Sorry it's been so long, had a bit of writer's block with this chapter. That said, here we go.

In Ned's office, Rory was listening to Ned explain his plan. And he wondered how Ned had survived in the Capital this long.

"Ned, if you do this, you're going to die," Rory said bluntly.

"What would you have me do, Rory? I cannot allow Joffrey to sit on the throne. Even if he was of Robert's blood, Cersei's influence on him is too strong. A war is going to break out unless I can secure the loyalty of the guards. The only way to do that is to get Baelish to bribe them," Ned reasoned.

"And it would be a good plan if you could trust Baelish, but you can't. Ned, if you do this, Littlefinger will do whatever benefits him. And I fear for you and your daughters if that happens," Rory said and Ned looked at him curiously.

"Why do you distrust Baelish so much? What aren't you telling me Rory?" Ned demanded and Rory sighed, having not wanted to play this card but knowing he had no choice if Ned had a chance to survive.

"I didn't want to tell you because I was afraid of what you might do. But you're not giving me much choice," Rory said as Ned waited patiently for his answer. "After Catelyn departed for Winterfell, I asked around about Littlefinger. And I heard a story, one that I know to be a lie but that Baelish has spread to every ear in King's Landing that will listen."

"What story?" Ned demanded, uneasy as Rory looked at him blankly, trying to find the words.

"According to multiple sources, Baelish has been telling anyone who will listen that he had lain with Catelyn before she married you," Rory finally said.

For a moment, the room was silent as Ned processed this. Rory could see the anger growing in Ned's eyes but, thankfully Ned wasn't getting up and heading out to murder Littlefinger.

"If I were at full strength, I'd already be halfway out the door to cut off his head," Ned said in a growl.

"But you're not. And even if you were, killing Littlefinger is not the best move right now. Ned, you are surrounded by enemies. You're right; war will break out if you don't play this carefully. Ned, get your daughters out while you still can," Rory told him.

"I'm having them taken back to Winterfell tonight," Ned said but Rory shook his head.

"Don't wait. Do it now. If this goes badly, this leaves Sansa and Arya at the mercy of Cersei. And she's not a merciful woman, judging by what happened to Sansa's wolf. Do it now, if not for your sake, for theirs," Rory said before getting to his feet. "Last time, you ignored my advice and got yourself into the situation you're in now. I hope this time, you don't."

Rory then walked from the room, leaving Ned to his thoughts.

Later, in his own room, Rory was sharpening his sword when he heard someone knock. Rory put his sword down and walked over to the door, opening it to reveal Varys.

"Lord Centurion," Varys greeted.

"Lord Varys. How may I help you?" Rory inquired, wondering what the Spider would want with him, unnerved by Varys's smile.

"I would like to speak, if you do not mind," Varys said and Rory shrugged, letting him in.

"What do you want?" Rory asked, closing the door behind him.

"I wish to speak with you about Lord Stark. I think we both agree the situation with Cersei Lannister has become…untenable," Varys said and Rory understood almost immediately.

"You know," Rory said and Varys nodded. "For how long?"

"For some time now. I did not know it was the reason the Lannisters had murdered Jon Arryn until I realized Ned Stark had discovered it as well. But the more important thing is that Ned Stark is in danger," Varys said as he looked at Rory. "He's an honorable man, and that honor will get him killed if he is not careful."

"I know, but Ned is…Ned. He doesn't see that people don't hold honor to the same degree as he does. Why aren't you talking with him?" Rory inquired and Varys was silent for a moment. "What do you know?"

"Lord Baelish. I fear he and the Queen are planning something that would be…dire for Ned Stark and his daughters," Varys said and a pit of dread formed in Rory's stomach as the Spider looked at him with a haunted look. "I fear there may be nothing either of us can do to stop it."

In his study, Ned was thinking of what Rory had told him when he heard someone enter his study. Looking up, his eyes hardened as he saw Littlefinger.

"Lord Baelish," Ned greeted stiffly.

"Lord Hand. You seem angry," Littlefinger noted as he entered the room.

"I have heard…disturbing rumors about you," Ned said stiffly as he got to his feet with the help of his cane. "Rumors where you sully the reputation of my wife."

"Ah, that. Surely you know Catelyn had a life, had a love before you," Littlefinger said dismissively, only making Ned angrier.

