So, been a New York minute since I updated but I'm back and will try to update more frequently in the future. For now, hope you all enjoy this chapter.
Guest: Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
In a tent, Rory stood silently, watching as the Silent Sisters prepped Hugh's body when Ned entered the tent.
"What happened?" Ned demanded.
"Bad luck I'd say. He went up against The Mountain in the tourney yesterday, The Mountain showed no mercy," Rory said and Ned paused.
"He wouldn't," Ned muttered. "Bad luck…or something else."
Rory was silent, gesturing to Ned to follow him out of the tent. It was silent between the two until they exited.
"It doesn't make sense Ned. According to him, he didn't know anything about Jon. If the Lannisters had him killed, it would only tip their hand. I think this is just coincidence," Rory pointed out.
"I agree," the two turned their heads to see an old man in the armor of a knight approach. "The matches are determined by having the knights draw straws. It's too random for anyone, even the queen, to know who would be jousting."
"Ser Barristan," Ned said in greeting and Barristan nodded in greeting.
"Lord Hand, Lord Centurion," Barristan greeted the pair of them.
"May we help you?" Rory inquired, not even bothering to point out he wasn't a Lord.
"Forgive the intrusion; I was looking for the Lord Hand. The King is planning on jousting," Barristan explained and Ned looked at him incredulously.
"He is in no condition to joust," Ned said after a few moments.
"I agree, but the King isn't known for accepting the word 'no'," Barristan said with a grimace and Ned sighed.
"No, he is not. I apologize Rory, but I need to go make sure Robert does not get himself killed," Ned said apologetically.
"Seems like a full time job," Rory said dryly and Ned smiled tightly.
"Aye, it appears that way. Ser Barristan," Ned nodded at the knight before walking off.
"How well did you know Ser Hugh?" Rory asked once Ned was gone.
"Well enough to stand vigil over his body during the night," Barristan said.
"Do you think there's any validity to Ned's suspicions that Hugh was involved in Jon Arryn's death?" Rory asked bluntly.
"Hard to say. He was knighted soon after Lord Arryn's death. But it could be just a coincidence," Barristan said before pausing. "It is an honor to meet you. Our king once said that you were the best he'd ever seen."
"As others said about you," Rory noted and Barristan laughed.
"Perhaps. But your exploits are well known, if only due to our king's drunken ramblings. I have no doubt that, if you'd fought in the Rebellion, the ending would have come much quicker," Barristan pointed out.
"Perhaps, but I'm not one to get involved in that kind of thing," Rory said vaguely and Barristan nodded.
"I understand. You should attend the tourney. If nothing else, it will be amusing if our king decides to joust," Barristan said before walking off.
In spite of Barristan's suggestion, Rory did not attend the tourney, so he completely missed the excitement with The Mountain and Loras Tyrell. Instead, he walked the grounds, ending up in the gardens. But he was not alone. Sitting in the gardens was a blond woman who could only be Cersei Lannister.
"You must be the Centurion," Cersei noted as she spotted him. "All of King's Landing is abuzz about the arrival of the infamous Last Centurion."
"So I've noticed," Rory said distastefully, which Cersei noticed.
"You do not seem pleased by it."
"I'm not, my Queen. I don't like the attention," Rory said and she stared at him for a long moment.
"Then why are you here?" Cersei asked, seemingly truly curious.
"Keeping a promise to a friend," Rory said vaguely. "If I may be so bold as to ask, why are you not at the tourney?"
"I could not stand another moment of Robert's drunken behavior or ogling of serving girls. I doubt he'd even notice I'm not there," Cersei said resentfully before seeming to realize who she was talking to. "Forgive me; I know you've known him since he was a boy. You needn't hear of my marriage woes."
"Believe it or not, I know Robert isn't exactly a good husband. I got him started in training, that's all," Rory said before pausing, getting an idea. "As I helped train his father, perhaps, when you feel he is old enough, I could do the same for Prince Joffrey."
