Torrhen was currently sitting in a chair next to his father while he was laying unconscious in bed. Luckily Ned had no serious injuries, but the back of his calf did have a small cut on it that had to be taken care of or else it could get infected. Torrhen has not left the chair since bringing Ned here a couple hours ago, he sent the last remaining Stark guards to collect Arya and Sansa to their rooms and guard them until he tells them other wise. As he is getting comfortable, the door opens to reveal the King and Queen.
Robert: Is he alright, lad?
Torrhen: He is because I was there if not the Kingslayer and his men would had killed him
Cersei winced when Torrhen mentioned her twin brother but Robert and Torrhen didn't notice
Robert: That's good, it's just his calf?
Torrhen: Yes 'He said holding in his anger' He will walk with a cane for a day or so
Robert: Do you know what your father was doing?
Torrhen: No, he just let me go with him since he has been busy since he got here then out of no where the Kingslayer attacks us, killed 10 Stark men for no reason
Robert: I see, well we will just have to wait until Ned wakes then
Time seemed to go by slow for Torrhen, he did not want the king and queen here when Ned woke up. He had no clue how long they had been waiting when finally Ned started to stir, after another five or so minutes, the Lord of Wimterfell finally woke up. Ned looked around, not really surprised seeing the king here, he was a little shocked seeing the queen here but of course to the outside world, you couldn't see it on his emotionless face.
Ned: Your pardon, your Grace. I would rise, but...
Cersei: Do you know what your wife has done?
Ned: She did nothing I did not command
Robert: Who would had thought she had it in her
Cersei: By what right dare you lay your hand on my blood
Ned: I am the King's Hand, charged with keeping the peace
Cersei: You were the King's Hand. You shall now be held accountable.
Robert: Will both of you shut your mouths?! Catelyn will release Tyrion and you'll make your peace with Jaime.
Ned: He butchered my men!
Cersei: Lord Stark was returning drunk from a brоthеl when his men attacked Jaime.
Robert: Quiet, women
Ned: Jaime has fled the city. Give me leave to bring him back to justice.
Robert stares at Ned. Torrhen is reading the room, trying to put the puzzle pieces together, he knew Lady Stark wouldn't take the queen's brother without a reason but he doesn't know. He does know that the king will stay on the fence and not pick a side. After a few awkward seconds of silence, the queen broke the silence.
Cersei: I took you for a king
Robert: Hold your tongue
Cersei: He's attacked one of my brothers and abducted the other. I should wear the armor and you the gown
Robert slapped Cersei, Torrhen had to hold his mouth close so he didn't make a loud gasp
Cersei: I shall wear this like a badge of honor
Robert: Wear it in silence or I will honor you again
Cersei stares Robert down a few seconds then she looks at Ned, then towards Torrhen, he couldn't tell how she looked at him but after she looked at him, she left the room
Robert: See what she does to me? 'pours wine from a goblet into a cup; My loving wife. I should not have hit her.'sits down on the bed, facing away from Ned' . That was not... That was not Kingly
He starts drinking some wine, Torrhen just looks at the king in disgust
Ned: If we don't act, there will be war
Robert: So tell your wife to return that little sh¡t of an Imp to King's Landing. She's had her fun, now put an end to it. You hear me? Send a raven and put an end to it.
Ned: And what about Jaime Lannister?
Robert grimaces, but Torrhen just stared at the guy, the longer he was around the guy, the more he lost respect for him. How could this fat king be the warrior of such tales?
Ned: What about Jamie?
Robert: : I'm half a Kingdom in debt to his bloody father! I don't know what happened between you and those yellow-haired shits. I don't want to know. This is what matters... I can't rule the Kingdoms if the Starks and the Lannisters are at each other's throats. So enough.
Torrhen: 'in a whisper' Maybe you wouldn't be if you actually acted like a king
If Ned or Robert heard him, they didn't say a word, they acted like he wasn't even there
Ned: As you command, your Grace. With your leave, I will return to Winterfell and set matters straight.
Robert: Piss on that. Send a raven. I want you to stay. I'm the King. I get what I want... I never loved my brothers. A sad thing for a man to admit, but it's true. You were the brother I chose. 'he looks back at Ned, he stands up' We'll talk when I return from the hunt. 'he throws the hand's badge at him'
Ned: The hunt?
The king starts walking towards the door, not even looking at Torrhen
Robert: Killing things clears my head. 'he reaches the door' You'll have to sit on the throne while I'm away. You'll hate it more than I do.
