Chapter 4
Ned Stark
283 AC
It was a weary and burdened Ned Stark who rode through the gates of Winterfell. In the four months since leaving his sister and most of his companions at the tower Ned had crossed Westeros once and his body felt it. He left the Tower in the company of his friends Howland Reed and Willam Dustin, also in his party was Ser Gerold Hightower, who would accompany him and speak on his behalf to the Martells in Sunspear. For two weeks they rode from the Tower until they were met at the gates of Sunspear, by the Prince of Dorne and a small party.
As they drew closer Doran Martell called out a greeting. "Lord Commander Hightower what brings you to Sunspear?" His eyes glanced over to Ned and the other Northerners. "With enemies no less."
Ser Gerold rode closer and said softly. "It would be best to have this conversation in private. Lives will depend on it."
Doran paused in thought for a few moments before agreeing. "Fine you and your companions may enter. You will not be harmed for as long as you are in my domain." He gestured the men behind him and the cities gates opened. One of the men turned his horse and began riding hard into the city. Doran told the travelers to follow him and they made their way inside riding all the way to the palace.
The group dismounted and followed their host inside as he led them to the entrance hall. He turned to them and said. "I sent a man to have the servants prepare quarters for all of you. I will have someone lead you to them. Once you have bathed and rested, we will meet in my private solar to have our discussion."
Ned followed the young woman leading him to his room once they had arrived and walked inside the spacious living area she turned to him and said. "I will begin preparing your bath, would you prefer to bathe yourself or have some company. Also, if you would leave your dirty clothes out I will have them washed for you."
Ned politely turned down her offer of companionship and once she had left started to remove his armor and clothes. He laid his dirty garments in a pile and made his way into the steaming tub. He washed away the dirt and grime that accumulated over the past two weeks on the road. Once he had emptied the dirt water and filled the tub once more, he soaked in the hot water to ease his worn body. After he left the tub, he dressed in his newly cleaned clothes and started cleaning and polishing his weapons and armor. He had just finished when a knock sounded on his door.
"Yes?" Ned said as he opened the door and saw a male servant standing there.
"My Lord, Prince Doran has asked me to lead you to his solar."
Ned gave a small nod of acknowledgement and followed the man as he led him through the halls. They had come upon a large ornate door when the servant stopped and knocked and led Ned inside. Once he entered Ned saw Doran seated at a large desk, to his left sat a young man who resembled him greatly, and behind him stood a large dark-skinned man who Ned felt carried himself like a dangerous individual. Across from them he saw Ser Gerold sitting and an open chair beside him.
Prince Doran smiled and gestured for Ned to sit in the empty chair and said. "Lord Stark allow me to make the introductions." He laid a hand on the young man to the left of him. "This is my brother Oberyn and behind me is my bodyguard and advisor Areo Hotah."
Ned nodded in greeting to both men as Prince Doran continued. "Now let us speak on why you have come to Sunspear."
Ser Gerold gestured for Ned to start. "Prince Doran I have come for a few reasons, but first I have come to sue for peace?"
Oberyn Scoffed and said. "Why should we make peace? We may have lost the Iron Throne to the Usurper, but Dorne can just go back to being an independent kingdom. The only reason Dorne joined the rest of the kingdoms was because of marriage we never were conquered."
"Yes, Dorne could go back to the days where they were not part of the greater whole, but you must see that would hurt you in the long run. If you were ever attacked no help would come, your trade will be taxed heavily, your people would suffer."
Doran jumped into the conversation before Oberyn could respond. "Was there another reason you have come to us, Lord Stark, or is it just peace from us that you want?"
Ned nodded. "Yes, I know where your sister and niece are hiding?"
Oberyn jumped up and said. "Is that a threat?"
