Dragons of Wolf and Sun
Toxicfireball
Chapter 13: A game comes North
Summary:
We reach the start of AGOT. News of Robert Baratheons journey North reaches Winterfell.
Notes:
Warning: Mild smut at the end of Rhaenys section.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Catelyn
Catelyn never liked the godswood of Winterfell. The godswood of Riverrun was a bright place, filled with fond memories. Flowers bloomed everywhere in it, redwood trees with their bright red leaves were all over the godswood.
Winterfell's godswood was the complete opposite, it felt dark and gloomy. It had a sense of dread and danger, it felt ancient to her. Ironwood, pine and oak trees dominated the godswood, their branches blocked out many of the sunlight coming through it. The worse was the weirwoods, these were what Catelyn hated in the entire godswood. These trees with their carved faces seemed to judge her as she walked through her, all seemingly screaming she was not welcome here. Catelyn was a Tully of Riverrun, she followed the seven, with its familiar and relatable gods.
The so-called Old Gods were different, with its cold trees and only the trees to find solace in. She couldn't imagine anyone following this religion but in the North, it's people were hard and the gods were even harder. For her sake, Ned had built a sept in Winterfell in which she had heard complaints from the Northmen. She was grateful for it, for without it she could not pray to her gods
Even the flowers of the godswood, the wild Northern flowers had a harsh beauty to them even the winter roses of it all had a sense of being connected to the gods here.
Catelyn finally reached the centre of the godswood, a place the Stark's called the heart tree, with its massive Weirwood tree with its ancient carved face that gave Catelyn goosebumps whenever she looked at it. Yet, she came here because she knew she would find her husband here after he took a man's life.
She found her husband sitting on a moss-covered stone, the Valyrian greatsword across his lap. He was cleaning the blade inside those oily black waters.
"Ned," Catelyn said softly
Her husband lifted his head slowly "Catelyn, where are the children taking to the pups,"
Catelyn had been shocked and horrified that her husband had brought five pups back to Winterfell for her children. She had complained about it but her husband told her "There are five pups, three male, two female. The same number as our children, it is a sign," Ned had said, her husband never believed in signs and him believing in it persuaded her to let her children have it.
"Arya is excited and cannot stop caring for it, Sansa is charmed and happy while Rickon is a little wary," Catelyn replied.
"He is afraid?" Ned asked as he pulled the blades out from the water.
"He is only three…" Catelyn replied.
Ned sighed "He will have to grow up, for Winter is coming."
The words of House Stark always stood out to her, for they were a strange one. It did not boast of honour, strength, wealth or anything. It was simple and was a warning.
"I know you dislike these woods, why did you come here?" Ned asked, his eyebrows raised. Catelyn sighed and broke the news to Ned.
Catelyn passed the parchment to Ned, "It is grievous news, Jon Arryn is dead. I am so sorry Ned, I know he was like a father to you."
Ned's eyes turned hard with grief, the news hit him hard as he expected. "He lived a good, long life," Ned said. "He is with the gods now."
"Jon's son? And his wife? Your sister, Lysa?" Ned asked with concern
"They have returned to the Eyrie," Catelyn said.
"The Eyrie is no place for a grieving soul." Ned urged "Take the children and go, console your sister"
Catelyn gave Ned a sad smile "I wish I could, the King is riding for Winterfell,"
Ned read through the message for a minute before he looked up once more "By the gods, Robert has rode for Winterfell?"
Catelyn nodded "He is coming to seek you,"
Catelyn had expected Ned to smile but he tensed up and grimaced. The two had a rocky relationship ever since Ned stood against his friends during the sack. Ned had defended Princess Rhaenys Targaryen when the King wanted to take her. It is said it nearly came to blows, the Martells were gratefully for the Starks for that. However, Catelyn could not help but wish it was better if the Princess was gone. The Targaryen girl was arrogant inside Winterfell and was a poor influence on Arya. If she was dead, the bastard of her husband would not have lands and could not rise against her trueborn son.
"When was the message received?" Ned asked.
"Today."
"Today, which means knowing Robert, he would pass Harrenhal, approaching the neck," Ned said. "I will have to send an honour guard down the King's road. I need to gather hunters and find singers for the feast."
