Ned
When Jon told him he wanted to join the Night's Watch, Ned nearly fell out of his seat. His son wanted to go North like his brother. Ned was speechless. He could see that the boy meant it and invoked arguments that he was too young and too green. But Jon stood firmly and so he left the subject for another day.
That night, he struggled to sleep. Should I tell him now? Make sure he knows what he is giving up? A claim to the Iron Throne? Jon has no claim, a voice in Ned's head said. Robert won the Throne. The throne that Jon's ancestor built, said another. The Kingdoms Aegon had conquered. Gods, what was he to do? Lyanna would never forgive him if he sent her son to the Night's Watch, but perhaps this was the best course of action? Jon would swear whatever claim he might have and remove the risk of another war and more orphans and dead children like in the last war.
But what then, when Jon returned in all black and with his vows said, Ned would tell him the truth. He tried to see Jon's face, the look of betrayal was bad enough when he imagined it. He will have been condemned to the Wall in hopes of a better life than that of a bastard, but he'll learn he was the true son of a prince whom swore away all his rights. But what if he would not stand for it? If Jon swore himself as Jon Snow, would the revelation that he is truly Maekar Targaryen be enough for him to be released from the oaths he took not knowing what he had sworn away? Ned could only hope he could talk him out of it. Jon was a smart boy, he would one day be a wise man, but emotions cloud judgment. He could only hope.
Cat noticed something was wrong in the morning but he dismissed her worries. He announced Robert's plans at breakfast. Sansa was thr most excited to meet the royal family. Joanna was awfully quiet as they overwhelmed her with questions about her family.
Ned frowned slightly. He realised that the girl was somewhat unhappy at her old home, she was timid and meek and barely spoke of her family. Cersei Lannister he could somewhat understand, but Robert was a surprise. He learned that Joanna never got on with her brother, whom the Queen was said to idolize. Perhaps this was the reason.
He noticed Cat smiling.
"What is it, Cat?" he asked.
"I'm just thinking of what it'll be like when the king gets here".
"I'm sure Anna will be happy to see her family again" Ned told her.
"Yes," said Cat thoughtfully. She was looking at Robb now.
"Cat what is it?" he asked more firmly.
"Haven't you figured it out?" she said quietly.
"My lady?"
"I think Robert wants a betrothal".
Ned nearly gasped.
"Betrothal?"
"Why do you think he sent Joanna to Winterfell? He wants her matched with Robb."
Ned stared at his wife for a long moment. His son and Robert's daughter. He knew Robert would love the idea, he wouldn't mind their lines joining either. But as he looked at his son and the girl, he could not imagine them as anything but friends as they are now. He knew they were fond of eachother, but nothing more and he doubted they would ever be.
The next days clouded his many worries with the preparations, organizing the feast and the hunts that Robert would surely love. Joanna was quieter than usual as was Jon. They didn't seem to speak to each other as they usually did.
Hd and Jon didn't speak much either, until Ned had enough and asked him to speak in the Godswood.
"Have you thought about what I said?" Ned asked him.
"Aye" he answered, two pairs of Stark eyes looking deeply into one another.
"And?"
"I want to go with Uncle Benjen, father. I want to join the Night's Watch."
Ned closed his eyes and signed.
"Are you certain?"
"Aye."
Ned nodded, trying to hide his resignation. This was Jon's choice, not his.
"You will be a man soon, my boy, it is up to you to say those words and you alone. If you swear that you shall mean them, then I believe you."
Jon nodded.
"I am always proud of you son, never forget that."
Jon nodded, trying to blink back his tears. Ned wrapped his arms around the boy and they hugged fiercely as the inevitability of their goodbye settled in.
"Go see what your brothers and sisters are doing. I live it up to you to tell them."
Jon nodded again and went away. Ned knelt down to pray for a time. As he made his way back towards Winterfell, he saw a figure moving between the trees. Coming forward to take a closer look, almost expecting the mother wolf to have come back, he saw it was Joanna. Her eyes snapped upwards as she saw him, and Ned almost smiled. She looked much like her father when she was surprised.
"Lord Stark," she said in surprise.
