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Elia follows Eddard not far down the road to his house. Winterfell stands tall in the snow. Elia stares at the large old mansion. The Mansion is made of stone and so old the main keep has Merlons along the top as though ancient starks stood on top of their keep watching enemies come and from the look of the strong walls fall. The whole thing was grey stone some of it newer smooth stone add only a few decades ago, the main keep looked to be built in the medial ages stone by stone but for being so old it was well cared for.
She got out of her rental car to look at the beautiful structure better.
"Welcome to Winterfell," Eddard said his smile said he was proud of his family home but there was solemnness there too.
"Mommy it's a castle!" Rhaenys cried happily.
"It's beautiful." Elia said Eddard nodded as he came over to help with the little ones. While Elia got Aegon out Eddard held onto Rhaenys hand showing her a old stone well and giving her a penny to throw down it, making sure to keep a firm hand on her.
"Come on!" Benjen excitedly called already to the front door.
Inside was not what Elia expected at all. High ceillings were reinforced with large wooden beams, the walls themselves were a pale white wood and the floors were dark wood floors and though it was as impressive as the outside of the fortress the inside was comfortable. Family pictures hung in mis matched frames above the stairs, on the left an archway showed a well-used kitchen and on the right a living room with cozy furniture for comfort instead of elegance, everything about the interior of winterfell was warm and inviting.
"You expected a cave?" Eddard guessed at her astonished look.
"A fort," Elia said making him laugh. "Did you restore this as well?"
"It's always Winterfell, it's my duty to keep her and update her without ruining what's special about her." Eddard said.
"No that's what's special about you," Elia mused. His icy eyes seemed to melt as he stared at her. "Anyone else would ruin it and call it fixing," Elia said feeling lost in his grey eyes that stared at her in such a way it halted her breath for a moment, she never found such adoration in Rhaegars eyes at least not for her.
The front door opened letting a chill in cooling the warm atmosphere as Lyanna stormed in, she looked upset or angry, her brown hair was windblown, and she only wore a short, skin tight red dress.
"You are grounded, where were you? What are you wearing?" Ned asked confused and alarmed.
"I'm having a bad day Ned, so I think I'll skip the part where you act like my dad thanks!" Lyanna said dripping with sarcasm as she stomped to the staircase.
"Hey!" Eddard called stopping her in her tracks she spun around in her muddy combat boots, the only part of her that still looked like his little sister. They both had this unwavering stubborn Stark look.
"Benjen is there a movie you think the little ones would like?" Elia asked seeing how nervous he was.
"Can we watch Rango I loved that when I was little," Benjen said suddenly.
"Sure," Elia said Benjen ran to the living room getting it ready. Elia brought her children in behind as Eddard and Lyanna fought in the foyer.
"Moovie!" Aegon cried. Rhaenys sat on oneside of Benjen and Aegon on the other. Benjen put his arm protectively around Aegon. Elia looked over the children making sure they were alright.
"I got this," Benjen promised. "Will you go help my brother?" Benjen asked softly.
"I will," Elia promised. "I know you've got this Ranger but if you need me I will be in the other room." She said she watched his proud smile before going back into the hall.
"You're such a judgement jerk, you don't understand anything other than black and white there's nothing nuance or deep about you, nothing but lawful naive good. The worst part is that's enough for you and your one-horse town!" Lyanna said.
"That doesn't sound like you," Eddard said.
Elia had to stop herself from saying that sounded like most of the people she knew in the capital.
"So you don't want me to have points of view you don't share?" Lyanna asked.
"I didn't say that, and I don't want to talk about me. You look like you've been crying Ly whats wrong?" Eddard asked he didn't care she suddenly hated everything about him. He still loved her even if she was not the same girl who thought her older brother was the bravest strongest person to ever live.
"Like you would understand!" Lyanna declared with a deadly glare.
"Lyanna!" Elia called out going towards her. "Maybe I could help, we could talk woman to woman?" Elia said with a gentle smile.
Lyanna no longer looked mad as she stared at Elia she looked like she was going to cry. Elia was treating her like an equal and she did not know how to handle that after what she did. There was a moment she wanted to fall into Elia's arms and beg forgiveness, but it left as sudden as it came, and rage returned.
"Your old! How could you possibly understand!" Lyanna asked before storming upstairs.
"What the hell is getting into that girl?" Eddard asked.
"I got it; would you go relieve Benjen from babysitter duty?" Elia asked he looked at her for a moment she never wavered, he nodded because he trusted her.
"Her room is the third door to the right. I can't thank you enough for this." Eddard said.
"I haven't done anything helpful yet," Elia reminded.
"Your trying," Eddard said simply.
"I'm not sure I should be proud of trying?" Elia teased. "I come from a family of lawyers; we like winning,"
"Trying is enough, it means you care, and its more than most," Eddard said he began walking towards the living room but before he could walk past her, she reached up halting him in his tracks with her hand against his chest. His usual calm collected composure was rattled but she had to speak her peace.
"About what Lyanna said-"
"Its fine, she was right," Eddard said with a shrug.
"It doesn't mean your bad for being fair and just. You might be the most real person I have ever met, and I would hate for you to regret the things that make you special," Elia told him before turning and going upstairs after her.
"Lyanna!" Elia called as she knocked on Lyanna's door.
"Go away! " Lyanna shouted.
"I know you don't want my help Lyanna but- "
"I don't deserve your help!" Lyanna said back.
Elia couldn't stand it anymore picking the lock. "Is that why you are trying to push your brother away?"
Lyanna sat in her bed with her arm around her knees. She had a big hoody on and sweatpants, Elia noticed the red dress on top of Lyanna's overflowing trash can.
"Maybe," Lyanna grumbled.
"Did this boy hurt you Lyanna?" Elia asked softly.
"H-how did you know," Lyanna asked as a tear rolled down her face. Elia sat on Lyanna's bed next to her.
"Well before I was old, I was a teen once too and there was a boy I was obsessed with." Elia said making Lyanna laugh.
"Tell me about him?" Lyanna asked.
"I will tell you all about Baelor and what a dork I was in high school, if you answer my question, did he hurt you?" Elia asked.
