Chapter 19

POV Change- Alexander Baratheon (18):

If this wasn't a sign for what was to come, I don't know what is, everything was laid bare for Lord Stark to see how things were in the South and this man was still going to go despite now seeing how little his friend would protect him and how vengeful the queen seemed.

To think he was still going down to the capital to protect Robert despite Robert not doing the same said a lot about the man's character and I was liking him more and more but now that this was reality and not some series or book, I had to wonder whether or not he even cared for the lives of the Northman he brought with him. He may just be the most honourable men in Westeros, but he was also the most naïve.

"Where is the beast?" She didn't even wait a second and asked as soon as the king had left, she was desperate to make a point, to feel power over those she felt threatened it as Lord Stark did with his friendship with Robert.

"Chained up outside your grace." The guard answered. Well, if anything Lannister men were diligent and quick but alas things won't be playing out how she hopes.

"Ser Ilyn, do me the honour." Cerci gestured for the royal executioner to proceed outside to deliver the queens justice.

But before he could get very far Lord Stark intercepted the man's path outside and with his imposing northern stock towered over the man some, things got a little tense once again when Eddard Stark said, "No."

Just like earlier hands were once again on the hilts of swords ready to draw and do battle and this time I signaled for my men to ready themselves as well, Cerci was a little too bloodthirsty for comfort and she very well could give the order to have the Northman killed.

"If it must be done, I'll do it myself," seeing the tense atmosphere and the way his action was interpreted Lord Stark explained his reason for stopping the man. But judging from the man's words there was a part of him that hoped the queen would see reason and let the animal liv, little did he know there was little reason in the queen left.

"Is this some trick?" Cerci questioned with venom in her voice along with a hint of amusement, she really was just looking for any reason to start a conflict and I was beginning to wonder if she had some personal grievance with the man because the Starks were known for many things honourable being chief amongst them but playing tricks and scheming were not.

"The wolf is of the north; she deserves better than a butcher." There was spite in the man's voice, but he would follow through with the order that much anyone could see from the look in his eyes, anyone but the queen it seemed.

"Alex, follow Lord Stark and see that its done." Cerci voiced looking my way.

Now why in the seven hells do I keep getting dragged into the grudge match between these two, I was just standing there minding my own business and now I'm being ordered to police Lord Stark and kill their sigil animal should he be unable. Basically, Cerci was trying to create enmity between me and Lord Stark where there was none, despite her seeming to have no tact or planning she does have moments of brilliance.

"As you command your grace." I give a brief nod towards Cerci as I follow Lord Stark outside under the spiteful disbelieving and mournful eyes of Arya and Sansa Stark respectively.

As Lord Stark and I make our exit, we walked towards the chained up dire wolf and where we could her sorrowful howls echo throughout the camp, I would be lying if I said hearing those howls didn't hurt my heart.

We walked in silence as we moved through camp and as we were nearing our destination we saw The Hound, Sandor Clegane, walking beside his horse as he led it down the road. As he got closer, we could see a body laid limp upon the horse and the smell of blood, I watched as Lord Stark pause and wait for the man to get closer, and I was beginning to think the man was looking for trouble now.

"The butcher's boy, you rode him down?" I could hear the emotions of the man as he struggled to contain them, he truly was too good for the South.

"He ran, not very fast." The Hound answered flippantly as he continued walking without breaking stride.

Hearing the man's dismissive tone, I watched Lord Stark clench his fist as he tried to calm himself down, he turned to look at me and it seemed he had much to say but finally decided to keep whatever he had to say to himself before we continued the walk.

As we got to the clearing where the dire wolf was chained, we could see my men already surrounding the place with their hands on the hilts of their swords standing at the ready, they were an intimidating sight in their black armour and the low firelight.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lord Stark demanded as he drew his sword in a surprisingly swift manner as he spun around to face me.

The mans reflexes and his judgment to face me first truly impressed me but we were short on time, and this had to be done as quickly and discreetly as possible, so I raised my arms in surrender as tried to calm the man and explained my plan.

"Easy Lord Stark, I am only trying to help you and your family."

"Explain." The man demanded in a clipped tone.

"Apollyon," I called out to my second as showing would be faster than trying to convince the stubborn fool. She came out from the darkness dragging a dead wolf we had hunted earlier and two of my men moved to unchain the dire wolf as they placed the chain on the dead wolf and leashed the Starks dire wolf.

"The deed is done Lord Stark, the dire wolf will be safe by my side, feel free to come see her whenever you are so pleased." I looked into the man's eyes and finally saw understanding then confusion.

"Why?" he questioned with clear confusion now written clearly on his face as he lowered his sword.

"Because she is innocent Lord Stark." I said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world and offered the man a small smile as I did so.

"I suppose she is, thank you Alexander." He said gratefully.

"Listen Lord Stark you seem like an honourable and good man so let me give you a piece of advice, leave. Pack up everything and gather your family and give your well wishes to Robert and let him know you can't help him and then make your way back to the North."

I watched the man put his sword away and look at me with suspicion and confusion at my words, I was surprised he hadn't caught on yet despite everything that has happened to his family and what he has witnessed so fare.

"Lord Stark I'm sure you have your suspicions, but Robert isn't the man you once knew, just a few days ago he was plotting the death of a young innocent girl just because of who her parents were tell me is that something the man you know would do?"

The look of suspicion in his eyes was replaced by pure confusion and worry as he thought over my words but said nothing and just stood there in silence taking in everything, I had said so far.

In all honesty killing the Targaryen girl was one of the few things I agreed with when it came to Robert, but it was too late now, she was already married to a Khal and to kill a Khal's wife was to invite war to our shores. I saw a slight waver in his eyes and decided to give one more push to see if I could change the man and his family's fate.

"By now you have seen that the King can't protect you, should something like today happen again then I'm afraid it'll be your life or the lives of the north that will be needed to appease the queen. *Sigh* The truth is Lord Stark, the Baratheon's aren't in control, the Lannister's are the true ones in control and there's not much than can be done to change that."

I watched him struggle to process what I told him, I could see him want to deny everything I had said till now but even he could see the truth in the matter, feeling that I had said everything that needed to be said I bid the man farewell and walked into the darkness followed by my men.

"Winter is coming Lord Stark."