Heroes of Man

by Wake the Wind

Chaldea has fallen. Ritsuka is fighting for his life after a black key nearly rips out his heart. And a dozen Servants disappear when encountering a strange power. Emiya deploys on a mission to recover those Servants, and restore the defenders of human history to full power. But it will take him to a history that was never recorded. With many dangers that he cannot forsee.

38. Ned VIII

Ned VIII

"So that's it?"

Ned looked where Cu was pointing, and he nodded. Ned could see why Cu had had to ask about this. The mountains around them had earned the name Red, as the strange stone of these lands being of the look of long dried blood. The structure that Cu was pointing at, a single straight tower some half a mile away, was easy to miss against them, for it had been constructed of the same rock as the mountains themselves. The tower blended into the mountains themselves, and were it not for a rumor of a white cloak seen around this section of the Prince's Pass, it would not have been too difficult to imagine they may have ridden all the way to Kingsgrave.

"Yes," he answered. Cu nodded, but there was no satisfaction in his voice. There was still some rage, but really, it was simple exhaustion. The heat in the young man had seemed to cool ever since the trident. Only the thought of Lyanna, Ned's sister, seemed to keep the former wildling on his horse, eyes forward and towards their goal.

'I could say the same for all of us,' Ned looked back to the other seven riders with Cu and himself. His guard had been all he brought with himself, to allow for swifter and more subtle movement in their quest. While they had achieved this, it was undeniable that the group was exhausted thoroughly and utterly from the experience. Howland Reed was doing the best, though Ned couldn't help but think it was the Crannogman's mellow nature that allowed him to keep control. Mark Ryswell and Willam Dustin were proud, but their gaits were undeniably worn down, and a certain melancholy was clear in their faces. Theo Wull had at times seemed to fall asleep upon his horse, though he had seemed better in the mountains themselves. Martyn Cassel and Ethan Glover were seeming to hang from their mounts, the first from age and the latter from his time in the Black Cells of the Red Keep.

And then there was his wife.

He looked back at her, her eyes shot red and sunken back into her face. Her face was hollow, the lack of food worse for her than all the others. She sat atop her horse, but she seemed to only remain atop it by chance. She at times would sway back and forth with the wind. Her hair seemed to stick out from beneath her helmet, an unkempt feature that matched all her other unkempt features. The few times Ned had tried to help her dress herself or braid her hair, Artoria had nearly lunged away, his touch…bringing bad memories to her. Yet despite all this, her eyes were locked on the tower, just as all the rest.

'We've lost much,' Ned thought, his mind returning to that night only a few miles outside of Blackhaven, only for him to shut the memory out, 'So much,' he felt the need to ride to her, but knew that there was nothing he could do, 'Yet if we cannot save Lyanna…it will all be worth nothing.'

"Hra," he shouted, and brought his horse to a gallop. Within a moment, his companions were riding alongside him, their own horses keeping pace with him. Over the next few moments, they charged along the hills of the pass. Ned scanned the hilltop on which the tower sat, trying to see if there were anyone there who might try and attack them. It would only take one or two men with a crossbow to kill half of this company. But there were no men bolts or arrows slung down on the party. And finally, as the sun seemed to climb to the highest point in the sky, their horses crossed over the crest of the hill.

As they made it there, Ned looked, and saw that the tower was not held on the very top of the hill, but in a small dip beneath the crest. Doing so allowed for it to hide how massive the tower itself was, as the thing was likely at least eighty feet tall and forty feet wide, with small slits for windows. The old outpost had some scars of battle, a few loose stones, but it was in remarkably good condition, likely due to the near century of Dornish acceptance of the rule of the Iron Throne.

'Though it seems,' Ned thought, as he saw three men in shining armor and white cloaks sitting around the most obvious door into the tower, 'that the peace that this tower has lived through has come to an end.'

The three stood almost in a wedge towards Ned and his party, their helmets already on, stances for battle already taken up. On the right, furthest from Ned, was a tall man, completely covered, with white wings coming up along the helmet. Then there was the broadest of the men in front of the group, and Ned could see that the comparison of the Lord Commander to a bull was not mistaken. But it was the man to the left, and closest to Ned, who caught his eye. For polishing a shining white sword was the greatest living warrior in all the Seven Kingdoms. All three knights, some of the finest warriors alive, were standing there, waiting for Ned and his companions to charge them.

"So here they are," Willam said quietly. The lord of Barrowtown eyed the group warily, and Ned almost expected him to say something witty, to announce themselves, but that was not to happen, as he simply adjusted his helm, readying for the battle, "I suppose all considered, better that they were not at the Trident."

"Come on old Bones," Cu spoke up, "You aren-"

"Willam's right Cu," Martyn cut in, his eyes drawn to the three, "I dare say if what I've heard about Dawn is reality rather than legend," he, like Ned was staring at Arthur Dayne, who was still focused on his sword, "Then I don't think that Robert would have survived against both he and Rhaegar."

"Sure," Cu snorted, and Ned was quite sure that his younger companion was not so sure in his estimation of the knights. But Ned could see the frustration in Martyn's posture, and his mind was drawn back to Jonothor Darry, who'd fought so hard and so long that he had only collapsed after having fought both Martyn, his brother, and the Blackfish to a standstill.

'Jonothor Darry was the least great of the knights,' he felt his fingers tighten around the reins.

"So," Cu continued, pulling out Steelbite to aim it at their quarry, "let's just charge them, and hit them so they can't get us with that little knife."

"Won't work," Ser Mark Ryswell was scanning the ground, "They aren't stupid, look around them," and Ned did so, and saw what Mark was pointing to, "The rocks," and indeed, they all soon saw that round thee tower were not only natural large rocks, some the size of Ned's head, but also left over bricks and stone from the construction of the tower, "Our horses are good, but they are tired, and likely to break their legs on those," he shook his head, "We fight on horseback, we are as likely to fall over and be crushed as use our steeds to our advantage."

"So we fight them on foot?"

"I'd say so," already Howland Reed had hopped from his horse, his own spear at the ready. His eyes, deep and piercing as they were, were locked onto Arthur Dayne, "Doing this migh mean we can talk um. Make um see sense."

"Sense?"

"Ned," Howland said back, "Come on, you are her brother, we'll need you to ask for them to let her go," Ned stopped for a second, before dismounting his steed, and preparing to ready Ice. He then came to a halt, and shot to Artoria's horse. He held out his hand, and watched as the girl took his hand, and allowed him to lift her down.