"That's not all," Catelyn said "Read the last paragraph,"
"He demands to see the Rhaenys?" Ned turned grim, he by muttered something softly under his breath.
"We have to do something," Catelyn said, "The girl will make a bad impression on Robert, her arrogance knows no bounds."
Ned sighed "I will have to talk to her, I suppose the Whitefyre's will have to stay in Winterfell," The Whitefyre's. The name of the House angered her, the sheer existence of the house angered her. The House was a threat to Robb, thank the seven the bastard spawn came out silver-haired and purple-eyed. She prayed the rest of their children would be similar, so that the Northmen would never support them in case they rose against Robb and his children. The North would not stand for a Targaryen looking spawn.
Catelyn felt her blood boil at the fact the bastard would stay in Winterfell. She groaned inwardly "Ned, please guard your tongue. The Lannister queen is said to be pridefully,"
Ned snorted "She will likely try and find opportunities to accuse me of treason, I suppose I do have to guard my tongue. Robert is bringing his children is he not? Three of them, two boys and a girl."
Catelyn nodded and there was silence for a while before Catelyn asked: "You know why the King is coming here do you not?"
Ned's face turned hard and his mouth set into one straight line "I do and damn his royal hide for it,"
Rhaenys
"The King is coming here," Ned Stark said as they ate dinner together with the Stark family. Rhaenys felt a chill go down her spine and saw Jon stiffened next to her.
"Robert Baratheon is coming to Winterfell?" Jon asked slowly.
"He is," Ned Stark confirmed.
Robert Baratheon coming here? The man who killed my father and threatened to kill me and my mother.
"We will leave Winterfell before the king gets here," Jon said and Rhaenys nodded, she did not want to see the King.
"You cannot do that," Lady Stark said, "Robert Baratheon wants to see the Whitefyres when he comes to Winterfell." She said Rhaenys house name venomously. Rhaenys ignored her, not wanting to start an argument. Yet the fact she must meet the King chilled her to the bone.
"Why?" Rhaenys ask though she knew the answer.
"He will want to make sure you are loyal," Ned Stark replied, he did not look happy about the visit either.
"But why would Rhaenys not be loyal?" Sansa asked, "You are loyal to the king right?"
Ned gave Sansa a small smile "If only things were that simple,"
Jon and Rhaenys did not eat much during the meal, both of them were too preoccupied with the news and Visenya who seemed to cry out far more often tonight. There was some conversation but not much. Ned Stark, however, asked them to meet him at his solar later on.
After Rhaenys had put Visenya to sleep, Jon and her went to Ned Stark's solar. Ned Stark greeted them and offered them ale which they both declined. To their surprise, both Ser Jaime and Ser Arthur were there, all looking equally grim. The news must have reached them.
Ned Stark had a grim look as he gestured for both of them to sit. "You are aware why I invited both of you here?"
"To tell us how to act when they come?" Rhaenys replied.
Ned Stark nodded "Robert Baratheon is coming here, the Northerners still hold grudges against him. I fear he will not react well to it. The thing I fear the most is Robert's reaction when he sees you two and your child.l
Ser Arthur added on "Rhaenys and your child, Visenya are in his eyes the biggest threat to his rule. The Baratheon rule is not stable, they fear you."
Ser Jaime added "My sister and my father hold a special grudge against you. In their eyes, because of you, they lost the heir to Casterly Rock. I know it's my decision but they will not see it that way."
"We have no intentions of rebelling," Jon interjected.
Ned Stark shook his head "To this power-hungry men and women, they will not care."
"We will be on our best behaviour," Rhaenys assured, though she was not confident she would not be able to hold up if the King started insulting her.
"Best is not enough," Ser Jaime said, his voice serious now. "They will probe you, ask questions after questions. They will try their best and provoke you, especially my sister. She loves her children fiercely and fears you are a threat to her queenship."
" If you talk back, Jon or Rhaenys, they will exaggerate every bit of your action and will brand you as a rebel. If it comes to that, they will call for your head." Ser Arthur said grimly.
"We will sit there and take insults," Jon said rather softly but fiercely. Rhaenys could see his jaw was all tensed up"If they want to insult us, they are free to do so."
