Highgarden, as a cool wind blew in from the north, Margaery and Olenna sat once again at the table. The main difference was the ck of schemes and false faces. "So, my dear, what do you think of him?"

  Margaery smiled slightly as she answered, "He's certainly the most handsome man I've ever seen. You know that ever since we received that message, I have been eager to finally meet him, if only out of curiosity."

  Olenna smiled, "I'm gd. Just remember our words are growing strong, so be careful with him. We might have a fairly good grasp of his character now that we've met, but a human heart can hold deep waters."

  "I know, grandmother... I will. Do you think that prophecy was true or simply his way of gaining an edge?"

  Olenna frowned in thought. "I don't know. It's probably a bit of both. It's my first time seeing such magic in person so I can't judge but his confidence was there."

  "I've received reports that Tywin has called his banners as a show of force against the North for the kidnapping of the Imp. It's not a full war yet but one spark will do it. That boy put it well when he said the Seven Kingdoms haven't been the Seven Kingdoms since the rebellion. I have no doubt that the king will die in bed from wine within the year; it's what your brother has been working on with Renly to achieve, after all. However, at the end of the day, it doesn't really matter as we have the information we need from our meeting with the Prince. You will have to py a new game very well for the future of our house. It's a good thing you take after me and not your father."

  Kings Landing.

  Ned Stark awoke slowly as he felt the cold, sticky feeling of sickness cim his body. Looking down, he viewed his now me leg under the treatment of the Grand Maester. Before he could fully come to awareness, the voice of the queen cut into the silent room.

  "You know what your wife has done? She kidnapped my brother! By what right dare you y hands on my brother! You're no longer the king's hand!"

  It was all so foggy as his voice argued of its own accord; unfortunately, it simply came down to a shouting match between the two until Robert stepped in with his booming voice.

  "WILL BOTH OF YOU SHUT YOUR MOUTHS! Catelyn will release Tyrion, and you will make your peace with Jaime."

  "He butchered my men and fled the city."

  The queen sneered at this. "Lord Stark was returning from a brothel when he and his men attacked Jaime."

  "Quiet, woman," Robert spoke in frustration.

  "Give me leave to bring him to justice," Ned Stark spoke softly, feeling his numb leg burn at the thought of the king-syer.

  At this, Cersei grew furious, looking at Robert. "I took you for a king! He's attacked one of my brothers and abducted the other. I should wear the armor, and you the gown."

  SLAP! Robert's furious hand nded heavily on her cheek, knocking her face and body to the side. "I shall wear this like a badge of honor."

  Robert turned back to Ned while speaking. "Wear it in silence, or I'll honor you again. See, Ned, what she does to me." The king sat on the bed as he drank his wine while the queen stormed out of the room.

  "MY loving wife. I shouldn't have hit her; that was not kingly. If I don't act, there will be a war, so tell your wife to return that little shit. She's had her fun; now put an end to it. You hear me? Send a raven and put an end to it! I'm half a kingdom in debt to Jaime's bloody father, so I don't care what happened between you and those yellow-haired shirts, but it ends now! I can't rule the kingdoms if the Starks and Lannisters are at each other's throats!"

  "Don't even think of leaving; I want you here. Send a raven. I'm the king, and I get what I want." He gulped the wine before speaking again.

  "I never loved my brothers. A sad thing for a man to admit, but it's true. You're the brother I choose, Ned. We'll talk when I return from the hunt; you'll sit on that damn throne till I'm back. Trust me, you'll hate it more than I do." With that, he tossed the symbol of the hand to Ned Stark.

  "Put on the badge, and if you ever take it off again, I swear to the Seven Hells I'll pin the damn thing on Jaime Lanister." He walked out not looking back as the room fell back into silence.