"Joanna, what are you doing here?" he asked softly.
"I come here sometimes," she answered.
"Why" asked Ned in surprise.
She shrugged her shoulders.
"I just like it here."
"You shouldn't be out here alone," Ned told her.
"You sound like Jon, my lord".
"Jon is right. Come along. Its getting late."
She drifted to his side. They walked in silence back towards Winterfell until Joanna spoke up.
"He wants to go, doesn't he?"
Ned immediately knew who "he" was and hesitated.
"That's up to him".
She nodded. She looked him in the eyes.
"Do you want him to go?"
Ned stared at her wordlessly, unsure of what to say.
"It doesn't matter."
"Doesn't it?" she said, looking at him almost like she challenged him.
"No" he said firmly and she gave up.
"My father is taking me home," she said.
"We don't know that," Ned said.
"Yes we do".
"No, we don't, '' he said, wondering if Cat was right about the betrothal. If Joanna was to truly wed his son, she would surely stay here in Winterfell or at least return soon.
"I don't want to go" she said quietly.
"Why?" Ned asked.
"I was never happy there." She raised her head. "I was happy here."
Ned looked at her sadly.
"Why weren't you happy?" he asked her.
She looked down.
"I just didn't fit in there with them."
"Are you sure that's all?" Ned asked, looking at her carefully.
She nodded.
The rest of the way to Winterfell was left silent. Joanna went straight to her room. He caught Jon in the training yard sparring with Robb. He etched them for a moment then retired himself, hoping to prepare for whatever trials the King's visit may bring.
Joanna
She and Jon hadn't spoken much since their last talk, there was no bad blood between, they simply began to feel that their paths were splitting up.
When Lord Stark told the rest of his family that her own family were due to arrive, Sansa nearly let out a squeal and has been going on about it, asking her questions about them.
"What's your mother like?"
"She's nice, I guess," said Joanna, trying to make herself sound genuine.
"Should I get her a gift? What would she like?"
"Maybe a handkerchief?"
"Tell me about your brother again. You don't talk much about him."
"I haven't seen him in years, Sansa".
"But you know what he must have liked!"
"Sansa, the only gift he'll need is having a girl like you for a friend" she told her, trying to end the conversation without upsetting her.
The days passed by uneventfully, as Lord and Lady Stark mainly managed preparations. But it was incredible to see how big the direwolves were getting. She sometimes helped feed them, and the only instance when she was ever scared of them was when they would show their fangs. Ghost was as big as the rest of his siblings now, and even more like his namesake, for he moved as quiet as a shadow and even when he snarled at the kitchen dogs he refused to make a noise. The wolves were getting very well trained, they moved by their masters' sides and seemed to understand their commands even when they went unsaid.
The days went by and before she knew it the day had come. She stood beside the Starks as her father's entourage entered through Winterfell's gates. Southern Knights were much more vibrant than Northern warriors, she realised. She began to get nervous when she saw the Kingsguard approach in front of the wheelhouse. Noticing a flash of gold amidst them, she spotted her uncle leading them. Jaime Lannister apparently hadn't aged a day, he looked as sharp and handsome as ever. She noticed what looked like a small smile appear on his face when he looked her way, and it made her feel less nervous thankfully.
But when he stepped aside and she saw her father, she almost fell over. The years of feasting and drinking have taken their toll at last. Ahe revered her father in her earliest memories as tall, muscular, and fierce. She realised he had been rather handsome now that she was an older girl. When she had left he had grown weary and broader, but now Robert Baratheon had grown...wide, no fat, she had to be honest. His beard was a black bush of unruly hair and his face was broad, with dark circles under his eyes from constant drinking, it was clear.
"Oh, Ned" he roared with delight as he hugged Lord Stark, who clearly was as shocked as Joanna as how far he had let himself go with his habits. Her father turned to her and exclaimed again.
"Gods, look at you, I hardly recognize you, what have you done to my daughter Ned?" he said happily.
"Hello, Father" she said, realising how much taller he was than her.
"That's no way to treat your father, is it?" he said happily as he wrapped her in an almost crushing hug that could have been lethal if he so bid.
"My girl" he said softly as he let go. "I missed you..."
