In the dark of his cell, Eddard Stark found himself wishing he could stop thinking. His thoughts became a plague he couldn't escape as he replayed all that had happened to him.
It didn't help when Varys arrived in disguise bringing him wine instead of water.
"My daughters…"
"Have escaped the city with your Flayed Knight and their dancing master," Varys told him. "But your bastard has returned to the city."
"Jon?" Eddard sat up.
"Are there others?" Varys asked.
"How is he?"
"Alive, but the rumors he'd been cut down by the Mountain seem to have been true. The scar across his chest leaves little doubt of that." He explained the version of events he'd heard along with the rest of the court, leaving Ned shocked.
"Why would he return?"
"It seems he thinks it his duty," Varys revealed. "Not to you, but to the man who knighted him. Even as he begged for mercy on Joffrey's first day of court he did so while admitting he held no loyalty for you or your family's slights against him.
"He is being watched, escorted by an honor guard ready to slit his throat if he tries anything before he is sworn to Lord Tyrion." Varys wore a smile as he said, "If he weren't a bastard I would say he has damned you by giving them another hostage, but it is clear your wife wouldn't put much value in him. You may prove valuable even though she has let the Imp slip through her fingers."
Catelyn. In his darker moments he agreed with Jon. She had put the noose around his neck as much as Littlefinger and his lies.
If only she'd let Tyrion leave that inn Jaime never would have attacked him and Robert might not have left for his hunt to avoid the chaos. They could have worked together with Robert to handle the Lannisters and if they were strong enough just taken the throne at the end or waited and built up their strength to claim it from Stannis, who people scarcely seemed to care for. He may have even married Myrcella to Jon to make a point and insult Tywin by marrying his grandchild to a bastard, allowing them to use her to rally the Westerlands.
Instead Tywin started a war with the Riverlands, Jon was injured and lost Ghost, and their daughters were somewhere in the wild hopefully avoiding the war while his eldest son rode into it.
His only hope now was that as a hostage he would prove too valuable. Varys thought even the Wall too much for him, saying Cersei would be better off having a tame wolf they could use than one halfway across the world.
"She was fool enough to dismiss Barristan Selmy," Varys revealed, "I doubt she will be fool enough to throw away an asset like you. Still, I would suggest you confess to the crimes they charged you with, else they may come to convince you with your bastard's head."
Ned had hoped that Barristan would serve his duty as Jon's mentor and hidden kingsguard, ready to protect him when the time came, but Ned doubted they would let the man stay to help his former squire. Of course, he couldn't know that after Barristan left the throne room he returned to White Sword Tower to edit his White Book entry and record his own dismissal. Ned couldn't know that despite not having a sword he killed the gold cloaks sent for him and fled, only to return in disguise.
Rather than go to his kin at Harvest Hill and risk inflicting Joffrey's displeased upon them he sold his horse and dressed as a commoner. Cloaked in the persona of an elderly man among the smallfolk fleeing the war, the guards paid him no mind.
It was when Jon went to the half built stables early one morning with Edric that a voice called to him, "Jon."
They turned, hands on their swords when they found an old man with a slight beard beneath a hood he pulled back to reveal himself. Jon smiled. "Ser Barristan." He glanced to his squire, "Edric, stand watch." The boy quickly moved, ready to warn them if the guards went to check on them while Jon turned back to Barristan. "Why are you here?"
"A kingsguard's place is at his king's side," he said simply.
"Not now it isn't," Jon said.
"Jon," Barristan glanced to Edric. "Let us all flee and find a way north."
"I can't."
"Then what shall I do?" Barristan asked. "Should I wait in Flea Bottom until you are done?"
Jon thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No. I'd have you act as my kingsguard and guard my family."
"You want me to go to Robb?"
"To Essos," Jon answered. "Find my aunt and uncle and seek their aid in the war to come. Protect them so I can meet them. Let them know I want to welcome them home. Let them know I have a dragon named Bloodwing who travels north with Ghost."
