[The scene starts with Ned swinging Ice and beheading Will. Bran does not look away. Jon compliments Bran for not looking away before he walks away. Robb turns and puts his arm around Bran and they go to their horses together. Ned approaches Bran.]
"You understand why I did it?"
"Jon said he was a deserter."
"But do you understand why I had to kill him?"
"Our way is the old way?"
"If you can't look a man you condemned to death in the eyes, then perhaps he doesn't deserve to die. The man who passes the sentence should swing the sword."
Rickard's grunt of approval brought a smile to Ned's face, small as it was. His father was not the most vocal of men when it came to compliments or to show that he was proud of something his children did. It was always the small gestures, a grunt or a deep rumbling 'hmm' noise.
Robert, who looked much better than before, flinched at the words Ned spoke on the glowing dragon glass wall. How many men had he condemned to die since he became King? How many of them had he looked in the eyes, let alone swung the blade? How long had it been since he'd even held up a blade?
"Is it true he saw the White Walkers?"
"The White Walkers have been gone for thousands of years."
"So he was lying?"
"A madman sees what he sees."
Ned frowned at his words on the glass, the guilt gnawing at him. Catelyne took his hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
"You didn't know he was telling the truth" she told him firmly, and he smiled at his wife in gratitude.
[Scene shifts to a dead stag's head. The Winterfell men gather on the bridge They see a ravaged deer before them.]
"What is it?"
"Mountain lion?"
"No, those marks look too large to be of that of a Mountain Lion" Robert grunted. He'd been on too many hunts to know what a Mountain Lion attack looked like. He'd come across many in his time in the vale and on the occasions he'd visit places near mountains during the few royal progresses he had been on.
"There are no mountain lions in these woods."
[With swords out, they begin to search. Ned finds a dead Direwolf with antlers through her throat. Her pups are whimpering around her.]
"Gods be good" Brandon muttered, not in fear but in awe. He had only ever heard about Direwolves, seen pictures of them in books. This was the first time he had seen one out of it. He was a little sad that he wasn't seeing it in person.
"It's a freak."
"It's a Direwolf" Brandon's growl was deep and rumbled in a way that made shivers run down people's spines. "I'd be very careful about how I address the symbol of a Noble House, lest you insult them."
Theon gulped audibly at the open threat. He felt extremely glad that Brandon Stark was dead and not the one fostering him as his father's price for Rebellion.
"It's a Direwolf. Tough old beast."
[Ned and Cassel glance at each other before Ned pulls out the antlers.]
"There are no Direwolves south of the Wall."
"You say that while there stands six right before you, one dead and five alive" Tyrion points out with a raised brow.
Robb's face tinged pink slightly.
"Now there are five."
[Jon picks up a pup and offers it to Bran.]
"They don't belong down here."
"Bold of him to say that when Direwolves used to be common in the North" Lyanna murmured in disappointment. She'd loved the stories of the past Starks, Kings of Winter riding their familiar Direwolves to battle.
"Ser Rodrik has never seen one before. He is shaken up" Jon pointed out. He had known the man since he was a child, trained under him from the moment he could hold a sword. He knew what signs to read to understand what the man was feeling.
Lyanna stared at Jon with a fond smile, something not missed by Catelyn nor liked.
"Better a quick death. They won't last without their mother."
"Right. Give it here."
"Easy, boy" Brandon growled threateningly. "You're a little too sword-happy."
"He is following orders" Yara argued, glaring boldly at Brandon.
"Is he? Because I don't think my brother ordered him to do shit, girl" The rumble in his voice made Yara shrink for just a moment before she puffed up again. But that one moment was not missed by Brandon. He pinned her with a predatory grin.
Yara bristled at that.
"Put away your blade."
"I take orders from your father, not you."
"Please, father!"
"I'm sorry, Bran."
"Lord Stark? There are five pups. One for each of the Stark children. The Direwolf is the sigil of your House. They were meant to have them."
Nobody missed what Jon had said and done there, not in the least Lyanna who smiled at her son sadly. A son that did not know she was his mother.
"You are as much a Stark as the rest of your siblings, Jon. Never doubt it" Ned said kindly, but with a hard tone.
Jon nodded his head with a small smile. Robb reached around Daenerys and clapped Jon on the shoulder, while Arya smiled widely at him. Jon smiled at them a little wider.
Catelyn bristled at her husband's words.
[Everyone looks at Ned, Bran with great hope.]
"You will train them yourselves. You will feed them yourselves. And if they die, you will bury them yourselves."
"That's harsh" Margaery Tyrell commented gently, but loud enough for all to hear.
"It would teach them all to take responsibility for a decision they took. So they might think about the consequences before making decisions" Ned explained softly.
Lyanna couldn't help but feel that it was a dig at her.
Ned of course did not intend it as such.
[Bran cradles his pup as Jon hands more pups to Robb.]
"What about you?"
"I'm not a Stark. Get on."
"You are" Lyanna channeled the discomfort of her brothers words into her admonishing of her son, making her sound more vehement than she meant to sound.
Jon's eyes flickered with surprise at his aunt's words. He gave her a silent nod.
[Jon walks away, pauses, and hears another whimper. He pulls up a white wolf pup from the snow]
"That one's yours, boy," Brandon the elder said with a proud grin. He liked Jon, the boy had a good enough head on his shoulders to think up things on the spot. It reminded him of Ned a lot.
Jon smiled at the screen. Having that Direwolf pup made him feel less like an outcast. Only Starks had Direwolves, and now he had one too.
