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Edric Black sat meditating in the Godswood of Winterfell, focusing on the Force and drawing from it. Usually, when one meditates, they do it to release all negative emotions into the Force. Edric was not doing that. He was looking to the Force for wisdom of the future, trying to discern what may be to come. As always, the Force was reluctant to give up those secrets, seeming to urge him to trust it. There were often moments of clarity however. Whenever one of the children was about to do something the Force would send him a short vision or give him a warning. It was normally accurate although the future was ever changing and, with a frustrated sigh, Edric opened his eyes and made to stand. The King of Westeros himself had just arrived and the entire Stark household and their servants were out in front of the East Gate to greet him and his entourage. Edric himself had elected to stay out of the festivities, unwilling to submit himself to the irritation of dealing with royalty and, from what Lord Stark had told him of Robert Baratheon, he could be a lot to deal with.

Edric smiled grimly. Eddard had chosen to keep Jon away from the king as well, for his own safety so that it would lessen the chance of Robert seeing Jon for who he really was. Catelyn had agreed so Jon was to be kept out of sight and out of mind. Not that Jon minded. Ever since he had found out about his true parentage, he visited the Crypts more and more. Of course, Ned had tried to dissuade him of that on this day, knowing Robert would want to see where the late Lady Lyanna was buried. But Jon had other places he could hide, namely where Edric was standing now. The former Jedi turned at the sound of approaching footsteps to see Jon Stark walking his way. "Nowhere else to hide?"

Jon shook his head. "I thought this was my spot." He said with a small smile. Jon had been legitimized by the king at the request, sent by raven, of Eddard who had made the request at the demand of his wife after she found out herself who Jon's real parents were.

"I suppose it depends on what you're coming out here for. I come for clarity. You came out here for peace." Edric stated with a small smile.

"Aye, peace from the party of Lannisters and Baratheons." Jon's face twisted into a scowl. At 16 he was nearly a man grown along with Robb and Theon. All three had been born the same year with only a few months separating them.

"I'm sure Sansa was more than a little excited at the prospect of seeing an actual prince." Sansa was 13 and had yet to flower. Arya was 11 and as tomboyish as she could be and Bran was 10, an aspiring knight. Rickon was the youngest at 6. "The others were probably just itching to run for the nearest wall to climb.

Jon made a disgusted face at the mention of the prince. "Yes, I'm sure you're right. You said you came for clarity?"

Edric shrugged. "It's one word to use yes. I came because I've had things on my mind. Little warnings here and there from the Force. I had hoped to come here and meditate on them. Unfortunately, the Force isn't giving up its secrets today."

"You speak as if it has a mind of its own." Jon stated skeptically.

"It does. The Force is a living thing that exists through all of us. It has a will of its own. My master called it the Living Force."

Jon shook his head which amused Edric. They had always been skeptical of the Force. Of course, they had discovered early on that Edric's warnings came from somewhere and they usually came true. They had come up with a saying, 'If Edric said it with his serious face then it's probably true'. Many on the grounds called him Master Jedi for the same reason. Most of them knew the stories of the Jedi of old although Edric was still unsure of the origin of those stories. As far as he had studied, Jedi had never been this far out from the Core Worlds of what was now the Galactic Empire. So how they had ever been on this world, let alone had the presence to build an actual temple or anything of the sort was beyond him. He had yet to even find evidence of such a temple or any other structure that would indicate the Jedi had been here and yet the writings existed. Edric didn't believe in coincidence. Jedi had been here and they had been here for a reason and he was convinced the Force had brought him here for a similar reason. He just didn't know what that reason was as of yet.

Edric shook himself out of his thoughts. "Anyway, did you get to see your mother before the king arrived?"

"I did. Of course, she didn't talk back but it's nice to think that she's listening somewhere."

"It does." Edric agreed with a nod. "Let's just hope that the king isn't here to shake things up too much."

"Aye, let's hope." Jon said with a note of worry.

Later that day Ned came to him in the Godswood. "Did Jon find his way out here?"

"He did my Lord."

"You can drop that nonsense now you know. It's just us."

"That may be true, but it never hurts to keep in practice. So, what can I do for you?"

"Well as it happens the king asked a favor of me."

