Discovery

Ned returns to his chambers with a million thoughts running through his head. Why would a bastard be of such importance? Why would Jon Arryn die for knowing such information? He paces back and forth trying his hardest to put the pieces together but for the life of him he cannot. He enters his solar and sits at his desk with his head in his hands and goes through what he knows in his mind. Gendry is Robert's bastard. Lord Arryn died only weeks after learning of this information. Lord Arryn was interested in the Ledger that described all of the families in the seven kingdoms. That's it. The book.

Ned scrambles to the book shelf where he kept the ledger hidden from prying eyes. Flipping through the pages he finds the Baratheon's family line and begins to looking through the details. Stannis Baratheon, black of hair. Robert Baratheon, black of hair, Renly Baratheon, black of hair. He looks through the list and sees that all three of Robert's "children" are of yellow hair. Looking further through the ancestry he sees that the dominant feature of black hair has been blessed upon all Baratheon's even those who come from Lannister parentage. And it is then that he sees the connection. It is in that moment that he realizes that none of the children could possibly be Robert's.

Gathering his thoughts Ned thinks of what he could possibly do with this information. Jon Arryn was murdered because of it and it is obvious that there is no one in the castle that he could trust. The only thing he could do was try to reason with his best friend and try his damn hardest to convince him of the lies he has been surrounded by. He gathered the book and tucked it up under his arm before leaving his solar and requesting a private meeting with the King.

He was sitting upon his throne with a goblet of wine between his fat, sausage like fingers. His squire was not far off waiting patiently to refill his master's glass before the goblet was emptied, he knew he would not be waiting long. He was about to retire for the day as he had met with the last of his people who had been requesting an audience, when Eddard Stark came into the throne room and knelt down before him.

"Rise my friend," he said with a bellowing laugh. He always found it amusing when his friend knelt down to him. As King, he had many a people he expected to bow before him but Ned was not one of them. "You are Hand of the King, Ned. Next to me, you hold the most power in the realm. I've known you since we were boys, don't be such a fool."

Ned stood with a smile, "I may be your friend and Hand your grace, but you are still my King."

"Very well, what can I do for you Ned?"

"We must speak in private."

The two left the room using the door behind the throne and made their way to the King's solar. Robert had his squire pour another goblet of wine before settling back more comfortably in his chair. He looked across his desk and studied the expression on his friends face. It was a grim one, full of confusion and regret, he also seemed to sense a bit of pity behind his eyes. He dismissed his squire from the room before leaning forward as in questioning the purpose of this meeting.

"Robert, there is something we must discuss and I beg you to listen completely to what I have to say before you react in such a way that you will regret it," Ned spoke quickly and as he looked up to meet his friends gaze the expression he once read turned into confidence. He leaned back once again resting his chin in his hand as he used the arm of the large chair to hold his weight.

"Speak, Ned."

"As Hand of the King Robert, it is my duty to protect you. It is my duty to give counsel and advice, as well as be here to protect your throne in your absence. I am not doing this for honor, nor am I doing this for the respect of Westeros. I am doing this because I am your friend first and foremost and I would rather be here as someone you trust than be one to take pleasure in the control I have within my grasp. I need you to understand that in the years that I have known you, I have always been by your side and have backed you up in any decisions that you have made. You understand this don't you?"

"Yes, Ned. I trust you. I would not have brought you all the way to King's Landing taking you away from your family had I not trusted you. Now, what is this about?"

"It is about Jon Arryn's death," Ned paused as if he were gauging Robert's reaction at this point, but his face remained neutral. "I believe he may have been murdered. Poisoned actually."

At this, Robert raised an eyebrow in curiosity, "What would make you believe such a thing?"

"Jon was of good health, Robert. He had no apparent reason to have been taken so ill at the rate that he did. He was a strong man of noble birth and had no issues in the past. I have discussed Jon's health with Maester Pycelle and he seems that it could be a possibility though there is no hard evidence in the matter. On his death bed, Jon said 'the seed is strong.' I didn't know what he meant at the time when I first heard of the words, but Robert I think I have finally discovered the truth and would like you to hear it with an open mind. Will you listen?"

"Of course I will listen Ned. But you are making it seem as though it is something I don't want to hear. So, be quick about it."

Robert watched as Ned took a deep breath. He sat silent for a moment before going on to relay the events of the past day as he discovered the truth. He spoke of Jon Arryn's quest and how he followed the same path. He told him of the ledger and not knowing its purpose in the matter. He spoke of his visit with a blacksmith's apprentice and how he had thought and thought over and over of the connection between everything. Robert found himself growing more and more curious as he listened to Ned ramble on about the Baratheon lineage. Finally, Ned laid out a large book in front of him which he automatically assumed to be the ledger he had mentioned earlier. He watched as Ned flipped open to his family's page and showed him the connections. Black of hair, black of hair, black of hair. All Baratheon's man and woman, have been born with black hair for centuries. He felt himself become overwhelmed as he finally looked up to his friend.

"Are you telling me what I think you are telling me?" he said, not knowing what else he could possibly say in the moment.

"Robert, I am sorry to be the one to bring this to your attention. Never was it my intention to hurt you. I felt you need to know the truth, that you have no rightful heir to the throne. If you would prefer, we may let the matter go and we shall never speak of it again," Ned said boldly with his voice filled with reassurance.

"No, no. That won't be necessary. I fully intend to let it be known and set Cersei on trial for her sins. I thank you for bringing this to my attention but I have no idea what to do next. I will not allow my brothers to have the throne and I have no one to follow me as king once I am dead," he swallowed hard the remaining wine in his goblet, this time refilling the cup himself before draining it again.

"I have a possible solution for you Robert."

"And what would that be?" he answered full of curiosity.

"Gendry."

I hope you are enjoying so far. I plan on making the chapters a bit longer from this point on and will have another update tonight. They won't always be so quick so don't get your hopes up but I don't want to keep you waiting so check back soon :).