Ned leaned back in shock and outrage, he made to stand up when Ser Gerold put a hand on his shoulder keeping him in his seat. Doran Martell turned to his brother and said heatedly. "Oberyn you fool, sit down!" He turned back to Ned and said. "Lord Stark I apologize for my foolish brother, he speaks before thinking." At Ned's nod of acceptance, he continued. "Now you say you know where my sister is? I do question how you know this, as she disappeared before your army made it to the city."
Ned struggled with answering because his honor and pride demanded the truth, but for the safety of the plan a lie was necessary. "I know where she is, because Ser Jaime acted on my behalf spiriting her and the children away from the city." He looked around and saw confused and troubled looks on Doran and Oberyn's faces. "I knew what Tywin would do and what Robert would order in regards for her and the children, so I sent messages to Ser Jaime offering asylum in the North to all of the remaining royal family. I would appreciate your silence regarding this as it would be very bad if the wrong people found out."
Doran Martell shook his head and asked. "Why would you do this? Why would you risk so much for people you don't know or have any connections to?" He was going to say more but was interrupted by his brother.
"Are they to be hostages so we comply with the Usurper? Will you threaten them to obtain our obedience?"
"Enough!" Ned shouted to the younger Martell. "I do not threaten innocent women and children." Ned took some deep breaths to calm himself so as not to draw his weapon on the man. "I take insult in the fact that you think me capable of such an act." He turned back to Doran and said. "You ask me, why I take such a risk. I take the risk because they are family. My sister and your sister were married to the same man." He held out a hand to stop Doran from interrupting. "Before you get angry about this fact, you must know that your sister was the one who put the whole thing into motion. She was the one who pushed the two together and was there when they married. If you want proof ask Ser Gerold he was there."
Ser Gerold nodded. "For all of it I can not say, but at the wedding of Rhaegar and Lyanna, Elia was there and stood with Lyanna. They all seemed happy that day, it was also Elia's idea for them to hide here in Dorne we were there when Lord Stark and his party came upon us." Ser Gerold then told them about what had transpired leading up to the rebellion and what had happened at the tower during. After he was finished Ned turned to Oberyn.
"Since you believe me capable of harming innocent women and children come with me to see your sister. Though first, I am expected back at Kings Landing. After the coronation I will be going back to Winterfell, once I see my new wife and son and talk to my Lords I will be going to retrieve them." Ned stared back and forth between the two brothers and added. "Once at the Capital I will be telling Robert my sister is dead, I beg of you to let the fact she is alive, stay between us."
"I still don't see why we need to let my sister and her children hide in the North, they should come home to Dorne." Doran Martell said after a few moments of silence.
Ned shook his head and said. "Robert and Tywin know they are alive. And as long as they live, they present a threat to Robert's reign. With Tywin pushing his daughter on Robert and with my sister no longer available Robert will agree, so Tywin has a major stake in keeping Robert on the throne. They will have spies everywhere in Dorne and sooner or later they would be found out. No-one would expect them to be in the North as everyone believes I am Robert's man."
Oberyn snarled. "You are his man. You grew up together, you fought together, you put him on the throne."
Ned stood up and said. "I did not put Robert on the throne. I rebelled when a king murdered my father and brother and called for my head. I made my way North on foot dodging the mountain clans from the vale and bounty hunters looking to be in the king's good graces." Ned paused and started pacing. "When I finally made it home and called my banners, Robert declared he would be king. He never asked me. He never told me his plans, when my armies joined the fight everyone was behind Robert." He sat down and in a defeated tone said. "I wanted Aery's removed. I did not want the whole family deposed, the Starks bent the knee to the Targaryens, not the Baratheons."
"So, what is it you want, Lord Stark?" Doran Martell asked.
Ned ran a hand through his hair and with a wistful sigh said. "I want to go home and live the rest of my days in the North. I want to grow old and watch my children grow in peace. Though with Robert and Tywin in power peace is not going to last."
Doran stared hard at Ned and asked. "Will you help put our nephew Aegon on the throne, once the time is right?"
