115Chapter 2: Starfall Reunion & Aerys' Justice
Everything turned to shit almost immediately after the wedding at the Isles of Faces. Rhaegar 'abducts and rapes' Lyanna Stark according to sources unknown. Brandon and Rickard Stark are murdered by the Mad King, and chaos ensues. Thousands are dying and amidst all of the death, there is life. Jon Stark, first born son of Eddard and Ashara Stark. Born on the ninth month of the year 280 AC with his mother's coloring; raven hair and amethyst eyes but with the Stark face a touch of Ashara's otherworldly beauty comparable to the Targaryens. A year has passed, the war has ended in a decisive victory for the rebels. Robert Baratheon, First of his name, is crowned. The Mad King awaits trial while Eddard with six others go south to Dorne in search of his sister Lyanna…but that wasn't the sole reason…
Torrentine: Starfall
Year 281 AC
"'Who goes there?" asks the guardsman at the gates of Starfall
"Ser Arthur Dayne with Eddard Stark to see my brother and sisters" answers coldly
I failed you Rhaegar….I failed Elia. I've always loved her and in the end, I couldn't protect her or your children. If only I could have deter you from that path. The wild and spirited Lyanna Star—no Lyanna Targaryen née Stark didn't deserve her fate… damn your insane follies my friend, they nearly destroyed the realm, but it was for the "greater good" as Alex always says.
As the party dismounts their horse and make their way into the Palestone Tower, his thoughts are interrupted by an unwelcome source
"Arthur will yo—"
"It's Ser Arthur to you Lord Stark, we are not friends, and not even family after you betrayed Ashara" Arthur cuts in a fury. 'I should kill this man and send his head back to the Usurper but it would upset Ashara and it will mess with our plans.'
Starfall: Great Hall
"ARTY!" the eight year old Allyria Dayne yells while scurrying down the corridor.
"Woah is this my baby sister Allyria? Ow, you're strong, I can barely breathe through your hugs now" said Arthur with a light tone that surprises the Stark party
"Ash called for Lord Stark, and while the wolf faces her wrath, Alex requests your presence in his solar" said Allyria with an almost growl at Eddard
As Eddard is led to Ashara's chambers, as nervous as he can be, hears the very distinctive cry of a baby. And by the sounds of it, he is strong for a lad at the age of one. I'm so sorry Ashara… but we needed Hoster Tully's men.
Flashback: One Year Ago At Riverrun
"You father promised my eldest daughter would be Lady of Winterfell and her Eldest would be future the Warden of the North" said the old Trout in his usual uncompromising tone that warrants a fist in a face
"Aye, to my brother Brandon. Whom is dead along with the man who made that promise. While I have a wife and a son no older than a moon. I refuse to set Ashara aside and disinherit my eldest son, essentially turning him into a bastard" said Eddard
"If you want my men and to win this war,, you will marry my daughter, annul your marriage to the Dornishwoman and make my future grandson your heir." Said Lord Tully
"You have two days to give me an answer, don't be a fool Lord Stark, the Mad King's army will smash yours and Robert's without mine." says one last time before walking towards the door.
What do I do brother…father…either way, I wouldn't be doing my duty and going against principles I live by. After two long days, Ned has the answer he knows he will regret for the rest of his days but maybe I can make up for it. As long as Lord Tully doesn't request it, I won't disinherit Jon. He will likely assume its part of the annulment and trust my honor. My son comes before honor.
"Ok Lord Tully, you have yourself a deal. I'll marry your daughter. The sooner the better so it's best you call your bannermen so they can meet Lord Arryn's on the Kingsroad in a fortnight." Said Ned
"You'll wed my daughter tomorrow" replies Lord Tully as he begins writers letters to his bannermen
Please forgive me Ashara…..Jon…
Back to the present: Ashara's Chambers
"You're finally here Ned. " says Ashara with no emotion in her voice
"Aye, I am…Ashara I'm so—" tries to say before Ashara runs to Ned and hugs almost as tight as Allyria did Arthur
"It's alright Ned -no it's not,- I know it's not your fault…the war destroyed many families and I will not blame you for doing the duty to your family" says Ashara with a mummer's conviction
Ashara had a year to come to terms with Ned's betrayal. He was damned if he did and damned if he didn't and admittedly, this was the lesser of the two evils. Hoster Tully got what he wanted at the end, the now Catelyn Stark gave birth to a boy named Robert after the Usurper. Ashara refuses to let her beautiful boy be treated like a second to the Tully bitch's boy so she has come to a conclusion that benefits both parties and Jon most of all.
"Now Ned. Jon will be longer be a Stark. Because of what you did, my siblings have agreed to make Jon a Dayne, I've already sent a raven to the King and you will make sure he complies" said Ashara leaving no room for argument
"Ashara you don't need to do that, I'll give him Moat Calin once it's finished. It was supposed to be our home and it can still be his" said Ned
The sadness in his voice would have broken Ashara if she didn't prepare for this conversation but she will not bend or break like her liege Lords words—Poor Elia—now the thought of what happens to her best friend and her children nearly breaks her.
