In his study, Ned was beginning to pack up his things when Rory entered.
"Well, that went well," Rory said dryly.
"I will not murder children," Ned said gruffly.
"I agree. I've done a lot of things I regret in my life, as I'm sure you have. But I will not cross that line," Rory said firmly and Ned sighed sadly.
"I just wish Robert felt the same. He is…not the man I once knew," Ned said regretfully.
"Yes he is," Rory said and Ned looked at him startled. "He is exactly who he was before. You just refused to see it because you were blinded by sentiment. When you first met Robert, you were a lonely boy in an unfamiliar place who missed his home and his family. Robert reminded you of Brandon, so much so that you began to associate the two of them, especially after your bother was murdered. But Robert is not Brandon, he never has been. Now you've just been parted for so long that you're no longer blind to the truth and can finally see Robert for who he really is."
"Perhaps you're right, but Robert never murdered children before," Ned pointed out.
"No, he just laughed over their corpses and called them 'Dragon spawn'," Rory argued and Ned didn't have a response.
Because Rory wasn't wrong. Ned would never forget the moment when Tywin Lannister had presented the lifeless bodies of Rheager's children, nor Robert's response. Ned had never been able to forget it. It was why he had left on his own to go find Lyanna. And why he had ultimately decided to keep Jon's true identity a secret.
"You're a good man Ned. Robert never has been and he never will be. But I guess it doesn't matter anyway. We can't stay here after slighting Robert that way," Rory noted and Ned nodded.
"Aye. I'll have to get my daughters and return to Winterfell. And where will you go?" Ned asked as he looked over at Rory.
"I guess back to my home in the Vale. It's time I resumed my Watch," Rory said vaguely.
Ned nodded, understanding. He was perhaps one of the few who did. He was the only person besides Jon who Rory had ever told about the Pandorica, about Amy.
"I understand. Thank you for coming to my aid," Ned said gratefully.
"What are friends for? Is everything all right? You seem…on edge. You have since before Robert told you about Daenerys," Rory noted and Ned sighed.
"My wife…Cat has taken Tyrion Lannister hostage," Ned confessed and Rory was stunned into silence, not quite processing this for a moment. "I'm not sure what she was thinking."
"I do," Rory said and he looked at him confused. "She was thinking she was a mother, confronted with the man who she believes tried to kill her son, twice. It makes things worse, but I get it. Most mothers would have done the same thing. Still, I'd leave as quickly you can, and take your daughters with you."
"Aye. Thank you, Rory. I'll try to get in touch the moment things are settled," Ned promised and Rory nodded.
"Good luck, my friend. I have a feeling you will need it," Rory noted before exiting the study, no doubt to go pack his own things.
Later, Ned was packing his things, giving orders to Jory when Jory said Littlefinger was here for him. Ned looked over as Littlefinger entered the room.
"His Grace went on about you and the Centurion in some length after the two of you took your leave. The word 'treason' was mentioned," Littlefinger noted.
"What can I do for you, Lord Baelish?" Ned asked stiffly, not having patience for Littlefinger's games.
"When do you return to Winterfell?" Littlefinger asked.
"Why, what do you care?" Ned demanded suspiciously.
"If you're still here come nightfall, I'll take you to see the last person Jon Arryn spoke with before falling ill. If that sort of thing still interests you," Littlefinger said and Ned eyed him warily.
He wanted more than anything to find out what happened to Jon. But he had his daughters to think of. And regardless, he still didn't trust Littlefinger completely.
"I don't have the time," Ned said as he turned away from Littlefinger.
"It won't take more than an hour. But as you please," Littlefinger said, bowing slightly before turning and beginning to head out the door.
Ned wrestled with himself for a moment before, hearing Littlefinger reach the doorway, he made a decision. Grabbing a sword, he walked over to Jory and held it out to him.
"Round up all the men we have and station them outside the girls' chambers. Who are your best two swords?" Ned asked.
"Heward and Wyl."
"Find them and meet me at the stables," Ned ordered before following after Littlefinger, hoping he wasn't going to regret this.
Later that day, in one of Littlefinger's brothels, Ned stared down at the child in the arms of one of Littlefinger's whores, barely aware of what he was even saying. The child was most certainly Robert's. Even at only a few months old, she already bore Baratheon features.
"What did Jon Arryn want when he came to visit you?" Ned inquired and she seemed to go to the obvious conclusion.