[Scene shifts to bells ringing at Kings Landing. In front of the Iron Throne, surrounded by druidical-looking celebrants, lies the body of Jon Arryn.]
Ned and Robert stiffened at the sight of their foster father while the rest lowered their heads in respect. Jon Arryn simply smiled at the dragon glass wall. He was not a young man, he knew death would come for him sooner or later.
Ned and Robert knew it too, which was why they did not show any outward signs of grief. But the two did move seats to sit with Jon, each taking one of the man's hands.
Jon gave them both a comforting squeeze, his two sons.
[Up on the balcony, Cersei watches the scene below as Jaime approaches.]
It was the first time Joanna was seeing Cersei, the little girl who was bold and lovely from a young age. She had grown into a beautiful woman, a Queen at that! She couldn't be any more proud of her.
Tyrion snorted silently at the look on Joanna's face. Wait till she sees what Cersei truly was.
"As your brother, I feel it's my duty to warn you: You worry too much. It's starting to show."
"Why are you there?" Joanna asked with genuine curiosity. She didn't mean it in a bad way. Jaime was the heir to Casterly Rock, she'd expect Tywin to keep him close and teach him things.
"He's a Kingsguard" Tyrion informed her with a bored drawl, earning a glare from his brother.
Joanna blinked and just stared at her elder son in shock. She still could not hold Tyrion's gaze for long.
"Aerys put him in there" Renly explained when he saw no one else was willing to. "Worst mistake he ever made."
Joanna frowned at the statement but didn't ask to elaborate. Tywin was Aerys' strongest bannerman, to put his heir in a position where he couldn't inherit anything, basically stole his heir. It was a mistake no matter how anyone looked at it.
Jaime looked away from his mother and stared stubbornly at the wall. She would eventually learn what brought him into the Kingsguard, and what the pillow biter meant when he called it a mistake of Aerys. He didn't know how she'd react to that.
With a start, he realized that there was a chance they might all learn what his motivations were.
"And you never worry about anything. When we were seven, you jumped off the cliffs as Casterly Rock. One hundred foot drop into the water. And you were never afraid."
"Your uncle Gerion used to do that when he was younger" Joanna said none too happily. "Your father did not like it one bit, your grandfather on the other hand found it amusing and did not stop him from doing so."
Jaime puffed out slightly at the mention of his uncle Gerion, the favourite Uncle as he and Tyrion called him.
"There was nothing to be afraid of until you told Father. 'We're Lannisters. Lannisters don't act like fools' he told me."
"Your father does sound like that" Joanna chuckled fondly. Jaime and Tyrion both sat straighter at hearing their mother laugh. For one it was hearing her after a long time, and for the other it was hearing her for the first time.
"What if Jon Arryn told someone?"
"Why would Jon care about telling anyone about Jaime jumping into the ocean?" Robert asked gruffly.
"I don't think that's what she meant" Ned told his friend, eyes narrowing on the Kingslayer. Did the Lannisters have something to do with Jon's death…
"But who would he tell?"
"My husband."
"If he told the king, both our heads would be skewered on the city gates by now. Whatever Jon Arryn knew or didn't know, it died with him. And Robert will choose a new Hand of the king, someone to do his job while he's off fucking boars and hunting whores. Or is it the other way around? And life will go on."
"And what exactly is it that would have me demand your heads?" Robert asked, his 'Kingly' voice coming forward. It unnerved many, but not Jaime who smiled at the man as charmingly as ever.
"This is in the future, your Grace. I have no idea what Cersei or I mean" he answered smoothly. But he did know, and his heart was racing.
Robert did not look like he accepted the answer, but refrained from asking more question. He'd learn of it soon. And once he did there was nowhere safe for the fucking Kingslayer,
"You should be the Hand of the king."
"That's an honor I can do without. Their days are too long, their lives are too short."
Once more Ned and Robert pinned narrowed eyes on Jaime, who met their gaze with a smile.
[Scene shifts to a raven approaching Winterfell. Catelyn crosses a busy courtyard and finds Ned in the godswood.]
"Ned looks like father here, deep in the woods polishing his sword" Lyanna commented.
"The only one of us who can sit so still and sharpen a blade for hours" Brandon barked a laugh.
Rickard smiled ever so slightly at the sight, happy to see something of him in his son. Ned had always taken after Lyarra, not something he minded. But seeing something of him in his second son was a comfort he didn't know he needed.
"All these years and I still feel like an outsider when I come here."
"You have five northern children. You're not an outsider."
"I wonder if the old gods agree."
"It's your gods with all the rules."
"I am so sorry, my love."
"Tell me."
"There was a raven from Kings Landing. Jon Arryn is dead. A fever took him. I know he was like a father to you."
Ned and Robert shared a look, both of them taking note of Jon Arryn's cause of death. Death by fever was not an uncommon thing in Westeros, but from what they'd seen in the scenes right before this. Neither of them was entirely certain that the fever was a natural one.
"Your sister. The boy…"
Jon Arryn sighed. With him gone, young Robert was entirely in his mother's care. Jon worried about what the woman would make his heir turn out to be. Perhaps it was time to think about the possible fostering of the boy. Maybe Runestone or Dragonstone. Or perhaps Ned could take him. The boy was his nephew on his wife's side after all. Lysa wouldn't mind that.
"They both have their health. Gods be good. The raven brought more news. The king rides for Winterfell. With the queen and all the rest of them."
Ned raised a brow at his friend who snorted.
"You're my choice to replace Jon obviously," the man said in the most obvious tone. "Who better to clean my mess than you?"