'I should send you away,' he thought to himself as she wordlessly passed him, drawing her sword and readying her shield, now with a silver lion instead of gold, 'Gods, you still can barely keep yourself going.'

But they had spoken on this many times. And each time, Artoria, whatever was left of the girl that had climbed down the side of Casterly Rock, pushed back and past him. She was here for the battle, and despite everything, Ned knew that she was still likely, even in this state, as good as any of the men here.

"Not sure what you think we'll get out of talking to this cunts, Reed," Cu said, having joined up with Howland, but directly in front of the White Bull, "These guys are thick headed fools. Drunk from their own arrogance," he pointed his spear directly at the Lord Commander, "I tell you, the only way this ends is with death."

"Mayhaps," Howland said, his eyes still on Arthur Dayne, "Though, mayhaps not. People in general don't like to fight unless they ave to, far as I see it."

Cu was about to say something back, but he stopped, as he finally noticed that the rest of their group had come up around them. Cu himself was in the middle, with Eddard Stark to his left, with Artoria and Howland Reed to his left. On the other side of Cu were the rest of the party. All had weapons drawn, from Theo's mountain axe to a light mace by Ethan Glover, who was at the back of the party. All of them were focused on their opponents, who slowly seemed to come out from beneath the tower, their white armor shining from the sun's light. Finally, after a moment or so more, they were only about twenty feet from one another, all with weapons drawn, though none besides Cu were ready for a full strike.

"Gerold Hightower," Ned announced, though the knight seemed not to care, "I am here by right of King Robert Baratheon," he watched the three, looking to see their faces, "First of his name. Ruler of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First men," there were frowns on their faces, but despite that, there was only a slight bit of rising anger, "I ask of you to bend your knees as your brothers have. To do so would end this war without further bloodshed," Ice was heavier than ever before, "There has been too much of that."

"We will not," was the answer that Gerold Hightower gave, his sword and shield ready, eyeing Ned.

"I beg of you Ser Hightower," Ned held his stance, not wanting to push his way forward, "Please, bend the knee."

"We will not."

"Oh fuck them Ned," Cu spoke up, pointing Steelbite directly toward Gerold Hightower, "These prancy fuckers aren't worth even a little breath on," he then pulled the steel spear back further, his eyes locking onto the one in the lead, "I say we gut them like the fucking animals they are."

"It seems to me you happen to be the animals," Gerold Hightower responded.

"Guilty as charged," Cu bared his teeth, "I wonder how well the White Bull will deal with the bite of hound."

"Arthur Dayne," Ned stopped, and turned his head to his right, to see Holwand Reed standing there. For a moment, everyone was shocked at the smallest of the twelve warriors here, "Surely you must see that this battle is worthless," the knight with the pure white blade shone in the light, "Your sister would never ask of you to die like this, with Rhaegar dead and his family gone," for a second, Ned wondered if he saw some hesitation in Arthur's face, but it was quickly gone. Howland Reed seemed to notice, and then added, "New mornings come following the guidance of falling stars."

That…that caused Arthur Dayne's eyes to almost shoot out of his head. He stopped, and stared at the small man for a moment, though being behind the other knights, he stopped, and regained his previous appearance. By the time Gerold looked back, Arthur appeared to be as he was before, and the Lord Commander returned his attention to Ned and the rest of his riders. Yet the sudden relaxing of the Crannogman's shoulders made it seem as though he'd figured something out.

"At least tell us where Lyanna is then," Ned added. The three knights seemed to stiffen, but only for a moment, "Please, just let me go to my sister, and I shall leave you to your duties."

"...," the Lord Commander of Aerys' Kingsguard was silent, staring forward. It was then, that Ned looked up, and gave one look at the tower they stood in front of. The knight began to step forward, and Ned understood that they had just told him where Lyanna was, and also that they would not be stepping down.

"So be it," Ned raised his blade.

"YAGH!" and within a second, Cu had leapt forward, the force of his spear smashing through the top of Gerold HIghtower's shield. The Lord Commander raised his sword and stabbed it upward, but Cu hurled his head back, and stepped back a few feet. He then twisted his hips, and brought the dull end of the spear around, and slammed it into Hightower's helmet, knocking it slightly off it's axis.

"Commander!" Oswell Whent shouted, beginning to charge to assist his leader, when suddenly he stopped and leaned backward, barely dodging the great axe of Theo Wull. However, he recovered quickly, and lifted his own blade to bring it down on top of Theo just as the Mountain man was beginning to pull his weapon back up, when suddenly he had to jump backward, a stabbing longsword where his gut had just been.

"No you don't," Willam Dustin said, his blade having just missed the Kingsguard. Before Oswell Whent could try and strike the Lord of Barrowtown, two more swords flashed again, and he was forced further back, as Mark Ryswell and Martyn Cassel both pushed forward. Soon Willam was alongside them, his blade alongside the others. There were constant flashes of metal, while at the same time high raised shields blocking any strike by the Kingsguard. Behind them came Theo Wull and Ethan Glover, the axe and mace in their hands, enough distance to keep an eye out should Whent try and maneuver around the three swordsmen he was facing. The three continued to push him, closer and closer to the wall of the tower.

As Oswell was pushed away, Gerold Hightower righted himself, and swung his blade in a circle. Cu sucked in his gut, and the sword passed where it had been only a second before. Cu then raised Steelbite, and shot the spear forward. This time, however, Hightower instead raised his smashed shield, and the broken wood sent the tip away from his head. He then aimed his blade for a stab, but Cu pressed down on the spear, and suddenly lifted himself off the ground. As Cu flipped in the air, Ned almost felt his stomach drop.

Cu then landed, and then swung raised Steelbite to strike at the back of the knight's neck. However, despite his age, Gerold Hightower was too fast. The old knight turned around, and using the pauldron of his right shoulder to cause the spear to skip. However, before Hightower could take advantage, Cu gripped the back of the spear and pulled back, readjusting it to block the next strike with the middle of the spear.

Cu then burst forward, twisting his steel speer like something made of wood. Each time he brought the blade toward Gerold's head, the knight would use his blade or his shield to bounce the strike off. But as he was doing so, Cu was forcing him to step backward, away from the Tower itself.