Ned shook his head. "You don't have a nephew named Aegon. I know you will not take my word for it, I doubt you will take Ser Gerold's word, that will be something that you will have to discuss with your sister." He saw the frowns forming on both princes faces. "From all the information I have Aegon was a decoy to fool Aerys so he would not harm Elia. I will be supporting my nephew Daeron if he wants to assert his claim."
"You are correct I will need to speak to my sister and hear this from her own mouth before I will believe you." Doran paused and rubbed his face and asked. "Am I correct to assume should your words prove true you want Dorne to declare for your nephew?"
Ned held up a hand and said. "Eventually, should we become allies. I want you to see I tell the truth before we start talks about this."
Doran turned to Aero and they whispered back and forth for a few moments before Doran turned back to Ned and said. "So, peace talks, and family talks, anything else you have come to discuss, Lord Stark?"
Ned nodded. "Yes, one last thing. along the coast of Dorne there is a special type of sand, I would like to make a treaty of trade and acquire as much of that sand as I can."
"And what would you trade for this sand?" Doran asked intrigued.
"For ten ship loads of the sand a year for the next five years. I will give you in return one ship load of Northern Steel, and one ship load of Iron wood a year."
Areo stepped forward and whispered in Doran's ear. After a few moments Doran turned to Ned and said. "I can agree to that. Once you have returned North and retrieved my sister, I will travel to White Harbor and bring the first year's shipment and a representative of the iron bank so they can write up and hold the contract."
Ned thought it over for a moment before nodding his head and agreeing. He then asked. "Prince Doran, will you have peace?"
"Oberyn will travel with you to Kings Landing in my stead. He will negotiate with the Usurper, if he meets our demands we will submit." Doran paused and turned to his brother. "Then he will travel North with you and speak with my sister, when I arrive then he will leave with me."
Ned agreed with the plan. They spent a few more minutes discussing the particulars before they retired back to their rooms for the evening. Ned went straight to his bed once he had arrived back to his room. For two days he and his men recovered and rested in Sunspear, every evening he would dine with the Martells and some of the other Lords of Dorne. On the fourth day of their stay Ned and his men accompanied by Oberyn and Ser Gerold boarded a ship sailing for Kings Landing.
Midway through the third week on the ship found Ned on the deck of the ship trying to spar with his men while trying to compensate for the rolling of the waves. The sailors had gathered around and were betting upon the outcome. Ned did a quick thrust to Howland's midsection and rolled as Willam hacked at him from behind. Finishing his roll, he lashed out with a quick slash at Willam's legs and finished him with a thrust in the chest.
Ned heard clapping from behind him and saw Oberyn Martell leaning on a rail watching the fight.
"Well fought Lord Stark, would you do me the honor of a quick spar."
Ned toweled the sweat from his face, and gave the Dornish man a nod. "Very well, Prince Oberyn. Will you be needing a practice sword?"
Oberyn shook his head and gestured to the spear he carried. "I am competent with a sword, but the weapon I prefer is the spear." He noticed the weary look on Ned's face and said. "It is a training spear, no need to worry."
Ned shook his head and beckoned the man into the training circle and waited. He watched Oberyn twirl his spear as he moved forward, and dodged the quick slash at his face. He circled to the left and parried a thrust at his chest, and followed quickly with a backhand of his own. Oberyn spun out of the way as the sword flew past his head and used his momentum to land a strike to Ned's leg. Ned shrugged the hit off and tried to close the distance to nullify the longer weapon's reach advantage. Once he was in range he parried another thrust at his torso and scored a hit on a quick slash to his opponents' chest.
Ned kept the close distance and trapped the spear to the deck when Oberyn went low with a thrust. He followed with a quick thrust and held it under Oberyn's chin. "Yield?"
Oberyn nodded and gave a quick smile. "I see that the rumors were true, very well fought Lord Stark. We will have to do this again sometime." He picked up his spear and walked away.
