"What madness has fallen on you to think of doing something like that?" I all but shouted, barely holding back the anger which would definitely release the thunder that I still don't have much control over when Mjolnir is not around.
"I don't talk in air, Thor. I have proof. Queen's children are all bastards. They are..." Ned Stark replied with a calm but authoritative tone and was continuing when I interrupted him.
"Odin's beard, not that! I couldn't care less about whose children those are. I'm talking about why in the Nine Realms you told that to the queen," I asked with exasperation in my tone. I knew I was losing my cool, but this idiot wolf was testing my patience now.
"It was the right thing to do. Those children—bastards they may be—are innocent. If I had told this to Robert, he would have had their heads. The only way to protect those children was to have the queen get them out of King's Landing before Robert returns," Ned replied.
"And what about your children? Just see what happened to your friend—he's dead instead of the queen and her children. Don't you think your estimations are not on point?" I chided, trying to show this fool some light.
"Robert's death has nothing to do with this." Ned Stark replied with a frown—maybe he didn't like how I was talking to the high and mighty Eddard Stark, the Warden of the North.
"I considered you a wise man, Lord Stark, but even an idiot would have seen the signs which you in your high moral ground ignored. You tell the queen about her adultery and the next thing the king dies. Don't you see any connection?"
At this, Ned shut his mouth, which was definitely about to open and shout something about honor.
"After the king is dead, who do you think would stop her from doing whatever she pleases? She holds all the power. Do you think that she'll let someone who knows her secret—which could take everything away from her—live?" I didn't give him time to think and asked again.
"She doesn't have power yet. The next king is yet to be crowned, and that's why I must go to the throne room with the king's will. With Robert's will to announce the rightful successor of the throne." Ned didn't even bat an eye and showed me a paper he was holding.
"You think a piece of paper can stop her from what she wants? That piece of paper holds no power, Ned... men with swords hold the power. You'll be walking in the lion's den if you go there." I shouted this time, trying to show this man reason, but his look told me everything. He wasn't gonna listen to me.
Honorable Fool.
"I can't let a bastard sit on the Iron Throne. It's my duty to the Seven Kingdoms and Hand of the King that I see justice done."
"Fuck the Seven Kingdoms. First look for your own, would you? I showed you what's beyond the Wall and here you are meddling with politics that the North has no say in, and wars to come that the North has no part in. What about your duty to the North and its people?"
This shut him up for a few seconds before he finally opened his mouth. "My honor will not sit by and let a bastard take my friend's throne. The rightful king after Robert, in the absence of a legitimate heir, is Stannis. I owe him my sword and my loyalty."
Ah, there it is. That's the reason I didn't bring Mjolnir with me or I was sure Winterfell would be one Stark less in no time. I have seen enough to believe in my temper like I used to. One of the few downsides of being Thor—this impulse to solve everything with swinging my hammer.
"Have it your way then. I'll have no part in a fool's errand." I spat out in anger.
"Agree..." Ned nodded far too willingly to this for some reason.
"Pardon?"
"You can't come with me to the throne room. You will escort my daughters back to Winterfell." Ned said with firm eyes.
"And pray tell, Lord Stark, why should I do anything you ask of me?" I sent a glare at him.
"I'm not asking you as the Lord of Winterfell and the Warden of the North. But as a father. If there exists one man who I could believe in King's Landing to have the ability and character to keep my daughters safe, then it's you, Ser Thor."
"I'm not a ser..."
"But you are. Robert made you one, and now I ask—nay, request—you to do what a knight does. Just take my children back home safe. That's all I wish," Ned Stark said with a slightly softer tone at the end.
I just kept on looking at him with irritation building up. This man was infuriating. Honorable and just, but by the All-Father's beard, so fucking infuriating.
"I'll have the entire pack go back to Winterfell or none shall go. Go and start the war you can't afford, Stark. Forget about your daughters' safety. None shall touch even a single strand of their hair while I'm here, you have my word. Just as you have my word that the moment I take all of you out of King's Landing, I'm punching you right on the face..." I glared and turned back. There was nothing else to talk about here anymore.
Now I was sure that my plans wouldn't keep up with the changing tides. Things are happening way too quickly for my liking. It's not obvious, but the Starks were in King's Landing for almost nine or so months before Ned Stark died—if Daenerys marrying Khal Drogo, getting pregnant, and almost giving birth was any indication.
And what about here? Not even the second month has started and we are on the verge of starting a war between the Crown and the North. If Robb Stark is anything like what he was in the show, then things are gonna be bad soon if Ned Stark dies here.
Not good for my plans. If I wish to play video games anytime soon, then I can't let Ned Stark die. Sigh.
I'll have my punch, you have my word.
However, now I have to secure the two little wolf cubs before Stark brings down the entirety of King's Landing, calling for his head and his daughters.
"Maybe a little visit to Lord Varys is in order."
xxx
I'll be slowly adding additional chapters in my Patreon. Get Upto 10 Additional Chapters In Patreon. If you like the story then please consider supporting me.
Patreon.com/Kamidemond