Familiar Feeling / Ned Stark

17. Intimate

Jon was ten, Catelyn was pregnant again and Bran was almost two years old, little bran had been a light brought into the world but Everly was surprised to hear Catelyn was pregnant again. Both times Catelyn made the joyous announcement. 

"Neds been at war..." everly countered.

" well before he left, we had a very intimate moment you don't need to concern yourself with such things just prepare another nursery." Catelyn countered. Everly knew she was lying because ned wanted nothing to do with his wife.

Robert used superior numbers and resources to crush the rebellion. His brother Stannis Baratheon, Lord of Dragonstone and the master of ships, joined the royal fleet with the Redwyne fleet from the Arbor and ships from Oldtown. They caught and smashed Victarion's Iron Fleet in the Straits of Fair Isle. The husband of Gwynesse Harlaw was killed in this sea battle off Fair Isle, while Aeron Greyjoy was captured and spent the rest of the war beneath Casterly Rock. Stannis's victory over Victarion near Fair Isle allowed Robert's forces to cross from the green lands to the Iron Islands.

Balon Greyjoy knelt before King Robert I Baratheon and Ned Stark. Ned felt a rush of relief, he was going to go home to his family. This was done. 

"Lets end this boys!" Robert bellowed, Ned groaned hoping it was already done. But no, it would never be done. 

Everly focused on the kids and tried not to be anywhere near Catelyn. She thought she was the bitch in charge. She was lady of winterfell and since Robb was only a child, same as Jon he wasnt ready to be lord of winterfell yet. 

Jon sat beside Everly as she finished a proper prayer for neds return. 

"What did you ask?" Jon questioned grabbing her hand. 

"For your father to come home to us in one piece. Soon too. I miss him." everly whispered kissing his forehead. 

"I miss him too." Jon agreed. "Hey mama?"

"Yes baby?"

"You are my mama right?" 

Robert should have scoured the isles after Balon Greyjoy rose against him. He smashed their fleet, burned their towns and broke their castles, but when he had them on their knees, he let them up again. He should have made another island of their skulls cersei thought bitterly as she waited at the capital with her ever growing stomach, this child would live. She needed someone that was just hers. Maybe after this battle Robert would do better, be better, change. But he lived for the war. Being king wasnt enough, he liked the bloodshed and Cersei wasnt enough. This baby had to live or Robert had to die out there.

The final battle was on the island of Pyke, led by Robert and Ned. The nearby Botley castle was destroyed, as was the town of Lordsport beneath it, before the main attack on the castle of Pyke was launched. Robert's forces assaulted the southern wall with siege engines, shattering the main watchtower and bringing parts of the surrounding wall down.

Thoros of Myr was first through the breach wielding a sword coated in wildfire. The Faith of the Seven suffered abuse in the Iron Islands at the hands of fanatics who worship the Drowned God. They could feel the darkness around them.

"Crazy fucker." Sandor murmured keeping a keen eye on the flaming sword.  The castle was taken next.

Robert was impressed with Sandor and Gregor both. He knew Gregor was Tywin's mad dog but Sandor was untouched potential being kept trapped up in the west. 

"Good work, Clegane." ned remarked wiping the blood from his blade. Sandor nodded to him as he passed. Ned was a good guy, he wanted to show that he wasnt needing all the praise like robert, he wanted the soldiers to know they too succeeded. 

Jorah Mormont, Lord of Bear Island, and Thoros earned knighthoods from Robert for their bravery. Robert offered the same to sandor but he politely requested the king fuck off.

Balon, brought before Robert in chains, bent the knee and was forced to swear fealty once more to the Iron Throne.

"You may take my head, but you cannot name me traitor. No Greyjoy ever swore fealty to a Baratheon." Balon spat.

" Swear one now or lose that stubborn head of yours." Robert corrected.  Robert gave a boy of barely 11 to Ned. Balon's last surviving son, Theon.

"What do you want me to do with him? I won't kill him, he's a child." Ned corrected quickly.

"I want you to take care of the boy, make him your hostage to help ensure Balon's good behavior." Robert suggested.

"Robert, I can't bring back another child." Catelyn would pitch a fit more than usual even if it was clear this wasnt Ned's son. 

"That you are helping this war." Robert agreed patting his back.

"Robert-"

"Take the boy. Or I have him killed." Robert warned his voice low.