Chapter 16: Expecting trouble

298 AC

Eddard

It had been over a week since Robert had left to go on his damned hunt. In the meantime, he had divided his time between running the Kingdoms, trying to puzzle the pieces of Jon Arryn's research together and getting better. He was also very mad at Robert as he had apparently approved of a mission to kill the remaining Targaryens in Essos when he was asleep. He would definitely talk about that with him, as that was not what he stood for.

At least he was getting better. He could, if helped to get there, now sit in his chair with his leg raised for a longer time. This made it so that could meet nobles and officials with much more dignity. That was exactly what he was doing now, as he looked at his leg under his desk while he waited for his guests.

Yesterday, Varys had come to him with the names of two captains of the City Watch. There was a strong indication that they were being bribed with money from the treasury. To his surprise Varys research showed their commander Janos Slynt wasn't involved, or so it seemed. He had immediately spoken with Renly and they had sacked the two captains.

Now he was waiting on two potential candidates to fill in their places. They were named Ser Gawen Flowers and Jonos Waters, both bastards with ambition who wanted to climb in the City Watch.

When they entered, they inclined their heads respectfully. "Please sit" He said, while waving at the seats with his left hand.

They sat down and after a page had brought them all a cup of wine, they started talking. The men both seemed really motivated and especially Jonos seemed to have great affinity for the smallfolk. Both of them wanted to do their jobs and make a name for themselves in a few years. More importantly, they seemed loyal to the bone.

So, after ten to fifteen minutes they both left his study as the new captains of the City Watch. He sat there in his chair and looked around, as he took a sip of his wine. His eyes darted to the book 'The Lineages and Histories of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms, With Descriptions of Many High Lords and Noble Ladies and Their Children' for the hundred time. Although he knew he would not find anything in it, he still put it in front of him again.

After looking through his own family tree for a few minutes, he again started looking to House Baratheon. Nothing new, all black hair and blue eyes until the last Baratheon lord in the book Lyonel the Laughing Storm, Robert's grandfather. He looked over House Arryn then and saw how all of them had had different shades of blond hair, blue eyes and an aquiline nose. From what he had heard about Lysa's son, this made it all the more believable that he wasn't Jon's. Little Robert shared no traits with his Arryn ancestors.

Of course, children could favor their mother's House, just look at most of his own children. But even though Robb favored his mother's family in coloring and build, there was still some Stark in him and it became more apparent as he grew older. Besides, Arya was his and no one could deny that.

He then went back to House Baratheon and started reading again. Black of hair, black of hair, black of hair, … Gowen Baratheon married Tya Lannister, one son black of hair. Suddenly his eyes went wide, it couldn't be could it? He looked over all the pages again seeking for marriages between Lannisters and Baratheons. All their offspring were black of hair … He thought about the two bastard children that he had seen. The smith and the daughter of the young prostitute, both had had bright blue eyes and black hair.

Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen were … all Lannister. Was that even possible? It couldn't be, could it? Could both his foster-father and foster-brother have been cuckolded? That seemed too farfetched, even for this Gods forsaken city. Was this why Jon Arryn had been killed and why Stannis Baratheon had fled? Did they figure this out? They had had the book and had found Robert's natural offspring.

He had to think back about Robert's daughter in the Vale, she had also had black hair and blue eyes, as did the Robert's natural son who stayed in Storm's end Edric. Robert had told him the latter himself.

He decided he would take another look at the children before doing anything. Maybe he found something of Robert's or his family's features in the children. If what he thought was true, then war would be inevitable. Robert's wrath would be uncontrollable, and the Iron Throne would have no obvious heir. Well, the heir would be Stannis, but everyone knew of the rift between the two brothers.

He looked over all the information and the fear he felt kept growing. Oh, he really hoped this wasn't true.

(Two days later)

He had just come back from an audience with the Royal Family. He had used some excuse about funds, but he had just wanted to see the children. Even with his leg so hurt and the fact he needed to be supported by a guard and a cane at all times, it was worth it. What he had seen, had mortally scared him.

He had looked at the Princess and she was just like the Queen. The little Prince Tommen definitely looked like his mother but also a bit like a young, chubbier version of Lord Tywin. It was the Crownprince that scared him too death. The more he had looked at the boy, the more he was taken back to a young Jaime Lannister who had sat on Iron Throne when he first entered at the end of the Rebellion.