'Cu's trying to make an opening,' Ned thought, looking at the door. However, then the last knight of the Kingsguard stepped forward, between Ned and his hope, 'Shit, Arthur Dayne.'

"Please Ser Arthur," Howland continued, a desperation in his voice, "For all that is noble please let us through."

"A knight of a Kingsguard," Arthur finally said, "Follows first their king, then their prince," there was pain in his voice there, "Then his commander," for some reason, Howland straightened, "And then himself," he finished, before raising the pure white blade of Dawn, the Sword of the Morning. Ned had thought that, of all blades, it was Ice that seemed the best crafted and well tempered. Yet Dawn…there was something strange in it. Ice was, despite its origins in Valyria, still clearly the product of the hands of man, but Dawn was as though it did not belong to be wielded by any mortal.

"Then if we must," Ned said, raising his blade, as hearing the rustling as Artoria and Howland readied their weapons, "We shall clear you away."

"If you must," Arthur said.

And then he disappeared.

There was a clang, and Ned finally saw Arthur Dayne again. He was only inches away from Ned, the white blade only inches away from his left shoulder. It would have come down fully had another blade not intercepted the swing, and pulled the blade itself downard.

Artoria had seen the strike coming, had she been just a second slower, it would have been likely Ned would have lost his left arm. But using her reach, she had caught Dawn, and pushed it downward. Ned, pushing the fear of his near loss of limb from his mind, raised Ice up, and prepared to bring it down on the greatest living knight.

But as the greatest living knight, it would not be that easy to defeat Arthur Dayne. Instead, from what little Ned could see, Arthur, whose blade had been stuck against the ground, twisted his hands, and then let Dawn go. Yet this was only for a second, as the sudden change in the force caused Artoria to lose the push downard enough for Dawn to no longer be pinned. Seizing his opportunity, Arthur reached back, grabbed the pommel of his blade, and pulled the now loose sword free, right so it could come up, and catch Ice only a foot or so from Arthur Dayne's head. Then the knight twisted his wrists, and began to push at a strange angle, bringing the blade to slide across Ice, so that it was coming towards the guard of the Valyrian Blade. It was coming at such speed, that Ned pulled back, nearly jumping from the instinct to avoid the strange blade.

SHLINK

And as he did so, he nearly got Ice away entirely. But not fully, as Dawn caught the very edge of the crossguard. And Dawn, the mysterious white blade, cut through the Valyrian Steel. The guard did its job, Ned's hands were out of range of Arthur Dayne right as Dawn finished cutting through it, but a sudden fear entered Ned's mind.

'This blade,' Ned thought, staring in horror, 'Is better than Ice.'

Ice had been used by the Starks since long before Aegon the Conqueror had forced Torrhen Stark to kneel. Yet that history, that legacy, seemed nothing to the Sword of the Morning. Ned could not help but clench his teeth.

Before Arthur Dayne could try for another attack, Artoria was back on him again. She raised her own longsword, and brought it down. This time, however, like Gerold Hightower before him, Arthur twisted so the strike hit the pauldron of his armor, and bounced back. He then twisted himself to bring Dawn up to stab her.

Until, suddenly another weapon forced Arthur to hop away, as a spear came forward. Unlike Cu's mighty Steelbite, this was almost all wood. But the tip was sharp and strong steel, and Arthur was forced to acknowledge that. Arthur stepped back, and turned his head toward the Crannogman. The smaller figure looked up at him.

"My Lord and Lady are good to me, Ser Dayne," he pointed the blade of the spear up at Arthur's face. Before anything else could happen, Dawn sliced through the air, and sent the spear away from him. It was then that another strike came in, and only then did Ned realize it was Ice coming down towards Arthur Dayne. However, that attempt was met by a slight hop from the night, who fell backwards, and then righted himself, the white blade again pointing directly at Ned.

"Fair," Arthur admitted, before seeming to dive forward. Again, Ned raised Ice, and this time the two blades met head on.

CLLLAAAANANNNGNNGNG

And the world seemed to stop from the ringing of blades clash. Ned threw his whole body into holding back the strike, and he needed all of it. Arthur with only a swift strike, had nearly knocked him from his feet. But Ice, and the Valyrian Steel it was made of, this time was able to match the greatness of Dawn. Ned only glanced to where the blades met, and was only able to catch a slight relief at proof that the white sword was not cutting through the Stark Blade, when suddenly, he nearly fell forward, as Arthur Dayne pulled back Dawn in nearly an instant.

Having done so, Arthur attempted to swipe Dawn back toward Ned's side, and Ned nearly fell over twisting the blade over his left arm to catch Dawn. The move was enough to direct the strike away from him, but the impact was enough to send Ned tumbling to the ground, Ice barely still in his grip.

Ned rolled for a second, desperate to make sure that Dawn did not come down on him while he laid there. After one rotation, he pushed himself back to his feet, and saw that he need not have worried, as Artoria was back to facing Arthur Dayne. Despite her misfortune, she was still had a gift with steel in her grip. Where Ned's strikes had been ponderous, only able to come close to Dayne through positioning, Artoria's were matching Arthur's strike for strike.

Left-CLANG

Right-CLANG

But where Artoria was clearly better than Ned with a blade in her hand, Ice was one of the few swords worthy to meet Dawn. And Artoria's plain steel sword was chipping away with each clash. A few more strikes, and her blade might break, and she'd be unable to survive any longer.

Ned, back to his feet, dove forward, and stuck Ice out between the two, catching Dawn once more.

CLALLANNNNGG

Artoria saw this, and twisted to her side, and using a foot planted in the ground, twisted to bring her blade into the waist of Arthur Dayne. Yet once again Arthur Dayne hopped backwards, somehow keeping his feet despite the terrain. Ned cursed under his breath, wondering what it would take for the three of them to overcome this man.

"Artoria," he said, his eyes watching the man in front of him, who was eyeing them carefully, "Do you see anything that might let us overcome him?" Arthur did not even seem winded, where the perhaps two or so minutes of the clash had been enough to leave Ned's limbs burning, "Any chinks in his armor?"

"N-no," Artoria was breathing more heavily than Ned was. Ned cursed himself under his breath at hearing her struggle, "I…I don-"

Ned took a second to look. The group of five against Oswell Whent were doing well. Quite simply, there were too many blades and shield for him to move, and so he had been unable to seemingly even catch one of Ned's companions. However, the bat knight had retreated up against the tower, and was using the wall to keep the larger group from flanking him. Everytime one tried, Oswell was able to use his shield and sword to push back. In that fight, there was no movement, so the lives of those six men depended on what else would happen.