Stannis tried not to show it, but the stiffness in his jaws was enough to sign that the statement did not settle well with the man.
NED: He's coming this far North, there's only one thing he's after.
CATELYN: You can always say no, Ned.
"Robert is not a man who likes to be told no" Renly said slowly. He'd been Master of Laws long enough to know his brother and his nature.
[Scene shifts to the Winterfell great hall where a great banquet is being prepared.]
"Oh, that was a jump" Sansa muttered. She had been engrossed in the story so far in silence.
"Probably nothing of importance happened," Robb told her kindly.
"We need plenty of candles for Lord Tyrion's chamber. I'm told he reads all night."
"Do you?" Joanna questioned her youngest.
"I do sometimes" Tyrion shrugged.
"I used to do it a lot before I got pregnant with you. Perhaps all my reading had an impact on you" The mother smiled at her youngest and Tyrion returned half a smile.
"I'm told he drinks all night."
Tyrion had the decency to look abashed.
"Your grandfather was a great drinker" Joanna snorted, shaking her head in disappointment. She was still unsure of her youngest, whether she should be proud of him or not. As a mother she should, yet as a Lady of a Noble House, she couldn't help but feel disappointed in the child she produced.
"How much could he possibly drink? A man of his … stature."
"I can assure you Lady Stark, a man of my… stature can drink his weight easily" Tyrion answered with a sardonic smile.
Catelyn blushed, lowering her head. The man was not supposed to hear her say that.
"We've brought up eight barrels of ale from the cellar. Perhaps we'll find out."
Tyrion hummed. That sounded like a good amount.
Joanna frowned at the number. Surely not all the barrels will be spent on her youngest.
"In any case, candles."
[Scene shifts to Robb, Theon, and Jon getting barbered.]
JON: Why's your mother so dead-set on us getting pretty for the king?
THEON: It's for the queen, I bet. I hear she's sleek as a mink?
Theon stiffened and against his better judgement turned to the King. The man did not look remotely bothered at his wife being name-called like that. He sighed in relief and immediately stiffened when his eyes fell on the Kingslayer. The smile on the man was anything but friendly.
"You are probably going to get beaten up at some point brother" Yara whispered to him with a large grin.
"Shut up" Theon said with a scowl.
"I hear the prince is a right royal prick."
It was Robb's turn to stiffen. Nobody told him off nor did anyone throw him looks.
"Think of all those southern girls he gets to stab with his right royal prick."
"So it's either violence or fucking that runs in your ruddy head then" Yara barked a laugh, "mayhaps you haven't forgotten your Iron roots."
"Why would you think I would?" Theon raised a brow.
Yara shrugged.
[Scene shifts to the royal procession approaching Winterfell. Bran sees them from his perch high atop a castle wall and clambers nimbly down to tell everyone.]
"Gods be good what is that boy doing up there?!" Lyanna said in shock.
"Bran has a habit of climbing to high places, regardless of what his father and I tell him" Catelyn threw her son a fond look.
Bran smiled at his aunt who just shook her head at the boy.
"Are you not afraid?" she asked.
"No. Because I know I won't fall" Bran declared boldly.
Lyanna couldn't help but smile at the boy's confidence.
" I saw the king! He's got hundreds of people!"
"How many times have I told you: No climbing!?
"But he's coming right now! Down our road!"
"I want you to promise me: No more climbing."
"I promise."
"He's lying" Brandon the elder laughed. "Benjen used to do that when he was that old, Where is he by the way?"
"Benjen joined the Watch not long after the Rebellion" Ned answered his brother.
"So he went through with it" Lyanna frowned. She remembered how taken Benjen was with the Nights Watchman at the Tourney.
"D'you know what?"
"What?"
"You always look at your feet before you lie. Run and find your father. Tell him the king is close."
[BRAN runs off, followed by his wolf pup.]
"Look at how big the pups have gotten!" Lyanna said with excitement in her tone and figurative sparkles in her eyes. "Not much time should have passed since the raven came from Kings Landing, They are growing fast!"
"Animals unlike humans grow extremely fast" Brandon nodded, remembering his hunting dog and her pups. He wondered how they were doing these days.
[Scene shifts to the grand entry of the king's horses and men. Arya, wearing a helm and cloak, pushes her way into a tall wagon for a better look. In rides Joffrey, followed by the Hound. The other Starks wait in a greeting line.]
"Not much of the King in the Prince" Oberyn noted with a soft hum.
"Not much of the King in any of his children" Doran added, his eyes on Princess Myrcella and Prince Tommen. His eyes then went to the boy who sat with Varys. That one looked more like Robert than any of his children. "Very interesting."
[More riders with banners. Arya scoots past her parents to get in the receiving line. Ned pulls the helm off of her head and Catelyn stands her between Sansa and Bran]
"Move!"
"They remind me of you and Ben" Brandon whispered to Lyanna, who smiled at the scene and the comment.
[Joffrey rides up, Sansa smiles at him, Robb glares at Joffrey. The Hound pulls up his helm. The coach carrying Cersei lumbers in, followed by Robert. All kneel. Robert heaves himself off his horse. Ned looks shocked at the sight of his old friend, now fat and red-faced. Robert signals for all to rise and looks at Ned.]
"You let yourself go" Ned muttered to his friend.
Robert sighed seeing himself on the glowing dragon glass wall. Look at how much he had fallen.
"Your Grace."
"You've got fat."
[Ned gives Robert a "What about you?" look. They start laughing.]
"Nine years. Why haven't I seen you? Where the hell have you been?"
