++x++

Eddard Stark III

Winterfell, North, Year 284 AC

Ned woke up early as usual. Then he carefully took off his wife's arms from around his shoulders without waking her up, as usual, and then he stood up to get dressed, as usual. What was not usual was his left arm behind grabbed and pulled back to bed by no other than his Shining Star. "Where are you going?" she asked, her eyes closed but a smirk was on her lips.

"Do my duties," Ned replied seated on his bed. "As usual."

"Duties can wait." she proclaimed as she pulled him back once more, this time he fell into the sheets and stood with his belly upwards as he saw her smile upside down. Sometimes he was surprised at how much strength she could use. His wife moved around and mounted him so their faces were now parallel and then she planted a passionate kiss on his lips and there was little he could do but accept it and do the same. "Happy Nameday, My Sweet Quiet Wolf."

"What?" he asked surprised and caught off guard. "It's my Nameday today?"

Ashara started laughing quite loudly after this. "You are joking, right Ned?"

"No...I forgot that my Nameday was today..." Ned said slightly ashamed as he rubbed his head. "Gods be damned..."

Ashara patted his cheek, still trying to contain her laughter. "Good thing we did not..." she then kissed his lips again. "And we have some...presents for you..."

"Ah Ashara, there was no need for that. Knowing that my family is safe and sound is already enough for me." Ned assured. "Plus it's just a normal day."

"Hush!" Ashara protested. "We women know what we are doing. Now...I would like to show you the first present." His pervert side was somewhat hoping for sex, his sane side however immediately cursed at him for even considering such a thing.

He was certainly not expecting Ashara to put his right hand in her stomach. At first, he did not understand what she meant but her hopeful smile and the connotation that a stomach had suddenly came. "You are pregnant?"

She smiled that bright smile of hers and kissed his lips again. "I am."

A feeling of joy rushed through Ned's body the same way it did when he learned that she loved him back, that she wanted to marry him, that she married him, and that he was back in her arms with all his family. He smiled, awkwardly he knew but he did not care. "I'm...so happy!"

"Are you my love?"

"I am! It's a blessing when a new child comes to the world." Ned assured as he kissed her forehead. "And this time, I will be by your side."

"Do not jinx yourself," Ashara warned as she pulled him up. "Gods know if another war just takes you away from me again..."

She spoke the truth...there could be always another even if he did not wish for it. "Let us not think of it then." Ned proposed.

"Yes." she nodded. "Come with me now." Ashara demanded as she led him to the bathtub room which was to the back of the bedroom behind a spruce wooded door.

The bathtub was still being built, a huge cubic hole was in the ground and the pipes in the walls and the floor were opened for there would need to be a connection to bring warm water and replace it when it got dirty which was a long and arduous job that Maester Yolan was coordinating.

Ned knew that neither his sister nor Ashara trusted or liked the man yet, but he certainly did not dislike him. He was competent in many subjects, jovial and hardworking, very hardworking. The man took care of the rookery, the library, the sick, and this project all at once without complaint and always with a smile on his face. He could tell his wife and sister were slowly appreciating him.

Now there were two wooden circular bathtubs, one for each of them which were filled with warm water. The servants who could enter by a side door must have filled it a while back. "Get in." Ashara demanded.

He did as he was told and entered the warm water. Now he was not obsessed with water like his Shining Star but he certainly did not dislike a warm bath in the morning now and then. That was one of the reasons why he pushed for this pool to be made. "Have you got any news from Brandon?" he asked as he took a good look at his wife's breasts...all wet...containing the saliva from coming to the corner of his mouth.

"Not since the last message I spoke to you about." she replied.

"I still can't believe you tried to make Brandon get laid with fancy prostitutes..." he confessed.

"Your brother went through a lot of shit." Ashara simply said. "Forgive the crude language, my love, but you can agree with me, can you not? Besides it's not like he is betrothed still."

"That is true but I'm worried he might do something he will regret," Ned said as he cupped his chin. "Brandon was never shy to take what he wants, sure he is more thoughtful and less brash than what he was but it doesn't hide the fact that he has the Wolf Blood in him and likes to have sex."

"Prostitutes are not maids who need to keep their maidenheads, Ned." Ashara pointed out. "Besides...it's not fair that only you get to fuck and be happy about it." That made him blush slightly and avert his gaze much to his dismay. "I'm sure this will ease some tension he has inside, leave him more relaxed, and expand his contacts all of which are crucial if he wants to survive the capital."

