Chapter Text
Ned
“This is silly,” I muttered, emphasizing the last word to the young woman next to me.
Jeyne giggled but shook her head. My eyes found Jory who simply shrugged his shoulders; I was no longer his to rescue from unwanted interactions. Jeyne situated the chest that the guards had just dropped off so that it was flush with the end of my private solar’s desk.
“No, King Stark, this is proper. You and the Queen should wear them, especially if you’re going to sit before your lords and lady. Here, I asked Mikken to make a few different options. I haven’t seen them, but I am sure that they are all fit for a king. Just remember, you are the first true King of Winter since Aegon’s Conquest. Your reign will be legendary and it deserves a crown that encompasses it.”
The last thing I wanted to do was find a headpiece that reflects the life I’ve lived. Grief, loss, bitterness? What crown could represent the pain that my family has gone through? My parents, my siblings, my children, my wife- they have all suffered in different ways. I have lived a life of torment- a new thorn digging in whenever I finally removed the last.
Perhaps Mikken can fashion a crown of thorns?
Quickly shutting that intrusive idea into the far corners of my mind, I sighed but allowed Jeyne to open the large wooden chest in front of us. Inside sat five different crowns- and by the quick glance I gave, they were most certainly fit for a king. Mikken’s craftsmanship never disappointed. I tried to keep the bitterness at bay as I examined each, but I simply did not understand the appeal. It seemed unnecessary.
“Whichever you think, Princess,” I said dismissively. “I trust your judgment.”
Jeyne shook her head again, her hand coming to rest on her hip. She’d gotten more comfortable in Winterfell. As she did, more and more of her personality came to light. While she exhibited propriety and etiquette, her less polished side had risen to light a few times in the month or so she had been here.
“Nope, this is your decision to make, Your Grace. The choice does not have to be viewed as right nor wrong, but it should be yours.”
“You are the one who said it should be legendary.”
“And it will be,” she said as though it were obvious. “Because it will be yours. I am beginning to believe that you might overthink things every now and again, King Ned. This- this choice does not need to be that heavy on your mind.”
I glowered when Jory tried to hide his chuckle behind a cough. He thumbed the corner of his mouth, but there was no hiding the delight in his eyes nor the smile on his lips.
“Your Queen needs to come pick you up already. I am sick of the both of you turning on me. You two are worse than my siblings were.”
Jory’s face fell the tiniest amount at the reminder that Cassandra was still gods know where with Howland Reed. We were both growing more and more anxious as the days passed by. Oberyn has assured us several times that he has not heard from her.
My gaze flicked behind me as the door open, a familiar face popping into focus. The atmosphere shifted so suddenly- sharp, like a dagger. The light warm air that had filled the chamber turned cold and daunting as my eyes found the newcomer’s.
Only one person would have the nerve to come in without permission.
Howland Reed poked his head into the private solar we stood in. Jory stood to meet him, grabbing him by the collar and pulling him inside. The door was slammed roughly as the Lord Commander kicked it shut with his foot. My closest friend’s body was pressed against the heavy wood of the door as Jory and I both temporarily forgot his status as a lord. In that moment, he was the only lead to her.
I closed the trunk, going to join Jory in crowding Howland against the door.
“Where is she,” we demanded at the same moment.
Howland’s laughter broke through the tension Jory and I created. He pushed Jory’s hands away nonchalantly, as though we weren’t demanding an answer from him.
“She’s fine,” he said. “Last I saw.”
Jory’s hand found his collar again as he shoved him backwards towards the door. Howland’s body jerked as it landed there.
“With all due respect, Lord Reed, where the fuck is my queen? It’s been nearly two fucking months since you dragged her to gods know where!”
Jory’s fist collided mere millimeters from the side of Howland’s head. His tone sounded entirely void of any semblance of respect. Jory was never the biggest of the bunch, but he had a ferocity about him that made him always come out the victor.
I raised an eyebrow at Jory’s change in demeanor. He’d been tough under my employ, but never so bold as to grab a lord like he did to Howland now. Then again, I was only a lord when he served me; other lords were equal. He served a queen now and no one would bat an eyelash at his behavior. His duty was to protect Cassandra after all.
“I left her on Skagos, but-“
“Skagos?!”
The entire room, even soft spoken Jeyne, erupted. I loudly questioned his sanity, Jory was furiously reprimanding the decision to leave Andra behind, Jeyne was curiously asking about the specifics of Skagos, and Howland was rapidly blurting reassurances.
We must have caught the attention of someone outside because there was a small knock on the door. We all whipped around as a guard leaned into the room.
“Everything in order, Your Grace?”
I waved him off.
“Yes, Tordin. We are fine, thank you for your diligence.”
At the sound of the door shutting, a loud collective exhale came from the group. Everyone was trying to gather themselves. Jory and I stepped away from Howland, giving him space in the already small solar. As I moved, he let out a sound of amusement.
