Jaime watched Ned Stark's eldest daughter walk away with her little sister, laughing. He had the distinct impression they were laughing at him. His eyes narrowed, and he scowled at the girls; no one laughed at the Jaime Lannister. The greatest swordsman in Westeros since Ser Arthur Dayne.

‘Pretentious Northern bitch,’ Jaime thought as he left Winterfell in search of his brother. It didn't take long to find him at the local whore house and tell Tyrion what their dear sister had commanded.

Meanwhile, in the crypt, Robert talked about how he dreamed every night of killing Rhaegar to avenge his Lyanna, the only woman he ever loved. If Ned could have rolled his eyes, he would have. It didn't take Ned long after the Rebellion realized that Robert's so-called love for Lyanna was only an obsession for a girl he couldn't have. If it had been confirmed, Robert wouldn't have visited so many whore houses. Now, Ned realized he was glad Lyanna had never married Robert.

As Robert stared at Lyanna's statue, he suddenly turned to Ned, “You're the eldest daughter who resembles her aunt greatly.”

A cold sweat broke over Ned. This is what he had been dreading, “No, I don't think so, Robert. Lyarra resembles my mother. You never met my mother,” Ned said nonchalantly.

“Perhaps, but there is a great deal of Lyanna, except for her silver eyes. They are very enchanting,” Robert said in a slightly dreamy voice.

If Ned could have shuttered in disgust, he would have. Now Ned's cheerful Lyarra was in danger from the King's advances.

There was a moment of silence, then Ned asked about Jon Arryn. Robert told him what happened, then turned towards Ned, “I need you, Ned. Down at Kings Landing. Not up here, where you’re no damn use to anybody. Lord Eddard Stark, I would name you the Hand of the king.”

This was the moment Ned had been dreading, but he knew he had no other choice. He kneeled before his king, “I’m not worthy of the honor.”

“I’m not trying to honor you. I’m trying to get you to run my kingdom while I eat, drink, and whore my way to an early grave. Damn it, Ned, stand up. You helped me win the Iron Throne; now help me keep the damn thing. We were meant to rule together. If your sister had lived, we would have been bound by blood. Well, it’s not too late. I have a son; you have a daughter. We’ll join our Houses.”

Ned was on the verge of hyperventilating, “I do not think Lyarra would be a good match for Prince Joffery, Robert. She much too old for him.”

“I wasn't talking about Lyarra, Ned; I meant your second daughter, Sansa. I have different plans for Lyarra.”

Ned felt his stomach turn, and he felt faint.

“What did you have in mind?” Ned asked, trying not to sound nervous.

“It's time for the feud between House Stark and House Lannister to end. I'll dismiss the Kingslayer from the Kingsguard and have him marry your daughter to unite your houses.”

Now Ned knew he was going to be sick. He couldn't fathom his sweet girl marrying that pompous oathbreaker and kingslayer. Ned protested, “No, Robert, I will not have it. Lyarra will marry a Northern Lord.”

Instantly, Robert turned red, and rage could be seen in his eyes, “I am your king, Ned, and you will do as I say. Lyarra will marry Jaime Lannister, and there will be no further discussion!” Robert roared, his voice echoing in the tomb.

Ned gritted his teeth and bowed, “Of course, my king,” With that, the two men left the tombs.

Meanwhile, Jaime had returned with Tyrion and was going to his chambers. He opened the door and sighed when he found his twin sister, Cersei, lying half naked on his bed.

“Sister, what are you doing?”

“Waiting for you, Jaime. I want you.”

“We've been through this before. What we had is over; I don't see you like that anymore. I love you as a sister, not as my lover.”

Cersei sits up angrily and pulls her dress on, “What changed, Jaime? What whore took you away from me?”

“No one, Cersei. I don't know what changed; after Tommen's birth, I realized I couldn't do this anymore. You and I are not meant to be together,” Jaime told his twin.

Cersei screeched and lunged for Jaime, intent on scratching his eyes out. Jaime caught her wrists and held her, “You're lying, Jaime; you still love me. You still want me, and you'll return to me; I know you will.”

“No, I won't, Cersei; you need to accept that.”

Cersei pulled her hand free and slapped Jaime, “Never! You are mine and always will be,” With that, she glided out of Jaime's bedroom.

In another part of the castle, Ned walked into his solar and slammed the door. Midnight looked at him and watched him pace back and forth from her place by the fire. Ned was so angry he didn't know what to do. A few moments later, there was a knock at his door. Cat opened the door and peeked in.

“My love, may I come in?”

Ned looked up from his pacing and nodded. Catelyn came into Ned's Solar and bolted the door shut, “I take it things did not go well with Robert? Did he ask you to become Hand of the King?”

“Aye, but it is much worse than that. Robert wants Sansa to marry Prince Joffery to join our Houses. And...”

Catelyn looked at Ned, concerned, “And?”

“He wants Lyarra to marry Jaime Lannister.”

“That is not possible. Ser Jaime is a member of the Kingsguard,” Cat reminded her husband.

“I know, Cat, but Robert plans on releasing Ser Jaime from his vows so that he can marry our daughter. I protested, but Robert commanded it. There is nothing I can do,” Ned said in a defeated tone.

“There must be something we can do, Ned. My girls can't marry into that family! They will not survive in the South. Starks does not do well in the South,” Catelyn reminded her husband.

“I know, my love, but unless we send them beyond the wall or to Essos, there is nothing we can do. My only comfort is that I will be there with them.”

“When does Robert want Lyarra to marry Ser Jaime?”

“We didn't talk about that, but I imagine soon. If that's the case, I will insist they marry here and in the Old Ways.”

Catelyn agreed; now, they only had to figure out how to tell their daughters about their betrothals. They decided to inform Lyarra first; she could help them with Sansa when it was time to tell her. Ned opened the door and told Jory to get Lyarra for him. a few moments later, Lyarra knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Ned answered.

Lyarra walked in and looked at her parents. Judging by the dower look on their faces, she knew something was awry.

“Alright, what terrible news do you have to tell me?”

Ned smiled, “Alway so direct, my sweet girl,” He sighed, “I spoke to the king; he wants me to be his new Hand.”

“That was not unexpected,” Lyarra said.

“There's more,” Catelyn said.

“Robert wants Sansa to marry Prince Joffery,” Catelyn told her eldest.

“What?! No! Father, you can't let that happen; Joffery is an evil little shit; I can feel it. He's cruel and dark; I know he'll hurt Sansa for his pleasure!” Lyarra told her parents almost in hysterics.

Ned could only shake his head; if Lyarra said that Joffery was cruel, then it was true. He knew that Lyarra could tell things about a person that no one else could. Howland Reed told him it was a kind of greenseers gift. And after the incident with Theon, Ned never doubted his little girl again. There had to be a way to get Sansa out of that marriage before it was too late. But first, Ned had to tell Lyarra the rest.

“There's one last thing, Sweetling. Robert is releasing Jaime Lannister from the Kingsguard so that you and he can marry.”

Lyarra's eyes widened, “I beg your pardon?”

“The king wants you to marry Jaime Lannister to unite House Stark and House Lannister.”

“When?” Lyarra asked.

“I don't know, but knowing him, before we leave for King's landing,” Ned informed his daughter.

Lyarra sighed, “If that's what it takes to go South with you, Father, I'll do it. I'll do anything to be with you and my siblings and keep you safe,” Lyarra told her parents.

With those words, Lyarra turned and left her father's solar. As soon as the door, she cursed, “Fuck.”

Jory looked at her, surprised, “I didn't hear a thing,” He said.

“Good,” Lyarra said and walked down the hall towards her room with Kouga at her heels.