What if Ned Stark ALSO Had a Dire Wolf

What if Ned Stark also had a direwolf? Let's explore the depths of it in the video. Ned Stark listens to the greetings of the people as he arrives in King's Landing. Robert had made no secret of his arrival, so many small folk had appeared along the streets to greet him. The famous Ned Stark, the man who had defeated Arthur Dayne, stood by Robert on the Trident and helped bring down a dynasty. There are cheers and whoops from the people who shout his name, promising to be good citizens and giving blessings towards him. And yet there is also fear both from him and the great direwolf at his side. Winter he is called and he stands larger than Ned's horse. He had been found alongside the direwolf pups that mournful day. While the mother had been slain, the father had lived and grieved his mate's loss. Taking the pups was one thing, but a wolf of this size would have been incredibly dangerous. Yet Ned could not bring himself to leave him. Not after seeing how griefstricken he was when looking at his mate, and certainly not after it gently nibbled on Ned's hands. Along with his children, he had claimed a direwolf for himself and named him Winter. Now the wolf pads alongside his horse, leaving people to gasp and scramble back as he approaches. It was hardly surprising. The wolf watched the crowds wearily, evidently unused to seeing so many people. Thankfully, Winter knew better than to try and snap at them. The most he did was give out a warning growl whenever someone got too close. Robert was equally impressed by him, and the two became fast friends. He often finds himself playing with the great direwolf, rubbing his fur and insisting that Ned take winter with him when he goes hunting. Even now, he's ordered farmers to begin working on a pen for the great wolf. While Robert focuses his attention on that, Ned turns his attention to the matters of governance. The message of Lysa Aaron is still fresh in his mind as he considers everything that happened. She claims that the Lannisters are plotting right after John Aaron mysteriously passes away. Ned can certainly believe that and turns his attention to investigating the matter. He looks back at what the Late Hand had been reviewing. And to his surprise, it was not political matters or anything related to the realm sinking finances. He was instead looking at genealogies and visiting Robert's bastards in the city. Pouring through these documents, Ned considers what all of this means and what John Aaron was hoping to achieve. Yet the more he looks, the more questions arise all around him. He sees the court is a nest of vipers filled with flatterers and liars. Even Winter seems to notice this. While he is friendly to Robert, Sir Barristan, and Renley, he has nothing but disdain for the likes of Varys and even Pycel. He is especially hostile towards Littlefinger and angrily snaps at him when he tries to pet Winter. While the Master of Coin tries to brush it off as him lacking the same outdoor spirit as the rest of them, Ned thinks otherwise. He recalls how Nimria had attacked Joffrey after he had hurt one of Arya's friends. It had taken half a dozen of Ned's guards to restrain Winter and keep him as far away from the royal family as possible. He begins to wonder whether these wolves understand the people in the capital better than he does. Thankfully, Winter doesn't give any problems while in King's Landing. In fact, the direwolf is the least of Ned worries. It's the people who bother him. Everywhere he looks, he sees Lannisters. They're in the guards, the squires. Even the household were sent over or appointed by them. Such a matter seems like more than a coincidence. Even John Aaron says as much in his notes where Ned reads a passage, "Blond heads in every court, but dark heads on the street." The feeling is made even worse when Littlefinger identifies a dagger used in an attempt on Bran's life as owned by Tyrion Lannister. But while all of this might seem obvious to Ned, Robert remains either ignorant or indifferent to how much influence the Lannisters have gotten in court. The king would rather focus on things like hunting and feasting. It soon becomes clear that Ned cannot rely on Robert as an ally. This leaves him having to increasingly depend on the likes of Littlefinger. Although his instincts scream at him not to trust Peter, he is the only one who provides anything useful and helps fill in some of the blanks left by John Aaron and points him to places he had visited. Yet, even this help is limited, and that becomes clear regarding the matters of Daenerys Targaryen. When you find yourself in bed with an ugly woman, best close your eyes, get it over with, cut her throats, be done with it. I followed you into war twice, but I will not follow you now. The Robert I grew up with didn't tremble at the shadow of an unborn child. >> She dies, I will have no part in it. With that, Ned departs and fully intends to leave. He already starts making plans by chartering a ship and ordering his servants to begin packing his things. Yet, as he works, he sees Winter padding over towards him and licking his hand as if to comfort him. Ned's expression softens as he strokes his head. Winter barks happily before the door opens, revealing Littlefinger. I must admit, it will be sad to see you go, Lord Stark. You brought