's description and petting Rhaella's head as the dragon purred. "Are they who you speak of?" Rhaenyra asked as Osha nodded. The young woman hummed softly as the older one looked at her.

"Your maester claimed they were myths, stories to scare children," Osha sighed as Rhaenyra sighed with a chuckle.

"If I had not survived a burning barn, unharmed and emerged with three dragons that were once in stone eggs, I would not have believed you either," Rhaenyra said gently as she decided to continue on her way to her solar to see to their money and inventory of trading goods. Her dragons flew ahead as she watched, a small smile growing on her face.

"My Lady!" A man's voice caused her to turn as a messenger ran up to her. Rhaenys shrieked at him as he paused. But Rhaenyra's beckon made him approach as she requested the letter. "It is from Lord Stark," he spoke as she nodded.

"Thank you," she thanked him before continuing onto her study.

"Dear Daughter, I fear the lions residing here will tear my pups apart as they have already done to my pack here. but remember these words my sweet dragon-child, 'the seed is strong.' There have been Stag and Lion unions before but these three are the only three for the Stag seed to be absent. But there is a reason as the lions left their protected pride. We will be back home soon, together once more. Stay safe and help Robb lead our beloved North. Eddard Stark, Hand of the King." Rhaenyra felt her insides tighten up as she reread the letter. She became alarmed at hearing that the girls might be in danger before growling as she surged up and bolted to Robb's solar as her dragons shrieked, they were completely unprepared for her abrupt departure. They flew after her as Rhaenyra ascended the stairs, she walked through as Raynor closed it, allowing the dragons inside as well.

"Rhae?" Robb asked worriedly as Rhaenyra showed him the letter.

"What could he mean by this?" she asked anxiously. "Robert surely would not let any harm come to your father and sisters?" she continued as Robb read it carefully.

"I don't know, Rhae. He mentions previous Lannister and Baratheon marriages, but why?" the young lord questioned as Rhaenyra paced in front of his desk.

"Ned said 'the seed is strong.' He also mentioned how that was the last thing Jon Arryn said before his death," Rhaenyra said slowly as Robb nodded, remembering his father telling him that in another letter. But Robb also knew his wife was antsy for news about her twin, hoping she would get to her in time.

"Love, calm down. We cannot do anything, Father and the girls are coming home. We can only hope the path is safe for them," Robb said gently as Rhaenyra approached, giving him a light kiss. But they both knew that Ned would do anything for the girls when it came to protecting them.

XIII

(King's Landing)

Ned laughed as he watched Arya race ahead of Lady while Sansa and her father walked at a slower pace with some guards while a few kept up with Arya.

"Ned!" Renly's frantic voice made them all turn. The sight of Renly, bloodied and fearful, made Sansa gasp in horror while Arya faltered in her step. "There was a boar...and he...you have to come to Robert, now," Renly begged as Lady growled at the smell of blood, Ned quickly turned to his men.

"Take the girls to the gardens," he ordered as his men nodded. The remaining walked with their lord to see the King. Fear clouded the older man's veins as he came to Robert's rooms. Ser Barristan, equally bloody, stood there with the rest of the hunting party.

"What happened?" The Stark lord asked softly as Cersei felt her hackles raise.

"A damned boar," Robert coughed as he approached, lifting the blanket to see how they tried to sew the King's wound. But it had gotten through him good. "It was my fault, too much wine. Missed my thrust," the large man slurred.

"Where were the rest of you?" Ned demanded sharply as Renly stepped forward.

"Brother commanded us to stand aside to let him take the boar," the younger brother spoke as Ned sighed. "Robert wanted us to bring the carcass back as well," he added.

"For the feast," Robert started as Ned stared at him incredulously. "Don't think I don't know Ned. I can smell it, the stink from it. Damned bastard did me in, but I got him back, drove my knife through his eye," he smiled, teeth red with blood. "Go, all of you," Robert demanded as everyone slowly started to move. "I need to speak with Ned alone," he ordered as Cersei stepped forward, intent on staying to not let Ned tell the King what he knew.