Not being able to shake the feeling away, he saw features in the other children resembling Jaime as well and he tried to piece everything he knew about the two together. They were almost inseperable and he knew Jaime often guarded her door at night. After a while he also remembered that Jaime had not joined on their hunt in Winterfell and that both had seemingly disappeared the whole day.

He had tried to find any non-Lannister features, but he couldn't find any. Everywhere he looked he saw Cersei or Jaime, with a few subtle hints to Tywin in the younger boy. It was pretty clear that the children weren't Robert's, but were they really Jaime's? Who would do anything so vile, so dishonorable?

Moreover, did all the Lannisters know? Or did they cheat even their own family? That he certainly didn't know.

Like his situation couldn't become worse however, another Lannister had arrived in King's Landing. Tyrion Lannister, having returned from the Wall and Winterfell arrived the night before. The man didn't seem bad, but he wouldn't put it past the Lannisters that it was just all an act. Whatever the case may be, Tyrion still told him some about the situation at the Wall and how Winterfell seemed in the short conversation they had had so far and he was grateful for that.

His position was clear to him now. He was surrounded by Lannister men, with a sizeable portion of the Baratheon man-at-arms being sworn to Lord Renly instead of Robert. The Crownprince was a bastard possibly a full-blood Lannister one and the Queen had betrayed Robert. The moment Robert would come back from his hunt, he would tell him. All hell would break lose then, as he knew Robert would go in a maddening rage.

He needed to defend Robert's kingdom and gather allies in the meantime though, so he sat down at his desk and made himself a list of what he would need to do.

He needed to contact Lord Stannis. The Lord of Dragonstone could be here quickly with a sizeable force and he was the official heir to the Throne now. Surely, he would help his older brother! Another thing that worked in his favor was that he supposed that Stannis knew the truth and that that was why he had left for Dragonstone so quickly.

He would also save Robert's natural born children. For starters, they were evidence against Cersei, second he wanted to save Robert's children the fighting that would probably occur in the city. He expected the Lannisters to have allies or mercenary's somewhere that could be easily made available, even against Robert.

He would never harm Cersei's bastards, as he didn't hurt children. Maybe the boys could be sent to the Watch or they and their sister could be raised by loyal lords after they were taken out of the line of succession. Normally he would give Cersei an opportunity to flee but knowing what they pulled on him weeks prior he didn't dare take the chance. He could walk into a trap because of it and wasn't willing to take that gamble.

He needed to gain more allies here to be safe and his thoughts immediately went towards the Stormlords. There was no real Vale- or Rivermen contingent in the city, except for the Royce's, so he couldn't count on those alone and he didn't trust the Reachmen or Crownlanders to be loyal to Robert.

He didn't have the best relationship with their overlord, Lord Renly, so that made things more difficult. Even so, some Lords still stood out to him, most notably Lord Dondarrion and Ser Rolland Storm. If he could get them on his side, it would enlarge both his retinue, as well as his legitimacy for when Robert returned.

As such, his day flew by. He managed to get a trading ship who would go to Dragonstone in the morning. He wrote a letter to Lord Stannis explaining the situation and would have Tomard travel with the ship and deliver him the letter. He also managed to persuade Tobho Mott to let Gendry go and accompany his man to Dragonstone. It had taken a fat purse, but it was done in the end.

The young whore and her daughter Barra weren't so easy though. They refused Vayon's offers multiple times and refused to leave the brothel at any cost. He did what he could do for her, but she refused to budge. As such; Gendry would have to do for now, he sadly thought.

He also had a conversation with Lord Beric Dondarrion, Ser Rolland Storm and Thoros of Myr. After a long conversation, where he presented all his evidence, he managed to convince them all of the fact that Joffrey, Myrcella and Tommen weren't Robert's.

It took a while to convince them, but he finally managed to. Not all were convinced of his story with Ser Jaime, but all accepted the fact that the Queen was an adulteress and that the King had no legitimate children. Ser Rolland was outraged and wanted to storm to the Queen's chambers with his sword in hand, but his friends managed to stop him.

