You're Losing Me / Ned Stark / Sandor Clegane

10. Bankrupt

Nessa asked for the wolves every day on the way home, sandor kept saying they had to go home, go north. SHe didnt understand why they couldnt play here. 

Tyanna, the little monster promised to get her a cat. Sandor rolled his eyes, a fucking cat? Nessa countered that she didnt want a cat, she wanted a dog, she wanted Nymeria and Lady. 

Sofia promised to get her a puppy, even better. Sandor thought his eyes were going to roll out of his head. 

"What?" Sofia demanded. 

"What the fuck am I going to do with a puppy?"

"Nessa is going to tend to it, love it, hug it, feed and snuggle the pup. Duh, have you never had a pet before sandor?" Sofia questioned. 

"I took care of the hounds at casterly rock and you know it." Sandor countered, she smirked back at him. 

"You like dogs."

"I like dogs." Sandor agreed gruffly. "You believe your friend wanted to get Nessa a fucking cat?"

"Sounds like Tya." Sofia agreed. 

"Thanks for, winterfell and everything, taking such good care of nessa."

"Of course." sofia assured. "She's the sweetest, if I am ever lucky enough to have a child I hope she is just like Nessa."

"You can have her."  Sandor suggested. 

"She would miss her daddy too much."

Marry me then we both can have her, Sandor thought as he stared back at her but Ned caught her eye, he always did and she was excusing herself and veering off. 

"WHen was the last time you were here?" Sofia questioned. 

"It's been a long time." Ned admitted. 

"Too long." Sofia added. "Im' so glad to have you all to myself."

"Welcome, Lord Stark. Grand Maester Pycelle has called a meeting of the Small Council. The honor of your presence is requested."

"SO much for all to myself." Sofia murmured, Ned pressed a kiss to her cheek. 

"Mordane, Get the girls settled in. I'll be back in time for supper. And, Jory, you go with them." Ned instructed.

"Yes, my Lord." Jory agreed leading Arya and Sansa inside.

"I will walk you there." Sofia suggested. 

"Thank you, darling." ned agreed. 

"If you'd like to change into something more appropriate..." the guard offered. Ned Stark gave the guard a blank stare before taking off his gloves, the guard realized Ned's disinterest in changing, he wanted to get to work, and the two began walking to the council chamber.

"I can take it from here, I assure you." Sofia assured. She linked her arm with Neds but Tyanna called out for her.  Sofia swatted an annoyed hand but Tyanna groaned out demanding her. 

"Just past the throne room." Sofia offered. "Excuse me, Tyanna is being difficult."

"Go on, I will see you later."

"You better come find me." Sofia agreed. "What?" She barked when she got to tyanna.  Jaime Lannister was lingering in front of the throne.

'Thank the gods you were here stark' Jaime declared, 'it's about time we had some stern northern leader ship.''

''Glad to see you are protecting throne,' Ned said, a hint of sarcasm in his voice

'Sturdy old thing. How many kings houses have posted it I wonder...' Jaime looked him over a smug look on his face. 'I heard there was trouble on the kings road.'

"I look fat."

"That was your emergency?" 

"Yes." Tyanna declared. "Look at me, look at my-"

"How did your boobs get bigger? Did they swell in the heat?" Sofia demanded. 

"Right?" Tyanna agreed. 

"It's not fat, its your body turning even more beautiful, leave me be." Sofia begged running off. 

"SO you agree I look even more beautiful?"

"Tyanna I'm going to murder you!" Sofia called back. 

"Should we begin?" Pycelle questioned.

" Without the King?" Ned countered confused.

"Winter may be coming, but I'm afraid the same cannot be said for my brother." Renly countered.

"His Grace has many cares. He entrusts some small matters to us that we might lighten the load." Varys agreed.

" We are the lords of small matters here." Petyr added as Sofia peered in. 

" My brother instructs us to stage a tournament in honor of Lord Stark's appointment as Hand of the King." Renly went on. "Sofia!" 

"Renly!" She declared running to her brother. 

"Good trip?" 

"Great trip, we got ned." Sofia agreed. Ned couldnt help but smile back at her. Renly kept an arm around her as they spoke. 

" Mmm, how much?" Petyr countered.

"40,000 gold dragons to the champion, 20,000 to the runner-up, 20,000 to the winning archer." Ned read off.

"Lannister money," Sofia coughed out. 

"Can the treasury bear such expense?" Pycelle countered shaking his head.

" I'll have to borrow it. " Petyr answered. 

"Lannister money," Sofia coughed again. 

"The Lannisters will accommodate, I expect. We already owe Lord Tywin 3 million gold. What's another 80,000?" Petyr assured. Ned gaped back at him.

"Are you telling me the Crown is three million in debt?" Ned demanded.

"I'm telling you the Crown is six million in debt." Petyr corrected.

" How could you let this happen?"

" The Master of Coin finds the money. The King and the Hand spend it." Petyr answered.

"Mainly the king, my brother likes to spend. I dont think he understands how money works." Sofia admitted. 

"I will not believe Jon Arryn allowed Robert to bankrupt the realm." Ned corrected.

" Lord Arryn gave wise and prudent advice, but I fear His Grace doesn't always listen." Pycelle admitted, Ned couldn't believe this, was robert really this foolish?

""Counting coppers," he calls it." Renly clarified.

"I'll speak to him tomorrow. This tournament is an extravagance we cannot afford." Ned assured.

"As you will. But still, we'd best make our plans." Petyr assured knowing the king.

"Just cut the winnings in half, or less, who cares those boys all want is a moment of fame and enough money for a round of drinks and a visit to littlefingers." Sofia added. Petyr gave her a tight lipped smile. 

"There will be no plans until I speak to Robert. Forgive me, my Lords, Sofia," Ned added. "I had a long ride." Ned remarked getting up.

"You are the King's Hand, Lord Stark, we serve at your pleasure." Varys agreed.