"Robert, my sweet..."

"Out!" He roared at those who did not follow his orders the first time. Cersei gathered her skirts as she walked, giving Ned a look of warning as Maester Pycelle tried to give Robert some milk of the poppy but the stubborn King refused to accept the help.

"Damn you, Robert," Ned cursed his best friend as he settled down onto the bed beside his dying friend.

"I got the beast, didn't I, Ned?" Robert joked as the lord frowned. It was not funny to watch him fade from this world, it pained the lord to see his friend dying.

"Robert, I need to tell you something," Ned began, feeling his throat clench at what he was about to tell him, with how close to death his best friend was.

"What is it, Ned?" Robert asked, seeing the distress in his friend's face.

"I..." he paused before sighing. "I...I do not believe that Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are your children. Of all your bastards that I have found, none favored their light-haired mothers," Ned started as Robert felt his face heat up at Ned's insinuation. "There is another fact from the Queen herself, she confirmed it. Her words; 'My brother and I shared a womb, we came into this world and we belong together.' Robert, I looked back, and your grandmother who was a golden-haired Targaryen bore a black-haired child. And yet, Cersei bore all golden-haired children with pure green-eyes?" Ned spoke as Robert sighed. Renly and Stannis have both brought up this similar issue. All of the bastards Renly knew about back at Storm's End all had grey-eyes and black hair.

"I believe you, Ned." Robert nodded, he knew what to do. From the boy's birth, Joffrey always had a strange personality. He started comparing the boy and the Targaryen girl. She held a calm and sane personality, slow to enrage unlike his 'son,' the boy who lost his sword to a little girl. "Get a parchment, now. I need you to write quickly," the man coughed, As quick as he could, Ned retrieved the paper and quill set.

"Go ahead, Robert," Ned urged as Robert took a shaky breath.

"I, Robert Baratheon, King of the Andals- oh, you know the titles," Robert sighed. After a moment to give Ned some time to write he continued. "-hereby name Lord Stannis Baratheon, my heir, and King of Westeros. The marriage contract between Joffrey Baratheon and Sansa Stark is void upon my death. Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Hand of the King is to serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm until Stannis returns to King's Landing. There now write all the damn words and...and nonsense you need, I...I have another letter you must copy or have sent to one so they...they can send it," he stuttered as Ned wrote quickly.

"Here," Ned urged Robert to sign as the dying King did so. "What is the second?" Ned asked, pulling two parchments so he could write one and the King could sign both.

"I, King Robert, send my… my deepest apologizes to… to Rhaenyra and Daenerys Targaryen. Two innocent girls, I pinned your brother and father's crimes on your family name. I hereby name you both innocent children of the realm," Robert finished coughing harshly as he signed both the written page and the blank page, trusting Ned. "I know this… this boar was punishment for my attempts to have Daenerys killed and for tor… tormenting Rhaenyra," Robert admitted as Ned frowned, finishing the second letter, a perfect copy of the first one. "Tell Varys… to stop his… man," Robert abruptly stopped, coughing heavily as Ned called for Maester Pycelle to help the King. The Hand walked out as he spotted Varys, quickly he went to the Spider.

"Varys, I need you to call off the attack against Daenerys, the King has recalled it," Ned requested as Varys paused.

"I wish I could, My Lord. But those birds have already been sent out," Varys said as Ned sighed before a messenger appeared, he nodded to the Lord who gave a silent sigh in relief. The messenger had been told to return to Ned if he heard Daenerys was warned.

"Very well," Ned spoke quickly, returning to his guard as they exchanged words and the guard followed him.

XIII

Ned sat in his office as his daughters sat with him, Sansa was relieved to realize that the King separated her and Joffrey from being betrothed. It meant she was going home! Ned wrote out a few letters as a guard stood nearby, waiting for the messages he would deliver.