“You’re new,” he said pointing at Jeyne.
She gave a curtsy as she bowed her head.
“Jeyne, this is Lord Howland Reed of Greywater Watch. He is a close friend of mine, as I am sure you will come to learn. Howland, this is Princess Jeyne Stark, Robb’s wife.”
Howland gave a deep bow, placing a gentle kiss to the back of her fingers. Jeyne flushed at the touch of his lips, pulled her hand back down to her side in a graceful manner. Surely this treatment- this Northern world- was new to her. Howland didn’t let her reaction phase him, no ill intent behind his actions.
“He lives in the swamps,” I added as though that justified any of Howland’s odd behaviors.
“An honor, Princess, truly. Must be awful stuck in this cold castle with N-“
“Howland,” I urged. “Where is Cassandra?”
He sighed, glancing at each of us individually. Then his eyes met mine once again and he set his jaw. I knew that look all too well. That was the look when Howland was about to give me a reason to be furious.
“I- I don’t know, Ned.”
Between Jory and myself, I wasn’t sure which of us was angrier at Howland. My fists clenched as Jory crossed his arms. Howland held his hands up in surrender.
“She is fine though, you know that.”
I glared at him. A part of me wondered. If Cassandra and I were tightly weaved using the threads of our souls, would one feel it if the other were to pass? Would I feel her wilt away from me, leaving me with a grief so severe I might never recover? Would she if the roles reversed?
“Oh, come off it, Ned,” he said earnestly, plopping himself into one of the empty chairs. “I wouldn’t have left her if I didn’t have complete faith that her journey would lead her straight to her truest self.”
In a moment of irritation, I felt my icy demeanor begin to crumble. The man I considered my best friend left my love on an island of cannibals and savages while I was stuck in this castle because I was superstitious enough to believe that there should always be a Stark in Winterfell.
“Howland,” I growled, leaning over him. “If you do not begin to speak plainly, I will string you from the rafters myself.”
Howland froze then, his eyes meeting mine. He leaned up and crowded my personal space, in true Howland fashion. The tip of his nose hit mine as a snarl began to work its way over my features.
“A bastard still carries their father’s blood,” he hissed at an almost inaudible volume.
I swallowed the bile threatening to come up. I stepped away, reminded of the note he left on this very desk the morning after Andra’s wedding. How? How could he possibly have known even then?
“Send news to the Wall,” I ordered, though no one in the room was under my employ. “Tell Robb to have men sail to Skagos.”
“I’ll handle it personally,” Howland said.
I snapped, banging my fist against the table.
“I don’t trust you, Howland! Not with this. I can’t trust you. We have all of Westeros wanting the North to bend and you carted the one ruler that would have made this easy for us off to Skagos!”
“Technically,” Howland offered with a sheepish smile, “We went by boat- so I rowed her off…to Skagos. …”
“Ser Jory, if you could get this man out of my sight before he becomes all to familiar with the taste of Valyrian st-”
“I certainly do not mean to offend by interrupting, King Eddard- it was a good threat, truly- but I think we, perhaps, should be less worried about Lord Reed’s actions and more concerned about- that.”
At Jeyne’s terrified voice, we all turned. She was at the window, shaking like a leaf in autumn. Her dainty hand covered her open mouth, horror written on her features, the other pointing to something beyond the glass. I could feel the same tug I felt whenever a child of mine was distressed.
A need to protect.
Instincts taking over, I went to Jeyne’s side, pulling her back by the shoulder as I stepped in front of her. I felt her fingers grip at the cloak I wore, almost as if asking not to move too far towards whatever danger she spotted. It made my lips curl; Sansa had often done the same.
Any comfort I felt stepping into the role of protector was soon drained from my body- along with all the blood in my system. A large black mass was soaring through the sky, steam rising off it as the frozen snow met its hide.
It was far away, but fast approaching. There was no denying that a full-sized dragon was slicing through the winds. My eyes widened, a deep fear clutching at my chest. In an instant, my world shattered- the very foundation of my existence crumbling.
How am I meant to protect anyone from such a beast?
The bells rose in warning, alerting all of Winterfell to the nearing danger. I was finally pulled from my stupor as the weight of the situation hit me.
We were doomed.
I shouted for my guard and a group of six came rushing in. I gently ushered Jeyne into the middle of them, instructing that she be taken to the crypts, along with Maester Luwin and the castle’s women and children.
Jory and Howland followed me out to the courtyard, where Captain Mollen was barking orders at men. He had just sent a group to warn Wintertown when he caught sight of us. He bowed as I approached.
“I’m going to make a guess and say that Winterfell hasn’t acquired any defenses against dragons since I’ve been appointed to Queen Baratheon’s Queensguard…”
“It’d be an accurate guess,” Mollen confirmed remorsefully.
