The Legacy

Part 17

Time seemed to stand still in the Black cells. If it weren't for Ned or the occasional visit from Lord Varys, Viserra would have gone mad. It would be appropriate she thought. Targaryens are meant to go mad. Her body was sore from the hard ground and her throat ached from being so dry. Viserra wondered how much longer this would go on, some part of her wanted it to be over and done with. On this last visit Lord Varys mentioned how Robb was leading an army of Northman south to King's Landing. The new information worried not only Ned but Viserra. Robb was the oldest, yet never one to really take his role seriously as the eldest son. He knew his role, but was more concerned with living his life as the handsome young lord of Winterfell. To hear he raised arms against Joffrey was surprising to say the least.

"He's a boy." Ned said to himself.

"War and honor determines a man from a boy, not his age" Viserra responded absentmindedly. "You told me that."

"Aye I did." He said.

"Do you believe it? Or was that just some prolific words to keep that Tyrell boy away."

"I still do." Ned chuckled. "And he was a boy, perhaps still is." a second tired chuckle escaped his lips. "Whiny and full of ego. He would have been an awful match for you."

"Think so? I heard his wife is with child now." Viserra had moved to the iron bars so she could see him. "That could have been me"

"You would've been miserable. You dear niece, are not meant to live underneath any man's ego. Or have a husband who aims to be prettier than his wife." Ned grins at the strength of character in his niece. She would have broken the Tyrell boy's bones after one disagreement. If not bones then his precious pedestal he lived on.

"You're right, he was very pretty for a boy". Viserra's head laid against the cool iron. "And I would've been miserable". Silence filled the cells for a moment. "I wonder what Aldric would've thought of that Tyrell boy." A small flicker of humor laced her words as Ned heard a name Viserra had not spoken in years.

"He would have laughed at the mere thought of you considering anyone but him." Ned chose his words carefully. Aldric Mormont was a delicate matter when concerning his niece and her heart. "He was a good lad."

"Do you remember when he had convinced Robb that he could actually shift into a bear whenever?" Viserra laughed as tears threatened to trickled down her cheeks.

"No, but I remember Robb running in the hall screaming bloody murder and you both covered in pelts behind him" Ned smiled at the innocence his children once had.

"It's what he deserved for telling you and Aunt Cat about us borrowing a horse without permission." Viserra said still slight by her cousin tattletales. "He didn't much like Robb after that" Her cheeks reached the corner of her eyes and a lone tear escaped.

"Understandable but Aldric would stand with Robb now, I believe that without a doubt." Ned was certain. No matter how Aldric had felt about Robb he was a true Northman, and truly in love with his niece. "Aldric would stop at nothing when it came to you." Viserra knew deep to the very core of her being this was true. He was the only man who made her feel whole.

"The fool" Viserra scoffed as happy memories turned into painful ones. Memories she never wished to remember. Tears streamed more freely as phantom images play in her mind. "I loved that man." Her words barely above a whisper, but Ned heard her admittance. Ned started to respond, but her mind already faded into the last memory of she had of them together.

His rough hand pressed against the small of her back leaving no space between them. While the other was tangled in her black silky hair. Viserra's hands pulled Aldric deeper into their kiss. Soon those excited hands would wonder and articles of clothing would soon be lost. It had been 4 months since they last saw each other. Ned thought some space would be good for the young couple, Viserra was only 14 and was too young for marriage in his opinion. Aldric was a year older and pursued her since they were children. Unfortunately for Ned, the distance had only strengthened the affection Viserra and Aldric had for each other.