Chapter 48

His children were accounted for. He sent Robb to retrieve Arya from outside the city. It had been almost five days since they took the city. Jon was responsive and would wake up soon or so the maesters told him. Stannis and him were speaking in private. The prince refused to stay in the city without Arya. He followed Robb after Stannis agreed to hold the city until he came back.

"He's too young, impulsive." Stannis breathed deeply. He'd been wounded during the battle but was holding well on his own.

Ned drank his ale. "He will make a good king; with your guidance of course." He wasn't saying that to gain favor with the new Hand of the King.

"Eddard, there's the matter of my nieces and the Tyrells." Stannis looked at him with his hard blue eyes.

"As you are aware, they are not your nieces by blood." Ned waited for a cue from this man that he knew so little. Robert was his friend. Stannis was always the younger brother. Quiet but fearless, unyielding, couldn't be molded some men said.

"Catelyn's daughters are unaware of the fact; as is Gendry. The prince believes the rumors are filth. They are not at fault and I wouldn't want to see harm come to them. They have suffered enough. The princesses saw as their mother took her life. Cassana is inconsolable. She blames herself for wanting Gendry to come back." Stannis sighed.

"What do you propose?" Stark asked, interested to hear the man.

"Marry them off. Cassana could marry one of your boys and rule in the Eyrie. As for Alayne she could marry one of the Lannisters. Not the kingslayer of course as he wishes to continue in the Kingsguard." Ned could tell Stannis was not fond of his brother in law.

"A one-armed Kingsguard." Ned said surprised.

"We can't very well relegate him. I am also under the impression that it was his left hand and he is right handed." Stannis pointed out.

"Perhaps Kevan Lannister's oldest son Lancel." Ned offered. "As for Cassana she will marry Tommen but may I ask why Cassana and not Alayne or princess Lyanna, as they are older."

Stannis looked at him with hard blue eyes. They were not friends but they respected each other very much. "Very well, Lyanna wishes to uphold her marriage to the Quentyn Martell. As for Alayne, she refuses to marry any Stark because of her sister. Cassana has fallen in love with one of your sons. I am not certain which one. I presume Tommen is the one she fancies."

"We've received ravens from Dorne assuring their loyalty to the true Baratheon claim. Doran Martell is ready to send his son and have him marry my niece and stay in King's Landing." Stannis voiced. Ned listened carefully.

"What is your understanding of Dorne's involvement in this war?" Ned inquired. He was under the impression the Martells and few lesser houses joined them against Gendry but he only saw Martell sigils once his forces entered the city.

"The Viper acted alone. My scouts tell me his forces have retreated to Dorne. The kingslayer mortally wounded him. It would be a surprise if he makes it to the Reach."

"The prince should be here. Gendry should have an input in these decisions." Eddard could tell Stannis ground his teeth.

"He should; instead he is chasing after your daughter like a lost pup." Stannis did not like his youngest daughter. Ned's lips tightened. Had it been his choice he would have taken her back North, where they all belonged. Starks did not do well this South of the Neck.

"I would like nothing more than to rid myself of the Tyrells, and Martells but I can't. Edmure Tully is dead. That leaves the Riverlands without proper lords. Your son and Cassana will rule there; after all she is part Tully and well loved by the people. The Tyrells have agreed to pay reparations for the war. Doran Martell claims no involvement and agreed to keep the viper caged should he reach Dorne alive." Stannis looked at him with hard eyes.

"As you are aware Loras Tyrell killed my brother. I brought justice to Renly and killed Tyrell myself. The matter is that winter is coming and those are not just your words. The Tyrells can provide food supplies reasonably well for King's Landing and other parts of Westeros that cannot provide for their people. I need the Tyrells to be loyal."

"Why then send my son and your niece to the Riverlands?" Eddard waited for Stannis to speak once more.

"I do not trust traitors. I believe the princesses to be innocent. Cassana will do well in the Riverlands. Those Frey let Tywin Lannister and your son through the Twins. They betrayed their lord."