Barristan's eyes widened. "It hatched?"
Jon nodded, telling him of all that happened at the Mummer's Ford and Hollow Hill, of his supposed death and revival. Of Bloodwing's birth and the Fellowship of Fire. They discussed how Barristan should handle thing some before Jon removed a small coin purse from his belt and tossed it to Barristan.
The kingsguard shook his head, opening it to remove a few pieces before tossing the rest back. "This is more than enough for a ship."
"While he was still hand, my father told me Ser Jorah Mormont acted as a spy for the crown. I'd suggest watching him, see if it is still true, learn what you can from him and guard them from him and any others."
"Please stay safe, my king," Barristan said bowing his head.
"You as well, Ser Barristan."
Barristan wore a smile as he raised his hood and left through the back of the stables. Edric returned as Jon turned back to his saddle. "Are you certain we couldn't use him?"
"Of course we could," said Jon. "But for now I need to play hostage, and I can't do that if we slaughter everyone in the keep with just us five."
Edric laughed, pleased to be included in Jon's count.
Catelyn was a world away from her youngest sons and had no idea where her daughters were. Though she rode beside her eldest there was a chasm between them that seemed too large to cross, though she would try forever if she had to. If she couldn't be of solace for her child she would be his strength, make herself of use.
That had been why when Ser Stevron came to them she spoke up among the arguing lords. "I will go!"
"You, my lady?" The Greatjon furrowed his brow.
"No," Robb said crisply. Catelyn frowned as she watched her son turn. "Uncle Brynden, would you go?"
The gray haired Tully arched his bushy eyebrows before nodding. "If that is what you wish."
"I am certain my lord father would be pleased to to speak to the Lord Brynden," Ser Stevron said. "To vouchsafe for our good intentions, my brother Ser Perwyn will remain here until she is safely returned."
"He shall be our honored guest," said Robb as the youngest of the Freys dismounted. "I require my uncle's return by evenfall, Ser Stevron. It is not my intent to linger here."
Robb had helped Brynden to his horse to see him off, speaking quietly with him the entire time before he stood watching them ride to the Twins. Catelyn walked up beside him. "This is too great a risk. He could still hold your uncle hostage in your place You should have let me go."
"Let them think me sentimental," Robb said icily, "or that I think you incapable."
Catelyn frowned. "You know I would never let them mistreat you."
"And Uncle Brynden will?"
"He is a man set in his ways," Catelyn argued. "He is stubborn, proven by the years of silence between him and my father as well as his lack of wife. He won't accept an insult from Walder with a smile, he will return it."
"And you would accept an insult?"
"If it helps us," Catelyn said stepping forward, placing a hand over his heart, "if it helps you, I would gladly take a knife to the heart."
Robb glanced at her, thinking back to his words with Brynden.
"I can not be wed," Robb told him as they walked to his horse.
"Think to model yourself after me?" Brynden asked with a laugh. "You're a lord, no second son. They'll demand it of you soon enough."
"And I'll choose mine when it comes. I'm worth more than the Twins."
"Is that so?"
"In the war to come we'll have grander needs than a bridge," Robb told him as he watched the man rise to his saddle. "Needs my marriage may buy."
He had worked that much out with Jon that night they spoke of their plans. When Jon told him of Loras and the Tyrells, Robb realized he could wed Margaery to assure their allegiance for Jon beyond his friendship with Loras.
"Have you seen her?" Robb had asked.
"Only a portrait he had made to give to Lord Renly for some reason," Jon said with a shrug. "She seems pretty. And Loras says she is as clever as their grandmother. More than enough for you, I'm sure."
They had laughed, but they had others to consider as well. If not for Dornish customs making her heiress to Sunspear he might have married Arianne Nymeros Martell, but someone would lose if two heirs married. There was also the option of going for a lesser Dornish house and finding a way to overthrow the Martells, but Jon seemed reluctant. Robb had smiled seeing his brother's empathy for the family of siblings he would never know.