"Guarding the North for you, Your Grace. Winterfell is yours."
"So Jon dies two years from now" Ned murmured. The word Ned wished to use was 'Murdered' but he did not have enough proof of that.
"We don't change much in two years do we" Robert boomed with laughter. "We had the same conversation when we got here!"
Ned shook his head with a smile.
[Cersei and her other children descend from the coach.]
"Where's the Imp?"
"Yes, where are you?" Joanna raised an eyebrow.
"How would I know? It's two years in the future" Tyrion answered. But he had an idea of where he could be.
"Who have we here? You must be Robb. (To Sansa) My, you're a pretty one. (To Arya) Your name is?"
"Arya."
"Ooh. Show us your muscles. You'll be a soldier."
"He's a lot nicer to children than he is to any of us" Renly commented idly.
"He is a lot nicer to Lord Stark's children" he hissed to his brother, just so his daughter wouldn't overhear. Robert was not mean or rude towards Shireen, but the man did not attend to her remotely as he was attending to Ned Stark's children.
[JAIME removes his helm.]
"That's Jaime Lannister. The queen's twin brother."
"Would you please shut up."
"Your sister is excited and wishes to share the excitement with you, young Lady. The least you can do is not be rude to her if you can't share the excitement" Lady Olenna barked with a shake of her head.
Sansa blushed brightly while Arya smirked smugly.
"Take me to your crypt. I want to pay my respects."
"We've been riding for a month, my love. Surely the dead can wait."
"Ned."
"Your wife is right. Rest, freshen up and then go about visiting graves and tombs. The dead can wait" Lyanna said with a roll of her eyes. She knew Robert would never change, this was just the start of the proof she'd be getting.
Robert lowered his head, grasping his knees tightly.
[Cersei, humiliated in front of all, walks back to Jaime.]
"Where is our brother? Go find the little beast."
[Scene changes to the crypt.]
"Tell me about Jon Arryn."
"One minute he was fine, and then … Burned right through him, whatever it was."
Ned eyes narrowed at the bit of information. Something that burned right through him…
"I loved that man."
"We both did."
"I love you both as well" Jon Arryn grabbed both men's hands and gave them a firm squeeze.
"He never had to teach you much, but me … You remember me at 16? All I wanted to do was crack skulls and fuck girls. He showed me what was what."
"Aye."
"Don't look at me like that. Not his fault I didn't listen."
"So not much has changed then," Lyanna said almost boredly. She of course said it to herself, under her breath.
But Brandon had heard her and he wa frowning.
[They laugh. Robert sighs.]
"I need you, Ned. Down at Kings Landing. Not up here, where you're no damn use to anybody. Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the King."
[NED kneels.]
"I'm not worthy of the honor."
"It's no bloody honour" Robert snorted. He hardly did any Kingly things, it was all Jon and the small council doing it for him.
"It is" Ned insisted, frowning at his friend.
"I'm not trying to honor you. I'm trying to get you to run my kingdom while I eat, drink, and whore my way to an early grave."
Lyanna threw an unimpressed look at Robert discreetly.
"Damn it, Ned, stand up. You helped me win the Iron Throne, now help me keep the damn thing. We were meant to rule together. If your sister had lived, we would have been bound by blood. Well, it's not too late. I have a son, you have a daughter. We'll join our Houses."
Sansa practically swooned at that. She was going to be Queen! She was going to marry handsome Prince Joffrey.
Arya beside her gagged at the swooning look her sister wore.
[Scene changes to Jaime in the Winterfell settlement. We see Tyrion inside a whorehouse, swilling liquor and laughing as a woman pops into view after servicing him.]
"Gods" Catelyn said in disgust and covered Bran's eyes, This time Robb took the liberty of covering Arya's. Both of them huffed and tried to shrug their hands off of their eyes.
Joanna stiffened and then sighed.
"Did you inherit all of your grandfather's vices?"
"Sorry to disappoint" Tyrion carelessly emptied another cup of wine.
"Mmh. It is true what they say about the Northern girls."
"Can we please move along from this? We have children here!" Catelyn shouted.
[Scene changes to the Winterfell crypt, at Lyanna's tomb. Robert places a feather in the hand of her statue.]
"Thank you!" Catelyn shouted.
"Did you have to bury her in a place like this? She should be on a hill somewhere with the sun and the clouds above her."
"I'm not some fucking damsel for you to paint that picture" Lyanna snapped And Robert flinched. "I am a Stark of Winterfell and I am exactly where I belong."
Lyanna turned to Ned.
"You have a statue of me made in the Crypts?"
"One of you and Brandon," Ned said with a smile, to the surprise of Brandon. "I commissioned Daryn to make them."
"Ah Daryn" Brandon grinned. He remembered the young Stone Mason. The man had made many little sculptures for Brandon back in the way. Most were sent to Barbrey Ryswell as presents.
"She was my sister. This is where she belongs."
"She belonged with me."
"I'm not an object that I belong to anyone, Robert" Lyanna sighed.
[He touches Lyanna's face.]
"In my dreams, I kill him every night."
"It's done, Your Grace. The Targaryens are gone."
"Not all of them."
"That's it" Lyanna stood and turned to face Robert, who sat a little away from her beside Jon Arryn.
"Lya-"
"No! I will speak and he will listen" Lyanna snapped, her eyes furious and pinned on Robert. "Jon, how old are you?"
Jon, caught by surprise took a moment to answer her question.
"Fourteen."
"It's been Fourteen fucking years and you haven't moved on?!" the woman looked at him incredulously.
