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Chapter 21

Ned rode hard. He could not stop thinking of the small dragon. He could not help but think about Cersei's face when he handed her the figurine. She paled, he saw fear in her eyes. He knew why but he thought it was done. Rhaegar was dead, gone, his body decayed, buried in the riverlands. Yet she still loved him. It hurt him almost as much as losing his family.

He was angry at her, at himself for falling in love with her when she still thought about Rhaegar so deeply. He worked himself into a rage, a cold, silent fury that consumed his body. Did she think of the dead Targaryen when he fucked her? Ned lashed out to a stable boy who saddled his horse wrong. He did the work himself and rode alone until he reached Casterly Rock.

His lord father in law met him with Tyrion and Jaime. Ned nodded at them and spoke with the old Lion about the war.

"It is good to see you again." Tywin said as they shook hands. Jaime stayed in the room. His wife's twin nodded at him. They were not friendly per se. Tyrion left the solar at his father's insistence. "The adults will speak now."

Tyrion blushed, "I will be six and ten in three weeks." He stammered.

"Yes, but until then you are a child and not privy to these meetings." Tywin replied.

Ned did not speak up. He did not care for Tyrion. He did not know Tyrion but he knew that Cersei loved him. Cersei, his treasonous wife, his lying wife. Only Cersei never lied. She never said "I love you." She never said she stopped loving Rhaegar.

"Your grace." Tywin called.

"Pardon me, could you say that again?" Ned asked.

"I said, Jaime and Kevan will lead our men." Ned nodded. It was sorted, strategy was discussed until Ned and Tywin agreed on a plan of attack.

"You will sleep in Cersei's old quarters." Tywin said. Never once did the man ask about Cersei.

"I rather go to Lannisport and oversee the ships. You will have men from the Reach in a few weeks." Ned stood up. He would not stay near those quarters.

He was surprised to see Tyrion waiting for him. "How is my sweet sister?" He asked in greeting.

"She is well." Ned replied quickly, "you must excuse me. I have to leave for Lannisport."

"Did she not write to me?" Tyrion asked quickly.

Ned realized she did. Cersei sent a hefty letter with him and some sweets. "She did, ask one of my men for your package." Ned said.

Tyrion smiled, "Your grace." He said and waddled away.

Ned left Casterly Rock at once. Ser Barristan Selmy followed him. "Your grace, it may be prudent to stay the night. The men need some rest before the attack on the Iron Islands."

Ned looked at him, "Very well, they may stay. I will sleep in one of the ships. We sail in two days. Do you think that is enough time for the men to rest?"

Selmy appeared confused, "your grace, I do not presume to have your confidence. My role is to protect you but may I ask? Is something the matter?"

Ned shook his head, "no need to worry." He said and rode to Lannisport by himself.

The king spent the night thinking of his wife and the dragon figurine. Why did she have that figurine? When did Rhaegar give it to her? She was a maid when they met. He was sure but did they speak? Did he care for her? Why was she heartbroken when they met? He thought that it was a simple fancy to the crown prince. It had to be more. He tried to think back to every conversation, every single moment where they touched upon the late dragon.

He barely slept that night. He focused on securing everything for the journey. Ned ate a tavern, without his crown. He saw as Jaime came in. "There you are." He said and sat in front of him.

"How is my sister?" Jaime asked him.

"She is well." Ned replied.

Jaime nodded, "Tyrion and I miss her very much." The man said.

"Tyrion and I hoped to visit soon and then the Greyjoys decided to start this silly thing." Jaime continued. Their conversation was very forced.

"You have to know something." Jaime said after a long pause. "Cersei wrote to me. The raven arrived three days before you and your men did."

Ned frowned and remained quiet, "She's tasked me to tell you it means nothing. Cersei sounded distraught in that letter. What did you do to her?" Jaime asked him. "No one deserves my sister. She is light, she deserves to be worshipped. Why was she so desperate? Why did she ask me to talk to you and make me promise on our late mother's memory to make you see reason? She wrote, "Jaime, please, please. I beg you, make him understand the dragon meant nothing."

Ned stood up. Jaime followed him, "What did you do to my sister? Did you hit her? Isn't it enough that she accepted your bastard son as her own?" They walked to the ships.