Howland gave a quick pat to Ned's back. "Well done my lord."
Ned took a few moments to catch his breath. "He fight's like his uncle. Lewyn Martell almost skewered me at the Trident."
Willam came up from behind and said. "Yes, but you handled yourself well on both occasions."
Ned was about to respond when the lookout shouted. "Kings Landing sighted!"
Ned sighed and made his way to his quarters below deck. He entered his room and used his basin to wash the sweat from his body. He changed into his nicer clothes and grabbed his pack. He grabbed a letter from it and made his way to Ser Gerold's room and knocked.
"Enter." Said Gerold through the door.
Ned opened the door and made his way inside and passed the letter to the Kingsguard. "Here, give this to the Queen once you arrive in Braavos."
Gerold shoved the letter into his own pack and said. "How long do you think it will be before you are able to come pick us up."
Ned ran a hand through his still damp hair and replied. "I will be in the Capital for no longer then a month. The journey back to Winterfell is close to three weeks. I will be there for a couple of months at least. It will take you a month aboard this ship to reach Braavos. Once you are there you can expect me in four or five months, maybe six if something goes wrong."
Gerold nodded and shook Ned's hand. "I hope things go smoothly then."
Ned left the knight and made his way onto the deck and saw the city drawing closer on the horizon. He stayed out of the crew's way as the readied the ship to dock and watched the men expertly bring down the sails and moor the ship. He and his men followed by Oberyn made their way down the gang plank and they were met by a city official.
"I need your names so as to register who enters and leaves the city." The portly official said never looking up from his book.
Ned stepped forward and said. "I am Eddard Stark, Warden of the North, Lord of Winterfell. Travelling with me are some of my bannermen and Prince Oberyn Martell of Dorne."
The official paused his writing and glanced up. "My apologies Lord Stark, Prince Oberyn, but King Robert insisted on these new rules."
Ned waved him off and said. "Are we permitted to enter?"
The nameless official gave a nervous laugh and said. 'Of course, Lord Stark." He tore a slip out of his book. "Present this to the guards at the Red Keep to enter."
Ned took the paper and thanked the man. He walked away and waited for his horse to be unloaded from the ship. Several minutes later he and his companions all led their horses through the city all the way to the Red Keep. He gave the guards the slip of paper and made his way inside. In the entrance hall Varys greeted them.
"Lord Stark, welcome back to Kings Landing. Prince Oberyn it is most surprising to see you here and in the company of Lord Stark."
Oberyn gave the man a glare. "Ahh the Spider, spin any interesting webs lately?" He noticed his words had no effect on the man, who still had his easy smile in place. "I am here on behalf of my brother to negotiate the surrender of Dorne. As for why I am in the company of Lord Stark, well I am sure you can guess."
Varys tittered softly. "Oh, I can imagine a few reasons, though I believe it is because Lord Stark talked to your brother and convinced him to agree to peace."
Oberyn gave a short nod as Varys signaled the chamberlain. "The chamberlain has rooms already prepared for you." He was walking away when he turned around and handed Ned a scroll. "Oh, Lord Stark this came by raven for you sometime earlier this week." He walked off leaving them with the chamberlain.
Ned studied the scroll and noticed the seal was unbroken. He doubted that Varys hadn't read every word, but he had to admit the man was good at covering his tracks. He followed the chamberlain to his room and once he was alone he broke the seal and read the scroll.
Lord Stark
Lady Lyanna's body has arrived in White Harbor with her honor guard. Will accompany them to Winterfell and send another raven once we have arrived.
Lord Wyman Manderly
Ned breathed out a sigh of relief. His letter to Lord Manderly had been received and he had written his reply as instructed. He was happy Lyanna and her party had made it to White Harbor and hoped he could lie successfully to pull off this deception. He folded the letter and put it in his bag and would show it to Robert once they met. He was sitting at the small desk in his room going over his plans for the North when someone knocked on the door.
