[Chapter Size: 2100 Words.]
Third Person POV.
Kingsland.
...
...
There came a time when no one was sure about the future anymore. A crisis had settled over the capital of Westeros, and no one knew what could happen after everything that was unfolding in this city.
On one side, there was a monster on the loose, terrorizing everyone. Every day since it appeared, corpses were found scattered throughout various locations in the city, especially those of the guards. This caused the city's patrol to decrease drastically, no longer even being able to control what the city's population was debating among themselves.
However, even criminals did not dare to go out at night, for the monster hunted them as well, seeming to sense their crimes, as many known and unknown criminals were found in the same state as the guards.
At the same time, rumors about the prince's questionable birth continued to spread, and with the guard being less efficient, they only intensified. The loss of the Iron Throne itself—something that had never happened in nearly 300 years—took the situation to an even more absurd level. As people observed the chaos in King's Landing, all kinds of speculations arose, involving the Old Gods and even the Seven.
The High Septon, along with the devout, continued to defend the prince, claiming that the Stark bastard could be involved in everything.
"He is a sorcerer with dark magic and a declared enemy of the Seven!" some said.
Many believed these rumors, which generated even more discord. Meanwhile, Lord Stark remained imprisoned, seen by some as one of those involved in the events, and even theories about the Northern march began to emerge. Finally, the Northerners were leaving Moat Cailin, where all the banners of the North had gathered, advancing into the Riverlands—this was the news of the past few days.
War had finally descended upon Westeros since the Greyjoy Rebellion.
The Lannister army had also been summoned and was invading the lands of House Tully. Since Tywin Lannister had ordered his warhound to devastate villages and terrorize the people of the Riverlands, the war had only intensified with the arrival of the Lannister army, with none other than Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, leading these atrocities.
By this point, Westeros was already disturbed on all sides. News of the strange events in King's Landing reached every corner of the Seven Kingdoms, and even before the king's death, there was already talk of what had happened and the reputations of all the council's masters being shattered, while the bastard of the former Hand of the King was the main suspect. There were even accusations that Jon Snow had gravely wounded the king, leaving him to die in his bed, and then turned into a beast so that Lord Stark could take the realm for himself. For most, it all seemed like an invented fantasy; for others, it was a sign that the gods were interfering.
Either way, this day was particularly difficult for Lord Eddard Stark. Once again, he found himself in a cold, dark cell, though he could still see that it was daytime—until he received a visitor.
None other than Varys, the Master of Whispers.
The eunuch emerged from the shadows, observing Eddard with interest.
"I hope your stay here has been satisfactory, Lord Stark," he said, as the prisoner lifted his tired gaze to him.
"Is this some kind of joke, Lord Varys?" Eddard asked, his voice laden with irony.
Varys merely forced a small smile before responding.
"I am not mocking your situation, Lord Stark," he remarked. "I am here only for a small conversation. It may be the last one we have in this city."
Eddard Stark narrowed his eyes, evaluating the eunuch.
"Well, it seems that the city is in quite a difficult situation… The monster that, as you must have already heard, is terrorizing everyone."
Varys stepped a little closer, his voice calm and meticulous.
"There are many who believe this monster is a Stark…" He paused, watching Ned's reaction. "And it may be possible. After all, the creature matches the description given by those who were in the Kingswood before the brutal attack on King Robert."
"I can't tell you about Jon… He truly is very different from the boy I once knew," Lord Stark said at last, his tone filled with mixed emotions.
But he had also not revealed that Jon had visited him in the cells nearly three weeks ago.
"I understand… In any case, the queen is losing control of the city. Despite many condemning you and your bastard, the queen will have to take desperate measures and will hold a public trial so that everything can be settled once and for all," Varys said, pausing for a moment before continuing. "And Joffrey Baratheon will have his position cemented as king."
"Let me guess…" Ned Stark murmured, his voice laden with irony. "She expects me to confess to treason and admit that Joffrey Waters is the legitimate son of Robert Baratheon? That he is the true king of the Seven Kingdoms?" The question sounded more like mockery than genuine doubt.
"Exactly. That is why I am here, Lord Stark," Varys replied calmly. "I was sent to try and convince you."
"So you want me to lie?" Ned Stark scoffed.
"You can see it that way, but I am doing this for the good of the realm," Varys responded, maintaining his diplomatic tone. "We need to stabilize things. Otherwise, we won't just have to worry about a monster loose in the city in the form of a wolf."
"If I refuse?" Ned asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I would say that you should accept… After all, you should think of your daughter," Varys said, his tone sharper this time.
"Sansa is too important for anything to happen to her. She is a powerful piece in politics, as well as being betrothed to the king." Ned emphasized that last part.
"Yes, but she is not as important as you might imagine right now," Varys countered, his voice cold. "After all, she is the daughter of a traitor. Perhaps things are not as you think they are."
"…" Ned remained silent this time.
Varys observed him for a moment before adding, "Think of your daughter Arya as well."
"I know that Arya is not here," Ned Stark replied coldly, this time believing Jon's words when he visited him.
Varys raised an eyebrow, surprised by the certainty in Ned's voice.
Then he sighed and continued, "Even so, I believe you should consider what to do… Because, even if the queen does not have Arya, Sansa is still a hostage."
With that, Varys said nothing more. He simply turned his back and left the cell, leaving Ned Stark alone.
Time passed, and he no longer knew how long he had been there. Perhaps two weeks? He had already lost track of the days.
To his surprise, another person came to visit him. He did not know that only six hours had passed since Varys's visit, but he could tell from the faint light entering the cell that night had already fallen.
When the cell door opened, Ned's eyes widened as he saw his daughter Sansa approaching. She wore a beautiful dress and was well-groomed, as if nothing had happened. As if she were not a prisoner.