They all accepted to join him when telling the King and protect Robert and his interests. They also agreed to only bring Ser Robar Royce into the plot, even though his father was still out in the Kingswood with Robert they agreed they could trust him.

The evening meeting with Ser Robar played out similarly and his reaction to the news was much the same as Ser Rolland's. He pledged himself to the plot and he swore that he would convince his father when he arrived.

He told Alyn to be on guard and double the patrols and watchers at any time of the day or night. He was feeling like he was getting paranoid, but with the Lannisters you never knew.

After checking up on Vayon, Hullen and Alyn's work, he went to bed. He fiercely hoped Robert would return soon.

Sometimes the Gods were cruel. He had prayed for them to bring his friend back soon and they did, but he was mortally wounded. He had just left Robert's chambers. Robert had named him regent and Protector of the Realm, in turn he had made a promise to protect his children. He would do just that, as he thought about Gendry, who had safely left King's Landing. He thought about Mya in the Vale, Edric Storm in Storm's End and Barra here in King's Landing. There were probably others as well and he would find and protect them as well.

First, he needed to deal with the situation with the Lannisters though. As he walked away from Robert's chambers Littlefinger had approached him and proposed something that couldn't be called anything else than treason. He had refused of course. Stannis was the rightful heir and only he would act decisively with the Lannisters, while also defending Robert's natural born children. If that lead to another war, then so be it.

He had thought about asking Littlefinger to arrange the City Watch for him, but what he knew of the man had stopped him. He might have betrayed his liege lord by sleeping with his wife and passing his son of as the man's heir. Besides that, he had also publicly slandered the wife and her sister, his own Cat, in public. He didn't think that such a man could ever be trusted and so he had held his tongue.

This didn't mean that he could afford to lose the support of the City Watch. He would send Vayon with an offer towards their commander and captains immediately. He would offer them 4500 golden dragons. The sum would be divided as follows: one third for the commander, one third for the captains and one third for the men. He was sure that would be more than enough. He would take the gold out of the treasury after they had captured Cersei. He also had the support of two of the captains already, he was sure of that, so that made his life easier.

He instructed Vayon, who immediately went on his way. He then sat at his desk, as he thought about the numbers. He had come to King's Landing with fifty guards and Jory to command them. He had lost Jory and four guards against Ser Jaime, five men had accompanied Sansa to White Harbor and Tomard was on the way to Stannis Baratheon. That left him with forty men, while the Lannisters could call upon a hundred men-at-arms and a dozen knights. He needed more men, or they would be overwhelmed.

Lord Beric could call upon a dozen of his friends and men-at-arms, Ser Rolland had promised to join with his five men of House Caron and House Royce could call upon twenty men. All in all, that still only made for around eighty men if everyone would fight, a huge improvement and possible but still a very uncomfortable number.

As such he was elated when Vayon returned three hours later with the news that the City Watch had accepted and would help him on the morrow. Vayon himself had also spoken with the two new captains and both had reassured him of their loyalty towards the Hand, Vayon had said.

All had been going well until Yohn Royce knocked on his study.

"Ned, we need to talk." He said sternly.

"Yes of course Yohn, come in." he said understandingly.

"I heard from Robar what you are planning to do. I heard the evidence and I have gazed upon the children and I think you are in the right. However, I can't support you in this. It is suicide, plain and simple. Even with the allies you have gathered the Lannisters still outnumber you and they control the Kingsguard, how do you plan to do anything against them? How am I to send my son in a plot doomed to fail?" Yohn explained, clearly fearful for Robar's life.

"Wouldn't it be best if we were to go to our homes and rally our troops from there? If you rally the North and I the Vale, together with Hoster, Stannis and Renly we could beat the Lannisters easily." The man continued.

"It could work yes, but it wouldn't be so easy. Lord Stannis is the rightful heir to the throne Yohn and because of that the Tyrells, Redwynes and Greyjoys might join the Lannisters out of fear of Lord Stannis. It would mean a very big civil war. It would be the Rebellion all over again. That can all be avoided if the Queen, her brother and her children are captured together with the Lannister cousins residing in the capital. If we use them as hostages, Tywin would have to bend. Besides that, the Greyjoy and Redwyne heirs are also in the city and so their Houses could be motivated to stay neutral, allowing Lord Stannis to control the sea."

