[Chapter Size: 3100 Words.]
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Third Person POV
Winterfell, 298 AC.
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"Take the shield off the cart, let's talk to the people who took it." Lord Stark said as his men began to remove the shield with two guards, supporting it so it wouldn't touch the ground.
"Father, I heard about the shield." Arya came out of the castle at that moment, while I watched Jon's shield being carried by the men. The two guards behind her exchanged glances.
"Arya, I haven't spoken to you about this, but what exactly happened?" He asked in a serious tone, knowing Arya had already read Jon's letter.
"It's better if we talk in private, father." She said, while analyzing the surroundings. Many people were staring at them, especially now that not only her personal guards were around, but also Stark guards near her, placed there by her father to aid in her protection after the incident with the queen.
The queen was still being treated in Maester Luwin's chamber, and she was screaming insults, constantly threatening Arya.
That had caused some changes in the castle as well. All the Unsullied were now inside Winterfell, divided throughout the courtyard, even guarding Arya's quarters, while others stood still like statues, yet always keeping an eye particularly on the men wearing the golden lion sigil on their armor.
Even if she was or wasn't responsible for the attack, he would not let his daughter get hurt.
"Alright." Lord Stark responded to his daughter's request. "Bring the shield to my solar. Let's go there, daughter." He said quickly. They entered the castle, while the guards placed the shield in a corner of the room, leaning it against the wall, leaving only Lord Stark and Arya in the room shortly afterward.
"Tell me, Arya, what does this mean?" Ned promptly asked, wanting to know what all this mystery was about. He hadn't done so the day before due to the problems that had occurred.
"Jon was fighting a dragon... He found an ancient creature in Skagos. It is known as one of the most dangerous, a dragon that had vanished in the middle of the Dance of the Dragons war." She informed, while Lord Stark raised an eyebrow.
"You're saying there was a living dragon after those events, more than 150 years ago? And in Skagos?!" Ned was a bit stunned, while Arya nodded carefully.
"Yes, father. And it wasn't just any dragon. He was known as Cannibal."
"Sorry, I've never been interested in dragons. I don't know him." Lord Stark murmured, not knowing what that name meant, but it sounded quite intimidating. He paused before continuing.
"So... Jon faced this dragon and ended up choosing the North to land with it while they fought each other? You know the fire he caused, that was no joke!" He didn't hold back from reprimanding Jon about that. "He certainly scared a lot of people and burned down half an entire forest and the fire hasn't fully gone out... Everyone thinks he placed one of the ships there and launched wildfire. And they will keep thinking that, especially once the rumor about the shield spreads." He said.
Many people had heard about the Valyrian steel shield arriving in Winterfell. And all of them, without a doubt, would recognize the snowflake sigil. The Tyrell brothers were in the courtyard along with other nobles; they certainly didn't take their eyes off the shield.
Lord Stark could even expect his friend to walk through that door uninvited, demanding explanations.
"I can assume that Jon is alive. But is he well?" Lord Stark asked carefully, which was quite obvious, since someone had sent a message to Arya. At the same time, he was worried about Jon.
"Yes, Jon is well... He said he needed that dragon for the war and managed to conquer it. I don't know many details about what happened, but it wasn't an easy battle. Anyway, Jon said the ship will soon be in White Harbor. He has some things to deliver to you and asked for them to be brought here." She said, while Ned nodded.
"Alright. We'll deal with that later. Now, setting Jon aside, we need to talk." He spoke in a slightly darker tone, as he looked at his daughter, a bit tired. They needed to have this kind of conversation.
"Arya, what happened today is something that can never be resolved with words, diplomacy, or whatever kind of politics there is." He said in a weary tone, already imagining that she had been the one who attacked the queen.
"Father, I know you're worried, but we can't let this go on. That woman... she's too dangerous, and I'd rather just kill her once and for all." Arya replied, as her father looked at her in horror.
"Arya, we don't act like that!" He said with a firm and raised tone.
"Wait for one of us to end up dead? Father, that woman won't stop until she's satisfied. She's a danger to you, to my brothers, while I'm beyond the Wall... I won't just stand still while she poses a threat to all of us." Arya said in a serious tone.
"We're not going to commit murder, Arya. We're not going to stoop to that. I'll tolerate what happened to her because she tried to assassinate you, but we can't act like vengeful beasts. We have to have honor and be just!" He spoke, while Arya held herself back from rolling her eyes.
Her father was too righteous in that regard, while the game of thrones was dangerous and deadly. Even with all the warnings, her father still seemed to cling to honor. And Arya couldn't really blame him for that.
"Father..." She still tried to insist, but her father shook his head.
"No, Arya. I want you to promise me that you won't try anything like this again. Promise me you won't commit any murder! I'm ordering you as your father this time." He said in a tone as serious as the one he had in the Wolf's Wood, when scolding her for going alone into a trap, returning to Winterfell.