"Walder Frey obeyed his king." Ned replied.

"You and I know that Walder Frey is an opportunist that would have betrayed his mother if it benefitted him. I am sure Lord Lannister offered him a very large amount of gold amongst other favors." Ned couldn't disagree with that.

Stannis was not a man to use subterfuge and went right to heart of the matter. "Margaery Tyrell would make a good wife to your eldest boy or the second one if you as much wish to. I do not care where you place her but I want her married to a Stark and gone from King's Landing and the Reach. Mace Tyrell is said to love his daughter dearly. She is the prized rose of Highgarden and traitorous woman. She wed my brother and am sure she had a part in Renly's death."

Ned frowned, "And yet you wish her to be wedded to one of my boys."

"I claim no disrespect lord Stark. I am asking you to arrange this, have this shrew as a prisoner if you so wish but I need her as far away from Gendry and King's Landing." Stannis said a little forcefully.

Eddard sighed. "She will not be the next lady Stark. I understand your hesitation. Robb will have to marry her. I have accepted Cassana's hand on behalf of Tommen because I understand he has some affection for the girl but I do not know whether Robb will be agreeable to the match."

Stannis nodded. "There is the matter of the Eyrie. Lord Lannister was able to convince the knights of the Vale to obtain access. Lysa Arryn and Lord Baelish were inside. Apparently Lady Arryn saw Lannister and jumped through the moon door. She dragged her new husband with her." Eddard nodded.

"I received the raven today. The Vale knights respectfully refused to take part in the war. There is no heir to the Eyrie and they will upraise if Lord Lannister expands his dominion over to the Eyrie. Gendry has seen fit for your second boy to rule in the Eyrie; if he so chooses to marry the Tyrell girl." Eddard understood Stannis perfectly well. It would be Robb's decision to make. He would have the final say.

"I have sent for Shireen as well as lady Joanna. Gendry would like you to have a seat in the council and I agree." Stannis continued with their affairs.

"I respectfully decline. I should have never accepted Robert's offer to be the new Hand. You and I loved Robert dearly and could never resist him whenever he asked for help. You can shield yourself and believe you obeyed him out of duty but we know we followed Robert because we loved him dearly. He was our brother in a sense. My children an I will stay until Joanna arrives."

"Your daughter will be queen. Your sons will be Wardens of the Riverlands and the East." Stannis said carefully. "It would be most beneficial if you stayed in King's Landing.

"I disagree Stannis. These games are not for you or me for that matter. You have to stay because it is your duty to your nephew but I had a promise with your late brother. My children will see their mother first. The city in under our control; I am sure my father in law will be more than happy to leave half of his forces her to guard King's Landing. As you have said, the Tyrells, Tullys and Martells have been sorted and escorted back to their lands. I saw Brynden Tully and his men ride back this morning. I will leave the Umbers and the Karstarks as long as you need them."

"Very well." Stannis announced and concluded their meeting. Stannis and him were on the same page. Both men lived by a code and would die by that code. They were honorable, not because they wanted other men's respect but because they couldn't live with wrong choices. Stannis was governed by rules of his own. They were familiar to him. Family came first.

Ned left the council room and went to see Jon first. His firstborn was awake; one of the maesters attended to his wound. "My lord, please listen to me. You are safe." Ghost rested on his son's feet

"Ygrette." Jon said and tried to sit.

Eddard entered the room, "Jon, she is gone. A week has past since the battle." He helped the maester put Jon down.

"Let the maester finish the examination and then we will have words." Jon looked at him and nodded.

Ned remembered all those years ago when he fell and they almost lost him. The maester performed a similar examination to the one Luwin performed years ago. Jon followed instructions and even walked.

"You will be fine lord Stark. Rest but try to walk every day for at least a week." The man left. He was one of Stannis's maesters. Grand Maester Pycelle was not welcomed around him or any of his children.

The man left and gave him a small bottle of milk of the poppy. "In case he feels headaches."

