A/N:

Hey all! Let me just say this chapter makes me nervous. Ah. Ah. There are several reasons why. I guess you'll see.

Thanks to all of my wonderful readers and reviewers! Special thanks to:
MorraHadon (I hope the never killing me still stands. She does need a hug. Sansa and her should just band together and take over the Iron Throne), DamonSalvatorelover (Nah, that'd be too easy! and thanks!), Stark-Lannister( Thanks thanks! How it exactly pans out is still partially in the works), purple sky always (do you? Hm.), Elin (Thanks! and here it is! Hope you like it!), BookWorm4479 (Medically makes me think they'd be like..conjoined or something...I'm thinking too much. Thanks so much! That's really kind! :D), StarkStruck11 (Oh, you should be. And Jaime's appearances are thinning out for a bit. He needs time off. Poor guy), Guest (hehe. She has a little bit of her brothers in her), Aeryan (I'm so happy you commented about the kids! That was sort of interesting to work out in my head), ThatGirl54 (Thanks! And will they even be reunited? Ha, jk. They will. Eventually.), and nightwatchers2 (Yay!).

Sorry my comments are long and obnoxious.

Disclaimer: I do not own this series. Let's be real.

She received word that Ned had been arrested soon after. Cass immediately wanted to go to Cersei and choke her, using the techniques Jaime had taught her, but she didn't. She was still neutral here. Dressed all in black, Cass asked her handmaiden what happened to Ned's children. "I've heard the oldest is kept in her room. She is King Joffrey's consort after all."

King Joffrey. So he was a king now. Cass did not comment. "And the younger one? Arya Stark?"

"She is lost, my lady."

Lost or killed? She did not know how this could have happened. Her own men reported back to her about the gold cloak attack on Stark bannermen, but Cass had not commanded them to fight for Ned Stark. They could not for then she would be next for dead. Renly was gone, which raised much suspicion, and recently Cassana had heard invisible footsteps, following her. She was the last Baratheon here, she realized. And Renly had not left nearly enough men.

She was in front of the dungeons where Ned Stark was held when a gold cloak stopped her. "What are you doing here, Lady Cassana?"

There was a threat in his voice. He had been bought and paid for by Cersei. "To visit a prisoner."

"Which one?"

She did not hesitate, "Lord Stark, sir. And who are you to question a noble lady like this?"

"It's m' job. The Queen Regent has declared no one speak to that prisoner."

"I do not care what the queen regent declared." Everything was falling apart and she was losing time for prudence. "Let me in before I order one of my men to force you to."

She always walked with two guards now, even down into the dungeons. She had one try all her food, one follow her everywhere and watch her every step and the doors outside. She knew these men. They watched her grow up and loved her and her brother. They could not be paid. "Watch him and make sure he does not leave until I do." Cass told one of her guards, Surik.

The dungeons were bleak and smelled like a room filled with chamber pots. Cass watched her footing as she walked down the long path of stairs, and ignored the wails beckoning her from the small, dirty cells. Find Ned. Just look for Ned. It took her a while, but eventually Cass had found his cell. Her chest felt heavy at the sight.

Ned Stark seemed broken on the ground. His leg must still hurt from Jaime. He had been here less than a day, and Cass intended on him not staying there a day longer. "What happened?" She leaned on the bars. It smelled disgusting here. Like death.

"I've been arrested."

She sighed, and knelt down to his eyelevel. "Robert's will..."

"Cersei ripped it to shreds."

Cass scoffed. She should have seen that coming. "Lord Stark, I will get you out of here."

"I did not know your brother was leaving. Why did you not go with him?"

Renly had betrayed him in some way, she thought. Perhaps Ned was relying on all of their bannermen. Surely the combined forces of the Baratheon and Stark would be enough against the Lannisters. But he had not thought about Cersei buying off the gold cloaks. No...there must have been another betrayal as well. Littlefinger. Renly was right.

"Renly forgets the kindness your family has shown us during my brother's rebellion. But I did not. I will bring you home to Winterfell, Ned."

"No, do not worry about me. My children..."

Are not as important. Winterfell needed a lord, not two girls. But she understood his refusal. "All of you then."

"Are they safe?"

Cass did not lie completely, "I have not heard otherwise, Ned."

"You should go to Storm's End. They will not like you talking to me. There are spies everywhere."

