Chapter 67

"Come back to bed my love." Cersei kissed her husband's neck.

"I cannot sleep." Ned sat up. She knew her husband was worried about the latest developments in their lands.

Cersei ran her hands over his shoulders. "It is done." She was just as overwhelmed as Ned was. The only difference was that she chose to not let Ned see. Lady Stark had to be strong for both of them. Eddard needed to be a strong leader; he needed her stronger than ever.

Ned sighed, "We surrendered the North."

Cersei shook her head and moved to be in front of him so she could sit on his lap. "We have not surrendered the North. We pledged for a new Queen. That is all. The Northerners will do as you command. Eddard, it will not change."

Her husband stood up and went to the window. "We could have fought her armies. A single man of mine is worth ten of hers." Ned clung to the idea of fighting. It took all of Cersei's gentle but assertive convincing for him to desist the idea.

Cersei grew a little impatient; granted, she knew nothing of war but she understood their current predicament. If Cersei had learned anything from her father was to know when to retreat, when to surrender. She kissed his forehead. The woman combed her fingers over her husband's hair and kissed his cheek. "Joanna sent a letter." It was best to distract him. Ned had given his word to the Dragon queen. He would not change his mind.

Ned smiled, "Read it to me."

Cersei fetched the letter from a stack near her drawers. "Dear mother. Steffon, Shireen and I are fine. We are planning to move to Pentos during the next month. It hurts less mother. I have nightmares and miss Stannis terribly. I wish he was still with us. I wish he had thought of me and our children. I dream about that night almost every night and sometimes it is different. Sometimes Stannis surrenders the kingdoms and the dragon queen forgives his life and we live in Storm's End. Other nights, he is sent to the Wall. I dream that uncle Benjen lets him go and we live in a nearby keep in Winterfell. Mother, sometimes, only sometimes, I dream that he kills that queen and we defeat her armies. I think of what would have happened if Gendry took the throne. I curse myself for wanting to be queen. I sound resentful and I am. Do not worry too much, I am faring better now; Brienne is excellent company. Grandfather, her and the children are a balm for my soul. Shireen is not so quiet anymore. She was so very afraid that I would leave her. How would I ever leave my daughter? My only daughter. Grandfather and her get along wonderfully. He is very good with her. They spend hours reading and having lessons. She is eating more now. Grandfather is so very happy too. I think he frequents Osha's bed. She is good for him. Mother, I find it so diverting. He thinks Brienne and I do not notice Osha leave our wing to go to his. Brienne named the babe Jaime. He is a very handsome lad; he looks a lot like uncle Jaime or so Grandfather says. The babe has Brienne's eyes; he is an easy babe. Brienne was afraid of holding him at first, thinking she would hurt him. She has gotten over her fears. Little Jaime is a blessing for her. I think I understand her. Steffon and Shireen are the reason why I keep going. I spend my time taking care of the children and managing the small household. Grandfather says we will settle in Pentos and that we will be completely safe there. He sends his love and so do the children. I wish you could meet Steffon and Jaime. They are handsome children. My Steffon looks just like Stannis but for his nose. I think he has father's nose. I miss you all terribly. Please give papa and my brothers my love. Joanna." Cersei smiled and finished reading.

Ned hugged her, "She should be here with us." Cersei knew he did not dare look at her. they would cry together and sour an evening.

Cersei wiped some tears, "She's better now. Joanna will be fine. Father and Brienne will protect her."

Ned nodded, "They named the babe Jaime." He said. Her husband, bless his should tried to play along with her. Cersei was convinced her daughter was safe and that gave her peace of mind.

Cersei smiled, "At least that girl has something of his. A babe to remember him by." She cried bitterly when she learned of Jaime's death. It was best that Ned was beyond the Wall or he would have resented her for showing so much sorrow. Tyrion wept and raged for weeks after the ravens arrived. They had all been happy when they learned Brienne was with child, a Lannister child. Father wrote to Tyrion regularly and gave him detailed instruction on how to ship gold and money. Her baby brother did as he was told. Father gained power over his finances and then decided they would establish themselves in Pentos. Cersei was glad they would go to that free city. Joanna wrote every week and she sounded better; her last letters gave her much hope that her child would thrive and learn to live without Stannis.

Ned kissed her brow, "I cannot shake this uneasiness my love." He was weary and tired.

Cersei caressed his face, "We will hold the North. The Starks will always hold the North. Our daughters are lost to us but they are safe. Our sons have not lost their lands. Ned, we have to play to game. Remember what you promised me, what we promised each other."

