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Chapter 20

Ned understood he was in love with his wife as soon as she left for the West. He longed for her company. He missed talking to her, watching her while she comforted or read to the children. He missed eating alongside her, sleeping by her. He missed watching her sleep. Cersei thought she woke up earlier than him. She was mistaken. His sleep was uneasy ever since Lyanna left with Rhaegar. He had nightmares about the war, the men he killed, the men who died for him, for a cause that was empty.

Jon tried to convince him that Lyanna was a catalyst, that the rebellion would happen sooner rather than later. The Targaryens were mad and overstayed their welcome Jon pointed out. Ned could see his reasoning but understood that had it not been for Lyanna he would have been North. Brandon and father would be alive and they would reasonably pay taxes to Aerys or Rhaegar, whoever ruled. He went back to looking at Cersei. It calmed him to look at her sleeping face.

He could not deny the physical attraction he left when he first met her in Harrenhall. Cersei Lannister was beautiful, even when she was hurt and crying. She was even more beautiful that night when they married. He did not think that she would be more breathtaking than when she was naked under him. Only Cersei was far more beautiful when talking about her brothers and when minding Daenerys and Jon.

His favorite pastime was looking at her play with them. She would catch him looking at her and frowned, "is there something wrong?" She would ask. Cersei always expected something wrong to happen.

He closed his eyes as soon as he felt her stir. It would be a hot day. He could feel his nightshirt sticking to his body. Cersei gingerly left the room to check on Dany and Jon.

Ned looked down at his erection and willed it away. He used the chamber pot and yawned. He heard cries and walked to the nursery. It was the nursery now, Cersei moved her dresses and other things to his own quarters.

Cersei frowned at Dany who was bawling her eyes out. "Mamma." She yelled while Cersei ignored her.

Jon woke up and also began crying. "What happened?" He asked. Cersei picked up Jon who calmed down. She changed him. Cersei remained quiet.

"What happened?" Ned repeated as he went to console the crying child. "Don't pick her up." Cersei told him.

"Why?" Ned asked as Daenerys turned to him, "Papa." She said in the most pitiful voice he'd ever heard from her. Ned took a step closer but Cersei blocked his way.

The handmaids came in, "Your grace, I need to get the prince sorted out." A woman said. Ned handed her the child and looked at Cersei in askance.

Cersei then went to Daenerys who lifted her arms and cried even more. "Your daughter is having a very bad morning. She does not hurt, does not have a fever but woke up in a terrible mood. I am waiting for her to be the polite princess she needs to be."

Daenerys blinked back tears. "MEAN MAMMA." She yelled.

"Very well then, Mamma will go and play with Jon while Daenerys stays all day in the castle with Mikka and Lyca." Cersei stood up.

Ned knew better than to interfere. He retreated slowly. He would have picked up Dany and cheered her. Daenerys had her third name day a few weeks ago. Jon was to have his in a fortnight. Cersei was in the middle of preparing a Tourney and feasts for the occasion. She wanted a feast and a tourney for Daenerys too but Jon Arryn and the rest of the small council opposed it.

Cersei heeded their wishes but made sure to keep him away the whole day before and after Daenerys birthday. "If she is not to have feasts she will have you for three days. It is only fair." Cersei said.

Ned washed his face and dressed for the day. He saw as Cersei came back and dressed too. He usually let her dress in peace and then woke up.

"I am sorry we woke up earlier." She pecked his lips. She was fully dressed.

"No matter." He made to go to the nursery once again.

"Not today." Cersei said and offered him a piece of parchment. He read it quickly, Jon had news from the North.

"It can wait." Ned said. Cersei shook her head. "He sent a personal envoy when you left the nursery.

Ned nodded and left her. He walked the mazes of corridors to the council room. He was surprised to see that it was a meeting in full, which included, Grand Maester Pycelle, Ser Selmy, Thoros of Myr, Petyr Baelish as well as Lord Varys. It had to do with the Iron Islands. Ned knew. Cat wrote to him about the difficulties in Moat Cailin. There was also news from the West, stirrings of independence from the Ironborn.

"Balon Greyjoy has styled himself as King of the Iron Islands." Varys delivered the bad news.

Ned felt the headache come in. "Not only has he styled himself in such a manner. His younger brother Euron has burned down the Lannister fleet." Jon continued.

"Your father in law, Lord Lannister has called his bannermen to protect Lannisport. Lady Catelyn Stark fears for her shores and was advised to send her men as well." Ser Selmy stated.