Rory waited as Cersei seemed taken aback by the question. But, after a few moments, she regained her bearings and Rory could see, by the calculating look in her eyes, that she was carefully weighing her words before speaking.
"Perhaps when he is older. I fear Joffrey is too immature at the moment for such training," Cersei finally said and Rory smiled pleasantly.
"Of course. Whatever the Queen commands," Rory said, bowing slightly.
Later that day, Rory entered Ned's study, finding Ned pacing back and forth. Ned looked up as he saw him, sighing heavily in disapointment.
"Well, no need to get too excited," Rory said drily.
"I apologize Rory, I thought you might have been one of my guards. I have half of them out looking for Arya," Ned said worriedly and Rory frowned.
"She's missing?"
"It's not unusual for her to sneak off at Winterfell, but she promised me this would stop," Ned said with a wary sigh. "Was there something you wanted?"
"It can wait until Arya is found," Rory said, moving to leave.
"Rory, if you have something to tell me, tell me," Ned almost commanded and after a moment, Rory nodded.
"I found the Queen in the garden's during the tourney. We had a…interesting conversation," Rory said and Ned gave him his undivided attention.
"What did she have to say?"
"She's got no love for Robert, I can tell you that. She is very…protective of Joffrey. I offered to train him and she did everything she could but outright decline," Rory explained and Ned nodded.
"I'm aware of how protective she can be of the prince," Ned said, remembering what happened to Lady.
"If we're going to find out what happened to Jon, I need to gain her trust. So that'll imply playing nice with her," Rory said and Ned sighed.
"Aye. I had an interesting conversation myself, with Lord Varys," Ned said and Rory looked at him sharply. "He says that Jon was killed by a poison called the Tears of Lys."
"I've heard of it. It's rare but deadly, quick acting and almost impossible to detect," Rory noted. "Did he say why someone would want to poison Jon?"
"He only said that Jon started asking questions," Ned said and Rory shot him a blank look. "He wouldn't say more than that."
"That is so helpful," Rory said sarcastically before someone knocked on the door to Ned's study.
"Just a moment. Come in," Ned said in a louder voice and the door opened to reveal one of his guards.
"Pardon the intrusion, Lord Stark, but Lady Arya has been found," the guard said and Ned started.
"Is she all right?"
"She appears unharmed, although she is in desperate need of a bath. She wishes to see you, says it is a matter of great urgency," the guard said and Ned frowned.
"It appears we'll have to continue this conversation later. I'll let you deal with Arya," Rory said and Ned nodded gratefully.
"Thank you, my friend. We will continue this later," Ned promised.
"Of course," Rory said before exiting the room.
Rory walked down the corridor, musing that he might go sharpen his sword when the last person he wanted to see crossed his path.
"Centurion," Littlefinger said as he fell into step beside him.
"Lord Baelish. Can I help you?" Rory asked trying to keep the annoyance out of his voice.
"As I matter of fact, your presence has been requested by the king. He wants your council on a delicate matter. He would like you to attend the small council meeting that's being held," Littlefinger said, taking Rory aback.
"Did he say why?"
"I believe it will be explained at the small council meeting," Littlefinger said evasively.
Rory eyed Littlefinger warily, sensing Littlefinger wasn't telling him everything. But, still, he nodded, reasoning Robert would not call on him unless it was dire.
"Very well. Take me to the Small Council Chamber."
In the seat that had been made for him to sit in this meeting, Rory, still processing it, watched as Robert explained the situation for the second time, this time to Ned.
Daenerys Targaryen was pregnant with Khal Drogo's child. It…wasn't good, to say the least. But still…
"You are talking of murdering a child," Ned summed up Rory's thoughts on the matter.
"I warned you this would happen. Back in the North, I warned you but you didn't care to hear. Well, hear it now. I want them dead, mother and child both. And that fool, Viserys as well," Robert declared.
"You'll dishonor yourself forever if you do this," Ned said in horror.
