Ned
Three years had passed, and the challenge of taking in three children that were not truly his own, had been harder than he thought. Sure, Jon was his supposed bastard, and he and his three year old aunt were just that age, but nonetheless it was harder than expected.
Daenerys barely survived infancy without her mother. The cold of the North had made the infant sick, but thanks to Maester Luwin, she pulled through.
Viserys, well, he was truly the only one that was sort of a problem. Most of his time in the first year he spent in his room, or in his sister's room. The past two years he began to adjust, but he hated everyone around him, calling every northman and Ned himself traitors and usurpers.
The boy had a right to believe that, but he didn't have to go around insulting everyone. One night, he tried to sneak out of Winterfell. That same night he came back himself, just when a search party was preparing to leave. Apparently he accepted that he couldn't survive out there on his own, in the 'Cold wasteland you northern traitors call home' Viserys exact words.
The boy may be just that, a boy. However, with his eighth name day past, that would not be an excuse for long.
Another problem was his wife, Catelyn. They had formed somewhat of a bond over the past three years, but she loathed Jon. he wished he could tell her the truth, to spare his nephew the hurt. But alas, he still didn't trust her completely.
She was currently carrying his second child. Maester Luwin predicted that the baby would come within a few days, maybe sooner. He was hoping for a girl, seeing how he was essentially raising three boys and one girl. Though he would be glad to have another son if the gods were good.
Standing on the ramparts of the castle walls, he watched in the courtyard as Viserys trained with a wooden sword against ser Rodrick. It was the only thing the lad enjoyed doing, but watching him fight reminded Ned of watching Rhaegar fight on the trident.
He had seen the dragon knight in action, not when he fought Robert, but as he struck down Stark and Baratheon soldiers. Rhaegar was a tough man to fight, and he was glad he did not face the Targaryen prince on the field.
But he doubted the boy would turn out like his brother. The kindness, compassion, and strength that Rhaegar had just didn't seem to fit Viserys in his mind.
"I do wonder if this is a wise course of action, Lord Stark." Maester Luwin said as he watched beside him. "The boy is a Targaryen, and the king-"
"For god's sake Luwin, he's just a boy." he interrupted the maester. After a second, he sighed and glanced over at the man. "If it becomes a problem i'll handle it, alright?"
The maester gave a slight nod, and revealed a parchment in his hand. "Your friend from the night's watch has sent another message." he handed Ned the message so he may read it.
Opening the letter, he read it to himself.
Lord Eddard Stark
It has been some time since my last raven was sent. I was simply curious how the children were, and if they were getting along nicely. While I do hate what happened during that dreadful war, I am again thankful to you for protecting them. Please do keep them close, and for the son, I must say that I disagree with the life you gave him, but it may have been the only safe way.
Secondly, we are undermanned here, and brother Benjen thought you would be willing to spare a few men and send them here to take their vows. The Wildlings are still a threat, and due to being seriously undermanned, some have climbed over the Wall near abandoned forts.
Maester Aemon of Castle Black
Maester Aemon, he was a good man to be certain. After news reached the elder about Viserys and Daenerys being taken as wards in Winterfell, the two got in touch. Of course, they mostly only communicated when it was important business for the Watch, such as need for more men or supplies.
He pitied the old Maester, for what happened to his family. But, there was no changing things now. Aemon did know about Jon, but only because Ned told him, and the man had a hunch. He told him because he knew Aemon wouldn't say anything, and why would he? Jon was both their blood, and Aemon would never risk losing what remains of the old dynasty.
Looking from the letter to Luwin, he sighed. "Send ravens to our bannermen, inform them they are to round up any criminal they have or find and are to send them to the Wall, as well as any volunteers."
The Maester nodded, "Very good my lord." Luwin turned and walked off to do just as instructed, and Ned turned his gaze back to the courtyard.
Viserys was on the ground again, sweating and bruised. Rodrick seemed to be going strong still, and Viserys had the determination not to give up.
So the Targaryen picked up his wooden sword, breathing heavily, and lunged at Cassel. Unfortunately for him, the far more experienced swordsman moved to the side, and Viserys fell face first into the ground.
He then got up, sword in hand, and threw it across the courtyard and stormed off, much to Rodricks displeasure.
Ned could only sigh in disappointment at the outburst of the lad, and he walked away to his quarters. Even the lord of Winterfell had his duties, and he had to write his yearly message to the king, keeping Robert informed on how the children were doing, and that they were not plotting a rebellion.
Viserys
"Fucking Cassel!" He muttered angrily as he stormed into his room. "Ill show him, ill be better than every fucking one of them!" he declared as he sat in his chair against the window looking out over the walls and onto the grass plains beyond the castle.
The day he turned four he wanted to learn to fight with a sword. Rhaegar was the best fighter in the seven kingdoms, and Viserys wanted to be just like him, but better.