Ned was unable to see the fight between Cu and the Lord Commander. Ned would not be surprised if those two were fighting among the hills, in fact, Ned could even hear the sound of steel meeting steel, so imagined that they were still engaged. Ned cursed, hoping that Cu would be able to pull a victory by now, but it seemed to be taking longer than he'd hoped. If Cu could come free, then he would add a second spear to the…

'Wait,' Ned wondered, 'Where is Howl-'

"Ne-ned," Artoria said, "We need to strike-ke him down now," her breaths coming in as barely gathered gulps, "Follow me," she then charged forward, and Ned, fearing what would happen without him, followed, Ice ready as he was able to make it.

Artoria used her speed to get right into range of Arthur Dayne, and slammed her blade into Dawn. When Arthur attempted to twist and bring it around on her, Artoria pressed her foot into the ground and raised it up to meet Dawn. Then Artoria attempted her own counter, but Arthur did something that seemed to cause Dawn to pop, and catch that strike as well. By the time Ned had begun to charge behind his wife, and the time he was within Ice's length, Artoria and Arthur were completely focused on one another.

Ned raised up Ice once more over his head, and prepared to bring it down onto Arthur's head. However, as the Valyrian blade swung downard, Arthur slammed Dawn down on Artoria's sword, and caused the white sword to come up and knock Ice out of its arc. Ned could feel Ice begin to slip from his fingers, so he reached his arms upward to catch his family's weapon. However, in doing so, he had to stretch his arms up, leaving his stomach open. Arthur pulled back Dawn once more, and prepared to stab it forward, towards Ned's belly. However, Artoria again stepped forward, and shot her sword forward to block the strike.

As Ned tried to pull the blade back down, he saw Artoria begin to start another fury of strikes on the Kingsguard, when Arthur Dayne took a step back from one of the swings. Artoria did not lean forward to open up a gap, but it did mean her sword was held out further than normal. And that was all Arthur Dayne needed, as he swiftly raised Dawn, and then brought it down on the girl's sword.

SCHINK

And cut right through it.

'He,' Ned thought, the world seeming to stop as the long piece of metal fell from the pommel in Artoria's hand, his wife seeming to be in shock, 'He must have been striking at the same place, so the sword had enough cuts he could cut through it easily.'

Arthur Dayne pulled back Dawn to stab Artoria this time. Ned, as the white blade readied to strike forward, reached Dawn out with his arms fully outstretched. Unlike Artoria, however, he misjudged the length and strength of Arthur's strike, and when Dawn collided with Ice, Ned felt the sword swing out from his hands. Before he even realized what happened, he looked to the side, and saw the greatsword stuck into the red dirt of the hill, three paces away from him, but with Arthur Dayne in between Ned and Ice.

'I…I lost,' Ned thought, watching as Arthur Dayne pull back Dawn once more, and rest it on his shoulder. He then looked at Artoria, who was only now realizing that she no longer had a weapon to fight with, 'And…and so did sh-'

"GRUGHKT!"

Ned stopped, and turned around. In the back, laying on the ground, was a man in white armor. A long metal steel pipe was sticking out from Gerold Hightower's neck. On the other end of the rod was Cu, a snarl on his face and his eyes not on the dead knight, but to a small man at his side. Howland Reed seemed to be breathing heavily, with his left hand on a spear holding him up…and his right hand on a long pile of strange strings…that seemed to stretch and twist around the legs of their dead foe.

'Wait,' Ned thought, 'Did he-'

"Frog man," Cu said, his voice gurgling with heat, "Why did you step in on my ki-"

"SER DAYNE!" Howland Reed twisted on his feet, pointing his spear at Arthur Dayne, "The Lord Commander is no longer among the living," his face was red, and he seemed to be almost pleading with the kingsguard, "If you are Lord Commander, surely you may determine if this fight is worth maintai-"

"I CALL A PARLAY!" And suddenly, Ned turned his head, and saw the mightiest night in all the Seven Kingdoms shouting, turning his head forcefully over toward the last remaining fight. Ned turned to see that Oswell was almost certainly about to be overwhelmed by the five other warriors, who had used their numbers to simply hide behind his shield, "STARK! CALL A TRU-"

"PARLAY!" Ned shouted, not wanting to miss a chance to stop the fighting, certainly when he did not have a blade in hand should Arthur stop. The five men paused, with Martyn looking back swiftly. When Ned kept his face firm, the five fell back in formation, weapons still pointed at Oswell Whent. The knight was more roughed up than Ned had thought, with several dents in his armor, and both wings of the bat helmet knocked off. Ned could see his own men had a few cuts, but none deep, and all likely to heal if they could find a Maester soon. Still, they looked at him for a moment, "If Ser Dayne offers a parley, then we shall take the parlay."

"Thank you," Arthur Dayne did not seem to move. When Oswell Whent raised his hand toward the fight, Arthur Dayne said firmly, "The fight is over, Ser Whent. There is no threat to allow a man to see his sister," Ned felt his spine go completely straight, and he looked at Ser Dayne, who pointed Dawn towards the door into the tower, "You must go ahead, Lord Stark, Lyanna is waiting there."

Ned said nothing. By the time the name Lyanna had been said, Ned's feet had carried him to the door, and his hand was around the handle . He grabbed at the handle, and threw it open, and his eyes twisted around the tower. At the bottom, was a small room, with a stable and three small mats, likely where the kingsguard had been staying. Ned wondered how long the three had been staying there-

In the distance, from what seemed a few feet above his head, Ned thought he heard crying. His eyes shot over to the side of the tower, where the building's sole staircase sat. He charged toward them, and was soon flying up them. Only vaguely did he realize that should there be anymore armed men in this building that he was unarmed, but he did not care. He had heard his sister's voice for the first time in over a year, and he knew where she was. He would kill anyone who tried to stop him with his bare hands if need be, but he was going to find Lynna. After perhaps two dozen stairs, he reached a wooden door, and grabbed at the handle. He then threw open the door, and rushed inside.

Inside the upper room of the tower of joy, was what appeared to be a fairly standard set of furnishings, quite like his own rooms in Winterfell. About three or four chairs, one of who containing a woman who looked quite horrified to see him, a small book shelf with many books, several small tables, a wardrobe, a bed…and a cradle near the bed.