"I missed you too, Father" she said earnestly, surprised by how warm he seemed to her.
"You gave them hell like I asked you?" he said smiling as she laughed.
"I tried."
"Good, good, here's your brother. Joffrey say hello to your long lost sister."
Joanna's laughter died down though she kept the smile on her face. She turned to look beside her father. Joffrey was all Lannister as always. His green eyes were sharp and piercing like their mother's, while his hair was still long and golden. He was wearing a smile on his face though his eyes showed little emotion.
"Hello, sister" he said stiffly.
"Hello, brother" she answered, also stiff.
The King seemed not to notice and ushered them closer to tge wheelhouse.
Her mother emerged first. Like her brother she had aged at all though her hair seemed longer and her face heavier. But she smiled as she made her way towards her.
"My dear girl" she said softly as she embraced her. "You're so beautiful."
"Thank you, mother" answered Joanna, putting on a smile to hide her unsurety.
Cersei Lannister stroked her daughter's dark hair with a grin then they turned to the children behind her. Myrcella was looking to be a pretty girl who would one day be a beautiful woman like their mother. She had the same smile on her face that Joanna had loved when she was a babe. Lysa Arryn had not lied. Tommen was all Lannister,but the softness on his face was not. He looked shy as he approached them with her sister.
"Joanna!" cried Myrcella, coming to wrap her in a hug. Joanna hugged back fiercely, loving the feeling of her little sister with her again. She did not realise how much she missed her. When she finally let go, she came over to her youngest brother.
"Hello, Tommen," she said with a smile.
He looked up at her meekly.
"Are you really my big sister?" he asked softly.
"Yes, I am".
The hug caught her off guard but she welcomed it with happiness.
Her uncle Jaime had a small embrace for her and a warm smile. She recognized other men, the Hound, Sandor Clegane with a half burnt face, but she smiled when she saw the man beside him.
The smile that broke on Tyrion Lannister's face was the warmest of all.
"Hello, Flamespitter" he said as she knelt down slightly to hug him.
After all the greetings were made, her father asked Lord Stark to take him to the crypts so he could pay respects to Lyanna Stark's grave. She saw her mother grimace and state that he should accompany them to the castle, but he refused and the two were gone soon enough. The rest of them were left to settle the guests in. Her mother requested that she show her siblings to their rooms. They went to Joffrey's first, where Myrcella happily announced they had brought presents.
Myrcella's was a handkerchief she had sawn herself with the Baratheon and Lannister sigil. It reminded her of her pendant.
"Uncle Tyrion thought you'd like it" Myrcella said and Joanna smiled.
Tommen's was a beautifully carved stag pendant that his mother and Uncle Jaime helped him make.
"Thank you, little brother".
Joffrey's was a simple silver Baratheon hairpin that she accepted politely.
"Thank you, brother".
She smiled at them.
"Now for my presents," she said.
To Myrcella she gave a Northern white coat Lady Catelyn helped her find.
"Thank you," said Myrcella with delight.
"Now yours little brother" she said as she brought a basket from under her bed.
"What is it?" asked Tommen curiously.
Joanna lifted the lid and Tommen exclaimed in delight. The ginger cat lifted its head from the box, its eyes yellow. It had a black and yellow ribbon wrapped around its neck.
"Is he mine?" he asked.
"Of course".
Tommen took the cat and hugged it happily, the cat itself wearing a smug look on its bushy face.
"I'll call him Ser Lion!" he shouted happily.
"A fitting name" said Joanna as her little brother roared playfully as she heard her other brother snort.
"Stop behaving like a girl" he told Tommen, and Joanna quickly scrambled for Joffrey's gift, having learnt that diverting his attention would sometimes quell his wrath.
She lifted the sword up high in its hilt, made of gleaming blue steel, with a leather grip and a gold lion's-head pommel. She had it forged at the Winterfell forge, spending the coin she had gathered from the allowance Lord Stark gave her and the coin her father sent her. Joffrey's eyes lit up in interest as he took the sword in his hand. He unsheathed it and the three of them were scared for a moment as he lifted it high to examine it, and Joanna for the first time thought she saw her brother look impressed.