"I know for a fact that Catelyn was a maiden until our wedding night. You claim to be her friend, she thinks of you as a brother. And yet you insult her, degrade her reputation like this?" Ned almost snarled, trying desperately to control his anger.

"Lord Stark, you must have imagined it. Or perhaps you fear your wife may desire…someone else," Littlefinger said with a smirk as he neared Ned.

That did it. With a snarl, Ned reached out, grabbing Littlefinger by the neck and slammed him against the table.

"You've insulted my wife one too many times, Lord Baelish," Ned snarled.

"Guards!" Littlefinger cried out, looking terrified.

Less than a second afterwards, guards burst into the room and tackled Ned away from the apparently frightened Littlefinger.

"Take him to the Queen," Littlefinger said, grabbing a scroll and opening it, smirking as he saw its contents. "I'm sure she will be very interested to know what our good Lord Hand has been up to."

As he was forcibly led from the room, Ned realized Littlefinger had played him. To what end, he didn't know. But regardless, he feared that Rory had been right: his daughters may now be at the mercy of Cersei Lannister.

"What are you talking about?" Rory asked, an unsettling feeling coming over him.

"Some of my little birds have told me that Baelish and the Queen met secretly. When Baelish meets with someone, it's usually to hatch a plot," Varys said before there was a knock at the door. "Are you expecting someone?"

"No," Rory said warily, wondering who it could be.

Rory silently moved to the door, opening it to revealing a girl of about eight. At the sight of her, Varys chuckled.

"Fear not, Centurion. It's merely one of my birds," Varys said as he approached the girl. "What is it, sweetling?"

"I saw Lord Stark dragged away by some guards," the girl said, stunning both men. "And I heard the Queen order both Stark girls brought to her, with orders to kill anyone who tries to stop them."

It took Rory all of one second to process this news before he grabbed his sword and ran from the room, running through the corridors.

Sansa was running through the corridors, out of breathe. Her Septa had told her to go to her room after hearing what sounded like fighting in the castle. But her room was such a long way from where they had heard the fighting. She froze as she saw The Hound round the corner.

Seeing her, The Hound smirked, beginning to make his way over to her.

"Stay away from me," Sansa said, trying to sound like her mother when she was dealing with Bran or Rickon. "I'll tell my father. I'll-I'll tell the queen."

"Who do you think sent me?" The Hound asked with a laugh.

"Step. Away."

The two turned to see Rory had entered the corridor, a hand on his sword as he eyed The Hound.

"Step away from her," Rory said his voice cold as he walked up beside Sansa. "Sansa, are you all right?"

"Y-yes," Sansa said, hating how her voice trembled as she stepped behind Rory.

"Good," Rory said before glaring at The Hound. "You're going to tell me what's going on, now."

"Just following orders. The Queen wants to see the Stark girls," The Hound said with a savage grin.

"Why?" Rory asked calmly and The Hound shrugged.

"Don't know, don't care. All I know is the Queen wants to see her," The Hound said, eyes locking on the terrified Sansa. "Now get out of my way, you cunt before I break you in half."

"Oh, I see. You don't know who I am," Rory said with a smirk.

"Should I?" The Hound asked bored.

"I am the Last Centurion," Rory said bluntly and saw The Hound stiffen. "There's a reason for that. Now, take me to the Queen. Any funny business, you give me half a reason to think you're a threat to Sansa, and you'll find my sword through your chest before you can blink."

The Hound glared at Rory for a moment before, with a hint of fear, he nodded, gesturing for them to follow him. As The Hound began walking off, Rory turned back to Sansa, who was looking at him with fear and a bit of awe. Softening his gaze, Rory held out a hand to Sansa. After a moment, Sansa took it and, as one, Rory and Sansa began going after The Hound.

In the King's study, Cersei was reading Robert's Last will and testament, her smirk growing wider as she looked up at Baelish.

"This is exactly what we need," Cersei said. "You have done well, Lord Baelish."

"Ned Stark was not difficult to manipulate. Those Starks have fast tempers, but slow minds," Baelish said before there was a knock on the door.

"Enter," Cersei commanded and the door opened, revealing a servant.

"Forgive the intrusion, Your Grace, but The Hound has returned. He has brought Sansa Stark. However, the Lord Centurion is with them. He refuses to let Sansa in before he speaks with you," the servant explained.

Cersei silently seethed. The Last Centurion dared to defy her? But she took a deep breathe. The Last Centurion could prove a valuable ally. She just needed to play this carefully enough.