On that bed was Lyanna, but…but it was not as Ned remembered her. Her hair was longer, matted with sweat and grime. Her face was pale, her eyes sunk, and her cheeks sucked into her skull. But worst of all, were her eyes. They were even further sunken than Artoria, and for a moment, Ned wondered if she even could see through them. However, he saw that she was alive when his sister raised her thin fingers up.

"Ned," she squeaked. Ned felt his heart sink, as he rushed over to Lyanna, and gripped her hand, "I'm…I'm sorry."

"Lyanna," he continued, first looking over his sister's form, "What happened? Why a-"

"Ned," Lyanna croaked, bringing Ned back to her, "Ned, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. When I said I would have-"

And Ned couldn't stop himself. He wanted to avoid looking inside the cradle. But now he knew he had to. With fear, with sadness, he looked inside the cradle, and saw the source of the cry that had brought him up the tower. A babe, not a few weeks old, was fussing, moving his arms around back and forth. Ned would have known this child was his sister's from sharing a room, but he knew it was hers from the dark black fuzz along the top of the babe's crown. Jaeherys, Lyanna's son, could only stare back at him, as Ned could feel his worst fears be shown true.

"Lyanna!" Ned turned back, and saw that the Hound of Winterfell had made it up next. The boy, so much younger than him, looked near feral, rushing forward, teeth bared, before suddenly coming up, and grabbing Lyanna's arm, nearly pushing Ned away, "Lyanna, what happened to you," and Ned could not help but remember, that for all Ned could see that the girl in front of him was sick, how much worse Cu must think her now. They had lived in the same castle for years, while he had not.

"Cu?" Lyanna's eyes brightened for a moment. But only for a moment, as they slowly closed once more, "You got pulled into this too," Ned could see her eyes straining to remain open, all the while tears began to pull at the sides of her eyes, "Gods, I…I…"

"YOU!" Ned saw Cu's head snap over to the woman at the chair, the older lady nearly falling over from the rage in his voice, "What the hells were you doing?You stand by here while Lyanna is dying. I ougt to-"

Suddenly the door opened again. Now Ned saw two more run up into the room, Arthur Dayne and Artoria. The Kingsguard swiftly looked over at the woman who was likely a nursemaid, and sighed in relief as he saw she seemed unharmed. Artoria was out of breath, though she held herself up as best she could. Ned looked behind them, and saw no one else was up, and guessed to himself that the others were down there with Oswell Whent, perhaps a shared worry that the tower might not hold all of them.

"AND YOU!" Cu cut Ned's thoughts off, and pointed his finger directly at Arthur Dayne, his teeth bared and his face now nearly as crimson as his eyes, "You are supposed to save girls from towers, not lock them away so they can rot and die," Arthur kept his eyes forward. Cu growled, and seemed to reach to his back, but his hand passed through air, Steelbite still in Gerold Hightower's body. He growled again, and were he not still holding Lyanna's arm, Ned imagined he would have already attempted to jump and strangle the knight of Starfall, "She is going to die because of yo-"

"CU!"

Cu stopped, and turned his head back to Lyanna, who was holding herself above the bed with her arms shaking. However, having shouted, Lyanna began to cough violently. Her arms gave way, and she fell to the bed beneath her. Cu, panicking, rushed to her side again, grabbing onto her arm.

"Lyanna," he said, his eyes welling with tears.

"Cu," she looked up at the young man, before her eyes moved over to Ned, "Ned," and Ned pushed around the bed, making sure not to hit it and disturb her, "Don…it's my fault, not theirs," Ned didn't look over at the Kingsguard, who remained where he stood, "My fault, I could have stopped it, could have said no."

"Lyanna," Ned said, giving a moment for Cu to say something, before continuing, "What are you saying?"

"I did came of my own will Ned," she looked up at her brother, "Surely…surely you didn't think that Rhaegar took me away and raped me," she coughed, "Surely you do not think I would have been taken away so easily."

'I…I supposed I had honestly hoped it would be that,' Ned admitted to himself. Ned would not believe that fighting and overthrowing King Aerys was anything less than justified. The man had murdered his father and brother, and committed atrocities that would forever stain the name Targaryen. But if Lyanna had been stolen away by Rhaegar, stripped from her family and home by the lust of a licentious prince…it would make the whole conflict, from Brandon's ride into the Red Keep to the death of Gerold Hightower a righteous quest. Now…

"You weren't forced?" Cu asked, more or less just stating it again for himself, "But…but you couldn't have done tha-"

"Cu," Lyanna stared up at the blue haired spearman, "Cu, I did not love him" she reached her hand out and pressed the tips of her fingers against Cu's cheek, "Not really," she chuckled, before it descended into a rabid cough once more, "I-I didn't love the Prince, though I didn't need to, "She turned her head towards the door, and towards Arthur Dayne, "Ser Arthur, would you please pull it out from the upper drawer?"

Arthur Dayne did as he was told. He marched toward one of the small desks along the side of the room, and began to work at what appeared to be a locked drawer. As he did so, Lyanna continued, "It began at Harrenhal," Ned blinked, remembering the massive castle that so dominated his mind, back when everything seemed whole and good, "Howland," she said, her voice croaking, "Do you remember those squires?"

"Aye lady, I do remember them," Howland's voice cut through the room, and everyone around the room turned to look at him, "So…twas you that was the Knight of the Laughing Tree then?"

"Aye," she coughed, "Aye, I was the Knight of the Laughing Tree," Ned wondered why there was not more shock from the voices of the group, though one swift look at Artoria explained the lack of confusion, "When Aerys ordered me found, I sought to hide the armor, to disappear. But Rhaegar found me, as did Arthur Dayne," Ned gave one look at Arthur, who remained focused on the desk, "I was terrified that I would be handed over to the king, and…punished," she then turned her head to Artoria, "I was lucky it twas you who met that fate."

Artoria could only nod, though her eyes seemed to be going past Lyanna…and past Ned.

"Rhaegar made me promise not to ride for the rest of the tourney, and I obliged, justice having been fulfilled," she then stopped, "Though, when the tourney ended, Rheagar…Rhaegar the fool gave me the crown of Winter Roses, and I do not know why."