"Yes?" Ned called out as he made his way to the door.
"Lord Stark, King Robert is requesting your presence in his solar." Said a young man as Ned opened the door.
"Give me a few moments." Ned said as he rummaged around his room and grabbed the letter from Lord Manderly. He then followed the young man out of the room and deeper into the keep. They made it to the solar and knocked loudly upon the door. They heard the command to enter and made their way inside. Ned saw Robert and Jon Arryn looking over document laid out on the table.
The young man gave a short bow and said. "Your grace, I have brought Lord Stark, as instructed."
Robert gave him a short thank you and waved him away as her turned to Ned. "Ned, I am glad you're back." He came around the table and grabbed Ned in a big bear hug. He pushed Ned away and looked him in the eyes. "Lyanna?"
Ned shook his head and started to get a guilty feeling in his stomach. He knew that it had to be done but his honor stung having to lie. Ned looked at Robert and told him the same thing he told him in his last life. Once he finished Robert howled and grabbed a vase and smashed it against the wall. He raged for minutes yelling about, "dragon-spawns" and how he wished to kill Rhaegar again. He poured himself a large mug of wine and finished it quickly finally he sat heavily. "Where is she? I wish to pay my respects and say goodbye."
Ned fished out the letter from Lord Manderly and passed it to Robert. Robert read it quickly and slammed a hand on the table.
"Why did you have her taken North?" He ran a hand roughly down his face. "She should be buried here, with me."
Ned shook his head. "She is a Stark. She belongs with her family, she will be buried with her family."
"She belongs with me." Robert roared.
"So, my sister is just some object to you?" Ned said and started to feel his fury rise. "The night my father agreed to your betrothal, you went to the brothels at Wintertown and drank and whored until the following morning." Ned started pacing as he ranted at Robert. "I remember Lyanna begging me to talk to father and try and make him see reason and cancel the betrothal." He saw Robert grow pale and Jon stare at him in shock. "I defended you, I told her you would change, I stuck my neck out for you. You never loved my sister, she was just an object for you to possess."
Robert stood up and shook a fist at Ned. "Careful Ned, careful."
"Or what Robert? What will happen if I am not careful, will you strike down a Stark and have the whole North descend upon you like a plague." He shook of Jon's hand as he tried to get in between them. "You disrespected my sister time and time again with your whoring, and now you try and tell me where I can bury my own flesh and blood." He turned away and walked to a chair at the far end of the table.
Robert had his head down in shame. "Ned, I am sorry, of course Lyanna belongs in Winterfell, but you are wrong I did love her. As soon as the vows were said I would have given up the whoring."
Ned scoffed. "Really? Your actions say otherwise."
Robert jumped up. "I fought a war for her."
"No, you fought a war for you. I don't blame you for calling the banners, Aerys called for your head as well as mine. However as soon as I make my way south, you declare, you are to be king." Ned stood up and felt his fury rising again. "How was that for her?"
Robert looked to Jon who shrugged and turned to Ned. "I don't know what you want me to say. But I need you Ned, I can't have enmity between us. The kingdom is a mess right now I can't have you angry with me too."
Ned rubbed his face. "What do you want Robert?"
"You and Jon are my strongest allies, if people were to find out that we were at odds they would rebel quickly."
Jon stepped in and said. "Ned, I understand you are grieving, you have lost a father, brother, and sister in a short time. But you and Robert need to repair this now, we need a united front or others will rise up and try to tear us down."
Ned sat down and rubbed his face. "You are right. I apologize it has been a long last few months."
Robert nodded and sat down. "I can understand that. I also want to thank you for relieving the siege on my home."
Ned waved away the thanks. "So, what do we need to do?"
Robert glanced down at the table and picked up three or four papers. "These are from the Spider, he has reports that the Targaryens have left Dragonstone for Pentos. I am about to send men to take care of it."