"Give this to Stannis. Not his wife, not his maester nor master of arms. These letters are to go to my son Robb or Rhaenyra, no one else," Ned gave him the specific letters as the man nodded. Ensuring he knew the right one as both were unmarked for the safety of someone seeing them with the Stark wax seal.

"Yes, milord," the man agreed before bowing as he left the girls waiting as Ned sat at his desk. Robert's death took its toll on him, he knew the little monster that was to be crowned would be a nightmare for the realm. Now he just needed to get his daughters out, but a messenger suddenly appeared and gave the request to be in the throne room, by King Joffrey's order. Ordering the girls to go and depart on the wagon with their septa, he stood to leave as well.

XIII

(Winterfell)

Rhaenyra panted heavily beside her husband who wiped his sweaty hair from his face. Robb held her close as they started to doze off before Raynor's frantic knock caused them both to sit up confused as Rhaenyra retrieved her robe while Robb put his own on and answered the door.

"My Lord, My Lady," he greeted before showing a letter. "From Princess Daenerys," he panted as Robb took it while the dragons landed in the room. Feeling something was wrong with their mother, Rhaella trilled softly as her sisters played with their prize.

"Rhae, I bring both good tidings and sad news. I am both grateful for your Lord Father's warning, but I must also tell you that our brother, Viserys, is dead. He started to threaten my unborn son so Khal Drogo decided to take action. He gave him, his 'golden crown that men would tremble to behold.'" Dany's letter made her fall to her chair, Robb quickly came as Raynor asked in worry for her health. "'But I can do nothing to thank you for giving me warning on what Robert is doing. I hope now that with Viserys dead that he will leave me be. Ser Jorah claims he will not because we are Targaryens, but I do hope, Sweet dreams and my prayers are with you sweet sister, Dany.'" Rhaenyra had read it out loud to the two men. Robb cursed softly at Viserys' fool antics, but he was also worried about what this would do for the girls, he was still their brother after all.

"I'm so sorry, My Lady," Raynor spoke before excusing himself, giving her time to grieve.

"I feel nothing, Robb. No sadness, nor anger," Rhaenyra spoke as he held her close.

"You didn't know him, Rhae. He was a danger to your sister and her unborn child," Robb spoke as his wife sighed. He gently led her back to bed while she removed her robe, he followed suit as Rhaenyra snuggled under her furs while Robb held her close. The dragons shrieked and crooned to their mother while laying on her side on the floor, Rhaella was growling about something but she refused to sleep.

XIII

Gael raced through as the dragons kept up, they were strengthening their wings, Rhaenyra had started to do this the last few days. Grey Wind ran alongside as she slowed Gael down, they were traveling further from Winterfell every day. They enjoyed it tremendously, Rhaella tried to fly further in front of her mother, but the dragon was still young. Raynor, who was coming up to her, claimed that when they are 'adult' size their slender sizes might help in flight while they fight.

"My Lady," he spoke. His tone firm and worried Rhaenyra confusingly took the letter that he was carrying. "It is from Lord Stark," he claimed as she paused. Did she not just receive a letter from her father by law? But loyal to the man who raised her, she opened the letter while keeping Gael steady. Her eyes went wide in horror as Raynor looked worried as she folded the paper, tucking it into her sleeves before grabbing the reins.

"Riñī, lenton!" Rhaenyra called as she kicked Gael into a fast race back as Grey Wind followed the horse, the dragons did so as well, flying quickly to keep up. It certainly was a challenge as the dragons were not used to this speed of returning. The guards were alarmed to see their lady race in, normally she would trot in or something less frantic. But her alarmed look made them help her dismount as Raynor followed suit. The guards held their horses' reins and started to question their safety if they were so frantic. But Rhaenyra told them she received news that Robb needed to know, the dragons landed while panting as they watched their mother pick up her skirts while racing up the stairs as she looked for her husband. Rhaella looked to an open window before shrieking to her mother and flew up to the open window as Raynor watched.