"It's not his fault, it's mine." Lyanna said simply she saw Elia's worried face. "He only hurt my feelings. It's really not a big deal."
"Something tells me your brother would disagree." Elia said making Lyanna smile a little.
Elia picked up the trash can moved the red dress to see it was full to the brim with horse posters and figurines of horses, a few little stuff animal horses, and pictures of Lyanna and her friends in volleyball uniforms.
"I have to admit I'm in favor of the dress going but some of this other stuff seems worth saving." Elia said she noticed how bare Lyanna's room looked, nothing on her blue walls but holes from where pictures once hung.
Lyanna didn't say anything.
"Do you like horses?" Elia asked and watched Lyanna light up at the mention of horses but suddenly faded back to sadness.
"Only little girls like horses." Lyanna said.
"Did the boy tell you this?" Elia asked.
Lyanna just scoffed flopping down on her bed.
"You know what helped when Baelor broke my heart?" Elia asked.
Lyanna perked up. "What."
"Talking out how stupid he was to other women who cared about me." Elia told her.
Lyanna sat up. "I was…unsure and he said I was acting like a little girl, and so I decided I wasn't going to be a little girl anymore! I took all of my kiddie stuff down and I used the makeup Cat gave me for my birthday."
"Is Cat a friend of yours?"
" Cat was Brandon's fiancée, she was so cool, she was the big sister I always wanted and when Brandon died…I went to hug her at the funeral and she just left, she won't talk to me!" Lyanna said tears rolled down the face. "He's the only one who I can talk to about Cat, Brandon, and dad."
"Was the dress something Cat gave you?" Elia asked worried.
"No, Catelyn would never wear something like that. I found the dress in Brandon's room. I almost froze to death and….the boy wouldn't even give me his jacket, because he is embarrassed of me." Lyanna said Elia tried to sort through all of that as she pulled Lyanna into a hug.
"He sounds like a jerk." Elia said. "A jerk who is pressuring you. Which makes him a double jerk."
"He can be but then the next moment I'm sure I am inlove with him!" Lyanna admitted.
"If you had to describe one way being around him and after being around him feels what emotion would that be?" Elia asked.
"Ashamed." Lyanna said still holding tightly onto Elia.
"Then he is bad for you, promise me you won't see him again, promise me you respect yourself enough to not see him again, even when its hard?" Elia said.
"Ok," Lyanna said balling her eyes out she pulled back lightly. "But what do I do when it's hard?" Lyanna asked.
"Call me, and I will be there ok?" Elia said lyanna had no words she just hugged onto her. "Do you want to see what their watching?" Elia asked.
"Eddard will yell."
"I will handle your brother as long as you swear you will never see the boy again," Elia said.
"Ok?" Lyanna promised.
Eddard looked back when they came in.
"We're good," Elia told him simply he had about a thousand questions, but he trusted her and her eyes told him not to push.
"Why are you watching this?" Lyanna giggled.
"Because Ned's an evil dictator!" Benjen whined.
"I found our VHS of it." Ned said proudly.
"And now he's tormenting us!" Benjen said from his chair. Lyanna laughed going and sitting by her little brother. Elia joined Eddard on the couch Rhaenys was playing with Eddards badge on the other side of him and Aegon was on Eddards knee drinking a sippy cup and happily staring at the tv.
"He's the only one who gets me!" Eddard told Elia making her laugh she combed through Aegon's silver hair.
"Momma, wolfie!" Aegon squealed happily pointing at the tv.
"This is so boring Ned!" Benjen complained even though he was playing on his DS. Lyanna hugged him tightly. "I love you." She told him.
"Elia's infected you with her niceness." Benjen said surprised though not moving from her embrace he smiled. "Your mean girl body is probably going to reject it and you only have a few days to live!" Benjen said grinning wildly.
"You're such a jerk!" Lyanna said but she was smiling like Eddard hadn't seen in a long time.
"What did you do, factory reset?" Eddard whispered as Elia pulled her baby into her lap.
"I see where Benjen gets it from." Elia teased.
The movie goes on, he's not sure when Elia feel asleep against his shoulder, he just suddenly noticed her there and how warm she is. How lovely she is, he looks over her with heavy eyes he sorts of remembers Rhaegar telling her to fix her messy hair, but he loves her wild curls that now fell a crossed his chest. On the other side of him Rhaenys has her arms wrapped around his arm. "I love you Neddard." She whispers as she falls asleep against him. Aegon is cuddled against Eddard and Elia. Suddenly Eddard can't keep his eyes open.
Eddard's eyes open briefly and close again. He hears Toy story playing quietly in the background, he opens his eyes again when he hears Aegon whine. But the baby quickly nuzzles against him back to sleep. It's good because he cannot move either of his arms which are now firmly held by Rhaenys on oneside and Elia on the other, Elia has shifted so her head is against his chest, she has one arm wrapped around his arm and other hand is on opposite shoulder. He's pretty sure this is what being happy, and content feels like but he is sure it's not right to let this continue. She is married after all and it makes him feel worse how hesitant he is to wake her because she's tired and its nice cuddling with her.
"Elia." He says softly trying not to wake the children, he glances over to find Benjen on the floor playing his game not noticing them at all and Lyanna is still in the big chair reading a book.
"Ssshhh go back to sleep." She mutters in her sleep the hand on his shoulder wraps around his neck keeping him in a close embrace, she is mostly pressed against him now. Aegon shifts in their laps to get comfortable. "You smell nice." She sighs.
He moves his arm that's in her grasp, he hadn't realized how much of her weight was on it until he moved it she started falling backwards and he grabbed her with his recently freed arm going to her back, getting a string of partly coherent mutterings the only words he can make out for certain are sleep and baby. He can't stop his heart from fluttering, but he is more determined now that this is not appropriate.
"Elia." He says firmly his and rubs at her back in an effort to wake her. Her eyes flutter before suddenly her beautiful black eyes open widely starring shocked at him. She moves quickly up making Aegon shift all at once, he starts crying on Aegon's lap out of instinct. Eddard grabs him putting him against his chest.
"I will take him." Elia says grabbing her baby.
"Of course, sorry. I was trying to wake you I never-" Eddard start.