The Usurper cheated, that was the only reason Rhaegar died that day. Well he was going to be better than Rhaegar, the usurper, and Rodrick Cassel.
Closing his eyes, he tried to picture his brother's face. It was hard, because he was so young the last time he saw him. All that came to mind were silver hair, indigo eyes, and that he was the most handsome man in all Seven Kingdoms. But try as he did, his brother's face didnt show in his mind.
He could scarcely remember his fathers face, and the only face he would not forget from his family was his mothers, as she died giving birth to his sister. It still haunted him, what happened that fateful night.
"Visey"his toddler sister called to him from behind the door. A Stark guard let her in, and he saw Dany covered in dirt and mud. 'Gods, what has she done now?'
When the door shut and Daenerys entered, a smile on her innocent young face, Viserys stood and walked over to her in the center of the room.
He knelt and put his hands up to clear away the filth on her cheeks. "What did you do this time, sweet sister?" she was just a child, so he did not get angry with her acting like one. But she didn't have to act like a pig rolling around in filth.
She laughed innocently, "Jun an Rob an I hav mud fight." Her explanation was not pleasing, but Viserys smiled nonetheless.
Still, her playing with a bastard and the son of a traitor was not something he preferred, but they were just children, and he would prefer not having the stressful duty of raising her himself. "Well, maybe try to avoid getting so filthy next time, alright?"
She shook her head, "It fun."
Sighing, Viserys nodded, and stood up once he had wiped the mud off her face. "Dany, the world isn't all fun and games, trust me." he knew better than most, after all, he was the only one of the two that understood their true position. The Targaryen hostages of house Stark, ready to be executed at any moment should the Usurpers dog wish it.
"What ten?" she asked, too young to understand, and too young to speak properly.
Sighing, he looked out the window, looking over the horizon beyond Winterfell. Sometimes, he tried to imagine a dragon flying over those fields, setting them ablaze. "I'll tell you when you're older."
Jaime
"You should know, you worry too much." he told his twin sister as they sat across one another in his chambers. She had come down to the Rock to visit her family, wanting to see Jaime and because Robert was a cheating cunt.
She shook her head, "The spider has eyes everywhere, what happens if he picks up on the reason I come here so often."
He smirked, there was an obvious excuse for that. "You come here to visit your father, and your beloved brother who was dismissed from the kingsguard for upholding an oath that was, by all sense, honorable."
His sister scoffed, "honorable? How is risking your life to save two enemies of the crown honorable?" She asked.
Grunting, Jaime rose from his seat. "I had enough of that lecture from father, I don't need it from you." coming back to Casterly Rock after saving the Targaryens was exactly the homecoming party he expected, a heated argument with his dear father.
He could still remember it clearly in his mind. Why his father wasn't thankful he had no idea. 'He should have thanked Robert for giving back his prized heir, not that I wanted it of course'
Walking over to the balcony that overlooked the sea, he waited for Cersei to join him, and apologize. She did join him, but no apology came. "Jaime, when Robert decides to have those children killed do you really think you can stop him?"
Of course he did, his father would listen to him and help the children. Though he had doubts. "Lord Stark will keep them safe, I have no doubt about that." The Starks were too bloody honorable to let their wards be harmed. "But enough about them, right now all I desire is you." he leaned over to kiss her, but she backed away and walked back into the room.
Sighing, he turned back and followed her. "What is it?" he asked, impatient.
She walked by the table and grabbed her wine glass. "I told you, we can't keep doing this." she reminded him of the topic she brought up earlier. "It's too suspicious."
'For god's sake, you're already here.' he thought. As he walked over and sat back in his chair, he watched her drink her wine. "Well then how do we fix that?" He desired few things in this world after all that happened. One of them stood high above the rest, 'Cersei'
She stopped drinking, and held the cup close to her chest as she looked at him. "We could use a new commander of the city watch, and who better to lead them than-"
"I don't think that's the best option." After all, he wasn't even invited to his sister's wedding because of what happened the last time he was there. "Robert would rather put my head on a spike than-"
"Fuck Robert, he hardly acts like a king anyway." she interrupted him. "And you would get away from here, sparing yourself from fathers lessons which you find so boring."
That part was true, it would be an escape from being groomed as his fathers heir and avoiding a betrothal. Thank the gods his father hasn't found anyone he deemed 'worthy' of marrying into house Lannister yet.
And the city watch, the gold cloaks who received their name from Daemon Targaryen, were once a formidable group of knights meant to keep the peace in king's landing. If he could not serve as a member of the kingsguard, then perhaps this was his second best option.
