Chapter 13: Chapter 13: A Better Choice
Hello everybody so sorry about the wait. Note: to Vasun05 Roland's swordplay is more like the chinese fighting style. As Roland prefers presision and calculation over speed or brute force. Anyway Read, review and enjoy chapter 12.
Ned
The past few weeks have been exhausting for Ned. Between investigating Jon Arryn's death and managing the realms affairs, Ned barely got any sleep.
During his investigation Ned had found out that Jon Arryn and Stannis Baratheon had spent a great deal of time together. Sources by stableboy and pot boy claimed that they had visited many places in kings landing including a certain armourer and a few brothels.
Using this information, Ned and his companion Jory Cassel decided to visit the armourer first. The shop is the largest structure in the Street of Steel. The owner Tobho Mott is very courteous and boasts to be the best armourer in Westeros. After examining some of his work Ned is inclined to agree with him.
Upon interrogation, Ned learns that Jon had taken an interest in Tobho's apprentice Gendry. The boy in question was in the forges working on a helm. When Ned asked to see the boy Tobho called him over.
Gendry carefully put down the helm and turned around. Ned almost reeled back in surprise. Gendry's face almost identical Roland. His features were rougher, his eyes were a lighter shade of blue and being older than Roland, Gendry was taller and far more muscular. But there was no mistaking, this boy was Robert Baratheon's bastard son. Ned then noticed the helm he was working on and asked to see it. Gendry handed it over reluctantly. It was in the shape of a bull, gleaming and black. Though it was not yet finished, the work was beautifully done. Every detail of it was finely crafted, from the eyes to the nose and down to the lining of the muscles.
"This is fine work," Ned commented, "How much for it." Gendry quickly took the helm back and held it close. "It's not for sale," he declared defiantly.
Tobho tried to apologize, but Ned waved it off. Clearly the boy had even inherited Robert's personality as well.
Ned began asking questions, mostly about his mum and if he was well taken care of. He didn't want to trouble the boy too much, but it was still clear that Gendry was very uncomfortable about the situation. Gendry revealed that Jon Arryn had asked him the very same questions. Ned returned to the tower to study what he had discovered. '
So many questions', he thought to himself. Roland believed that Jon Arryn was murdered. So who murdered him and why. Why would he take a interest in King Robert's bastards. Why was he spending so much time with Lord Stannis.
After a few hours of frustration, Ned decided to turn his attention to something else that had been gnawing at his mind for quite some time. Ever since the incident at the Trident, Ned had been having second thoughts about Sansa's betrothal. Arya had once asked him how could he marry his own daughter to someone like Joffrey. Ned was now asking himself the same thing.
Over the past few months Ned paid close attention to Sansa and Joffrey and it didn't take long for him to realize that a marraige between Sansa and Joffrey would benefit no one. Joffrey had displayed a sense of cruelty that angered Ned beyond words. The crown prince seemed to take pleasure in the suffering of others. And Sansa's actions told him that she no longer wanted to marry Joffrey.
Despite all of this, the one thing Ned did notice was the growing bond between Sansa and Joffrey's younger brother Roland. As the days rolled by, their friendship had strengthened. Ned knew that if a relationship of some kind had not formed yet between Sansa and Roland, it would not be long before it did. Ned had developed a great respect for Roland. The fact that he was in love with Sansa was not lost to him. He recognized the subtle looks he would give his eldest daughter. It was a look he knew all too well. The same look Robert use to give to Lyanna. He saw them dance together during the feast and the way Sansa looked at Roland told Ned that the feeling was mutual.
Now sitting at his desk, Ned decided it was time to make a stand. His daughter deserved better than Joffrey and now, Ned was going to demand that their betrothal be broken.
The walk to the king's chambers was a quick one, soon he was standing outside the door. Listening carefully, Ned knew that Robert wasn't busy with anything. "Well, here it goes," he said to himself. Ned took a deep breath and knocked on the door. "Come in," a voice answered, Ned stepped in and was greeted by his old friend.
"Ned, my boy," the king boomed in a jolly tune. "Gods I thought you would never leave that blasted tower. So what can I do for you?" "
Robert, I came here to discuss something of utmost delicacy."
Robert poured himself a glass of wine. "Now Ned I'm sure your duties as Hand can wait for a day or so-" "Robert I came here not as your Hand," Ned inturrepted. "I came here to do my duty as a father."
At this, Robert's smile slowly faded. "What is it Ned?" His voice had suddenly became quieter and far more serious. He set the cup of wine down and took a seat beckoning for Ned to sit down.
Ned took a deep breath and said. "Robert, I must ask you to break the betrothal between Sansa and Joffrey. Robert remained silent for a moment before breathing a deep sigh. His hands locked together and bowed his head. "Truth be told, I have been meaning to talk to you about that." Ned was surprised yet did not show it. But before he could speak up again, Robert beat him to it. "I know why you wish to break the betrothal and I don't blame you. Despite what people think of me, I am not blind. I know what Joffrey is. Sometimes I blame myself for what he has become. I spent so little time with him while his mother dotes on him. At the Trident, I knew he was lying, In my heart I knew the whole time. But I was just to weak to fight his mother. These days I hardly fight with her anymore, it's just too exhausting."
