EDDARD StARK II
KING'S LANDING
Despite the incident at the Crossroads Inn the rest of the trip south was uneventful. It was tense as either Sansa or Arya were speaking to each other; they each blamed the other for what happened. Sansa is especially angry since Eddard sent Lady Home without talking to her. Eddard decided that he would make the two apologize to each other.
Soon King's Landing came into site, the last time Eddard was here it was on fire and Lannister troops were sacking the city. As they ride up the main street to the Red Keep people cheer. The city is bustling with activity as Knights and Lords from all the South show up for the Hand's Tourney. When they reach the keep Eddard's group separates from Robert's to enter through the Tower of the Hand.
The Tower of the Hand has its own yard, barracks, and wall which is a part of the main wall surrounding the Keep. There are over fifty rooms in the Tower alone. "Septa Modane…Ser Jorey set up my House on the second floor…Make sure all other rooms are sealed off…"
"Yes My Lord." They say at the same time.
"Lord Stark…"
"Lord Stark!"
He turn to find a man walking towards him. "I am Court Herald…I serve the small council…Maester Pycel sent me to fetch you to a meeting…"
Eddard was hoping to get some rest and deal with his daughters. "Fine!" He looks at Jorey and Modane, "Get everything ready I will try to be back for super…"
Eddard had bought his own cook, "Anything in particular you want for super My Lord…" The cook asks.
"Meat and potatoes …"
He looks at the Herald, "Would like to change into something more appropriate My Lord Hand?"
Eddard removes his gloves, "Lead on…" He follows the man to the council chambers beside the throne room. Pycel is waiting with Renly, Ser Barristan, Lord Janos Slent, Petyr Baelish, and Varys. Barristan pulls Eddard on the side.
"I am sorry about that business on the King's Road My Lord…"
"Thank you for saying that Ser Barristan…"
"Welcome to King's Landing and congratulations of your new Post as Hand of the King…" Baelish says.
"Thank you…So My Lords what is so urgent?"
Petyr Baelish hands Eddard the ledger as Lord Janos speaks, "There is an increase in traffic in the city with upcoming tourney…There was a brawl on the street of sisters and another at a tavern…"
Eddard looks at Petyr Baelish, "Lord Baelish is this all that is left in the treasury?"
"The King insists on having the tourney to honor you…my Lord Hand…"
"Debt paid…Who paid off this debt to the Iron Bank?"
"We believe it was Illyrio Mopatis…Magister of Pentos…" Varys says speaking up.
"He has also convinced the Iron Bank and the other banks of Essos to stop loaning the crown gold…" Baelish says, "I have spoken with the Banks of Myr, Qarth, the Summer Islands, and even Lys…"
"And I see we owe House Lannister two and half million gold Dragons…" Eddard shakes his head, "Perhaps we should cancel the Tourney…"
"Why not do what Lord Tarly did at his Tourney…" Ser Barristan says speaking up, "Charge the participants an entry fee…"
Eddard nods, "Good idea Ser Barristan…A hundred gold Dragons per entry…"
"What about Houses who have more than one entry?" Renly asks.
"Same rate…What is the Purse for the winners…"
"A thousand for the winner of the archery contest…Two thousand for the sword and three thousand for the Mounted Joust…"
Eddard looks at Janos, "I will lend you fifty men of my House Guards to help with security…"
"Thank you my Lord I shall put them to good use…"
They discuss other matters like the threat of the Targaryens and House Martell, "What of House Romyn? They fought for the Targaryens in the war…Could they be involved?"
"It's hard to get a spy into West Point or any of the other places held by House Romyn…Even if we do nothing is ever said outside of Lord Julian's trusted circle…" Varys says.
"What of troop movements and military strength?"