Yohn looked at him in thought before finally relenting. "You might be right in this course of action, but this doesn't change the fact that even with my help you are outnumbered by the Queen."

He looked seriously at his mentor's old friend. "That has been arranged. My steward has made contact with the City Watch and they are with us. When we move all the goldcloaks in the Red Keep will join us in the fight, while the remainder will pacify the city for us if need be."

Now Yohn looked surprised before a small grin covered his face "Yes, then his can work. I'll give you my support Ned, but maybe not how you wish it."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, my son Robar and most of my guard will stay here under your command. In contrast, two of my guard, the servants and I will board the earliest ship to Gulltown and will try to raise the Vale troops against the Lannisters. If everything works to plan and I am swift, I can lead the Valemen here in defense of you and the capital before the Lannisters or maybe the Tyrells can siege it."

"Tywin Lannister would have to cross the Riverlands before he manages to get here, that doesn't look such a threat to me." He said pensively, as he wanted the support of high ranking and well-liked lord like Bronze Yohn on his side whilst taking control as Protector of the Realm.

"That may be but remember the Rebellion, Ned. The Riverlands were fractured then and it may be fractured again, if Tywin gets trough you will be completely cut off. The Tyrells don't even need to do such measures, they can just gather their troops and march north on the Roseroad unopposed with Lord Renly stuck here in the capital."

He thought long and hard about the idea. Even if the Tyrells stayed neutral, the united Riverlands would be hard pressed to hold Tywin Lannister. If they were fractured, they didn't stand a chance. The North would take weeks and months to gather its army and march south, so his troops wouldn't be of use in the early stages, like in the Dance of Dragons or the rebellion.

The Vale could probably march out much earlier, especially if a lord like Bronze Yohn tried to rally them. Lysa Arryn would also oppose the Lannisters, as her letter to Winterfell had made sure. All in all, it wasn't a bad plan.

In the end he agreed with the Lord of Runestone. Ser Robar was a good fighter and eighteen of the Royce guard still stayed here under his command so that was the main thing. They said their goodbyes and Yohn immediately left, bound on finding a ship this late that would take him out before the morning.

He went to sleep so his leg could rest, because he would need it tomorrow. The only regret he had of the day, was that he had never spoken with Lord Renly. It had seemed like the King's youngest brother had been evading him, but he didn't know why. Maybe he still didn't trust him because of the way he had handled his finances. It didn't matter too much as if all went to plan, they could talk tomorrow about the state of affairs and how to deal with his other brother before they proclaim him king.

He got up early that morning and his whole household was put on high alert. Even cooks and servants were allowed a dagger and were commanded to stay inside. His whole guard gathered in and around the Tower of the Hand. Most of them staying inside to avoid detection, although some were training and drilling just outside so they had a presence in the yard when needed. The Stormlanders and Valemen also did the same and their men either trained with his or waited in their quarters. He noticed that many Lannister men are also drilling in the yard and he cursed but went on with his plan.

After that was done and the news that the King is dead is presented to him by Grand Maester Pycelle and he asks him to convey a Small Council meeting in the Tower of the Hand. All the councillors arrive one by one except for Lord Renly. Varys tells him that Lord Renly has left the city with Ser Loras Tyrell and most of his retainers in the direction of Storm's End or Highgarden.

The news hits him, why did he leave? Is he scared? Does he wish to gather his troops in the Stormlands? Does he know about Joffrey? So many questions hit him, he shakes them off however as he needs the council to accept him in the positions of regent and Protector of the Realm as soon as possible. As that would give him sufficient power until Lord Stannis and his fleet arrive.

Ser Barristan reads the letter wherein he is called Lord Protector, but before anyone can proclaim him as such Fat Tom arrives with the royal steward. Unsurprised he nods to Fat Tom, who will initiate his plan. Men will be sent to the quarters of the Stormlanders and the Royces to come out in the yard and subdue the Lannister forces there, if necessary.

He marches out of the tower and escorted by twenty of his guardsmen he joins the Small Council members towards the Throne Room. Both Ser Barristan and the Grand Maester look up and ask why needs such a big retinue, but he deflects their questions. Before the Throne Room he is joined by Ser Rolland with his five retainers as well as Lord Dondarrion, Thoros of Myr with two of their knights and three men at arms.