"Twas that you were the one knight who truly one all their jousts," Arthur said offhandedly, "I…well, Barristen and I…we could not strike down the prince in a joust," he then shook his head, "So, he sought to give the reward to the one who had earned it," he pulled on the drawer, before shaking his head, "Wait just a moment, I shall have this to share as soon as I am able to."

"Yes," Lyanna began to seem to sink into her bed, "Yes, that would be how Rhaegar would do it, wouldn't it," she no longer even seemed to have the strength to shake her head, "Well, after that, a few months passed, but only a few days before Bran-," she stopped, her breath catching in her throat, before shaking her head, "Rhaegar came over the wall, and he asked for me to bare him a child."

"Why?"

"He said that his wife's body could not take the strain of a birth," she seemed to pull up the sides of her mouth, though it was an effort on her part. Ned tried his best to hold onto her hand as she continued, "...I did so…," she looked back to Arthur Dayne, as the sound of the desk opening filled the room. Ned watched as the knight pulled up a piece of parchment. Arthur Dayne walked over to Ned, and stretched out the piece of paper to him. Ned slowly accepted it, and brought it to his face.

"To the Iro-the Iron Bank?" he looked back to Lyanna, who nodded, and Ned then returned his gaze to the parchment, "I, Rhaegar Targaryen, request that you…," Ned could feel his eyes strain as he read the words, "that you…," and then he felt his jaw drop, his eyes going over the lines of the paper again and again.

"Ned?" he wasn't sure which of his companions had asked, only knowing it was male.

"Lyanna," Ned turned his head towards his sister, her eyes barely able to meet his, whether from shame or from sickness, "This…this is more money than the North makes in taxes in ten years of summer," he waved the paper at her, "A line of credit for thousands of gold dragons," he held the paper out, and watched as CU took it, up, and her eyes widened as well, "tens of thousands of dragons," he just shook his head, for a second wondering if Artoria would look at it, only to see that his wife was looking directly at Lyanna's babe, likely still in shock from the revelation, "This was all about gol-"

"No!" she tried to sit up, but even as she lifted herself off the mattress once more, she lost her strength, and fell back down onto the bed, "No, gods no, I'm…i'm not a whore Ned," she turned her head once more to Cu, "The…the money was so I could…so I would…the gold was my wings."

"Wings?" Ned blinked. He looked, and saw Cu's eyes wide as saucers.

"Ned," she shook her head, though her head could no longer leave the pillow, "...Ever since I was little…they've said I've had the wolf's blood," she turned her head to look out the window, "I've hated that. Wolves…wolves live in packs, they keep to their forests and glens. I've…I've wanted to be a bird," she did her best to reach her hand out, towards the window, but the limb fell back within a few seconds, "I wanted…I wanted to fly, to go see the lands Father would read to us in those books in the library," she almost didn't seem to even be thinking anymore, "There were times I read of Mother Rhoyne, and how Nymeria herself set across the sea, choosing her life."

…

"And then I thought of my fate," she still refused to look at Ned, "I…I was to be a wife. A lady," Ned thought, had Lyanna been capable, she would have spat, "I was to marry a man, and then to sit the rest of my life in a stone cage, singing and sewing," Ned felt his stomach drop, "And as the time grew closer and closer, it got worse and worse," she finally did look at Ned, "I met Robert, and it was terrifying Ned," her eyes were filled with tears, "Gods, Ned, he might have tried, but our natures," she coughed, "Gods, mens' natures can't be changed," her face fell to the sheets again, "nor…nor can the nature of a woman either."

"Lyanna," Ned said, "You had a duty."

"Your nature is to care for such things," Ned felt like he had been slapped in the face, "Tis not my nature in the least."

"Lya-"

"Rhaegar asked me to bear his child," she continued, cutting Ned off, "And I agreed as long as I could leave as soon as the child was born and his," Ned saw a hint of a smile return, "He agreed, he almost seemed happy that. I think he did love his wife, even if his eyes wouldn't let him see it," Ned could only nod, a part of him hoping that the prince and his wife might find peace together with their children, "And doing so, well, my plan was to have his child, and then take a ship to Braavos and start to plan my adventure," Ned could see the fire in her eyes, "Everyone of the Free Cities, the Dothraki Sea, Qaarth, Yi Ti. I would have seen it all."

"Lyanna," Cu said, "You…when we talk-"

"Cu, I'd hoped you…you would come with me," and then, Ned and ever other person in the room save Lyanna herself snapped their neck toward the youngest man in the room. HIs face was twisted around his mouth, and Ned could see tears in his eyes, "you said that you came south from above the wall so you could see something new. The times you said you wished to go and see all across the narrow sea."

"Ly-lya," Cu coughed, "You don-I…I couldn't have left. I swo-"

"You aren't a dog," she said, "Stop…stop thinking your a dog, like you an oath you made when you were half your size still chains you," she held up her hand to hold Cu's cheek, "We could have…we could have…," and yet, Cu could only shake his head, causing Lyanna's hand to fall to the sheets, and at that, Lyanna let out a dry cry.

"Lyanna," Ned just looked to the ground, "How…," Ned felt so tired, but he had to keep his feet, "When we can let you tr-"

"Ned," Lyanna turned her head once more to Ned, though it took clear force of mind to force her neck to do so, "Ned…do you think I'm ever leaving this bed," she tried to raise her hand once more, "Gods Ned, I won't see the sun set over the sea."

Then the babe behind Ned started crying. Ned looked back, and looked over his sister's son. Jaehrys seemed to be at most a month, though likely less than that. He seemed to be hearty enough, with colored skin and lips, and he was able to produce the tears that his mother had lost. His head had a small fuzz of dark hair over it, and Ned could, in some place at the back of his mind, be grateful that his nephew at least looked Stark.

"Lyanna," Cu continued to hold onto the dying girl's arm, "Please, you can still live. You jus-" but Lyanna turned to face him, and shook her head. At that, Cu's began to cry, almost mirroring the babe behind Ned, "Lya…please fight."

"I think…I think there has been enough fighting," Lyanna croaked, "I would only make things worse," she stopped, and then her cheeks expanded, "Accchkkk," and a wad of red and green spit flew over the cover, "For everyone. I hurt everyone. I hurt Brandon. I hurt father. I…I hurt you Cu. I hurt Ned," she couldn't move her head, but Ned could imagine she was trying to do so to look at her child, "I got so many men killed, and if I lived further, I would hurt the babe who was the only true companion I had these many months," she then began to cough and hack again, which mixed with the cries of her child.

