Yeah, so this is awkward. I am alive, so there is nothing you need to worry about. I want to apologize to you all for waiting so patiently for me to upload a new chapter. I had been procrastinating for quite a while and with work being so hard to do, (11 Hours for some days) it was hard to be creative to write. I did leave my job because I wanted to find myself and get into another field that would leave me happy. I did write a portion of this chapter but I was left unsatisfied with my work so, I restarted from the ground up.

I want to give a big thanks to anyone that stuck with this story for so long, and to any new readers that discovered this story as well. I will try to get the next chapter out sooner if the times are good. Enough talk enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT own any of these character names or the story itself. George RR Martin owns all of these characters from his story ASOIAF.

Chapter 17: Dangerous words

298 AC – King's Landing

Eddard

Lord Stark breathed back a heavy sigh, as he fell back in his chair. He wiped his forehead with the back of his hand, which did very little. Sweat glisten all over his face, as he continually fanned himself. He knew the saying that "Starks don't do so well down south" however; he didn't think it was of the weather.

He was currently nursing a headache from enduring Robert's antics. He knew Robert was uninterested in ruling the realm but he didn't realize he was that ignorant. He spent more time hunting, sleeping with women, and drinking than ruling the seven kingdoms. It was up to him and the rest of the Small Council to keep the peace from falling apart. To add to that stress was to learn that the crown was more than six million in debt.

Robert's poor decisions have put the crown expenses in a precarious situation. Also hosting a tourney for his new position as the hand of the king piled on more issues that Ned had to worry about. The other members of the small council had been of great help, lessening the duties that he was required to do. That gave him valuable time in researching Jon Arryn's death.

Even hearing the details from Robert made Ned quite suspicious of the matter. It also didn't lessen his worries when Cat's sister sent them a letter saying that the Lannisters were at fault. He figured it would be better if he were in King's Landing searching for the answers to this plot. However, his search would only produce more questions than answers.

From the details discussed with Grand Maester Pycelle, Jon Arryn was in good health until his demeanor changed on a whim. From what he recalled, in his last moments, Jon Arryn became extremely delirious in his final moments, mistaking people for others and becoming lost in his head. What Ned did find out was that the last words that Jon Arryn uttered repeatedly were "The seed is strong". Pycelle seemed to insinuate that Lord Arryn was merely referring to his child, Robert Arryn.

This was surely mystifying; the words were ominous, almost foreboding. It seemed strange that his mentor kept saying these words almost as if he was trying to warn someone maybe Robert. Another interesting note that Pycelle disclosed was that his mentor had taken a book from the maester's library: 'The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, With Descriptions of Many High Lords and Noble Ladies and Their Children'. Pycelle expressed that Jon Arryn had asked for the book, days before his death. Eddard questioned Pycelle why Jon Arryn had taken an interest in the book so suddenly. The aging maester didn't have the faintest idea of why Jon Arryn required the book, but he did elude saying "That he needed to confirm a theory of his".

Ned sighed; this so-called theory was mystifying for him. The Grand Maester couldn't confirm what said theory Jon Arryn was investigating on, so that was a dead end for Eddard. He made sure that Pycelle kept this between each other, as he didn't want anyone else to know what he was investigating. He had of course tried asking others for their opinion on Jon Arryn, seeing if one of them would slip up. However, the rest of the council members seemed to have the same basis as Jon Arryn.

A knock on the door interrupted his thoughts, "Lord Hand? May I come in?" came a soft silky voice. Eddard knew who it was, "Come in Lord Varys". The door opened to reveal Lord Varys; who wore a vibrant purple silk gown, as the smell of lavender, lilacs, and rosewater engulfed the room. "Lord Varys, what brings you here?" as Eddard usher him to sit, "I have come to merely see how you are doing. Perhaps the duty as Hand of the King has put you under a lot of strain". Eddard waved dismissively, "No, I am managing quite well. Robert has been quite submissive in what I have done", Varys smiled courteously, "I am so glad to hear that".

Eddard eyed Varys suspiciously, "Enough pleasantries Lord Varys, what is your purpose here?" Varys gasped unexpectedly "Come now Lord Stark, can't I merely express camaraderie along the two of us?" giggling slightly as he covered his mouth. Eddard shifted slightly as he stared Varys down, "Tell me, Lord Varys, who do you truly serve?"

Varys feigned hurt, his face in shock, "Why, the realm, my good Lord, how could you doubt that I swear it by my lost manhood. I serve the realm, and the realm needs peace". "If you serve the realm as you say you do, then you must know what happened to Lord Arryn" "I have heard many whispers from the far north and even beyond Essos, but I assure you I have no knowledge about Lord Arryn".

"Is there someone you are working with? Are you in league with Littlefinger?" Varys huffed annoyingly, "I would sooner wed the Black Goat of Qohor" his face scrunched in disgust. "I am surprised to think you believe that I work against you. Like I told you at the beginning; we are here to serve you" as Varys performed a mock bow. Eddard relaxed back in his chair, "Forgive my outburst Lord Varys, I have been doing my inquiry".