At that Edric's stomach dropped. "He asked you to be Hand, didn't he?" It was no secret that the reason the king had made the near 1000 league journey north was because of the death of his friend and Hand Jon Arryn. It made sense that the king would want his best friend to be his new Hand. "Does he know what he's asking you to leave?"

"He said as much. I'm of a mind to turn him down, but I promised to think on it and I will."

Edric nodded with a grimace. "I see. What does Lady Stark have to say?"

"I haven't had the chance to tell her yet. Will you be at the feast tonight?"

"Do you want me to be there?" Edric asked, noting the change in topic.

"I won't force you but it'd might be nice to have you there. Catelyn is worried about the queen. She thinks you might be able to keep things calm."
Edric snorted. "I very much doubt that, but I'll be there my Lord."

That night during the feast, Edric watched the king with abject distaste. The disgust was so evident on his face that Ned was glad that the king was too far into his cups to notice. "So," The king slurred taking another tankard of ale, outrageously flirting with the serving girl that brought it. "you're Ned's new advisor?"

"Yes, your Grace." Edric answered, doing his best to keep the disgust he felt from seeping into his tone.

"He's not exactly new your Grace. He's been here for three years now." Ned interjected.

"What made you settle here instead of south?" Queen Cersei asked.

Robert turned to shout her down, the angry words on the tip of his tongue but Edric merely smiled and answered. "I rather like the cold my Queen. It's always been my preferred climate." Robert seemed to have been distracted at that point by another serving girl.

The Queen, unsatisfied by his answer, plowed on. "But surely it would pay better in the south. You could advise anywhere from Highgarden to Casterly Rock to Kings Landing and make far more."

"I'm sure it would my Queen. But I've lived as a sort of monk for most of my life so my living conditions here are more than comfortable. Besides that, Lord Stark saved my life. I was near death when he found me so in a sense, if all he requires of me to repay my debt is a bit of council then I will gladly give it."

"I see." Cersei answered, sipping her wine, the sneer evident on her face.

"Leave the man alone woman!" Robert shouted. He turned to Edric, his eyes startlingly clear considering how drunk he was. "Ned needs all the help he can get up here in the cold North." And in that moment, Edric had a vision, a vision of King Robert lying on a bed, his leg wrapped with blood-soaked bandages telling someone not to allow the Lannisters to get their claws into the Prince. Edric couldn't see who he was talking to but he got the sense that Robert was going to die. He didn't know when but the vision showed Robert as he was in present day so it couldn't be too far off. Then, as soon as it started it seemed to be over and everyone was looking at him oddly. "Sorry" he said smiling weakly. "I must have had too much to drink tonight. With your permission my Lord, your Grace." He rose and left the Hall, heading out into the cold northern wind. He thought back to the vision. The king is going to die soon. The Force was still vague on time and circumstances, but he knew that the death of the king was almost a certainty.

The next morning, Edric was called the Ned's study by the Lord of Winterfell himself. Bracing himself for questions he walked towards the room to see Robb walking out, dazed. In his hands he held the Stark ancestral sword Ice. He didn't even speak as he walked past Edric in a state of shock. With a sigh Edric entered the open door to see Lord Stark looking pensive. "You called for me my Lord?"

Ned started then gestured to the seat in front of the desk. "Please, sit."

Edric eased himself into the chair. "What's going on Ned?"

"I've decided to accept Robert's proposal. I'll take the job as Hand to the King. Sansa will come with me to be married to Prince Joffery. I would take Arya and Bran but they are too wild for King's Landing." He tried to smile but it came across as a grimace.

"There's something you're not telling me." Without another word Ned passed a letter to Edric. It was penned by Lysa Arryn, Jon's widow and Catelyn Stark's younger sister. It accused the Lannisters of killing her husband. "She could be lying."

"Why would she do that?"

"To cover up something. I don't know but I have a bad feeling about this."

"So last night wasn't a drunken stupor then? I thought as much. You don't drink."

Edric grinned. "For good reason too. Anyway, I had a vision of King Robert on his deathbed and it's not far into the future Ned."

"Perhaps I can prevent it then. Would it not be remiss of me not to do what I can?"

"The Force sends visions often times as a warning. Master Yoda once said that the best way to heed those warnings were often times to do nothing at all. A man I considered a brother betrayed our entire order to keep his visions from coming to pass and yet the actions that he took to prevent them ended up being the cause of them. My Lord if you go to King's Landing, not only will Robert probably die, and outside of your control as well, you may also die."