something new to this capital. Justice, honor, and all the lacks. >> Winter moves in front of Ned, growling at Littlefinger and bearing his teeth. He might have honestly wanted to attack him, but Lord Stark pulls the direwolf back. Evidently, given how quickly you had abandoned me. Do not take it so personally, Lord Stark. I like you, but I didn't believe what I said. It would be better for everyone if the girl died. I think you know as well as I that the realm can ill for a war. If you were here to convince me that this is somehow the right thing to do, I suggest you leave now and save your breath. Oh, I don't imagine being able to accomplish anything like that. I know how stubborn you Starks are. I came here because I have a price of information. There is one more place John Aaron visited before he left. A brothel in the street of silk. No, I am no longer hand. I might as well wash my hands of this foolishness. Very well, but let it not be said I withheld anything from you. It is only a short ride away. The master of coin turns to leave and Ned fully intends to ignore the situation. But that place sticks out in his mind and soon the former hand's curiosity gets the better of him and he takes a handful of guards with him. In their hurry, they forget to cage Winter and the wolf follows after them. Cursing, Ned decides it's too late to cage him and simply lets him follow. Sure enough, Robert had frequented that brothel and even fathered a bastard with one of the girls. Yet, it is the same story all over again. John Aaron inquires about these bastards and their mother, trying to learn about their appearances and sends them some money. It leaves Ned with no answers. He and his men are preparing to go when he hears the sound of hoof beatats around them, many of them. He reaches for his sword as Jory and the guards form a protective circle around their lord. And from the street, Jaime Lannister appears, accompanied by a troop of Lannister men. >> What's the meaning of this, Lannister? >> Get back inside where it's safe. I'm looking for my brother. You remember my brother, don't you, Lord Stark? >> I remember him well. >> Seems he had some trouble on the road. >> He was taken at my command. >> My lord, >> I bring the city watch. >> Come, Stark. Rather you die sword in hand. If you threaten my lord again, >> you kill me. Your brother's a dead man. >> You're right. Take him alive. >> Jaime and his men advance, but then a loud bark sends them all freezing. Even the King Slayer is momentarily paralyzed as Winter appears from the shadows, hunched and ready to pounce. He glances around the Lannister men and locks eyes with Sir Jaime. But as the initial shock wears off, he points his sword at him. I've always wanted a pair of wolf skin boots. While he might be brave enough to face Winter, their horses are not. They rear up and scream as the direwolf approaches, adding to the chaos. Jaime<unk>s men struggle to rain their mounts, and a few even tumble off. Winter roars and leaps towards the King's Lair. Jaime barely manages to sidestep and tries to hack at him, shearing off a bit of fur as the direwolf moves aside from the blow. In that time, Ned manages to mount his horse and rides off. His men close by as they hack through any Lannister men who get in their path. Winter is the last to retreat, dodging another strike from Jaime and looping after them. Yet, as he retreats, one Lannister manages to drive his spear into Winter's side. The direwolf howls in pain and nearly tumbles over. No. Miraculously, Winter manages to stay on his feet and continue running, though blood trickles from his wound. As soon as they reach the red keep, Ned calls for a maester to treat his direwolf while he makes his way to see Robert. Despite his anger against his friend, this attack is like a bucket of cold water. Now he sees firsthand just how dangerous the capital truly is. If even the hand is not safe, how can he leave Robert in such a place? Part of him wants to leave and wash his hands of it all. And yet another part recalls Robert for the man he was. The man he had befriended in the veil. The man whom he had fought beside throughout the rebellion and the man who had embraced him as a brother during his visit to Winterfell. When he sees the cuts on Ned from the scuffle, Robert's anger quickly dissipates and he runs up to check on his friend. Damn it, Ned. What the hell happened to you? Your king's guard happened to me. Sir Jamie attacked me and my men on the street. We were fortunate to escape, but Winter took a spear to the side. Seven hells. What was that fool thinking? He was thinking of punishing me for Tyrion Lannister's capture. Robert's face darkens as he considers that. By now, word had reached them of what happened in the inn at the crossroads. >> Ned, you must know that I had nothing to do with that. I know, Robert. You were never one to shy away from a fight if someone wronged you. But I hope you understand. This reflects poorly on you as well. You think I wanted any of this? I already had enough to deal with with my wife constantly hounding me. She still hasn't forgiven me for that business with a direwolf. She still demands I make winter a fur cloak. Robert, you do not need to convince me of that. I know you. Yet, you are still king. And whatever happens in the kingdom is a reflection on your rule. One