Familiar Feeling / Ned Stark

18. Hostage

"Yes." Everly answered. Jon's smile grew holding onto her. "I'm sorry baby, i thought it would keep you safe."

"I knew, I always knew." Jon corrected holding her. "You couldnt not be my mama." Everly wanted to cry. 

"You forgive me baby?" 

"Nothing to forgive." Jon assured. "You are my world." Everlys eyes filled with tears. 

Robert's victory cemented his hold on the Iron Throne, having overthrown the Targaryens years before. He threw a great tourney at Lannisport to celebrate his victory. But Ned had to get home.

"No!" Robert demanded. "Stay! Now is the time for fun, your wife need not know-"

"Robert, I need to get home. I have missed too much." Ned corrected.

"You used to be fun." Robert grumbled.

"You also forced another child upon me." Ned reminded him.

"Ah right, well, good luck. He looks squirrely." Robert decided.

"Theon, was it?" Ned questioned. Theon nodded slightly. "I'm not going to hurt you." Ned assured reaching out a hand. "I'm going to... you are coming home with me. I have children, you will like them. My boys are your age... Everly... you lost your mother a while ago didnt you?" Theon nodded once again. "Dont worry Theon, you are safe with me."

It felt too familiar. Ned coming home with a son and Catelyn presenting him with their unborn child. She pat her stomach proudly.  

Ned stared back at the plump pregnancy bump before looking at Everly and Jon. 

"Excuse me." Ned walked past, he hugged Arya and she asked for presents. Ned didnt have any presents for her but a new ward. 

"Why am I not surprised?" Everly chuckled looking to Theon. 

"This is Theon Greyjoy." Ned remarked.

"I'm a hostage." He added his face turned down. Ned opened his mouth to apologize  but neds words faded. Everly wrapped an arm around Theon leading him inside.

"Hello Theon, I'm Everly, this is my boy Jon. Are you hungry?" He nodded. "Lets get you something to eat." Everly agreed running a hand through his fiery hair. "Are you feeling alright? Was the trip long?" he didnt answer. "My Jon is almost 11."

"I'm 11." Theon answered. "I dont want to be here." 

"I know honey but if Lord Stark brought you here its because your home was dangerous, you were in trouble there." Everly offered as Ned marched off to find Catelyn.  "Sweet boy, you are not a prisoner." Everly assured. "You are not a hostage, you are safe here."

"My father... he rebelled..." Theon whispered.

"I dont blame the child for their fathers mistakes, you can ask ned that." Everly assured. "Come on."

"Hi." Robb said running up to them. "Where is dad?"

"Went to find your mother no doubt." Everly answered. Because she had some explaining to do. They both did.

 "Pregnant?" Ned countered.

"Yes." Catelyn agreed. "It's wonderful."

"I dont understand." Ned countered. 

"You remember before you left..."

"It's been-"

"I know time just flew on by." Catelyn cut him off. Ned shook his head marching off. "Love you!" Ned growled marching off to find Everly, she was getting Theon situated. 

"Just give me a moment honey." Everly said leaving Theon's side. 

"Robert made me take Theon-"

"I'm just glad this one isnt yours- did I say that out loud?" She whispered turning her cheek.

"Very funny." Ned agreed. 

Catelyn should have known, that was just the type of man Ned was. He took in the weak, took in the helpless and helped those that didnt deserve it. Catelyn wasnt as kind as him. SHe wanted Theon gone. she wanted Jon gone. She wanted everyone gone, she wanted ned gone too, she liked being in charge. 

Everly on the other hand took in each child that needed a home with open arms. Ned did as he was told. Commanded. Everly did as her heart commanded and took in the needy children misguided and unloved and showed them compassion and family.

"Can we talk about... the baby to be." Ned whispered pulling her aside. Everly wanted to ignore that, to pretend that wasnt anything. But she shrugged. 

"You don't have to tell me, it's okay.' Everly assured but it hurt a little but Catelyn was his wife.

'Everly I haven't touched her since Arya.' Ned assured. 'trust me you would know.' Ned told her and Everly nodded.

'Who's it is then?' Everly questioned and Ned shook his head, his face pinched.

'She claimed it was mine.' Ned told her. 'but that is not possible. I was gone.'

'An affair.' Everly said with a smirk. 'bringing a bastard into winterfell...' she tsked. "Another bastard!" Bran wasnt his either but Everly loved Bran so much, he was so sweet. 

'I didn't pretend Jon was hers.' Ned reminded Everly. 'I just don't understand... I could...' an idea sprung. 'I could get my marriage annulled.' Ned considered.

'What of the children? Jon and Robb adore you, Robb would be confused. Sansa and arya, they are younger but they are bright girls ned, taking away their mother or taking away you... think of them.'

'what if I want to think of us?' Ned offered. 'what if I want us still, after all this time I only love you more.' Ned told her and Everly's heart ached.

'If only I had listened to you before...' Everly remarked softly.

'Its not to late, its never too late for love.' Ned told her.

'You have Bran and whoever else is in their to think of as well.' Everly added.

''they are not mine.' Ned reminded her.

'But they wont be taken care of, if you annul your marriage... Catelyn doesn't like the children, she will toss them aside. At least here I can care for them, show them proper love.' Everly told him. 'help them, raise them to be like Jon.'

'You have too big a heart.' Ned told her.

'It is not their fault.' Everly whispered against him.

'I want you. Only you, I'm sick of hiding.' Ned told her again. 'I am lord of winterfell and I want one thing in this world. One thing Everly. You. And you and your heart are stopping me from making mistakes.'

'I want you and only you for the rest of my life, but with so many little ones, we just have to think of them.' Everly told him. 'I'm not going anywhere. You and Jon are my home, my heart.' Ned nodded as she kissed him wrapping her arms around his neck keeping him to her.