He looked at her seriously and held her hands in his, "As long as we breathe, our children will be safe. We will make sure they are safe. We always will."

Cersei sighed and rested her head on his shoulder. He hugged her and they fell on the furs and feathers. Ned kissed the mark he made earlier and Cersei grinned at him.

He frowned, "Why are you smiling so?" He asked confused.

She kissed his lips, "The queen has adopted a Northern braid hairstyle."

Ned's brow furrowed, "I assumed you advised her to do so."

Cersei smirked, "I most certainly did not." She kissed him and he responded to her kisses by biting her lips and lowering his hand to her arse. She rubbed his thigh and kissed the side of his neck.

"Do you remember the first time I wore a true Northern braid?"

He frowned and stopped kissing her bruised neck, "The night after Robert came for the first time. I was drunk and took you all night long." He said in a raspy voice, "To be that young again." He quickly mounted her and entered her.

Cersei moaned and moved one of his hands to her little button. He pumped in and out. Lady Stark bit his earlobe and whispered, "You fucked me so hard, just like now." She gasped and tried to say "you bit the side of my neck. Just like now Ned." He playfully bit and licked the mark. "I had to ask Old Nan to braid my hair so I could cover it."

Ned was not listening and she did not care anymore. She would explain to him later. Cersei liked the distraction. He made her forget that there was yet another coming war. A war that could very well take the rest of her children. The North had already taken Bran. The Baratheons took Arya and Joanna. She could not bear to think what could happen to Tommen, Robb and Jon.

Ned hitched both of her legs to his waist and thrust into her with abandon. Cersei's toes curled when she came to the sight of him moving his cock inside her. Ned collapsed and bit her teat. She could not breathe and was hot. Ned's heavy breathing calmed and he took a nipple to his mouth and sucked it. She moaned when he pulled her to his chest.

"I want to have you again and again." He touched her core and placed his fingers inside her. Her husband needed more time to have his cock inside of her but that did not stop him from making her yell his name. She loved him. Cersei ground into his hand.

Ned had a rough voice, "Has the queen taken a lover? It has to be her nephew." He moved his fingers in a maddening slow stroke.

Cersei shook her head, "She has taken a lover but it isn't the Targaryen, Prince Aegon arrived with her. They are not affectionate and today was the first time she wore that braid." She managed to say before Ned placed a finger over her nub.

"Who then?" He sucked on her neck and then pinched her nipples. She could not answer him. "You look so beautiful. I fucking love your tits." He pinched her button and that made her peak into his hand. She licked his neck and rode her orgasm.

He watched as she came down from her orgasm and then her lord husband pulled her legs apart and entered her. She raked her fingernails over his back and enjoyed how he moved inside her. Ned fucked her again; Cersei was beyond words. She was reduced to grunts and filthy words. He came long and hard as always and then slumped down.

She was cold but not for long. Ned covered her with his heat and then threw more furs over them. They were cuddled, sweaty and warm. Her hair was wet and his as well. Cersei was sleepy. "She's chosen either Jon or Robb."

"Jorah could be her lover too." Ned said sleepily.

"He is too old for her." Cersei yawned and slept quickly. "It has to be Robb. He was always a charmer."

Ned was dressed when she woke up. "Good morning my love." She yawned. He came and kissed her. "I have to meet the men by the stables."

Cersei frowned, "I want you back by midevening. We have to plan for the feasts. I cannot have you and the boys out there. They need to look like what they will be; the wardens of the North and the East respectively."

Ned kissed her forehead, "Your sons and husband will be here as you command my Lioness."

He left their quarters and Lady Stark could not sleep any longer. She called her handmaidens and readied for the day. "Finish the braid quickly. Jeyne, fetch Lady Lannister. She is to meet me for breakfast. Micka, have all of your girls clean the castle, decorate it. We are to have a feast in a few days."

Cersei dressed in a purple gown. She wore a golden lion necklace. The lady of the house addressed Micka, "Make sure our queen knows about my whereabouts." The handmaiden assented. "Rickon and little Ned are to stay with you and Jeyne for the day. Jeyne, have maester Luwin meet with me when he is available."

The maids left and she walked to the sewing parlor, Sansa sat bright eyed with little Jon on her lap. "Lady Stark."

"Sansa dearest, did break your fast?" Cersei asked and sat down. Jon gave her a toothy smile.

"Hello cub." Jon giggled.

"Yes, Tyrion left early this morning. He made sure I had my fruits and porridge." Sansa blushed prettily.