"Wylla," Arthur finally spoke up, his attempt to allow the conversation to go uninterrupted overcome by the noise. Ned looked and saw the woman get out of her seat, only for her to stop and stare at the cradle…as the cries of the child began to calm.

Ned looked at the cradle, and saw why Jaeherys was no longer shrieking. Artoria had seemed to wander over to his…well, her nephew now, and picked him up. His wife had already removed the gauntlet and vambrace of her right arm, allowing her to hold the child with her bare skin. She was staring down at the babe, who seemed to have stopped now his skin was touching another's, and staring up at her as well. With a wave of her hand, her left gauntlet fell to the ground as well, as she brought her finger up, and placed it on the babe's nose. The babe just continued to look deeply into Artoria, all the while Artoria just seemed to marvel at the boy.

"Ned…," Lyanna's voice was growing faint, "Promise me you'll look after him."

…

"I promise," Ned said, with all the remaining force he could muster, though he could not bring his eyes to look at Lyanna, focusing instead on his wife and the babe in her arms.

"There…," Arthur Dayne spoke up once more, "I believe there might be a way to do this," he looked over at Wylla, "Wylla, Lady Stark must be ready to take the child to Starfall soon," the woman nodded.

"Yes Arthur dear," the woman said. Ned almost felt like raising an eyebrow at the exchange, but the lack of response to the small folk woman's statement was enough for Ned not to push the Kingsguard. Wylla swiftly swung up to Artoria, and began to move her hands around the younger woman's arms. Artoria flinched, but Wylla quickly said, "Now deary, if you are going to do this, we are going to have to practice holding a bab-"

"Lord Stark," Arthur nodded his head over at Ned, motioning toward the stairwell. Ned paused, before making his way towards it. Arthur led the way through the door, and Ned…Ned was glad to leave the room. He made one last look back, seeing Cu weeping as he held the hand of Lyanna stark, eyes closed perhaps forever.

"It…it is still wrong-"

"That has been clear for some time," Arthur said, as the two descended the stairs. Arthur Dayne did not look back to face Ned, but Ned could hear a torn raw throat in the older man's voice, "By the Seven, it's been clear that everything over this past year has been wrong," he stared, "There is now way to repair what we…what Rhaegar and Lyanna and I broke," Ned didn't feel the need to openly agree with it, "But that does not mean I cannot do what I can to protect what remains precious to me."

It was only a moment more before they emerged out of the tower. Ned finally noticed how the truce had been arranged, with Oswell standing in front of the door, though no sword or other weapon in hand, while Ned's companions were scattered around the hillside along the tower. Upon seeing Ned, their shoulders fell, as though most of the fear had left them. Ned then wondered why they had let Arthur go up if they were so nervous, only to finally see, shining in the dirt, was the white blade of Dawn, left out in the open should something occur.

"Ned," Martyn Cassel, the one closest to Lyanna after Cu and Ned himself, pushed forward, his eyes filled with worry, "Is Lyanna-"

He stopped as Ned shook his head. Cassel had been among the roughest men Ned had ever met. He had shown no mercy to Ned or Brandon or Benjen. But like all the men that guarded Winterfell, he had held a cove in his heart for Lyanna Stark. The older man brought his jaw in tight, and for the first time in Ned's life, Martyn Cassel allowed his tears to run down his cheeks. He brought his hand up to try and wipe the tears away, but the older man could not control himself.

"Damn," Willam Dustin kicked at the ground, luckily missing a rock and thus meaning he did not break something he would need for the rest of the ride, "All this way, across three kingdoms, for nothing."

"In the end," Ethan Glover, face somehow sinking further than even the Black Cells had made it, placed his forehead in his palm, "I could not save her," he just continued to shake his head, "Brandon…oh gods Brandon, I could not save her."

"Tonight," Arthur announced, "the final rights will be given to the dead," Ned looked over, and saw the White Bull still laying there, Steelbite serving as a make shift gravestone, "And then we shall make off for Starfall."

"Starfall," Mark Ryswell, sullen already, almost jumped from his seat, "But that is still further south!"

"And the nearest friendly port," Arthur didn't look back, "I doubt most Dornishmen will be open to helping you sail north. My family will," he looked down at Dawn, "I…I must return this there, so it might still be useful," he sighed, "And so my bones might rest there."

"Ser Arthur?" the question was from Oswell Whent, a question in his voice.

"We'll finish our plans soon, my brother," Arthur Dayne nodded at his fellow, who cautiously acceded, "Oswell…" finally, Arthur shook his head, "There is still much to do. Our lives still might have meaning. One that might not have come if we were to die here," he then looked back, "We shall need to ready to tear down this tower once Lady Stark and her son make there way down-"

"SON?"

Ned winced, but didn't need to bother to look back at his friends. All of them had been there at Blackhaven. All of them had heard the cries and the screams and the wails. All of them had ridden alongside their lady. They all…well no, Howland Reed seemed to have accepted the statement readily. Perhaps there had been some communication between Howland and Arthur Ned would be unable to understand. After all, it had been the Crannogman who'd been able to talk the Kingsguard down.

"Ned…does that mean?" Martyn's eyes were growing by the instant, as he had come to see what Ned's son was, "She…so there is…," as Ned nodded, Martyn could only stop, and stare at him. Finally, he sighed, and rubbed his temple, "Oh Lya…the wolfsblood could never be tamed."

"The should be down in a few moments," Arthur continued, "It is quite fortunate that a nurse here to take care of Lady Lyanna," several of Ned's companion's flinched at the mention of her name coming from Arthur Dayne's mouth, "So she might be able to assist Lady Artoria in caring for her child. It is very important," Arthur looked over at Oswell, whose face was twisted up together, "That a child is given the best protection possible."

Oswell twitched slightly, before sighing, and nodding. Ned had never managed to ask if Lyanna and Rhaegar had actually married. Ned suspected, from the way that the two remaining Kingsguard acted, that perhaps they had if only for the formality of keeping Jaeherys from being a bastard.

'Jaeherys,' Ned inwardly groaned, 'Will need to change the name.'

The next hour or so was spent preparing to tear down the Tower of Joy. The hope would be that with it torn down, there would be no record of the events here, and only the men here would be able to speak on it. While they arranged their horses to being pulling a load bearing stones, Ned couldn't help but also work for readying for the other goal of the day. Already, a small pile of wood was laid outside the Tower, with Gerold Hightower laying on it.