"The Romyns have five thousand men at West Point…Ten in Capri…Twelve manning the Western wall…Eight at Crakehall, six at Axel Ridge…Port Romyn has nine on active duty…The military strength on the Iron Isles is unknown…Varies from Island to Island…No Iron Born man is trusted to bear arms…They have a naval fleet of a thousand ships between the waters of the Expanse and the Iron Islands…We do not know the strength of their reserve forces unless they mobilize them…Could be anywhere from forty to sixty thousand in reserve…"
"That would give them about a hundred thousand strong…If there reserves number that many." Ser Barristan says.
"We need to know if the Romyns are in league with House Martell…What about the Tyrells…"
"They have been adding on to their military strength as well…Training their small folk in rotations of five thousand men at a time…"
"We need to find a way to break these alliances…" They discuss other matters of state before dismissing. "My Lords I am tired…The next time we meet will be in the Tower of the Hand…Dismissed…Grand Maester I need to speak with you in private…"
The others bow and leave, but Petyr Baelish walks up to Eddard, "Lord Stark…I heard what happened with your son…I pray he recovers…"
"Thank you Lord Baelish…"
"If ever you need anything…let me know…"
Eddard never really liked Petyr Baelish. He had challenged his brother for Catelyn's hand long ago and Brandon spared his life at Catelyn request. "What may I do for my Lord Hand?"
"I wanted to ask about Jon Arryn's death…What can you tell me?"
"It came so suddenly…Jon Arryn was a strong man…His wisdom will be greatly missed…"
"Did he say anything at the end?"
"He did…He kept saying that the seed is strong."
Eddard frowns trying to figure out what that meant, "Any idea what he meant by that?"
"No my Lord…The mind does strange things at death's doorstep…"
"Could he have been poisoned?"
He watches Pycel's reactions to his questions, "No My Lord…I examined him thoroughly…May I ask why you think he may have been poisoned?
"Just a theory I am playing with in my mind…" Pycel tells Eddard about a book Jon asked him about, so he accompanies the old man to his study to retrieve the book. When Eddard returns to the Tower of the Hand his servants are still unpacking and setting things in order. "Jorey…is all peaceful between my daughters?"
He smiles, "They're still not talking to one another, but there hasn't been any more incidents…The Queen's handmaiden came by…You and your daughters have been invited to dinner…"
He sighs, "Tell Paul I want bacon, bread, eggs, cheese, and ale for morning meal…"
"Aye My Lord…"
He goes to Sansa's room, "How are you doing?" She doesn't answer, "Sansa look at me…" She obeys. "I am so sorry…Our sigil is the Direwolf…Our words are Winter is Coming…To survive we must stick together…When the snow falls and the wind blows the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives…We are stronger together…"
"Things were going so well with Prince Joffrey…Why did she have to be playing with that boy?"
"You know how your sister is…"
She hugs Eddard, "Father I sent Prince Joffrey a letter…He sent it back…"
He sighs, "If he truly loves you he forgive you…Now stop crying…The Queen has invited us to dine with her…"
She looks at him hopefully, "Do you think Prince Joffrey will be there?"
"I don't know, but you need to make peace with your sister…"
"Why she is so wild and…"
He smiles, "The two of you are like night and day…Arya is like her aunt Lyanna…I wish she were here the two of them would have gotten along famously…Look at me Sansa…Your sister admires you…She just has a hard time relating to you…"
"I guess…"
"Get ready…" He leaves her room and heads to Arya's room. When he enters Eddard finds her with a sword, "Where did you get that?" She quickly hides it, "Arya I asked you a question…"
She pulls out the sword and hands it to Eddard, "Robb gave it to me before I left…"
"Did he now…I recognize this work…Mikken made this…"
"I call it needle…"
He nods, "Good name for such a small sword…Just promise me you won't stick your sister with it…"
They sit down on her bed, "Does this mean I can keep it?"
"Promise me first…"
"I promise…"
"Then yes you can keep it…and if my daughter is going to own a sword she will have to learn how to use it…" This earns him a hug.
"Thank you father!"