"I'm just worried." Ned insisted. "Brandon took the maidenhead from Barbrey Ryswell. I'm worried he might take someone else's."

"Lord Willam's wife?" Ashara questioned surprised. "That is...rough...but I'm sure your brother will contain himself to just prostitutes. With the position he has, he must."

"Now that I think about it...how did you meet this Chataya?"

Ashara smiled shyly. "Well, Ned. Let's just say I was an explorer back in the day and let us leave it at that."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ned asked confused.

"Use your head." His wife said shaking hers. "Oh and we should hurry up, there are still a few surprises to be shown before the end of the day."

Once they were bathed and dressed, husband and wife walked into the Great Hall together, and there they were ambushed by a She-Wolf with a Wolf Pup on her hold. "Tell your father what you practiced with Aunt Lya, Jon." His sister asked with a mischievous smile on her lips. "Come on."

"Happy Nameday, father." The little boy said warily but Ned could only smile and pick his son from his sister's arms and kiss his forehead. "I love you." The father felt little arms hug him shyly and a tear almost came to his eye.

"Thank you, Jon," he said to his son. "Father loves you too."

"That was way cuter than what I expected," Ashara confessed with a bright and emotional smile. "Your son will be a hit with the ladies."

"True to that." Lyanna avowed as she walked towards Ned to kiss his cheek. "Happy Nameday, Ned."

"Thank you, Lya," Ned replied still emotional about this. "I'm happy that you are here with us after everything that went down. That alone is a wonderful present."

"Me too," Lyanna assured with a smile. "Come on, let us seat and eat breakfast. I don't know about you both but I'm starving."

"Did you know that Ned forgot his Nameday was today?" Ashara pushed forward and Ned scoffed a little.

"Ned!" Lyanna said with a surprised look. "Come on, brother! Who forgets their Nameday?"

"Me..." he replied. "As I said to Ash, my Nameday is another day in the year, the only thing special about it is that it reminds me that I'm getting older."

"You are talking like you are fifty Ned!" Lyanna protested. "You are a twenty and one good looking and happily married man with a son and I'm assuming that Ashara already told you because otherwise, this is going to get awkward but I feel like I have to say it anyway, so...you will be a father again." she then turned to Ashara with a worried expression. "Please tell me you already told him..."

"I did." Ashara giggled. "And I fully agree with every word you said, Lya. But do not worry because Ned's namedays will be special from now on." she then wrapped her arms around him. "I will make sure of that."

"I will help!" Lyanna avowed. "But can we go eat now?"

"Since when are you so hungry at breakfasts?" Ned questioned confused with his sister's behavior.

"Your sister is excited for your next present Ned and likely hungry too because she woke up earlier to give Jon some last-minute lessons."

"Gods be damned...you do have a finger that tells you things!" Lyanna said mesmerized.

Ashara laughed loudly at that, a contagious smile that left them laughing too.

They finished eating and Ros took Jon for a walk around the castle under Ashara's instructions. Lyanna led them to the stables and the knots started to tie up in his mind. Horses were involved...what else would you find in the stables and what else would make his sister so excited? He supposed that at least Ashara already knew he knew but he kept himself quiet as if he didn't.

"This Ned..." Lyanna began as she entered the stables and grabbed his arm to pull him inside quicker. "Is a present from Willam, Brandon, me, and Ash."

She left him in front of a huge brown Charger that reminded him of his last horse...Brooding...Ned cupped the beautiful beast's muzzle and smiled. "This is a beautiful horse." he proclaimed. "I should have known Willam brought something more than his presence and cooperation last time he was here."

"I hope you do not mind but I took the chance to name this gorgeous thing Brooding the Second," Ashara said. "When I saw it, I got a wave of nostalgia and sadness from our trip at the Fingers..."

"Brooding the Second..." Ned chuckled. "I couldn't think of a better name even if I tried."

"Yes, you could!" Ashara said slightly annoyed. "I just thought it fitted..."

"That is precisely why I couldn't think of a better name." Ned insisted as he pulled his wife for a kiss on her forehead. "It's the bloody pinky finger..."

"Now you guys are mocking me!" Ashara protested.

"No, we are not." Lyanna smiled. "Just teasing that's all."

"Can't always be you teasing me all the time..." Ned said shyly before his gaze returned to the horses. "I suppose the white one is yours, Lya?"

"Yes, how did you know? Do you have a pinky finger that tells you things too?"

"No, I just noticed that you went straight to it."