"No its fine its-"
"I fell asleep and I didn't realize-"Eddard tried to explain.
Elia nodded nervously as she rocked her baby. "No your fine, I mean it's fine, I….I don't know what I mean." She admits defeated.
"Come on Benny why don't you help me in the kitchen!" Lyanna says dragging her brother away.
"But I wanted to see them kiss!" Benjen whined but went with her.
"We are not going to kiss!" Elia and Eddard said at the same time.
"I AM SWEEPING!" The grumpy toddler on Eddards arm informed them.
"Come on Rhae we need to get home!" Elia says pulling Rhaenys up with her free hand shifting Aegon to her hip he finally settled and tiredly laid against his mommy.
"I want to stay with Neddard!" She pouts.
"Wolfie!" Aegon exclaims but instead of pointing at the tv he points to Eddard. Eddard couldn't help but smile at Elia's children they were so sweet.
She quickly makes for the door he gets up grabbing her bag and following her.
"Elia wait your bag." Eddard tells her, she's unsure how to grab it her hand on Rhaenys is keeping her mad toddler up right and her other arm is around Aegon.
"Do you still want Lyanna to babysit Thursday?" Ned asked nervously Lyanna loved babysitting for them every Thursday for a few weeks now. He was going to let her do that even though she was grounded because Elia was a great role model for her.
"What?" Elia says her frantic moment
"Let me help." Eddard says his grey eyes are sincere and pleading and she cannot deny them she nods and he picks up Rhaenys. Elia wraps Aegon in a blankie from her bag and Eddard helps Rhaenys with her coat before picking her up and following her out to the car. Rhaenys was back asleep before he had her in her carseat. Elia was determinedly putting Aegon into his own but having trouble because she unhooked it from the base when she arrived and thought nothing of it, she never thought she would be leaving in such a rush.
"On my honor as a Stark I swear I wasn't trying anything." Eddard says finally she gives him a glance before looking back to what she was doing.
"That means a lot around here doesn't it?" Elia asked her voice was like she was a million miles away.
It did, around Wintertown and most of the north the Stark name meant a lot and they were known for being good and honorable people on a whole. "It means a lot to me." He said suddenly he had fastened Rhaenys into her seat belt.
He walked over she was getting frustrated trying to lock it back in with Aegon on her hip. "May I?" Eddard asked she moved out of his way and he pushed it in hearing a click immediately.
"It's not fair!" Elia declares.
"I'm just bigger than you?" Eddard said thinking she actually meant putting the car seat in she rolled her eyes moving forward to put her baby in the car he quickly moved out of her way.
"It's not fair that you're this nice, sincere, handsome honorable guy who can put a car seat in on the first try, asking any mother and she will tell you that the pinnacle of attractiveness. " She said as she fastened Aegon in. Eddard smiled slightly her wit always brought a smile to her face it was one of his favorite things about her. "And I am trying to fix my marriage!" She says as she shuts the car door.
"I am not trying to get in the way of that." Eddard promised he told himself he shouldn't see her anymore no matter how much he liked her and her children he could not be that guy.
"You're not the one that's getting in the way." Elia said tears rolled down her face she couldn't stop them from falling. "Rhaegars cheating on me again, I know he is."
Eddard didn't know what to say he wanted to hug her, but that instinct seemed wrong. She turned to get into her car and the hair on his arms stood up.
"No! Please your upset let me take you home." Eddard said simply.
"Rhaegar asked me enough questions last time." Elia sniffled.
"Is he home?" Eddard asked she only shook her head no.
"Good, I'll have Lyanna come get me, she will love the chance to drive." He promises.
"Ok." Elia agrees trying to wipe her face she really isn't in the right state for it.
She climbed in the passenger seat while he called Lyanna so she knew the plan.
"You must think I'm insane," Elia whimpered softly.
"No, I don't," Eddard promised getting out a handkerchief and giving it to her.
"I don't think I've ever met anyone else who carries a handkerchief." She says smiling though the tears still flow.
"My father swore by it, says all gentlemen should carry one,"
"That explains it, you're the only true Gentlemen I've ever known," Elia says she wipes her eyes.
"I take that as a complement," He mused.
"Crap, I got mascara on your handkerchief!" Elia says.
"It's fine," He promises as he drives.
"It's not fine. It has cute little wolves on it!" Elia says.
"My mother made them," Eddard explains before realizing what a bad idea that was.
"I got mascara on something your dead mother gave you? I'm so sorry you have to let me wash it!"
"It's really-"
"I have to wash it!" She declares.
"You win this one councilor," Eddard says simply.
"How often has Lyanna been babysitting for us?" Elia asks softly.
"What do you-"
"You said she's been babysitting a lot, how much?" Elia asked.
"In the last two weeks 5 times?" Eddard said simply.
"I haven't asked Lyanna to babysit, but I saw the money leave the account and when you said she'd been babysitting for us I realized she's been babysitting for him while he's off with some other woman….again!" says with a burning anger in her.
"Shit." Eddard curses as quietly as possible. He glances over at her. "I swear I didn't know Elia, I would never support that."
"I know." Elia says softly.
"I know it's none of my business but damnit Elia he doesn't deserve you!" Eddard says his gaze is steady on the road, but he feels her black eyes burning him with their stare. The car is silent and the only sound for a minute is Aegon's little snores. "I did not say that because I like you, I just had to say what I believe."
"You like me?" Elia askes he glances over to see her astonishment she actually did not know that.
"Of course, I like you Elia, I don't know how anyone who meets you doesnt fall a little-I mean couldn't like you." Eddard said but he knew that's not really what he was thinking. He had excepted it now that he had been a little in love with her when he met her, and she's had him wrapped around her finger ever since. He would have done almost anything she asked like a lovesick fool and her confidence was so dismal right now she hadn't noticed.
"Did you know about Lyanna's boy?" Elia asked changing the subject.
"What boy?" Eddard asked going into protective brother mode.
"Some boy at her school she wouldn't really say, and I didn't push her, she agreed he was bad for her and promised to stop seeing him but I wanted to tell you so you can be on the lookout."
"Thank you, I won't tell Lyanna I know."
"Thank you," Elia said back.
Once at the cabin he called Lyanna to find out she and Ben hadn't even left yet and would be getting ready to go soon.