Ned remained silent and listened as Robert made this confession. "I realized that I failed three times that day. I failed you, I failed Sansa, and most unforgiving of all, I failed Roland. I swear, the look on his face hurt more than any war wound. There was no anger or sadness, just dissappointment mixed with devastation. I want my sons to be better men than I ever was. But how can I expect that of them if I don't even bother to set an example?"
"You've done better than you think Robert," Ned tried to counter. " Myrcella and Tommen are good sweet kids, and Roland has grown into a son that any parent would be proud of." In truth Ned was surprised to hear Robert talk this way. He sounded more like the Robert he use to know and not the one he came to be.
This brought a smile to Robert's face. "People often say that my victory over Prince Rhaegar at the trident was my greatest accomplishment, but they are all wrong. Roland is my greatest accomplishment, he is one of the very few things I have ever done right ever since I won this cursed throne. He is like me in so many ways yet unlike me in others. If only he was my heir, Roland would make a good king."
"Aye that he would," Ned agreed. "So I assume the betrothal is broken?"
Robert sighed and nodded, "Of course, it was a mistake I must correct. I should of given it more thought before asking you to marry your daughter to my son."
"It wasn't wholly a bad idea Robert." Ned replied reassuringly. Robert lifted his head and looked at him curiously. Ned continued, "You had the right idea, just the wrong son." Robert widened his eyes begining to see what was going on. "I agree that the Starks and the Baratheons should join, so I suggest that Roland marry my daughter instead of Joffrey. Roland is a good lad, and it is clear that they have developed a bond over the last few months. They danced together during the tourney feast, and I've seen the way those two look at each other lately. It is clear to me that they truly love each other"
Robert took a long look at his old friend, soon a smile slowly crept onto his face. "Ah Ned this is why you are on my council. I have been considering the same course of action. Like you, I too have noticed the bond that Roland and Sansa have built. Roland would definetely make a better match for Sansa than Joffrey." Robert finished his wine and stood up, "so we are agreed that Roland be betrothed to Sansa?"
"Aye" Ned replied in agreement, "but first we should tell Roland and Sansa about the situation. I'm sure neither of them will object, but we want to make sure."
Robert nodded smiling, "you always speak sense Ned, yes, let us tell them. "Ser Barristan", he call out. The Lord Commander of the Kingsgaurd entered the room and bowed. "Send for Prince Roland and Lady Sansa if you will."
"At once Your Grace," he turned and left swiftly.
A few moments later, the two in question stood before the king. "You wanted to see us Father?" Roland asked in his usual calm demeanor.
"Yes," his father answered, "please have a seat." The two graciously accepted. As Robert had no talent for talking, it was agreed that Ned would be the one to do so. He knelt beside his daughter and said. "Sansa, the king and I have been talking and we want to know, do you still wish to be betrothed to Joffrey?"
Sansa looked at her father in surprise. She turned towards the king nervously. In response, Robert smiled and spoke to her in the gentlest voice he could manage. "Sansa, your father and I believe that breaking your betrothal to Joffrey will be best for you. Speak freely child, do you still want to marry my eldest son?".
Sansa was speechless for a moment, after sharing looks with her father, and Roland, She turned back towards the king and shook her head. "No, your grace," she said softly. Robert nodded, "very well, as of this moment your betrothal to Joffrey is officially broken." he declared.
Ned looked at his daughter and saw a small smile had slowly formed on her lips. He saw that Roland's face also seemed to brighten. Ned and Robert looked at each other and both of them knew right away that they had made the right choice.
"However," Robert spoke to Sansa again. Both children looked at him with curious expressions on their faces. "Your father and I are resolute in joining our houses. So this time, with your permission, we would like to suggest a marriage between you and Roland."
Upon hearing this, both Roland and Sansa's eyes widened in surprise. They looked at each other and once again, smiles appeared on their faces. Sansa opened her mouth to answer. But before she could say anything, Roland got up from his chair and knelt in front of her. He took both of her hand into his own and said.
"Sansa, from the moment I saw you in Winterfell, I fell in love with you. If I could, I would of professed it right then and there. However, my father's initial plans for you prevented me from doing so, and i could never dishonor you in such a way. But now that my faher has freed you from that match , there is nothing that would make me happier than to marry you. Please know this, I do not wish for you to accept this against your will or to please our fathers or me. So I ask you now. Sansa Stark, do you wish to become my wife?"
Ned smiled as he heard Roland's declaration of love to his daughter. As his gaze shifted towards Sansa, he saw her look into Roland's eyes. For the first time since Lady's 'death' the brightest smile he had seen on her appeared on her beautiful face. Somehow, the smile seemed to magnify her beauty.