However, there were still a few problems. "And you're certain you could get Robert and Jon Arryn to dismiss commander Stokeworth and install the 'Kingslayer' as the new watch commander?" He doubted it personally, but he desperately wanted to be rid of the duties of the West and be with Cersei in King's Landing.
His sister simply nodded, "Accidents in the city happen often, and we will need a new commander if one happens to commander Stokeworth. And I am the queen, and our house already commands more of the city than the Baratheons. Just trust me on this."
Rather than voice his further doubts, he watched as she walked over to the bed where her year old son Joffrey lay, waking from his nap. Or rather their son, but he would never acknowledge the kid as such. the boy was nothing more than a drop of his seed that he could have done without
Viserys
"She is beautiful, isn't she Ned?" Lady Stark asked her husband about their newborn daughter as the two sat together watching the children play in the courtyard.
He watched too, but from a distance as he and the Stark bitch didn't get along too well. She was always rude to him, made him sit at a lower table when he was the true king, and she seemed to think that she had a right to how Daenerys should be raised. He was Dany's brother, he decided how she was raised.
Now the two had another pup added to their family. The little brats name was Sansa, tully hair like her mother, and as disgusting as her mother too.
Looking back at his sister and Lord Stark's son and bastard, he frowned at the fun she was having. Sure, fun was something she should have, but not with the wrong people. A bastard and a Stark, the worst friends you could have.
The three ran around in circles on their tiny legs, like mindless pups chasing their tails. He was never so stupid as a child, never as pathetic.
But they looked happy, and he sighed at the site. There never was much happiness in his life, and he doubted there ever would be.
That night in the dining hall, he ate his supper at the low table like he always had, accompanied by the bastard and his sister.
It was a night for celebration, for the Starks anyway. The whole castle was celebrating the birth of the newborn, and all the bells in the castle rang. A few Northern Lords showed up as well, though he didn't bother to find out which.
The celebration was nothing compared to his own day of birth however, as there was a tourney in Lannisport and a feast and some Lannister whore being offered to his brother Rhaegar as a bride. His father wisely refused and wed Rhaegar to Elia, as the lions were proven to be vicious traitors.
'Rhaegar' putting his head down he sighed, remembering that he was alone. Daenerys didn't really count, acting like a Northern child thinking the world was a happy place and that she should act like a common peasant girl.
Why did his brother have to fuck everything up. He didn't want to believe it at first, that they were all Northern lies, but he knew them to be true in his heart. 'Rapist, fool, traitor' that was what his brother was, for he caused the downfall of their family.
But he remembered the brother he had when he was younger, the stories spoke about him, how he was a great warrior, the most handsome man alive, and that he had inspired more love than most of the Targaryens before him.
"Are you alright?" an unfamiliar voice asked as the person sat next to him.
Lifting up his head, he looked over at a bearded man, wearing noble clothes with a black bear sewn on his chest. He didn't even care whose sigil that was. "Piss off," he told the man, not wanting to talk to anyone.
"Visey," his sister called to him from across the table. "Catyn Stork doesn't like wen cus." she reminded him.
As if he cared, Lady Stark could go and die in the woods for all he cared. "Dany, shut up." he told his sister before turning back to the stranger. "Piss off."
The man glanced over at Dany and back to him before standing up to leave. He couldn't stand the presence of these people any longer, he wanted to leave.
So he stood up, and left his food and sister behind as he exited the hall. When he walked outside he felt the coldness of the night breeze move against him. He hated the cold.
Eddard
The feast was moving along quite well, his wife had been the planner so he supposed it shouldn't be so surprising.
He wasn't normally one for parties, or celebrations, but today was an exception. He was not here for Robbs' birth, but he was for his daughters. And he was going to do his best to enjoy the feast.
Lords Mormont, Cerwin, and Umber had come by as well, though the Greatjon was mostly here to voice his concern over the Wildlings invading his lands.
"Are you enjoying the food my love?" Cat asked him as they sat at the high table while feasting.
He nodded while he finished chewing the venison in his mouth. "It is a wonderful Cat." he assured her.
Turning to his right where Robb was sitting, he smiled at the mess the boy was making. His table manners had improved in the past few months, but he still made a mess when he ate.
Turning from Robb to Sansa, he smiled, for his family was growing. Speaking of his family, he looked over at one of the lower tables, seeing Jon and Daenerys playing with their food.
The smile vanished when he realized Viserys was not sitting there. "Luwin," he called to the Maester who was sitting beside Catelyn on his left. "Did you see where Viserys went?"
Luwin looked towards the children, and also noticed Viserys' disappearance. "No my lord, perhaps he turned in for the night?"
He personally doubted that. "I'll go find him." Ned said as he stood up from his seat to find the boy.
"Ned," Cat called to him. "Must you leave now, what trouble could the boy possibly get into?"
While that was true, he at least wanted to know where the boy was. "He doesn't have to be present at the feast, I just want to be sure he's alright."