"I thank you, sister," he said, not taking his eyes off the blade. "Let us see how strong it is".
He swiped and cut the column of the bed in two with one swipe, then he cut up a curtain. They backed away as wood and fabric to the ground and Joffrey smiled, satisfied.
"Strong enough, I shall call it Lion's Tooth, and pray it serves me well, sweet sister."
They're mother soon sought them out with Lady Stark and Joanna took it upon herself to explain the damage in Joffrey's room, being careful not to make her brother, whom stood leaning against his sword as if nothing was wrong, seem at fault. Tommen happily lifted his kitten.
"Another one" said their mother. "We'll be having a room built for these beasts. Now let's get to the feast, your father has finally returned."
Her mother took Joanna by the shoulder and led her towards the Great Hall. She smiled down at her daughter.
"You remember who you are, don't you" she whispered so quietly no one heard her.
Joanna wasn't sure what to say. So she simply nodded and gulped slightly as her mother's grip became more firm.
Ned
He did not recognize Robert when he saw him, he had to admit. His kingly clothes could not hide his belly nor his darkened eyes. Robert had always been a heavy drinker, but this caught Ned completely off guard.
They were now in the Winterfell crypts visiting Lyanna's tomb. He gazed sadly at the statue a dull impression of the woman who was so full of life who captured so many hearts.
"Curses, why did you have to bury her here, Ned?" Robert asked. "She deserved better than darkness."
"She was of the North. Her ancestors were buried here for centuries and she wished to be so as well."
"Yes, you Northerners do have a frozen look on the world don't you?" said Robert looking at him.
He turned back to Lyanna sadly.
"I wish that dragonspawn could have suffered more" he said dangerously.
"You killed him" said Ned, feeling uncomfortable to hear Robert insult Rheagar in front of Lyanna. He had his own feelings about the man and how he behaved and the consequences of that behavior on both their families but he was Lyanna's love so he gave his goodbrother that respect. He even left the Targaryen sigil behind Lyanna's statue but removed it before Robert's visit. No one should ever see it unless they meant to find something, but he knew the consequences of being wrong would be severe.
"Yes, I killed him. I do it every night in my dreams, Ned, every night, for what he did to my Lyanna. Our Lyanna. Gods, if I could so much as do it again, oh, I would make it hurt, trust me. He would suffer like she suffered."
Ned looked to the ground as Jon came into his mind and the thought that Robert's fantasies could become a reality if he discovered Rheagar had one more son. Robert's hatred of the Targaryens was truly horrifying. But he needed to see how strong it was, to know if he could ever undo the lie and stop the guilt of lying to his son and his brother by choice. He would not have to let Jon take his vows, maybe even restore his true name. As hopeless as he sadly knew it was he asked,
"What about the others?"
Robert raised his eyebrows.
"What others?"
"Elia, Aegon, Rheanys. They were innocent."
"Innocent!" shouted Robert, almost choking in the world. "They were monsters, Ned, all of them."
"They were children, Rheanys and Aegon. Slaughtered."
"Dragonspawn! You of all people should know that! Damn it, Ned, she was your sister" he pointed at the statue. "How dare you say that in front of her? How dare you corrupt the justice we gave her all those years ago?!"
"Robert..." whispered Ned in horror,relieving the shock he had faced when the bodies of Elia and her children were lined up in the throne room.
Robert seemed to calm down at the look on his face and signed.
"I know you are a man of honor and a good man, Ned. But I'll not be moved on what I know is true. I understand, he'll, I even admire that you put what you think is right in front of your own damn feelings, but let's not scratch old wounds open over something that cannot be changed. It's over, Ned. The war is over and the dragon's are no more and we need to live with it."
Three dragons still live, Ned thought. One is right under your nose. Oh, but he knew he would never tell. First he would kill Jon, no he would butcher Jon for the actions of his father and then his whole family. Ned loved Robert, truly but the thought that he could be capable of that...
He and Robert stood in silence fir some time, then they finally left and climbed the steps back into the light.
"Do you think it rubbed off on Joanna?" asked Robert, apparently forgetting their conversation.
"Your Grace?"
