I own nothing
Author Note: Thank you for all your support. Wow, 500 reviews. I hope this lives up to expectations.
Rae's eyes were wide as she took in the man that she thought had died at the hands of Joffery. Her face went pale white she looked near fainting. Robb had myriad of emotions playing across his face. There was an overwhelming look of love and joy mixed with tiny bit of anger on both of their faces. Ser Markas came over to Rae placing his hand on her back keeping her standing once he noticed the pallor of her face. Ned's eyes traveled to his son who was still sitting on the Iron Throne with the crown on his head. Both were in a state of shock. They both moved quickly toward each other meeting half way in each other hugging each other tightly. They patted each other back as the happy tears fell from both normally stoic faces. They let go of each other turning to look at her. Ned came forward kneeling before her.
"My queen," Ned said.
"Rise Lord Stark, forgive me. But I must ask how this is even possible. I heard you were beheaded," Rae asked.
Ned stood up. He looked over to Lord Varys. He did not know all the particulars of what happened.
"I truly don't know. Lord Varys got me out of Black Cells. He never told me all the details, Your Grace," Ned said.
"Rae or Raena or even Raenera, Lord Stark after all you are family," Rae said looking lovingly toward Robb.
Robb was standing near his father side. He had a smile on his face that she never really seen before. It was like he was a child again. Ned looked confused at the word they were family. He knew that Robb was named King in The North. He learned that from Laroy and his talking at night but family how in the Seven hells were they, family? He looked over to Lord Varys. Lord Varys just nodded his head.
"Family?" Ned questioned.
"I married her father," Robb said coming to stand by Rae side.
Rae turned kissing Robb softly. They looked at each other lovingly. Ned let the information penetrate his mind. If he married Rae then that would make Robb…
"You're the King of the Seven Kingdoms," Ned Roared.
"I was named King in the North before we were married father. She chose me. I was dead set on marrying her when I receive the letter tell me of your agreement of our betrothal. It was not until she became Queen of Seven Kingdoms did she agree to be my wife. Knowing that I would not use her," Robb defended.
"A word son," Ned said.
Robb and Ned walked away from the throne. They started to talk in a hushed whisper. At the same time, Rae's eyes traveled to Lord Varys. She motioned for him to come forward. He did so with great haste.
"Your Grace does my present not please you," Lord Varys asked.
"No… Yes… it pleases me. But tell me how it is even possible. Thousands watched him die. Explain that to me," Rae questioned.
"Yes, they watched what they thought to be Lord Eddard Stark die. You remember Illyrio?" Vary asked. Rae looked at him nodding her head. He nodded also. Before, he continued on explaining how it happened. "Well, he had contacts in Braavos. He got me a faceless man to take Lord Stark's place. It is truly amazing what they will do for enough crowns," Lord Vary revealed to her.
"Then how do I know that he not a faceless man now?" Rae asked looking over toward Ned Stark.
Robb and Ned came back over to her. Ned hugged her welcoming her to his family. She hugged him back. Lord Varys bowed and left them in the throne room realizing that he was no longer needed.
"Lord Stark," Rae started.
"Eddard, or Ned please, Rae, after all, we are family," Ned said.
"Ned, may I ask you a couple of questions just for my peace of mind," Rae asked.
"Of course," Ned said.
"What was my first words I spoke to you aside from a greeting?" Rae asked.
"Problems, Lord Stark," Ned said with laugh remembering his conversation with her.
"Yes, I believed I told you Starlight was a dog at the time," Rae said with a smile.
It was the right answer. But that was in the gardens and all of King's Landing had eyes and ears. There were spies everywhere. She knew that. So anyone could have over heard them. She needed something that only the real Ned Stark knew. Robb looked at her questioning. He could see Rae's mind working. He came over to her wrapping his arm around her middle kissing the top of her head.
"You are over thinking this," Robb whispered teasingly in her ear so only she could hear him. Rae returned the favor kissing him near his ears. She held Robb close. "Humor me," Rae whispered in Robb's ears.
Robb shook his head with a sigh if this would give Rae peace of mind who was he to stop it. It was not really hurting anyone. If he knew Rae's next question he may have stopped her.
"Your next question Rae," Ned asked.
"Did you make your sister a promise on her death bed," Rae asked.
Ned went pale. He was the only person besides the maids in that chamber that knew about that how in the Seven Hells did Rae know this. Robb looked at her in shock. He knew about her vision of Jon birth but he thought it haunted her too much to bring it up.
"Yes, how do you know that," Ned answered.
"I will explain in due course. But right now I believe there more pressing reunions to happen," Rae said with a smile on her face. She looked toward Ser Markas. He bowed his head toward to her. All her fears about this not being the real Ned Stark vanished. "Send for Lady Catelyn, Lady Sansa, Arya and my children," Rae ordered.