"Honor! I've got seven kingdoms to rule! One king, seven kingdoms! Do you think honor keeps them in line!? Do you think honor's keeping the peace?! It's fear! Fear and blood!" Robert snarled.
"Then we're no better than the Mad King!" Ned shot back and Robert's lip curled in rage.
"Careful Ned, careful now," Robert warned him.
"You want to assassinate a girl, because the Spider heard a rumor?" Ned almost laughed at the ridiculousness of it.
"No," Varys spoke up. "No rumor my lord, the princess is with child."
"Based on whose information?" Ned demanded.
"Ser Jorah Mormont. He is serving as advisor to the Targaryens," Varys explained.
"A slaver? You're putting up all this fuss based on the word of a slaver?" Rory asked incredulously before Ned could say a word. "Why would he give you this information?"
"Jorah Mormont has been acting as my spy for some time, in return for a pardon," Varys said and Rory laughed incredulously.
"Well by all means, let's just commit murder then on his say so," Rory said sarcastically.
"And if the whore gives birth, we'll have a Targaryen who commands the Dothraki army," Robert said hotly.
"The Narrow Sea still lies between us," Ned argued. "I'll fear the Dothrak the day they teach their horses to run on water."
"Do nothing? That is the wise advice of my Hand and the Great Last Centurion? Do nothing until our enemies are on our shores?!" Robert exploded before looking around the table. "You're my Council. Council! Speak sense to these honorable fools!"
"I understand your misgivings, truly I do. It is a terrible thing we must consider, a vile thing. Yet we who rule must sometimes do vile things for the good of the realm."
"So says ever would be tyrant," Rory scoffed before realizing something. "Oh Bloody Hell."
"Rory?" Ned asked as they all looked at him oddly.
"This is what The Doctor feels like. Like he just wants to hit someone for being too stupid or power hungry to see sense. This is what he feels like all the time," Rory realized horrified.
"As I was saying," Varys said, shooting Rory an odd look before getting the meeting back on track. "Should the gods grant Daenerys a son, the realms will bleed."
"I bear the girl no ill will, but should the Dothraki invade, how many innocents will die? How many towns will burn? Is it not wiser, kinder even that she should die now so that tens of thousands will live?" Pycelle pointed out.
"We should have had them both killed years ago," Renly interjected.
"When you find yourself in bed with an ugly woman, best close your eyes and get it over with," Littlefinger said and almost everyone gave him a disgusted look. "Cut her throat and be done with it."
For a moment it was silent until Ned walked forward until he stood over Robert.
"I followed you into war, twice, without doubts, without second thoughts. But I will not follow you now. The Robert I grew up with didn't tremble at the shadow of an unknown child," Ned said and Robert stared at him for a moment.
"She dies," Robert declared.
"I will have no part in it," Ned said firmly.
"You're the King's Hand, Lord Stark. You'll do as I command or I'll find me a hand that will," Robert sneered.
They all watched, silent, as Ned removed the pin of Hand of The King from his tunic before placing it on the table.
"And good luck to him. I thought you were a better man," Ned said in disappointment and Robert jumped to his feet.
"Out. Out, damn you. I'm done with you," Robert snarled and Ned began turning around, walking out. "Go, run back to Winterfell! I'll have your head on a spike!"
Ned ignored Robert, walking out the door as Robert continued to rant. Rory listened to Robert continuing to rant for a few moments longer before getting to his feet, beginning to follow after Ned.
"And you! Run back to the Vale! You don't have what it takes to make these decisions!" Robert snarled and Rory paused, turning back to face Robert.
"No. I have what it takes not to. You can spin this up as a necessary evil all you want, all of you, but it all boils down to one thing: fear. You are all still so afraid of the Targaryen name and that's what this is about. Decisions made in fear are usually the wrong ones. I can't stop you, but I won't stand by and watch. I'll be gone within the next few days."
His peace said, Rory turned and walked out, ignoring Robert shouting after him.
Originally intended to finish 1x05 this chapter, but that felt like a good stopping point. Hope you all enjoyed the chapter.