State of Grace / Ned Stark

11. Beloved

It was a week of sobs as Bran lay motionless in bed. Grace didnt see much of Ned he was worried about his son and rightfully so but most nights that week she would feel a hand wrap around her waist as he breathed her in. But in the morning he would be gone his indent in the bed and scent lingering. Grace would roll over to his side of the bed and pretend he was still there.

She had yet to confront her siblings about what happened. She knew something was off but didnt want to think them capable of trying to kill a little boy. Why? It was crazy to think such a thing.

''Time for breakfast. Bread. And two of those little fish. And a mug of dark beer to wash it down. And bacon, burned black.' Tyrion remarked looking over the food.

'Little brother.' Jaime remarked. "Gracie." He pressed a kiss to her cheek as she leaned into him.

'Beloved siblings.' Tyrion said smirking back at them.

"You alright love?" Jaime questioned wrapping an arm around Grace.

"Im worried about Bran." Grace admitted softly and cerseis gaze shot to them. Jaime gave her a squeeze before letting her go and picking at his food.

'Is Bran going to die?' Mycella questioned

''Apparently not.' Tyrion told her picking at his food.

''What do you mean?' Cersei questioned, her eyes darting to Jaime.

'The Maester says the boy may live.' Tyrion told them and Cersei sucked in a breath trying to remain calm.

"He wont have use of his legs when he wakes that they are sure of but... that seems like a long journey to getting to that point." Grace added.

'It's no mercy, letting a child linger in such pain.' Cersei told him her face pinched.

'Only the gods know for certain. All the rest of us can do is pray." Grace told Myrcella and she nodded.

"The charms of the north seem entirely lost on you.' Tyrion remarked looking to Cersei.

'I still can't believe you're going to the wall. It's ridiculous even for you.' Cersei told him.

'Where's your sense of wonder? The greatest structure ever built, the intrepid men of the Night's Watch, the wintry abode of the White Walkers.' Tyrion mused.

"Im getting used to the snow." Grace remarked. "But you go any farther and your cock is going to freeze off." She warned.

"Thank you for being concerned about my cock." Tyrion agreed.

'Tell me you're not thinking of taking the black.' Jaime teased and Tyrion scoffed.

'And go celibate? The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world.' Tyrion assured them and grace chuckled stealing a sip of his wine. He stole it back from her with a playful smirk.

'The children don't need to hear your filth. Come.' Cersei said leading her children away from the breakfast table, Tyrion's eyes followed them as he brought his cup to his lips.

'Even if the boy lives, he'll be a cripple, a grotesque. Give me a good clean death any day.' Jaime remarked.

'Speaking for the grotesques, I'd have to disagree. Death is so final, whereas life... Life is full of possibilities." Tyrion declared.

"You are not grotesque." Grace assured and Tyrion put a hand over his heart. "You are just a little gross at times." She mused. He made a fist punching it to his chest.

"Dagger, dagger love." Tyrion remarked. "But I hope the boy does wake. I'd be very interested to hear what he has to say.' Tyrion remarked.

'My dear brother, there are times you make me wonder whose side you're on.' Jaime said down to him. Tyrion offered a coy smile.

'My dear brother, you wound me. You know how much I love my family.' Tyrion reminded him. "At least Gracie. It varies moment to moment for the rest of you."

+

Catelyn rose she looked a mess as Cersei entered Brans chambers. Grace moved to Brans side. He was such a handsome little boy. So full of life and now he was so... death like.

'Please, sit.' Cersei assured as she looked over at Bran. Motionless on the bed. Cersei watched Grace and her gentle tender touch to his forehead. She wanted a baby. She was so good with children. She loved them and wanted a slew of her own. Cersei knew that even though grace didnt want a man claimed it at least that raising a bastard alone would come with repercussions that Grace didnt want.

'I would have dressed, your Grace.' Catelyn said trying to make herself look presentable

'This is your home. I'm your guest.' Cersei reminded her, still staring down at Bran. 'Handsome one, isn't he? I lost my first boy, a little black-haired beauty. He was a fighter too... tried to beat the fever that took him.' Cersei informed her. 'Forgive me. It's the last thing you need to hear right now.'

'I never knew.' Catelyn remarked softly.

'It was years ago. Robert was crazed, beat his hands bloody on the wall, all the things men do to show you how much they care. The boy looked just like him. Such a little thing... A bird without feathers. They came to take his body away and Robert held me. I screamed and I battled, but he held me. That little bundle. They took him away and I never saw him again.' Cersei remarked there was a distance in her eyes and Grace moved to her. That baby boy... she thought it was the first and last time Robert really ever held his wife. Grace remembered it clearly and felt tears sting her eyes. 'Never have visited the crypt, never. I pray to the Mother every morning and night that she return your child to you.'

'I am grateful.' Catelyn said softly.

'Perhaps this time she'll listen.'

+

'Jon spoke to me of joining the nights watch.' Benjen informed him and Ned's face dropped.

"I heard about that." Ned agreed bitterly.

"Yeah, he doesn't have a place here, I think him sitting outside at the feast was a shove to the heart.' Benjen told him.

"He has a place with me." Ned corrected.

'Yes but he is thinking long term. He is thinking of the future and he is not going to stay here forever. If you go to the capitol, there will not be a place for him.' Benjen reminded him.

'You think he would do alright? Be safe at the wall?' Ned pondered.

'Something dark is coming but he is a strong boy, skilled, better than most,' Benjen assured.

'that wasn't a real answer.' Ned remarked.

'I cant tell you he is going to thrive but hey I'm still here and hes much better with a sword that I was at his age.' Benjen reminded him.