of your king's guard attacked a member of your small council. He's already halfway to Castali Rock by now. It is, as you've said, people follow the crown because of fear and blood. What will they say when the son of a great lord can challenge your rule so openly? Hang on now. I hear it is because of you taking his son. That sounds like a conflict between you. Why shouldn't you be the one who releases him and put this matter to rest? Yes, my wife indeed took Tyrion. Yet, she had done so suspecting that he had a part in the attempt on my son's life. If he is innocent and we are wrong, then I will gladly return the imp and personally escort him to Castle Rock and beg Lord Tarwin for forgiveness. But that does not mean Sir Jaime has the right to act this way. Surely some punishment is in order. I suppose soon. Robert, I say this as both your hand and your friend. If you truly wish to bring a golden age like you desired, then know you cannot do so as long as one house keeps you in a strangle hold. You can only rise higher and become a truly great king when you stand on your own. For a moment, there is silence as Robert pers his words. It was something he had not thought about. By now, the Lannisters were such a constant presence in his court that he struggled to think of a time when they weren't present. And yet, something about how Ned speaks rings true. When was the last time he had decided without Tywin or Cersei breathing down his neck? When was the last time he wasn't surrounded by their fair-haired despite how unremarkable each appointment he was strongarmed into making? Finally, he takes a deep breath. You know, I always hated that you were always right, and I always admired how you did it. Regardless, with that, the two share a nod and begin to plan their next move. News of the attack soon filters out of the court, and just as Ned suspected, Sir Jaime wasted no time in fleeing the city. Yet, not long after, Robert issues a decree that the king slayer present himself before the court and answer for attacking the hand. Cersei and Tywin are both furious, and the queen demands that Robert vow no harm will come upon her brother. She says that it was Winter who attacked Jaime first, but with Ned by his side, Robert is unmoved. The most they promise is that he shall receive a fair trial for his actions. Tywin does not bother to respond to their commands, at least not in words. There are reports of him massing cell swords in his domains, earning sharp warnings that he has no authorization to raise an army. But soon enough, the Riverlands report raiders striking on territories between them and the Golden Tooth. These men are not wearing any colors, but many are too well equipped to be simple briggins. And many believe this is Lannister retaliation for the kidnapping of Tyrion Lannister. Normally, Tywin can hope to escape this action unpunished. But this time, Robert puts his foot down. He gives written decrees that Tywin must contribute soldiers to help destroy these briggins. If he cannot prove they are Lannister men, he can at least demand the Lannisters do something about it. He warns that if Tywin and Edmir cannot put an end to this banditry, then he will allow the Reach and North to send troops to join them. This is a threat only to the Lannisters in practice as Ned is allied with the Riverlands and House Tyrell is still fuming over how the mountain had attacked Sir Lores. Despite these threats, Lord Tywin refuses to heed these demands. He reminds them that his son was kidnapped by the Rivermen and feels no obligation to aid them, not until Tyrion is returned to him. But unfortunately for him, this happens sooner than he would like. Tyrion is soon declared innocent and freed, putting an end to this matter. Just as Ned promises, he rides out to personally escort Tyrion to Castle Rock as amends for his kidnapping. Alongside him, Lord Beric, Thoros of Mir, and 300 other knights and men at arms accompany him. For Tywin, this is a disaster as it leaves his only justification for war. Worse still, it also means that Ned will personally demand Jaime. He hastily offers to make amends and suggests they negotiate terms. He even offers to send 500 men to help deal with the bandits raids, but these are all rebuked. The dye has been cast and there is no negotiation now. The party sets out and finds Tyrion in an inn of the crossroads. Yet to their surprise, they find him accompanied by Bronn and a large force of mountain clansmen he has picked up from his journey back. Lord Tyrion, I have come to escort you to Castle Rock. Ah, Lord Stark, how generous of you. But as you can imagine, I'm quite tired of Stark escorts of late. Besides, you can see that I now have my own serving men to accompany me back home. I must insist, my lord. There have been stories of bandits and renegade knights all along the route back to the Westermans. The king and house Stark have seen fit to make amends for this misunderstanding. Tyrion is a bit surprised to hear about these reports. He has heard nothing about that while he was in captivity, and hearing it now, he slowly grows suspicious. Very well. I suppose I would be foolish to turn down some additional swords. But perhaps it is you who should reconsider. You know my father. Whenever he wants something, he has an irritating habit of always getting it. Then maybe he must