"Come inside before you catch cold," Elia told him.
He watched her on the floor with her baby tickling him while her daughter dances around them before she pulled Rhaenys in her arms too. He watched in the foyer not wanting to intrude. He couldn't help but smile. Rhaegar was somewhere gods only knew missing this amazing beautiful simple moment. This was exactly what Ned wanted and he told himself if he was ever lucky enough to have something like this he would make sure to be there for the little sweet things.
Soon enough Rhaenys went upstairs to play with her dollhouse and Elia put Aegon in the playpen and he happily played with his duck.
"Thanks again for talking to Lyanna." Eddard said and she gave him a said smile.
"I should thank Lyanna someday, sitting in her room I knew what was best for her, I knew this guy was bad news and I couldn't understand why I could help her, but I couldn't help myself? You know when I am tired of Rhaegars excuses he always asks me if I want my kids to go through what I went through as a child of divorce and he smooths everything over," Elia said she was on the edge of tears but she held it together.
She watched the guilty look on his face. "I am not leaving my husband for some northern sheriff I don't know, and I just need to be alone with my children from right now, for a long while, but I won't lie to you knowing nice guys like you do exist gives me hope for a happy distant future."
"I think your making the right choice, and if in that distant future you decided you want to see snow again or take up skiing, I know a guy who owns a lot of rental spaces." Eddard said with a smile.
"That's, nice thanks," Elia said softly before the car honks.
"Lyanna."
"Right."
Eddard is confused when he gets the call. "It can't be Lyanna?" He said he pulls his truck over because this is surely distracted driving. Lyanna was at school he dropped her off himself there was no way she could walk all the way back to Winterfell just to take Brandon's car joy riding. "You're sure it's Lyanna?" He asked again.
"I have her license in my hand, and we both know her Ned," Rodrick states and Ned knew they both knew her, but it just was so stunning she would do something like this.
"That isn't the worst news boss, we need you to get down to the station," Jory said taking the radio from Rodrick.
"What is it?" Eddard asked.
"Best not to drive with it on your mind just come to the station," Jory said
"Jory damnit I need to know is she hurt!?" Eddard asked worried he could not lose his baby sister not like Brandon. He felt like he was hearing about Brandon's death all over again.
"She wasn't alone," Jory admitted finally.
Eddard stormed in the police station to see Rhaegar chained to the metal chair at Jory's desk he looked to where his office door was open Lyanna was sitting in there safely in one piece she looked away from him as soon as their eyes met.
Eddard quickly snapped back to Rhaegar. "She's a little girl! She's a child what the hell is wrong with you! If you lay another hand on her-" Eddard started.
"That sounds like police Brutality!" Rhaegar mused there was a ease in his purple eyes as if he knew he would get out of this he didn't even fake shame.
"I didn't hear nothing, how about you Rodrick?" Jory asked.
"Not a thing, I don't see much neither." Rodrick said and Rhaegar looked worried, but Eddard had to walk away because that's not who he is. He went to Rodrick's desk on the other side of the small room trying to ignore Rhaegars existence he put both hands on the desk as if only to keep himself up right.
"Walk me through the stop," Eddard said finally.
"I was going out to Deepwood Mott like I always do on Thursdays. On the northwest side of the Wolfswoods I find a Porsche sitting on the side of the road with a dead man's plates I think somethings odd about that," Rodrick said.
"I would too," Eddard agreed trying not to show the uneasy he felt about Brandon being mentioned so carelessly.
"Right so we go up to the car-"Rodrick started.
"Jory was with you?" Eddard asked.
"No Jory was here with Alyn, I took Desmond with me the boy was getting restless around here." Rodrick said and Eddard nodded for him to continue.
"This isn't my first Rodeo, or the first time I found a car on the road with people getting busy in it." Rodrick said getting a look from Eddard. "But it was Desmonds and the Sheriff's sister no less."
"You're sure they-"
"I'm old Ned but I'm not that old. I knocked on the car to get their attention, she looked up and I recognized her immediately. It made sense in my head, rebellious girl takes brothers car to skip school and get busy with her high school boyfriend, Desmond noticed him first he told me he was renting your cabin out and that he'd given him three tickets last week. I told them to put their clothes on and step out of the car, but the genius over there tried to get up front and drive off.
"He what?!" Eddard asked with a burning rage inside of him, he was already angry, but he was willing to go to prison because that asshole ran away from the police with Lyanna in the car without her seatbelt on, on one of the worst roads in the north.
"She was screaming for him not to, he ran over Desmonds foot, he tried to shoot out of there on a road covered in ice, slide right into a tree. They were both ok she was smart enough to put her seatbelt on, but she was crying pretty hard, he tried to back out and wouldn't open the door, so I broke the window, sorry about that. Then I arrested him. The medic's cleared them both, he hit his head on the dash sadly he's fine. They both have some scrapes and bruises from impact and cuts from the glass and she's bruised from the seatbelt,"
"How is she," Eddard growled.
"She's been crying on an off since we pulled her out," Eddard lost it for a second and slammed his hands against the desk.
"Err sorry about the window Ned," Rodrick said.
"Don't worry about the window I am about to set fire to that car, thank you Rodrick, I owe you my life," Ned promised.
"Not your life, maybe a drink," Rodrick promised with a smile Eddard wasn't ready to return.
"Anyways Desmond is at the hospital, his foots broken," Rodrick said Eddard nodded as He went to his office shutting the door behind him.
Lyanna was ready for him to yell she was expecting him to yell. "Are you alright?" Eddard asked.
She started balling and he held her in his arms. "I'm so sorry Ned, I'm sorry for the lies and the sneaking around, I'm sorry I stole Brandon's car, but I didn't tell him to try and out run the police, I begged him not to!" she balled while he tried to comfort her.
"The whole right side caved in and all I could think was this is how Brandon died!" She sobbed.
"You're alright Lyanna, you're alright, you were smart to put your seatbelt on," He told her.
"No I am not smart none of this was smart! I don't know why I let him talk me into any of this. But he was so charming, and I was so lonely and sad, and he told me you treated me like a kid and all I wanted was to be an adult," She cried deeply her nose ran he gave her the box of tissues and she took one.
