The Prince of Thorns

🗡Stark Women🛡

Outside in a courtyard, Alester stands in the shadows as a few Stark stewards are packing and bringing out the Stark family's belongings.

Steward of House Stark: "If you break anything, the Septa will have my head. What is..."

Without hesitation the Kings Guard begins to slaughter the stewards. Seeing this Alester returned to the keep searching for Ned's daughters before the Kings Guard could locate them.

Septa Mordane: "Your sister knew perfectly well we were to leave today. How she could forget..."

Alester: "Sansa. Where is your sister?"

Sansa Stark: "She's with her dancing master. She's with him every morning. She always comes back with scrapes and bruises. She's so clumsy."

Alester: " Quiet! Go back to your room. Bar the doors and do not open them for anyone you do not know."

Sansa Stark: "What is it? What's happening?"

Alester: "Do as I told you. Run!"

She does as he tells her running off to her quarters with Septa Mordane. Turning he makes his way to find Arya.

Alester ran towards the training room. Whilst passing the courtyard with the slain Stark stewards he saw Arya standing next to a stable boy.

Alester: "Arya..."

The boy falls in front of her. Alester notices the bloody smallsword she calls needle in her hand. Putting both of his hands on her face and looking into her eyes in an attempt to snap her out of the shock she just experienced.

Arya: "Alester i..i..."

Alester: "Its ok. You did what you had to. I wish I could explain what's happening, but we don't have time. I know you've been down in the tunnels under the keep and I need you to go back down there and follow them till you smell the air. Ok."

She said nothing but nodded. 

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In the dark dungeon cells of Kings Landing. Ned sees a little light approaches him. After a short while it is clear that it's Alester, who is holding a torch.

Lord Varys: "Ned, you must be thirsty."

Ned Stark: "Alester."

Handing the waterskin over to Ned he doesn't hesitate to chug its contents.

Ned Stark: What about my daughters?

Alester: "I sent Arya through the tunnels. Shes a smart girl she'll be alright."

Ned Stark: "And Sansa?"

Alester: "Still engaged to Joffrey. Cersei will keep her close. The rest of your household though, all dead. I'm sorry I couldn't do more Ned."

Ned Stark: "I know you love the girl. I can't say I wouldn't do the same for Cat."

Alester: "I can't keep the queen from executing you, Ned. I have no real power here."

Ned Stark: "The Queen can't kill me. Cat holds her brother."

Lord Varys: "The wrong brother sadly. And lost to her. Cat has let the Imp slip through her fingers."

Ned Stark: "If that's true, then promise me you'll always look after my family."

Alester: "I will do everything I can Ned. This I swear."

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In the Throne room Alester stands near Sansa as New Titles are given out. The Tyrell barley pays attention to the drivel. He is however broken out of his trance upon hearing the Queen speak.

Cersei Lannister: "Ser Barristan Selmy."

Barristan Selmy: "Your Grace, I am yours to command."

Cersei Lannister: "Rise, Ser Barristan. You may remove your helm. You have served the Realm long and faithfully. Every man and woman in the Seven Kingdoms owe you thanks. But it is time to put aside your armor and your sword. It is time to rest and look back with pride on your many years of service."

Barristan Selmy: "Your Grace, the Kings Guard is a sworn brotherhood. Our vows are taken for life. Only death relieves us of our sacred trust."

Cersei Lannister: "Whose death, Ser Barristan? Yours or your King's?"

King Joffrey: "You let my father die. You're too old to protect anybody."

Barristan Selmy: "Your Grace..."

Cersei Lannister: "The Council has determined that Ser Jaime Lannister will take your place as Lord Commander of the Kings Guard."

Barristan Selmy: "The man who profaned his blade with the blood of the King he had sworn to defend!"

Cersei Lannister: "Careful, Ser."

Lord Varys: "We have nothing but gratitude for your long service, good Ser. You shall be given a stout Keep beside the sea, with servants to look after your every need."

Barristan Selmy: "A hall to die in and men to bury me. I am a Knight. I shall die a Knight."

Selmy begins to remove his armor.

Petyr Baelish: "A naked Knight, apparently."

Alester: "Naked or not he could carve through you Littlefinger."

Drawing his sword Ser Barristan eyes, the former Kings Guard.

Barristan Selmy: "Even now I could cut through the five of you!
Here, boy! Melt it down and add it to the others."

King's Landing Page: "If any man in this hall has other matters to set before His Grace, let him speak now or go forth and hold his silence."

Sansa Stark: "Your Grace."

King Joffrey: "Come forward, My Lady."

Sansa walk forth.

King's Landing Page: "The Lady Sansa of House Stark."

Cersei Lannister: "Do you have some business for the King and the Council, Sansa?"

Sansa Stark: "I do."

Sansa kneels down.

Sansa Stark: "As it please Your Grace, I ask mercy for my father, Lord Eddard Stark, who was Hand of the King."

Grand Maester Pycelle: "Treason is a noxious weed. It should be torn out, root..."

Alester: "Let her speak. I want to hear what she says."

Sansa look at Alester with a faint smile.

Petyr Baelish: "Do you deny your father's crime?"

Sansa Stark: "No, My Lords. I know he must be punished. All I ask is mercy. I know My Lord father must regret what he did. He was King Robert's friend and he loved him. You all know he loved him. He never wanted to be Hand until the King asked him. They must have lied to him. Lord Renly or Lord Stannis or somebody. They must have lied!"

King Joffrey: "He said I wasn't the King. Why did he say that?"

Sansa Stark: "He was badly hurt. Maester Pycelle was giving him milk of the poppy. He wasn't himself. Otherwise, he'd never would have said it."

Lord Varys: "A child's faith Such sweet innocence. And yet they say wisdom often comes from the mouths of babes."

Grand Maester Pycelle: "Treason is treason!"

King Joffrey: "Anything else?"

Sansa Stark: "If you still have any affection in your heart for me, please do me this kindness, Your Grace."

King Joffrey: "Your sweet words have moved me. But your father has to confess. He has to confess and say that I'm the King or there'll be no mercy for him."

Sansa Stark: "He will."