"You were betrothed to marry me" Robert reasoned firmly.
"And I ran away and fucking died!" Lyanna snapped back. "You have a wife now, and children as well! What the fuck are you doing still being hung up on me?! You tell me that you would have changed, but I still see a man who dislikes being told no and neglects his wife for another woman! You said it yourself, you drink and you whore, how many bastards do you have?"
Robert just blinked before frowning.
"Too many to count? Or do you not care that you have children all around Kings Landing? Your Children! Lord Arryn, you're his Hand since the Rebellion ended. How many bastards does he have? I am certain that you have kept an eye on them unlike Robert there."
Jon Arryn felt uncomfortable being pinned by the young woman's stare.
Lyanna rolled her eyes when the man did not answer.
"If you want to prove to me that you can change, then start by being a decent husband to your wife and a decent father to your children. All of them."
Lyanna sat back down and folded her arms over her chest.
"Robert-"
"Ned" Robert shook his head. Ned sighed and remained silent.
[Scene shifts to Daenerys on a balcony in Pentos, across the Narrow Sea.]
The girl in question perked up at her introduction.
"Daenerys!"
[He enters a large chamber.]
"He looks like his father. And that is after the paranoia took him over" Lady Olenna commented dryly.
"Daenerys! There's our bride to be!"
"Oh, has he found a husband?" Doran mused out loud.
"No doubt a Essosi husband" Oberyn added.
Neither of them liked that. Daenerys' marriage would throw their plans over.
Daenerys on the other hand had a sinking feeling. Viserys had been speaking of a potential match and so far he did not have any luck reaching out to him. She prayed it was not that man.
"Look – a gift from Illyrio. Touch it. Come on. Feel the fabric. Mmmm. Isn't he a gracious host?"
"We've been his guests for over a year and he's never asked us for anything."
"That is because he is backing your brother for some political play and expects returns when that happens" Margaery answered the girl kindly.
"Illyrio is no fool. He knows I won't forget my friends when I come into my throne."
"Hmm… So he intends to take the Throne does he?" Olenna hummed thoughtfully.
Jon Arryn frowned at the revelation. Would Viserys Targaryen be a threat to Robert's reign?
"You still slouch. Let me see. (He pulls off her gown.) You have a woman's body now. (She endures it as he strokes her breast.)"
"He is your brother" Jon hissed to the girl sitting beside him with disgust on his face. The rest did not look any better.
"We are Targaryens. We marry brother to sister" Daenerys shrugged.
"But he does not intend to marry you. He simply… he is treating you like cattle about to be sold off" Jon pointed out.
"Don't speak on things you know nothing about" Daenerys said softly. But she agreed, that's exactly what Viserys saw her as these days, a piece to use for his conquest of Westeros.
Jon frowned at the girl.
"I need you to be perfect today. Can you do that for me? You don't want to wake the dragon, do you?"
"Wake the dragon?" Robb raised a brow.
"I see he too says it" Joanna said coldly and Daenerys looked at her, as did Robb and Jon. "Your father used to say that when he was displeased with your mother."
"You knew my mother?" Daenerys asked, her eyes widening.
"I was a lady in waiting for her" the woman answered kindly.
While Daenerys smiled at the revelation to a connection to her mother, Robb and Jon shared a look. Neither missed what the woman said about King Aerys or Viserys.
"No."
[Daenerys nods and starts to leave the chamber. He turns.]
"When they write the history of my reign, sweet sister, they will say it began today."
[Daenerys turns and steps into a steaming hot bath with a despairing look on her face.]
"It's too hot, my lady."
[But DAENERYS keeps stepping deeper.]
"Why aren't you burning?" Sansa asked with wide eyes.
"Targaryens have a high heat tolerance since we are the blood of the Dragon" Daenerys explained with a smile. "It's the ability in our blood to bond with dragons and ride them that allows us to be as resistant as we are."
Sansa nodded her head in awe. She wished the Starks or Tullys had something like that. At least the Tullys had beauty going for them. The Starks were just… plain.
[The scene shifts to Illyrio, Daenerys, and Viserys outside the mansion, awaiting Khal Drogo. A host of Dothraki come riding up. Khal Drogo wheels his stallion into the front.]
"Dothraki?! That piece of shit is marrying his sister to savages?!" Jon was in an uproar, disbelieving eyes staring at the wall. He knew just how savage those people could be from the books he'd read. As a brother, it made no sense to marry Daenerys into that.
The girl in question shrunk into herself and whimpered softly. This could not be happening.
Jon Arryn stared at the scene with a frown. The Dothraki were formidable, but not a threat on the other side of the narrow sea. And with the Dothraki's relationship with water, or the lack thereof, he wasn't worried much.
Robert on the other hand was. There were too many Targaryen sympathizers out there for his liking, no doubt waiting to pounce the moment Viserys came over. This was shaping up to be dangerous.
"We need to nip it in the bud" he stated with a deep growl, his eyes stubbornly pinned on Daenerys. Neither Ned nor Jon Arryn liked that look.
[Illyrio Greets them in Dothraki.]
"May I present my honored guests? Viserys of House Targaryen, the third of his name. The rightful King of the Andals and the First Men. And his sister, Daenerys, of the House Targaryen."
"If he's the rightful King then I'm moon boy" Tyrion snorted disdainfully. "Much like Aegon I had won the seven Kingdom through conquest, Robert had done something similar. Regardless of whether he had dragon blood or not, he won the throne by right of conquest. Viserys' claims died with his father and brother."