"No Ned, this is Jon's home. Jon is not a Stark and is not of the North. He belongs here with the family who has been there for him, not to be second to his younger brother. He will be Alex 's heir until he has a son of his own since Arthur refuses to be."
"If that is your wish, I won't push it.." pauses before continuing "but can Jon at least visit us in the North? Regardless of your feelings he still has the blood of the First Men, was born a Stark of Winterfell. He should know his roots" finishes Ned
"He has the blood of the First Men on both sides Ned, or did you forget House Dayne descended from the First Men, even followed the Old Gods until the Andal invasion. But ok, when Jon turns eight I'll have Arthur bring Jon to Winterfell. Now meet your son" Ashara says teasingly before gently putting Jon in her former husband's arms, neglecting to mention her family still worships the Old Gods, in secret.
Starfall: Lord's Solar
I wonder what Alex wants thought Arthur. Must be an update with the "Grand Plan" but he has to know this is not a good time. Alex has always been impatient, even though he loves playing the "long game", he wouldn't admit it though.
"You wanted to see me brother?" Asks Arthur somberly
Alex Dayne, Lord of Starfall and the Torrentine, looks up at his younger but taller brother with a sympathetic look.
"Yes Alex, I do. First, I want to offer my condolences. I know you how much you loved Elia. She was not supposed to die. Neither were her children." Answers Alex but he wasn't finished "Fortunately brother, I arranged little Aegon's escape just in case the inevitable siege of King's Landing went too far. After Connington failed to capture Robert at Stoney Sept, where our whores kept him hidden, our spies in the capital informed him of the dangers there and swapped Aegon with a double. Connington left for Essos with Aegon after the war. Elia and Rhaenys couldn't have escaped the same way due to recognition. I'm sorry brother, you didn't fail them. I did."
Arthur nods, relief apparent in his facial features
"But why didn't you sneak him off to Dorne instead? Doren and Oberyn would have love-" said Arthur before getting interrupted
"I could have but war would have continued and we weren't ready for it. That would ruin our plans brother. Besides, I informed Connington through a third party to not start mobilizing until Aegon's tenth nameday at least. Contact Dorne during that time. It would allow us to prepare for the inevitable invasion then. That will be the final war against Targaryens. Even if Aegon doesn't die in that war, no one would support his family again. Unlike the Blackfyres, the Targaryens had a horrible relationship with most of the existing houses, Daemon Blackfyre was popular with the people, and men respected his skill and power. His family also fit into Essosi society, built friendship there. Aegon, Viserys, and Daenerys would not be able to do the same, they are children being raised and watched by soldiers, not politicians."
You always have the answers don't you brother, that "gift" of yours has been useful. Thought Arthur before speaking.
"So what do we do now Alex? Just wait? How will me prepare exactly?" Asks Arthur, genuinely curious.
Alex grins then answers "We will begin the next phase of the Grand Plan Arthur. Spread our influence, in the open now. We've done so in the shadows for too long, now it's time for House Dayne to shine down on realm. The third phase will be split into six parts over the next few years: Develop the agriculture of the Torrentine. We have fertile lands that haven't been used or mined. Build our own fleet of ships. Some will be trade ships. Increase trade with Essos, the North, Reach and Westerlands. Increase the population and create a city that rivals King's Landing and Oldtown. Build a 'sept' for the Old Gods. Finish the Game in the capital, make the Baratheon - Lannister need us. Make Jon a worthy future King of the are you ready brother? Because we in the long game now."
Arthur laughs for the first time in weeks before he says "Of course Alex. Shall we begin?"
One Moon Later At Sept of Baelor
"You, Aerys of House Targaryen, second of his name, former King of the Andals, Rhyonar, and First Men, Lord of the Seven of Kingsdoms and Protector of the Realm, have been accused of the murder of Lord Rickard Stark, the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North and his heir, Brandon Stark. Any last words?" Asks Ned Stark with a hard and cold tone
Robert Baratheon has given his best friend Ned permission to deliver justice to the Mad King, the Northern way. 'He who passes the sentence, should swing the sword' the words of Cregan Stark from his father will always resonate with Ned and Robert agrees in this case since he delivered his revenge against Rhaegar on the Trident.
"Murder? Burning savages for treason isn't murder Usurper dog, the dragon answers to no one, least of a doe and his bitch!" Says Aerys before he screams after Set Jaime, the Hero of King's Landing, breaks his arm Lord Reed hands Ned 'Ice'. He unsheathes the valyrian steel sword, with the blade's point towards the ground the new Lord of Winterfell says…
"In the name of Robert of the House Baratheon, the First of his Name, King of the Andals, and this Rhoynar and the First Men, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, by the word of Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, I sentence you to die" said Ned firmly and coolly before beheading the Mad King, even Tywin Lannister and Stannis Baratheon respect his swift justice.
Next: Water Gardens & Winterfell