THE QUIET WOLF

Eddard Stark would be the first person to tell you he was never meant to rule. He was a second son who was supposed to get a small keep and rule them in the name his brother. But alas fate had other plans. He became Lord Paramount of the North after death of his father and brother at the hands of The Mad King Aerys II Targaryen.

While he did lead the Northern troops in the war he knew very well that he was not at all well versed on North Politics due to being fostered at Vale of Arryn since he was eight, The Lords of North while honorable and blunt were still a prideful bunch. Glovers and Umbers cannot stay in same room without bickering. Manderlys like eating. Hornwoods like boasting. Roose Bolton will always wait for you to start conversation and if you do not deal with him cautiously he will do anything for his benefit. These are some of the thing you learn in the North.

Ned Stark knew while not as good ruler as his father he ruled North fairly. He knew while he was a decent administrator, he was not good at politics. That's what made this situation even harder. His wife Catelyn received a letter from her sister Lysa Arryn nee Tully stating that her husband and Ned's Mentor Jon Arryn, the previous Hand of the King was murdered by Queen's family, The Lannisters of Casterly Rock.

He knew Lannister's were an ambitious, honor less and ruthless lot as proven by their actions during the Sack of King's Landing where Jaime Lannister murdered the King while being part of Kingsgaurd thus betraying his vows and Tywin Lannister ordered the death of Elia Martell and her children.

The only reason he accepted the position of the Hand was to find out the cause of his foster father's death and to protect his friend. Speaking of his friend-

"Ah isn't it a good day Ned? It reminds me of all the times we used to hunt together in Vale. Those were the good old days." Robert was riding a big black stallion beside him. They were out hunting again. Like they were everyday since they crossed the neck.

The man beside him did not look like his friend at all. The Robert Baratheon he remembered was clean shaven, heavily muscled tall man who looked everything like knight from songs. The man beside him was vey fat with a wild, thick beard which hid his double chins. He walked like he was constantly drunk. While he remembered Robert being fond of drinks and women in his youth, the man beside him was most of the time drunk and he slept with every woman he could get his hands on. He was sad to see his good friend become this person.

Robert was a changed man, gone was the charismatic man who could easily convert his enemies into friends easily. Now he mostly talked about past or complained about his wife. He also seemingly ignored his children except talking about how they were all disappointments especially Joffrey. HE never even talked about his second son. In fact if Ned hadn't heard about the second Prince before he would have doubted about second Prince's existence.

After spending yet another day hunting the party went back to the Crossroads Inn where the Royal party was currently staying. Only Royal Family and his family with their personal retainers were in the Inn while rest of the party was camped around it.

After inquiring about his daughters and finding they were still out Ned went to his rooms to freshen up and change into something more comfortable. After sometime he heard a knock on the door and when he opened it he was met with sight of a very happy nine year old who was bouncing in excitement

While he knew parents weren't supposed to have favorites, he had to confess that Arya was his favorite. She looked so much like his sister when she was young that it was sometimes almost too painful to look at her. She even had the same wolfsblood like his sister that he sometimes couldn't help but indulge her.

"What are you so excited about Arya?" he asked his daughter while motioning her to sit beside him.

"I actually got real sword training today. Harry even told me if I worked on my speed I could attack people fast enough that they will be down even before they have time to react." She spoke so fast that he had to take a moment to understand.

"Harry?" he asked with a frown on his face. He knew she played with the Butcher's boy, perhaps he was Harry but he did not have any sword training.

"OH! I mean Prince Hadrian." his daughter replied causing him to raise his eyebrows.

"When did the Prince arrive and how did you meet him?" Ned questioned his daughter.

So she told him all about the incident with Joffrey and confrontation between the Princes. By the time she finished her story, there was another knock on the door.

Standing on the door was a tall man with white hair and blue eyes. Despite his age he looked as strong and graceful as any younger knight. He was wearing the white armor of Kingsgaurd. This man was Ser Barristan Selmy, the lord commander of Kingsgaurd. One of the most Respect knights of the seven Kingdoms

"Ser Barristan. I was not aware of you arriving." Ned stood up nodding respectfully towards the older man.

Seeing Arya sitting he replied, "Sorry to interrupt Lord Stark but the King requires you presence. As for my arrival I got here today with the Honor guard from the capital." The old man replied.

Ned put on a black doublet and told Arya to go back to her room telling her that they would talk more afterwards.

On the way he asked why the King asked for his presence. The old knight replied that Robert was greeting the Honor Guard and would like him to be there.

When they got to the hall he could easily see Robert sitting in a makeshift throne with queen standing on his right .He easily recognized Renly as he looked exactly like a young Robert but less muscled. He also remembered Illyn Payne from the Sack. He spotted his daughter standing beside Prince Joffrey who was glaring at the person standing in front of Robert.

It was that person who caught Ned's attention. He was around six feet tall with messy black hair. He was lean but you could easily see the muscles. He had deep emerald eyes. His face was the perfect combination of the king and the queen with Robert's jaw and Queen's cheekbones.

"What are you doing here? I exiled you to Storm's End didn't I?" Robert asked his second son with venom dripping from his voice that took Ned by surprise.

"Ah... You did, your grace but for five years which If I remember correctly have ended." If the Prince was offended by his father's tone he did not show it. "It's a pity I could not meet Lord Arryn one last time." He added as an afterthought.

"Be more respectful towards him, boy." Robert snarled.

"I respect Lord Arryn father, after all he was the one who saved me." The prince said.

What did the boy mean by that? Whatever it was caused emotions flashed through Robert's face, guilt and rage primary among them while the Queen grimaced. Ser Barristan beside him flinched while Renly started looking towards ceiling.

"Why did you attack your Brother, the Crown Prince?" The queen asked changing the topic.

"He was the one who attacked me while my back was turned towards hi might I say. I just defended myself. Lord Stark's daughters were there as was Ser Balon if you want witnesses." The Prince stated

"The Crown Prince of Westros attacking his brother from behind. Wouldn't that make lovely story for small folk?" The prince said dramatically causing said Brother's face red with anger.

Soon the hall dispersed. Before leaving he asked Ser Barristan about how Jon saved the Prince. The old Knight replied ominously

"He is the only reason that Prince is alive."