At this Ser Barristan looks alarmed, but he doesn't say anything. Ser Robar and Alyn will lead the troops in the yard when necessary and all other men will gather there and on the walls.

He, the council members and his group of over thirty armed men enter the Throne Room. He sees the boy Joffrey sit on the Iron Throne with Cersei beside him and his siblings and uncle in front of the throne. Before all of them stand the four remaining Kingsguard, with Ser Jaime and Ser Mandon away from the capital and Ser Barristan next to him.

Behind the Throne Room are some twenty Lannister guards, armed with longswords. They have crimson cloaks draped over their shoulders and steel lions that crested their helms.

More importantly, he can see the walls are lined with goldcloaks. He estimates that around a hundred of them are here and it eases his mind. They outnumber the Lannister six to one with his men. His eye is drawn again to the throne, as Joffrey stand up and speaks "I command the council to make all the arrangements necessary for my coronation," Cersei's son proclaimed. "I wish to be crowned within the fortnight. Today I shall accept the oaths of fealty from my loyal councillors."

He took the letter from Robert out of his pocket "Lord Varys, could you please show this to my lady of Lannister."

After reading it and scoffing at its content, she ripped the paper in multiple pieces. The only one truly surprised at this was Ser Barristan.

Cersei demanded him to kneel, but he refused to do so. "Your son has no claim to the throne upon which he sits. Lord Stannis is Robert's true heir, as he has no legitimate children of his own."

The boy king screamed at him for that and even his siblings seemed to hesitate at that. Cersei followed up with a demand to Ser Barristan "Lord Commander, seize this traitor."

Ser Barristan seemed to hesitate but suddenly he was surrounded by over thirty armed men, Northmen and Stormlanders alike. He saw the surprise with almost everyone in the room that the Stormlanders openly aligned themselves with him like this. For a second, he saw doubt enter the eye of Cersei Lannister, but it left as quick as it got there. It still managed to shut her up for a second though.

The silence was soon disrupted when the Hound took out his Longsword. The knights of the Kingsguard and the Lannister men followed suit.

"Kill them!" Joffrey screamed. "Kill them all, I command you to do so!"

"So be it, you leave me no choice." He said as he changed his gaze toward Janos Slynt. "Commander, take the queen and her children into custody. Do not harm them but put them under constant guard. The royal apartments will do nicely."

"Men of the Watch" the Commander shouted, and all hundred spears were lowered and closed in. From the corner of his eye, he saw Littlefinger slither out of their group and move towards the Iron Throne. Before he could react upon it, he heard a cry from a few men next to him. His eyes went wide as he saw a Northman go down, pierced by a spear of a gold cloak.

Ser Rolland Storm immediately shouted "We have been betrayed. To arms men, follow me." He followed this up with a cut, opening the neck of one of the gold cloaks. Now all his men sprang into action as they cut at the men of the City Watch. Soon he saw multiple of their men fall, ordinary watchmen no match for hardened knights and well-trained guards.

For a moment, it even seemed as they would turn the tide. He saw Ser Rolland kill several watchmen, one after the other. Lord Beric didn't do any worse either and many of their combined guards fought admirably. Then he saw the Hound move in as he decapitated one of Lord Beric's men. He then cut off Varly's arm at the shoulder before finishing him off. The Lannister men and the Kingsguard moved in as well, with only Ser Barristan standing to the side in confusion. The man had his sword drawn but didn't seem to know who to hit it with.

He then heard Ser Rolland's voice again. "Break out men, towards the hallway! We need to get to the courtyard to reinforcements, follow me!" As one, the Stormlanders switched towards the entrance. Some of his own men followed in clearing a path, while others tried to get him to safety.

He saw the Hound being stopped by Thoros of Myr, who had set flames to his sword. Joffrey's shield backed away from it and Thoros took the time to slash at a scared Watchmen, cutting his throat. Still the Lannister men and Kingsguard marched towards them, although at a slower pace. Steadily trying to defeat Thoros and his guards. The flames kept them at bay for now, except for some half-handed efforts.