"Well...I guess I will present you White Hope which according to Willam is the fastest one." Lyanna said with a cocky smirk. "Befitting of me, of course."

"And I have Starlight here too!" Ashara proclaimed as she clapped her hands with a huge smile on her lips. "I'm so happy about it..." Then she turned to Ned with a serious look. "And do not think I forgot what you said, my dear. I'm the Teasing Queen here, you are just a Teasing Squire but do not worry for I shall knight you in the art of teasing."

"Can I say that...I'm quite scared now?" Ned said.

Ashara smirked. "Oh do not be scared! Teasing takes practice but I see you already have some experience..."

"Can we go for a ride?" Lyanna interrupted the husband and wife's awkward conversation. "Can we? Please?"

"When horses are involved, Lya looks like a child who wishes to eat the cake all by herself." Ashara pointed out.

"Aye." Ned agreed with a loud chuckle.

"I love horses!" Lyanna proclaimed. "And I love lemon cakes so I guess I indeed could resemble a child eating cakes all by herself. But I wouldn't be alone because I remember that Ned would do the same!"

Lyanna had just sold him out...Ned could swear he was seeing Ashara's ears move as she heard it and her smirk said it all. "Would you eat lemon cakes all by yourself Ned? I remember that you liked them very much but still..."

"So...Lya...you wish to go for a ride?" Ned questioned with a shy smile as he changed subjects. "Let us go."

"Do not change the subject Eddard Stark!" Ashara scolded but her expression was of mirth. Ned ignored her and picked Brooding the Second's reins and led him out of the stables. "Ned!"

"You should answer your wife Ned..." Lyanna teased.

"Be quiet you little traitor..." Ned scolded but not angrily or anything and he knew Lyanna knew it.

"I do not know what you are talking about dear brother..."

"Well, I see how it is!" Ashara pressed forward. "Unfortunately for you, my dear, I shall accompany you both, and therefore, I shall extort everything about a Quiet Wolf's obscene love for cakes."

Lyanna laughed loudly at that. "Gods Ashara that line was great!"

"I know right?" Ashara laughed too as she moved into a nearby stable to pick up her horse. Starlight was as Ned remembered, beige-colored with a white mane and tail. "I'm not a quitter though, so by the end of today, I will have every detail I wish to know about my husband's quirks, not just lemon cakes."

"Oh do not worry, I know quite a lot to keep us entertaining if you wish."

"I certainly look forward to it."

Ned sighed and he mounted his horse which like Brooding the First did not even flinch. He was truly like his namesake. "See you two around." he proclaimed as he commanded his horse to trot forward.

"Ned!" Both women shouted abashed with his action.

"Look at him go!" Lyanna spoke louder. "He is cheating! No, no! I won't allow it! Let's chase him!"

It did not take them long to catch him and in no time they were racing each other. Surprisingly, Ashara's horse was very fast and sturdy, he could keep up with the Chargers and in some instances even outpace them though Ned felt the horse would struggle with heavy snow. While this was not the first they raced, they did not race in such conditions so Ned's theory would need to be proven.

"And so we found him with two pieces of cake in his hand!" Lyanna and Ashara laughed at the stories his sister was telling.

"You forgot the little detail that you were not among those who found me, Lya." Ned pointed out. "Because if I recall it right, you were next to me, with two pieces of lemon cake in your hands and another in your mouth."

"Such details can be forgotten..."

"Ah, you two are such a pair." Ashara laughed. "Do Brandon and Benjen like lemon cakes that much too?"

"They like it but not this much," Lyanna replied. "Our father was the same but our mother..."

"Our mother was a lemon cake fanatic too." Ned chuckled.

"It's in the blood." Ashara proposed. "You said Starks have the Wolf Blood, well I say Starks have the Lemon Cake Fanatic Blood too."

"It's funny and dumb but does make sense." Lyanna agreed. "Father said Brandon and I had the Wolf Blood like mother, while Ned, mother, and I all share the love for lemon cakes...it must indeed be something in the Stark blood."

"Who knows...maybe the new generation will have Starks with Wolf Blood and Lemon Cake Fanatic Blood..." Ashara proposed. "I certainly would not mind. I could make my recipe of Dornish lemon cakes..." Both Ned and Lyanna looked at Ashara as if she spoke some commandment from the Gods and as she saw it, she broke into laughter. "Oh Gods...I think I'm crying from laughter! You two just looked like some dogs salivating for beef..."