"Are you out of your mind? You are going to kill innocent women and children?" Ned said though he wasn't shocked by this. "Robert if you want peace you can't do this. Oberyn Martell is here to negotiate peace, if you assassinate his sister that will no longer be possible."
Robert waved him off. "I have instructions for her not to be harmed."
"And her children?"
Jon looked away as Robert said. "They are a threat, and as long as they live people will rise up for them."
Ned shook his head in disgust. "You condone this Jon?"
The lord of the Vale refused to look at him as he said. "The kingdom needs stability and peace."
"This will only cause war with Dorne." Ned spat at them. "You have only sat on the throne for a few months and it has changed you this much."
"What would you have me do Ned." Robert said as he held his head in his hands.
"Be a good king, earn the trust of the people and eventually they will love you. If you approve of murder of innocents, people will always despise you." Ned stared hard at his friend. "It is up to you. Will you be the benevolent king loved by the masses, or the tyrant who murders babies?"
Robert and Jon looked at each other and started a quiet conversation between themselves. Robert finally turned to Ned and said. "Fine I will leave it for now. Though if I get reports of them rising back up I will handle it like I wanted to begin with."
Ned nodded. "I can live with that." He stood and stretched. "If you will excuse me, Your Grace, it has been a tiring journey I think I will retire for the evening."
Robert waved him away. "Yes, I think we all need to rest and cool off." He scratched his beard and said. "The coronation is in two weeks; you and Jon will crown me together. I will be rather busy in the time before with all of the other lords, so, if I don't see you before, I apologize."
Ned gave him a small bow and left. He made his way back to his room and crawled into his bed and slept fitfully. He felt guilty about lying, and his anger at Robert and Jon caused his mind to race. He felt better about his decision when he realized Robert was never going to be a good king.
In the morning after he woke and dressed Ned grabbed his men and they made their way to the street of steel.
Howland glanced around and asked. "Why have you brought us here, Lord Stark."
Ned smirked and said. "I thought you would both appreciate seeing what is about to be done." He saw the familiar shop and headed for it. He entered and asked one of the apprentices. "Where is Tobho Mott?"
The apprentice told him to wait and ran to the back of the shop and emerged minutes later followed by a middle age man. The man came forward and said. "I am Tobho Mott. What can I do for you?"
Ned smiled and said. "I have heard you can rework Valyrian Steel. Is this true?"
Tobho scratched his chin. "Rework aye, though I can't make it."
Ned shook his head and unsheathed Ice. "I have the steel, but this sword is not useful in modern combat. I would like it to be reworked into two swords." He pulled out a drawing of a wolf's head. "I want both blades to be the same length, but I want one hilt to be a two-hander, on the other I want it to be a hand and a half."
Tobho studied the drawing and said. "I take it you want this design for the pommel on both?"
Ned nodded.
Tobho then asked. "Do you want the blades colored?"
Ned thought about it for a moment before asking. "Can you make them icy blue?"
"Aye though it is harder to do." Tobho said scratching his chin. "Anything else?"
"Are any of your apprentices getting ready to branch out on their own, or even close to your skill?" Ned asked thinking it would be good to have someone like this in Winterfell.
Tobho thought about it and answered. "My oldest son has mentioned branching out though he would have to leave the capital to do it. He has been taught all I know though he could use more experience." He looked at Ned and asked. "Why?"
"I need someone this skilled in the North. I have a good blacksmith at home, though he is not as talented as you." Ned scratched his head and asked. "Do you think he would be willing to come North with me?"
"He might as long as there was good money in it."
Ned laughed. "We just fought a war. Armor and weapons will need to be repaired or replaced. If I say I have Tobho Mott's son, lords and soldiers from all over the north would come to him."