Cersei nodded and placed Jon on the floor. "Let him explore the room. He needs to be independent. You have the heir to the Westerlands. He needs to be strong. Jon will have to fend without you by his side."

Sansa looked worried for a few minutes. Cersei distracted Sansa with all the work they had piled for the feasts. "The ravens have been sent. We'll have the feast as soon as all of the houses' representatives arrive to Winterfell."

Her sister in law discussed menus and lodging arrangements. Cersei vetoed some of her ideas because although the Northern houses were amicable they were so because they respected each other's boundaries. It was never a good idea to gather armed men under one roof. The Umbers and the Karstarks got along until they had some cups. The men would argue about failed marriages and a dead girl. Cersei forgot who had married whom and who had supposedly murdered whom. "Have the Manderlys and Glovers in the east quarters. They cannot be near the Free Folk."

They spent half of the morning working on the presumed lodgings before Rickon ran inside the room with little Ned in tow. "Mama, we have been looking for you." Rickon informed her as he sat down with some wooden toys. Little Ned approached her and gave her a wet kiss. "Nana, where papa?"

Cersei kissed his forehead, "He is with grandfather and the men. He will be back before supper. Now, tell me, where is your mother?"

Little Ned shrugged. Rickon looked up from the toys and Lan. "She was in the gardens. I asked her to let me take Ned with me. She said yes mama."

Cersei accepted the explanation and forgot about Margaery. The woman would eventually find them and try to help as she always did. Cersei continued with the feast related activities until lunch.

"My lady." Luwin came into the parlor.

"Good, you're here. How many ravens have we received yet?" She asked the older man.

"Half of the Northern houses have replied. They send their representatives as we speak. The closest of them should be arriving this evening or early in the morrow." Luwin spoke of space, asked for the lodgings and gave her a detailed summary of the state of the castle and the food they had to accommodate such large amount of people. "Where is my brother?" Cersei asked when she approved the menus and gave them to the maester.

"Last I saw he was with the young prince." The man said when leaving the parlor.

Sansa looked uneasy. "He is not stupid. Tyrion knows how to conduct himself. Do not worry too much." The younger woman half smiled and grabbed Jon from the floor. "We have to find your papa."

They left the parlor. Rickon and little Ned followed her to the great hall. It was time for lunch. Lan ran out the door to the kennels. Surely Ghost and Grey Wind would be there. Cersei found that the Queen, prince Aegon and Tyrion were already seated. "Your grace." She curtsied and sat by her.

"Sansa went to look for you." Cersei said as greeting to her brother.

Tyrion nodded. The servants brought the food, "Carsia, let Lady Lannister know that lunch is ready and her husband is here." The girl left the room quickly.

"So strange, I imagined Margaery would be here." Lady Stark commented. It was the Queen who answered. "Aegon and I saw her in the gardens. She felt under the weather."

The queen wore a red dress. Cersei noticed Sansa's style. Daenerys Stormborn was fond of Sansa. Cersei smiled to herself, Sansa loved her. She looked up to her. It was a good thing. She could influence Sansa and the little dove could put forth some of her suggestions to their queen.

Cersei had the food brought just as Sansa appeared with Margaery. "I should be happy to do that for you Sansa." Her daughter in law said with one of her sweet smiles. Cersei could see through the fake kindness very well.

"I would be very grateful." Sansa smiled and sat down. Cersei looked inquisitively, Sansa explained with a sweet smile, "Margaery offered to help us. She will oversee the arrangings for the lesser houses. We could focus on the rest of the houses."

Cersei smiled, "very well." For once that girl would do something right. "Sansa, dearest, you must try to eat this. Your baby needs to be strong. She will be very pretty just like you little dove." Cersei felt affection for Jon and the little one in Sansa's belly. It was a way to atone for Tyrion's childhood.

Tyrion smirked, "I wager it is another boy."

Cersei rolled her eyes, "It will be a girl. She is carrying low just like I did when I had Arya."

Sansa looked happy, "Do you think so Lady Stark?"

"I am sure sweetling." Cersei smiled at Sansa, who had become like a daughter to her. She missed Joanna and Arya terribly and this sweet, naïve girl had helped her so much.

Margaery frowned. It was a perk that Margaery felt jealous of Sansa. Cersei could not bring herself to care for the southern rose. There was something she deeply disliked about her. Ned had once told her it was because Margaery reminded her of a younger her. Lady Stark had turned her head and refused to please him for the remaining of his stay in Winterfell.

"Where is Lord Stark and his children?" The queen asked.

Tyrion replied amicably, "They are training as they are wont to do."

Prince Aegon frowned, "Why was I not informed of this?"