Ned: The Targaryen girl
This got Torrhen's attention, the king opens the door.
Robert: Seven hells! don't start with her again. The girl will die and I'll hear no more of it. Put on the badge. And if you ever take it off again, I swear to the Mother I'll pin the damned thing on Jaime Lannister.
Robert exits while closing the door Ned picks up the badge the badge then he remembered that Torrhen was in the room too. Ned just stares at him, people always told Ned that he was hard to read at times because of his facial expressions, looking at Torrhen, he now understood what people meant.
Ned: Torrhen
Torrhen: Save it, I don't understand why you didn't say anything, you can trust me? Am I not your Heir? Is there anything else you might want to tell me?!
Ned: 'Grimaces a bit' I do trust you, I just did not want to get you involved
Torrhen: I already am, I'm guessing Lady Stark thinks that Tyrion had something to do with Bran?
Ned: Sometimes you are too smart for your own good
Torrhen: Yeah but you have to be smart about it, I doubt Tyrion would do something like that
Ned: Why do you say that? Someone snuck into Winterfell trying to finish the job but luckily, Bran's wolf was there. The attacker had Tyrion's dagger
Torrhen: Excuse me?
Ned: What?
Torrhen: One I am more mad that you didn't tell me that. Two, why would he hire someone to off someone then give him his personal dagger for the job, it makes no sense
Ned: You are right, I shall look into it
Torrhen: Just be careful
Ned: I will
Torrhen: Stark men don't do well in the south
With that Torrhen left his father's chambers. He was now more confused than ever. His life was simpler three months ago but to his surprised, he quite like the new change. Seeing more of the Kingdom gave him more perspective, to see how another city was run. He would never tell Ned this though, he was enjoying his time at Kings Landing so far. Torrhen was interrupted from his thinking when he heard his sister's voice
Arya: They killed Jory. My father is hurt. I don't care about stupid wooden swords.
Syrio: You are troubled?
Arya: Yes
Syrio rattles his sword close to her face, Torrhen is now standing in the shadows where he can now watch his sister and her dance partner
Syrio: Good! Trouble is the perfect time for training. When you are dancing in the meadow with your dolls and kittens, this is not when fighting happens.
Arya: I don't like dolls and k-
Syrio swipes her arm with his wooden sword, making the Stark girl stop her talking
Syrio: You're not here. You're with your trouble. If you are with your trouble when fighting happens
He steps back as she advances. She parries, then he turns, around her sword, to be right in front of her, causing her to fall
Syrio: More trouble for you. Just so. How can you be quick as a snake... ' they fight, as she stands up' Or as quiet as a shadow 'their swords meet again. Syrio disarms her by taking her sword with his hand and quickly turns to place his, and her sword, at her neck' When you are somewhere else? 'he removes the swords and holds them in one hand. He places his hand on her shoulder' You are fearing for your father. 'she nods' That is right. Do you pray to the God?
Arya: the old and new
Syrio: There is only one God and his name is Death. And there is only one thing we say to Death 'he lifts her head up with his finger on her chin' "Not today."
He steps back and makes a dancing stance. Arya takes a step back as he advances. Torrhen watches for a few minutes, Syrio corrects Arya a few more times before finishing their dance for the day, as Syrio leaves he nods toward Torrhen as the Stark goes to talk to Arya.
Torrhen: You know he is right you know
Arya jumped a little, Torrhen laughed, he wasn't trying to scare her, I guess he really didn't see him when he entered the room.
Arya: About what?
Torrhen: When you are in a sword battle, you have to have your full focus on the battle or it will be your death
Arya: I know . . . I am just worried for father 'then in a whisper' and you . . .
Torrhen: My little wolf, do not worry, I will not let someone kill father, they will have to deal with me first
Arya: I know . . . it's just -
Arya was conflicted, should she mention what she heard in the dungeon? No she thought but she would use it as motivation to get better with her dancing. Torrhen was always looking out for his siblings, it is time for someone to look after him.
Torrhen: Arya, my sweet little sister, remember, as long as the pack sticks together, we shall be fine
Torrhen then hugged Arya, she hugged him like her life depended on it. Arya didn't know what she would do if anything happened to Torrhen. The heir to Winterfell escorted his sister to her room then decided to wonder the castle some more, he found some secret passage way not to long ago and he wanted to explore as much as possible. He would explore for a little over an hour. He decided to go back to his chambers to take a quick, peaceful nap but of course, his nap would not be peaceful.