Mott laughed. "I'll ask him. But first let's see your sword and I will give you an estimate on price and time." He beckoned Ned to follow him to the back of his shop
Ned followed the smith and laid Ice on the table in front of the smith. He watched as the man held it and measured it. He started drawing chalk layouts of the two swords Ned asked for. After about ten minutes he handed the sword back to Ned.
"Well there is enough steel for the two swords. I can start on it now, and the forging will take the rest of the day." Tobho then called for an apprentice. "I will have my apprentices start on the hilts and pommels." He then studied Ned closely. "I take it the only adornments you want on your sword is the wolfs head pommel."
Ned nodded. "Aye, I am not one for frivolity."
"I gathered that by your manner of dress. Basic and functional, most lords wear gaudy garments that would not do well in fights, though others wear functional clothes but wear gold rings." Tobho smirked. "Though I see a gold ring on you, it looks to be a marriage band."
Ned just shook his head at the slight and asked. "How much will this cost?"
Tobho pursed his lips and thought about it. "Two swords, with you providing the Steel. Two hilts, and two scabbards. Also, the tint added to the steel, altogether fifty gold dragons."
Ned nodded and grabbed his purse. He laid twenty-five dragons on the counter in front of the man. "Half now, half when the job is finished."
Tobho scooped the coins off the counter. "Well seems I best get started. You can stay and watch, though please stay quiet during the forging as it is very tricky."
Ned handed him ice and watched the man get to work. He had mixed feelings about reworking the blade but he knew it was for the best. He watched as Howland and Willam winced as Tobho really started to work the metal, he knew how they felt. Finally, after what seemed an eternity Tobho came to him and showed him the two newly forged blades. He studied the icy blue tint and the ever-present pattern of the Valyrian Steel, he found them to be both beautiful and deadly. Tobho told him he should have them ready for pickup in a few days as he had only finished the forging. Ned and his men left and returned the next day and the day after to watch the full process. After three painstakingly long days his swords were ready.
Ned laid twenty-five gold dragons on the counter and thanked the smith. As he was leaving he turned and asked. "Did you ever speak to your son, about coming north?"
Tobho smiled and said. "I did, he seemed open to the idea. However, he said it would be a year before he could make the trip."
Ned nodded. "That's fine, tell him to travel to White Harbor and have Lord Manderly send me a raven." He once again thanked the man and left with his swords. He made his way back to the Red Keep and to his room.
Robert's coronation went off without a hitch all of the Lord's attended and watched as Ned and Jon laid the crown atop Robert's brow. The people cheered though some looked like they would rather not. After all of the festivities Ned pulled Robert aside and said.
"Your grace, I am asking permission to go home?"
Robert looked ready to argue and said. "I need you here Ned, what will I do with you all they way in the North."
Ned shook his head. "You have Jon and a council to help you rule. I have a new son I have yet to see, and I have a sister to bury."
Robert sighed and nodded. "Fine, go home. Though I expect you to come and see me every few years." He gave Ned a huge hug and walked away.
Ned packed up his belongings and collected his men. He searched hard for Oberyn and found him in a brothel. The following morning the group left the capital and made their way North. Their travel was slowed by the strong bandit presence in the Riverlands. It took several weeks to finally make it to Riverrun. After a week stay with his father-by-law Ned and his group made their way further north. Once they reached the Twins it took all of Ned's composure not to gut Walder Frey as soon as he saw him. He barely kept his temper in check as he paid the man's price to use the bridge. Howland left him once they reached the Neck, but not before promising to head to Winterfell soon for the conference. Willam left them as they passed the Barrowlands, he too promised to be at the conference.
After another week Ned and Oberyn along with their small escort finally made it to Winterfell. Once he rode through the gate he saw his wife holding a small bundle, he also saw his sister beside her holding her son. Ned dismounted and walked toward his wife, he picked her up from her curtsy and crushed his lips to hers. She was dazed as he pulled back and took the small bundle from her arms. He saw his son Robb and he looked exactly the same as his last life he held him close and cried tears of joy, he was finally home.