Ned shut the door behind him. "Ygrette. I have to find her body. She doesn't belong here. She is of the North." His son rasped.

Lord Stark pulled a chair and sat by his son's side. "Her body as well as Dacey and Lyra Mormont were burned two days ago."

Jon looked at him with infinite sadness. "I wanted to look at her once more. Where are her ashes?"

"She is gone Jon." It wouldn't do well for Jon to know that the ashes were scattered along the Blackwater.

His son did his best to not cry. "She fought bravely. I saw her myself."

"It matters not. It was not her war. Ygrette only wanted to go as far South as possible. I should have protected her. I should have left her with Arya. I should have made an excuse." Jon wept. Eddard hadn't seen his son so affected since he was five and Robb and him got the measles. He was miserable and maester Luwin isolated him since they did not know what illness Jon had until the rash started.

Ned hugged him. He let his son cry until he was spent. "We're going back home as soon as Joanna arrives to King's Landing."

Jon calmed down and nodded. "Father, I apologize. I…" Ned shook his head.

"What happened after Ygrette died?" Jon asked. He was composed by then.

"You killed Garlan Tyrell. We took the city. All your brothers are safe, as is Arya. Tommen lost three fingers. Lannister lost his left hand. Gendry sits on the Iron Throne. Stannis Baratheon will serve as Hand of the King." Ned continued telling him about the outcomes of war and the fate of Catelyn and her daughters. Lord Stark saw the furs move and realized the white furs were Ghost; the direwolf had gone back to the bed. The animal threw him a look and nuzzled Jon's legs.

"That is if your brother accepts to marry the Tyrell girl and rule in the Eyrie." Ned explained.

"Robb is quite taken with lady Talisa." Jon ventured feebly.

"It will be your brother's choice to make." Ned replied simply.

Jon frowned. "He will choose the Eyrie. He'd be a fool not to."

The older man looked at his firstborn with confusion. "I would think you'd favored his affection to lady Talisa."

His son frowned once more. "Ygrette was different than the Volantese woman. My wildling, as you called her wanted me. She loved me as I did her but I knew she would never put on a dress to become lady Stark. We knew it was doomed."

"Lady Talisa is quite enthralled with your brother." Ned pointed out. She'd seen her blush when his son entered her tent.

"Yes, but we're not speaking of Robb. She's taken with Tommen. She was from the moment he set foot in our camp." Jon closed his eyes.

"Tommen of course does not realize it but even if he did he wouldn't act on it. He worships Robb."

Ned was taken aback by the knowledge. "Does Robb know?"

"I'm not certain but lady Talisa is indifferent to him." Jon fell asleep. The older man stepped out of the rooms.

He walked to Tommen's quarters. Shaggydog looked up to him and then went back to his spot by the bed. His boy was trying to write with his left hand. Brynden Tully put a sword through his right hand. Tommen lost half of his index, middle and annular finger. He could hold a sword. In fact Tommen kept fighting until lord Stark personally pulled him aside.

Ned knocked on the open door. "Father, come in." His son smiled at him.

"What are you doing?" The man asked the boy. Only Tommen wasn't a boy anymore. He was as tall as he was and was a man. He fought alongside him. His son was a warrior, as were his older brothers.

"Trying to write with my left hand. The maester said it would take time." Ned could see some letters written, he would need time to improve. He wasn't worried for Tommen. This man in front of him was resilient. He was kind, quiet but fierce. He was the best combination of him and his Cersei.

He smiled, "you can always have a maester write your letters." Tommen smiled back. "That wouldn't be too wise."

Ned laughed. He was Cersei's son. "I hear Robb and Gendry went to retrieve Arya."

"Yes, they should be back before sunset." Ned explained. "Joanna will be here in a few days. We'll ride for Winterfell when she arrives."

Tommen smiled tightly, "I thought you would be joyous to see your twin sister." Joanna and Tommen shared a bond that was most beautiful.