Robert grunted in reply. He might not like being King much or at all, but he had been made King after defeating the last King and his heir. That was one victory of his nobody would tarnish.
Daenerys frowned at the little man's speech. His words made sense, yet so did Viserys'. She knew why Robert sat on the throne, knew what Viserys told her. But she knew better than to listen to one side of the story. She was not that dumb. Maybe this was her chance to learn it, and the truth behind the rebellion. Lord Stark's sister for one could tell her things Viserys either didn't know or would never dare to think about.
"Do you see how long his hair is? When Dothraki are defeated in combat, they cut off their braid so the whole world can see their shame. Khal Drogo has never been defeated. He's a savage, of course, but he's one of the finest killers alive. And you will be his queen."
"You will not marry him" Jon said harshly, glaring daggers at Viserys. As a brother, he was hating every moment of this, watching Daenerys being carted off to savages.
"You don't have a say in this" Daenerys pointed out, her tone a sad one.
"No, I will not allow it. I'll sail beyond the Narrow Sea and fight this Drogo if I have to. Let's see him cut through armour with his curved swords."
Daenerys lowered her head to hide the smile blossoming on her lips. It had been much too long since she had someone who stood up for her.
And while those two spoke, Lyanna watched with a small smile and a curious thought running through her head.
"Come forward, my dear."
[Khal Drogo watches as Daenerys walks toward him. She does not hesitate and looks straight at him, although there is fear on her face. Khal Drogo gazes at her and then leads his horsemen on a charge away.]
"You've earned his respect, girl" Tyrion said appreciatively. "The Dothraki are savage people who respect fearlessness."
Daenerys nodded, unsure how to react to that information.
"Where's he going?"
"The ceremony is over."
VISERYS: But he didn't say anything. Did he like her"
"Trust me, Your Grace. If he didn't like her, we'd know."
"Sacked city, people taken as slaves… I'm sure I'm missing something" Tyrion drawled, counting one finger at a time.
Daenerys shuddered. She couldn't believe her brother chose a brute like that for her.
"You are being too crass" Joanna admonished her youngest. Tyrion just smiled at her, making her scowl at the man. "Behave yourself like the Lannister you are."
"Of course, mother."
Joanna did not appreciate the tone.
[The scene shifts to Illyrio, Viserys, and Daenerys on a garden balcony overlooking the sea.]
"It won't be long now. Soon you will cross the Narrow Sea and take back your father's throne. The people drink secret toasts to your health. They cry out for their true king."
"Fucking sweet talker" Robert grunted in disgust. But he did not doubt that there were people who'd put a Targaryen back on the Throne.
"When will they be married?"
"Soon. The Dothraki never stay still for long."
"Is it true they lie with their horses?"
"He has no manners. And he's supposed to be a Prince" Sansa made a face.
"Clearly he has a few things wrong in the head" Arya muttered with a roll of her eyes.
"There is nothing wrong with Viserys!" said Daenerys furiously. "He only wants what is rightfully his."
"You mean the thing your father and brother lost?" Arya challenged. "And no need to fight me. No sane brother marries their sister to that thing and then talks about fucking horses in front of their sister."
"Arya!" Catelyn exclaimed, looking scandalized.
Arya huffed and looked away.
Daenerys bit his lips to stop any retort from coming out. She didn't know why Viserys was like this, what he used to be like. None of them did.
"I wouldn't ask Khal Drogo."
"Do you take me for a fool?"
"I take you for a king. Kings lack the caution of common men. My apologies if I've given offense."
"He isn't wrong" Renly muttered. Stannis did not react to his brother, but Renly could have sworn his eyes seemed lighter for a moment.
"I know how to play a man like Drogo. I give him a queen and he gives me an army."
"That is remotely not how you 'play' a man" Tyrion snorted. "What goods Daenerys after she's soiled by that horse fucker? How will he use her for any other future gains?"
Joanna made a face at the language her son used. But he wasn't wrong. She knew for certain that once Daenerys weds this savage no other would want her, even with her Valyrian beauty.
Daenerys' frown deeper, her mind spiralling deeper into the darker thoughts. Her brother was going to throw her away after he got his army…
"(Daenerys pleads)I don't want to be his queen. I want to go home."
"So do I. I want us both to go home. But they took it from us. So tell me, sweet sister, how do we go home?"
"You don't mean Westeros do you?" Robb asked, not unkindly.
Daenerys shook her head.
"There was this home I grew up in with a red door and a lemon tree. When I say home I mean that. I don't remember much of it other than that. The servants there kicked us out after Ser Willem Darry died."
Robb nodded, awkwardly reaching out to pat her on the shoulder. Daenerys gave him a grateful smile.
"I don't know."
"We go home with an army. With Khal Drogo's army. I would let his whole tribe fuck you, all 40,000 men and their horses too if that's what it took."
Jon growled under his breath. He wanted to punch this bastard's face in until his face caved. How heartless could he be?
"It's funny he thinks 40,000 is enough men to take over Westeros" Tyrion snorted. "The Crownlands alone can match those numbers these days. Add the Lannister cavalry and that's an easy 80,000."
Jon Arryn nodded. Those were an overestimation on Tyrion's part, but he wasn't wrong that 40,000 was a small number compared to what the Iron Throne could bring up.
"And how many of those will turn coats the moment he touches the ground with those screamers?" Robert questioned and Jon Arryn eyed the King thoughtfully. Perhaps he should look into this matter a little more seriously.
[He gives Daenerys a brotherly kiss on the forehead and walks away. The scene shifts to a bedroom in Winterfell, where Catelyn is fixing Sansa's hair.]
