Out of the woods // Ned Stark

29. Stark for King

"What the..." Sandor took a step back as Maelia used her teeth breaking the binds on Ned's wrist. Maelia sat at his feet as Arya came running through the crowd pushing her way up. Ned reached down pulling her up.

"Robert Baratheon, our king wanted Lord Eddard Stark to rule in his stead until his rightful heir came of age." Barristan announced stepping forward. "Seeing as though he didn't have any legitimate heirs..." Everyone looked to Ned.

"Stark for king!"

"Lord Stark for King!"

"King Stark!"

The people echoed out, their fists in the air, Ned looked down to Maelia, still in wolf form staring up at him. She gave a little yip in agreement. Sandor stared at her still baffled. Maelia looked over to him and Sandor swore the wolf winked at him.

"The council will have to discuss but..." Barristan looked to Ned. "Would you want it?"

Maelia howled out and Arya joined her.

"I think your pup agrees." Barristan remarked.

+

"What the fuck just happened?" Sandor barked. "Where is Maelia? I thought all the wolves were gone?" Arya smirked as Maelia wagged her tail between Ned's legs.

"Could I borrow your cloak, Clegane?" Ned asked extending a hand.

"You are to be the king." Sandor mused. "You can keep it." Ned chuckled throwing it over Maelia. Sandor stared down at the wolf covered in his cloak. "Your pup cold?" Sandor questioned but his cloak started to shift. He stared as Maelia stood up from underneath wrapping it around her.

"What's with the long face pretty boy?" Maelia teased.

"You... and before and... fuck." Sandor said still processing.

"Cool right."

"I talked to you." Sandor remarked.

"You did, I enjoyed it." Maelia agreed.

"You were just a-"

"I was." Maelia agreed. "And their blood got me hungry." Maelia remarked.

"What are we going to do about the Lannisters?" Sandor questioned. "Tommen and Mycella?"

"Keep em as wards." Maelia suggested.

"You ripped their mothers throat out, you think they want to stay with you?" Sandor countered and Maelia shrugged.

"We still have to deal with Tywin and Jaime." Ned agreed. "The Baratheon brothers have already taken up arms..."

"Can we not just take the win?" Maelia offered.

"The imp if he is still alive could see reason." Sandor offered. "He didn't love his sister."

"I gave Robert the throne because I didn't want it." Ned reminded Maelia. "I don't want it still."

"Nonsense." Maelia said wrapping her arms around his waist. "Long live the King."

+

Bran woke up a pant in his breath. Rickon ran into Bran's room locking eyes with him.

"Did you see it too?" Bran asked.

"Maelia destroyed them!" Rickon declared jumping on the bed.

"She saved father but Tywin and Jaime are still out there." Bran remarked.

"Is father king now?" Rickon asked.

"I don't think so." Bran admitted.

"But the king is dead, his children are not his children and Maelia can handle the lannisters." Rickon offered.

"Renly, stannis.... This war isn't over yet."