Arya tried to argue for a moment, but hesitated as she lowered her head.
"Alright, father. I promise I won't commit any murder." She said, though she still didn't trust the queen. And what else could she do but give this to her father? She also didn't want him to be disappointed in her for being an assassin.
Lord Stark calmed down and looked at his daughter with satisfaction.
"If there are only a few days left for you to remain in Winterfell... I suggest you spend more time with your brothers during their punishments." He said suddenly, and Arya nodded.
"Yes. I'll do that." She said, but hadn't said goodbye or made any move to leave the room, while analyzing her father's face.
He noticed and raised an eyebrow.
"Something wrong?"
Despite the tension for several reasons, he didn't know what it was. What was she thinking at that moment?
"Father, you're tense with everything that's happening, I can see that, but... you seem like a happier man." She said, opening a small proud smile.
"So you know... then." He simply said.
"I wasn't spying on you, but I saw Cassandra enter your room." She said, while Lord Stark nodded.
"Cassandra and I have perhaps reached an understanding." He admitted.
"I'm happy for you, father. You deserve to have someone by your side again." She said.
"You think so? It's only been a little over a year since I separated from your mother." He murmured.
"It's true. And I'm sure Sansa won't accept it. It'll be a challenge. Are you prepared for the complications that will come from this? It's not that I don't want your happiness, father, but there are certain problems that will happen." She said, and Stark nodded. She was right.
"Yes, daughter. Even so, I'm willing to try." He said.
"And I don't want to interfere either, but... you don't love her, do you? Why her and not any other noble, when so many widows and noble daughters would be willing to be Lady of Winterfell?" Arya didn't hold back the question, staring at her father. Not because she disliked Cassandra, but because she wanted to understand why her father clearly didn't love her, given how little time they had spent together. She acknowledged this was a passion between them.
"I hope to have love for her like what happened with your mother years ago... Something we built over time." Ned said.
"And as for why I chose her? Because it seems she's the first woman in my life who chose me instead of being in a commitment with me." He said with a tone full of pain, which made Arya raise her eyebrow, never having seen her father so fragile.
"Father... what happened?" She couldn't help but step closer, her tone full of concern.
"It's nothing, daughter. Don't worry about it. The past is the past. I'm confident in marrying Cassandra. I'm willing to try with her." Lord Stark gave a small smile to his daughter.
"If that's what you want, father, I won't stop you or give a negative opinion. I believe Cassandra is a good woman, who can take care of my brothers and Winterfell. And who knows, maybe you can love her." She paused.
"Maybe we'll have a future baby. I'd love to see a new little wolf." Arya joked, not denying she'd love to have another half-brother.
"I was forced to, Arya." Was all he said, while she nodded, kissed his forehead, and got ready to leave shortly after.
"When you said to spend time with my brothers... can I bring Rickon and Bran to help with the letters you gave me as punishment to help Robb?" She asked, and he nodded. It wouldn't be bad to have his four children in the solar talking, while Robb trained for his next position.
"Of course. Come here in the afternoon." He said.
Some time after Arya had left, the door opened and, as expected, King Robert Baratheon entered. Ned looked up and saw him staring directly at the shield.
Emotions flooded the king's heart in many ways.
"He was in the North?" The king asked, while Ned sighed, watching the door close after he nodded to Jory to shut it, with Barristan Selmy being the last to enter the solar to stand beside the king.
Ned could see the eyes of the commander of the white cloaks fixed on that shield even more than the king's. One could feel fear settling in his eyes, as it belonged to the son of a certain prince he had loved and admired.
"No, Robert. He is not in the North." Ned murmured in a tired tone.
"How did this end up here? Those flames are wildfire, right? Why did he attack a Northern city? Does that mean he has ships on the western side?" Robert began releasing several questions.
"I don't know, Robert. I'll have to send a letter to Arctic and question Jon." Ned said.
"Then do it! He can't just come here and attack the Seven Kingdoms! This is no longer his jurisdiction!" Robert said in a tone full of rage.
"I'd do something better, Robert." He said.
"I'm taking the shield." Robert said then.
"You can't." Ned said.
"He attacks the North with wildfire and leaves this behind? I'll be taking it for the crown." Robert simply said, while Ned raised an eyebrow.
"That still belongs to Jon, Robert. The best would be to return it to him." Ned insisted.
"You want me to gift him back his lost shield, Ned? Your precious son?" Robert's sarcastic tone showed just how stressed he was.
"I'm tired of bowing to this Arctic." He said angrily.
"And you want to start a war? You know very well that this amount of Valyrian steel can easily spark a massive conflict." Ned said, pausing.
"Besides, it was the North that was harmed. Whatever Jon's actions behind this are, that item is under my supervision, not the crown's." Ned challenged his friend with a look, while Robert clenched his teeth.
"So that's it, Ned? You're taking Arctic's side after everything they've done over the years?" He accused.