"I am. I miss my sweet sister dearly. Father, I wondered if you could speak with lord Baratheon about the princesses..." Tommen spoke softly.

"They will be safe. Their uncle plans to marry them off. Find them a safe home. Princess Lyanna's engagement still stands. She will stay in court. Princess Alayne will marry your cousin Lancel or other Lannister that your grandfather deems worthy. As for princess Cassana, she will marry you." Ned said firmly.

Tommen grinned, "I must tell her at once. I visited her this morning. She was certain she would be gone to Dragonstone."

"She will not stay in court. You will wed in Winterfell and will live in the Riverlands. You and her will rule those lands side by side." Ned replied.

"Will that be wise?" Tommen said timidly.

"I have the outmost faith in you. Your mother and her lessons, along with maester Luwin were not for show. You fought a war, had a woman, and saved your father from death. Your maesters will be there to support your decisions and you can always send ravens. Your mother and I will be happy to guide you.

"I must see her. Thank you father." Tommen kissed his cheek and ran out of the rooms.

Ned was glad at least one of his children was happy. He went back to his quarters. He pulled a piece of parchment and tried to write to Cersei.

My Lioness,

All of us are safe. This senseless war is done. Gendry will sit on the Iron Throne, as he was expected to by his father. I have sent for Joanna as well. We shall leave King's Landing as soon as she is in the city. I miss you dearly and hope you can forgive for all the pain I have put you through these past years.

Love,

Ned.

Lord Stark came to the realization that he had not seen his wife in about two years. He wished to see her face, to kiss her lips. He wanted his life back. He sent his young squire to the rookery so he could send the short missive. The older man expected the letter to reach Winterfell by the time they were close to the Riverlands.

He had lunch with Stannis, grand maester Pycelle, Tommen and the princesses. Cassana looked better than when he had seen her last. She offered Tommen a very shy smile when he pulled a chair for her and sat next to her. Lyanna and Alayne were just as pale as when he saw them five days ago.

"Uncle, have you considered my request?" Alayne said somberly.

Eddard ate his food silently. He was painfully aware of how uncomfortable the whole situation was.

He watched as Stannis frowned. "Grand maester, leave us."

"My lord, it is only appropriate for me to stay here. My insight could be extremely valuable concerning the princess's inquiries." The old man simpered.

"I doubt that." Stannis did not speak again. The old maester limped away.

"He shouldn't stay here. He is repulsive and conspired against you." Cassana stated.

"As did our late mother." Lyanna whispered.

"Lord Stark, those rumors. Mother said you accused her of being unfaithful. She said that you conspired against the crown and killed father and Gendry. The rumors aren't true. Mother, she was not in the best states of mind." Lyanna spoke anxiously.

Ned looked at the young girl who looked just as Catelyn did twenty years ago. "Your mother made a mistake. She let her head be filled with lies. She disliked your brother and wanted him gone." Ned refused to lie.

"It is true then. What they say? We are not Baratheons." Lyanna pushed onward.

"You are my nieces; Baratheon princesses and that will be the end to those rumors."

Alayne cried and rose to hug her uncle. "I told mother you didn't believe those rumors. She said you wanted to kill us, that you and uncle Renly never loved us. She said father never loved us. Mother said you and father only loved Gendry."

Stannis shook his head, "Catelyn was not in her right mind." 

Ned made to stand and leave, "Lord Stark, please stay." Cassana whispered.

Alayne apologized and sat bad down. She drank some ale and wiped her tears. "Uncle, you have not answered my question about the request."

"Alayne, you are grieving for your late mother." Stannis tried to sound reasonable. 

"I want to become a Silent Sister. I don't want to marry anyone. Uncle, I know you want us to be safe and it wouldn't do for all of us to stay here in King's Landing. Lyanna and Quentyn will be in court. Cassana will go with the Starks and I will have to marry a Lannister. I don't want to uncle." The girl sounded desperate. Tommen frowned. 

