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Chapter 11

She was given away and was now in her chambers with her lord husband. Jaime and her were married to strangers. Lysa cried throughout the ceremony. There was no feast. There was no bedding ceremony. Eddard Stark covered her with his cloak and she led him to her chambers.

They were alone now, face to face. Cersei looked at him for the longest time. "I am sorry about your brother and father."

He nodded and sat by a chair near the bed. Cersei sat on the bed and looked at him. "Should I undress?"

"No." Her lord husband replied.

"What do we do then?" Cersei asked him. "We have three days before you go to claim King's Landing for your friend.

"I only want to find my sister." Eddard stated clearly.

Cersei blinked at him. If only he knew that Lyanna had ran away with Rhaegar. "Why did you accept the match?"

The northerner did not look at her face, "Jon Arryn advised that it would be best."

"Why did you not marry Catelyn? It would make sense. She holds the future warden of the North."

Eddard looked at her with impossibly grey eyes, "I am not fond of taking any hand me downs. Never have been."

Cersei felt uncomfortable on the dress. "I am going to undress." Cersei felt no need to cover herself. He was her husband. It would not be unmade now.

She felt his eyes on her. Cersei liked that. Would he want to sleep with her? of course he would. Did she want to sleep with him? She did not see why not. It was expected of her and it would be to her advantage if she carried a son. If it was a boy it could compete with Catelyn's child for the North.

Cersei remained on her shift and went into bed. "It is not comfortable in the chair. You could come here."

Eddard undressed and got under the covers with her, "you are beautiful." He said softly. He looked different up close, younger somehow.

Cersei smiled, "thank you."

They stared at each other for a time, "tell me about you." He said sleepily. He must be tired from the traveling.

"I am nine and ten. My mother died when my baby brother was born." Cersei started. It was the defining event of her life. Cersei used to think about what would have happened if mother were alive.

Eddard looked at her, "My mother died when Benjen was born. A fever took her. Her name was Lyarra. What was your mother's name?" Cersei was surprised by him. She was sure he would start kissing and making his way inside her shift by now. Lord Stark instead wanted to talk. Cersei humored and decided to be honest. She had nothing to lose. Stark would leave to go to war. He could die and she would be a widow or he could come back and remember her fondly.

"Joanna. I loved her very much. I used to remember everything about her but now I have to think really hard to remember her voice or what she looks like." Cersei said openly. It felt good to speak about her beloved mother without having someone wince in pain.

Eddard looked sad, "I do not remember my lady mother at all. Old Nan raised me. She raised us all." Eddard told her about the North. It sounded like a fairy tale land.

Cersei grabbed his hand and examined it. She traced it. Eddard had big hands, "my mother used to sing to me every night. She combed my hair and told me she loved me." Cersei

They talked about their childhood. Eddard told her about growing up North and then going to the Eyrie. He told her about his brothers but did not mention Lyanna at all. He said to call him Ned. All his friends and family did.

Ned smiled, "you looked very sad the last time I saw you."

Cersei nodded, "I saw something that broke my heart."

Ned did not ask any further. They fell asleep after talking more about their families.

The maiden came to serve breakfast and noticed that they were dressed. "Leave." She heard Ned say softly.

The woman scurried away.

"Good morning." He said while grabbing her hand. Cersei tried to not be so startled at his presence.

"Good morning." She answered.

She had to use the chamber pot and so did he. They freshened up and sat in front of each other. "The maiden will bring breakfast. We do not have to go to the main hall." Cersei offered.

Ned agreed. They had breakfast quietly, "have you been to the beach yet?"

"No." Eddard replied.

"I will take you today." She said and dressed for the day. Ned followed her. They walked hand in hand and out of the Rock.

Cersei took him to the private beach. She took out her slippers and walked barefoot. Ned looked at her strangely but then joined her.

They walked alongside the shore. She smiled at the waves. "Do you know how to swim?"

"I do" Cersei did not expect that answer.

"How? It is so cold in the North. Do you swim in your lakes?"

Ned chuckled. It was a small sound, "no. We have springs. They are hot, near our Godswoods."

Cersei stripped to her shift.

"Don't do that. Someone could see you." Ned said.

Cersei shook her head, "no one will. No one comes here. Come on." She invited him to swim with her.

They did. It was different than swimming with her brothers. They did not look at her like they wanted to undress her. She liked that look of his. It made her feel hot all over her body.

She stepped out of the water and laid on the sand while letting the sun dry her. "You remind me of her a bit." Ned said.

There it was, the opening that she needed, "of whom?"

"Lyanna, my sister." He said sadly.

Cersei looked at him, "I met her in Harrenhal. I am not like her. She can fight. I used to switch places with Jaime when we were little but father caught on and then Tyrion needed me."

Ned smiled, "father also refused to let Lyanna fight but she found her ways."

Cersei nodded, "she told me she wanted to be a knight."

Ned ran his hands over his face, "silly girl."

"Do you think the war will be long?" Cersei asked him.

"I don't know. I just want my sister back. She and Benjen are all I have left." He sounded very sad. She thought about Jaime or worse Tyrion away from her, not knowing whether he was safe, if he hurt and her heart beat faster.

Cersei stayed quiet. They dried and went back to her bedchambers. They had some late lunch.

Ned and her talked more and slept side by side. He did not initiate any contact with her, not even one single kiss.

Cersei decided to not push. She needed to gain his trust. She found him attractive. She needed to make him love her. Cersei needed to control him. She only knew she wanted to stay South near Tyrion but how? She needed to wait and think of a strategy.

The third day after her marriage found her saying goodbye to her husband and brothers. She kissed Jaime on the cheek and hugged him tight. She peppered Tyrion with kisses. He was to go with Jon Arryn. They were bound for the Eyrie.

"Be good, listen to the Royces." She whispered. She needed to form a plan to get him back, near her.

Tyrion hugged her tight. "I want to stay with you." Cersei heard his broken voice. Her poor baby brother. She needed him by her side.

"Father will not like to see you cry. How about you let me cry for you?" She sobbed when he nodded. She would exaggerate her reaction now. Let them all think that she was a silly little thing. A young and naive girl. She would show them. She vowed to herself that Tyrion would be with her soon enough.

"Father please, let him stay, father please." Cersei begged once Tyrion was inside a litter.

Tyrion was her soft spot. Everything could be taken away but not her baby brother. She thought that she was prepared to see Tyrion off but she clearly was not.

"Enough Cersei." Her father said sternly. She looked at her lord father with hatred. This was worse than being sold off the strangers.

Cersei quieted. It was time to say goodbye to her lord husband. She was an obedient child as well as a caring wife and sister. It was the mantra that she chanted inside her head.

"My lady." He said and kissed her hand.

Cersei curtsied. "Take care and come back." She put on her little show for the man's benefit.

The three young men rode away from the Rock. Cersei wiped her tears and went back to her chambers.

She fell asleep late that night wondering if Tyrion and Jaime were fine. Jaime could take care of himself but Tyrion… Her Tyrion needed help. He always would and she would be there to make sure that he was well taken care of.