"I am sorry it has to be like this," Ned Stark said, "I know that's not who you are Rhaenys, but if they don't believe you are completely loyal, heads will roll, and I do not want any heads rolling."
"I understand," Rhaenys said softly, she mentally prepared herself for when Robert Baratheon came, she would be ready. Through the storms, we preserve. She remembered her House words, she will not allow a storm sweeping her and her family away. Rhaenys will preserve.
"Have you been asking Ned Stark on the potential trade deals?" Rhaenys asked Jon as they were in the godswood together. Whenever they were free, Rhaenys and Jon would spend lots of time together in the godswood. Ser Jaime or Ser Arthur would sometimes join them and spar with them. However, both of them would seem to disappear with Ned Stark. Rhaenys suspected it was due to the imminent visit by the King.
"I haven't got the time," Jon admitted "Lord Stark always so busy now,"
"Why do you always call him Lord Stark?" Rhaenys asked curiously "Why don't you call him father?"
"A bad habit," Jon said quietly "I am only a—"
Rhaenys slapped Jon, though with little force, "I told you not call yourself a bastard!" She said hotly and Jon laughed.
"I forgot! Could you not slap me every time I call myself how I was born?" Jon said with a chuckle. Rhaenys sat down on an oakwood stump. They were silent for a moment before Rhaenys spoke up again.
"What are we going to do when Robert Baratheon comes?" Rhaenys asked, trying to keep the nervousness out of her voice.
"We try and please him," Jon replied "I don't want to cause a war,"
"A war," Rhaenys had thought about the possibility of it countless times and it seemed winnable to her. As Rhaenys thought about it, Jon's direwolf, Ghost crawled onto her lap.
Rhaenys pat Ghost head slowly as Jon opened his mouth "When we found Ghost's mother, dead lying on the ground. We found out she was killed by a stag, a direwolf killed by a Stag. Rhaenys I fear the signs, the direwolf had six children."
Rhaenys did find it rather unsettling but her mother had always despised prophecies and signs apparently her father had been too obsessed with it. Ghost curled up on her lap, Jon's direwolf had taken a liking to her and Jon japed Ghost and spent more time with Rhaenys then it did with Jon.
Rhaenys got up and walked through the godswood with Jon beside her. They loved the godswood, it had a brooding, ancient atmosphere that made it feel truly godly. The trees stood tall and strong which symbolised the Northmen rather well. The Godswood had its own beauty, with its numerous wildflowers and Winter Roses which could be found all over it.
"It was just a dead direwolf, Jon, don't read to much into it," Rhaenys answered though she wasn't to sure herself.
Jon nodded his head as they continued walking through the godswood, they passed by a bush filled with wildflowers, numerous pine and ironwood trees.
"How would we convince the Stag we mean him no harm?" Jon said slowly "What do they want to see?"
"They want to see you completely loyal and completely subservient to you," Rhaenys replied, "Hopefully Ned Stark can put in a word or two to show our loyalty."
"You being subservient to me?" Jon chuckled with amusement "I can't imagine that,"
Rhaenys smiled in return, the two of them treated each other as equals in their relationship. Rhaenys could not imagine being a broodmare many ladies were. "Of course you can't. But when Robert Baratheon comes I suppose I have to act,"
Jon sighed as they approached the hot springs inside the godswood. "I hate this, this acting we have to put on. We have no choice I suppose, Robert or the Lannister queen will kill us if we show signs of rebellion,"
"I dislike this too," Rhaenys said as she sat down next to the hot spring, enjoying the smell it gave off, "We have no choice Jon. As you said, our heads are on the line. I suppose I will act all loyal and timid to you, you will have to act dominant. Though you have to convince the King that House Whitefyre is loyal,"
Jon chuckled "I am going to be acting dominant and you all loyal and timid? I have no idea how to pull that off,"
"I would just keep repeating how loyal I am to you," Rhaenys responded, she wanted to make it sound like a jest yet she truly feared not being able to pull the act off convincingly.
Jon seemed to have noticed her fear, he sat down next to her, with the steam from the hot spring slightly blurring Rhaenys vision. "Rhaenys, are you okay?"
