Dynasty / Arya Stark X oc Male

25. Shield

There was a moment between life and death when a wild bore was charging at them, and instead of lifting his sword, he pulled his son forward, using him as a shield.

Barristan wasnt quick enough. It would forever be his biggest regret. But no one thought the king so stupid and so reckless as to use his son as a shield 

Robert was dying and garrett was on deaths door. The fucking fool had shoved his son in the way of the boar. Cersei was furious as garrett lay motionless. Her baby boy.

"Ned! It's Robert and Garrett- We were hunting...a boar..." Renly declared.  Ned saw the fear in Renlys eyes. "Garretts hes..."

"What happened?" Ned questioned.

" he's gonna be OK right?" Arya whimpered.

" I hope so kid." Jon agreed.

" this is like bran all over again." Arya realized. " I'm going to leave and I'm never going to see him again."

" don't talk like that. He's going to wake up and you two are going to be fine." Jon assured hugging his little sister. 

" I didn't get to tell him..." arya whimpered into his chest.

" he likes you too." Jon whispered

"I should have spent more time with you, shown you how to be a man." Robert remarked. "I was never meant to be a father...." Joffrey stared back at him. "Go on. You don't want to see this." Joffrey nodded looking to his mother before heading out. "Garrett was too soft, should have taught him- should have given him a whore years ago, that would have made him a man." Ned stepped forward as joffrey headed off.

" Your son is in a coma." Ned remarked. Robert shrugged. "Robert-"

"My fault. Too much wine, missed my thrust." Robert offered.

" used your son as a shield. I hear..." ned countered. Robert shrugged.

"It stinks. It stinks like death. Don't think I can't smell it." he added looking to Ned. "I paid the bastard back, Ned. I drove my knife right through his brain. You ask them if I didn't. Ask them!" Ned stayed silent and Cersei did not play the loving wife.

"I'm sorry my queen." barristan whispered.

" you were supposed to protect him. Not that oaf." Cersei seathed.

"I want the funeral feast to be the biggest the Kingdoms ever saw. And I want everyone to taste the boar that got me." Robert instructed.

"He seems fine to me." Cersei mumbled. " meanwhile my baby boy is fighting for his life."

"Apple in its mouth, skin seared crisp. Eat the bastard. Don't care if you choke on him. Promise me, Ned. Now leave us, the lot of you. I need to talk to Ned."

"Robert, you idiot. I'm not done with you yet. You nearly killed our boy  My son is laying..." Cersei corrected.

"Out, all of you!" Robert snapped and Cersei scowled as she headed out.  As soon as the door shut, Ned shouted out to Robert.

"You damned fool. I can't believe you. Do you even care that your son is fighting for his life?"

" he's young he will survive." Robert answered nonchalantly.

" and if he doesn't because of bore attacked him head on?"

" he should've been more prepared."

" you used him as a shield!" Ned shouted.

" Paper and ink on the table, write down what I say." Robert corrected.  "In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, first of... you know how it goes. Fill in the damn titles. I hereby command Eddard of House Stark titles, titles. To serve as Lord Regent and Protector of the Realm upon my death.  To rule in my stead, until my son Garrett finally fucks a woman and becomes a man.".

"I'm not saying that." Ned corrected looking up from the parchment.

"Write it." Robert barked. "Now Give it over."

" both of you out." Cersei demanded as tommen and myrcella came in.

" is he going to be OK?" Arya asked not moving.

" I certainly hope so... or I'm going to murder the king again." Cersei hissed.

" if it's OK, I would like to stay." Arya corrected. " please...." Cersei nodded taking a seat. She noticed how the other ladies had left. Aelora went back to dragonstone with stannis. Margaery was busy being anywhere else besides on the man she claimed to love deathbed. When told to leave Garrett be Avalon agreed that he should be with family so she kept her distance as well before heading home herself. Arya however was here.

"Give him milk of the poppy." Ned requested. Both Maester Pycelle and Renly re-entered Robert's chamber.

"He was reeling from the wine." Barristan remarked.  "He commanded us to step aside, and then he pulled Garrett into the way. I failed him."

" No man could have protected him from himself." Ned assured. " as for Garrett, our prayers must be with him."

"I wonder, Ser Barristan, who gave the king this wine?" Varys pondered.

" His squire, from the king's own skin." Barristan added.

"His squire? The Lannister boy?" Ned needed clarification.

" Such a dutiful boy to make sure his Grace did not lack refreshment." Varys added knowingly.  "I do hope the poor lad does not blame himself."

"His Grace has had a change of heart concerning Daenerys Targaryen." Ned countered getting back  onto brighter topics. "Whatever arrangements you made, unmake them. At once."

" I'm afraid those birds have flown. The girl is likely dead already."

" is he going to die?"

Ned looked up from his paperwork.

" Prince Garrett... is he going to die?"

" I certainly hope not." Ned answered.

"Dad..." arya whispered. " I really like him." Ned  smiled softly. " I mean, I really like him."