She knew this. It would be smart to leave, but she could not live with herself if she did. She looked at Ned and saw Jon Snow in his grey eyes, Robb Stark in his honor. She saw Lyanna taken by the Targaryeans, and she knew then that she would not leave him here to die. "I will talk to Cersei. Joffrey is just a puppet. And it would not be prudent to kill his fiancé's father."

Ned said nothing on that. Surely the thought of them marrying made him sick now. It sickened her as well.

When she was about to leave, Cass went through her hair, taking out one of her braids and handing Ned the golden pin. "I gave the same favor to your son in Winterfell." That seemed ages ago now.

"Is this a promise of good faith?"

"Yes, and more. If you escape, you can sell it for passage. It is real gold and sapphire. It should pay for your trip home or at least to Riverrun."

"Thank you, my lady."

She did not deserve his thanks. She did not deserve to talk to this man after her sister in law's and brother's betrayal. Leaving him was hard, but she needed to. She needed to talk to Cersei, but Cass was completely unsure of what she would say to convince her to let Ned Stark out.

She went to the Queen Regent's chambers and knocked. Her guards were behind her, but Cersei seemed uneasy to let them inside. "Stay here, then." If she killed her, so be it. The treachery could easily be proven and Cass would not mind if her death brought the downfall of Cersei Lannister at the moment. Whatever pity she felt for this woman left as she saw Ned Stark rotting in his cell, his leg injured and his face pallid and sickly. She needed to get him home and to a maester.

"My Queen."

"What are you doing here, Cassana?" Cersei did not hesitate. She was robed all in black expect for the fat ruby necklace on her collarbone. "I hear you made a visit to a prisoner."

"Your birds are good. Who are they? Varys? Littlefinger, my Queen?"

"Did we just come to accuse me of spying?" She huffed. "I do not have time for that."

"Other accusations, Queen Cersei, some worse than others." Cass let the threat hang before continuing. "I suggest you have your guards leave the room unless you wish for them to hear?"

Cersei prickled. She seemed uglier suddenly, and the guards were soon leaving the room at the wave of her hand. "Why did you not run away with your craven brother? Why are you still here?"

"To see that a Baratheon takes the throne." Cass said easily. "For it is not the case now."

"I will not continue to hear this trash. Ned Stark has been spreading rumors like the traitor he is. It was he who was responsible for Robert's death."

"Yes? Was it now? Was he also responsible for hiring an assassin to kill his son? For fucking Jaime and having his children?" Cass was not afraid any longer. Cersei was just a lady, a player of these games. The Queen could not fight her. She could not kill her with her bare hands like Cass could. "And let me not forget about Jon Arryn."

Her face reddened. "All you are saying are lies. Your brother's ambition has distorted your brain."

"Maybe. Or maybe I do this for my late brother's honor. Queen Cersei, I saw Robert's will. I know what it said. The people will believe me. They love me as they love Renly. If I call him the true king, the people will stand for it. There will be blood on your children's doublets."

"You would steal that from Stannis?" She laughed. "You would send your nephews and niece to their deaths? You do not have the strength, Cassana. You do not have the power."

"I do. And I would. Do not test me, Cersei. If you put Ned Stark's head on a spike, then yours will follow soon after."

Her laughter was real this time, loud, and bellowing and scary. Cassana stepped back, frightened, but Cersei just beckoned her closer."Is that what you think I intend to do? You think me an idiot then."

Cass paused, "What?"

"I do not intend on killing Ned Stark. I do not need Winterfell, Storm's End, and no doubt Dragonstone after me."

No, she did not. "Then why are you holding him?"

"Because he made the same threats you made to me, Lady Cassana. Ned Stark needs to learn to hold his tongue and that he cannot make these things known. Then I will release him."

"To go home to Winterfell?"

She shook her head."Once again, I am no idiot. He killed the king, you must remember." Cassana bristled, but Cersei continued, "Joffrey will pardon him and he'll be sent to the Wall."

"The Night's Watch? He'll have to...admit to these crimes."

"Yes."

"And what makes you think he'll do that?"

"Perhaps you can convince him." Cersei smiled. "Give him a week. Let him think about what he did, and then give him the option, Cassana. Be a good girl."

She was outgunned and outplayed. "Where is Arya Stark?"

Cersei shrugged. "I do not know."

"But Sansa though, she is alright?"

The Lannister guards were soon coming back inside. "As much as you are."

There were Lannister guards following her everywhere. Her own had vanished, and she could not help but feel that they were dead. Renly had left ten men for her, but that was nothing compared to the City Watch and the Lannister's men.