"He wasn't that sort of man, my Lord. He just wanted to know if she was happy, healthy," the whore explained and Ned nodded, still unable to piece together Jon's fixation on Robert's bastards.
"She will want for nothing," Ned promised and she smiled, clearly happy.
Ned walked out of the room, finding Littlefinger sitting on a couch with two whores. Ned looked at him in disgust as Littlefinger smirked.
"Brothels make a much better investment than ships, I've found. Whores rarely sink," Littlefinger said as he got to his feet, walking over to Ned.
"What do you know of Robert's bastards?"
"He has more than you, for starters," Littlefinger said and Ned glared at him.
"How many?"
"Does it matter? Fuck enough women and some of them will give you presents," Littlefinger pointed out.
"Jon Arryn tracked them all down. Why?" Ned demanded.
"He was the King's Hand. Perhaps Robert wanted them looked after. He was overcome with fatherly love," Littlefinger suggested but his tone said he believed that as much as Ned.
"Come," Ned told Jory, heading to the door before noticing Jory wasn't following, staring at one of the whores, who was eying him seductively. "Jory!"
Jory quickly followed Ned outside and they stopped, seeing a group of soldiers standing outside, blocking their paths. A horse then rode up, Jaime Lannister ridding it.
"Such a small pack of wolves," Jaime noted as he jumped from the house.
"Stay back, Ser. This is the Hand of the King," Jory warned him.
"Was the Hand of the King," Jaime corrected him. "Now I'm not sure what he is. Lord of somewhere very far away."
"What's the meaning of this?" Littlefinger demanded as he emerged from the brothel.
"Get back inside, where it's safe," Jaime warned him before turning back to Ned. "I'm looking for my brother. You remember my brother, don't you Lord Stark? Blond hair, sharp tongue, short man."
"I remember him well," Ned said lowly, knowing what this was about.
"Seems he had some trouble on the road. You wouldn't happen to know what happened to him, would you?" Jaime asked, looking at Ned, daring him to lie.
"He was taken at my command, to answer for his crimes," Ned lied, knowing it was the only way to protect Cat.
Jaime's smirk left his lips and he drew his sword. His men followed suit, as did Jory and Ned's men.
"My Lords! I'll bring the city watch," Littlefinger warned as he ran off.
"Come, Stark. I'd rather you die sword in hand," Jamie challenged.
"If you threaten my Lord again-" Jory started.
"Threaten? As in 'I'm going to open your Lord from ball to brain and see what Starks are made off'?" Jaime mocked.
"You kill me, your brother's a dead man," Ned pointed out and Jaime paused for a moment.
"You're right," Jaime said before turning to his men. "Take him alive. Kill his men."
Heward and Wyl were immediately cut down by Jamie's men throwing spears at them, which ran them through the chest. Enraged, Ned and Jory immediately drew their swords and began fighting off the Lannister men. Jory made short work of his opponents before rushing Jaime. Jamie lazily blocked Jory's blade with his own before, to Ned's horror, stabbing a dagger through Jory's eyes, killing him instantly.
Jamie left Jory's body drop and Ned found himself surrounded by Jamie and his men. Jaime smirked at Ned, walking over and raising his sword toward. A beat passed before Ned sword his sword. Jaime blocked with his own before pushing Ned back.
They traded blows for a while, neither able to get the upper hand just yet. But it was clear to Ned that Jaime was the far superior swordsman, just like it had been the case with Arthur Dayne. But there was no one here to save him this time.
Their swords met in a stalemate, Ned pushing back. So focused on Jaime, Ned didn't even sense one of the Lannister soldier's sneak behind him until he felt the spear be stabbed into his leg. Ned cried out in pain before he went down to his knees, not seeing the look of surprise on Jaime's face.
Jaime then walked over to the soldier that had stabbed Ned and slugged him, sending him down to the ground. Jaime looked over as another Lannister soldier walked over, bringing Jaime's horse. Ned looked up, trembling with pain and anger as Jaime got on his horse.
"My brother, Lord Stark. We want him back," Jaime said before riding off.
The rest of the Lannister soldiers ran off after Jaime before Ned fell to the ground, out cold.
The next thing Ned was aware of, he was coming to, in a bed. Opening his eyes, he saw Rory sitting by his bedside.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" Rory asked gently and Ned took a moment to answer.
"Like the Seven Hells," Ned said and Rory smiled tightly.