Rhaenys felt her voice crack "I am scared, what if I don't act well enough? What if Robert calls my head and war follows? I don't want people to die because of me,"
Jon pulled her in and hugged her "Rhaenys, it's okay.I know you will act well enough, I will also have to act and so will everyone, Lord Stark, Ser Jaime and Ser Arthur. They will all have to act."
Rhaenys buried her face inside Jon's hair, she always loved Jon's hair with its curls. "I know it's just that…" She paused to collect herself "I fear so many things can go wrong,"
Jon nodded his head as he embraced Rhaenys "I know, I am afraid too but we will persevere," Ghost moved and looked up at both of them with something that looked like a determined expression. "See even Ghost agrees with me,"
Rhaenys laughed and patted the Direwolf's head. Ghost never made a sound but Rhaenys could almost hear it barking in support. "Thank you, Jon," She said.
"For what?" Jon asked, his eyebrows raised.
"For being such a great husband," Rhaenys said with a smile, "You are probably one of the few husbands in Westeros who treat their wives equally,"
Jon gave her a soft smile "Oh, you have been a great wife. You are one of the few Princess to ever treat a bastard equally,"
Rhaenys sprayed water from the hot spring towards Jon im which he flinched backwards and laughed "Don't call yourself a bastard!"
"Apologies," Jon said with a grin on his face.
"Don't call me Princess," Rhaenys added, "If Robert hears it…"
"I won't call you a Princess when Robert comes," Jon replied.
"You treat me like one though," Rhaenys japed,
"That means a lot to me," Jon smiled at her. "I love you,"
"I love you too," Rhaenys replied and she leaned forward, Jon did the same and their lips met in a kiss.
Ghost looked up at them when they broke the kiss. The direwolf looked like he was smirking. The direwolf jumped into the hot spring pond next to them, spraying water over both of them.
"Ghost!" Jon shouted with annoyance as he brushed his soaked hair with his hand.
Rhaenys giggled "I think he means for us to join him," She said as Ghost surfaced over the hot spring, his blood-red eyes looking at them. "Jon, let's take a bath," Rhaenys said.
"Together?" Jon asked his eyebrows raised, though Rhaenys could sense he wanted it as much as she did.
"Come on Jon," Rhaenys said with a small grin as she undressed herself, removing her cloak and her dress. She was pulling off her smallclothes with the cold northern air over her skin when she said "Jon, get your clothes off,"
Jon blushed slightly but pulled his cloak off, "We should not bath for too long, Visenya…"
Rhaenys removed her small clothes, leaving her naked as her name day. She could see lust in Jon's eyes, not that she blamed him. "Visenya is with Old nan, we will have to take a bath sooner or later, why not now? I loved the hot springs anyway," Rhaenys replied as she jumped into the hot spring, enjoying the hot water. Water sprayed onto Jon in which he grumbled "Rhaenys…"
Rhaenys laughed as she realised she had made most of his tunic wet. "Who asked you to undress so slowly?" Rhaenys japed. Rhaenys always loved steaming water, her mother had told her it was her Targaryen blood which made her have a high tolerance of heat. To her surprise, Jon had no problem jumping into the hot water, even when his Stark siblings in the past required a while to get used to the high temperature. Yet, Jon Was different, Jon was far different from his Stark siblings, his direwolf was different too.
They were immersed in the hot water of the pond. Rhaenys could easily tell Jon was clouded with lust, he reached for Rhaenys. Rhaenys melted instantly and wrapped her arms around Jon, feeling one of her hands go to his ass. They kissed fiercely, Rhaenys feeling her mouth hungry against his. She could feel his manhood, hard as steel pressed against her thigh.
Rhaenys glided his manhood inside her, Jon moaned softly as he was sheathed inside. She felt her fingernails dig into Jon's.
"In the hot spring?" Jon asked.
"Why not?" Was all Rhaenys said.
"We might not be alone in the godswood!" Jon suddenly said, alarm in his voice.
Rhaenys giggled "Do you want to stop?" She challenged as she felt herself peaking in pleasure.
"No," Jon whispered "I don't want to ever stop,"
"Fuck Robert Baratheon," Rhaenys whispered in Jon's ear "They wanted you to be a punishment, but all I feel, see and have is a reward. Fuck him, the Lannisters and everything else. Others can take them."