'Now just to wait for Lyanna,' Ned thought.

Only after the whole thing was ready, did the door at the top of the stairs come open. Cu, holding Lyanna in his arms, descended down towards Ned. He held the body very gently, his arms resting beneath her knees and upper back, her head nestled into his right bicep. The young man had been crying, with dry tear stains imprinted on his face. Ned motioned towards the pyre, and Cu, ever loyal Cu, walked with the girl he had lived with for over ten years, and rested her not too far from the old Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.

And then came the other three, Artoria, Wylla and his…his son. Part of Ned's stomach twisted to each side, but he continued to look at them. Wylla was a nursemaid of some experience, the way she was instructing the specific ways to hold the babe. The babe was making less sounds now, a few cries and gurgles, but none of the sustained wailing from up in the room. It only barely moved its head, and Wylla had to help Artoria in holding the boy's head up in the proper manner as they descended the stairs.

And yet…Ned could see that Artroria's lips were carved upward, her eyes constantly moving back from the stairs as she walked down them, to the babe in her arms. There were times where she was forced to stop, the long travel having robbed her of much of her strength, but she would give her mind and eyes to the small boy in her arms, and almost immediately right herself.

'She has not been this happy since…since Storm's End mayhaps?' Ned thought, as Artoria finally placed her feet on the stone floor. She walked out, into the crowd of their companions, and held the boy up for them all to see.

"My son," she said.

"...," the whole group remained silent, before finally, Howland Reed came forward. The only one of the group shorter than Artoria, his hunched stance bringing his eyes level to babe, "Aye," he said, "Strong one, this is," he turned back, "After everything, I suppose it was back in Winterfell you made him then."

"...yes," Ned thought, for the first time realizing that it had been nearly a year since he and Artoria had fled Casterly Rock, and around the amount of time a babe was in the womb, "Yes, that would make some sense."

"...The Great Jon may have done more than even we thought," Mark Ryswell offered, looking at the child with some kind of awe. If only for a moment, the sullen marks on his face were gone.

"...Thank the gods he's got Stark colors Ned," Martyn Cassel sighed. Ned nodded, and part of him wondered what would have happened if the boy had taken after his father. The image of a small skull broken apart with a silver fuzz atop its crown was enough to make it clear that he had at least been given a few blessings. As Ned watched Artoria run her fingers through the boy's hair, Ned looked at her arms, and then at her belly.

'Many curses and blessings,' he thought. He walked up to Artoria, and placed a hand on her shoulder. There was no flinch now, and in fact, she leaned into his hand, 'Perhaps…some that are both together,' he shook his head.

"Jon," Artoria's voice came into Ned's ears, and he looked down. She had finally turned her attention to Ned. Her eyes were certainly happier, but…still there was a pain in the back of them. Ned could only nod.

Robb…Sansa…those names were buried in Blackhaven.

"Jon," Ned nodded, and Artoria smiled, pulling Jon up further. The boy's eyes were half closed, the sudden burst of activity likely wearing the poor little one out. Ned wished he could join his…his son in sleep.

Yet…

"By Gods, old and new," Willam began. As a descendant of the Barrow Kings, he knew the rituals of death, whether they be Andal, Rhoynar or First Men. He would lead the ceremony, as slowly, Arthur Dayne readied a torch to light the pyre, "We ask for save trav-"

Ned could not hear the rest of the chant, as he stared at Lyanna. Her belly was still distended from the birth, and her skin was paler than he had ever thought possible. She no longer looked as the she-wolf, but as just another woman, off to whatever fate the gods might grant her. Whatever anger he might have felt was likely to burn with the body. He could not remain infuriated by her, he was her sister after all. It had not been Lyanna who had killed Brandon and Father. Even if her actions had led to it, she was just another member of his family who these trips south had taken from him.

'Gods," Ned thought, 'The South has taken four of them from me,' in the back of his mind, the image of a portrait of himself, his mother and father, and Brandon, Lyanna and Benjen, came to mind, 'Only Benjen and I remain,' he pondered. He could tell he was crying, and he only could keep his weeping contained as a coughing fit. One look to his left told him that he was only controlling himself in comparison to Cu, who Ned could see had fallen to his knees.

And yet, as he continued to weep, he felt his hand suddenly taken up by a smaller one. He returned his gaze to his right, and saw the verdant fields of his wife's eyes. She had tears at the edge of them, but she was remaining firm. And as she did so, Ned could only nod to her, and take in a deep breath. The breath had calmed him, and then he pushed himself straight south had taken so much family from him…he supposed that, while watching the last of those losses be burnt to her bones, that it would at least give him some more in compensation.

"Take care of my sister," the words cut through the air, and Ned looked over. Arthur Dayne, who had finished setting fire to the pyre, was speaking to Howland Reed. The smaller man gave a sound nod, and then stepped away from the Kingsguard. The older man smiled, and then made one last gesture to Oswell, "Oswell, my final order as your commander…is for you to become a true knight. Take Dawn," a quick look showed that the white sword was laying on ground, no longer in its master's scabbard, "And go east. There is much you can do in your exile…you can do many a great deed.."

"Wait," Oswell, who had been staring at the flames, turned to Arthur Dayne, "Ser Dayne, what ar-"

"You are a greater knight than you know," Arthur began, as he stalked toward the flames, "I am entrusting you to do what I could not…be a knight worthy of the title," he shook his head, "I…I failed to do as I could my friend," he stood up, "I allowed my own desires and friendship to cloud my judgment," he looked into the fire, "I must tie up the last frayed string, or those that remain might be in danger."

"Wh-"

"Rhaegar Targaryen and I were the friends," Arthur said, looking deeply into the fire, "I was his closest companion, even more than Jon Connington. If I was alive, those that brought down Rhaegar would need to kill me if only to end the chance of rebellion against the new dynasty," he shook his head, "And they may investigate the Daynes, which would endanger my family, and the secrets," he gave a quick look over to Jon, "we hide."

"Please Ser Ar-"

But it was too late. Arthur Dayne stepped forward, and disappeared into the fire. Ned, did not hear screams, though that could have been from the roar of the fire itself. Oswell only barely held himself up, eyes wildly careening from the fire to Dawn.

And as the sun finally set, leaving them only with the slowly dying flames of the pyre, Ned was again reminded that in this war, it was not just the Starks who had lost too much.