Out of the woods // Ned Stark

7. Hunt

'Ned! Ned!' Catelyn said running in towards him 'excuse me I need to speak with my husband. Privately.'

'Excuse us Maelia,' ned gave her an apologetic smile, letting her go.

'"mmm hmm," Maelia agreed turning and walking away, the way Catelyn said husband so possessively made Maelia chuckle. Ned watched her go for a moment before Catelyn pulled him away.

'I just got word from the Erie, from my sister. She said Lord Aryn was murdered by the Lannister's!' she hissed. 'that means that King is in danger!'

'She is a fresh widow Catelyn, she does not know what she's saying.' Ned assured her letting out a huff of a breath. She was as mental as Lysa herself it seemed.

'Lysa's head would be on a spike right now if the wrong people had found out Ned!' Catelyn exclaimed why wasn't he taking her seriously, why was his mind elsewhere, his eyes drifting around the empty halls. Her mind was clear. 'Do you think she would risk her life? Her son's life? To risk telling us that her husband was murdered?' This was the longest conversation he had had with his wife in a long time and of course she was screaming at him. He resisted the urge to rub his temple she was already giving him a migraine. Her lucid moments often turned to screaming and delusions, he needed to calm her down before she announced to the entire castle that she believed the lannisters evil.

'If this news is true and the Lannister's are conspiring against the throne who but you can protect the king' maester Lyewen said coming up behind them.

'They murdered the last Hand,' catelyn reminded him 'now you wanted to take the job?'

'They traveled a month to ask for Ned Starks help. He is the only one he trusts. He swore the oath.' Lyewen reminded Catelyn.

'He spent half his life fighting in Roberts wars he owes him nothing!' she spat.

'Your father and Brother Road South once on the kings demand.' Ned recalled.

'A different time,' Lyewen reminded him 'a different King.'

'Robert is in danger that means,' Ned said softly thinking it through, "I have to go. I'm the only one who trusts. I'm the only one that can protect him.' Catelyn stomped off. "Maester... perhaps a stronger dose for tonight?" Ned suggested.

"A good idea my lord." He agreed heading off.

When Ned got back to his room he saw Maelia in her wolf form curled up at the bottom on his bed. He chuckled and she lifted her head staring over at him.

"You comfortable." She put her head back down but her eyes were wide watching him. Ned glanced back at her as he changed. Her eyes stayed on him. "It's only fair." Ned remarked turning back to her. "I've seen your body bare many times when you shifted." Ned said walking naked towards her. He found it strange that he was talking to a wolf but he knew it was Maelia. He did a turn and Maelia couldn't help but chuckle it came out as a little yip. "I'm taking that as a good yip." Ned remarked moving back to get dressed. Once settled he felt Maelia jump off the bed pawing at the door. "What? You came for the show and are leaving me?" Ned mused she pawed again. "You checking on the children.' She gave a nod. He got back up and she padded out, he watched her go. He should have guessed after being in a dress all evening she would want to be in her wolf form all night.

+

'Rough night imp?' Sandor questioned fixing his boots.

'If I get through this without scratching one end or the other it will be a miracle.' Tyrion told him drunkenly, his head was spinning, he hated the north.

'Didn't pick you for a hunter.'

'I am the greatest in the land my spear never misses.' he said drunkenly, his words slurred.

'It's not hunting if you pay for it.' Sandor remarked getting up as Tyrion closed his eyes again leaning against the stables. Maelia sniffed at him and Tyrion tipped forward until he saw what it was.

"Pretty girl." Sandor remarked recognizing her colors.

"You made a friend last night Clegane?" Tyrion mused. "My apologizes pretty girl." Tyrion said patting Maelia's head awkwardly but she took a step away from him standing between Sandor's legs.

"Wolves are a good judge of character." Sandor remarked. "She must sense what a cunt you are little lord." Sandor chuckled rubbing between her ears. She tipped her head back looking at him.

"LIA!" Bran called and she ran towards him. "What are you doing Maelia?" Bran questioned hugging her tightly she licked at his face.

'I know what I'm putting you through. Thank you for saying yes. I only ask you because I need you. You're a loyal friend. You hear me? A loyal friend. The last one I've got." Robert remarked

'I hope I'll serve you well.' Ned told him.

'You will. And I'll make sure you don't look so fucking grim all the time. Come on, boys, let's go kill some boar!"

Ned nodded goodbye to Bran as the riding party headed off, a smile crossed his face as Maelia wrestled with the other wolves.

"Look out for that one," Ned instructed. "You know Lia likes to get in trouble." Maelia turned towards him and Summer tackled her.

' Come on, you.' Bran instructed summer as she jumped off Maelia. Maelia grumbled as she watched the riding party take off. Bran began climbing, summer was whining and crying at the bottom of the castle wall. As he neared the top, he heard a woman and man moaning. Confused he peered in the window, shocked and confused he stared at Cersei and Jaime.

'Stop. STOP.' Cersei demanded as Jaime pulled out of her. Jaime ran to the window and grabbed Bran holding him still. Bran started to breathe heavy confused and scared as his eyes flickered between the twins.

'Are you completely mad?' Jaime questioned

' He saw us.' Cersei reminded Jaime.

'It's all right. It's all right.' Jaime assured his grip still tight on Bran's shirt.

'He saw us!' Cersei shouted as she righted herself.

'I heard you the first time.' Jaime remarked he turned to a very nervous Bran. 'Quite the little climber, aren't you? How old are you, boy?'

'Ten .' Bran said nervously

'Ten.' Jaime repeated looking to Cersei. But Cersei's stared was harsh. 'The things I do for love.' Jaime remarked shoving Bran out the window.

'Get a maester! Bran needs a maester! What the hell happened!'