He knew it wouldn't last though, as Watchmen kept coming at their sides. Suddenly he saw some of them back away and as he looked towards the gate, he saw why. Ser Rolland screamed at the Watchmen, as he stood at the head of their diminished group, the head of Janos Slynt in his left hand, a bloodied sword in his right. This in comination with his pox ridden face, made for a horrible sight. The hesitation of some of the Watchmen was all they needed, and they tried to make their way towards the inner gates.

His leg hurted like hell though and he kept going slower and slower. Thoros managed to keep most of the Lannisters at bay, as he swung wildly with his flaming sword whilst walking backwards, but some had circled between the Watchmen and came at their left with Ser Preston Greenfield and Ser Boros Blount from the Kingsguard at their head.

He saw Fat Tom and Cayn move towards them to stop them, but they were cut down one by one. He saw a Lannister knight go down with them, but it didn't matter they were losing ground quickly. He tried to run faster, but he couldn't. It took all the strength of his upper body to rest on the cane and Donnis shoulder without falling. Donnis dragged him forward as Desmond fought off a Lannister man-at-arms with his longsword.

He saw how they almost made it to the gates, and he started to hope they would make it. Mere seconds later, his hopes fell with him, as Donnis was pushed to the ground by a Watchman. He fell on his left shoulder and couldn't get up. He let go of the cane and took out a dagger, stabbing in the foot of a Lannister guard that had made it close to him.

He saw Desmond hack the man down. At the same time, Porther came to Donnis' help and they managed to cut the Watchmen, that had tackled the latter, down together but afterwards were engaged by the two knights of the Kingsguard. He looked around him and saw that most of his guard was dead by this point. Thoros on his own held off two Kingsguard and multiple Lannisters, but he was failing. He saw another man of his guard fall down and realized they were it, as they were now cut off from the group under Ser Roland by multiple gold cloaks and Lannister men.

He saw a gold cloak move towards Desmond unprotected back, as he cut down another Lannister guard. He threw his dagger and managed to hit the man in the arm and stopping his attack. Desmond turned around and finished the man off, but it was all for nothing. As at the same time, he saw Donnis and Porther be cut down by the Kingsguard. Thoros, who stood next to him at this point also got wounded by the spear of a Watchmen.

The two fighters stood over him but were quickly surrounded by the four Kingsguard and the hound, who returned to the fight to face Desmond. In a matter of seconds both Desmond and Thoros were cut down and he saw their lifeless bodies hit the floor next to him, as he lay helpless on the ground.

Soon he was surrounded by the Kingsguard himself, multiple swords aimed at his throat. "Stop, leave him alive. We might need him still." He suddenly heard, looking towards the sound, he saw the small stature of Tyrion Lannister speak up.

The Kingsguard looked towards Cersei Lannister and she nodded. Subsequently, he was dragged up by two Watchmen, unable to do anything. He suddenly heard the boy king laugh with glee "If we can't kill him, we can at least make him watch all his friends be killed. Bring him to the courtyard. Suddenly over fifty guardsmen and half the remaining Lannisters and Kingsguard marched outside the Hall as he was carried with them. He saw how six Lannister men and Ser Barristan, Ser Arys and Ser Meryn of the Kingsguard stayed with the royal family. As Joffrey, flanked by the Hound, screamed at his troops to kill all the Stark and Dondarrion men in the courtyard.

He finally came upon the courtyard. There he saw Ser Robar in the midst of Vale- and Northmen cutting away at Lannisters in front of the Tower of the Hand. Next to him stood, to his surprise, Lord Beric and Ser Rolland. Both of them had made it out alive, but he saw both were wounded and not many of their accompanying number remained. He was also worried, as he didn't see Alyn anywhere.

As he looked around the courtyard, he saw fighting had broken out everywhere along the walls and in the courtyard. He saw a great pile of red bodies, as it seemed most of the drilling Lannister troops had been cut down. His men were surrounded by a sea of Watchmen however and he saw how the additional reinforcements coming out of the castle made the fight even more unfair.

His men and allies fought valiantly however and at closer look he saw how even some of the Northern servants had joined in the fighting, armed with daggers or weapons they had picked up from fallen enemies.

The boy king stood next to him "Do you see your friends die, traitor? I will do the same to your annoying sons before taking Sansa as my wife. Or maybe I could just take her as a mistress, who knows." The boy laughed. He just looked upon him, before looking back at the small battle taking place down below. All the while, he silently thanked the Old Gods for the foresight he had received and had made send his daughter away. That boy would never be able to do anything to her now that she was in the North.