So, kissing his wife on the cheek, he walked towards the door to leave the great hall and find his ward.
Outside in the night, the cold winds blew against him so he knew that Viserys would not be outside, as the boy loved reminding everyone how much he hated the cold.
The most likely spot where Viserys could be was his room. So, Ned wasted no time in going there to find him.
When he arrived and knocked on the door, no answer came at first, so Ned opened it to discover Viserys sitting on his bed. He quickly noticed he was holding something in his hands, but he was turned away from him so he could not tell what it was. "Viserys?"
Taking a few steps closer, he heard the boy sniffle. Viserys turned around and hid the object he held under his sheets. "Go away." the boy demanded.
As Ned moved to the end of the bed, he sighed. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Wiping away the few tears that had been there the Targaryen glared at him. "I don't need to talk to you, traitor." Even after these few years, Viserys had not forgotten the role Ned played in the Rebellion.
Sighing, Ned sat beside him on the bed. Wether Viserys wanted him or not, he was here for him. So the two sat in silence for a long few moments, facing the wall across from the bed. Though he could tell that the boy had glanced over at him once or twice.
It continued for another minute until Viserys finally sighed in defeat. "My brother, he was a fool. Is that what you want me to say?" he asked, though Ned didn't know what brought it up.
Turning his head to face the lilac eyes of his ward, he furrowed his brows in confusion. "What do you mean?"
Viserys grunted, "Every day I have been reminded of how my brother was a raper, a fool, a madman." he raised his tone. "He was wrong to take your whore sister, but he wasn't a-"
"Viserys!" Ned snapped at the foul term he used to describe Lyanna. The boy seemed to know he crossed a line, so he looked down at his feet and began to pick at his nails in silence. "He wasnt mad, nor was he a raper." Ned assured him.
Head popping up, Viserys turned his head in confusion. "What?" The boy seemed to think he had misheard him.
Sighing, he nodded. "Everyone in the realm knows what Rhaegar was. He was a respected, loved, and honored man. He may have made a fine king, but he still caused the rebellion by taking my sister." He wished he could tell Viserys more, that it was not rape or abduction, but it was to risky.
But the boy could at least know that not everyone resented his brother, and that the prince had been a somewhat good man up until his death. "And what of my father," Viserys asked ill-tempered. "Do you have anything good to say about him?"
While he hoped Viserys was not seriously expecting him to say a positive thing about Aerys, which by every god in Westeros he would not, he wouldn't say anything bad about him to Viserys. "I'm not your enemy Viserys, you may remember that it was I who brought you here, rather than let Robert have his way and kill you."
The boy snorted, "Yes, another thing i'm always reminded about." Ned sighed. "That the man who aided in the destruction of my house, was also the man who saved mine and my sisters life." he bowed his head annoyed.
A part of Ned wonders why he should even bother trying, but the rest of him knows that despite everything, Viserys was just a boy, and his ward.
"Your mother, she was a good queen." he reminded Viserys. Like how he did not like talking about Lyanna, Viserys would rather not speak of his mother.
Upon hearing the sniffle that came next from Viserys, Ned looked at where Viserys had hid an object when he came into the room. "The best" Viserys corrected him. "But you betrayed her too."
Reaching under the sheets while Viserys looked down at the floor, Ned didn't believe what he thought he felt. Pulling out the object from the bedsheets he found he was holding a crown, Rhaella Trgaryens crown. "Where did you get this?"
Head shooting up, Viserys tried to take the crown from Eddard's hand, but to no avail. "That doesn't belong to you!" he snapped.
"Viserys, where did you get it!?" Ned asked again, raising his voice. Stannis would never have let Viserys keep the crown, so how this boy managed to hold onto it he was very eager to hear. "Tell me."
Fire in his eyes, Viserys grunted. "I don't know." the boy lied. Ned gave him a sharp look. "It's the truth, I don't know"
Regardless of how he got it, the lad had it. The question now was what to do with it. On one hand, Viserys keeping it could cause him to put forth his claim, resulting in Robert killing him. However, it was the last thing the boy had of his mother, and Ned wasn't cruel enough to take something that meaningful.
Sighing, he released his grasp on the crown, allowing Viserys to take it. After it was in his hands, Viserys looked up at Ned confused. "Keep it here, and don't do anything stupid with it." He strongly advised the boy.
Getting to his feet, Ned proceeded to leave the room. "Why?" Viserys asked before he could leave.
Turning around, Ned's face filled with pity. "That's all you have left of her, I won't take it from you, crown or not."
He proceeded to leave again, but again Viserys spoke. "Lord Stark," Ned turned again to face him, struggling to speak. "Th...nevermind, forget it."
A small silence loomed over them again, until Ned left the room, and returned to the feast.