"Do you think Joffrey will like me? What if he thinks I'm ugly?"
"What does it matter what he thinks?" Arya eyes her sister.
"If he thinks I'm ugly he won't want to marry me" Sansa answered with a roll of her eyes. Honestly, sometimes her sister did not pay attention to things that mattered at all.
"If the King is the one making this marriage, Joffrey has no choice but to agree. The King doesn't like to take no for an answer" Arya said the last part in a whisper.
Sansa blinked at her.
"Surely the King would listen to his son."
"He doesn't like taking no for an answer" Arya repeated firmly.
Sansa frowned at her sister. If Joffrey did say yes, would he do it because he wanted to, or because his father told him to. The thought did not settle her emotions. So she pushed it down and rolled her eyes at her sister.
"He's the crown prince, of course his father would listen to him."
Arya scoffed.
"Then he is the stupidest prince that ever lived."
Catelyn turned to apologize, but Robert barked a laugh,
"He is a little stupid shit" the King shook his hand dismissively at Catelyn, who only blinked at him in surprise.
"He's so handsome."
[CATELYN rolls her eyes.]
So did Arya, Robb and Bran. Most of the rest shook their head sat the girl's naivety
[Scene shifts to the Winterfell banquet. Laughter, music, King Robert getting bawdy with a wench. Catelyn and Cersei watch, Catelyn embarrassed for Cersei, who looks disgusted.]
"Right in front of his wife too" Lyanna muttered in disgust. And from how Cersei reacted, it did not seem like it was the first time Robert did something like that.
[Out in the courtyard, Jon takes out his frustration on a fencing dummy.]
The thought of Robert flew out of her mind immediately.
"Why are you outside?" Lyanna questioned Jon.
"It hasn't happened yet" Jon answered with a shrug.
[His uncle Benjen rides up.]
Lyanna almost squealed in excitement at seeing her younger brother, who was not so little anymore. She saw her mother in Benjen more than she saw her in Ned, the same playful eyes, the kind smile he was smiling at Jon right now.
"He grew so tall" Brandon muttered, his mouth hanging open.
"Perhaps he's taller than you now" Lyanna teased. Brandon had always made fun of how short Benjen was. The growth spurt must have hit her younger brother late.
"He's definitely taller than Father" Brandon turned to his Father and froze. Lyanna leaned forward to look and she too froze. Their father was staring at Benjen with a smile, gentle and small. They hadn't seen him smile like that since their mother had died.
"Maybe we can ask if Benjen and Mother can be brought here" Lyanna whispered to Brandon who nodded. The winged man seemed kind, surely he'd listen to them.
"Is he dead yet?"
"Uncle Benjen!"
[They embrace.]
"You got bigger. I rode all day. Didn't want to leave you alone with the Lannisters."
"And what is wrong with the Lannisters?" Joanna puffed up in outrage.
"We have a past" Jaime answered her, meeting Ned's cold gaze with a confident one.
Joanna frowned. She wanted to know more about this 'past'.
"Why aren't you at the feast?"
"Lady Stark thought it might insult the royal family to seat a bastard in their midst."
Whatever happiness had built at seeing Benjen had gone up in flames hearing Jon. She growled under her breath.
"You could have sat him with the others and not at the head table" Brandon pointed out coldly.
"He would still be present. Hence, an insult" Catelyn answered stoically.
Lyanna wanted to rip into the woman right there and then.
Brandon only frowned at the woman.
"Well, you're always welcome on the wall. No bastard was ever refused a seat there."
Lyanna frowned, pushing the ire back for now. Serving the Watch was a noble cause and one could climb to a position of great renown. Yet it didn't feel right to her somehow.
"So take me with you when you go back."
"Jon…"
"Father will let me if you ask him, I know he will."
"The Wall isn't going anywhere."
"I'm ready to swear your oath."
"You don't understand what you'd be giving up. We have no families. None of us will ever father sons."
"I don't care about that."
"You might, if you knew what it meant. … I'd better get inside. Rescue your father from his guests. We'll talk later."
"How much of an outcast did you make him feel like that he doesn't feel like he belongs in his own home?! That he is begging to be taken to the Wall!" Lyanna snarled.
Catelyn hid her surprise well, narrowing her eyes on the young woman.
"Winterfell is not his home. He's a bastard and a bastard has no true home" she answered icily.
"He is a Stark of Winterfell" Brandon growled softly. "Winterfell is his home!"
"Family, Duty, Honour" Lyanna spat the words venomously.
"That is enough!" Ned said forcibly from his place beside Jon Arryn. He got up and returned to his earlier seat, glaring at both his wife and siblings. "We will not talk of this any more than we already have."
"But Ned-"
"No, Catelyn" Ned cut her off coldly. "We have had this discussion already and you know exactly where I stand in this."
Catelyn glared at her husband and nodded curtly. She spoke no more.
Rickard watched the exchange curiously. He would have jumped in to side with his children in this matter, that Jo nSnow was a Stark of Winterfell no matter who his mother might be. But Ned had come in before he could and settled the matter with a few words. Perhaps the boy did the ice in him to be a good Lord.
No, not a boy. It had been fourteen years since Rickard had died. The ned that sat before him had fought a war and been leading the North for fourteen years. There was no way he was the same boy he had seen when he was alive.
[BENJEN goes to the banquet.]
"Your uncle's in the Night's Watch."
"What're you doing back there?"
"Preparing for a night with your family. I've always wanted to see the Wall."
"You're Tyrion Lannister. The queen's brother?"