learn what to do when he doesn't. With that, his party sets out. Much larger than he expected, but also wary and suspicious. Bareric and the others never take their eyes off these mountain clansmen, who look just as ready to begin clubbing them as any of their foes. Winter keeps close to Ned, growling and bearing his teeth. Even the likes of Shaga are careful to keep their distance from him. Everyone remains on guard for any signs of the supposed Briggins terrorizing the countryside. Yet, the land seems strangely quiet as villagers report them disappearing just as quickly as they appeared. All of this leads to more suspicion of Tywin being responsible, and Ned reasons that the old lion halted these attacks as some sort of peace offering, but it will do him no good. The valley narrows as they approach the Golden Tooth. Jagged rocks loom on both sides as Ned's party winds its way through the pass beneath the looming cliffs. Winter stalks beside Ned's mount, his ears twitching and his nose to the wind. Bareric and Thoros ride near the front while Tyrion and his clansmen bring up the rear, their laughter unnerving the Riverland and Stormland knights. And then a warhorn howls from the cliffs. Men burst from the trees above, screaming down the slopes. Briggins and Male, but too well equipped to be mere thieves. Arrows whistle through the air. One slams into a knight's throat. Horses scream. Steel rings out. >> Ambush. >> Tyrion turns startled only to see his own clansmen charging the Stark and Lannister men with whoops and shrieks. They believe they have been betrayed and turn their eye on both sides. Shaga smashes a male knight with his ax. And Brun slips through the chaos like a shadow. Ned's horse buckles beneath him and chaos erupts on every side. He draws his sword just in time to block a savage blow from a raider. The attacker screams something before being cut down by one of the knights. Protect the hand. >> And then a roar. Winter barrels forward with a thunderous snarl. His jaws snapping around a man's leg and dragging him down from his horse. Blood sprays. He turns to the clansmen who betrayed them and dodges their clumsy strikes as he tears at their horses. Ned's men rally behind the wolf as the horses panic and move to avoid him, opening up a gap for them to escape. Winter does not stop. He carves a bloody path through the melee, flinging one of the mountain clansmen aside. Ned hesitates. He sees Sir Raymond fall, an arrow in his back. Another Stark retainer is hacked down by Shaga. Tyrion is nowhere to be seen, having already slipped into the chaos. The clansmen are cutting into their supposed allies like wolves in a sheep hold. Winter knocks aside two more riders and turns to face Ned. Blood dripping from his M. Ned kicks his horse forward, urging everyone to escape. A few survivors ride with him. Bareric Thoros, a scattering of guards. They begin to break through the noose with Ned picking up the rear. Winter looping ahead of them. And then his horse screams. A derk is sticking out from the side and it's killed underneath him. Ned tumbles to the ground as a figure looms over him. Brun. Apologies, my lord. Ned is swiftly taken captive along with a few surviving knights and lordlings. The rest of the men are butchered where they lie. Winter only realizes this after they have escaped. The direwolf needs to be pulled back by Jory Cassell, who realizes that it would be suicide to try and rescue him now with how few of their men remain. Instead, they ride back to King's Landing and report everything to Robert. The king is thrown into a rage when he hears of his friend's capture. A rage fueled further when Tywin writes a letter expressing his deepest sympathies for the loss of Nen Stark. He reaffirms his loyalty to the crown and promises that he will do his part to help locate Ned Stark, but suggests that Sir Jaime must be pardoned first to ensure his safety and to show that there is no further conflict between the two of them. To Robert, this is nothing short of blackmail. He is demanding amnesty for all he has done. And the king is half tempted to march out and punish them. Yet, as he considers that, helplessness sets in. Should he march out, it will mean Ned's death, as Tywin is sure to hang him. Yet, he cannot punish the Lannisters in the city. Not when he has no proof of their treachery, lest they appear as tyrants and alienate other potential allies. So, he must tread carefully with what he does next. His first action is to publicly thank Tywin for his help and for being an ally of the crown. But inwardly, they begin to work against him. If he cannot target Tywin or the queen, he can at least go after the lesser Lannisters. People like Lancel and Tyrek. He does not arrest them publicly, but he has them serve the king under guard, always being watched. Others in the court are stripped of their titles and then quietly confined to their quarters while their appointments are slowly removed and sent away. At the same time, he begins working on trying to turn the tables on the Lannisters. Thankfully, he is pleased to have the support of Renley. You called for me, brother. >> Yes, Renley. I think you of all people know that we are in some deep So as long as Ned Stark remains a prisoner, we are paralyzed. Glad you finally saw it, brother. Don't take this the wrong way, but I've