"Yes" Sansa answered breathlessly. Her eyes welled with tears of joy as dshe nodded her head. "A thousand times yes, I will marry you Roland Baratheon. I would love nothing more than to call you my husband.
Almost instantly, Roland swept Sansa onto her feet. He brushed her hair back, cupped her cheek with his calous hand and pulled her into a deep kiss. Ned smiled at the young couple as they expressed they joy for the recent event. After a few moments the two children broke their embrace and looked at their fathers with grins on thers faces.
"Father," Roland spoke up. "Should we inform my mother and brother about this change of plans?"
Robert sighed and nodded "Yes I suppose it is best to get that business over with."
Ned nodded in agreement. "Go back to your chambers Sansa, we will handle Joffrey and the queen."
"I must tell Arya the good news, then I'll write to mother and Robb about this". Sansa said in an excited tone. Giving the king a curtsey, Sansa rushed to find Arya.
"Ser Arys," Robert called out. The young kingsgaurd came in and bowed. "Send for my Wife and eldest son at once."
"Yes your Grace," Ser Arys replied, he turned and left.
Before long, Cersei and Joffrey were in the king's chambers. "You summond us my love?" Cersei asked coldly.
"Yes, please have a seat, we have something important to discuss." Robert replied with equal coldness.
The queen and the crown prince took their seats and were now face to face with Robert and Roland. To Ned it seemed like two different families negotiating . The golden haired Lannisters in crimson and the black haired Baratheons in black.
"I will just come straight to the point," Robert said bluntly. He turned to his eldest son. "Joffrey, I have broken your betrothal to Sansa. Roland will marry her in your stead."
Cersei flashed a look of surprise before turning to glare at Ned. "I suppose this was your idea lord Hand?" She said with venom in her voice.
Ned knew better than to deny it and nodded. "It was my queen, Robert and I have agreed that a marraige between Roland and Sansa would be best for both our families."
"Are you saying that Joffrey isn't good enough for Ned Stark's girl." Cersei asked accusingly.
"I'm saying that this new betrothal will be more beneficial for all of us," Robert replied. "Don't worry another match will be made for Joffrey. There will no shortage of maids eager to marry the crown prince. Mace Tyrell's daughter perhaps, from what Renly has been telling me she is quite beautiful as well as intelligent.
"Mother it's quite alright," Joffrey suddenly spoke up. "Father is right, there are other women who may be a more beneficial match than Sansa. The Tyrell girl intrigues me. As for my brother I wish him the best."
Ned cocked an eyebrow in suspision, fro what he had observed in Joffrey. This was hardly his nature. But then again, he was in the presence of his father, so he would be more reserved in his actions.
"Good" Robert said, it was clear that he was happy that it went more smoothly than he once believed. "It is settled then. If Joffrey has no problem with this, I don't believe you should either Cersei."
Roland's mother stared at him for a moment with an icy gaze. After a moment she sighed and finally nodded. "As you wish," she said finally. Then she rose from her seat, Joffrey followed suit. "Is that all your grace?" She asked. Robert nodded, "Yes, you may attend to whatever it was you were doing."
With a cold curtsey the queen departed. Ned and Robert followed a while after. This left Joffrey and Roland alone in the room.
After a moment of silence Joffrey spoke up. "Brother," he said in a seemingly joyous tone. "Let me congratulate you on your betrothal, I'm sure Sansa will make you very happy." His tone and attitude surprised Roland, what was even more surprising was that he held out his hand for Roland to shake. Roland took it cautiously. Then Joffrey surprised him again by pulling him into a hug. Then Joffrey began to whisper in his brother's ear.
"It matters little to me that you have just seized my betrothal from me. Take Sansa if you wish, I care not, and soon it will matter not. Sansa is a beautiful girl now, but soon she become a ravishing woman. I will be king someday and as your king I will have any woman I please. Remember brother she loved ME first."
With that Joffrey moved to pull out of the hug but Roland pulled him back in. His dark blue eyes burned at what he had just heard. He gave his brother a seemingly warm smile. 'Well no worries, two can play at this little game.' "You are right," Roland whispered softly, "as king you may have any woman you want, whores prostitutes, daughters of other lords. It is your right, and I will be in no position to stop you. But know this brother, you will never have Sansa. She NEVER loved you ever, it was merely a infatuation. The only way you will ever get her is over my cold dissected corpse."
Finally breaking the hug, the two brother's looked at each other. Joffrey was smirking, and Roland smiled mockingly. With that they left the room for their own destinations, Behind Roland back, Joffrey whispered to himself. "Ah my brother, that can be arranged."
Well there you are chapter 12 is finally finished. To all my fans and readers, I deeply apologize for the agonizing wait I made you endure but I'm afraid it couldn't be helped. Wasn't due to difficulty of the chapter as it was lack of free time. Hopefully I can get the next chapter up in a much shorter time period. Anyway all reviews welcome until next time.
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