He releases her, "Now I need you to make peace with your sister…"
She pouts, "It's all her fault…You believe me right I was telling the truth?"
He sighs, "Yes I believe you…But Sansa is betrothed to Prince Joffrey and she cannot betray him…"
"How can you allow Sansa to marry him?"
"He is the son of my friend and my friend happens to be a King…"
"Was King Robert like that when he was growing up…"
Eddard smiles, "No…I think Joffrey just takes after the Queen…"
"He doesn't even look like King Robert…"
Eddard stands up, "Come make peace with your sister, the Queen has invited us to dinner…"
Arya moans, "Do I have to go?"
"Yes…" It was like pulling teeth to get an apology out of either girl, but they obeyed their father. After baths Eddard and his daughters have dinner with the Queen. "Your Grace…"
"Thank you for coming Lord Stark…"
"Will the King and Prince be joining us?"
"Robert is indisposed and my son the Prince is not feeling well…"
"Please Your grace will you convey concern for his well being?"
Cersei smiles, "Of course my child…Come be seated…I hope we can put that nasty business behind us…After all we will be family bound by marriage…" The food is pleasant and the conversation is forced. Despite the Queen's attempts at hospitality Eddard can tell she is not genuine. When it is over he return to the Tower of the Hand with his daughters and falls onto his bed. Fully refreshed the next morning Eddard breaks his fast with his daughters and Septa Modane.
"My Lord…"
"What is it Jorey?"
"Lord Julian is here with his sons…He requests an audience with you…"
He sighs as Arya says, "I thought House Romyn was independent?"
Eddard smiles as Septa Modane says, "Hush that is none of your business…"
He kisses Sansa first then Arya, "Behave the two of you…I have a busy day today…" Jorey joins Eddard as he walks up the hall to his solar, "Did you find one?"
"Yes My Lord…A Braavosi sword Master his name is Syrio Ferrel…" Eddard meets with Syrio before he meets with Lord Julian Romyn.
"Lord Stark…"
"Lord Romyn…"
"These are my sons…Jordan Romyn…My heir and this is Jon Romyn…"
Eddard looks at Jon, the boy looks nothing like Julian Romyn. In fact he looks more like a Northerner than a Westerner. "Its nice to meet you Lord Stark…"
"I am surprised you are here…"
"My sons wanted to participate in the Tourney…Test their skills against someone other than Westerners…"
"I can understand that…Have you spoken with the King…"
"I intend to do so, but first I wanted to speak with you…"
Eddard is intrigued and hoped Julian Romyn wishes to return to the fold of the Iron Throne. "About what?"
"It's been Eighteen years hasn't it…I mean the last time I saw you was at the Tourney of Harrenhal…"
("Why is he bringing that up…") Eddard mentally asks. "Yes you performed well at the Tourney…"
"Did you know that Prince Rhaegar gave Lord Whent the gold for that tourney?"
Eddard leans back in his chair, "I did not know that…"
"I think Prince Rhaegar would have made a good King…"
This statement angers Eddard, but he keeps his composure, "Rhaegar was no better than his father the Mad King…He kidnapped my sister and raped her!"
He says the last part raising his voice, the door opens and Jorey enters with his hand on his sword, "Is everything alright My Lord…"
"Just fine Ser Jorey…Lord Julian and his sons were just leaving…" Eddard says standing up.
"I was there Lord Stark…at the Tower of Joy seventeen years ago…"
Eddard slowly sits back down, "Jorey close the door…I am not to be disturbed…"
"Yes My lord…Explain that statement…" Eddard glances at Jon.