With the addition of the extra men, he saw how his friends were cleared of the walls. Soon, he heard screams come out of the quarters House Dondarrion, Caron and Royce had stayed in. This seemed to make the remaining men down the Tower of the Hand even more determined. He saw them cut down Watchman after Watchman, but for every one that fell three took their place.

Then he saw the Hound and Ser Preston reach the group with the remaining Lannister guards and knights. He saw how the men fought valiantly and how multiple Lannisters went down, but soon Ser Rolland fell in battle with the Hound. Ser Robar cut down Ser Preston in an excellent show of swordsmanship but Lord Beric was soon captured as well.

He saw how Ser Robar and a handful of men were left. In an excellent feat of skill, Ser Robar managed to keep his opponents at bay for long enough for the men to run into the tower and for him to follow suit. He saw dozens and dozens of watchmen follow inside under the leadership of the Hound. Ten minutes later they came out, the Hound throwing the body of Ser Robar on the sand. As he saw some of his servants be thrown out of the windows.

Then Cersei Lannister walked up to him from inside the castle. "You didn't really think that I wouldn't have my spies inside the City Watch, did you? I just offered them more then you did and thanks to you I don't even need to give anything to that Janos Slynt. It all worked out in the end." She said with a smile. "You can also thank Littlefinger for that, he orchestrated it for me. It wasn't smart of you to make so many enemies here." She then pointed to a few Lannister men. "Get him to the dungeons, throw him in a black cell."

He was then carried again and soon he was thrown in a dark and damp room. He laid there alone and in the dark, with nothing but the memories of his dead friends to keep him company.

This is all for this chapter!

A quick summary of troop strength and casualties:

Lannisters:

- 100 man-at-arms, 40 dead

- a dozen knights, 5 dead

City Watch:

- Men kept pouring in during the battle but at most 400 men, 110 dead

- Janos Slynt (dead)

Kingsguard:

- Four fighting members (but two were basically out of the fight the whole time)

- Ser Preston Greenfield (dead)

Starks (and allies)

- 80 knights, guards and man-at-arms, 80 dead

- 15 servants who joined the fight, 15 dead

- Unknown number of Dondarrion/Dayne/Caron/Royce/Stark servants (dead)

- Eddard Stark (captured)

- Ser Rolland Storm (dead)

- Beric Dondarrion (captured)

- Lord Edrick Dayne, who at the orders of Beric had hidden himself in his chambers (captured)

- Ser Robar Royce (dead)

Thank you so much for reading this story. What did you think? I know some of you won't be pleased with Ned's capture (but it's ASOIAF so, just like the original any fanfiction should have moments like that).

However, what did you think of the fight and build-up? What do you think the dead of Slynt, a Kingsguard and almost half the Lannister retinue in King's Landing will bring? The Brotherhood without banners also isn't a thing now and Lord Royce won't be happy at the news of his son's death, he also knows the truth about Joffrey.

Why Ned didn't tell Yohn Royce the truth about Robert Arryn? 1. He was very busy, and it was more important. 2. He needed the Vale stable if a war with the Lannisters broke out. Ned thinks (wrongly) that Lysa will help him for sure. As such, telling the news could throw the Vale in trouble and throw them out of the coming war. Ned does not want that. Ned being honorable would still confront Lysa, but after his thought-out war.

Why Robert is still dead like in canon? Well, I think that was Cersei's backup plan all along. I think she wanted to wait untill Joffrey was of age, but that she was forced to do it sooner both here and in canon. I think she also like s the idea of ruling herself as her son's regent. Nothing changed here from canon, except Cersei's trigger was even greater. No one will think about Robert's dead too much as Joffrey being a bastard is way worse and more pressing. With no one I mean, no people except those that would have sided against the Lannisters anyway which doesn't make a difference.

Thank you so much for reading and following this story. I hugely appreciate it.

Fannic

Reviews:

- Testing write 123: Thank you!