"He manipulated you and took advantage of you Lyanna. I think that's what he does. Or did. I am going to make sure he goes to jail," Eddard said it was unclear whether or not he would join Rhaegar he wanted to beat the life out of him an urge he never felt before.
"Thanks Ned."
"This doesn't mean you are off the hook Lyanna." Eddard told her.
"I know, but will you hug me just a little longer?" She whimpered.
"Of course." He told her. "I know your growing up Ly but you're never going to be too big for me to want to protect you, your always be my baby sister.
Lyanna held onto him for what felt like a long time. The door opening and then slamming shut finally made him look up. "HOW COULD YOU!" She screamed.
"I-I" Lyanna babbled he wondered if she ever let herself think of Elia's feelings in all of this.
"I need to get out there. Lock the door after me." Eddard said and lyanna nodded giving him a grateful look.
"You don't know what's going on from one call Elia let me-"Rhaegar started as Eddard entered the bullpen.
"I'M A GODDAMN LAWYER RHAEGAR, I KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN WHEN THEY START ASKING ABOUT MY HUSBAND AND A MINOR!" Elia yelled she was done with his clever words and polite lies.
"Wait where are our children?" Rhaegar asked.
"I left them with Nan she said she could watch them, and I had no other options." Elia said her eyes were red from crying her usual put together demeanor was disheveled. "I Can't believe I did that." Elia admitted starting to worry.
"Ma'am I would happily vouge for Nan she used to be a schoolteacher and after that taught daycare before opening her diner your kids are in good hands." Jory promised.
Elia nodded at him gratefully.
"What kind of horrible mother leaves her children with a stranger!" Rhaegar asked hopping to pin this all on her.
"AT LEAST IT'S UNLIKELY YOUR GOING TO SLEEP WITH THAT OLD LADY!" Elia shouted she was done with his tricks and games.
"Does that mean?" Rodrick asked getting a look from Eddard to stop.
"YES, HE'S SLEEPING WITH OUR GODDAMN BABYSITTER BECAUSE HE COULDN'T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE CLICHÉ," Elia yelled taking the tape from Jory's desk and throwing it at Rhaegar.
"Elia calm down," Eddard told her.
"Well your obviously not married," Rhaegar sighed.
"DON'T TELL ME TO CALM DOWN!" Elia shouted Eddard had to grab her to stop her from kicking Rhaegar, Ned picked her up moving her away from her husband.
"Elia I don't want to have to arrest you you're a good person calm down," Eddard said softly trying to block out Rhaegar from her view. Finally, the tears poured down her face. "He's a monster," She whispered.
"I whole heartedly agree." Eddard promised.
The tears would not stop. "My friends, Cersei fucking Lannister, and a child, no matter what I do to try and fix all the things that are wrong with me he keeps going and it's still always my fault. I am done." Elia cried before hardening. She walked back over to Rhaegar. "I am filing for an emergency divorce. I am done!" Elia said.
"No, you need to get over yourself and get me out of these charges." Rhaegar snarled.
"Even if I could I wouldn't," Elia told him.
"What the hell am I going to do Elia!"
"What you always do, call your mommy for help," Elia told him heading to the door.
"This is your fault you know!" Rhaegar said stopping her in her tracks.
"I am about to hand her my taser," Rodrick grumbled.
"What did you just say to me?" Elia said turning to him forcefully she had her lawyer persona on, and it even seemed to shake Rhaegar a bit he was not expecting her to be so ready to fight back.
"Maybe if you weren't a mommy all the time I wouldn't feel the need to be with a younger more available-"
Eddard had it he started going over to punch his lights out, but Elia stopped him pressing her hand to his chest but never turning her cold gaze from Rhaegar.
"That's because I am a mommy, all the time jackass! And that might be the one thing you can never make me feel bad for, its most certainly why I am leaving you now because our children deserve better then you and so do I." Elia said before turning to Eddard.
"Calm down."
"He took advantage of my sister!" Eddard reminded.
"And how will you help Lyanna and Benjen from a jail cell, they need you," Elia reminded before letting him go.
"I will get someone to drive you to your kids and take all of you home," Eddard said.
"I was told there was a wreck, is Lyanna ok?" Elia asked softly.
"I can't believe you'd care. You are truly the best person I have ever known. She's shaken up a couple of cuts but she's fine. "Eddard said.
"Tell her…..tell her I understand. I know what he's like how manipulating he is. How persuasive and charming he could be, I fell for it of course a young girl would," Elia said and Eddard nodded.
"I called my brother he is coming to help me with getting the children on the plane, the soonest he can be here is Sunday we will be flying out on Tuesday but I am happy to pay for the rest of the-" Elia said it took him a minute to realize she was talking about rent of all things. "
"Don't worry about the money Elia," Eddard said, and she nodded.
"Doran is coming?" Rhaegar asked from his chair.
"No, Oberyn," Elia said.
"Can you get me into a cell?" Rhaegar asked Jory.
"Scared Targaryen?" Jory laughed.
"He's a goddamn navy seal that went on to become a MMA fighter and he's fucking mad." Rhaegar said annoyed.
"My brother is wonderful!" Elia defended before looking back to Eddard. "But he probably would thrive in prison." She said it was the first time he smiled since he was radioed.
"Let me get you a driver." Eddard said.
"I'm going to be alright." Elia promised. "Goodbye Sherriff." Elia said softly she was out the door before he could say another word.
He supposed there wasn't much more to say, and he had a lot to do but he hated to end it that way.
Catelyn's jeta was outside Winterfell when he showed up. She came outside when they got out of the truck. She was as beautiful as he remembered he used to think Brandon's ex-fiancee was the most beautiful woman he ever met but that position had been taken in his heart by Elia.
Her red hair was straight as a string she wore white skinny jeans, ugg boots, a pink fuzzy shirt with a grey vest over it and a disapproving face. "You never picked Benjen up from school he tried to take the bus because he's 11 and didn't know the bus only goes out of town and he called me from a payphone in the Neck, I drove him back which took two hours by the way, I got him food and he's now in bed where the hell have you been all night?" Catelyn asked.