"I arrived at the Tower of Joy a day before you…Your sister was in the process of having a baby…Princess Elia was with me…You see Rhaegar didn't kidnap or rape your sister…They fell in love at Tourney of Harrenhal…She also befriended Princess Elia…Rhaegar was intending to overthrow his father…He used the tourney to lure the Lords of Westeros there to convince them to give him their support in removing Aerys from the throne…Aerys showed up Lord Varys had told him of Rhaegar's plan…So he never got his chance…It was Elia who convinced your sister to run away with Rhaegar and marry him…"
Eddard could not believe what he is hearing, "King Aerys spread those rumors about the kidnap and rape of your sister…As she lay dying Elia convinced Lyanna to allow her to take her son and raise him…She named him Aegon before she died…I in turn convinced Elia to allow me to raise him…I named him Jon…"
Eddard looks at Jon Romyn again, taking in his features. His eyes definitely belong to Lyanna along with his hair. His jaw, ears and nose he got from Rhaegar. "The handmaidens told me that the baby died…and at her request they buried him in an unmarked grave…"
"They were well paid by me to say that…"
He runs his hands through his hair, "All this time…" He looks at Julian, "You have proof of all this?"
Julian pulls out a blood stained letter and hands it to Eddard, "She wrote this for you before she died…" The letter is sealed with a Stark sigil. He breaks the seal and opens the letter. It is Lyanna's handwriting even though the letters are shaky.
To My Dearest Brother
Eddard Stark
Ned I know you have heard a lot of things about Rhaegar kidnapping me and before I die I want you to know the truth of it all. At the Tourney of Harrenhal I fell in love with Prince Rhaegar and befriended his wife Princess Elia. It was she who convinced me to run away with Rhaegar and marry him. I am so sorry for all the trouble I caused, but I had to follow my heart…I pray to the gods old and new that you can forgive me…
In the short time I spent with Rhaegar we made a baby…I named him Aegon…I hope you can meet him one day and be an Uncle to him…Farewell Ned with all my love.
Your beloved Sister
Lyanna Targaryen nee' Stark
Eddard reads the letter in with shaky hands. He reads it twice to make sure he is not still asleep in his bed dreaming. He folds the letter back up and looks first at Julian Romyn, then at Jon or Aegon as Lyanna named him. "I have been waiting all my life to meet you Lord Stark…" Jon says breaking the silence.
Eddard pours himself some wine and downs the cup. Then he takes another, "Why…" He clears his throat. "Why now? Why not tell me all this before?"
"I was hoping you would have been with King Robert when he came to the Western Gate demanding my House bend the knee…"
"Yes I heard how you defeated the Mountain in single combat…"
"I would have told you then…I couldn't send you a letter it would have been impersonal…"
Eddard raises Lyanna's letter, "And this?"
"I wanted to give it to you in person…" Julian and Jordan stand up, "Jon has many questions for you Lord Stark…I will leave the two you alone now…" He pats Jon on the shoulder, "Good luck…"
They leave the room and the two men stare at each other. "I am honored to meet you Lord Stark…Of all the people in Westeros only you can answer my questions about my mother…" Jon says breaking the silence.
"Do you know what this says?" Eddard asks raising the letter up.
"I knew of its existence and on occasion asked to read it, but it was meant for you…" Eddard hands him the letter. He watches as Jon reads in silence. When he is done he hands the letter back to Eddard. "Wow!" He sits forward in his chair, "Princess Elia told me what she could, but can you tell me…What was she really like?"
Eddard sits back, trying his hardest not tear up. "Lyanna…" He pours two cups of wine. "Excuse me…Would you like some?"
"Yes thank you…"
They toast and drink, "Lyanna was strong and fierce…She…she was very kind…She loved horses, she liked to count things…" This causes Jon to laugh, "I don't know why? She was very weird as a child…And she was the best damned archer in the North…A good friend to have…She saw the world through hopeful eyes and treated everyone noble and common the same…My daughter Arya is like her in many ways…"
"I would like to meet your family someday…"
Eddard sighs, "I get the feeling as to why Lord Julian bought you here, so I must ask…What do you want?"