"You are doing it on purpose!" Lyanna hissed. "You are playing with our weakness and it's not fair!"

"Oh, poor pups...perhaps I should bake lemon cakes as compensation..."

"Yes!" The Stark siblings replied in unison and Ashara laughed and laughed and so did they.

"Oh Gods..." Ashara whispered as she struggled to compose herself. "Do not worry my darlings, I shall make plenty once I have time." Once the amethyst-eyed woman was fully composed, she decided to change subjects. "By the way Ned, I was thinking if we could pay a visit to the western harbor before the end of the year? After Jon's Nameday of course."

That reminded him that he never saw the place his father was building to have him be the Lord of. He wondered how it looked so he was full of curiosity. "Sure. I would like to see the place as well."

"Maybe you two could go and lonely vacation." Lyanna proposed. "I will take care of Jon and Winterfell. Ros and the other servants will help where and when they can."

"That sounds like a good idea to me, what do you say Ned?"

"Sure, if you are fine on your own Lya."

"I'm a grown woman Eddard Stark!" Lyanna protested. "Plus I know how to run a household and I also know Winterfell from the back of my hand."

"Ok, don't get exalted, I was just concerned." Ned assured.

"I know...I'm sorry if I sounded too angry because I'm not."

"Not a problem, sister."

"Then it's decided, Ned and I will travel to the harbor after Jon's Nameday and Lyanna will rule Winterfell while we are gone," Ashara concluded. "I think we should go back, the sun is close to setting."

"Ok, but we will race home!" Lyanna proclaimed with a huge smile on her lips.

"Fine by me," Ashara replied. "What about you Ned?"

"Three!" Ned shouted.

"Two!" Ashara added.

"One! Go!" Lyanna shouted as their horses began galloping at full pace back to Winterfell.

Catelyn Tully III

Red Keep, King's Landing, Year 284 AC

"Are you sure about this, Cat?" Lysa inquired with a worried expression. She was talking about Catelyn's decision to accept Lord Stannis' marriage proposal that the eldest Tully sister had proclaimed during the afternoon meal in an attempt to find some semblance of resolve that unfortunately did not seem to come...

Catelyn did not want to marry Stannis. She wanted to marry Brandon but her hopeful wait that he would change his mind seemed to be in vain especially when it seemed both of them avoided each other. Weighting on her mind was the fact that family was in need to re-establish its lost honor and she need to play her part in it. She needed to follow her family's motto for she was a Tully. "I am, Lysa." she avowed but deep down she knew it was a lie.

"But marriage is..."

"What we have been raised to do, get married and birth children for our husbands." Catelyn concluded.

"That too but...I was going to say such a final thing, one that you would not be able to stop once it happens." Her sister said wisely. "You have been made a Lady-in-Waiting so why do you not continue being so? Must you marry immediately?"

"Because...I do not really know Lysa." Catelyn admitted. "I just...I just woke up a couple of days ago and decided in favor of this. I know the King likes me well enough as a companion nanny but...I do not know. I feel I have to accept this." She did not speak of how it hurt when Edmure brought Brandon's teachings to the dining table or how it hurt to see him around. Part of her just wanted to leave the Red Keep and be away from Brandon and forget him for good.

"But Lord Stannis just seems so...tight and serious and scary..."

Catelyn spared a smile. "You are not wrong but he seems like a decent man, should you forget about that..." The man was at least interested in marrying her. Or marry her family. Despite it all, House Tully still held Paramountship of the Riverlands.

"Are you absolutely sure of this?" Lysa insisted once more.

"Lysa, why are you inquisitive today?" Catelyn asked a bit annoyed. She had been trying to strengthen her resolve but her sister was adamant in undermining it. "Is your marriage with Elbert going south?"

"No!" Lysa immediately said as if she heard some sort of heresy being spoken. "Elbert is my soulmate, my Prince Charming, my...I think those are enough titles already..."

Catelyn giggled at that. "Yes, I think they are." Then with a serious expression, she went at it again. "Then why are you trying to make marriage a monstrosity of thing? You and I have been raised for this since childhood."

"I just want you to have a good marriage like mine..." Lysa murmured with a grim expression. "I feel bad for..."

"For what?"

"For wishing bad things to you..." That surprised the eldest Tully sister. "When I was jealous of all the attention you got...all the boys..."

Catelyn smiled. "Well...I cannot say I disliked it but my eyes were all focused on Brandon. He was the only one that I wanted." she grabbed Lysa's hand. "You had eyes for all the boys but you got the one you needed. Maybe I will too..." A knock on the door interrupted them. "You may enter."