"You are a princess; raised as such. The life of a Silent Sister is hard and lonely. Alayne, you were meant to rule over a household, have children and chat endlessly." Lyanna let out a small giggle. 

Alayne smiled too. Cassana laughed, "I don't want to marry a Lannister. I don't want to go West." Alayne repeated after a while.

"Those Lannisters that you are so afraid of have fought for your brother since the beginning. I am part Lannister as are all my brothers and sisters. You would do well to remember that princess." Tommen said with a hard voice.

Stannis shook his head, Lyanna jumped in, "what if she went to Storm's End or Dragonstone?"

"I have decided to give Dragonstone to Lord Davos Seaworth and Storm's End will be Shireen's."

Alayne looked at her uncle with unshed tears. "Uncle, please." 

"Very well then you may choose. It will be the only kindness I can offer you, a Lannister or Matthos Seaworth. You may remember him. Your brother and him trained here two summers ago."

Alayne smiled, "yes. I will marry him and go to Dragonstone."

Tommen frowned but remained quiet. They ate lunch. Stannis asked him to stay back.

"I hope you don't take offense because of Alayne's refusal."

"I don't. Lannister and her family do not have the best history. Catelyn must have filled her head with lies and preconceived thoughts." Ned kept up pretenses. He did not trust all the Lannisters either.

Stannis agreed politely. "The Ironmen were defeated by the Boltons and the small army your son sent. I hear they subdued them back to the Islands. Balon Greyjoy died and his last living son, Theon Greyjoy sailed back to Pyke. He declared loyalty to Gendry and his claim. What do you make of this?"

"The Ironborn lack the manpower and the strength to overpower the continental forces. I would send an envoy with some of my men to sort them." Ned offered. 

Stannis agreed. They spoke about the logistics of recovering. It wouldn't take long; this war had been swift. Not unlike Greyjoy's rebellion all those years ago, shorter than Robert's Rebellion. Jaime Lannister joined them and discussed the men he had on his command. "Give the word and we shall sail to the Iron Islands." His brother in law said while looking at his stump.

"I would like a golden hand. What say you lord Stark?" Jaime sounded as nonchalant and arrogant as ever. Eddard wished Oberyn had maimed the right hand instead. 

Stannis was not a humorous man and reeled the conversation back to keeping Westeros united. It was settled; Lannister would lead the attack on the Iron Islands.

Jaime was the first to spot his nephew. "Father." Robb said as he dragged his sister with him.

"Tell him to let go of me." Arya sounded annoyed.

"Let go of your sister." Ned said. Arya glared at him and then climbed over to his lap. His wolfling was small. She kissed his cheek. "I'm still angry. I'm happy you're fine."

She kissed his other cheek and then stood up. Arya kissed Lannister and curtsied to Stannis.

Gendry nodded at him. "My lord."

"Your grace." He replied.

Robb diffused the tension. "I will go see Jon. Is he awake?"

Ned nodded, "Arya, go with your uncle. He knows where your brother is. Robb, you walk with me."

"Gendry, a word." Stannis motioned to his empty chair.

"How is he?" Robb asked as they left the small dining chambers.

"Your brother is fine. I have a matter for you to consider." Grey Wind tried to play with Robb but his son was intent on listening to him.

"What is it?" Robb asked with a relaxed tone. Ned kept him abreast in the latest developments. 

"We're going home then." He looked resigned.

"We are. Stannis made you an offer. Your grandfather gained access to the Eyrie. Lysa killed herself along with Littefinger. The Eyrie remains without an heir." Ned started.

"Untrue. Sansa Arryn is the heiress. The lands are hers along with uncle Tyrion's." Robb pointed out.

Ned shook his head, "the Knights of the Vale refuse any Lannisters in their lands. The male Arryn line died with Robin. They will war against each other to find a worthy Warden of the East. Stannis proposed another Warden. The Knights have reluctantly accepted. Your grandfather refused to let any crops or livestock inside the Bloody Gates unless they acceded to accepting Baratheon's decrees. Your grandfather of course thought Gendry would grant him the East.