never trusted the Lannisters. It is a long time coming. Yes. Yes. Don't rub it in. I suppose I should have seen it sooner. But the point is, we must do something now. So what do you suggest? Or are you just here to mock me? All right. Well, the important thing is that we have to keep the Lannisters bottled up. I think I can keep the Tyrells on our side. The North will be on our side as well. As will the Rivals, but we will need to keep them loyal, perhaps rewarding their loyalty. All right, that seems fair. Certainly, there are a lot of positions available with these purges. But most of all, I think we might need Stannis. Stannis? He's been squatting on Dragonstoneone for months now. What can he do? He still commands the royal fleet and we may need them to strike at the Westerlands if it comes to it. More importantly, we must present a unified front against the Lannisters. >> Very well. Let's get to work then. >> Renley immediately goes on a charm offensive. He reaches out to potential allies, especially in the Riverlands in the Reach. Loris is the first of these new knights to join the court. At the same time, Robert would begin reviewing the King's Guard on his council. He is not blind to the decline of the king's guard and the first thing he does is strip Jaime Lannister of his white cloak and instead offers it to the Knight of Flowers. It is unprecedented, but Robert justifies this action by saying that Jaime had shamed his cloak by attacking Robert's brother by marriage and that he was technically part of the royal family. All the while, Winter remains by Robert's side. He and Robert remain close with the king taking him out on walks along the palace grounds where they laugh, play, and go on runs together. Yet here, Robert's poor health begins to show itself as he struggles to keep up with the wolf. Rather than let it discourage him, he takes it as a challenge and begins working to keep up with him. This move hardly angers Tywin as he is overjoyed to have his son freed from having to remain as the king's guard and can now serve as his heir. At the same time, he tries to get the rest of his family out of the Red Keep and organizes a ship to secretly smuggle them out. Somehow, Varys gets word of this and sends word to Robert. That night, as Cersei tries to lead the children out through the Red Keep, they are intercepted by a group of Baratheon men waiting by the Postor gate they were planning to use. Robert does not execute them, but they are confined to Chambers and Robert begins working on tightening security around the Red Keep. When Robert secretly offers to trade, these are met with Curt disapproval. Tywin knows how to cut his losses. As far as he knows, those are Robert's children and his wife. To harm them would be kinslang, something the king would never stoop to. Besides, the simple truth was that Ned was a more valuable hostage. After Jaime is removed, the other king's guard are removed as well, including Sir Boros and Mirren Trant. These are replaced with Black Walder and Permanent Crane, who help secure ties with the Riverlands and Reach. Robert tries to go on the offensive, leading more small parties into the Westerlands as part of their search for Ned Stark. These number several hundred men and are led by knights personally appointed by Robert. As they gallop through the rolling hills of the Westerlands, they do not merely scour the forests for bandits and signs of the missing lord. They also meet with lords, warning them of siding with Tywin and gouging his level of support within the region. But as they work, they soon come into trouble as the Lannister raiders continue to attack them under the guise of being raiders. They bear no armor, but remain wellarmed and launch quick ambushes on their columns. This leads to fierce fighting across the rural areas, driving back some of these search parties and reaffirming Lannister's strength to their men. One of the largest battle reports, an ambush of nearly 200 men with their commanders being killed. Days later, their heads were sent back to the Red Keep from House Lannister. There they reaffirmed their support and claimed they had recovered these men after the ambush, a threat and mockery all at once. At the same time, Stannis is urged to come back, saying that he is needed to help support the coming offensive against the Lannisters. They do not expect him to respond, much less show up. And yet, one day, they find the sails of the Royal Fleet on the horizon. Robert Baratheon stands at the head of the hall, a goblet of wine untouched in his hand. Winter remains by his side, licking his hand and trying to calm him down. Renley sits to his right, his arms crossed, dressed in green and gold. Lords of the Stormlands and Reach wait at the fringes, but silence reigns until Stannis steps down. He is leaner than his brother, dark of brow, his jaw clenched like a blade held too long in the forge. Behind him marches Sir Davos. >> You came. Welcome home, brother. >> You cold? Let us waste no time. I bring news, not just council. >> Stannis opens a leather satchel and pulls out a roll of parchment, placing it on the table between them. >> John Eron was murdered. He didn't simply die. I know this because the two of us had been investigating a matter of great importance. >> What matter is that? >> The parentage of your children, Robert. The