"Lyanna, go inside honey." Eddard told her. Lyanna couldn't stop herself from hugging her.
"I really missed you cat," Lyanna said tears welled in her eyes but she ran to the door before Catelyn could answer her.
"Is she ok?" Catelyn asked.
"No she isn't ok. She was sneaking around with a 25 year old, some of the time she said she was with you and since you refused to talk to me I believed her, or maybe I wanted to believe her because you mean so much to her. It was bad enough you wouldn't talk to me, but the kids needed you Cat, like it or not you were part of this family for years and then you're gone," Eddard said.
"Oh my god," Catelyn gasped clutching her heart. "Lyanna called me a hundred times and I…I was so upset about Brandon I couldn't bear to be around any of you I thought it would be too hard."
"Imagine how we felt, we lost both of you," Eddard grumbled walking around her. "Thanks for taking care of Benjen that will never happen again."
"If it's not too late, I'd like to help now," Catelyn asked and Eddard turned around.
"That would be nice," Ned admitted.
"I know if I was Lyanna I would want to things, my mom and to get far away. In lou of that why don't you let me take her back home with me, call her in sick tomorrow and I will take her for the long weekend. "
"I don't think-"Eddard started.
"She needs a woman right now Eddard do you have a better option?" Catelyn asked.
Lyanna jumped at the opportunity and Benjen was upset he didn't get to go so the next day he set up a sleep over for Benjen. Winterfell had always been his home, but it was eyrie that night. Or maybe he just missed them.
Mechanic said he could fix Brandon's car again, but this time Ned told him to scrap it he could not bear looking at it anymore, he felt bad because Brandon loved that car. He couldn't sleep as he laid down in bed thinking of all the people, he loved that he failed. Father, Brandon, Lyanna, Benjen, even mothers' ghost must be very disappointed. Only his phone ringing interrupted his brooding. He sat up pushing the grey covers away. "Sheriff Eddard Stark speaking."
"Eddard, I didn't know who to call? Nobody answered when I called the sheriff's office. I am not sure, but I think somebody is trying to break in," Elia told him terrified.
"I will be right there. I want you to stay on the phone with me Elia," Eddard told her as he quickly got up throwing on his boots and coat, grabbing his belt and firearm. "Where are you."
"I am in the nursery with the children they are asleep," Elia whimpered.
"That's good hopefully they will sleep through this, are the doors locked?"
"Yes, I barred the nursery door," Elia promised.
He kept her talking all the way there when he got there, he saw the broken light and a crowbar someone had been here he looked around the house track were already buried by snow who ever this was, was long gone. He unlocked the door once he found the master key and went into the house, he was going up the stairs when he was almost taken out by Elia with a lamp. He caught the lamp but then let it fall to catch Elia who wasn't well balanced from her attack and sudden stop of it. The lamp fell with a thud and they went downstairs.
"Was someone here?" Elia asked softly. She was in a silk robe with her hair up in a messy bun.
"Nobody is here, and you are safe." Eddard assured.
"That's not what I asked, your avoiding the question!" Elia said quickly.
"Someone may have broken the porch light, but they are long gone." Eddard watched the scared look on her face. "Both of mine are out so if it would make you feel better, I can stay down here." He told her he couldn't quiet read her face. "Unless that would make you more earie?" He asked.
"No, it's a very kind offer, and if you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it." Elia admitted.
"Of course, I just wasn't sure if me being here would make you feel safe." Eddard explained.
"You have been kinder to me than most people and defiantly the most heroic person I know." Elia said gently squeezing his arm.
"I will make up the couch." Elia says.
"I'll stay up, to make you feel safe." Eddard tells her.
"Having you here makes me feel safe." Elia promised walking away,
She puts sheets and pillows on the couch before coming back to the kitchen in time to see him putting her kettle in the sink.
"I was trying to make tea to calm your nerves, but I don't really know how to do that, I put in like 8 teabags." He said making her laugh.
"I think I need something stronger." Elia said going over to the liquor cabinet. She first removed the expensive Voldka. Setting it aside in an annoyed enough fashion that he was sure it was Rhaegars. She retrieved two shot glasses and and grabbed a bottle of Tequila."
"Do you drink Tequila."
"Do you have lemon and salt?" Eddard asked making her smile radiantly. She handed him the glasses and the bottle he poured while she got out a lemon and chopped it up before grabbing salt.
He hands her a shot glass and she thanks still an eloquent lady even when it comes to tequila shots. He grabbed the other one for himself. She sits up on the counter he just leans against it next to her as they take the shots.
"Your pretty good at that." He said pouring again.
"I should be, I went to law school." Elia said simply before sucking on piece of lemon that seemed to make his mouth dry, he drank another shot down and she offered him a piece of lemon he took it.
He watched her sprinkle salt into her shot before drinking it. Even with messy hair, in a robe drinking tequila on the counter she was glorious to him.
"How are you holding up?" Elia asks she plays with her empty shot glass but her black eyes never leave his grey ones.
"Honestly?" Eddard asked.
"No, I love it when people lie to me. Obviously," Elia says dryly making him smile and feel more comfortable opening up.
"I'm angry all the time, and mostly because I failed my family especially Lyanna,"
"You haven't failed Lyanna the second you give up on her you will, but I don't see that ever happening. She's lucky to have you," Elia said with a soft smile.
"How are you?" Eddard asked she looked down at her cup before putting it aside.
"I feel very betrayed, confused about what to tell the kids, and all around very unlovable," Elia admits, her eyes start to water so she shuts them tightly she told herself she would not shed another tear for Rhaegar Targaryen.
"You're not the one who is unlovable Elia," His northern voice rasped making her open her eyes and look at him. The kind handsome sheriff who came at a moment's notice who stayed on the phone with her during her panic at the end when he had no more real questions he had just asked her what her favorite movies were and songs to keep her talking to keep the fear from completely taking over her. His grey eyes looked like storm clouds. "I think everyone who meets you falls a little in love with you Elia." Eddard admitted.
Her heart seemed to go off like a frat train.
"How would you know?" She asked as she bit her lip.
He stepped forward not being able to stop her black eyes seemed to be calling to him and he couldn't ignore there pull. He stood Infront of her. She was about to say something witty when he moved her hair back his hand staying on her face.