Jory had spent the past few weeks with him,
“I think we might be overreacting,” Howland offered. “What if it’s friendly?”
Had he always been this aloof?
“The only thing that would make me believe that giant fire-breathing monster heading towards us is friendly is if Cassandra herself was-“
I stopped, a loud exhale falling through me. I looked towards Howland who cocked his head to the side. I balled up my fists and rubbed the heel of my palm into my eye sockets. No, he was right. I knew in the very fibers of my being that she was alive, she was okay, and she was nearby.
“Hallis, call off the men,” I grunted, “Have someone retrieve the residents from the crypts.”
I started towards the gate, Howland and Jory on my heel.
“And somebody get me whatever livestock we can spare. The bigger the better. Stay inside the gates!”
We trudged our way through the snow- on foot because we didn’t want to risk our horses being eaten alive. Well, that is how we would justify the decision when asked later. In truth, there was a dragon in the air and none of us thought twice about horses.
The dragon began descending and as it did, I felt that ever present pain lessen even more and more. Months of painful spikes of pain through my chest forgotten because she was coming closer, filling me with a completeness with every passing second. That was the last reassurance I needed to gather my courage. I continued forward, kicking up snow as I clambered towards her.
Beast be damned because Cass was right there.
As the dragon landed, his body heat melted the snow around him. For the first time in months I felt a delicious warmth envelop me. His front legs landed only yards away, giving me the perfect view of his rider. Sure enough, as beautiful as ever, Andra sat atop. She looked down at me and I watched as she visibly melted, seemingly all worries put to rest- even the threat of a dragon quickly forgotten.
There was only her.
I held out my arms, beckoning to her with an encouraging wave of my hands. Andra leaned forward on the beast, whispering something, before throwing her legs over. The beast lowered his body, bringing her closer to my level.
“You sure you still got it in you, old man?”
Gods, I missed that teasing tone. They way she japes, yet makes sure you know it comes from the biggest heart. I missed that voice so much, I couldn’t even be bothered to remind her she was only two years behind me. I beckoned once more, urging her to drop into my arms.
“For you, love? Always.”
The shine of smile practically reflected off of the snow underneath us. Andra slipped away from her mount, falling the remaining few feet into my outstretched arms. I caught her effortlessly; thanks to much experience from catching the children jumping from high places. My arms tightened under her backside, keeping most of her above my shoulders. There was a small voice saying that this was too much- too bold. Anyone from the castle could see.
Though, their eyes would be trained on the giant head scanning its surroundings. Andra likely shared the same though, because her eyes darted to the beast she just fell from. A command went unspoken and then the dragon was angling its wings in a way that shielded us from prying eyes.
“I’ve missed you more than I could ever put into words,” I whispered earnestly, placing a kiss to the underside of her chin. She had a faint scar there, from when she fell on a stone while running in the courtyard- the perfect target for my affection.
She looked down at me, her fingers tangling into my beard. Her eyes were soft and gentle as she took in my appearance; I was sure I mirrored her expression as I did the same. I made sure she was secure enough in one arm before reaching up towards her.
She wore a dress that seemed pulled straight from the illustrations within a book of legends. Heart tree faces were embroidered around the collar. I smiled as I caught one that matched the three here at Winterfell. She wore a cloak that, admittedly, put mine to shame. The direwolf pelt that stretched across her shoulders was large, but not quite as large as Grey Wind- likely a female. Her hair was shorter, pulled back into a style that matched mine.
More than all that, she looked radiant. Not just her features, but her… the atmosphere around her. It seemed to crackle and pop with confidence, assurance, and peace. Something had shifted within her- it was obvious to anyone who knew the weight she normally carried.
“You look as perfect as ever,” I muttered, twirling a short lock of her hair around a forefinger.
“You’re not eating enough,” she informed me at the very same moment, her own finger worming its way under where the cord held sections of my hair behind my head.
“You look like-”
”A Northern lady,” she guessed in a mocking tone, probably having heard it a time or two already.
I shook my head, the free hand dropping to pull the left side of her cloak further over the shoulder it threatened to slip from. Then it slid down her body, finding a place to rest along the side of her torso.
“Yourself,” I corrected gently. “For the first time in a very long while, my love.”
Andra’s face softened. She pressed her cheek into my temple as her arms engulfed my head, pulling me in closer. She let out a content hum, vibrating the area where her throat rested against my face. My nose chased it deeper, relishing the small tickling at its tip, inhaling all over her natural scent. It was indescribable, the way she smelled. Lavender, strawberries, sugar, a hint of vanilla? Something so addicting, I could never get enough, even with the sour undertone that she sported. She’d killed someone recently- I could smell it on her.
And as much as I yearned to smell it always, I knew she would be embarrassed.