"What news of our envoy?" Jon advised to send a Florent to talk to Balon. Ned agreed, he did not want to go to war so soon after Robert's Rebellion. The city was starting to bloom again. They paid most of their debt to the Iron Bank. Cersei and him figured that it was better to owe Tywin rather than foreigners.

"His head arrived last night with the news of Lannisport." Littlefinger said with a grimace.

Ned understood then. Jon called this meeting as a formality. They wanted to stamp out the rebellion quickly. Ned had no other choice. He stood up, "very well. Prepare the city. Send for Stannis. Ser Selmy you and Trant sail with me. We march West. We are going to put Balon Greyjoy in his place."

The rest of the evening was spent sending ravens and preparing the city. He did not have lunch with Cersei. They were all getting ready to start the journey West. They would go forth in a fortnight. "The prince's Tourney must wait I am afraid." Jon said derisively.

Ned did not address it. They were alone, finishing up the preparation for the journey when the uncomfortable question came up. "Ned, it is best that we leave things stipulated in case of death."

Ned nodded, "You are the Lord Hand and will rule in my name, "I should hope that you would remain Lord Hand to Cersei if I die."

Jon blinked at him. "Pardon me?"

Ned looked at him, "If I were to die, the succession dictates that Jon would be my heir, as my trueborn male child. He is not yet three, his lady mother, in this case Cersei, would be queen regent until he turns six and ten."

Jon frowned, "a woman ruling the Seven Kingdoms. Madness."

"It has been done before. Catelyn rules in Sansa's stead" Ned replied easily.

"Do not compare them. Catelyn is a sensible girl. Your wife on the other hand. She is not to be trusted." Jon answered back.

Ned frowned, "whatever do you mean?"

Jon glared at him. Ned never argued with Jon. He was a very agreeable mind. "She is a Lannister. Her father is treasonous. She needs to be placed in check. A tourney for a babe, waste of gold, waste of time. She is wasteful, far too cunning for her own good. She is just like her father."

"Jon, I would ask you to not speak that way about my wife." Ned said firmly.

Jon blinked at him. "I should have never let Hoster talk to me into accepting their help."

"But you did and you negotiated the terms for my marriage to her. Tywin gave quite a bit of gold to the war. It made the war effort happen." Ned replied, "She is my wife and she deserves your respect. She will rule if I die, until our son becomes of age. If you will excuse me. I have to let her know about these events." Ned stood up and left a disconcerted Jon Arryn.

His old foster father was not used to Ned arguing. It was usually Robert, who was too spirited, too loud, too passionate. Ned knew that Jon cared for him and worried for him but he was never first choice. Robert was supposed to rule. Robert was the leader out of the two of them. Robert with the bastard child. Robert leading the hunts and whoring his way through the Eyrie. Ned understood Jon to a point.

He turned and walked to Cersei's solar. She spent her afternoon there with the children. He knew that she knew the moment that he entered the room.

Dany ran to him, "Papa, where were you? I looked all afternoon for you. We went to the gardens and you weren't there. I asked everyone and no one knew where you were." She babbled when Ned picked her up and kissed her cheek.

Jon walked and hugged his leg. He was not as articulate like Dany. "The quiet sort." Cersei called him, "like his Papa." Ned tensed when she said it the first time. "You are his papa silly." She said, Cersei always noticed.

Ned jostled Dany and picked up Jon who kissed his cheek. Jon was all kisses lately.

Cersei offered him fruits and did not speak a word to him. Dany and Jon ate with him and then played a game of chase. Dany chased after Jon. Cersei's solar was next to a beautiful garden. It was filled with yellow and white flowers.

"I can tell you know." Ned said while looking at her.

Cersei nodded, "Lord Varys paid me a visit earlier today. He was most disappointed that the Tourney on Jon's name would not happen."

"It is the only way." Ned continued. Cersei sighed and nodded, "I figured. He told me Axel Florent is dead."

"He is." Ned replied. Cersei knew everything about the threat of the Ironborn. He told her about all what happened in the meetings. She always listened and gave him good advice.

"What is happening?" Cersei asked him.

Ned gave her an account of the long meetings he was in that day. "We march West. I am sure your brother will command your father's men to attack the Islands. I also have Stannis sailing with his men. The Tyrells will reinforce us as well."

Cersei nodded, "I don't want to stay here. I want to go West with the children."

"Absolutely not." Ned replied. "You will stay with Jon and Dany here, this is our home now. Jon Arryn will command. This is the safest place for you. Balon is foolish, this is all very ill conceived. It will not take long." Ned assured her.