It was the same day that her guards were replaced that she found out Winterfell was beginning to stir. Some raven had reached the northern citadel and Robb Stark was not happy. How could he be? She pictured Robb, auburn hair tousled as he sat on Winterfell's seat, wondering how his father was, how his sisters were. The assassination attempt was most likely already known. They have no more friends here. Ned is a prisoner. Arya is gone. Sansa is a hostage.

She had no friends here either, or at least they were running thin. A loyal handmaiden had snuck her a letter, not from Storm's End or Highgarden, but from Dragonstone. Stannis.

The seal was strange, but Cass did not find that mattered much for she ripped it open anyway:

Lady Cassana,

Word of Robert's death has reached my ear, and the shame of his wife and fake children also. Lord Stark was right to inform me of this treachery. I am the proper heir, and from the fire and shadow, I will come and save you. By the power of the Red God, I will come to King's Landing and seize what is right and rescue you. Do not worry, little sister. Do not fear the flame for the night is dark and full of terrors.

King Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone and King in the Narrow Sea

It was short. Concise. Much like Stannis was, but the words were all wrong and so was the writing. She read the letter over and over. Stannis was never a religious man from what she remembered. But this...Red God dominated his speech and thought. She took his advice and fed the letter to the flames. Stannis thought her a hostage. It killed her to think that maybe he was right.

She was trapped here. Like Sansa. Like a mouse. She was not allowed outside her room unless she was appearing for court or meals. Her handmaidens barely spoke to her, and the men outside her door would not look at her directly. In Dorne, I would be a princess. Here I am a prisoner. Sansa was not faring any better. She barely saw the girl, but her face became longer, her red hair lost some of its fire.

A visitor came after a week, and she was surprised to see Varys knocking on her doors. "Lady Cassana, I fear I have not seen much of you."

"I'm sure you have heard much though." She was tired and bitter. "Tell me, do they call me a traitor as they do Sansa? Do they try to stain the Baratheon name?"

"On the contrary. You have taken ill after your poor brother's death. Maester Pycelle says you are recovering, oh yes, but there could be a dip in your health quite soon." Varys was telling the truth of what rumors were spreading. So be it. She was sick. Cersei could easily kill her off this way, Cass realized. That will not happen. "And as for the Baratheon name, it is Joffrey's, not yours, that is causing the staining."

She narrowed her eyes. "Why are you here, Varys? Are my walls too thick now? Would you like a hole?"

"Your walls have always been hard to hear through, my lady, but I come to bring you to the dungeon."

"Cersei has paid you to watch me."

"Yes, but not quite enough."

She smiled. "Very well then. I feel I do not need to remind you that my brother is backed by Highgarden and my other has a fleet that could bury King's Landing? And that I am currently still in both their favors?"

"You do not, my lady." Varys was in agreement. "Not at all. I'm here to take you to Eddard Stark."

"My lord?"

"Cersei just wants you to speak with him. We are...hoping for the same arrangement."

As am I. Ned would swallow his honor, but that would mean saving his life. She was not sure which he would pick. "Take me to him."

She followed Varys to the dungeon cells, where the dank of rotting skin and groaning bodies ached through her. Ned Stark looked worse—much worse, and Cass thought that maybe death would only be a matter of time now. "Eddard?"

He stirred up, and Varys apparently had keys to his cell, for the door swung open. Cass went in immediately, running practically to Ned's side and holding him up. She...she felt lost here. Trapped, like the Starks were, but she was going to find a way out for the both of them. She touched his shoulder. "Ned, please wake up."

"Cassana?"

"Yes, yes."

"What are you..."

"I am here to talk to you. I...I found a way out."

His grey eyes turned to the eunuch behind her. "Lord Varys?"

"Please my lord, while I do not intend to kneel in your shit as the lady here, I am also here to help."

"I...I..how?"

Cass moved away from aforementioned shit. "Cersei does not wish to kill you and bring about the anger of Winterfell. My brothers will be enough trouble for King's Landing." Cass noticed the ring fall from her bodice, openly visible. She did not move it. "She says that if you admit to your...treason, then Joffrey will spare you and you can take the black."

Ned did not respond right away, seeming to digest what Cass had said. Varys actually spoke first. "It is a good option, Lord Stark. Life over death."

"But what of my daughters?"

