Out of the woods // Ned Stark

10. Psycho

'I came to say goodbye to Bran.' Jon said coming in, seeing Catelyn crying over Bran. Jon was sure that Catelyn was a psychopath. Some days she was loving and crying over her son and other days she was trying to kill her husband. He knew it wasn't her fault but it worried him. Leaving for the wall, Ned was leaving, Maelia too, Rickon and Bran would need Robb and Theon to look out for them, keep an eye on their mother.

'You've said it.' Catelyn said annoyed as Jon approached the bed

'I wish I could be here when you wake up.' he told a sleeping bran 'I'm going north with uncle Benjen I'm taking the black...' Catelyn looked up to him with teary eyes not for Jon but for her son. Jon knelt before Bran, 'I know we always talked about seeing the wall together but you will be able to come and visit me at Castle Black when you're better I'll know my way around by then I will be a sworn brother of the nights watch. We can go out walking beyond the wall if you're not afraid.' Jon added.

'I want you to leave.' Catelyn said through clenched teeth they both looked at the door to see Ned and Maelia. Jon got up and pressed a kiss to Brans forehead before heading out Ned closed the door behind Jon. Ned approached Catelyn's taking slow steps before sitting down next to her. Maelia touched Bran's hand taking a bit more pain but there wasn't much, her body blocking her actions from Catelyn before kissing Bran's forehead and heading out.

'17 years ago you rode off with Robert Baratheon, you came back a year later with another woman's son and now you're leaving again!' cat told him exasperatedly.

'I am going. I can't refuse the king.' Ned reminded her but he was glad to be rid of her. he just wished it was under better circumstances with Bran. He knew that Maelia was in knots about it.

'That's what they always say, all our goals but that's what you tell your family, tell your son... you do have a choice.' cat told him 'and you've made it.'

Ned opened his mouth but there was no use arguing with her, tomorrow she would forget he was gone or forget that bran was in a coma and then start yelling. He should really bring everyone and leave Catelyn but someone needed to stay at winterfell and be warden of the north.

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'You said goodbye to Bran?' Robb questioned coming up to Jon, they were headed out, Robb was to be the new lord of winterfell in his fathers absence. 'He's not going to die I know it.' Robb told him

'You starks are hard to kill.' Jon remarked

'My mother?'

'She was very kind.' Jon lied.

'I'm sure she was... Next time I see you you'll be all in black.' Robb remarked as Jon saddled his horse

'It was always my color.' Jon added,

'Farewell snow.'

'And you Stark.' they shared a warm embrace before Robb headed off. "Maelia!" He called and she turned rising from the wolves.

"Robb... I'm not calling you lord stark." Maelia informed him as she hugged him.

"Didn't think you would." Robb agreed. "Are you sure you don't want to stay?" Maelia burst out laughing.

"Oh! You were serious? That's funny, who knew you were funny." Maelia remarked. "Take care of your brothers.

"I will... Maelia." Robb reached out for her and she smiled over at him. "Thank you, for everything. This past moon has been... it felt like, Winterfell felt like home again." Robb admitted.

"I'm glad I could help with that. Let us know the moment Bran wakes." Maelia told him hugging him again.

"You ready?" Ned asked and Maelia looked to Summer, Grey Wind and Shaggy dog staring at her expectantly. She let out a sigh as she hugged them one last time.

"Take care of the boys." Maelia instructed kissing their heads.

"You are making me jealous." Ned teased as she stood up.

"Wouldn't want that.' Maelia agreed a hand trailing gently over his neck and down his chest her cold fingers sent a shiver down his spine.

"You riding with me?" Ned said hopefully.

"No place I would rather be." Maelia assured and she hopped up and not a moment later she felt Ned's hands around her waist holding her steady to him.

+

'This is country' Robert said happily 'who am I to leave them all behind?'

'I have half a mind to go with you' ned informed him as they eat out in the open air.

'What do you say just you and me on the Kings Road... you and me a couple of whores at are sides and Tavern winches... something to warm our beds tonight!' Robert informed him jollily.

'If you would've asked me 20 years ago,' Ned joked

'There were wars to fight and women to marry,' Robert said begrudgingly 'I never had the chance to be young.'

'What were your chances?'

'Oh there was that one,' Robert chuckled 'what was her name Becca? With the great big tits you could bury your face in,' Robert remembered happily.

'Bessie,' ned corrected 'she was one of yours.'

'Bessie thank God for Bessie and her tits!'

'Yours was Eliana, meriyln, no the bastards mother...' Robert began.

'Lila.' Ned lied.

'That's right must've been a rare wench to make Lord Eddard stark forget his honor. You never told me what she looked like.' Robert remarked.

'Nor will I' ned said softly his gaze shifting to Maelia running around with the wolves her laugh echoing as Lady jumped up on her giving her a kiss.

'We were at war,' Robert reminded him 'we didn't know we were gonna go back home again don't be so hard on yourself you always have been. I swear if I weren't your king you would've hit me already.' Robert told him.

'Worst thing about your coronation, is I'll never get to hit you again.' Ned joked

'Trust me that's not the worst thing.' He handed him over a scroll 'there's a rider in the night.' Ned read it over

'Daenerys Targaryen has wed some Dothraki soldier...'

'what of it?' Ned read it over again 'Did you send her a wedding gift?' ned questioned.

'A knife perhaps, a sharp one and a bold man to wield it.' Robert said taking along drink from his glass

'She is barely a child' Robert reminded him.

'Soon enough that child will spread her legs and start breeding,' Robert reminded him

'Tell me we are not speaking of this?' Ned began

'Oh is it unspeakable to you?' Robert countered 'What happened to your family was unspeakable what Rhaegar Targaryen did to your sister, the woman I loved, I will kill every Targaryen I get my hands on.' Robert threatened

'You can't get your hands on this one' Ned noted.

'This Khal Drogo says he has 100,000 men in his hold.' Robert sneered.

'Even 1 million Dothraki has no threat as long as they were to remain on the other side of the narrow see, they have no ships.' Ned reminded him.

'There are still those in the seven kingdoms that call me the user per usurper. The Targaryen and Dothraki whore is back and the scum will join them.' Robert informed him.

'They will not cross' ned assured him 'and if by chance he does we will throw him back into the sea.' Ned said nonchalantly.

'There's a war coming Ned. I don't know when and I don't know who will be fighting but it is coming.'

'They've been scared of water for generations... Maybe we just let her be.'

'Let her be?' Robert questioned 'You know what is to happen. You know what is to come if she crosses!' Ned shook his head he would have no part in the massacre of a child. "we will discuss it more at the capital,' Robert informed him