Lord Eddard Stark
Two sellsword companies were to fight alongside the King when he ventured back to Westeros. Ned was not sure how to feel about that. He did not agree with sellsword companies, seeing them as dishonest and broken things, a sign of a broken thing. That he'd had to agree to allow the Company of the Rose back to Westeros as well, was one thing that he was finding hard to swallow. Everything felt as if it was moving far too quickly, the King had a dragon, and Ned was still trying to wrap his head around that. It was all too strange, too magical, things long thought dead were coming back to life. In the midst of all of this, he had to serve as an advisor to the King as well. The command tent, was bustling with life, they were all there.
The King speaks first, as is his right. "How close are we to being ready to leave?"
Jon Connington, the Hand of the King is the one who speaks. "We just need to ensure there are some more solid structures to hold the weapons, the elephants and the supplies on the ships before we move out Sire."
"And how long will that take?" Ned finds himself asking. "We were supposed to be ready some three weeks ago. This delay is growing non sensible."
"There have been delays. It is to be expected. Give it another three days Sire, then we shall be ready to leave." Connington replies, looking at the King, and ignoring him.
The King nods, though Ned can see that there is some uncertainty in his expression. "Very well, I trust that your judgement on this matter is sound, Lord Connington." The King pauses, looking at the map spread out before them. "My aunt and uncle sit in Dragonstone, no doubt plotting and planning. Ser Harry, has there been word from them?"
The Captain of the Golden Company shakes his head. "There has not been Your Grace. It is possible the letters got lost in the bad weather."
The King looks disappointed, but Ned speaks, voicing his own concerns. "I think it might be better to remove Prince Aemon before anything else is Done Sire. The man is a threat, and has experience. He has no reason to give up his claim, or let you claim the throne. He must be dealt with."
The King looks at him shocked. "Prince Aemon is my uncle, and you would have me remove him? Why?"
Ned sighs, seeing not for the first time, just how young the King really is, and he feels sad for what he is about to say. "The Prince harbours a claim, he is a prideful and stubborn young man. He will not bend to anyone, he supposedly killed his own older brother. The time has come for him to be removed. You must do what needs to be done Sire."
There is a long moment of silence as the King digests his words, and then the silence is broken by Connington. "I agree with Lord Stark. Prince Aemon must die."
The King looks as if he wants to disagree, but then he sighs and nods. "Very well then. I suppose I would not have been given Rhaegal had I not needed to use him in a fight."
Ned can tell this is going to weigh heavily on the King, how could it not? The boys are nephew and uncle, still they need to refocus, and so Ned finds himself enquiring. "Where are we going to land? Dorne?" He hopes not, he has not liked Dorne, not since the Tower.
He finds himself surprised, when the King shakes his head. "Not Dorne, Dorne will rise in time, Rhaenys has done her duty well. No we shall head to the heart of the Baratheon strength, we shall head to the Stormlands. If we can take their castles and their lands, the Baratheons will soon find themselves lacking supporters, for who will support someone who cannot hold their own home?"
Ned thinks of Cat and Winterfell and feels a pang. "Very wise Your Grace. And will Storm's End be a target?"
"Yes." The King says with a ferocity; Ned had not thought him capable of. "The Baratheons took my home from me, and I will take theirs."
"How many men will you take with you to the Stormlands?" Ned asks.
"All of them." The King responds, and as Ned goes to protest, the King speaks. "I know you wish to return to Winterfell and the north, Lord Stark, but I will need you with me. It will be far easier for all of us to land in the Stormlands, than for you to break away and try and brave a hostile narrow sea to make it to the north."
Ned wants to protest, but he knows that the King is right, therefore he sighs and nods. "Very well Sire, I agree. Where will we go first?"
Ned sees the King and Connington exchange glances before the King responds. "You and the company of the Rose shall accompany us to Griffin's Roost. From there we shall march onwards."
Ned can tell that this has Connington's hands all over it, and he feels resentful over that fact, still he nods and accepts his King's decision. The King then dismisses everyone else, apart from Ned, and as he sits there, the King speaks. "I am sorry you could not return to the north, my lord, and I know you are worried for your family, but I assure you, I have people in Westeros working hard to ensure their safety."
Ned wants to ask how the man intends to do that, but instead he merely nods. "Thank you Your Grace."
The King nods. "I know this is difficult for you my lord, but rest assured, this will end well. And our enemies shall be destroyed."
Ned wants to believe the King, he truly does, but he has seen far too much of life to be persuaded, still he nods in agreement. "I know Your Grace."