Her line seemed to have inflamed Jon passions even more as he pushed her to the side of the hot spring, Rhaenys could feel the soil on her rear but she did not care.
"If anyone is in the godswood they would have heard us," Jon said with a chuckle as they lazed together in the hot spring.
"Let them," Rhaenys said "They will them know we are one,"
Jon laughed but then he turned slightly red "But what if my siblings heard us?"
"I don't care," Rhaenys said as she nipped his ears with her mouth. Ghost paddled towards both of them, how did he know when to swim? And pawed at both of them, its white fur soaked.
"We should go," Jon said as he patted Ghost on the head.
"I don't want to ever leave this pond," Rhaenys said, "I want to stay here with you, we can bring Visenya and Ghost but that is all.I want to stay with you for an eternity"
Jaime
"How has the preparation been Lord Stark?" Ser Jaime asked as both of them descended into the crypts "If my sweet sister does not have everything her way, she will complain about it,"
Ned Stark sighed as he led him down the stairs, Jaime hated the crypts in Winterfell. It was cold and creepy, every time he entered he could feel the cold, unwelcoming gazes the statues gave to him. Yet it was the only place Ned Stark would speak to Ser Jaime, Ser Arthur and his brother about Jon and Rhaenys.
"We have the majority of the food prepared, a dozen course feast should suit Robert. I have prepared hunting parties for Robert loves to hunt." Ned Stark replied "My wife is handling the preparations rather well,"
"For my brother chambers, you should put lots of candles for he likes to read," Jaime replied. They walked past the lighted lamps to find Benjen and Ser Arthur there, waiting over Lyanna's statue.
Ned Stark nodded and sighed "Damn Robert for informing me so late, I cannot find enough singers and fools."
"If you need a fool, perhaps you can put Theon Greyjoy in a motley hat," Jaime japed, Ned Stark face showed no reaction. Ned Stark always seemed so grim, especially with the threat of Robert's arrival.
"Brother," Ned Stark cracked his grim exterior to give a smile to his younger brother "How are your children?"
"They are fine, Dacey seems intent on drilling them in swordsmanship," Benjen said as he returned a smile.
"Of course she would, Mormons are like that," Ned replied with a smile.
"How are your children? I saw the direwolves," Benjen asked, "How are Jon and Rhaenys and their child?"
"Robb is growing bigger and taller each day, Sansa is excited over the royal visit, Arya…" Ned Stark had a wistful smile on his face "Arya is more and more like Lyanna, Bran can't seem to stop climbing and Rickon grows each moon's turn,"
"Jon and Rhaenys?" Benjen asked.
"Those two are in love," Ned Stark replied with a small smile "A few weeks ago, Arya came running to me asking what Jon and Rhaenys were doing in the godswood. When I asked what she saw, she told me they were kissing inside the pool naked. I did not know how to explain to her,"
Benjen laughed while Ser Arthur grinned "That's good…" Benjen said. "They are siblings though," he said with a shake of his head.
Jaime shifted uncomfortably, remembering the last time he bedded Cersei all those years ago, when she had convinced him to join the Kingsguard. No, I will not think of Cersei.
She is coming here. The thought unsettled him greatly, how would Cersei react? As for Tyrion, Jaime felt guilt wash over him. Tyrion had not been the same after the Tysha incident. I should have told him the truth.
"The Targaryens wedded brother to sister," Ser Arthur replied.
"They are not fully Targaryens!" Ned exclaimed "I suppose we have no choice, thank the gods they love each other. Though Visenya being so Targaryen is something that will raise eyebrows on,"
"I can assure Robert Rhaenys has only bedded Jon," Ser Jaime said with a smirk remembering the moans that would come from their room when passed by at night and the looks they gave each other.
"We don't question Rhaenys fidelity, but Robert upon seeing silver hair and purple eyes.." Benjen said softly.
"He can't do anything in Winterfell," Ned said.
"He can't," Jaime agreed. "But my sister loves her queenship, she will feel that the Whitefyres are a threat and will whisper in Robert's ears. If Robert calls for Rhaenys or Visenya's head, what will you do?"