"The Lord's solar," he told her, following her with the direwolf as Rhaenys and Alysanne followed their sister. All three startled Robb who had been reading documents and the taxes that will be collected soon. He had been unprepared for the girls he assumed the dragons were still in the Wolfswood. Rhaenyra bolted through his door as Raynor followed, he closed the door as the older guard panted.

"Robb, you need to read this. It's from your father," Rhaenyra spoke as Grey Wind laid down beside his master's desk while the dragons cried out to their mother as Robb read out the letter.

"Robb, Rhae. King Robert is dead. And the boys Joffrey and Tommen, and the girl Myrcella are not his children. They are the children of Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Therefore the King has no true heir. Stannis Baratheon is next as Robert had nothing but bastards. But the King has also called back the order, you must send this second letter to Daenerys, if possible. Your father, Lord Eddard Stark."

"Robert is truly dead?" Rhaenyra questioned as Robb nodded, even he was surprised. Rhaenyra could feel nothing but relief at learning that Robert was gone, the man who was responsible for her fear of being executed. But now she truly feared what Cersei would do now that the King was dead, she prayed Stannis would be crowned since Robert named him the heir.

"Rhae, this is both good news but saddening for Father who loved his best friend like a brother, but he can no longer have you killed. Stannis, who saved you as a babe, would hopefully leave you be," Robb hoped as Rhaenyra agreed.

"I would do nothing but be a loyal subject to Stannis, so long as my dragons remained unharmed," Rhanyra swore as Robb gave a gentle sigh.

"Raynor," Robb urged as the guard nodded before leaving as he closed the door. The dragons shrieked and moved around as their mother was sat down by Robb. "Now listen to me. You need to send a letter to Daenerys, tell her about Robert's death and the revelation of the children. But also send the second paper," Robb ordered, pulling the copy of Robert's apology. He had scanned it, being shocked at reading the King's words to the girls. "But also we must be careful. Even if Stannis vowed to protect you when you were a babe. A Targaryen, married to an old family name with three dragons as well. You will be seen as a threat for any child that Stannis would have, male or girl," Robb started as Rhaenyra frowned.

"Robb-"

"I did not want to reveal this to you but I have heard from guards about whispers of an old legend, 'A pact of Fire and Ice,'" Robb started. "Some claimed if this pact was confirmed then your family should be in power. Maester Luwin has ordered for those whispers to be quieted or silenced completely," he finished as Rhaenyra fingered the parchments from Ned.

"When was this pact made?" she asked, it sounded so vaguely familiar.

"The Dance of dragons," Robb revealed as she looked at him. Maester Luwin said that the Rhaenyra before who helped cause the fall of the dragons was the one who made the pact but some claimed that this Rhaenyra who brought the dragons back would sit on the Iron Throne as she closed the pact of Fire and Ice. "Make the letter, Dany should know of who will be Robert's heir," Robb urged as she nodded. Rhaenyra pushed Rhaenys off as she took the quill and parchment.

"Dany, I share with you great news but caution too. The Great Crowned Stag has been brought down. But it appears that his three fawns are nothing but lion cubs, there is no stag blood in them. There is a fear in my bones, something that tells me that blood will be on the air soon. At the death of the King is replaced by the stag who saved me. I fear the caged lioness our Kingdom will soon endure, she will fight tooth and claw to keep her power, to ensure her bastards have a place in power. Please be safe and send word my sweet Idaña, Rhaenyra."

Rhaenyra was fast to dry everything before sealing it with her seal. Standing, she left with Raynor following as her dragons flew off, Rhaella flew near the maester's tower, her sisters followed. Many grew used to the dragons quickly and would give the young creatures glances before returning to their chores.

"My Lady?" the maester greeted the girl who raced in. "What is it?" he demanded, worried about her sudden sharp nature.

"The King is dead. I need this sent to Dany," Rhaenyra explained as she searched for the raven to send to Essos.