"We could marry Sansa to Quentyn," Robb said with a teasing smile as he continued, "let him become prince of Dorne while you wed Arianne and I can marry Myrcella to secure the Stormlands."
Jon shot him a playful glare. "There's no need to start our coup with Targaryens and Starks warring again, brother." Robb had laughed at that, cracking Jon's mask. Once they settled Jon sighed. "There is Shireen Baratheon."
"Isn't she Arya's age?" Robb asked shaking his head.
"Aye," Jon nodded. "She is also marked from a bout of Greyscale that nearly killed her as an infant. It's left her cheek and neck cracked and flaking, black and grey like stone here."
Robb watched him move his hand from his left cheek to his neck. "And you think I should marry her?"
"You could," Jon corrected. "If not for that she might be pretty in a way and grow into her looks, but the little I interacted with her she was sweet and kind. Though whenever they came they did so with their mad jester who seemed to entertain her, so he may come with the deal."
Robb snickered, shaking his head. "It could help us secure the Stormlands, but wouldn't we get that with Myrcella?"
"Maybe," Jon said with a shrug. "But Stannis and Renly ignored her much like her parents. I doubt they'd support the Lannisters. They never seemed friendly with them."
"So I could wed her to secure their support."
"Some of the Stormlands maybe, but not Stannis and those loyal to him." Jon shook his head. "I can't imagine Stannis putting aside what he feels is his because you're wed to his daughter."
"Because she is scarred?" Robb asked with a frown.
"Because he thinks it is right," said Jon. "If we stood in his way I don't think his daughter would be enough to stop him from attacking. If he decides it's his duty to help Joffrey or Tommen or himself rise to the throne then he'll likely do it. If he thought it his duty to slit his throat he just may."
Robb arched his brow. "Then perhaps it best we do that for him."
He had enjoyed so much of that night with Jon, staying up speaking of such grim, grand things. They had discussed Jon's rule, even joked of who he would name his council and place as wardens and lords paramount. They shifted from joking to grimly discussing which houses they might need to destroy to secure his position once he claimed the throne.
Hours passed before they saw Brynden Tully returning with a column of Frey men, and Robb rode out to meet with him. Catelyn watched them speak as they made their way back, Robb's relief souring as he nodded. She saw him glance back briefly toward the Frey men following them before looking ahead and swiftly freezing his anger.
As they prepared the host to cross the Twins, Catelyn found her uncle and asked him what terms they had come to.
"Walder will give us all but four hundred of his men," the Blackfish told her. "In exchange two of his grandsons will be fostered at Winterfell. Olyvar Frey will ride with us as Robb's squire, and Robb will broker betrothals for three of Walder's daughters and granddaughters to lords of the North and Riverlands, or is free to take his pick of them for himself or your other sons, with the promise of a dowry matching the girl's weight in gold."
"That's it?" Catelyn asked, surprised it wasn't even more demanding.
"At first he demanded a betrothal to House Stark through Robb and Arya, but I refused them."
"Why?" Catelyn asked.
Brynden remembered Robb asking him to not speak of his intent to use his marriage later and answered instead, "I've seen what happens to those forced to wed for war."
Catelyn frowned at the thought of her sister, but shook her head. "Not all are so hopeless. Ned and I-"
"Not all men are Ned Stark," Brynden cut her off, "nor are all women like you. Besides, your own family isn't without strife." At that he nodded toward Robb who was meeting with Olyvar Frey, his squire two years his senior. "This is for the best. It has shown us Frey's true colors."
Catelyn returned her gaze to Brynden. "How so?"