Ned turned around, "you know nothing of our affairs."

"Of course I don't. Every time she writes, it is all about how wonderful things are going. What a kind and gracious king you are. Why did my sister ask me to protect you? To make sure you did not do anything stupid?" Jaime hissed.

Ned stopped, "it is nothing. Write to her, tell her you convinced me. Tell her I said it was fine. Do as you wish but leave my sight." Ned spoke clearly.

Jaime came closer, "know this Stark. Cersei is not alone, whatever you did, whatever it is, you better fix it. I will not have my sister humiliated more than she already was by your bastard. You do not deserve her." The blond man left.

Ned went to his cabin. It meant nothing only it did. Ned spent the rest of the two days holed up in his cabin. He tossed and turned all night. He thought of Cersei, her sweet face but it all made him feel sick. It was false, she never cared for him. She cared for Rhaegar still, why would she keep the stupid figurine?

He was awake the next morning when Selmy asked for an audience and to tell him that Stannis had sent a raven. He was halfway to the meet them in the Iron Islands. Ser Selmy took another ship to Old Wyck.

"Have the men ready. We sail early morning." Ned said and tried to sleep for a few hours.

It was all planned. The tactics were set in place. It would be a short campaign. He was sure. They spent a few weeks at sea when their fleet was attacked halfway to Pyke. Euron Greyjoy led the attack, well, Jaime took his revenge for the Lannister fleet.

Ned and his ship sailed to the shores of Pyke. It was a short siege as he had predicted. Maybe he was more blood thirsty than he thought he was. He howled as he charged into battle. It was something that came to him, unbidden. It may have been months or weeks. Ned did not know. They attacked Pyke an early morning. It was not a true surprise assault. Ned fought alongside his men. He swung Ice and cut down two men while making his way to the Greyjoy castle. It was a haze of blood and men either yelling, shitting themselves or fleeing. Ned fought alongside Lannister and Trant. He saw as Trant was cut down by an Ironborn. Ned continued to fight, Jaime by his side. He was pushed aside by Lannister when arrows flew down. "For my sister." He yelled and then shoved him.

Ned growled at him. He fought until the Ironborn yielded. They brought him Balon Greyjoy later that night. He bent the knee and asked for mercy. Ned did not speak to him.

"You have a son." Ned heard himself say. "He will be fostered North with Catelyn Stark." He did not hear Balon's response. He camped with Jorah Mormont and his men.

"I will make you a knight. I heard you cut down five Ironborn." Ned said as they shared ale. Ned felt like himself for a time. He drank with Jorah, Greatjon and Howland. He learned that Ser Selmy took Old Wyck. He also knew that Stannis took Great Wyck for him while the smaller Isles were taken by the Reachmen. Thoros of Myr drank and threw his flaming sword around. It was a week before he was ready to leave the Iron Islands.

"The queen will be happy to organize the knighting ceremonies." A man said and Ned remembered his life in King's Landing.

He did not want to even look at her. "North. I am going North." He said to no one in particular.

Jaime cornered him the following day, "you cannot go North." His brother in law told him.

"I suggest you come with me. You will become a knight, you fought bravely and saved my life." Ned replied and rode ahead to the port.

They boarded the ships. The Ironborn were crushed. Young Theon Greyjoy clutched a young girl. Balon Greyjoy refused to see his heir taken away. The girl could not be older than ten and the boy, he was younger than he expected, maybe four or five.

Theon Greyjoy looked pale and scared. He cried miserably when they took him away. "I hate you. I hate you and I hope you die." The girl yelled at Ned.

He saw as two of his men restrained the girl. "Release her." Ned thundered. The girl had tears on her eyes. "Go back to your castle. He will be fine." Ned stretched out his hand to Theon who tried to leave and go back to the girl.

"Who is she?" Ned asked him gently.

"My Yara." Theon said in tears too. Ned nodded, "come Theon. It is time to go." Ned said and picked him up.

"I don't want to go." Theon yelled. Ned steeled himself and walked inside the ship. He gave her to a Northerman. It was the price Balon would pay. Theon would be better cared with Catelyn. He knew that at least.