Cersei was about to speak but in came Dany crying her lungs out. "Mamma." She yelled. Cersei turned and saw the girl with badly scraped knees.

Ned watched as Cersei picked the little girl, "my poor little Dragon." She said and cleaned her knees. "I'll kiss it and make it better." She proceeded to kiss both knees. Dany cried into her chest.

"I think she will do well in mummer shows. She is rather dramatic." Cersei said. Ned laughed. Jon came in looking quite guilty.

Jon came in and cried, "what happened?"

Jon hugged him tight. "Papa I was bad. I push Dany."

Ned pulled him back, "did you mean it?"

Jon shook his head, "well then, apologize to your sister."

Dany looked at Jon, "I'm sorry Dany."

Dany glared at her brother. Cersei rolled her eyes, "now Dany, my love you have to forgive your brother. You have to be above the boys who attempt to hurt you."

Daenerys blinked at Cersei and then at Jon, "Mean Jon. I forgive you." She squirmed down and ran back to the garden.

Ned looked at Cersei, "How long do you think this conflict will last?"

"Not long my queen." Ned assured her once more.

Ned was called to yet another meeting with the small council. They finished late. He climbed the steps to the nursery. Jon slept on his back.

He smiled at Jon and then kissed his black curls. Dany was also asleep in her cot. He kissed her forehead and then walked to his quarters. Cersei was fast asleep. He undressed quietly and kissed her cheek.

He needed to come back to them. He needed to watch Jon and Dany grow up. He needed to have more children with Cersei. He would love to see her belly swell with his child. He slept and thought of a heavily pregnant Cersei.

Ned woke up early. His wife woke him up. He opened his eyes and saw Cersei kissing down his chest. She was naked and dropped kisses down his navel. "What are you doing?"

"Giving you a goodbye gift." She sat back. "I think this would work better if I were on my knees." Cersei ran a finger down his cock.

Ned did not need to be told twice. Cersei and him worked exceedingly well in the bedchamber but she never once sucked him. She did not offer, he did not ask, it was not proper. He was taught that only whores degraded themselves in such a fashion.

"Cersei, are you sure?" Ned asked her.

"Of course. You'll need something to remember by unless you are going to break your vows to me." Cersei teased him.

He stood up and pulled up his night shirt. Cersei examined him. She teased him with her hands and then took her into her mouth. It took everything he had to not grab her by the hair and fuck her mouth.

Ned showed her what he liked and then told her he was closed. Cersei released him. "Where do you want to finish?" She asked him.

Ned's eyes rounded, "in your cunt." He tried for his voice to not tremble with need.

Cersei nodded and jumped on the bed. He parted her legs and found her glistening, "Did you like taking me inside your mouth?" He wondered out loud.

His wife nodded, "I like seeing you lose control."

Ned entered her swiftly. He moaned near her ear and felt her tremble. He rocked inside of her until he was spent. He smiled at her grin. "We still have time for another round of fucking." She told him and turned. She raised her bottom. Ned squeezed one of her cheeks and yanked at his member. He was ready once again and fucked her until she coated him with her juices. Ned was in heaven, her cunt squeezed him dry. He kissed her sweaty shoulder and bit her neck.

He woke up an eternity or minutes later. He would never be able to tell. Cersei was dressed, "You leave soon." She said and kissed him gently. Ned used the chamber pot and washed a bit. He put on his leathers and his crown.

Breakfast was a happy affair. He was surprised to see Jon in attendance. Cersei and the children made him forget for a bit that was he was off to war once more.

Jon clapped his back. "It will be swift. They do not have enough weaponry or power to do anything other than lose." He said in goodbye, "may the Seven protect you." She said in turn.

Cersei kissed his cheeks, "be safe." She smiled at him.

Ned then said his goodbyes to the children, "Bye papa." Dany said and kissed his cheek. "I will see you later." The little prince and princess probably thought he would be back soon.

Jon kissed his cheek and then looked down to his breeches. Ned saw something gold poking out. He grabbed it before it fell to the ground. Ned frowned, it was a dragon figurine, incredibly beautiful, fashioned in gold and rubies like Rhaegar's armor.

Ned's eyes flashed. Jon did not notice that he did not have the figurine anymore. Arryn was busy talking to Selmy. Cersei noticed. She looked at him with scared eyes.

He squeezed the dragon and felt the rubies dig into his palm. "Ned, I." Cersei looked anxious.

It was time to leave. Ned gave her one last look before handing the dragon back to her and riding away.