Cersei recovered quickly, "Will your grace join the battlefield?"

The young man frowned, "I should have been invited regardless of my position. I am their prince."

Tyrion frowned, "Surely my brother thought your grace would command him as other princes have done."

Cersei drank some of her wine. The queen spoke clearly. "Aegon should have been invited to participate. He is used to leading his armies on the field." The dragon queen announced.

Lady Stark smiled briefly, "Forgive us my queen. We are not accustomed to your approaches. Royalty is not on the field with the men. They command safely from keeps. It is how King Aerys and Prince Rhaegar worked.

The queen smiled tightly, "We are not our fathers. My nephew and I will fight alongside the men."

Margaery frowned and spoke up, "Surely you jest. My queen will stay safe in Winterfell. The war is not for us."

The dragon queen chuckled, "I will go with Lord Starks. My children do not fight without me. I will go as will Tyrion."

Cersei frowned, "Why would my brother go with you. He has no business in the war."

The queen looked at her, "Jorah will be on the grounds with the men. I need Tyrion's advice on how to direct the children and his counsel."

Sansa's hand trembled as her husband spoke, "Ned and I discussed it and we agreed it would be prudent if I went with them."

Cersei laughed, "prudent? You belong here with Sansa and me. What will happen to us if you are not here? Who will protect us?"

It was her baby brother's turn to laugh, "Sweet sister. I will not be of much help. Your lord husband and I have full trust in your abilities. Ned will leave a small army of men outside the gates to protect the castle. You know what to do. You will do what we thought about."

Cersei nodded, "very well." She knew Tyrion was running from Sansa and the babe. Cersei would have to talk to him separately. As for the plan it was simple. If all was lost they would hide in the tombs. They would wait the long night there. It was the last option. They had food stored. Tyrion calculated that food would last a year if they ate the bare minimum. It was mad but the last of the last. Cersei did not tell her brother but she had also stored a powerful poison just in case.

The queen asked about the northern houses and their arrival for the rest of the lunch. Prince Aegon excused himself as did Tyrion and Sansa. Margaery left with Rickon and little Ned. "They are going to be late for their lessons."

"Would you care for a walk in the gardens?" The queen asked her.

"Of course your grace." Cersei stood up and offered her arm. They walked out.

Cersei spoke about the gardens and how she had started them when she came to live in the North. "Ned's mother wanted to keep a garden too but she did not know much."

The queen looked confused, "I never met her she died when Ned was a child. I know because my husband told me about the space and what it was originally for."

"It is a beautiful garden. I am surprised the flowers have not died because of the cold." The queen smiled at some blue roses.

Cersei shrugged, "There is a hot spring beneath us. It keeps the garden warm through the winters. I threw myself into this garden when I came North. I planted all the flowers."

The queen smiled, "you do not come here often."

Lady Stark laughed, "I never liked gardens much." The queen looked confused and Cersei had to laugh once more. "Your grace will have to forgive me for my candor. I planted all these flowers during my first few months here. I was bored. My lord husband and I did not know each other and I needed to do something. I stopped when I became pregnant. The gardens lost their appeal even more then. My Joffrey was a stillborn. I tended to the gardens once more and made sure to get pregnant again. I lost two more babes. The gardens were my project until Jon came along. I forgot about them."

The queen nodded, "these roses are beautiful."

Cersei smiled, "blue roses. These are most beautiful during winter."

The queen grabbed a few, "You would not mind?"

"Not at all your grace but I must tell you about these roses. Your brother gave these roses to my late sister in law Lyanna. We all know what happened after that tourney. The war broke out and you and your brother had to leave the realm." Cersei stated easily.

The queen caressed the flower. "I have heard Viserys, Jorah's and Barristan's stories. I have not heard yours yet my lady."

Cersei smiled, "There is not much to tell. Rhaegar kidnapped Lyanna end of story."

The queen frowned, "Did Lyanna hold any affection for him?"

Cersei threaded carefully then, "Ned never spoke of it. My queen must never retell this." Lady Stark decided to give the queen a story that favored Starks. The queen nodded.

"I believe Lyanna went willingly. I believe Robert could not imagine the thought of his fiancée loving the crown prince. Your father was mad your grace. He was jealous of Rhaegar. Your brother would have united the North and South had he forsaken Elia and married Lyanna. The war broke your grace and now we are here."

"Did you ever meet my brother Rhaegar?" the queen asked.

"Once and from afar. Your grace must forgive me but we must go back to castle. My husband and children should have arrived." Cersei and the queen walked back to the castle.