"As you wish my queen," Ser Markas said leaving with Ser Rolland Storm.
"Children," Ned questioned.
"Three," Robb and Rae answered at the same time.
"How long have you been married" Ned questioned.
"Triplets father, three in one pregnancy. Two little girls and a boy. Their names are Torrhen, Lilliyan, and Lyanna," Robb told his father with proud father look on his face.
"The next one, if it's a boy, will be named Eddard after his grandfather. That showed me that honor still existed in this world," Rae revealed.
A few moments later, Sansa came to the throne room on the arm of Smalljon Umber. They were no doubt in the gardens on a walk. After all, they were courting. She was dress in the gown that Smalljon had gotten her. It was pale purple color and was in the latest southern style. She had her hair in simple northern style. She started to ask what they wanted when her eyes found her father. She dropped Smalljon hand and ran full force into her dad. Tears were pouring down her face. She threw her arms around his neck.
"I am so sorry. I did not listen to you. I am so glad you're alive. I was stupid and just wanted to be queen. I realize now that you were just trying to do what was best. Please forgive me for being…" Sansa apologized.
"Sansa my darling girl, I just glad to see you alive and happy," Ned told taking her chin in his hands.
They both had tears in their eyes. She just cuddled into his chest again. Taking comfort in her father, that she thought was dead, arms. Arya came in from the front door. She was with Brienne they came from the Tiltyard. Arya's eyes went wide when she saw her father. She ran over to him hugging him. Ned looked down when he felt another body hugging him. He placed his hand on Arya's head.
"You're alive," Arya said so happily.
Catelyn came last she was talking with the maids that were holding Lyanna, Lilliyan, and Torrhen. Her eyes went wide and tears started to pour down her face. She placed her hand to her mouth. She shook her head she did not believe that it was even possible. There was a tiny bit of anger in her eyes. Why did he not let them know that he was alive? She had grieved his death for many moons. Ned noticed Catelyn walked in. He let go of his daughter coming over to his wife. Ned leans down kissing her shocked face. It was enough to wake her from her stupor. She hit him on his chest. He looked at her in shock.
"Why in the seven hells did not write to let us know you were alive. We all grieved your death," Catelyn argued.
"I couldn't. I wanted to believe me Cat. I was hidden in Flea Bottom with a lovely family. They would lose their lives if they were found out. They have always supported Raenera's claim. I could not risk it. I longed to Cat. I dream of nothing more than having our family again in Winterfell. Away from all of this," Ned told her.
It was enough to pacify her. She hugged him and kissed him taking comfort in his arms. She knew that his reasoning made sense but it still hurt. They stayed in each other arms just feel that the other was alive.
Torrhen wanted down from his nurse's arms. He toddled over to his mommy. He tugged on her gown. Rae looked down at him lovingly. His little red curls were shattered over his little face.
"Dragon mama," Torrhen asked.
Torrhen had become obsessed with dragons after meeting Drogon and Selaera. Robb looked at Rae then back to his little boy. Rae leaned down picking him up. The dragon egg he had found was being kept by fire in Rae's and Robb's chamber. Lyanna and Lilliyan after seeing their brother in their mother arms reached for their daddy. Robb shook his head taking both of his little girls in his arms.
"Torrhen, Papa does not want you by dragons," Rae said lovingly.
"Dragon papa?" Torrhen asked Robb.
"No, but I have someone for you to meet," Robb said.
Ned and Catelyn came over to them after their reunion. He looked at Torrhen in Rae's arms. He truly looked like Robb all over again. Until Torrhen eyes met Ned's. It was the Targaryen eyes, Rae's eyes. Then he spied his two granddaughters in Robb's arms. Their silvery blonde hair and when they turned their heads to meet his eyes. The Tully blue eyes met his. He motioned to take Torrhen from his mother's arm. Torrhen went to his grandfather arm with a questioning look on his little face.
"This is your grandfather, Torrhen," Rae explaining taking Lyanna from Robb.
"Torrhen," Ned said making Torrhen look at him.
Torrhen reached up and patted his cheeks. He had a goofy smile on his face. He then threw his little arms around Ned's neck.
"Poppa," Torrhen said questioningly.
"Yes, Poppa. You will be a great ruler like your namesake. I have no doubts of that," Ned said. He looked to the nearly identical girls in his son's and good daughter's arms. One had direwolf necklace around her neck with an amethyst eye. The other had the same necklace only it eye was deep s sapphire. One was dressed in a little blue gown with silver flowers and dragons dancing with direwolves embroidered on it. The other dress was similar only it was lilac in color with golden dragons and direwolves embroidered on it. "Now which one is Lyanna and which one is Lilliyan?" Ned asked.