The darkness swirled around him, thick as the winter fog that clung to the battlements of Winterfell. He could sense a presence, familiar yet distant. A figure emergedNed Stark, his father, but the edges of his memory were blurred, like a painting left out in the rain.
Ned stood before him, blood staining the snow beneath his feet, his breath misting in the cold air. Torrhen wanted to call out, to rush forward and grasp his father's hand, but his feet felt rooted to the ground.
Ned: Torrhen... 'Ned's voice was a whisper, heavy with sorrow.' Promise me... don't let the past destroy you.
The scene shifted violently, like the turn of a page in a fevered book. Now, Torrhen stood in a great hall of some place he couldn't tell, but it was silent, too silent. The bodies of Robb and Lady Stark lay before him, their faces pale and lifeless. A chill gripped his heart. He stumbled back, unable to comprehend the horror around him.
Torrhen: Why...?
He gasped, but the words hung in the air, unanswered. Tears fell from his eyes. The walls of wherever this place was, crumbled into shadows, and the hall faded into a nightmarish landscape.
Suddenly, he found himself outside, Winterfell, the once-proud castle reduced to rubble. Ash fell like snow, and the sky burned a deep crimson. He could hear the distant echoes of chaos screams, clashing steel, the cries of those who had once called this place home. The realm was in shambles, a reflection of his own disarray.
Amidst the destruction, a voice, rich and commanding, resonated through the air. It felt both ancient and alive, wrapping around him like a serpent.
Majestic Voice: This is your future, Torrhen Stark. A kingdom lost to despair and ruin.
Torrhen strained to listen, fighting the weight of despair pressing down on him. "What can I do?" he pleaded, his voice barely a whisper against the howling wind.
Voice: Find the (Redacted) 'the voice intoned, echoing with urgency' Only then can you change your fate.
But just as he grasped the words, they slipped away, tangled in the confusion of his dream.
Torrhen:What...? 'he stammered, the sense of dread growing deeper.' Who must I seek? What must I do?! 'His voice now desperate'
Voice: Go find her. 'the voice urged, softer now, more intimate, as if it were speaking directly to his heart.' You know who to find. Seek her out, if you wish to change this future.
The darkness began to close in again, and with it, the sense of purpose ignited within him. Torrhen's resolve hardened as he felt a flicker of warmth in the depths of the chaos. The vision faded, but the echo of the voice lingered, a beacon in the abyss. Torrhen woke up in a puddle of sweat with tears running down his face. He felt so disoriented, he had no idea how long he was taking a nap.
Torrhen: I don't understand, that felt so real . . .
Torrhen wiped himself of the sweat, then changed clothes. He just set on his bed thinking of all these dreams he kept having, they obviously meant something but he did not know who to seek advice from. Would they assume he was crazy or some scared little boy who can't handle a nightmare. First thing Torrhen thought he should do was seek the library, maybe a book had an answer he was seeking. So, he started towards the door when Ned walked into his room and told him to follow him. The didn't say a word as they walked with a quick pace back to Ned's chamber. Once they were inside, Torrhen saw his sisters sitting on the bed so Torrhen found a seat in the corner. Ned closed the door, not before he checked something then he set down at the foot of the bed.
Ned: I am sending you three home.
Torrhen: Excuse me?
Sansa: What?
Arya: Why?
Ned: Listen
Sansa: What about Joffrey?
Arya: Are you dying because of your leg? Is that why you are sending us home? You want Torrhen to go ahead and start ruling?
Ned: What? No
Torrhen: You don't want me to rule?
Ned: Torrhen, I am being serious, stop jesting
Sansa: Please, Father
Arya: You can't. I've got lessons with Syrio. I am finally getting good
Ned: This isn't a punishment. I want you 'to Sansa' and your sister safe. Torrhen would keep you two safe on the trip back.
Arya: Can we take Syrio back with us?
Sansa: Who cares about your stupid dancing teacher? I can't go. I'm supposed to marry Prince Joffrey. I love him and I'm meant to be his Queen and have his babies.
Torrhen: Have mercy on my soul . . .
Arya: Seven hells
Ned: When you're old enough, I'll make you a match with someone who's worthy of you, someone brave, gentle and strong
Sansa: I don't want someone brave, gentle and strong. I want him! 'Arya smiles and lightly chuckles. Ned tries not to smile, looking down while Torrhen is shaking his head and mumbling something' He'll be the greatest King that ever was, a golden lion, and I'll give him sons with beautiful blond hair.