"Robert" he said, with a teasing sternness.
"Robert?"
"I asked if you think your Northern habits rubbed off on my daughter".
"She's certainly mellow, I'm sure you'll find. She's clever too and an excellent drawer. She drew the Godswood from merely Jon Arryn's words."
"Yes, poor Jon" said Robert as they both remembered why they were together now. "Yes, she is clever and talented. Gods, I hate to admit but sometimes I think she'd be better off on the Iron Throne than Joffrey."
"Truly" Ned asked surprised.
"Yes, the boy is willful, but Gods he is so spoiled by that mother of his. That never threatened Joanna, she always stayed away, tucked in the corner, eyes stuck to whatever book the Imp got her. Meek, but willful when she had to be. If only she had been born a man. But that would be too easy, I guess. I'll have to teach my son to rule properly. But I can't start without you with me."
Ned stopped in his tracks. Robert smiled.
"I want you with me, Ned, down South. You helped me get that damn throne. We were meant to rule together."
"Robert?"
"Kneel".
Ned knelt almost against himself, such was his shock at what was happening.
"Eddard Stark, I would name you Hand of the King".
Ned rose and looked Robert in the eyes.
"Why me?"
"Who else?" Robert laughed. "Stannis, he would let me have no fun, Gods he is dull, that brother of mine. Renly, he'd bankrupt me in a week. No, Ned, it's you I trust as much as Jon Arryn."
"Winterfell" asked Ned calmly.
"It can stay with your son. That boy will learn how to be a lord while you run the realm for me."
Robert was right, it would be good for Robb to be left as acting Lord for the day he became the true Lord of Winterfell.
"And now for the other part of my plans''said Robert, his eyes twinkling. "A union of our bloodlines, the chance to become brothers like were meant to become before Rheagar stole our Lyanna. A betrothal."
Ned looked Robert in the eyes again.
"Cat suspected so. She said why else would you send Joanna..."
"No,no,no" said Robert quickly. "I considered it but no. She would be my first choice, she'd make a fine Lady for your son. But those damn flowers..."
"The Tyrells?" Ned asked, confused.
"They're after the crown, Ned, they have been for decades. They want a betrothal, no official talk, but its clear. I'll not have Margaery Tyrell, the apprentice of the Queen of Thorns, the sneaky witch, whispering in my son's ear and corrupting him further. I'll satisfy the dragon lovers with a marriage to their heir, for my daughters will marry only the firstborns. A daughter of Ned Stark will surely set my boy on the right path."
"So you wish..."
"Sansa to Joffrey, Joanna to Willas Tyrell. My daughter is smarter than the Queen of Thorns, of that I'm certain. She'll keep the dragon lovers on line when she's in Highgarden. And your daughter will make a wonderful queen."
"I am honored, Robert," said Ned, not betraying his shock. "But Sansa is young..."
"Old enough for a betrothal" said Robert, waving his hand dismissively.
"I shall have to think about it."
"Yes, sleep on it if you must. Speak to your wife. But don't keep me waiting, will you, Ned, will you?" he said with a smile.
"Of course".
He hardly remembered the feast they attended afterwards. The revelations going through his mind... Leaving Winterfell to Robb so he may become Hand. Sansa a Queen.
But then after the feast he met his brother. Benjen had a smile for him and they embraced happily.
"Robert always liked a good celebration, didn't he?" said Benjen with a smile.
"Aye, he does."
"We should speak on the morrow, Ned" said Benjen suddenly.
"About what?" Ned asked surprised.
"Jon wants to join the Night's Watch. He's young but he is sure. I need your counsel on this, Ned."
Ned weighed in the words.
"Yes, we will speak on the morrow."
His mind snapped back into Jon's situation. The decision was hard and he was sure of the course he would set the boy on. But of Jon went North, he needed to be prepared. Benjen would ensure that Jon knew the weight of the decision to take the black and that the Watch is one's life once he takes it. Ned would be unable to guide Jon at Wall, so he had to ensure Benjen would and when he told Jon, the boy would understand. But fir that to happen, he would have to face his fear abd do what he should have done fourteen years earlier.
He had to tell Benjen.
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