She pulled him the rest of the way to her and their lips crashed against each other's it was a rough needy kiss she wrapped her arms around his neck keeping them together before a throat noise escaped her it only spurred him on taking the opportunity put his tongue in her mouth one of his hands in her glorious hair and the other gripped his counter the only thing keeping him from touching her.
Reason finally reminds him off what he's doing, and he starts pulling away. "We shouldn't be-" Eddard started her robe had slipped of her shoulder revealing more beautiful brown skin, the longing in her eyes was turning to disappointment and reason soon left him again this time his attack began at the exposed skin of her shoulder kissing his way up her neck. "It's really unfair for you to be this beautiful." He mutters against her skin. Her hands were feverently unzipping his coat to find the toned muscles underneath. His were not the superficial muscles Rhaegar had but real muscles and scars from real strenuous work she couldn't stop herself from running her hand across them it shocked and delighted her the wolf like growl her touch drew out of him.
"You're not wearing a shirt." She giggled.
"Didn't take the time I came as soon as I got your call." He grumbled against her neck. Her hand went in his hair.
He grabbed her up in his arms taking over to the table it wobbled as soon as he sat her on it.
"I have a better Idea," She said simply sitting up and taking his hand leading him to the back room.
She pulled him back into the warmest room of the house the room that looked most like her she led him to the lounge with a devious grin. Eddard sat down as he was bid, he was about to ask if she was sure about this when she undid her robe, all she had under it was sleep shorts and a tank top.
He stared as she slipped off her shorts her black eyes studied his waiting for criticism but all she got was something warm in his icy grey eyes and a very deep breath. His hands reached out to her as she climbed onto the lounge chair a knee on either side of his thighs her hands grabbed at his shoulders for support. His hands moved to cup her butt while she leaned in kissing him.
His hands moved up her back under her shirt moving it up, she broke the kiss to help pull it over her head tossing it to the side. Her lips crashed against his again while his hands moved to her breasts. She had small breasts truly, but he felt the reaction to them immediately and his mouth felt dry at the little noises she made when he touched them.
She rubbed against him through his sweatpants making him growl in pleasure. She kept doing this until she decided she was probably teasing herself more then him. Her finger played at his pants waste line. He quickly pulled them down his hand went to her hip instinctively helping her lower onto him, her mouth opened in a noiseless moan and his mouth quickly covered hers. She moved up and down on him, her hands move a crossed his body. He thrusted up into her and she arches back his hands hold her upright.
"Ned!" She gasped out as the pace incressed she was close, his hands went to her hips continuing steady with the pass but he stared at this beautiful woman as she came undone. Her lips parted her eyes shut. He pulled her close and she came moaning into ear.
"Your wonderful." He whispered one hand on the small of her back the other tangled in her hair. It was a nice tender moment before she wiggled her hips making him moan. "Keep going." She whispered as she nuzzled against his neck. The animal inside seemed to be taking over with that he slowly moved her down to lay her back against the lounge moving on top of her. The pace was no longer slow he could no longer hold back after this magnetic attraction he feel for her since the moment he saw her.
His breath was getting ragged she kissed at his neck and met him for every thrust. His head bent down to lick and suck at her breast her hands went in his hair as he moaned out his name as she came a second time.
His name said in outmost pleasure in her beautiful Dornish accent brought him over the edge. He dropped his weight on her trying to catch his breath.
She moved over laying on her side still breathing heavily he laid on his side back and was happy when she snuggled on top of him, all the sudden he felt her tense up in his arms.
"Hey," He said softly her big black eyes looked up at them they were watery, he moved a straind of hair out of her face.
"I haven't had sex with anyone but Rhaegar in over five years, I'm so sorry." She told him.
"What do you have to be sorry for?" He asked in that kind northern voice of his.
"You were so lovely and I am getting all weepy over-"
"Someone you loved for five years. I think it's very understandable," He told her his hand rubbed her back gently. "Is there anything I can do to help."
She smiled a little and kissed him gently. "You already have." She promised she hadn't felt as safe as she did now in his arms in so very long.
His hand lazily moved up from her hip and over her stomach making her feel anxious as his rough hand moved a crossed the scar and stretch marks. Rhaegar always hated them. "We have enough money for you to fix that you know." He would say sometimes when ever his eyes came a crossed it.
Eddard just kissed her head. "Gods your beautiful." He murmured against her hair she couldn't stop the smile that spread a crossed her face even if she did not trust it.
"You know I've already slept with you; you don't have to sweet talk me anymore." She teased.
"I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true." He told her simply and looking into his eyes she believed him.
"Tonight was wonderful Ned, but I can't-"Elia started softly.
"I know."
"It's to close."
"I know," He admitted again how ever reluctantly. She was his dream girl. She was kind, witty, she was a good person and a great mother. Together they had something very special, and tonight might have been the most glorious thing to happen to him. But her ex-husband slept with his little sister. It would always be a stain on them meeting and she didn't want that to affect her children, and he couldn't keep this wonderful person in his life out of respect for Lyanna. He didn't want this to always haunt Lyanna and Elia didn't deserve to be haunted by it either. No matter how terrible it was for him personally it was the right thing to do.
"I need you to know tonight was magnificent."
"I know."
He left in the morning before the kids woke up. Like Elia wanted. She was all he thought about the next couple days. He thought of that night how amazing but how it wasn't quiet enough. He didn't want to just have sex with her, he wanted to fall asleep with her, and wake up with her. He wanted to be around her and feel that odd since of pride in his chest when he made her smile because she had a glorious smile and there was nothing like seeing her happy. He missed her sweet little children calling him Neddard and Wolfie. He wanted it all, every part of her.
"NED!" Benjen cried. Eddard snapped back into the present which was burning Benjen's breakfast.
He tossed the burnt pancake in the trash. "Sorry buddy I will make you another one."
"So…Lyanna told me Elia and…uh….Mr. Elia are getting a divorce."
"He isn't Mr. Elia anymore," Ned said a little too quickly.
"Did you really arrest him?" Benjen asked slowly Eddard wondered if Lyanna told him that too or if it was something he heard at school or maybe online, apparently Rhaegar's followers were pretty upset about it and saying stupid things on the internet which the internet seemed to be good for.