"King Robert? Are you sure?" Maester Luwin feared someone was trying to trick Rhaenyra.

"Lord Eddard sent word," Rhaenyra said as she showed him the letter from Ned. He now understood the frantic pace of his student as she found the bird. "Rhaenyra, listen to me. You must be fully aware of the consequences if someone read this," he warned as Rhaenyra paused.

"The only men I feared are Lannisters and the now-deceased Robert Baratheon. I feared Robert because as King he could have me killed whenever he pleased but refrained because of Ned's insistence, but now I just wish to tell Daenerys that the man who's hunted us and threatened us all just because of my brother's actions. Now he is reunited with his beloved Lyanna, so excuse me, Maester Luwin," she urged as the elder released her seeing the resolve. Robert has held her life in a state of possible death if Robert felt he wished to threaten her. "I will be careful, Maester Luwin, but I tell Dany so she knows," Rhaenyra said as the raven flew off, the young Dragon Mother watching as he disappeared through the clouds.

XIII

(King's Landing)

Sansa was packing her last trunk with Jeyne aiding. "Has Arya packed yet?" she asked as Jeyne shrugged carelessly.

"I do not know, Sansa," she said as Sansa gave her a look. "But I will go to Septa Mordane to ask," Jeyne claimed as she left, she side-stepped Lady who had settled herself near the door. Sansa sighed as she took the last letter from Rhaenyra, she was nervous about how this will go. Hearing about King Joffrey made Sansa scared about her future and her possibility of being stuck in King's Landing if he said no. lady growled suddenly as Sansa paused, it made her cautious as she suddenly tensed, a knock made her slowly approach before her septa's voice made her sigh in relief.

"Septa Mordane," Sansa smiled as her septa gave a nod.

"We must go retrieve your sister," the elder asked as Sansa sighed.

"Arya knew what time we were leaving, why is she not ready?" Sansa questioned as Mordane shook her head.

"I do not know girl," the Septa spoke as Sansa paused before looking at the woman.

"If I remember correctly, she said that Syrio Forrell had a lesson planned, I know where it is," Sansa claimed as she led the woman with Lady beside her.

"How is it that you know?" Septa Mordane questioned Sansa who gave a small sigh.

"Because I walked her to her lessons once, I remember the way," Sansa claimed as her Septa paused.

"Sansa," Septa Mordane called as the girl stopped with a frown. "I wish for you to know that I am immensely proud of the lady you will become," the old woman said as Sansa smiled gently before freezing at Lady's growl that came when the she-wolf suddenly settled herself in front of her mistress.

"What..." Septa Mordane stopped Sansa who had turned to see what her wolf was growling about.

"Go to your rooms," the elder ordered, hearing the sounds of fighting with swords. "Bar the door, do not let anyone in you do not know," Septa Mordane demanded as Sansa watched her for a moment before picking up her skirts and ran back with Lady right behind her. Septa Mordane froze when she approached the door opening to see Lannister guards, swords blood-soaked, she took a shuddering breath as she slowly came to the men who approached her just as slow.

Sansa carefully ran back to her chambers with Lady following. Her wolf continued to listen before the pup froze, making Sansa stop with a jolt as she turned to see the she-wolf snarling at something behind Sansa who whirled around to see Sandor Clegane standing there. Fear for her wolf made Sansa tense and started to back away with her wolf who followed.

"Why are you here?" Sansa asked as he continued to approach her.

"I've been sent by the Queen to retrieve you. You may leave your wolf in your chambers," he suggested as she frowned. "There is less chance of her being killed, have a girl you trust to stay with her," he said as she nodded. Sansa was confused by his attempt to help her keep Lady alive, but a tiny bit of hope started to bloom inside at Lady possibly being safe.

"Very well," Sansa gently asked a young pair who liked Lady and stories of the North from Sansa to take the direwolf into her chambers. Nothing prepared Sansa for what she would hear as she made her way to the throne room.

XIII

End of the chapter, I hope you all liked it!

~Rusty14~