"Lyanna is in her mother arms, and dressed in purple, Lilliyan is in her papa's arms and dressed in blue," Catelyn told him.
Jon made his way to the Wildling camp. He walked past fallen giants with crows feast on its flesh. When he approached the encampment the wildlings surrounded him. He rose up his hands as they walked towards Mance tent. Mance came out taking in Jon.
"You're wearing a black cloak again," Mance commented.
"I've been sent to negotiate with you," Jon told him.
Mance looked around weighing Jon's words. Before, he nodded his head moving toward the tent. Jon entered first after a few wildlings. Mance motioned for him to sit at a table across from him. Jon did so.
"It appears my trusting nature got the better of me. It's happened before. I was hoping your loyalty was real when you pledged yourself to us, Jon Snow," Mance started. Jon just set his jaw he was not going to correct him about his name. He was still coming to terms with it. Jon Stark still seemed odd for him to say or accept after his life being known as Jon Snow. "Truly I was," Mance finished.
"The Halfhand ordered me to join your army and bring back whatever information I could to Castle Black. He made me kill him so you'd trust me. I was loyal to him and to my Night's Watch Vows," Jon said.
"All your vows?" Mance asked. Ygritte's lifeless body flashed in Jon's mind. It seemed that both Mance and Jon were thinking about the same woman. They had the vows to Night's Watch also on their minds. "She wasn't enough to turn you, eh? Were you enough to turn her?" Mance asked.
"She put three arrows in me when I escaped," Jon said with a laugh.
"Did you see her again at Castle Black?" Mance asked.
"yes," Jon said
"And?"
"She's dead," Jon said with a straight face.
"Your doing?" Mance asked.
"No," Jon said.
"We'll drink to her," Mance said.
A wildling went to get to cups placing them in front of Mance and Jon. Jon eyed them. The Wildling poured a drink into both cups. Jon eyed the cup with a leery look. Mance took in the look on Jon's face.
"Of all the ways I'd kill you, poison would be the last," Mance told him.
"Ygritte," They said in unison,
Jon coughed as he took a drink of the ale. Mance smiled for a moment.
"No, it's a proper northern drink, Jon Snow. You did well fought hard killed some of our strongest men. One of our giants went into your tunnel and never came out again. Mag the Mighty,' Mance said
"He dead. He killed my friend Grenn," Jon told him.
" He was their king. The last of a bloodline that stretched back before the first men," Mance told him.
"Grenn came from a from," Jon told him.
"Mag and Grenn," Mance said at the same time that Jon spoke, "Grenn and Mag.
They both took a drink after saying their fallen name. Mance looked over to where a meat was roasting on a spit.
"Kullback, could I trouble you for something to eat? I don't imagine our guest has eaten anything for quite some time. So, you're here to strike a bargain?" Mance asked.
"Turn your army around and go home," Jon said.
"You know I know you're low on arrows. You're low on oil. You're low on men. How many are left 100?" Mance asked.
"I told Tormund and Orell we have more than 1,000 men," Jon answered.
"I showed you everything I had. The whole army, 100,000 strong. And what did you do? You fired on us with everything you had. It wasn't much. As soon as I saw that, I sent 400 men to clime the Wall an unmanned stretch five miles west of here." Mance revealed. Jon eyed the knife as Kullback got them food. But his eyes mostly stayed on Mance. Kullback placed the food in front of Mance and Jon sticking the Knife in a block of wood near Jon. "A lot of them will die climbing, but most of them will be over by the end of the day. It's me being honest with ya, Jon Snow which is more than you've ever done for me. My people have bled enough. We're not here to conquer. We're here to hide behind your Wall. Just like ya. We need your tunnel. Now, we both know winter is coming. And if my people aren't south of the Wall when it comes in earnest. We'll all end worse than dead. You want to strike a bargain with me? Here's the bargain. You go back you open the gates to us, and I swear to you that no one else will die. Refuse and we'll kill every last man at Castle Black," Mance said.
Jon's eyes linger too long on the knife. Mance caught it the look. An understanding look fell over his face. All the wildlings in tent drew their weapons.
"That's why you're here. I reckon you could do it. Before, any of them could stop ya. They'd kill you of course. They'd kill you slow. But you knew that when came in here. Are you capable of that, Jon Snow? Killing a man in his own tent when he's just offered you peace? Is that what the Night's Watch is? Is that what you are?" Mance asked.
Suddenly, a horn was heard. It was followed by a cry of rider approaching. Mance was off his seat in flash. He grabbed the knife that Jon was eyeing. He held it Jon's neck.
"Are you attacking us?" Mance growled.
"No. It's like you said we don't have the men," Jon coughed out.
Mance put the knife in his belt before walking outside. He watched and the riders closed in killing anyone that tried stop them. The banners that were being flown were Lannister, Targaryen, and Stark. Mance watched in horror as so many of his people died.