The door opened and uncle Brynden entered followed by Lord Stannis who was as grim as ever. It was the tall Stormlander who spoke next. "My Lady, did you send for me?"

"I did Lord Stannis." Catelyn concurred.

"Have you made up your mind about my proposal?"

"I have." Catelyn nodded but hesitated for a bit, likely scared of saying what she had previously decided to say. All her courage disappeared in an instant.

Lord Stannis noticed it and decided to take the lead. "And? What is your decision, My Lady?"

"I have...decided...to accept your proposal." Catelyn stammered out.

Lord Stannis eyed her for a bit, his expression showing a hint of disappointment. "Very well, Lady Catelyn." he ended up saying. "I know I'm not my brother nor Lord Stark but I know my strengths and weaknesses and I'm sure I can do a good job as a husband should you allow me. I promise to treat you fairly and hear your counsel should you give it." After finishing this speech that seemed memorized, Lord Stannis turned to uncle Brynden. "Shall we negotiate the terms of the marriage, Ser Brynden?"

"Yes." Ser Brynden nodded. "But I would like my nephew to be present if it's not asking too much of My Lord."

"Of course. He is the Lord of Riverrun after all." Then Lord Stannis turned back to her and Lysa. "My Ladies." Both men exited the room, leaving the women for themselves.

Lysa looked at her. "Cat?"

"Could you...give me some time alone?" Catelyn begged, tears almost forming in the corner of her eyes.

"Sure..." Lysa avowed as she walked to the door. "If you need me, I will be outside."

"Ok." But Catelyn did not seek her sister. She simply stayed there staring at the wall, thinking about her decision, how it was irreversible, and wondering if she did the right thing. Wondering if Brandon would somehow appear out of nowhere and say how sorry he was and that they were meant to be together...

A couple of hours later, another knock on the door. "Come in." she said in a weak tone.

Uncle Brynden entered the room once more, this time alone. "Cat. Lysa told me you wanted some time alone and that you have been here for hours..."

"I'm sorry..." she said with a weak smile. "I have been lost in my thoughts."

"No need to apologize. You were meant to marry Brandon and things didn't work well. Anyone could see how much in love you were with him so it's expected it." Uncle then knelt in front of her and grabbed her hand. "But what you did today, is worth a lot of praise, my dear niece. Today you took an important decision about your future and while I do agree it may not seem that great, I'm sure you will be pleasantly surprised in the long run. Lord Stannis is a diligent man who from what I have seen is constantly trying his best at everything he does so he is not so different from you and he said he meant it that he intended to hear your counsel and accept your help so I think you have a very good marriage here. Besides...if your expectations are already low there is little that can make the reality worse."

"I sure hope so, uncle..." Catelyn said, tears forming in the corner of her eyes and falling through her reddened cheeks. "I sure hope so..."

"Ah, Cat don't cry, my dear niece..." Uncle said as he hugged her tightly. "This is just a bad phase that will soon end and happiness will come."

"I hope...so..."

Radomir's Renegades: I know you were referring to Scars, I was trying and failing to sound ironic, so I apologize for it.

If Brandon sires more bastards, it likely won't be as many as Robert did. He is busy after all, doing his work and will only go to the brothel once in a while though mistakes could happen at any time, that is right.

I'm purposely keeping Littlefinger hidden for now but he is certainly planning something. One thing I can assure you, he learned his lesson: challenging people for duels when you are physically weak is a stupid idea.

Jebest4781: Thank you very much.

Since I'm pretty sure the guest who wrote the review in Scars regarding me writing summaries of previous chapters at the beginning of the new ones because I'm taking too long to update them, is reading this story too. I will say that I'm not very good at summaries but I can try and get something, especially if there is a lot of demand for it. So what do you guys say? Do you want summaries at the beginning of chapters?

I meant to have this finished sooner, I finished the first POV weeks ago but I could not decide what the second POV would be. First, it was the next Council Meeting but it was growing a bit too large so I scrapped it for the next chapter which will be focused on it. Secondly, I tried an Ironborn POV but I disliked how it was going so I scrapped that for later. Thirdly I noticed from what I had written from the Council Meeting that I left some things unanswered so I chose this Catelyn POV which contrasts a lot with Ned's POV, one is happy the other is unhappy, but I think it fits somehow.

Anyway, thank you for sparing time reading and I hope everyone has a nice day and stays safe.