Ned fell to his bed and drank ale to fall asleep. It was ironic that killing other men did not haunt him this time. It was Cersei, his queenly wife assaulted his sleep. He spent a miserable time getting to the Neck. He bid goodbye to Howland and rode North with Jorah who would become a knight in Winterfell. Lannister went with him, Ned did not say anything. It appeared his brother in law was content with silence once again.

Ned felt better once the air became crisper, once he felt the cold on his face, real cold not a breeze but biting cold. He could almost taste the snow. The king smiled when Winterfell came to view. How he missed his home. He rode ahead harder and smiled openly when he saw Maester Luwin and Catelyn. He also saw a little girl with beautiful red hair. Behind them was Hodor, Old Nan, Rodrick and Poole, the kennel master.

"Your grace." Catelyn curtsied and so did his niece. He thought it was impressive. Ned smiled at them,

"None of that. Cat." He said and kissed her hand. Catelyn smiled at him.

"Luwin." He shook the maester's hands and then he hugged Old Nan. The old lady smiled sweetly at him.

"My quiet little pup." She said and kissed his cheek. Ned hugged her tighter.

"Your grace, we have prepared your quarters for you. Of course, you could take your father's if it is your wish." Catelyn said as they moved inside.

"No, mine will do. I assume you took father's. Please don't call me your grace, king, or lord. I am Ned, your friend." Ned said as they reached the main hearth.

She smiled and nodded "I will." Catelyn replied.

"I must speak with you alone." Ned told her.

"Of course." She offered him another small smile. "I must put Sansa down for her nap. We expected you tomorrow."

"No worries. I will wait for you in your solar." He said. "The ravens must have reached you. I brought young Theon Greyjoy."

Catelyn nodded, "I prepared his quarters, Benjen's. Sansa sleeps in Lyanna's."

Ned's smile froze for a bit. "yes. I must speak to you about him."

They parted ways. Ned went straight to her solar and looked around. He had not been in the room in years. It was just like he remembered it only Cat placed her own style, there was something feminine about the quarters now.

His sister in law arrived thirty minutes later, "You must forgive me. Sansa was a bit fussy today." She said and offered him some mead. She sat behind her desk.

Ned shook his head, "mine ask about a hundred questions before they close their eyes."

Cat laughed, it was nice, like bells, "Sansa does not ask questions. She begs for stories of love and begs me to brush her hair."

Ned smiled, he suddenly missed Daenerys and Jon horribly. He shook away their memory, with them came her, Cersei.

"How are you?" Ned asked Catelyn.

"I am well." She replied, "Sansa gives me purpose. I miss Bran horribly, but less everyday if that makes any sense."

Ned smiled politely, it did not. They spoke of Winterfell, the incoming winter. They all thought it would happen soon. They had not had one in a decade and a half. Cat spoke of Benjen, his need for men for the Wall.

"I have plans to see him." Ned suddenly said. It would be nice to see his baby brother. Catelyn nodded.

Ned told her about the war and the Greyjoys. "It will teach them a lesson. This was complete nonsense. I want you to treat Theon like what he is a lord. He is to be treated with respect."

Catelyn frowned, "of course he will be."

Ned smiled at her and grabbed her hands. He squeezed them, "I know you will."

Cat smiled back at him, "you must rest. How long are we having you Ned?"

The king looked away, "I don't want to abuse your hospitality. I apologize, I should have asked you about the knighting ceremonies."

Catelyn laughed once more, "no need. I have prepared the feasts for two days after tomorrow. I figured you would want to rest."

"Thank you." Ned replied, "I will stay a few weeks and then march to see Benjen. I will then take my host back South."

Catelyn offered him more mead. They stayed talking another hour, about Sansa, Winterfell, Brandon and the Riverlands. Not once did Catelyn bring up her sister. Ned did not talk of her either. Ned saw himself out after a few hours. It was definitely dark by then. He hugged Catelyn good night and felt her shiver against him. He smiled at her and left to his quarters.

He did not stay in his rooms. Ned took a trip down to the crypts. He looked at the statues of his father, brother and sister. They did not look like them, not at all. Ned wiped some tears and went to the kitchens.

He found Old Nan cooking kidney pies. She smiled at him and offered him a plate. Ned smiled back and ate silently. He tasted home. Old Nan sat by him. She kissed his forehead and scurried away. Ned slept well for the first time since he left King's Landing.