"My greatest accomplishment. You – you're Ned Stark's bastard, aren't you?"
[JON looks angry and turns away.]
"Did I offend you? Sorry. You are the bastard, though."
"Lord Eddard Stark is my father."
"And Lady Stark is not your mother. Making you a bastard. Let me give you some advice, bastard. Never forget what you are. The rest of the world will not. Wear it like armor. Then it can never be used to hurt you."
"What the hell do you know about being a bastard?"
"All dwarves are bastards in their fathers' eyes."
"That is some sound advice brother" Jaime complimented.
"I have been known to give those out from time to time" Tyrion grinned.
Joanna watched her youngest with a contemplative frown. On the one hand, he was an alcoholic whoremonger, while on the other hand, he spoke as though he was a learned Maester. She wasn't sure who her son really was, under whatever mask he wore. And she was certain he wore a mask, and his comment about dwarfs and bastards only solidified that thought.
[The scene shifts to after the banquet. Ned and Catelyn are in their bed.]
"Gods please tell me we are not about to see you guys do it" Lyanna groaned, much to the embarrassment of Ned and Catelyn.
"Can we skip over this?" Catelyn begged. This time there was no skipping over.
"I'm a Northman. I belong here with you, not down south in that rat's nest they call a capital."
"A viper's nest is a better description, Lord Stark" Rely said with a smile.
"It does not make it any better" Ned rolled his eyes.
"I won't let him take you."
"The king takes what he wants. That's why he's king."
"I'll say, 'Listen, fat man, you are not taking my husband anywhere. He belongs to me now.'"
Robert roared with laughter, Catelyn willing herself to melt into nothingness to escape the embarrassment.
"How did he get so fat?"
"He only stops eating when it's time for a drink."
"Or when he's fucking whores" Lyanna muttered under her breath.
Ned heard her though and just sighed.
[There's a knock at the door.]
"It's Maester Luwin, my lord."
"Send him in."
"Pardon, my lord, my lady. A rider in the night from your sister."
Catelyn sat a little straighter at the mention of Lysa. The woman had to written to her in years. Why was she sending a rider now?
[He hands Catelyn a sealed note.]
"Stay."
"This was sent from the Eyrie. What's she doing at the Eyrie? She hasn't been back there since her wedding."
"She's in the Eyrie?" Jon Arryn frowned. Why was she there? Something did not smell right to the man.
[Catelyn reads the note, looks up in alarm, and then burns it.]
"What news?"
"She's fled the capital. She says Jon Arryn was murdered. By the Lannisters. She says the king is in danger."
Silence reigned at the revelation and both Ned and Robert slowly looked at a genuinely surprised Jaime.
"What the fuck did you do?!" Robert rose.
"Nothing" Jaime pointed to a very clearly alive Jon Arryn. "What reason would I have for killing Jon Arryn?"
"Robert sot down" Jon Arryn said sternly, gripping the King's hand tightly. "If we keep watching, we might find out if Lysa is right or not."
"You don't trust her?" Catelyn asked the older man.
"Lysa has changed a lot since the last time you've seen her, my Lady. I believe rushing into a conclusion so hastily would not be wise."
Catelyn frowned at that. How much could have Lysa changed that her own husband was doubtful about her accusations of his possible murderer?
But Jon wasn't doubtful. He was collecting the information in his head and the scene from his vigil played in his head. But it all seemed too obvious, too in his face for it to be right.
"She's fresh widowed, Cat. She doesn't know what she's saying."
"A very valid reasoning" Tyrion pointed out.
"Lysa's head would be on a spike right now if the wrong people had found that letter. Do you think she would risk her life, her son's life, if she wasn't certain her husband was murdered?"
"Very" Jaime answered, earning a glare from Catelyn.
"You odn't know her at all then."
"On the contrary Lady Stark, I have known Lady Arryn longer than you have."
"I am her sister."
"Who hasn't seen her in fourteen years, sixteen in the visions we are watching? Tell me, how old was she when she got married?"
Catelyn frowned at the man. Her sister couldn't have changed so much… could she have?
"If this news is true, and the Lannisters conspire against the throne, who but you can protect the king?"
"They murdered the last Hand. Now you want Ned to take the job."
"A Stark up North hardly ends well" Lyanna muttered, thinking of Brandon and her father.
"The king rode for a month to ask Lord Stark's help. He's the only one he trusts. You swore the king an oath, my lord."
"He spent half his life fighting Robert's wars. He owes him nothing. Your father and brother rode south once on a king's demand."
"I would never let anything happen to Ned, Cat. I swear on it" Robert said with every ounce of seriousness he had in him.
Like you did with Jon Arryn? She wanted to say but did not.
[The scene changes to the king's party riding off, Ned nodding goodbye to Bran, whose wolf pup begins sniffing at his feet.]
"Probably a hunting party" Stannis mumbled.
"Come on, you."
[Bran begins climbing, his wolf pup crying at the bottom of the castle wall. As he nears the top, he hears a woman and man moaning. Peering in the window, he sees Cersei and Jaime having sex. Cersei sees Bran.]
"What the actual fuck?!" Oberyn laughed, while the rest just stared in stunned silence.
[JAIME runs and grabs BRAN at the window.]
"Are you completely mad?"
"He saw us."
"It's all right. It's all right."
"He saw us!"
"I heard you the first time. (To BRAN) Quite the little climber, aren't you? How old are you, boy?"
"Ten"
"Ten."
[JAIME looks at CERSEI, who gazes back imploringly.]
"The things I do for love."
[He shoves BRAN out the window.]