Ned Stark sighed "I suppose war, I hate this but I cannot allow Rhaenys or her child to be slaughtered,"
"What would this war be for?"Benjen asked "How would we win it? Do we storm King's Landing?"
"We can declare Rhaenys and Jo—Ameon as King and Queen as Westeros," Ser Arthur said.
"No!" Ned Stark exclaimed "I will not fight for the Targaryens on the throne and depose the Baratheons,"
"Your nephew will be king!" Ser Arthur replied hotly "It is their birthright!"
"It's not a war we can guarantee winning!" Benjen replied, "Both of them are happy with where they are, why not just leave it like that?"
"It is only right!" Ser Arthur replied "The Baratheons are usurpers…"
"The right was lost once Robert Baratheon sat on the throne." Ned Stark replied
" ...The war is winnable, the North, Dorne will rise. The Tullys and the Arryns are tied to you through marriage, the Tyrells owe the Targaryens and Jaime can bring Casterly Rock over once Tywin and his brother Kevan dies," Ser Arthur replied stubbornly.
"It's treason," Benjen said slowly.
"No," Ned Stark said coldly.
"I have to agree with Lord Stark," Ser Jaime said, "I will not go against my own blood for this."
Ser Arthur looked defeated and sighed "Why keep Robert on the throne when there is a much better alternative?"
"Because it will cause the lives of thousands," Ned Stark replied coldly.
"Including my own blood," Ser Jaime said "They have a rightful claim on the throne, but there is no reason for war to occur,"
"Ser Arthur, I understand your feelings," Ned Stark said "but I will not fight for their claim to the throne. I will war for their survival not claim,"
Ser Arthur looked down in shame "I am sorry," He said quietly "I swore to the Targaryens I cannot help but…"
Benjen gave him a small smile "I know, but we don't want innocents to die,"
Ser Arthur nodded his head accepting their reasoning "Have we prepared everything?" Jaime asked.
"We have," Ned Stark replied, "Preparations of Robert's arrival are ahead of schedule, Ser Arthur will leave for Dragon's Watch tomorrow to not cause problems."
"Do we have any idea when he is coming?" Ser Arthur asked.
"In two weeks, they passed White Harbour already," Ned Stark said.
They were preparing to leave when Ser Arthur asked Ned Stark "When will you tell Jon?"
"Tell him what?" Ned Stark replied.
Ser Arthur raised his eyebrows and Ned sighed, "I don't know,"
"He has a right to know," Benjen replied.
"And finds out he has been fucking his own sister?" Like you Jaime quipped "It will destroy him,"
"I will tell him when the time is right?" Ned Stark replied, Jaime could tell his voice was filled with guilt and anger.
"When will that be? Are you going to keep it from him for the rest of his life?" Ser Arthur replied.
"If I have too!" Ned Stark replied angrily "God knows what he will do if he finds out, if Robert knows, both of them will find their head on spikes, their child too!"
"You are afraid they will declare themselves King and Queen," Ser Jaime said quietly "They weren't, both of them have no ambition for the throne,"
Ned Stark was silent "I will tell him when he's older, he is still young and I have no idea what Rhaenys reaction might be. I might destroy their relationship."
Ser Arthur sighed "Swear you will tell him,"
"I swear on my life," Ned Stark said solemnly and Benjen sighed.
"It's a mess. We have brother and sister bedding each other without knowing it." Benjen shook his head "It will be better if the rebellion never happened so we won't have to deal with this,"
"If the rebellion didn't happen, Rhaegar would sit on the throne," Ser Arthur said "And with his head in prophecies, I cannot say he would be better than the Baratheons,"
Ser Jaime was shocked to hear Ser Arthur criticise Rhaegar Targaryen, the two were famously best friends. I suppose seventeen years of reflection do change opinions. Like you and Cersei.
Jaime flinched internally No I will not think of Cersei. Yet Cersei would be coming to Winterfell and Jaime could not bear to see her. He would see Cersei's children, Tyrion. These he was glad to see but for Cersei… He tried to push her away from his mind, but he could not.
"What is done is done," Ned Stark said, "We will have to live with the consequences."
Notes:
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, sorry couldn't get it out early, I have just been so busy. I would love if you leave some feedback!