Mirrorball // Sansa Stark

20. Look Like Hell

"Ned Jaime lannister did this? He attacked you in broad daylight." Jae rasped. 

"He did, he is mad, catelyn took his brother and he wants him back." ned understood, he would do anything to protect his family and now catelyn's stupidity was going to get them all hurt.

"Ned-" Jae began but the door swung open and Jae turned to the door. 

"Pardon your grace I would rise but-' ned adjusted in bed, he had hoped to see his girls and he didn't try to hide his disappointment as Robert and Cersei entered.

''Do you know what your wife has done?' Cersei questioned incredulously. Ned remained silent. Jae looked between them hopelessly. 

''I didn't think she had it in her.' robert laughed out.

''How dare she lay hands on my blood!' cersei spat.

''I am the kings hand I was keeping the peace.' ned reminded her

''You were the kings hand.' cersei corrected. 'You will be held accountable-''

''Will both of shut your mouths!' Robert shouted. ''Catelyn will release tyrion and you will make your peace with Jaime.'' Jae's eyes ping ponged between them.

''he butchered my men.' Ned reminded him defensively.

''Lord stark was returning drunk from a brothel when he attacked Jaime.' Cersei told Robert aggressively.

''Quiet woman,' Robert sneered.

''Jaime has fled the city.' Ned remarked. 'Give me leave to bring him back to justice.'' Jae was going to say he would do it, he didnt trust the guard they were on the lannisters payroll surely. 

''Justice, how dare you talk to the king-' cersei spat.

''Hold your tongue.' Robert demanded.

'He attacked one brother and taken the other I should wear the armor and you the gown.' Cersei told Robert and he slapped her across the face. Jae sucked in a tight breath. "I shall wear this like a badge of honor.'

'wear it in silence or I will honor you again.' Robert threatened as cersei stormed out. Jae excused himself following her out. 

''see what she does to me my loving wife... I should not have hit her, that was not... that was not kingly.' Robert remarked but there was no remorse in his eyes.

''if we don't act, there will be a war.' Ned told Robert seriously as pain shot through his leg. 

"Your grace." Jae remarked. Cersei turned to him. "Are you alright?" 

"Are you the last good man alive Jae?" Cersei countered.  Jae stroked a gentle thumb over her cheek. 

"Has he done this before?" Jae whispered. 

"Jaime would have killed him if he were here." Cersei corrected. 

"A man should never hit a woman, not like that, not his own wife. He should treat you like a queen... I doubt you have felt like a queen in a long while though." Jae remarked and Cersei nodded softly. 

''So tell your wife to return that little shit of an imp to kings landing. You hear me send a raven and put an end to it!' Robert demanded.

'what of Jaime Lannister?' ned questioned.

'What about Jaime?' Robert said. 'I'm half a kingdom in debt to his father. I don't know what happened between you and those yellow haired shits and I don't want to know. This is what matters. I can't rule the kingdoms if the starks and lannisters are at each other's throats.'

'Robert we need to talk,' ned rasped. He knew the truth and Robert needed to know to. 

'No I am sick of talk, I am going on a hunt tomorrow; whatever you have to tell me can wait until I return.' Robert assured him.

'What are you doing about Daenerys Targaryen?' ned questioned softly. 

"Robert thinks he is a big man but he needs to get over himself." Cersei remarked. "The woman you choose to love will get roses constantly, her heart will never feel like a graveyard, never feel like there is an in between of..." she drifted a hand between them searching for the right word. 

"Life? Compassion? Unapologetic and unconditional love?" Jae offered. 

"Yes." Cersei agreed. "Dont make that girl wait too long Jae." 

"Are you sure you are okay? Can I get you anything?"

"I'm okay Jae, thank you for checking on me." Cersei assured. 

"Don't worry about that, it is done.' robert informed him. 'the last of the targaryens will be dead.' He spat and Ned swallowed the lump in his throat.

'of course... as you wish your grace. With your permission I will take my leave and return to winterfell. With my girls." Ned remarked.

'piss on that.' Robert told him. 'send a raven, I want you to stay. I am the king I get what I want. I never loved my brothers,' he admitted 'sad thing for a man to admit but it's true. You were the brother I chose.' Robert reminded him. Ned was liking his eldest friend less and less these days.

'why Robert? Why do you want me as Hand if you do not listen to my advice?' ned questioned

'Somebody has to run the kingdom.' Robert said honestly. 'you're the hand again, you take this off again and I pin it to Jaime fucking Lannister.' Robert told him throwing the hand pin down onto the bed.

"Your grace." Jae remarked coming back into Ned's room. "You look like hell old sport." 

"I hadnt realized."