Chapter 1: Tourney at Harrenhal

Lord Whent is hosting a Tourney at Harrenhal. A tourney likes of which not seen since before the 'Dance of Dragons'. With all major and most minor houses in attendance, this promises to be quite the spectacle. Little do the hosts and guests know, there is an ulterior motive behind this Tourney with an unknown benefactor funding it and an unknown third party taking advantage of it.

Casterly Rock A Moon Ago

"Mi'lord. A raven from Summerhal" said a messenger entering Tywin Lannister's solar. 'About time' thought the Old Lion 'Soon my daughter will be queen and my legacy secure.' After Elia Targaryen née Martell' gave birth to Aegon, the maesters -specifically his pawn Pycelle- says she can no longer produce heirs. Which was a lie of course. Rhaegar's obsession with prophecy has given Tywin the opening he needed since the Mad Dragon insulted House Lannister by marrying the Dornish whore over his daughter Cersei. "Gave it to me. You may go. And fetch my daughter" said Tywin

Tywin Lannister, Lord of Casterly Rock and Warden of the West

Any day now all of Westeros should be receiving invitations to Harrenhal like we planned. It has taken little convincing to sway Lord Whent into hosting the Tourney. With the Lords of great and minor houses participating, we will be one step closer to completing our plan to overthrow my mad father. For too long has my father tainted the Throne, for too long has he been a plague to the realm, well no more. We will bring stability to the Seven Kingdoms. I will marry your daughter and she will give me my Visenya, with the joining of our houses, you will he my Hand. Together we will stop the Long Night and bring the Dawn.

Rhaegar Targaryen, Crown Prince of Dragonstone and Lord of Summerhal

'The fool actually thinks I believe that nonsense, he must be mad like his father. No matter, I'll have the Dragon and the Dornish whore's children killed after Cersei provides an heir. The door flies open and Cersei nigh sprints into her father's solar.

"Father you called?" said Cersei enthusiastically

"Yes. It's time, pack whatever you need, we are heading for Riverlands, to Harrenhal as planned. Soon you will be Queen and our family's legacy will be as secure. I trust you know your duty?" Asked Tywin

"Of course father. My silver prince will love me, I promise" answered Cersei

"Good. We will not have a chance like this again so you cannot fail. You will manipulate the fool and give him an heir with Lannister blood. Now go" said Tywin

One step closer indeed Rhaegar. One step closer indeed.

Harrenhal: One Moon Later

Year 279 AC

"Come on Ned, ask her to dance. She's been looking at you since the feast began bahaha" says the eight and ten year old Brandon Stark, the heir to Winterfell, amused by his brother's shyness. He was hoping the his little brother's shell receded after his fostering in the Vale with Robert but it doesn't seem so. Lyanna, himself, even little Benjen has danced. There must be something he can do.. "She is clearly looking at you Bran, why would she want to dance with me, the second son?" Said Eddard 'Ned' Stark, the six and ten year old second son of Lord Rickard Stark. Why can't he understand? It's not like I don't want to dance with her, it's just she obviously is looking at Bran to dance, why else would she he looking this way? My brother has always been in the sights of women, beautiful and otherwise since we were boys. He's the charismatic 'Wild Wolf' and I'm the sullen 'Quiet Wolf'. That's the way it's always been "Besides, you should be worrying less about me and more about your betrothed staring at you like a piece of meat heh"

"Aye. She is, which is nothing new. What is important at this moment is your inability to enjoy the festivities. You have Ashara Dayne the most beautiful woman at the Tourney eyeing you and you do nothing. I understand your feelings of inadequacy but you're selling yourself short as usual Ned. How about this, we spar and if I win, you ask her to dance, and if you win, well, feel free to continue brooding." Yes, poke his pride in front of her forcing him to spar and show the Ned behind the wall of honor and duty "Do we have an accord little wolf?" says Brandon taunting his brother.