Torrhen: Did she meet a different Joffrey?
Unbeknownst to them, Ned stops looking at them, looks up and starts to ponder something, almost like he is on the verge of realizing something . . .
Arya: The lion's not his sigil, idiot. He's a stag, like his father.
Sansa: He is not. He's nothing like that old drunk King.
Torrhen: I'm surrounded by idiots 'faces falls into his hands'
Ned: Go on girls, get your Septa and start packing your things.
Ned turns away and walks to his desk, while Torrhen is staring him down
Sansa: Wait!
Arya: Come on! ' she grabs Sansa's arm and pulls her towards the door
Sansa: It's not fair!
Arya opens the door and leaves with Sansa, who quickly turns her head back at Ned before being pulled out of the room. Ned sits on a chair and opens a book on his desk, The Lineages of The Great Houses of Westeros. He turns a few pages before stopping at House Baratheon, he looks up to see Torrhen still there
Ned: Go on, you as well
Torrhen: Bu-
Ned: Trust me on this!
Torrhen: As you wish
With that Torrhen opens the door then shuts it, Ned goes back to the book
Ned: Lord Orys Baratheon, black of hair. Axel Baratheon, black of hair. Lyonel Baratheon, black of hair. Steffon Baratheon, black of hair. 'he turns a page' Robert Baratheon, black of hair. Joffrey Baratheon... Golden-head. 'he looks up, shocked, and closes the book'
Torrhen is seen walking the gardens, he is trying to enjoy the last time he will probably be here. Even though the Stark is enjoying his walk, he has this feeling something bad is about to happen. Also, he feels eyes staring at him. He knows if he feels this way, he probably is, when it comes to his gut feelings, he is right way more times than he is wrong. One thing for sure though, is that Torrhen will not panic, the person will reveal themselves soon. He stops walking when he hears his name being called.
Cersei: I am so glad that I was able to catch you, Torrhen
Torrhen: My queen
Cersei: You have been avoiding me, why is that?
Torrhen: I have not, I have been doing my normal activities, maybe it was you that is avoiding me
Cersei: 'She steps closer to him' And miss seeing such a handsome face everyday? I don't think so tiger
Torrhen: You are getting bolder and bolder, my queen
Cersei: Yes well you better hurry up about my offer, with what your father is up to, he will need all the help he can get
Torrhen: 'Confused' What do you mean?
Cersei: 'Smirks' it might be better if you ask him, love
She kisses his cheek and walks away. Torrhen is stunned for a second before he finally looks around to realize nobody else is in the garden with him. Cersei knew he would be in the garden at this time and made sure no one would disturb her. What is her end game, Torrhen thought. He shook his head, better not to think about that right now he thought, he had to go search for his father. What could Ned be up to that Cersei thinks he will need help? Torrhen cleared his thoughts as he found Ned just outside his door.
Torrhen: Father
Ned: Torrhen, what's wrong?
Torrhen: Let's go inside
The two opened the door, Ned went to sit at his desk, while Torrhen closed the door then set across from him.
Ned: What is it? Something wrong?
Torrhen: No, nothing is-
Before he could finish the door was pushed open with some force, both Starks out of instinct reached for the swords but stopped when they saw who it was, Renly Baratheon came rushing through the door, covered in blood.
Ned: Renly, what is-
Renly: It's Robert! Come Ned
As soon as he finished his sentence, he was gone, the two Starks followed after the Youngest brother of Robert. He was moving through the castle quickly. They weren't running but they definitely weren't walking. They made it to the King's chambers when Ned walked inside while Torrhen felt like it was best to wait outside.
Torrhen has a nice conversation with Ser Barristan while he is waited for Ned, seeing how Torrhen keeps looking towards the door, the old knight tells him what happened on the hunt. The Stark can't believe the King could be that stupid, he ensures to the old knight that it wasn't his fault, someone like Robert should be able ti handle that boar plus it was an order from the King. Not long later, everyone but Ned exists the room. Torrhen just stares at the ground, every now and then he would look up to see Cersei eyeing him like a piece a meat.
Finally, his father exit the King's room, he walked past Torrhen going to speak with Ser Barristan, Torrhen wasn't surprised by this, he just followed behind them. A few other people talked with Ned, some of them Torrhen did not know who they were. Finally after a few more minutes of walking, it was just the two Starks, once they were in the Hand's chamber, Ned turned around, putting his hands on Torrhen's shoulder.