He smiles, "I want to live in peace…Get married…More than that I want get to know my Mother's family…But first I want to earn the right to call you Uncle…"
"Well spoken…"
"I have to ask Lord Stark…"
"Call me Ned in private…"
"Ned…and please don't be offended by my question…Had you known of my parents love all those years ago would you still have supported Robert…"
"I assume you know why they called Aerys the Mad King…"
"I do and pray every day that I do not turn out like him…"
Eddard sighs, "The Mad King killed my Father and brother…That being said I do not deal in the what ifs of life…During and after the war I often asked myself…If…I learned long ago not to dwell on if…"
"I can respect that…I will have to apply it to my own personal life…So tell Lord Stark…What about the facts of life?"
"I deal with facts everyday…"
"Fact…I am your blood by your sister…Fact…I am the Blood of the Dragon…The heir of Prince Rhaegar…By right the Iron Throne is mine…You now know the truth and I am sure you know that forces are in place for my ascension to the Iron Throne…So do I have your support?"
Eddard has mixed emotions and he does not answer right away, because he doesn't want to say the wrong thing. True he just met Lyanna's son and had he raised him he would not be used to try and win the Iron Throne. If Robert knew all this he would kill Jon. "In one breath you tell me that you wish to earn the right to call me Uncle and in the next you express your desires to take the Iron Throne…"
"True for years I…I have struggled with myself and the responsibilities and consequences of Lord Julian's plans…He has been preparing me to be a king all my life…At the same time he has often told me that if I ever wished to walk away and live as Jon Romyn he would support that…You say you don't deal in what ifs…I say that had I been raised by you…You would have been forced to lie about me to protect me…Lord Julian has protected me and done so without having to lie to me about who I am…"
Eddard sighs and quickly responds, "You don't know me well enough to make the presumption…No one knows what they will or won't do when faced with something…As for supporting your claim to the Iron Throne…" he shakes his head, "Robert is my friend and King…"
"And you can convince him of the truth…To step down and renounce the throne without bloodshed…I don't want a war…But I will fight one to honor my father…All I ask is that you try to convince him to step down…"
"And if I cannot?" Eddard cautiously asks.
"Then I will take what is mine…Question is will you stand against your sister's son or stand beside him…"
"What of Robert's heirs…"
"House Romyn has a spy network that touches most of Westeros…You traveled from Winterfell to King's Landing with the King and his family…Did Prince Joffrey do or say anything in that time that reminds you of King Robert at his age…"
Eddard gasps as words said by Arya and his wife pop into his head, "Are you implying that Joffrey is not Robert's son…"
"I am…In fact none of Cersei's children were fathered by King Robert. Were not Jon Arryn's last words… 'The seed is strong.'"
"Yes so what?"
Jon takes a drink before answering. "All Baratheons are black of hair and blue of Eyes…Mya Stone in the Eyrie…You have seen her…" Eddard nods remembering her as a baby. "There is a whore in one of Baelish's brothels Mhaegen by name…She just had a baby…The whores and Baelish himself tried to get her to get rid of the baby, but she would not listen…She named her Barra…A young boy fifteen name days old Gendry by name…Lord Varys himself in disguise got work for the boy as an apprentice with Tobho Mott…Jon Arryn visited the boy and Questioned him about his mother…"
Eddard sits back in his chair as his mind starts to roll. He thinks about Jon Arryn's death and Lysa Arryn's letter. "So it is true…Jon Arryn learned the truth and the Lannisters killed him…"
"No Lord Stark…The Lannisters had nothing to do with Lord Arryn's death…"
"We received a letter from Lysa Arryn, my wife's sister…She…"
"Wrote what Lord Baelish told her to write…" He says interrupting Eddard.
"Why?"