"Of course. Send him in," Cersei commanded.

A few seconds later, Rory entered the study, the door closing behind him. It was silent for a beat before Rory spoke.

"What is the meaning of this, my Queen? It's like a war zone out there, Ned Stark is in chains, and you're bringing Sansa to you like she's a prisoner," Rory listed, looking as outraged as he was confused.

"I did not mean to frighten her, but I had to act quickly," Cersei said, putting her thoughts in order. "Rory, I'm sorry you have to find out like this…but Robert has passed."

Rory took a moment to process this, knowing it was no coincidence that Robert had died so quickly. Whether it was poison or some other means, Rory didn't know. But there was no doubt in Rory's mind that Cersei had killed Robert.

"I'm sorry for your loss. But what does that have to do with anything that has happened?" Rory demanded.

"I requested Lord Baelish to inform Lord Stark and to bring him to me, so we could begin the transition of Joffrey to power," Cersei explained, glancing at Littlefinger, who stepped forward.

"No one was more shocked than I, Centurion, when I found Ned conspiring with his men to take control of King's Landing, usurp Joffrey and name himself Lord Protector," Littlefinger said and Rory looked at him in disbelief.

"That's absurd," Rory said bluntly.

"I have proof right here," Littlefinger said, holding his hand to Cersei, who handed him the parchment, which he then handed to Rory. "Your friend Lord Stark manipulated a dying man, who was barely conscious, into naming him Lord Protector."

Rory read the scroll, knowing that Robert would have named Ned Lord Protector no matter what. But it didn't matter what he knew, it mattered what he could prove. And Rory knew that Littlefinger would have various witnesses who would be able to back him up, no doubt having memories full of gold that suddenly appeared in their pockets.

"I…cannot believe that Ned would do this," Rory said after a few moments, acting like he bought the lie.

"It is difficult to accept, but the truth is Ned Stark was not as honorable as he appeared to be," Cersei said gently. "I have him in the dungeons for now, away from harm while I try to sort this out."

"What exactly do you need to sort out?" Rory asked as he looked up from the parchment.

"A Lord Paramount, accused of treason? It's a delicate situation, Centurion. It could result in a war if we do not act quickly," Baelish pointed out.

"I was hoping to convince Sansa or her sister to write to her brother, convince him to come to King's Landing and sort this whole mess out, without going to war," Cersei explained.

Rory resisted the urge to laugh, wondering if Cersei had lost her mind. If Robb was anything like Ned, he'd hardly take Ned being held prisoner lightly. There was no alternative where this didn't result in war.

But Rory wasn't here to stop a war. He was here to make sure that Sansa was protected.

"And that's all you want with her?" Rory asked, looking Cersei in the eyes and she nodded.

"I assure you Rory, on my word as Queen, Sansa will not be harmed," Cersei promised.

Rory stared at her for a long moment before nodding, putting the parchment down on the table and walking out of the study, closing the door behind him.

"Do you think he believed us?" Cersei asked.

"I'm not sure. But you best keep a close eye on him, Your Grace. The Last Centurion is not an enemy you want to have," Littlefinger said, wondering if he was talking to Cersei or himself.

Out in the corridor, Rory dragged Sansa away from The Hound before, to her surprise, pulling her into a hug.

"Hug me back, act like everything's normal," Rory whispered in her ear and, after a moment, Sansa did as he instructed. "They're going to tell you lies about your father, act like you believe them. Do whatever the Queen asks of you, it's the only thing that's going to keep you alive. Don't trust a word any of them say."

Rory then released Sansa, looking at her with a look, silently asking if she understood. Sansa seemed to, as she nodded. Rory then watched as Sansa was led into the study by The Hound. As the doors closed behind them, Rory silently wondered what Ned had gotten them all into.

Ned still got arrested, but it happened quite differently than it did in canon. With Rory there, Ned was never going to trust Littlefinger, something Littlefinger was going to realize.

But it's still very in character for both of them to do this. Considering Ned nearly choked the life out of Littlefinger just for saying Catelyn was in a brothel, Ned would absolutely lose it on Littlefinger and attack him if he knew what Littlefinger was saying about her, especially if Littlefinger kept goading him. And if Littlefinger couldn't gain Ned's trust, he'd get Ned accused of treason some other way.

The war is about to begin.