"When he continued to insist on wedding one of his daughters to Robb, I told him I would bring it to Robb so long as he agreed to do so immediately. Bring his daughters out, let Robb choose one and they could wed tonight." Brynden glanced toward the Twins as he revealed, "That was enough to change his tone, making him ask for Robb's aid brokering future betrothals instead. The man has no desire to truly tie himself to our cause until he is sure we will win. He only does so to avoid a siege since he knows not of our need to move quickly."
"Then he may betray us."
"Which is why Robb vowed not to give them the chance," said Brynden.
"How?" asked Catelyn.
"Only a fool would switch to the losing side," her uncle said looking to Robb, "so he intends to win."
Riding through the Twins she felt as if they were stepping over coals or spikes, waiting for the stones to fall away and drop them to their deaths. Yet they crossed while Roose Bolton took his forces along the Green Fork to draw Tywin's army.
It was near a sennight later she watched her son be replaced by a knight before his army and ride down the line. "They say my brother rode against the Mountain himself! He and his white wolf, Ghost! Today, let the lions quake in fear before the Grey Wind of Winterfell!"
Cheers of Winterfell took the men as they rode off, leaving Catelyn with her thirty guards to wait and pray for her son's return.
Though he could not show it and never would, Robb Stark felt fear fill him as he rode to battle for the first time. He wondered if Jon felt the same when he rode against the Mountain. Either way he had stayed to face him, willing to give his life so others could survive.
When he heard the rumors of his death, Robb had hated Jon. He knew how important he was, yet put himself at risk. He questioned why Jon would do such a thing, but the more he thought on it the more answers he found. Jon would want to help others, and like Robb now he would want to be the first to enter the fray and the last to leave it. There was also Jon's goals in King's Landing to make him stay. He needed to build a name strong enough to earn him allies, what better way to do so then to be the man who slew the Mountain? To be the one who held off a Lannister ambush and let a company of men escape? Not only would every man he helped live be loyal to him, but others would flock to him.
His anger had turned to Catelyn, but had quelled some since seeing her. He couldn't put his trust in her, not yet, but she was still his mother. It hurt to see her so sullen at times, so before he rode to battle he had pulled her aside.
"I'm sorry for what I said at Moat Cailin," Robb told her.
Catelyn shook her head. "I'm sorry I struck you."
Robb sighed. "I just… Jon never deserved it."
Catelyn frowned. She had been thinking on that as well. "He didn't."
For a moment Robb thought to tell her the truth, but he was still holding on to his hope that Jon was alive, which meant he couldn't break his promise. "He never wanted anything but to help us. If… If he returns, I won't allow him to be mistreated. Father may have let it pass, but I will not. No matter what you or anyone else think of him, he is my brother."
Wiping her eyes, Catelyn nodded.
"I want us to make it through this together," Robb told her. "This isn't the last battle we'll fight. We need to work together."
"I know," she said with a solemn smile.
Robb stepped forward, pulling her into a hug. "We'll get father back, find the girls and figure out what to do." Catelyn had nodded into his shoulder, sniffling in relief as she squeezed her son until he had to pat her back. "Mother, I need to ride with my men."
Catelyn had laughed, reaching up to brush back his hair. "Return to me as your father always did."
"I will," Robb assured as he left.
Oddly, his sense of fear faded when he waited in the Whispering Woods with the personal guard his mother had convinced him to craft. Not only did he have Grey Wind at his side, but he was surrounded by his squire Olyvar Frey, Theon Greyjoy, Ser Perwyn Frey, Ser Wendel Manderly, Dacey Mormont, Daryn Hornwood, Torrhen and Eddard Karstark, Robin Flint, Patrek Mallister and the massive Smalljon Umber.
There was a moment of relief when the warhorns sounded, telling them Jaime had fallen for their plan and followed the Blackfish and his company along the stream. Grey Wind howled, the Karstarks blew their warhorns, and arrows rained on Lannister men and horses.
The Lannister lines opened as the men panicked and Robb called out, "WINTERFELL!"