"I'm not taking anyone's side. I'm standing for what's right. The forest was burned, yes, but hadn't Jon helped many Northern farms years ago? I say one mistake might be repaid by his past actions." He said.
After all, Jon had somehow managed to magically transform the lands into several farms, which became large, healthy plantations, with no problems from predators or infestations, even highly resistant to the low temperatures that hit during some times of the year, even in summer.
At the same time, he couldn't help but sigh at Robert not questioning the people's descriptions of dragons — no one would really believe dragons were alive at this point, not without seeing one in person. Although, new rumors would surely raise suspicions.
"Ned, I ask you as my friend... your son is crossing all limits. And your daughter did that to my wife, didn't she?" Robert asked in a tone that was even a little dangerous.
"You believe Arya simply controlled that bird to injure the queen, Robert? That sounds a little absurd." He seemed tense, for he was lying.
"I've been seeing a lot of absurd things ever since I first heard of your son. An eight-year-old boy killing grown men and controlling animals..." Robert spat.
"You know the old lion won't be happy about this. And I even fear for your safety and your family's. Even if you seem unwilling to stand by my side, you don't know how fragile the kingdom is becoming with all this. We're trying to strengthen it, but at the same time, it seems everyone is dividing, forming their own powers."
"And what do you want me to do, Robert? I already know what's happening in King's Landing. My daughter informed me very well of your debts. Do you think that by making me your Hand, I'll suddenly improve the realm? Nothing can be done until you stop your luxuries and feasts." Ned said in a serious tone.
"Don't come at me with that, Ned! You know this crown was never meant for me. I was supposed to be the Lord of Storm's End, married to your sister and having a bunch of children with the woman I loved... It was supposed to be him! We would have been a family! That crown was never meant to rest on my head!" He growled, while Ned was a bit surprised by his friend's honest outburst.
Even Barristan Selmy raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Ned sighed at the confession.
Ned was wondering what his friend's reaction would be upon learning that Jon was the son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. He would certainly go mad, and it would probably be something Ned would carry to his grave.
I will never reveal that to Robert, but I knew it was also his actions that made Lyanna pull away from him.
Perhaps Robert had the capacity to care and to see what Lyanna truly wanted, perhaps Lyanna loved him, but his friend had always been a man surrounded by prostitutes and wine, sleeping with servants and noblewomen, fathering all sorts of bastards out there.
"I suppose we can't change the world as it is, Robert." Ned decided to offer a few friendlier words.
"My brother should have taken over Winterfell. I should be the lord of some abandoned castle in the North, raised in a family. I should be with Ashara, if things were truly fair. Raising our children, living peacefully. My father could still be alive, while Brandon ran Winterfell with the children he would've had with Catelyn." He spoke, thinking of how things should have been.
He couldn't help but think about the possibilities. If things were truly fair, they would be like that...
But the world was far too cruel, and their reality was exactly what they now faced — people who had lost precious ones to war in unjust ways. Though Ned believed Robert bore much of the blame for his own actions. He had driven Lyanna away when she discovered his lifestyle and that he already had bastards.
The king also seemed to be thinking, just like Ned. And, surprisingly, he simply let his shoulders fall. He seemed far too stressed that day, and that façade of a jovial, drunken man gave way to a depressing figure. Ned looked at the man he once called brother.
"Please, Ned... open that bottle and drink with me, just for today." He truly said, sitting down tiredly in front of Ned.
"Robert, I don't think that would be a good idea." Ned murmured, just before Robert slammed his fist on the table.
"Ned, we haven't gotten along since the moment I arrived in Winterfell. You refuse every proposal I make, even reject uniting our families. I'll be leaving Winterfell soon. I won't bother you any longer..." He said, surprising Ned.
"At least do me the favor of joining me for a drink, like in the old days. I don't want to talk about any problems, just speak with a friend." He said in a melancholic tone, and Ned seemed torn, but decided to do it, recognizing Robert as his brother — the one who had trained beside him in the Vale, under the care of Jon Arryn, whom they both saw as a father.
Jon Arryn, who had died, also left a bitter taste in Ned's mouth. A more present father than Rickard Stark.
Ned still mourned never having had the chance to be with his rightful biological father.
Back then, he had only received the news that his father had gone to King's Landing to rescue Brandon, and then, the news that they had already been killed in a horrific way.
His father had chosen trial by combat to free Brandon. Aerys chose fire as his champion, while making Brandon watch his father burn alive, even as he was being strangled. Ned couldn't bear to remember it.
"Alright, Robert. Let's talk a bit." Ned said, and Robert nodded, as they prepared to drink a little and recall the past, like the good brothers who had shared many years in the Vale together.
Ser Barristan Selmy left the room shortly after the king's order. After all, he wanted that moment with his companion.
Despite their differences, in that moment, they had a history together too deep to ignore.
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