"Now might not be the time to joke, Ned. You have company," Rory said, looking off to the side.
Ned followed his gaze, seeing Robert and Cersei were in the room. Judging by their expressions, they were not happy.
"Your pardon, Your Grace. I would rise, but…" Ned winced, feeling the pain in his leg.
"Do you know what your wife has done?" Cersei demanded.
"She did nothing I did not command," Ned told her.
"Who would have thought she'd have it in her," Robert said, sounding more impressed than angry.
"On what count do you lay a hand on my blood?" Cersei demanded.
"I am the King's Hand, charged with keeping the peace-"
"You were the King's hand and will now be held accountable-"
"Oh, will both of you shut your mouths!?" Robert exploded.
"The King is correct, this is not helping," Rory said as he got to his feet. "Let's calm down and talk like adults instead of squabbling like children."
"Adults? Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brothel when his men attacked Jaime," Cersei sneered angrily.
"Quiet, woman," Robert sneered before turning to Ned. "You will release Tyrion and make your peace with Jaime."
"Jaime has fled the city, give me leave to bring him back to justice," Ned asked his old friend.
"I took you for a king," Cersei mocked Robert.
"Hold your tongue," Robert growled.
"He's abducted one of my brothers and attacked the other. I should wear the crown, and you the gown," Cersei mocked.
Robert angrily turned to her and attempted to strike her only to find someone gripping his hand in a vice like grip.
"I didn't teach you to fight so you could victimize your wife. Only the weak prey on those who can't defend themselves," Rory said his voice hard and his eyes icy as he glared at Robert.
The room was silent as they all stared at Rory, unnerved by the change. This was no longer Rory. This was the Last Centurion, the man many believed to be the greatest warrior who had ever roamed Westeros.
"I am not weak," Robert finally said and Rory released his wrist.
"Then prove it. Act like a king instead of a bully," Rory shot back.
After a moment, Robert nodded.
"You two leave us," Robert ordered Rory and Cersei before turning to Ned. "We need to talk."
Rory nodded and for once, Cersei seemed to have a lack of words. It was silent as the two exited the room. Cersei didn't speak until the door closed behind them.
"You did not need to do that," Cersei said and Rory turned back to her.
"Yes, I did. A king who lays a hand on a woman, especially his wife, is no king at all," Rory said and paused. "Has Robert ever done that before?"
"No. Jaime would kill him," Cersei assured him and Rory nodded. "You are a friend of Lord Stark. Do you know why he took my brother?"
Rory was silent for a moment, not sure how much to reveal. But, if he was going to gain her trust, he had to give her something.
"Ned mentioned to me that his wife believed that their son Bran didn't fall, but he was pushed," Rory said, noticing how Cersei tensed at this information. "For whatever reason, he must believe it was Tyrion who did it. You'll have to forgive him. As a parent yourself, I imagine you'd do far worse to anyone who would hurt your children."
"Yes…yes I would," Cersei said softly, seeming to have even forgotten Rory was there for a moment before seeming to come back to herself. "Thank you, Lord Centurion."
"Please, call me Rory," Rory said with a friendly smile.
"Rory. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to leave before Robert finds me here," Cersei said.
Rory nodded as Cersei turned, walking down the corridor and vanishing from view. It was silent for a long moment before the door opened again, this time it was Robert exiting the room. He seemed to freeze upon seeing Rory, whose gaze chilled as he saw Robert.
"Centurion. That…wasn't very kingly of me, what happened," Robert said uncomfortably.
"No it wasn't," Rory agreed coldly.
"I'm in over my head. I need help. I need help from Ned, and you," Robert said with a sigh and Rory saw he looked exhausted.
"Not sure how I can help if you dismiss my council when you ask for it," Rory pointed out. "A wise king knows when to listen."
"Please…just stay until I get back from my hunt," Robert said and he seemed far more like the boy who Rory had first trained for a moment.
"Hunt?" Rory inquired and Robert smiled slightly.
"Killing things usually helps me clear my mind," Robert said and, after a moment, Rory nodded.
"Fine, I'll stay. But Robert…I ever find out you struck your wife, or any woman…you will have me to answer to. And not even all the guards in King's Landing will be able to protect you."
Robert paled, looking at Rory fearfully before Rory smiled, walking off.
Things are heading to a breaking point. It's almost time for things to really get intense, so buckle up.