The cavalry charged, surrounding the Lannisters from all sides. Cries of Lannister, Winterfell, Riverrun and Tully came over the screams of horses and men, the scrape of steel on steel and clunk of wood, the hiss of arrows and splashes of water.
It was hopeless. Jaime recognized this quick enough, so turned his horse and charged toward the mounted soldier commanding the massive grey direwolf. However as he did a streak of white slammed into him, throwing Jaime from his horse as eight riders joined the Stark forces.
Ghost wrapped his teeth around Jaime's throat, holding the Lannister in place, his teeth trembling against the man's neck as the direwolf growled. Around them the battle slowed and the Lannister forces were taken captive, many on both sides staring in awe of the white wolf holding Jaime at bay.
"Ghost?" Robb asked, looking from the wolf to the men who had joined the fighting, most of them dressed in equipment marking them as Stark guards. They seemed to be led by one he recognized. "Alyn?"
"Lord Stark," he said with a nod. He glanced to Ghost, who finally released Jaime to let two men take Jaime captive. "We should speak privately."
Robb nodded, looking to where Grey Wind was licking Ghost's face before turning to Theon. "Lead them back. I'll join you in a moment."
Theon Greyjoy furrowed his brow, shooting Alyn a wary glance. "Are you sure?"
"I am." Robb spoke firm enough they didn't question him, his personal guards leaving to lead their prisoners away with the soldiers.
"Ser Alyn," one of the guards said, turning his head to look at the captain, "shall we retrieve it?"
"Aye."
"Ser Alyn?" Robb asked with a smile.
"I knighted him myself," said the man who then introduced himself with a bow, "Ser Raymun Darry, my lord."
"I'm glad for you, Alyn." He chuckled and corrected himself, "Ser Alyn."
The guard nodded sheepishly. "Thank you, my lord."
"He earned it," Raymun said with a nod. "He guarded your brother."
"Does he live?" Robb asked quickly.
"He did, he didn't and then he did," Raymun said with a laugh. "The boy was given a scar across his front, but we had a red priest among our party. We thought him gone, but then he gave the boy his lord's kiss of life."
"And he returned?" Robb asked in disbelief.
"After his dragon was born," said Ser Gladden Wylde.
Robb's eyes widened, looking to where the men who had left on Alyn's command returned with two others, one of whom held a large chest. They opened it and Robb watched as a scarlet dragon climbed over the edge, it's golden eyes finding his before shifting to meet Grey Wind's.
"You know?" Robb asked looking to Alyn.
"Aegon told us all we needed to know," said Raymun, hoping that made it clear enough.
Robb shook his head, overcome with emotions as the guard tossed a piece of meat into the chest, making the dragon go back within so he could close it. Alyn looked to him explaining, "Ser Jon sent us north to bring Bloodwing to Aemon at the Wall and leave Ghost with you before we return to join the Fellowship of Fire in aiding the Riverlands."
"And what of Jon?"
"He returned to King's Landing to play traitor," said Gladden Wylde. "He plans to let the Lannisters think him the Daemon Blackfyre of the North, bitter of his treatment in Winterfell with no loyalty to House Stark, only those who have seen his worth, like King Robert who knighted him."
Robb nodded. Though he disliked the idea of Jon being there, they wouldn't know the value he held as a hostage. If he played up his mistreatment and resentment then they could even let him close. Once news came of his apparent betrayal he would need to play into it, less they risk one of their men revealing the truth.
"Have any of you heard of my sisters?"
"Nothing," Alyn admitted. "At least nothing solid. We've heard everything from they are held prisoner in the Tower of the Hand, they are chased after fleeing, they were sent to wed lords, and much grimmer things. There is no way to know the truth."
With a frown Robb looked to Ghost, who stared up at him, then nodded. "Come, we'll let you rest before you continue your trek North."
If nothing else he was glad to know Jon was alive, now he just wished he knew the fates of his sisters.