THE WILD WOLF

Brandon was proud of Ned. His silent brother, more Arryn than Stark, finally proved to be worthy of applause. At first, he was shy, unable to invite Lady Ashara Dayne by himself, however, after dancing, they began to get along. Brandon was sure his brother had lost his virginity that night at Harrenhal, which is why he was so proud.

"And you say Lord Dayne invited Ned to Starfall", Lord Rickard Stark asked.

"That's right, father", Brandon replied. "Ned and Lady Ashara met at the tourney and Lyanna says they fell in love."

"Love, huh? Is that true, Lya?" he asked, looking away from Lyanna.

"It is, Father", she replied. "They danced together and spent hours talking."

Lord Rickard didn't answer, he only judged them with his icy gaze, as if he did not believe the story they were telling him.

"Benjen, is the story true?"

"It is, father", replied little Benjen.

"Well", muttered the lord of Winterfell. "If Ned had not sent me this letter I would believe that the three of you are hiding something from me, however, I recognize my son's handwriting. I don't like what I read, Dorne is too far away for the alliance to benefit us, I would prefer my Ned to marry Barbrey Ryswell or Berena Hornwood."

"Berena is ugly and Barbrey is mine", Brandon replied, causing anger in his father's eyes.

"I don't want you to dishonor Lord Ryswell's daughter, Brandon, anymore. You are engaged to Lady Catelyn Tully."

"Do you care so little about love that you will also deny it to Ned, your favorite?"

"Don't be insolent, Lyanna. You are my children, and you will marry whoever benefits our house the most. Now, out of my sight, all of you."

That night, Brandon found Lya in the crypts of Winterfell.

"Do you know how many of them married for love?" she asked.

"I have no idea. I only know that father didn't, he married mom to unite the two lines of House Stark."

"Aunt Branda did it and she's happy", she snapped.

"Fortunately, Cousin Arlan didn't come with us."

"We need to send Ned a letter. If anyone's going to marry for love let it be him, he's lucky he's out of a parent's reach."

"We can't do anything; Ned is such a coward that he wouldn't marry without permission. I had to force him to visit Starfall", Brandon complained.

"I just happen to be good at emulating father's handwriting", Lya suggested with a sly smile.

"That's my little sister", Brandon replied, under the gaze of all his ancestors.

THE LORD OF STARFALL

Stark liked him, which is why he was so hurt by what he was going to do. When young Ned arrived at Starfall in the company of Ashara, Ulrick was pleased. He always feared that her impulsive younger sister would marry a man unworthy of her, someone who didn't measure up to House Dayne. Fortunately, Eddard Stark belonged to a noble and ancient lineage, a man worthy of his sister.

"Guards", Ulrick ordered, causing astonishment to all presents in the dining room. "Arrest Lord Eddard."

"Ulrick! What's wrong?" squealed Ashara.

That they were married only made it more painful. At first, he was surprised how quickly Lord Rickard Stark agreed to the marriage, however, he suspected that Ned informed him of his situation with Ashara. It was to be expected that their relationship would end in pregnancy, the marriage was just a formalization of a romance.

Ulrick believed that being free of the septons the northerners were more open to the idea of having lovers and that therefore, Lord Rickard agreed to let his son marry in distant lands if he wished. Ulrick understood this, although he had the Dornish mentality, he preferred that his future nephew or niece be born within a marriage, because even in Dorne the bastards did not inherit anything.

"A war is coming, little sister. Ser Arlan Rogers, your husband's reckless cousin, had the audacity to go to King's Landing to ask Prince Rhaegar to come out and die."

Ned did not respond, as if it was difficult for him to assimilate the situation.

"And why would Ser Arlan do such a thing?"

Ulrick paled, he knew the answer wouldn't sit well with anyone.

"I am sorry to report that Lady Lyanna Stark disappeared in Riverlands and rumor has it that she was seen in the company of the prince, however there is no hard evidence."

"Rhaegar kidnaps my sister and you take me prisoner?" said Ned.

"Don't think it's not painful for me, Ned. But if I die in battle my sister will be the new lady of the castle, the best thing for everyone, the best thing for Dorne, is that you stay here until the war is over."

Ned didn't answer, just let the guards take him to the dungeons. Ashara for her part gave him a hateful look. Ulrick hoped that one day she could forgive him.

Notes

Some time ago I promised that I would take up some ideas from another fanfic that I deleted, "the star and the wolf". And well, here it is, a story centered on the love of Ned and Ashara, since in my other fanfic "the red lady of Storm's End" Ned is not the protagonist and I am not going to focus much on Ashara.

The story will have some romance, a genre I'm not used to but I hope to improve.

By the way, Merry Christmas!