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Servants rush down the halls of the Red Keep carrying clothes and trunks into a room. The door of the room across from it was open, revealing Valen and a very confused Sansa. "Why are you helping me?" she asked.
"Growing up, I wanted to be an amazing warrior like my father and uncle, but I also wanted to be honorable like your father.....I tried to save your father and his men from my brother, but I failed. I will not fail again. As long as I breathe, I will keep you safe until my last breath is ripped from my chest," Valen vows, kneeling before Sansa. Valen's actions surprise the young Stark, but before she can say anything, a guard walks in and bows.
"Forgive my intrusion, princess, but your queen mother seeks your presence in her chambers," he explained.
Valen sighed and stood, "My lady, you have had a long day. Why don't you go to your new chambers and rest. I'll have the servants bring you something to eat and refreshments," she said, looking at Sansa. The young Stark is hesitant, but she bows and heads into her new room with servants Valen brought from Storm's End. Valen whispers into one of the servant's ears and then leaves with the guard.
Minutes later, Valen walks into her mother's chambers, seeing Joffrey is also there. Cersei walks up to Valen and swings her hand toward her daughter's face, but Valen catches her wrist. "You are my mother, and I love you, but I will not let you strike me as if I am beneath you," she said with a calm but stern tone surprising Joffrey.
"You blatantly betrayed your family and made your brother look like a fool in front of the lords!" Cersei spat.
"You wish to lie and degrade House Stark, so be it, but I will not stand by as a target is drawn upon an innocent girl's back! The same girl that my dear brother is to marry! If someone were to kill her, hoping to gain the king's favor, our family would look weak! It would make Joffrey look weak! Who wants a king that can not protect his own betrothed? By having her as my ward, I show my loyalty to my brother by protecting his future wife in his name of my own free will," Valen explained.
Joffrey easily takes the bait, "See, I told you, mother, it was all an act. My dear sister always has a reason for the things she does," he said proudly. Still, Cersei wasn't so easily swayed, but for now, she would wait and watch things unfold.
Days later, Arya runs through King's Landing when she sees a baker's stall with pastries on display. "Could l have one? A lemon one?" she asked.
The baker looks at her, "Three coppers," he says. Arya hesitates when Juno suddenly appears behind her and drops the money in the man's hand. She nods to Arya, who happily grabs the lemon-filled pastries.
"Why lemon?" Juno asked with a soft silk voice, surprising Arya.
"I used to eat them back home with my sister," Arya explained. People start rushing up the street, leaving Arya and Juno confused. Two kids run past them and up the stairs. "Hey, where's everyone going? What's happening?" Arya asked.
The kids stop, "They're taking him to the Sept of Baelor," one kid said.
"Who?" Arya asked.
"The Hand of the King," the other kid said, surprising Arya. She takes off up the steps with Juno right behind her. Not long after, Arya reaches the Sept of Baelor and struggles through the crowd until she reaches a statue. She climbs up the pedestal of Baelor's statue to get a better view of her surroundings. Ned Stark is escorted into the courtyard, in full view of the gathered populace. Ned catches Arya's eye at the foot of the statue.
"Traitor! Coward!" the crowd yelled. Ned is taken across the populace and runs into Yoren of the Night's Watch. Yoren is stooped and sinister with a twisted shoulder. His coarse and ugly features hide behind a thick, matted brown beard that matches his long hair. Yoren's blackish eyes meet Ned's.
"Baelor!" Ned called out, catching Yoren's attention. Ned nods towards the Baelor statue causing his friend to look at the statue seeing Arya. Valen noticed from her spot on a raised platform where Sansa, Cersei, Joffrey, and Littlefinger were standing. She discreetly signaled Juno, who was close by, to not attack Yoren, who was moving towards Arya. If anyone could get Arya safely out of King's Landing, it would be a member of the watch. Ned is escorted onto the platform. Sansa smiles warmly at her father as the guards force him to his knees. "I am Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Hand of the King. I come before you to confess my treason in the sight of Gods and men. I betrayed the faith of my king and the trust of my friend Robert. I swore to protect and defend his children, but before his blood was cold, I plotted to murder his son and seize the Throne for myself. Let the High Septon and Baelor the Blessed bear witness to what I say: Joffrey Baratheon is the one true heir to the Iron Throne, by the grace of all the Gods, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm," He proclaimed.
"As we sin, so do we suffer. This man has confessed his crimes in sight of Gods and men. The Gods are just, but beloved Baelor taught us they can also be merciful. What is to be done with this traitor, Your Grace?" Grand Maester Pycelle asked. Joffrey looks at Valen, remembering their chat that morning.
"You would have me show mercy to a traitor?!" Joffrey yelled in disbelief. Valen moves towards him and touches his shoulder.
"As king, everything you do and every choice you make is watched by all of Westeros. Our father's choice's led the kingdom into bankruptcy. We don't have the money to feed our soldiers to fight the North. Showing mercy to your future father-in-law may quench the North's thirst for battle. Believe me, brother, there are worst things than death," Valen advised.
"And if I were to take your advice, what other punishment would I bestow upon him?" Joffrey asked.
"The wall has broken stronger men than Ned Stark. I promise you just a few weeks there, and he will wish you killed him," Valen said with a smirk.
Joffrey looks at Ned, "My mother and sister wish me to let Lord Eddard join The Night's Watch. Stripped of all titles and powers, he would serve the realm in permanent exile. And My Lady Sansa has begged mercy for her father. And since I am such a merciful king, I have decided to grant their wishes," Joffrey proclaimed, surprising everyone. Sansa looks at Valen with admiration, knowing she has her to thank for the mercy being shown to her father.
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The Lost Stag
FanfictionValen was the firstborn child of Robert Baratheon and Cersei Lannister. But a terrible sickness ripped her from their arms.....or did it? Sansa Stark X Oc All seasons