“You need a bath,” I murmured honestly, earning a surprised gasp from her.
I inhaled deeper, dramatically pressing my face into her sensitive skin, my hairs tickling against the flesh. Andra wiggled against me playfully, letting it be known she didn’t appreciate the remark. Her body slipped the tiniest amount, instantly teaching her a lesson in retaliation. Her grip tightened, startled brown eyes meeting mine. My arm on her torso wound to meet the other under her backside, giving her more support. She leaned down as our laughter mixed together, her nose resting on my forehead.
“I feel whole once more.”
Her voice was soft, nearly inaudible. She hadn’t meant for me to hear the confession. I finally released my grip, allowing her to slide the rest of the way down. Her body pressed against mine as she did and I, too, felt complete.
“Two halves made whole,” I murmured, quoting the old story regarding soul bonds.
Once her feet were on the floor, her loving gaze met mine. She nodded softly, reaching up to smooth the hairs on my chin.
“You figured it out too then?”
“Your Lord Commander did for me. We both know I am not all that clever.”
Andra’s lips lifted at that.
“Thank the gods that the children seem to take after Cat in that regard,” she said with a small laugh. “I think I scared Jory at times- from the pain. Is he still here?”
I nodded.
“He is. I’ve been fortunate to have him with me the past couple of weeks. My household has never ran so smoothly after us leaving for King’s Landing. Magic Swamp Man just showed up within the past hour. I’ve called a gathering between all my lords- and lady. He is the first to arrive.”
“A gathering?”
“Aye. Now that the northern armies have all returned home to the North, it is time for my lords to swear fealty to me as king. Luwin thinks it best if I formally name Robb as heir to the throne- even if I had previously done so as lord. Princess Jeyne believes that it would do well to establish a council of sorts…”
I trailed off when I heard Andra’s light chuckle. My head tilted to the side.
“What’s so humorous?”
“Nothing. You’re just different.”
My brows pinched as I looked down. I hadn’t changed my hair, and while I was clean shaven the last time I saw her, she’d never found amusement in me having a beard prior. I suppose I had lost some weight? The clothing was the same traditional Northern garb I always wore.
“No, my love,” she said, laughing the tiniest amount harder. “You seem less… bitter. I mean that with all the love and devotion in this world.”
I gave a sly smile, my hands running over the expanse of her back as I pulled her in closer. I’d felt less bitter. After Robb and Jon left, I felt more sure of myself, though the sound still lingered.
“You sound like a king,” she whispered, pressing her lips tenderly to mine.
I smiled into it, trying to savor every second- though it was over much too soon for my preference. It was short, just enough to put emphasis on her statement. I couldn’t contain the groan of frustration as she left me.
She had a glint in her eye that told me she wasn’t sorry and that I wasn’t allowed to be irritated. I had spent too long withholding affection the last time she was in Winterfell and she had every intention to remind me.
“Reaping the consequences of my actions, am I?”
Her only response was a downright devious smile.
“There is much to discuss,” Andra told me, patting her hand against my shoulder. “Does the King in the North have time for a long, dreadfully boring, conversation today?”
“If I am ever bored in your presence, it’s an imposter and you have every right to thrust your spear into him. Although, you might be preoccupied for a time yet.”
Cassandra’s face scrunched in confusion in that perfect way only hers could. Lips pursed, brows drawn together, a frown pulled the corners of her mouth down. In answer to her unspoken question, I stepped aside, allowing Jory and Howland to be made visible. They both surged forward, Jory dropping to his knees in front of her.
Irritation took over every feature on Cassandra’s face, making me chuckle.
“Jory Cassel, if you ever greet me after such a long time apart with a bow again, I will remove you from your position.”
Jory laughed, standing and stepping into Cassandra’s open arms. She squeezed him tightly and once again I found myself thankful for the bond they had formed. It was much easier for my anxieties to know she would have Jory to protect her while she was in the capital.
“I see you found your wings,” Howland said, which made my brow furrow.
The words brought back the memory of the last time I bid Cass farewell, the day after her wedding.
“When you said that to me,” I asked, pointing to the beast, “Did you mean it this way? Did you know you spoke of a dragon?”
Howland shrugged.
“Absolutely not, otherwise I would have taken her sooner. I don’t know how to explain it, Ned. The gods just use me- I am a vessel. I don’t know half the things I say or why I say them.”
I shot Andra an exasperated look.
“You spent a month traveling with this man of riddles? And didn’t take his tongue?”
Andra shrugged her shoulders, a coy smile playing on her lips.
“After the past few weeks that I have had, I’m devout as all hells, King Stark,” she said with a grin. “I’ll even put your faith to shame.”
I let out a small hmph. My hand found the small of her back as we began towards the castle. She pointed to the ground, the dragon next to her making itself comfortable in the snow.
“I’ll believe that when I see it with my own eyes.”