"Yes, I did." Eddard said he looked over at his brother's sad look. "He did a bad thing, and when people do bad things in the North, I arrest them no matter who they are."
"Is Elia mad at you?" Benjen asked worried, in a short amount of time she made quite the impression on him.
"No, she understood," Ned told him, he felt bad for Elia, he could only imagine how hard this had to be for her. "She deserves better."
"So to recap." Benjen said clapping his hands together. "Elia is getting a divorce because he husband is a bad man, she deserves better like a man who would never do anything bad and even I don't know works to keep bad things out of the north, especially if she wasn't even mad at him." Benjen said looking at Eddard with such hope.
Eddard put the pancake on a plate and put it in front of Benjen.
"Elia's going home." Eddard said simply.
"SO! You guys are better together! Go after her!" Benjen said as he poured syrup and sprinkles, and whip cream all over his pancake until it was a mess.
"I can't. I gotta take care of you and Lyanna that's my job Ben."
"Screw that." Lyanna said Ned looked over to see her in the doorway. She wore a sweater with a pair of overalls over them. Her hair was back in a long ponytail, she wasn't all the way back, but he knew she was better.
"Lyanna-"Ned started to scold.
"You always take care of us Ned, you always put us first. Be happy too. It's fine with me I promise." Lyanna said she gave him an assuring nod.
"I would love it!" Benjen added starting to eat his breakfast repulsing his sister. Eddard told them no up and down, but somehow after he dropped the kids off at school, he found himself at the cabin watching the movers go in and out.
He walked in the open door.
"Who are you?" A Dornish accent said, before he even turned need knew it wasn't Elia it was to deep of a voice, he turned to see a shirtless Dornish man, his brown skin was covered in tattoos mostly of snakes.
"I am the owner of this cabin." Eddard answered he found himself looking at how empty it was.
"He means can I help you he just struggles with manners, and authority." A woman said Eddard turned to see a pretty girl with dark hair and purple eyes.
"I was…did Vayon rent the cabin to a new couple?" Ned asked.
The purpled eyed woman blinked while the man cracked up laughing. He teasingly started to put his arm around her, and she pushed him back. "OBeryn it's freezing here go put on a goddamn shirt." She told him before looking back to ned.
"Oberyn? Your Elia's brother," Ned Realized.
"You know Elia?" Oberyn mused.
"He owns the cabin she rented dumbass." The woman said with a flip of her hair before offering her hand. "I am Ashara Dayne!"
"I love how she says that like its great news." Oberyn said while he shook Ashara glared at Oberyn before looking back to Ned.
"We are just supervising the move."
"And the bonfire out back."
"What?!" Ned asked going to look and sure enough there was a bonfire in the back with a couple guys around it.
"Relax it's in a trashcan!" Oberyn promised.
"Elia Let Rhaegars mother have whatever she wanted to keep of Rhaegars and sold the rest very amicable as always." Ashara explained.
"Except there was this picture of blue roses and for the first time ever Elia snapped and set it on fire! It was glorious, then after she and the kids went to the airport, we made an executive decision to burn all his crappy art." Oberyn said gleefully.
"Do me a favor make sure he doesn't burn anything down?" Ned said tiredly to Ashara.
"Don't worry I'm in charge." She promised. "Did you need Elia for something."
"I wanted to wish her the best." Eddard said finally.
"That's so sweet, isn't that so sweet Oberyn!" Ashara asked gleefully. Oberyn made a finger gun and pretended to shoot himself.
He looked over to the hole in the wall.
"You didn't burn the bird picture, did you?" Eddard asked suddenly worried.
Ashara and Oberyn looked at each other with wide eyes.
"You're not the sheriff, are you?!" Ashara asked excitedly.
"I am, my badge is in the truck should I have brought it?" Ned asked.
"You saved us a trip," Oberyn said going to the kitchen and coming back with something wrapped in brown paper he removed the wrapping to show Ned the colorful birds Elia loved. "We were supposed to give this to the sheriff."
He turned it overlooking for a note but there wasn't one. She was just gone.
His life went back to normal. Or at least the new normal of guardianship. Lyanna joined the debate team again she wanted to try out for volleyball next year and Benjen signed up for basketball. Catelyn would come see the kids every once and awhile she would take Lyanna for a weekend here and there which Lyanna seemed to need desperately. Benjen understood as best as an 11-year-old could be he was rightfully jealous he didn't have a motherly figure. Eddard knew Benjen missed Elia which was something he really related to.
Eddard was feeding the horses when he got a call, he was surprised seeing Elia's number come up in his phone. He couldn't stop himself from immediately answering the phone. "Elia?" He asked part of him thought it was a mistake, but he had to know if she was okay.
"Hi Ned," she said softly he could tell she was crying.
"Is everything ok?" He asked concerned.
"Yes, yes it-it is." She said and he realized from her tone they were tears of joy. "At least it is for me. You may want to sit down." Elia said.
"What?" Eddard asked.
"Eddard I am pregnant; I wasn't trying to keep it from you, but I did not want you to know until I was sure who the father is," Elia told him.
"Elia," Eddard said breathlessly his eyes widened and he worked hard not to drop the phone.
"You are the father; I know this is a lot to process. I know that you have a lot going on and I don't expect you to do anything!"
"Elia-" Eddard said but she barely even stopped speaking.
"I just wanted you to know because you deserve that. And you should know this baby is going to be SO loved. I know this is not what you want to hear right now but this is a miracle for me. I just want to-"
"Elia!" Eddard called getting her attention. "I'm glad I am the father." He said he wasn't sure why he said it or if it really pertained to the conversation, but he was still in shock and that was the first coherent thought he had.
"Me too." Elia admitted.
"Were having a baby." Eddard said wrapping his head around this. "I mean it's complicated sure but….no baby could wish for a better mother then you, I guess mines pretty lucky. I want to be a part of its life in any capacity you are comfortable." Eddard said finally.
"It's more complicated than you think, you see I went to a clinic in the Riverlands I didn't want anyone in the capital or Dorne or anywhere close to find out about this and…..well I am not the only one who is pregnant." Elia admitted.