Ned: Listen here Torrhen, everything is about to change
Torrhen: He's dead isn't he?
Ned: Yes, I doubt he will make it to night time
Torrhen: What do you need of me?
Ned: Sansa and Arya. Go ahead and take them back to Winterfell, I don't know how the queen will act when Robert is gone. Get to Winterfell as fast as you can, you hear me?
Torrhen: I will not let anything happen to them
Ned: I know you won't, but Torrhen
Torrhen: Yes?
Ned: I - never mind, just be careful
Torrhen: I always am
Ned hugged Torrhen then ushered him out the door, for some reason, Torrhen felt strange, Ned acted like something might happen to him. Plus, what was he about to say? Next time he sees him, he will find out. Currently though, he needed to find his sisters. Sansa shouldn't be hard to find, she was either with the prince or the Septa. If Torrhen had to guess, she was with the Septa. After a few minutes of walking, he found Sansa and indeed she was with the Septa, he told them both to head to the garden, he will meet them there once he gets Arya then they will head to Winterfell.
Finding Arya was somehow harder than he thought and that was saying something. Torrhen felt like he had searched the whole castle but no signs of the little wolf. Then it came to Torrhen, her dancing lessons probably just started, no wonder he couldn't find her, he checked where she usually practices first but after spending all this time looking for her, she probably just now made it to dancing lessons. Torrhen shook his head at that, he should had remembered what time her lesson was, but oh well he thought. Once he turn the corner, one hallway away from where Arya was practicing, he ran into some guards.
Torrhen: My mistake boys
Guard 1: Torrhen Stark
Torrhen: Who is asking?
Guard 1: We have been ordered by the queen, to take you to her chambers
Torrhen: Any way I can tell my little sister something and meet you there?
Guard 2: No, we were ordered to find you and immediately bring you to the queen
Torrhen: Lad the way boys
Torrhen shook his head, he had been doing that a lot lately, but man the queen is being impatient Torrhen thought. He did not find this change what so ever but soon that would change. The guards stopped in front of the door, one of the guards knocked, after a second he stepped inside, then back outside then pushed Torrhen through the door. When Torrhen walked in, he saw the queen come from behind her changing area, with some revealing clothes on
Torrhen: U-Uh my queen, this is-
Cersei: Hush my boy, let me do all the talking.
She pushed Torrhen against the wall and grabbed below his waste to get a good feel of him
Cersei: Oh my, if you are that big soft, I can't wait for later
Torrhen: Excuse me but I didn't agree to your deal
He grabbed Cersei's hand and pushed it to the side but Cersei just smirked at him, then got really close to his face, stood up on her toes, then whispered into his ear then licked him
Cersei: You will if you don't want good and honorable Ned Stark to die for treason
Torrhen: What?! He would never!
Cersei: Oh but he did, not long after Robert died, he and the small council was called to the throne to bend the knee to King Joffrey but he said that Joffrey wasn't the rightful king, that sounds like treason, does it not?
Torrhen: H-He wouldn't do that
Cersei: But he did, now as the queen I could just send him back to your home to let him live out his days as Warden of the North or he will be labeled a traitor, You know what happens to traitors right?
Torrhen: Yes . . .
Cersei:So, I don't need to say it. Now 'She licks her lips' let's have some fun, you know how long I have been waiting for this?!
The Master of Whispers was having a pretty good day, everything hadn't gone according to his plan but it was close enough. Everything did not have to be perfect as long as the outcome was what he wanted. To this point, everything was going according to his plan, now he was just waiting, more like hoping this next part would fall into place. He knew some in history will see him in a bad light, but if this move worked, then his name will go down in history. But for actually a really good thing. Varys knew this is what the realm needed. He just now needed to finish up this note and he would be done for the day, but a knock at his door stopped him
Varys: Come in
In walked a man, the one person Varys had been waiting on, he suppressed a smile and put on his serious face.
Varys: I have been expecting you. Come sit down
The hooded figure set across from Varys and removed his good
?: I need your help
Varys: I know, I figured you would turn to me
?: Will you help me?
Varys: Of course but only if you will help me
?: I will! Just promise me you will
Varys: I promise I won't betrayed you, I believe this is the start of a beautiful partnership . . .
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
..
...
...
...
...
...
Varys: Wouldn't you agree, . . . Torrhen Stark?
AN:
Whatcha Think?
Predictions for the future?
Torrhen's face claim is Hayden Christensen