two of us believe that Cersei had not been faithful to you. She has been committing adultery with her brother. Robert's goblet slams onto the wood. Wine spills over the Riverlands. Winter growls and bears his teeth at him. What proof do you have? John Aaron died shortly after visiting the king's bastards. One in the streets of Silk, another in Flea Bottom. He visited them not for the names, but their faces. Black hair, strong jaw. Yours. Tell me, do any of your children look like that? Robert narrows his eyes. The paws hangs in the air like thunder before a storm. He compared them one by one. You heard bastards with red-haired women, blondes and dark-haired women. And yet all of them have your hair, but not Joffrey. The seat is strong, but your children, Robert. Blonde, blueeyed, not a Baratheon among them. Renley stiffens. Robert stares across the table, his knuckles white. >> That proves nothing. I admit the evidence is flimsy. And yet, the timing is suspect. the sudden death. I had feared for my life that I might be targeted. Robert turns his back. He walks toward the fires, his hands behind his back, chest rising and falling like bellows. You're sure of this? Not as certain as I would have liked. And yet, it would help if we were to bother the Lannisters to address these problems. However, they always shut themselves down each time they are questioned. John Aaron wanted more proof. He hesitated. So they killed him. Robert turns. Voice ragged. Children. They are not your children. Not in blood. Not in name. They are Lannister pups and they sit on your throne while their true father wears white and calls himself a king's god. Silence. Even Renley says nothing. The fire crackles. Robert slowly returns to the table. He picks up the parchment and sees a crude list. Names of bastards, descriptions, locations, notes from John, notes from Stannis. >> All these years, while I drank, while I hunted, and what would they have me do? Slay them all? My children. They are not your children. And yes, they must be disinherited at once. If you did not act, the kingdom will burn in the Lannister's claws. And what happens when Cersei has this? what should have been done a long time ago. Robert finally drinks. The wine sloshes as he gulps it down, then hurls the goblet into the fire. Part of him wishes to storm off now and confront the ruler of the Westerlands. He wishes to raise his power and storm Castle Rock, riding alongside Rob Stark and the Tyrells to crush him. And yet, his brothers sense this as well and try to dissuade him. They warn him that brute strength is no way to fight Tywin. It will be playing right into his hands and leave him vulnerable to being manipulated or ambushed. Already several of their parties had fallen victim to this and trying that again will only result in the same. They cannot go in force as they will likely threaten to hang Ned Stark if they try this. While Renley floats the idea of sending Riverlanders and Reachmen to attack as they have no attachment to Ned Stark, Robert rejects the plan. He knows that they will still hesitate. Ned is not just the head of Winterfell. He is the hand of the king. Therefore, he represents the entire crown. As Robert ponders this, he feels Winter nudging his fingers and nuzzling him. Blinking, he starts to smile and rub the direwolf's head. Slowly, he begins to formulate a plan. A fresh party is organized, this time under the personal command of Loris Tyrell. It is much larger than the usual search party numbering a thousand men. With such a large force and one of the king's guard, it would appear like the Iron Throne is done playing around and intends to strike in force. And yet, nothing of the sort happens. Rather than attacking, they seem even more cautious than ever. The army moves slowly from the south, advancing from Crackhall, but then moving from village to village, careful to avoid the same mistakes as the last task force. This makes it harder for Tywin to simply wipe them out. But more importantly, it provides him with an opportunity to capture another hostage. While Tywin's attention is focused on this, Stannis sends out Davos and Melisandre to begin working to free Ned. Their ship approaches Castly Rock, not as part of the Royal Fleet, but as an old smuggler. The sea crashes against the base of the cliffs. Black waves frothing with white foam. Fog curls around the small ship, its sails drawn and torches extinguished. Only the red glow from Melisandre's eyes seem to shine in the gloom. Davos grips the tiller tightly, his jaw clenched as the towering form of Castly Rock rises before them. >> This is madness. We're sailing into the lion's m. >> Have some faith in your lord. if you would not have it in the Lord of Light. >> She steps down to the small rowboat. Davos hesitates, then follows. They paddle into a hidden cave at the base of the rock, half submerged by the tide. They disembark in darkness. The stones slick with algae and time. Davos raises his lantern, but Melisandre shakes her head. >> "No light. He waits. This is a place surrounded by darkness. Do not grant them the Lord's gift." >> She kneels, placing a hand to her belly. Her breath grows heavy. Her skin glows faintly in the darkness. Davos turns away as he hears her moans and feels the temperature drop. Smoke gathers around her feet. A shadow stretches across