Cass bit her lip. She...she was going to do something very bad. "I think you may need to leave them here." Ned stared t her. "For now. Your family needs you. Robb and Bran and Rickon. And your wife, Ned. Arya is lost. Not dead, but the queen does not know where she is. Sansa is captive, but they will not kill her while she works as leverage. Do not let the Lannisters have two hostages, Ned."

"How am I supposed to forfeit my honor for a few more years of life? I cannot admit to this treason. I did not kill your brother. "

Cass nodded. "And I know that. And Renly knows it too and Stannis. There is war coming." She knew it was true. Everyone in this dark little cell did. "And if you leave this place and join my brothers, your 'treason' will be forgotten. Your daughter will be rescued and Joffrey and Cersei will not rule the Seven Kingdoms."

Varys was looking at her. She was wondering if he would report this to Cersei. Her own life was forfeit, she knew that. She was no consort to a Lannister. She was leverage for Stannis and Renly. A pawn. She would get revenge on this indirectly as long as Ned Stark was pardoned. She did not tell him that her brothers may be at each others throats for she did not hope that would come to be. "I will think on this."

"Please do." Cassana stood up. "Lord Stark, your leg is getting worse. Joffrey wishes to sentence you on the steps of Baelor tomorrow. It is good timing. You can go home in time to receive help from a maester."

"I will think, Cassana."

She looked to Varys who was already backing out of the cell. This was the best they could hope for.

On the steps of Baelor, Cass watched as Joffrey stood, antler crown on his head. He still looked like a little prick to her, but it was different now. He had power, so much power, that Cass wanted to leave this place soon. I do not know how that will happen. She would have to wait for Renly or Stannis. She was a sitting duck until then. And she suddenly wished Jaime was here.

There were so many people out here, crowding the steps. Hundreds of people seemed to pour out of the city streets. Sansa stood by Joffrey and Cersei, and Cass stood away, closer to Ned, but with her own flanking of Lannister guards nearby. Sansa had whispered to her before on the steps. "Joffrey promised me mercy."

Cass hoped this was true. She looked to Cersei, but nothing seemed amiss. The sentencing was soon. Ned's crimes were stated, and Cass hoped to both the old gods and the new that Ned would admit to it.

"I admit to treason."

The words were a relief. She could feel her body relax from the extreme tension she was holding. The admittance killed Ned on the inside. But it is okay. He can return to Winterfell. Cass would tell Ned not to take the black. Continue being a lord and fight back. Joffrey's words are meaningless. You are not bound. He was not Robert. He was not her king.

Joffrey was smirking above him. "My mother wishes in respect to my fiancé that I show mercy to this traitor and have him take the black. But I am not as weak as a woman. Eddard Stark of Winterfell, you are sentenced to death."

What? Sansa was screaming, and Cass found her own voice following hers."Stop! Stop it!"

Ilyn Payne did not stop. He kept walking, and Cass pushed forward through the guards who immediately grabbed her arms. She did not have time to fight through them, so she shouted again, "Ser Payne! In the name of Robert Baratheon, last King of the Seven Kingdoms, I command you to stop!"

Ser Payne looked to her, not saying anything for he couldn't. The crowd was loud, becoming cacophonous, and Cass turned to the guards. "Unhand me! I am a lady, a Baratheon. Let me go!" She elbowed one, knowing easily how to grapple out of holds, and the others relented. She did not move to touch Lord Stark, but instead, went to King Joffrey. "Dear nephew, you have no power to sentence life or death. I was there at my brother's deathbed. He had a will! He had told me what the future held for Eddard Stark, and it was not this!"

The crowd was too loud. They could not hear her. But Joffrey did. He grabbed her bodice by the breast and dragged her. "Aunt! You bitch! What are you doing questioning my reign?""

"Ask your mother." She shot Cersei a dirty look. "Do what you like to me, but be warned, that if I am dead, there will be no less than fifty ravens being sent to Storm's End and Dragonstone. My brothers will have a uniting cause."

Joffrey sneered and threw her back, but Cersei was grabbing her hand and dragging her inside. "All of you, now."

Joffrey was pushed in by Sandor Clegane, and Sansa followed soon after, weeping. They huddled into the Great Sept. Cersei's grip was cutting off Cass' blood flow.

"You impudent wench." Joffrey hit her on the cheek, rings cutting her skin. Cass wanted to fight back, but she bit her lip instead, drawing blood. "Filthy cunt!" Another hit. "How dare you! How dare you make these claims! These..."