The week passed without much developments. Cersei was busy with the incoming arrival of the lords. Sansa and Margaery were of much help. The queen learned more about the northern houses and spent time with her. She asked about Winterfell and the children. She asked about Robb and Jon the most. Cersei's suspicions that an alliance between Robb and the queen had been made intensified every day. It was the bright smiles Robb gave her and her blushes. She blushed when Robb and Jon came near her. Margaery seemed to notice as well. Cersei offered no advice. It would be beneficial if Robb were the queen's lover. He would never be her consort but it would sweeten the monarch to the Starks.

Ned thought she was mad for thinking that "the Targaryen girl" would take a Stark for a lover. Winterfell bustled with activity. The Northern houses were all there. Night fell and so they waited. There would be no meals shared. The servants were instructed to serve supper separately. The head of houses would meet at night to discuss war strategies. Eddard would declare for the queen and convince the other houses to do so as well. Ned wore his finest grey clothes. Cersei chose a red gold dress. She wore rubies on a braid. "I do not understand why I have to wear these clothes. It is only my men." Ned fussed with an embroidered direwolf on his chest.

"Could you not do that?" Cersei fixed the garment and kissed his lips.

"You look very handsome." She smiled at him.

"We must go down now." He said somberly and offered his arm.

Lady Stark greeted many men that fought alongside her Ned. She recognized many of the men and waited. Robb and Margaery came down. The Tyrell girl wore a green dress, pretty enough. Her son wore black clothes with a silver direwolf pin. Sansa wore a looser purple dress to befit her pregnancy. Tyrion wore his brown clothes and his read leather vest. Lannister always favored red and gold. Jon talked to Jorah. He wore black clothes like his brother only his direwolf was golden and bigger. They chatted until the queen and her prince arrived. Grey Wind and Ghost played by one of the hearths.

The Targaryens were royalty and they looked the part. Queen Daenerys wore a beautiful silver Westerosi dress and the Northern braid to the side. Prince Aegon wore all black. He looked like Rhaegar when he was younger, his hair was tied back in a simple braid. The rooms erupted in more murmurs and words. "Outrage." "Dragon spawns." "senseless."

The Starks, Lannisters and Targaryens sat down. Eddard called for order. "We are here because of the upcoming war."

A Glover interrupted, "What is this Eddard? Have you summoned us to give up the fight?" He yelled. Cersei watched as Ghost stood up and growled in front of the table. The direwolf growled at Glover.

Ned shook his head, "Not at all friends. We are here because our men are not enough."

"We must accept our queen Daenerys Targaryen." It was as if someone was pulled Ned's mouth to utter the words.

More conversations and angry words. "Targaryens plunged our lands into hell. They submitted us to Fire and Blood put us through swords. You mean to have us surrender to her." A Manderly spoke with anger. There were hear, hears left and right.

Jon stood up and spoke clearly, "The Long Night approaches. Our enemy lies behind the Wall. We must not fight amongst one another."

"We know no other ruler but Stark." Greatjon bellowed. He drew his sword and raised it. "Stark, Stark, Stark." He chanted as did the other me. Ned smiled happily. He drew his sword.

"I give my sword to you my queen." Ned dropped in front of her.

"The North will always follow Starks for they are the rulers of the North." Greatjon did the same, the Glovers followed, as did the Manderlys and Mormonts. Soon a pile of swords sat in front of the Dragon queen.

Eddard bowed to the queen and uttered, "The North is yours your majesty."

The queen nodded. Cersei heard her eldest speak, "The Queen in the North." He bellowed and soon there were chants of the "Queen in the North."

The men were rowdy and drank. They chanted and asked for wines and more spirits. Ned obliged them. He addressed the queen. "My people are loyal and true your grace."

The queen nodded, "Thank you my lord."

Margaery and Sansa retired. It would not be prudent if she stayed any longer. "I must retire my love." Cersei stood up and made for the doors.

"I will retire as well." The queen said and made for the doors as well.

Cersei waited for her, "smart choice. You are a queen. You greeted your people now you must retire."

The younger woman nodded. They walked up together.

"I never thought it would be so easy." The girl said.

Cersei smirked, "My queen must remember that the houses follow their Lord Stark. My Ned follows you. You will be a wonderful queen I have no doubts but you need your vassal lords. You need Starks, Lannisters, Tyrells, Martells and the rest. For you are still a foreign ruler."

The queen did not look offended or scared. "But you know all of this. You are smart and kind, severe yet understanding." Cersei truly believed it was best to be on the Dragon queen's good side.