He takes another drink, "Lord Arryn was going to send his son Robin to be tutored by Lord Stannis…The boy is seven and still feeds at the breast…His father thought he could use some time away from his mother…Lady Arryn didn't agree and went to the one man she has always been in love with…It is not common knowledge but Petyr Baelish bedded Lysa Arryn while he warded at Riverrun…Lord Tully forced his daughter to drink Moon Tea and get rid of the baby…Baelish was and still is in love with your wife…He is very ambitious...We believe that after a proper mourning period he and Lysa Arryn will marry…And he will become Lord Protector of the Vale…Or Lord of the Vale if he gets it into his head to murder Lysa Arryn and her son…House Cobray is in league with him…"
"I don't believe this…" Eddard stands up and walks over to the mantle where his sword Ice rests. Then something occurs to him and turns to face Jon, "You said House Romyn has a spy network…My son was he pushed from the tower or did he fall…"
"He was pushed after catching the Queen and Ser Jaime Lannister at their folly…I do not condemn them for that…But she is married to the King…Ser Jaime pushed him hoping to kill him…As we speak your wife is on her way here now…"
"Why?"
"She is on the way to warn you…Prince Joffrey hired a padfoot to kill your son…"
"Why would he do that?" Eddard asks getting angry.
"Joffrey is a sadistic, twisted, monster, a bully who likes inflicting pain on others…We believe that he is touched with madness…Ask the King about the incident with the cat…Ask Sandor Clegane about Princess Myrcella and the fountain at Casterly Rock…Our agents report that your son Robb bested Joffrey in the training yard…My father Lord Julian believes that he did not take kindly to being shown up…He probably hired the assassin for revenge…"
"You have given me a lot to think about…"
Jon stands up, "Lord Stark…If it comes to war…I do not wish to face your people on the battlefield…If you feel you cannot support me then I ask that stay out of the conflict…I swear that if we win Robert will be spared…"
Eddard stands up, "I told you call me Ned…"
"Ned…"
He walks Jon to the door, "We will speak again…And tell your father I will speak to him as well at the Tourney…" Eddard goes to his desk and sits down. As he pours himself a drink his hand shakes. He sits for hours thinking on the best course of action and how to deal with Robert.
"My Lord…" The sound of Jorey Cassel's voice breaks his train of thought.
"Yes…"
"The King wishes to see you…"
Eddard and Jorey head for the King's solar. "You wish to see me Your Grace?"
"I hear you had a private meeting with Lord Julian Romyn and his sons…"
"Yes I did…"
"He came to see me as well…Said he wanted to reassure me that his family is not in league with the Targaryens across the sea…"
"Did you believe him?"
"No…What did he say to you?"
Eddard sighs, "He gave me a lot of useful information…"
"Such as…"
He sighs, "Robert…I am your friend…I do not wish to lie to you…Know that I have your best interests at heart…"
"Fair enough…"
He looks at Meryn Trent who is on duty at the moment, "I need to speak with you privately…"
"Leave us…"
"One of my servants heard this in passing…There was an incident with a cat and your son…"
Robert sighs, "Shit…I found Joffrey with a cat…It belonged with to his brother and it was pregnant…He cut the cat open…Said he wanted to see the kittens…I tore his hide up…"
"You ever considered warding him with someone?"
He sighs, "His mother wouldn't have it…Even when I suggested her own father…So I dropped the matter…"
Later Eddard summons Lord Varys to his solar and he confirms most of what Jon Romyn told him. He didn't seem to be aware that Jon was actually a Targaryen. He is surprised to learn that Baelish and Lysa Arryn plotted to kill Jon Arryn. He asks Varys to gather any evidence he can. "There is a girl…Mheagen by name working for Baelish in one of his brothels…Can you arrange that she bought here discretely Lord Varys…"
"Of course I can…"
That night Varys sends a man to the brothel to fetch the girl. There are whores working for Baelish who help Mheagen sneak away from the brothel as she is still working to pay off her debts to Baelish. Eddard meets her in one of the unoccupied rooms on the second floor. After he questions her Eddard and Varys arrange for Mheagen and her baby to sail on a ship to White Harbor. Later he orders Jorey to take ten and meet his wife on the King's Road. Then he writes a letter to Yohn Royce warning him about Lady Arryn's involvement in Jon's murder.