"My life is no precious thing to me Edric. My honor requires me to do what I can. Robert's my friend I can't leave him like this!"

"And what of your children?"

"Robb is ready and I have every faith that Jon and Theon will keep Robb straight and you will protect them and guide them just as you swore to me three years ago. I need to at least try Edric."

Edric sighed, rubbing his hands over his face exasperated. He knew the look that Ned had on his face now. He was determined and he would not be deterred. "Very well my Lord. Be careful though. Places like King's Landing tend to be a snake pit."

"Aye, but I'll be fine don't you worry about me." Edric couldn't help but worry though.

"Are you sure you wouldn't rather have me with you? I probably won't be able to save Robert but I know that I could save you."

"I've already said that my life is no precious thing to me. Besides I'd rather have you here in case something happens. Robb will need your help."

"My Lord forgive me, but if there is a way to keep you from death my oath binds me to do so. I swore to protect the entire Stark family which includes you first and foremost."

"You also swore to serve me and heed my commands."

"As long as those commands don't jeopardize your life. Besides that, do you think your son will forgive me if you die and me being with you may have saved you? You're talking about a huge conspiracy, one that may have gotten the last Hand killed and I'll be damned if I let it add you to that list."

Ned looked at him wearily. "You won't be persuaded from this then?"

"No. We're a like in once we get something in our head very little can change it."
Ned shook his head in exasperation. "Very well if it'll ease your mind, it couldn't hurt to have you there."

"No, it won't." I couldn't save Anakin but I'll be damned if I let you die. He thought to himself. "When will we leave?"

"Two days from now. The queen is eager to return home."

"She's definitely not at home in the North."

"No certainly not." Ned snorted with a grin although Edric could see the sadness in those eyes.

Two days passed without incident and then it was time to go. As everyone mounted up, Ned was giving last minute instructions to Robb and Theon. "Remember, if anything happens protecting Jon is all that matters. If Edric's vision does come to pass then Jon will be the key."

"You mean war father?" Robb asked.

"Gods I hope not. But if the Lannisters are behind Jon Arryn's death then likely they'd be behind Robert's as well. Jon has an Aunt roaming around the Free Cities somewhere, if worst comes to worst then you could probably seek her aid in gaining allies. Hopefully this won't be necessary but I'll get word to you if I can. Remember, prepare for the worst but hope for the best." With that he embraced Robb one last time, gripped Theon by the shoulder and moved to say goodbye to his wife. "Keep him straight Cat but try to leave him some room to grow."

"I will Ned don't you worry. And I'll make sure Jon doesn't sulk too much." Catelyn said with a small smile though it was a sad one. Finally, Ned mounted up and, along with Edric, they rode to catch up to the king's host.

"Don't worry my Lord, we won't be gone too long." Edric advised sagely.

Ned looked startled. "Oh?"

"I told you, Robert's death will be outside of our control. Just watch my Lord. We'll be riding back to Winterfell with all haste within a year."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because there's a storm coming, I'm afraid." Edric pursed his lips into a grim line. "I had hoped to never have to fight another war but it seems to be unavoidable at this point. The country is a powder keg waiting to blow. There's no escaping that."

Ned had nothing to say to that. It was a depressing thought, but Edric was rarely ever wrong. "We can try to avoid it, though can't we?"

"Oh, I agree we should try to avoid it. Futile as it seems that is the right thing to do my Lord. I agree with you there. Lady, heel." The direwolf looked at him and fell back beside him. "You make everyone nervous girl. Sansa is fine I promise. We'll keep her safe."

"Another force ability?"

"Oh yes. It lets me communicate with animals, to a point anyway. The more intelligent they are the easier it is. Thankfully, direwolves are frighteningly intelligent." And so, they trekked for over a month, having to stop every now and then so the king could eat and drink before they carried on down the King's Road. On and on they went until finally, they arrived. They smelled it first though. "By the force that stinks."

"Aye it does. That's the smell of the big city my friend. Are you sure you don't want to turn back?"

"Don't be silly my Lord, you'd be lost here without me."

"You're probably right. Besides that, I need you to keep an eye on Sansa as well."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I don't quite trust the prince as of yet. There's something about him I don't like."

