State of Grace / Ned Stark

30. Good King

''My Lord Protector,' Petyr remarked closing the hand of the kings door with a humorous bow.

"the King has no trueborn sons Joffrey and Tommen are Jaime Lannister's bastards.' Ned informed Petyr.

''so when the King dies-'' Petyr began

''his throne passes to his brother Lord Stannis.''

''so it would seem... unless-' Petyr smirked

''there is no unless, he is the rightful heir nothing can change that." Ned reminded him

''-and he cannot take the throne without your help you would be wise to deny it to him and to make sure Joffrey succeeds .' Petyr countered. Ned thought about that, if he made sure Joffrey did succeed then he could keep Grace and stay as hand but Ned knew that wasnt the right answer either. No matter how tempting. 

''do you have a shred of Honor?' Ned asked incredulously.

"you are now hand of the king and protector of the realm all of the power is yours you need only reach out and take it ...make peace with the Lannisters. release the IMP wed your daughter to Joffrey we've plenty of time to get rid of Stannis and if Joffrey seems likely to cause problems when he comes into his throne we simply reveal his little secret and seat Lord Renly there instead." Petyr offered

''We?'

''you'll need someone to share these burdens I assure you my price would be modest.'' Petyr offered.

''to suggest is treason." Ned spat

''only if we lose.'' Petyr countered

''make peace with the Lannisters you say," Ned scoffed ''the people who tried to murder my boy.'' He didnt believe Grace capable of murder but he didnt know about her siblings. When Tyrion was taken, when Ned accused her of murder she did look murderous. But there was a difference between looking murderous and doing the deed. 

''we only make peace with our enemies my lord that's why it's called making peace." Petyr reminded him

''no I won't do it." Ned declared but he was thinking about it, he really was. 

''so it will be Stannis and war." Petyr told him confidently.

"there is no other choice he is the heir." Ned spat back. Let joffrey succeed, help him succeed.  The words rang out in his mind. 

"so why did you call me here not for my wisdom clearly." Petyr mused

''you promised Catelyn you would help me... the Queen has a dozen knights and a hundred men-at-arms enough to overwhelm what remains of my household guard I need the gold cloaks, the city watch is 2,000 strong and sworn to defend the King's peace.'' Ned informed him

''look at you, you know what you want me to do you know it has to be done but it's not honorable so the words stick in your throat... when the Queen proclaims one king and the hand proclaims another whose peace do the gold cloaks protect? who do they follow?' Petyr asked him. "the man whos pays them.''

+

"Hi honey, whats with the long face?" 

"I'm going to be king." Joffrey realized. 

"You are, almost congratulations." grace agreed kissing his forehead. 

"What happens when I'm king?" 

"you are young, you will need to heed to Ned Stark, your hand, you would also make sure you listen to your council. A good king knows what he knows and what he doesnt." Grace remarked. 

"Shouldnt I replace Stark? He has proven to be not reliable."

"He didnt agree with your father wanting to murder an innocent girl across the narrow sea, we need more men like Ned Stark." Grace corrected gently. 

"Fine, he stays." JOffrey agreed. 

"Since you are staying..." Cersei remarked. Ned leaned back in his chair. "I thought you should know, I believe Grace is pregnant. with Your child." Cersei offered. "Think on that before you begin scheming with Baelish."

Ned thought Cersei was lying that she knew something, knew what Ned had done and now she was getting even making him doubt himself. Surely grace would have told him. 

That was it, Cersei knew he would plan a coup, and she thought he would stop his plans for her. For Grace. But it had to be a lie, a trick. 

'lord stark a moment,' renly requested. 'alone if you will?' ned followed Renly off. Ned sighed, he wanted to talk to Grace but he nodded. ''he named you protector of the realm. Cersei won't care. Give me an hour and I can give you 100 men.'

'what can I do with 100 men?' ned questioned.

'attack, in the night, we take joffrey into custody. every moment you delay gives cersei time to prepare. By the time Robert dies it will be too late for us.'

''what about stannis?'ned questioned.

'save the seven kingdoms from cersei and give them to stannis?' He asked incredulously. 'You have odd notions of protecting the realm.'

'stannis is your older brother.' Ned corrected.

'the line of succession doesn't matter, it didn't matter when you rebelled against the mad king.' Renly reminded him. 'It shouldn't matter now. what's best for the kingdoms what's best for the people. We know what stannis is he inspires no trust or loyalty. I do.' Renly told him.

'Stannis is a commander. He's lead men into war twice, he destroyed a Greyjoy fleet.' Ned reminded him.

'yes he's a great solider so was Robert tell me do you believe good soldiers make good kings?' Renly countered.

'I will not honor Roberts last hours by shedding blood in these halls'. Ned informed him. 'And dragging frightened children from their beds.'' Ned had to talk to Grace. He had to see her, had to figure this out. Could he reason with them, could he help Joffrey be a good king?