the cavern. The shadow baby crawls forward, then stands as a silhouette of vengeance and death. The shadow moves without sound, seeping into the cracks in the stone. A moment later, they hear screams echoing far above, muffled, but unmistakable. Steel rings. Men shout. Then silence. >> Mother have mercy. >> She is not listening tonight. >> As the shadow passes through the cells, it leaves guards dead in the halls, choked, frozen, or cut by something that sears through armor. But the shadow is not there to kill. Tonight, it is a savior as it searches through a cell. Ned Stark stirs in his cell. He hears the screech of metal as the lock shatters and the heavy door creaks open. He does not expect what greets him. A redroed woman and Davos Seaworth. >> Lord Stark, no time to explain. Can you walk? >> Come. Your king awaits you. >> They flee down the halls. No one stops them. Those who do lie at their feet, faces frozen in fear. The shadow has done its work. At the base of the rock, a rope waits to lower them to the cavern. By the time centuries sound the alarm, they are already rowing back into open sea. The dawn rises over King's Landing and the city is already stirring when a raven colored ship glides into the harbor. Men shout. Guards rush the pier. Robert is already rushing down to the pier as well with winter by his side. The air is colder. The fire burns lower. The cortier fall silent. Ned walks forward slowly, still sore from his captivity. His hair is long, his beard longer, but his eyes remain as sharp as ever. Winter is the first to reach him. Charging across the ground, he barrels into Ned with a bark. nudging his chest and knocking him over. His tongue laps Ned's cheek. "You always find your way back. I do too." "So you do, >> Ned. And you're still standing. I feared I'd return to find a crown of gold, but no king." As he says that, he looks at his friend. There is something different about him. A determination he'd not seen in a long time. A fierceness in his gaze. Less wine, more steel. I've had a few sobering weeks. Too many ghosts. Too many damn Lannisters. But that's over now. You're back and we've got a kingdom to save. >> Renley and Stannis enter behind them. Loris Tyrell is at Robert's side, armor gleaming, while Sir Barristan stands at attention by the throne. >> We're going to war, Ned. But this time on our terms, not Tinds. Then let's finish it for John Aaron, for the North, for the realm. Soon, the banners of war rise over King's Landing. The Baratheonss and their allies gather around the throne. Sir Edmir, Loris, Tyrell, and Ned represent their regions. Winter moves like a living shadow beside the Deis. The wolf growls low as Cersei Lannister is dragged forward, flanked by goldcs and bound in chains. Your family has committed treason. You murdered the hand of the king. Your father raised an army without leave and declared war against the crown in the realm. Sir Jaime attacked Lord Eddard Stark in the streets. His banners lie about bandits while his armies burn villages and butcher innocents. >> If you believe that, then you are a bigger oath than even I realized. You think that any of this is true, and if you think that you can survive without my family, then you are mistaken. >> I've survived without them for decades, and I am sure I can still survive after they're gone. Yet, none of that even mentions the other accusations. You have committed adultery and incest. >> Are you mad? Do you even understand what this could mean? >> Did you when you did it? How could you be so foolish? You had everything you ever could have wanted. >> Not everything. You took him from me. You were less of a husband than you were a king. >> And you were less of a queen and a mother. But you did not acknowledge your crime. >> I deny them. >> Yet these words ring hollow. By now, half the realm already hates them. and they were not keen on supporting the Lannisters, even if they were somehow right. It does not matter how flimsy the evidence is. They all shout down and refuse to acknowledge him. Cheers and roars echo the halls. A storm has been loosed. In days, three great hosts march west. Ned Stark leads the Northman army, crossing the neck and joining with the Riverlander forces at the Twins. Mace Tyrell, eager for glory, commands the reach banners with Sir Loris and his knights leading the vanguard alongside Renley. The two share commands and even a tent. Lastly, Robert and Stannis take command of the Riverland host, bolstering them with Crownlanders, but the Westerlands are not idle. The Golden Tooth is a nightmare. What should have been a swift siege becomes a bleeding wound. Tywin's men abandon the outer castles, then fill the mountain passes with traps, deadfalls, oil pits, and collapsing tunnels. Every road is watched. Every village becomes a killing field. As the Reachmen advance, they run headfirst into the mountain, which is placed under the command of Sir Adam by the western time. The mountain, the knight of Ashark, and a horde of cells swords launch a night raid, burning supply wagons and slaying messengers before vanishing into the hills. Villages are abandoned, stores burned, livestock poisoned, scorched earth tactics turn the fertile land to ruin. Fire ships launched in secret down the river slam into galleys and supply barges from the reach and explode in flames. Robert's