- Singpu & others about problems with chapter 14: I fixed it the same day. If you haven't seen it, please check it out! :)

- Osterreicher97: Yeah I think so too. Sansa and Ice will make a big difference as Tywin Lannister basically lost most of his bargaining power here. I also admit that I love the minor background families and it warms my own heart that I can keep House Cassel and Poole alive (for now).

- ArchPsion: You are totally right. However your suggestions couldn't come to be with Robert's dead. I think that is definitely how Ned was planning it out before Robert's return, except he expected Stannis to play a pivotal role.

- KingOfSummer 245: Thank you for the history lesson! I love history and try to connect it to this fic as well. I think it takes me too far here in terms of words in the comments so I'll PM you for it but please keep leaving those here! :)

- Force Smuggler: Ned managed to fix that here though! Robert wasn't, but he was still his friend. RIP

- Sparky She-Demon: Yes it will make a big difference in the long run! Yeah, I really think it will come in a Winds of Winter.

- Kingmaenea: Thank you! That was the goal.

- 0sef: Why though? Either you like it or you don't, no?

- George Christian810: I thing (highland) Scotland or Sweden was much the same back then. It could, but shouldn't necessarily be Russia. However, I don't think many hamlets don't pay taxes as they all pay taxes to a village leader somewhere, who pays to a minor house, who pays to a masterly house, who pays to a lordly house, ... However, with the Mountain Clans, Crannogfolk and Skagosi I 100% see your vision happening.

- Ob1Nemogbr: She is safely on her way home, I imagine her being somewhere between the Fingers and the Sisters on her ship now.

- Kuman: Yeah, he did resign. He didn't want to make him a martyr, he really believed he could win but even now he believed people too much, despite his non-canon precautions.

I don't think he would ever have had the time to manage fosterings (time ravens fly and back) without Robert returning. He could raise/lower taxes yes but he still wants to fix the Kingdom and save his friend at this point, even as he prepares himself for failure on this so he wouldn't just sack King's Landing and bugger off with the coin. Raising troops takes weeks anywhere. The only reasonable troops he could raise would be from a few holdfasts like Rosby and even then it would only be a few hundred at most. As people forget that you need to still make them armor and drill them into marching and fighting order. Lords don't have a room with 2000 swords in it. They have those for their garrison and some extra but even half of their entire levy. For reinforcements to come (even by boat from White Harbor and those boats don't exist here as the North doesn't have a navy at this point) it would take at least five weeks or so, . If other houses then Manderly would want to send it would be more.

Moving over roads is also terribly slow. The Blackwoods or Tully could probably sent him a few hundred men but that would also take a month. Best bet would be Gulltown, but again weeks and not in time (and Lysa would hold them back).

- Supremus85: Thank you! Reed probably had a poisoned weapon, could be a small insignificant cut killed Ser Arthur, not the big show drama thing. However, Ned states in the books that without Reed he would be dead in the fight with Ser Arthur so I don't think he would win. Arthur trained hours everyday, Ned has a country to run or armies to lead so even if they had the same talent (which I'm not convinced of) he couldn't match the trained skill anyway.

- Alfil94: I don't know the Timett theory however Harrold Hardying would always be heir as that would make Timett a bastard.

Thank you for the compliment. Yeah it is idiotic, but the white cape is for life. Tywin can't do anything non-idiotic. I always wondered why Kevan wasn't the heir. Tywin is probably so vain that he wants his (and Joanna's) line to inherit.

Yeah I agree with your assessment on Ned's situation with the Lannisters and the reinforcement issue. He did do something to the gold cloaks, but it wasn't enough. Varys and Littlefinger also play their little games.

Concerning Daenerys/Viserys: It is entirely canon. The vote to kill them took place when Ned was in coma.

- Knight Revan: Thank you! I have no problem tweaking things if I erred but I have the next twenty chapters thought out and without this they wouldn't work. Thank you for the support even with the constructive criticism. I can appreciate both. The Starks are much stronger now than in canon. They have better relations with their vassals, Moat Cailin is a little stronger but more importantly, except for Ned there are no hostages and Catelyn isn't South to mess up the war by releasing Jaime or something. Arya and Sansa will be in the North but a small problem is Bran stuck in Riverrun in the middle of a soon to be war zone.

- TheNiemand: I think I tried to explain at the start here why that didn't happen. What did you think?

- Guest: wow :)