She approached her father with teary eyes.
"Father…" she said, her voice sincere, filled with concern.
"Sansa… Did they hurt you?" Ned asked immediately, the worry evident on his face.
"No, father… I am fine," she replied, trying to smile, but her eyes still shone with a mix of fear and sadness.
"Sansa…" he murmured, but she interrupted him immediately.
"Father, please, convince them that you tried to take the throne and that you spread lies about King Joffrey!" she pleaded urgently. "He is not a bastard but the rightful heir to the throne! You must condemn your bastard, Jon Snow, as the true criminal of the realm!"
"Please, father, do this! They will send you to the Wall!" She insisted. "Just confess... Please, father, and your life will be spared. You will live in the Night's Watch!"
She seemed quite rushed, and at that moment, Ned Stark understood why.
"Time is up. Return, Lady Stark!" A stern voice came from the other side of the cell.
Sansa sighed, lowering her head.
"Sorry, father... I have to go." She murmured, casting one last glance at him before stepping away.
Ned was left alone, trapped in his own thoughts. Silence remained for another twenty minutes until he heard footsteps approaching from another direction in the cell, not from the door through which Sansa had left.
"You seem to be a rather sought-after prisoner, Lord Stark... Or should I say, Uncle?"
The voice, which Ned recognized immediately, came from the darkness. Another figure emerged before him.
Raising his gaze, Ned saw his nephew, Jon Snow, watching him with a calm expression.
"Arya... Tell me she is safe." It was the first thing Ned said upon seeing Jon.
"She is with Yoren, a member of the Night's Watch in King's Landing," Jon informed him. "He has been recruiting more people in the past few weeks. It seems everyone believes Arya is dead, but the queen still insists on searching for her. Perhaps, if she disguises herself as a boy, she can make it to the North among the new recruits of the Watch."
Ned seemed to feel a slight relief at that news.
"I heard your conversation with Sansa... What are you going to do?" Jon asked.
"I don't know..." Ned murmured.
"Honestly, I don't know if you will live, even if you confess..." Jon said. "With Littlefinger whispering in the king's ear, I wouldn't be surprised if, even after confessing, Joffrey still demands your head."
Ned remained silent for a few seconds, lowering his head.
"If it saves Sansa, I don't care." In the end, he replied.
"You have a good heart for your children, Lord Stark." Jon said calmly, watching him intently.
Ned lifted his gaze and opened his mouth to say something, but Jon interrupted him before he could continue, already anticipating what he would say.
"Spare me your apologies in the final moments of your life, Lord Stark." Jon spoke coldly. "What happened cannot be changed. I will be there to see your death. Better that than having to drive a sword through your heart myself."
He paused before concluding.
"I will see you die for your own honor... After all, if not for it, you wouldn't be in this situation."
Ned remained silent upon hearing that, looking down for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry..." He simply uttered those words, even though Jon did not want to hear them.
But when he looked up at Jon again, he had already disappeared. He did not want to hear anything more from Lord Stark.
Jon left the cell and quickly descended from the castle, heading toward the city.
Upon arriving at the place where he had arranged a hideout for Yoren and Arya, he found them sitting, eating a stew in silence.
"We won't be able to save my father...?" Arya murmured suddenly, breaking the silence that hung between them.
Yoren watched her for a moment before sitting beside her, not knowing what to say.
"I highly doubt that we can..." he replied.
"But my brother, Jon Snow, he can save him!" Arya insisted.
"I don't know if that's going to happen," Yoren said, sighing. After all, two weeks ago, Jon had only appeared briefly, given him some instructions on where to find Lord Stark's daughter, and then disappeared. Since then, he hadn't spoken to them again.
While terror continued to plague the city, they remained hidden in that house. They had enough supplies to last for a few moons—food, water, and other necessities.
"I heard that he can turn into a wolf and massacre countless Lannister soldiers..." Arya murmured, still confused. "Why doesn't he use that to save our father?"
"Because I don't care."
An unexpected voice sounded, making both Yoren and Arya jump from their chairs. They looked, startled, at the figure approaching, entering the house with ease.
Jon Snow appeared, advancing without hesitation. His cold eyes stared at them as he placed something on the table.
"Here are some instructions," he said, emotionlessly. "There's a ship that will take you to the North. I made sure that this time, they won't betray you. Also, I selected people who sympathize with House Stark to help you."
Jon then turned, preparing to leave.
"Now, this will be a farewell," he stated firmly.
"Wait! You're leaving just like that? Aren't you going to save our father?" Arya exclaimed, her voice filled with desperation.
Jon looked at her, his face remaining expressionless. Then, he responded coldly.
"I'm already doing too much. Saving Lord Stark is not my problem."
"Wait!"
Arya, who was close to him, got up from her chair and stepped forward, grabbing his arm while Yoren watched the scene in silence. Still processing everything, he glanced at the papers and the bag of gold coins that Jon had left on the table.
"Please... He is our family!" Arya pleaded.
Jon easily pulled his arm away from her grip without hesitation.
"You don't understand..." he said, his tone impassive. "But I don't consider Lord Stark my family."
Without saying anything more, he stepped away, leaving Arya speechless.
"Wait... I don't know how to read," Yoren commented, looking at the documents detailing how to find the ship.
"Yes, but she does," Jon said before vanishing.
Lord Stark was about to be executed, and they needed to act before it was too late.
-----
Raccoon Here:
One last chapter before Lord Stark's execution begins.
I will include some northern points of view hearing things from King's Landing as well.
We're going to have a plot twist.
-------------Nexts Chapters ----------------
Chapter 95 - Hunting the Faceless Man.
Chapter 100 - Cleaning out the Tully vaults.
Chapter 110 - Braavos.
Chapter 119 - Attacking the Wall 02.
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