"No one heard her, Your Grace, so sit your royal ass down." The Hound grabbed his shoulder and drew him back and away from Cass. Her face would be black and blue. The blood was already dripping on the sept's floor.

Cersei was much calmer, but her voice was pure poison. "He is right. Lady Cassana, how dare you say such a thing!"

"How dare you sentence this man to death!" Cassana shivered. Her jaw hurt. Her mouth tasted like copper and a surge of energy was pouring through her. What have I just done? It was too late now. She couldn't take what she had done back, and they had every right to kill her now if they wanted to. "Let him take the black. There is word that his son is gathering an army as we speak and you wish to kill him." She looked at Joff. "Send him back or put him into power as your regent. That would push the young wolf back. I do not wish for more bloodshed on the Red Keep's steps."

"She isn't wrong." The Hound was defending her. Ned was just kneeling on the ground, stunned and tired. Sansa was still crying. "Keep the girl here and you still have your leverage. Send Lord Stark back to Winterfell and have him take the black like you promised. That could calm the wolf boy down."

"And what of this interruption!?"

"Tell them about the will," Cass said. "I don't care what you say exactly. Tell them that my brother knew of Ned's betrayal and his last wish was to pardon him. Joffrey was...misinformed."

Cersei scoffed, "Well you certainly thought this through except one thing."

Cass didn't know what she meant. She hadn't thought any of this through at all. "What is that?"

"That we have no way of knowing that Ned Stark will not raise an army in vengeance of this little...mishap. Or if the young wolf as you say will cease his advances."

Is she not seeing the same man I see? Ned was sick. Very sick. He was not ready for war. He did not want this crown on his head. "I had not thought of that, Your Grace."

"But I have." Cersei smiled. "You forget that my husband's last wish was also to find you a husband. So it shall be."

Cass blinked. She did not know what that had to do with anything at all. "I am sorry?" She tried her best to mind her manners though on the inside she was reeling. She had risked so much, and she couldn't think straight. Her body was still shaking and sweating from what she had done outside. "I do not follow."

"Nor would you in that dim little head of yours. Joff, what if we do what Cassana says and send Eddard Stark home?"

The blond boy was taken aback, "But mother..."

"And she will follow, be sold to the Starks." Cersei was looking at her rings. "Like a doe. I can think of no better gift for her or for them."

Cass coughed, "But..."

"It is more than you deserve." Cersei hissed. "To be shipped to some foreign land like cattle or potatoes. And to be honest, I do not think I can look upon you again without ordering your head ." She spat and then turned her face back down. "Ned Stark was pardoned yes, but then escaped with you during the night since he could not save his own daughter. He has taken you hostage for Sansa and as a consort to his son if he does not cease this stupid war. King's Landing does not know what to do, but I am sure Storm's End and Dragonstone will seek your retrieval."

She plans on uniting my brothers against the North? Cass stayed silent. Even if Cersei's plans were believed, she was not so sure her brothers would pick her over the Iron Throne. They already are fighting one battle against themselves. What is another sibling but a casualty to war?

"My Queen, what is to stop the Starks from sending ravens to her brothers?" the Hound questioned. Cass knew he was right. There was nothing stopping them. "They could easily form an alliance."

Cersei didn't seem fazed. "Is it my misgivings or is both Dragonstone and Storm's End east of here? We will intercept every damn bird you send." She was staring at Ned. "And if I catch an inkling of such an action, I will have Ser Payne here kill another little bird."

Ned squirmed, and this time, Cass went next to him unafraid. "You wish for us to travel alone to Winterfell?"

"Nonsense. I'll have guards escort you. Your brothers would not know that, now would they?"

She could not join Renly or Stannis then, not that she knew who to go to. Cass looked to the group of people. Sansa was still crying. Joff wanted to kill her. Cersei...Cersei was offering a way out, but she saw the look on her face. This is a delayed killing. She would hunt her down when this was all over. Cersei knew that King's Landing could not afford a war against three armies. So send two after one and fight the victor.

Perhaps she shouldn't have let Cersei win. Perhaps she should have moved over to Joffrey, strangled him, and rid the kingdom of this menace. Tommen would not be any better with his mother at his back. And Ned's life would be forfeited too. No...No she was protecting Ned Stark. She owed this to him. "So be it, My Queen."

A/N:

There are more reasons to this not-so-well-thought-out plan by Cersei Lannister. Oh yes. More reasons than just plot devices.

Ah still nervous...there's a change in the tides coming. And I must apologize to my Jaime fans again, but do not worry too much!