"Grandfather won't be too happy when he learns of this new Warden." Robb muttered.

Ned nodded, "I presume he will not. However, he will not be entirely cheated. After all, it will be his blood ruling over the East."

Robb's eyes rounded, "The Eyrie is yours if you so choose." Ned explained.

"But I'm part Lannister." Robb pointed out. 

"They don't have much of a choice. Their only salvation was their neutrality and now they have to follow Gendry, well Stannis for that matter. Believe me it will be faster to subdue the Eyrie with the Dornish and the Reach's men. Stannis is famed for his skills as your uncle, grandfather and I are. They'd be fools to start an open war. Not even the Bloody Gates would save them then."

"Why then not give it to Grandfather?" Robb asked as they walked through a long passage.

"Stannis is not a fool. He wants his nephew to rule over a united Westeros."

"Father, this is insane. You and Jon control the North, I would rule over the Eyrie. Tommen will have control over the Riverlands. Starks and Lannisters would rule over more than half of Westeros…"

"While most of the rest is controlled by Baratheons and their allies. Your sister will be queen. We would all die before harm comes to her. Stannis knows that. He counts on that. I am sure Olenna and Mace Tyrell would die if harm comes to your future wife. If you so choose of course." Somehow they came to the Godswoods.

"Stannis knows that a united Westeros is what Gendry needs. He will appoint people he trusts or that he has leverage on. Tywin Lannister cares about his legacy, you and your siblings are his legacy until Tyrion graces him with an heir. Tyrell would like to live to see his eldest son married and his daughter safe. Doran Martell is not interested in war and even if he were the rest of Westeros would crush him. They have no allies but for the Baratheons. Stannis will send a small host led by your uncle to subdue any rebellions in the Iron Islands. Gendry will make a good king if he listens to his uncle. Stannis is versed in war tactics and has good advisors. There are other threats on Essos. There are whispers of Daenerys Targaryen raising an army to conquer Westeros. Stannis needs a strong kingdom in case these rumors had a speck of truth." Eddard walked to the weirwood trees.

"How can Stannis and Gendry be sure that we will not rebel" Robb whispered.

"Are you planning to? Would you do such thing? Your sister will be Gendry's queen. She will be the first to be murdered should you attempt to organize and overthrow your king." Ned stated.

"What if they hurt her?" Robb challenged.

Eddard had to laugh at the notion. "He trails after her. She has more power over him than you think. He loves her. I hazard Gendry is in more danger of losing himself to your sister.

"Aren't you afraid for her? Arya is not Joanna. She will never conform to bearing his children." Robb touched the bark of the tree and sat down.

"She will be queen. Your sister is not a delicate flower. She is smart and more like your mother than you think. She will do well." Ned worried about Arya but it was too late to deny her hand.

They prayed on the woods. They lacked the beauty of the North but they would do for now. His son was quiet when suddenly Ned heard his faint voice. "I don't love her. I love another." Robb said sadly.

"Does the other love you son?" Ned asked. He didn't leave time for him to answer. "I didn't love your mother when I married her. I didn't trust her; your mother was a threat I married her because her family was a threat to Robert. I didn't love her when Jon came along but I loved her before she gave birth to you."

"The woman I love, she loves Tommen." Robb didn't look at him.

"Your brother feels affection for princess Cassana. I am sure he is unaware of that woman's affection." Robb nodded. He looked up to his father and smiled. He reminded her of Cersei's sad smiles when he first told her he loved her.

Ned was quiet for a few minutes. Robb rubbed his face and then spoke lightly, "I will marry the Tyrell girl. It would be a shame to waste all of mother's efforts to make me Warden of West and live in a keep under Jon's authority. It isn't Casterly Rock but I'm sure the Eyrie has its diversions." Robb smiled wickedly just like his mother did when she was planning her schemes. Ned laughed, how much he missed his Lioness.