"Stand down I said my people have bled enough and I mean it" Mance yelled out his order.
Three riders approached. One dressed in Lannister armor. Ser Torrhen and Ser Tobas were the other two. Jon looked at Ser Torrhen and Ser Tobas in shock.
"I am not as stupid as I look Lord Stark," Ser Torrhen said to Jon.
Mance turned to look at Jon in horror.
"We are here on behalf of Queen Raenera Targaryen and King Robb Stark. They are the rulers of Westeros. They are offering you peace. Go home or they will show you what real power looks like," Ser Tirius Serrett spat out.
"King Robb control all of Seven Kingdom army which is more than 100,000 isn't it?" Ser Torrhen said.
"Not to mention the six dragons," Ser Tobas added.
"kneel," Ser Tirius Serrett order Mance.
"I am afraid no," Mance said.
"Take him," Ser Tirius Serrett said.
Mance was lead away along with the wildling that guarded him. Jon eyed the Ser Tirius Serrett. He was a similar shade of golden blonde as Tyrion's. He looked like very severe and hard man.
"How is this possible," Jon asked.
"When you informed us of the threat of the wildlings, we wrote to King Robb and Raenera and Lord Tyrion. They came out with a plan to pull men for Casterly Rock. The Lannister had the largest army that was also one of best train one," Ser Tobas told him.
"If the Wall would fall, Robb and all his army would have come. To show them that Winter is coming with Fire and Blood," Ser Torrhen said.
Jaime lay awake that night. Evalyne, his daughters, seven hells even Tommen was dead to the world asleep. But still, sleep would not find him. Too much seem to plague his mind. He knew that they agreed that the trial by combat would be until someone yielded. But that still did not calm his raging mind. He had promised Evalyne that he would not die or get hurt tomorrow. The thought that seemed to still echo in his head was could he really put Robb's life in danger. Fighting with live steel there was always a small chance someone could get hurt or even die. And Robb was now the King. Cersei had caused all this. If she died before the trail by combat the trail would never take place. They would say the gods took her because she was guilty they needed no trail to decide that so. He lay there a moment long debating internally. He was weighing the pros and cons of his current thought. He turned and looked at his sleep wife and cradles that still rest in their chambers where innocent daughters slept. If Cersei lived they would constantly be in danger. He turned back sitting up removing the covers from his body. He got up and quickly dressed in shirt that was loosely tied closed and pants. He headed out of his chambers toward the blacks cells were Cersei was at.
Cersei sat in the dark cell. That was her home since the Young Wolf and his Dragon Queen had taken power. Her brother that killed her mother was at their side serving as their hand. While, her other brother fought his way to Red Keep with The Young Wolf. She was really the Last Lannister that matter. That lived like her father wanted them to live. Her oldest child with Jamie was murder by the Dragon Queen and his Young Wolf husband. Her only daughter was in the hands of Martells. And finally, Tommen her young boy was living as ward of crown. He was being raised by Jaime and whore of wife, Evalyne Tarly. Maggie the Frog prophecy echoed in her mind. Queen you shall be until there comes another, more beautiful, to cast you down and take all that you hold dear. She was right about that. And the amount of bastard that Robert would have. Gold will be their crowns and gold their shrouds. The Martells could easily kill Myrcella claiming it to accident and no one would be the wiser. And Tommen any number of thing could happen to him if was in the care of Jaime. Jaime, her twin…her lover and the father of children was now loyal to Raenera and he had married the whore of lady in waiting to Raenera. What would become of Tommen if this Evalyne Tarly did not want him in her life anymore? His death like Myrcella's was forgone conclusion. The last part of that prophecy that haunted her more she let anyone know. And when your tears have drowned you, the Valonqar shall wrap his hands about your pale white throat and choke the life from you. The door to her cell opened. Her eyes went wide when she saw Jaime.
"Jaime," Cersei said desperately.
"Cersei," Jaime said coming close enough to her to hug her.
Tear pour down her face as she hugged her lover and twin. So many emotions played in her mind.
"They kill him, they killed our precious boy," Cersei cried.
Jaime soothed her running his hands down her hair. She leaned up kissing him. He returned the kiss. It was enough for her to lose herself in the kiss. Her chained hands went around Jaime's neck. She lovingly caressed his face. Jaime's hands traveled down to her neck. They were locked in the passionate kiss when Jaime's hands started to tighten around Cersei's neck. Tears started to pour down his face as choked the life out his sister. She pulled away from the kiss. She clawed desperately at his hands. Her eyes were highlighted with the blood vessel in her eyes bursting as slowly died. Jaime kept the pressure on her neck until he felt her heat stop. He held her limp body in his arms. Tear pour down his face as he remembered all the good times that they had together growing up.