"Aye we do. Outside in five minutes." Hah now I get to show Bran my new move I learned while training with Yohn "And no spectators Bran, I mean it." Says Eddard firmly. "Ok, ok no spectators" replies Bran with false meekness. As Ned walks back to his tent to grab his sword 'Winter Fang', he doesn't see Brandon crossing his fingers. After grabbing his sword, Ned confidently walks back, with purpose he wasn't expecting. I will beat you brother, to prove myself worthy of watching your back when you're Lord of Winterfell as Lord of Moat Cailin. Ned throws a few practice swings before Brandon appears with his great sword 'Blizzard' which was forged by Mikken to prepare Bran for using 'Ice', House Stark's ancestral great sword.

"Like I promised, no spectators. Now show me what you've learn at the Eyrie." Said Brandon before quickly swinging the greatsword with one arm to Ned's right side near the neck. The younger Stark uses both arms to parry the heavy swing with the long sword 'Winter Fang', using a technique Ned developed, he utilizes the momentum of Brandon's heavy swing to slide down his own blade, not giving Brandon time to defend his now opened left torso, Ned spins smacks Brandon's left lower back with the side of his sword, leaving a bruise that will last a sennight. "Nice technique, if you were enemies, you would be dead Lord Stark." Said a voice from behind a bush. Walking out, Ned's jaw drops and his face turns beet red. "My Lady." Ned instantly puts on the honorable mask, nods her direction, then quickly sheathes his sword and tries to walk back to the feast when Ashara Dayne the source of the voice grabs his arm. "Leaving so soon? And after your brother put all of that effort into convincing you to ask me to dance" says Lady of Starfall.

Confused, Ned says "But I won the matc—" interrupted by Brandon tripping Ned with a leg sweep then points the great sword to Ned's chin.

"You would have little brother if you weren't petrified at the sight of 'eyes like amethysts' you've been telling me about heh." said future Lord Stark

Seven hells, Brandon planned this. He must have spoken to Lady Ashara first, telling her to hide near by until the right moment to get my attention. Likely told her of the bet too….but if she knew he would have to ask her to dance if he lost, why would she help Bran win? Does she really want me over my brother? Was I just overreacting and doubting myself again? I have to ask her now either way. Plus, I want to.

"I can't say I'm disappointed Bran. Of course you had to cheat to win" said Ned jokingly, brushing the dirt off before turning to the Dornish beauty. "Would you like to dance, Lady Ashara?" Ned asked nervously before holding out his hand

Ashara's smile lights up everything around them when she says

"Of course Lord Eddard"

One Moon Later: Isle of Faces in God's Eye

Year 280 AC

"Are you sure you want to do this? Father won't be pleased you're doing this without his say Ned." Asked Brandon, slightly worried for his brother

"Of course I'm sure, she's all I ever wanted before I even realized I wanted anything other than to have your back and to serve you. For once, I'm glad to be the second son. I got to choose whom to marry, no offense Bran" said Ned

Bran turns to look at his brother. Proud of his growth and strength, he would have been a much better Lord of Winterfell.

"None taken Ned. I'm sure I'll find the same happiness with Cat someday….and brother, I'm proud of you and we both know father would be too, even if he is vexed. Haha" said Brandon flippantly

"Leave it Bran, Ned is already nervous. Hahaha. Marrying a Lady too beautiful for 'em" says Benjen

As the Stark brothers make their way to the ancient Heart Tree, Ned spots the most beautiful sight that has ever graced his eyes. Ashara Dayne in her white Dornish dress, the high quality is clear with the glimmer of the Silk from the Summer Isles. With Princess Elia and Ser Arthur also walking to the holy tree, Ned's nerves rise before Brandon breaks the silence. "Who comes before the Old Gods this night? Asks his brother Brandon with his 'Lord of Winterfell voice' he picked up from father. Ser Arthur answers " Ashara of House Dayne comes here to be wed. A woman grown, trueborn and noble. She comes to beg the blessing of the gods." Brandon then asks "Who comes to claim her?" Ned confidently replies with "Eddard of House Stark, Lord of Moat Calin" after a moment's pause he asks "Who gives her?"

"Arthur of House Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, her brother." Arthur answers. Readily, Brandon finally asks "Do you take this man?" Ashara, dramatic as usual, leaves everyone but Elia anxious for the answer. Poor Ned looks seconds away from burying his head in the next non-existent snow. "I take this man" Ashara finally answers with the same smile that shines like starlight.

Until everything turns to shit…

Next: Starfall Reunion & Aerys' Justice