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King's Landing

Mid-day

Over a month since he had received Ned's letter, Rory walked towards the gates of King's Landing. It had been many years since he'd been here, Rory noted privately. Since before the king was called mad in fact. A different time, a different king.

As he neared the gate, Rory saw two guards stationed outside, who drew their weapons upon seeing him.

"State your business," one of them said.

"I was asked to come by order of the Hand of the King, Eddard Stark," Rory said calmly. "Has he arrived yet?"

The two guards exchanged a look, wary before turning back to Rory.

"We must verify your story before allowing you entrance into the city," one of the guards said and Rory smiled politely.

"Of course," Rory said easily, sitting down on the ground beside the entrance. "It is within your right. I'll just wait here while you fetch him from his no doubt important Hand duties."

The guards exchanged uneasy glances as Rory watched amused. Guards were so easy to manipulate, always fearful of angering those in power. You just had to say the right words.

"May we ask your name?" one of the guards said.

"I'm the Centurion," Rory said simply.

At this, the guards hastily began opening the gate to let him by. Apparently his reputation did have some perks.

"Forgive me, Lord Centurion. We had no idea it was you," one of the guards said apologetically.

"No need to apologize, I get that a lot. And Just Centurion, I'm not a Lord," Rory said as he got to his feet.

In the Tower of the Hand, Ned pinched the bridge of his nose as Sansa stormed off to her room, leaving him with only the Septa.

"War was easier than daughters," Ned told the Septa.

"I'm sure you can find a way to make peace between them, my lord. It takes time," Septa Mordane assured him and Ned barked out a laugh.

"I wish I shared your confidence."

"Lord Hand," Ned and Mordane looked up as a servant entered the room. "I apologize for the intrusion. But there is someone to see you. He called himself the Centurion."

Ned released the breath he hadn't known he was holding for the last month, relieved Rory had answered is summons. He honestly hadn't been sure he would.

"Thank you, I'll see to him in a moment," Ned answered before turning to Mordane. "If you'll excuse me, I have to attend to an old friend."

Not long after, Ned walked outside the room, finding Rory waiting for him. Ned paused as he stared at his old friend, seeing that he hadn't aged a day. Not since the last time he'd seen him, nor since the day they had met.

Storm's End, many years ago

Morning

Ned Stark, eight years of age, nervously walked out onto the training field, dressed in his protective gear. Today was to be his first day of training, along with Robert's. Brandon had always been a great warrior for as far as Ned could remember, but Ned had a feeling he would never measure up.

By the time Ned had come onto the field, Jon and Robert were already waiting, talking to an unknown men in strange armor that Ned had never seen before. As Ned neared them, he could make out the man's features. He was a blond haired man with blue-green eyes that didn't seem much older than Ned's brother. As he neared the group, the three turned to him.

"Ned, come here," Jon said, gesturing him over and End approached. "This is an old friend of mine; he'll be your instructor today. Thank for this, Rory."

"It's not a problem," Rory said with a smile before looking at Ned. "It's nice to meet you Ned. Let's see what you can do."

"The years have been kind to you," Rory noted as he smiled at Ned.

"And to you as well my friend," Ned said with a laugh as he walked over to Rory. "Thank you for coming."

"Considering what your letter said, I couldn't afford not to. Are we alone?" Rory asked as Ned led him inside.

"As alone as we can be. My daughters are in their rooms and I've dismissed their Septa," Ned explained and Rory nodded.

"It was the Lannisters, you're sure?" Rory inquired.

"Cat's sister certainly seems to think so," Ned said, not sure himself and Rory paused.

"Cat being your wife, Catelyn Tully?" Rory inquired.

"Stark. And yes," Ned said and he could see Rory's mind working.

"When was the last time either of you heard or spoke to Lysa in person?" Rory asked after a moment.

"Not in many years, why?" Ned asked a sinking feeling in his stomach and Rory sighed.

"She and Jon came back to the Vale every six months or so, word spreads. Lysa is not a well woman; the many miscarriages have taken their toll on her body and mind. I haven't seen Jon since before his son was born and only heard whispers, but the whispers I've heard…they call her mad Ned. The mad Lady of the Vale. And it seems to have only gotten worse since Jon died," Rory explained to the uneasy Ned.

"So you're saying that Lysa's suspicions about the Lannisters may be the imagination of a mad woman?" Ned inquired.

"I'm saying you need to consider the possibility. But she's right about one thing: something doesn't add up about Jon's death. I may not have spoken to him in years, but I know people who did. They all say he was fine, and then suddenly he's falling ill. I know illness can ravage the body, but this…it doesn't add up," Rory said darkly. "Something happened to Jon, something unnatural. And we need to find out what."

Ned opened his mouth to speak but Rory quickly held up a hand, gesturing for him to be quiet. After a moment, a servant entered.

"Forgive the intrusion, Lord Hand, but the King requests the presence of Lord Centurion," the servant explained.

Rory and Ned exchanged a look, silently agreeing that this conversation would have to continue later. A request from the king could not be ignored, even if Rory had been the one to first teach Robert how to use a sword.

"Wish me luck," Rory said with a tight smile.

Ned nodded with a chuckle as Rory went with the servant. He knew Rory had come per his request and not out of any fond feelings for Robert. While Robert had always been very fond of Rory, Rory had not returned the sentiment.

"Centurion!"

Rory grimaced as he heard Robert's booming voice once he entered the room. Robert sat at a wooden table holding a goblet of what Rory was sure was wine. While the years had been kind to Ned, Rory certainly couldn't say the same about Robert, he noted silently as he saw Robert's large potbelly.

"Your Grace," Rory said with a slight bow.

"Enough of that. Come, drink!" Robert demanded, all but shoving the goblet into Rory's hands.

Rory pretended to take a drink, just to appease Robert. Even as a boy, Robert had never been one to accept being told no. And it didn't seem like adulthood had changed him that much.

"So, what brings you to King's Landing?" Robert asked as Rory handed him back the cup.

"Ned requested my advice on a personal matter he wished to discuss it in person. It may take some time to sort out. I would appreciate being able to stay here for the time being," Rory said and Robert laughed again.

"Old friends of mine never need to ask. I've have a room made up for you in the Tower of the Hand," Robert agreed readily and Rory nodded.

"Thank you, Your Grace," Rory said before bowing. "If that'll be all, I've leave you to your…kingly duties."

Robert laughed heartedly, not seeming to see the veiled barb Rory had aimed at him as he walked out of the room.

As he closed the door behind him, Rory glanced over at the King's Guardsman standing outside the door, easily recognizing him from his blond hair and proud features. He didn't need to have ever met the man to know this was Jaime Lannister, the Kingslayer.

"Problem, Lord Centurion?" Jaime asked in faux politeness.

"No, Ser Jaime. And I'm not a Lord," Rory told him and Jaime smiled tightly.

"You would never know that, considering how our good king goes on about you," Jaime said sarcastically.

"Robert has never done well listening when others tell him what he doesn't believe in," Rory pointed out.

"No, I imagine he doesn't," Jaime said as he looked at Rory, his look far less proud and now more calculating. "You're…different than the rest of Robert's friends. They all seem to think he hung the moon."

"I'm not like Robert's other friends," Rory said simply. "Good day, Ser Jaime."

Rory then turned and walked down the corridor, leaving Jaime staring after him curiously.

Not much happened this chapter I know, but it's all set up so far. Next chapter, we'll start to get into the plot of the story.