host pushes on but begins to suffer. Men grumble. Nobles bicker. Even brave lords are lost. Bareric Dondarrion is wounded in an ambush. Renley's close friend, Sir Bryce, is slain. Dozens more fall. All in ambushes without a proper fight being had as Tywin refuses open battle. In a battle of numbers and skills, it would have been no contest for the Royalists to crush the Westerman. But Tywin's host of 20,000 refused to battle. They remain one step away from the Royalist army, sliding deeper into the hills. So Jaime personally leads them, leading rear guard actions and raids. Unlike Tywin, he is itching for a fight and continues to launch raids. Tywin barely manages to hold him back, and these raids are just barely enough to restrain him. But Stannis takes notice of this and comes to Robert with a suggestion. The answer is brutal and clever. As the army at last ascends the Golden Tooth, his army halts along the Golden Plains of the Westerlands. Words are sent back to the capital with orders for Cersei to be brought forward. Robert is confused, but allows these orders to be carried out. He sends word to Renley to continue his advance. It is slow and methodical having to deal with constant raids. His army is struggling to advance, but they eventually manage to crawl past Krakall, forcing the Lannisters to remain in the field. And then, after weeks of waiting, the capital procession arrives with Cersei being led at the head of them. She is paraded through the camp in golden chains and to be jered at by the men. They throw things at her, make lewd comments, and insult her. They repeat this every day and make sure word reaches Jaime. True to form, Jaime Lannister rides to the bait. At night, under the cover of fog, his elite cavalry sneaks toward the camp, hoping for a daring rescue. But Robert is ready. The northern outr rididers watch him closely. They watch as he rides down, and when he tries to rush forward to their camps, the valley walls erupt with arrows as hidden archers from the trees unleash hell. Meanwhile, the knights in the camp are already waiting for them and rush out to meet them. They form a spear wall and hem the knights in while cavalry circles around them. Yet Jaime does not yield. He swings his sword around and cuts through anyone who gets too close. That is until Winter leaps from the rocks, slamming into his horse. Jaime is thrown, disarmed, and pinned by the direwolf. Ned rides in personally. They lock eyes. Stark and Lannister. He raises ice and executes Jaime Lannister before the gathered host. The lion's head falls into the mud. With Jaime dead and morale shattered, the Lannister resistance begins to falter. But Tywin does not yield. By now, the hopes of amnesty have long passed, and all he can do is fight until the last. As the Allied army approaches Castly Rock, they find its gates sealed, its rivers diverted, and its defenders ready. Tywin still refuses direct battle until Robert forces his hand. They lay siege to the castle with Mace and Edmure starting to construct siege engines to capture the castles. At the same time, Ned and Stannis organize attacks while Robert searches for the mountain and Sir Adam's army, which remains on the field. Tywin remained hold up with several thousand men ready to fight. They sort out and launch raids to try and break free while the bulk of the Lannister army under Sir Adam continues to raid their rear trying to force a breakthrough. Castly Rock proves to be a challenge as well and the siege drags on for weeks with the army being kept on high alert. Yet they feel no closer to taking the castle. That is until Robert decides to force Tywin's hand. In a bold maneuver, Robert orders Stannis and Renley to launch a faint along the coast with him and Ned while Mace maintains the siege. With their lines weakening, Tywin at last launches a final breakout assault, burning wagons and leading the last of the knights in a thunderous charge. At the same time, Sir Adam attacks from the rear and they coordinate their efforts. He attacks from multiple points, so just as one hole is plugged up, another opens. The fighting is fierce as Tywin makes it clear that there will be no hope of survival unless they escape. Westermen throw themselves upon their enemies. Edmure holds the line. The northern spears lock shields while orders are sent out for the Baratheon brothers to return to their fastest knights. Robert personally duels Tywin in the melee, breaking his sword and driving him to his knees. The old lion refuses to beg. You've burned villages, betrayed kings, and butchered your honor, and I've kept my house strong. Then let's see how long it lasts without you. He calls for ice from Ned and finishes off Tywin in a single swing. Tyrion wastes no time in surrendering. With that, the war comes to an end and the army returns to King's Landing. With Tywin and the Lannisters gone, Ned continues to serve as the king's hand and his first act is to revoke the price on Daenerys's head. Instead, Robert turns his attention inward, focusing on rebuilding the realm and undoing the damage he had done through his inaction. But first, he decides to go hunting and takes Ned and Winter with him. That's our theory. Westeros is a land filled with exciting stories and possibilities, and we love exploring them. 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