"Ooohhh, do tell. What inquiry has piqued your interest?" Varys said coyly, placing a finger on his chin. "I have been trying to discover the reason why Jon Arryn died" Eddard whispered in hush tones. "Aaahhh, that's why you have been visiting Pycelle of late," Pycelle said slyly. "How did you…" Pycelle silenced him with a finger, "You may want to be more reserved to your investigations Lord Stark, the wall has ears".

An eerie silence permeated between the two of them, before Eddard interjected, "If you could, please keep this between the two of us", "Rest assured Lord Stark, I shall not say a word to anyone about this" Varys bowed as he stood up from the chair. As he opened the door to leave, he stopped for a moment, "Whenever you are ready to disclose your findings you know where to find me. After all, I could perhaps be of help for your daughter's problem as well" as he slipped out, winking and smiling modestly.

Eddard eyes widened in horror, but Varys had already left too quickly before he could say something. He sat in his loneness, fear gripped him, the fact that Varys knew of Sansa's condition. He hoped that Vary's judgment was good, and the tale would not spread amongst the court. Eddard tried to relax, as he drank his ale, trying to nurse the headache that was coming on.

Jamie

"Allow me to take the next watch, Ser Jaime. The King will be alright and as I believe the Queen has requested your presence," Ser Barristan said to the still Jaime. "Oh, uh yes, thank you, Lord Commander". Jaime awkwardly shuffled his way down the hall until stopping, "Do you still require my presence for tonight?" Ser Barristan waved him off, "I may be old but I am still sharp as ever. Run along Ser Jaime, you don't want to keep your sister waiting".

Jaime strolled at a brisk pace as he made his way to the White Tower. He ascended the stairs as he entered his sleeping cell. He gingerly unlatched his white cloak, removing his shiny golden armor as he slipped into clothing that is more comfortable. He left the white tower as he made his way to the Queen's chambers. He hummed a soft tone, as he walked through the dimly lit pathways.

He eventually came upon his destination, knocking three times on the elegant oak door. The door would open immediately, and his sister would immediately usher him into the room. The room was quite spacious, with a few candles lit and a jug of wine sitting on the table.

"How could you be so reckless?" "Excuse me, dear sis, but why are you so on edge?" Cersei huffed annoyingly, "He was a child. We could have forced him to keep quiet, what compelled you to think that was a good idea". "I was thinking about us", years ago he would hesitate to even utter that yet, the answer came to him so naturally.

An eerie silence fell between the two of them, "I have heard that the boy has waken." "And?" "They say that he doesn't remember anything". Jaime mockingly gestured exasperation, "Then what are you worrying about". Cersei walked towards Jaime, standing just short of him "What if his memory returns? What if he tells someone?"

"We'll say that he was lying. I'm pretty sure we out-smart what a six-year-old?" Cersei gritted her teeth, "What if Robert figures it out?" "I'll go to war against him" Then a smile would creep upon his fair face, "They can write a poem about us, the war for Cersei's cunt". A slap sounded in the room, as Jaime reeled slightly from the slap. The slap stung a bit, but he had been hit harder, a smile would grace his lips as he eyed Cersei down.

Cersei winded up for another slap, but Jaime caught her arm. "Let me go" as Cersei tried to release Jaime's grip on her. Jaime would then bring her into his arms, his arms crossed over her chest preventing any escape. "Let me go", "Shhhhh" Jaime shushed her as he brought his face close to her face.

"I will kill them all; Robert, Eddard, his boy, his daughter, and the lot of them. Until the only ones left in this world are you and I," he whispered dangerously, as he placed a kiss on her cheek. His eyes gleamed with lust as he continued to hold his sister, a smile of Father's reflecting in the dying light of the candle.

Unknown POV

He didn't know how long been running, but it had been exhausting. The dense forest seemed almost endless. The hoofs of many riders gained on him, as an arrow whizzed past him. The man stumbled on his steps as he ducked behind a tree. He held his breath hoping his assailants did not see him.

"Where did he go?" "He must have gone east, he's trying to get back to Winterfell" The rider's horses raced down the path, their hoofs disappearing into the wind.

The man peeked behind the tree, making sure that the riders were truly gone. If luck be good, he could find a shelter where he could hunker down for the night. As he stepped out from his spot, an arrow flew right in between his thigh. "AHHHHH" he yelled as fell flat on his face, his hand grasping his leg. Searing pain shot through his body as the blood began to spurt from the shot. Footsteps began to approach him slowly, as a looming figure with a hood stood over him.

The pain was getting him, as his vision started to get fuzzy. The details were getting hazy, as his eyelids began to get heavy. The last thing he remembered was seeing a naked man in an 'x' shape on the man's chest.

Hope you enjoyed it, tell me what you think and I will see you all later.