"You and me both my Lord. Consider her watched. At least until she's in the bath, I'm afraid I'll need to just rely on my senses at that point."

"I agree that's probably for the best." Ned said dryly.

"Your daughter is beautiful my Lord but she's a bit young for me."

"How young is too young?"

"Oh, I'd say a decade or so at this point. I'm barely 26 years old my Lord."

"Sansa's always liked you."

"Really? I always figured that she thought I was mad."

Ned laughed at that. "Perhaps that too yes. She likes to watch you train though."

"Yes, well as I said, she's too young for me. I'm many things but a pedophile isn't one of them."

"A what?"

"A pedophile is someone who likes children in a sexual manner. It's disgusting and I've killed a few of those in my lifetime."

"Ahh yes I have as well. Although 13 isn't considered too young here. I imagine as soon as she flowers Robert will be looking to marry her to the prince."

"I'm not from here my Lord. Thirteen is too young for me. Besides that, if my vision comes true, which I believe it will, then Sansa won't be marrying anyone."

"True enough. Can't say that'll displease me too much."

As they arrived to the Red Keep and everyone made their way inside, Edric couldn't help but notice the grandness of where they were. As gawdy as it was, it was hauntingly beautiful in a weird way. After they had settled in, Ned was awarded the pin of Hand and the chambers that went with it.

As Ned walked towards the Chambers where the Small Council were to meet, he thought about his friend Robert and how he had changed. Gone was the warrior who had fought to save his betrothed. Gone was the man he had loved and respected as a brother. The man he saw when he looked at Robert was different from who he had been. Robert still told the same crude jokes and he was too flirty for his own good, but Robert was different. He was angrier than he had been before and it never helped when he was deep in his cups. Robert didn't used to hit women but he'd seen him strike the queen on more than one occasion. Ned could never imagine doing that to Cat even when her tongue was at its sharpest. No, Robert was definitely not the same man he had been. But Ned shook those thoughts as he made his way into the Small Council chamber.

Edric sat outside of his chambers on the balcony meditating. Suddenly, his senses perked up as the door opened and shut. The footfalls he heard coming definitely didn't match Ned's. In fact, they matched someone else whom he had yet to interact with. "So, the infamous Kingslayer decides to visit little old me."

The knight Jaime Lannister made his way out onto the balcony. "I was merely curious. I've heard so much about Lord Stark's famous new advisor I just had to see for myself."

"I see. That's nice. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe you for a second, but it's nice of you to say. So, why are you really here?"

"Well, I am curious. What role do you intend to play here?"

"Do I have to have specified role? Perhaps I'm here to merely observe the circus that is politics."

The knight snorted at that. "Everyone in this shit-heap of a city has a role to play, even a lowly advisor such as yourself."

Edric couldn't help but smile at that. "I suppose my role will be whatever the circumstances dictate."

"That sounds rather ominous."

"It was meant to. One never knows what the future holds. Us lowly advisors have to be on the lookout."

"I haven't met many advisors I'm afraid so I wouldn't know."

"Oh? You mean the entire Small Council isn't full of advisors?"

"Oh no, they are the true rulers of this kingdom. The king himself is little more than a figure head at this point."

Edric snorted. "That certainly doesn't match his personality."

"He certainly has one of those. But it's not one suited to ruling."

"For a man who is sworn to protect the king, you sure are cynical about his life." Edric smiled.

"Yes, well my opinions about my king are my own." Jaime Lannister sneered.

"That's true, just as mine are my own as well."

The Kingslayer snorted at the comment but continued to ponder on the advisor even as he left.

Edric smiled to himself. Jaime Lannister liked to act as if he could careless, but he did. There was a lot of good hidden under the nonchalant, cynical shell. He looked up at the sky as the sun began to wane in the sky marking the move into the afternoon, a pensive look on his face. Something is coming. Perhaps sooner rather than later. I can only hope that I am ready for whatever the future brings. He thought about the Starks and what they were possibly about to go through and he knew then he'd do whatever he could to make sure everyone named Stark survived the coming battles. He thought then about his former padawan. Karina, I can only hope I'm doing the right thing.

Sorry it's taken so long but I've got a lot of stuff going on so I'll update when I can. Enjoy!