Truths, Lies and a Breach of Trust.

Summary: When Robert learns that Ned might be hiding Rhaegar's son in Winterfell, he travels north to find the truth. Will he like what he finds out? What will he do once he learns the truth? What will Ned do to prevent Robert from finding out about Jon? How will the Northern Lords react?

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1. The seed is planted.

"Dragonspawn? Is that what you're saying!?" King Robert bellowed.

"Yes, you Grace"

"Don't believe you! You're full of shit! Ned's my friend, he wouldn't do that to me. The fool's too damn honorable to do such a thing. Get out of here. Get out of my sight before I have your head!"

"As you wish, Your Grace. I was merely informing you of something I thought you should know."

"Informing me? What have you got to gain by this?" he challenged.

"Nothing, Your Grace. It is my duty as your subject to do what's best for you and the realm" the man finished and slowly retreated leaving traces of his sweet floral perfume. He bowed his bald head in respect and made his way towards the door of King Robert's solar. … The seed had been planted. Now, it was only a matter of waiting for them to reap the harvest.

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"So, how did it go?" asked a man creeping out from behind a column.

"As expected" his companion replied in a similar hushed tone.

"Did he believe you?"

"Can't say yet."

"So now we just wait."

"That we do."

The Maester of Coin and the Maester of Whispers met for a brief second and then parted ways, each thinking of what they had to gain – and what they had to lose. If their plan backfired, their heads would be decorating the balcony of the Red Keep. But if their plan succeeded …

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Dragonspawn! King Robert Baratheon cursed. If the boy is truly Lyanna's I have to see him. I will kill him if only to avenge sweet Lyanna. Killing Rhaegar was not enough. That dragon monster kidnapped her and raped her. And then his seed finished the job and now he is flaunting his very existence in my face. That boy killed her. Lyanna deserves better.

But it can't be. Ned wouldn't do this to me. He can't. We're friends. He wouldn't have lied to me. Not back then. And definitely not after all these years.

But what if he did? Why did he take that bastard boy home in the first place? Men don't do that. I told him to leave him in some holdfast with money and he refused. The boy was never fostered or sent away. Why? How can Ned's wife tolerate this shame in her very house? Cersei wouldn't put up with that, how come the Family Duty Honor Tully woman does? The boy has been raised alongside Ned's sons. … A bastard who is raised as a Lord, in the Lord's house, together with the Lord's sons and never sent away? There's only one explanation. It's true. And they know. They all know. And they have all betrayed me.

Fucking Dragonspawn! If that little shit is truly Rhaegar's I will smash his head into pieces. Lyanna will be avenged. And Ned Stark and his family will pay.

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"The King is preparing for his trip. They leave tomorrow" the Maester of Whispers told his accomplice.

"The Queen is not going, though" the Maester of Coin added not to be outdone by his companion in this competition for rumours and information they always kept. "He is only taking his guards."

"That might work in our favour. The Queen is unpredictable at best."

"So is the King" he countered.

"That he is. But the Lords are not. If the truth is learned about the rightful heir being hidden in Winterfell, the Lords will rise in rebellion and armies will flock to war. Lord Stark will fight for his nephew and the North will follow their Liege Lord."

"The Riverlands will duly join the North since they are tied by marriage and blood."

"Dorne will join in the fight to oust the people who murdered their beloved princess and escaped due punishment." The eunuch's thoughts went back to a defenseless mother being raped and slain as she watched her babies being butchered by a monstrous giant. He could still remember the King's sinister guffaw at the bloodied blanket covering their tiny bodies.

"The Vale might go either way. Lord Arryn holds much love for both his former wards, King Robert and Lord Eddard Stark, but his wife might sway him to support her sister in the North. I can certainly influence sweet Lysa in that regard" the Mockingbird said confidently.

"The King will have the support of the Lannisters in the Westerlands and, of course, his brothers in Storm's End and Dragonstone."

"The Tyrells in the Reach will support the highest bidder. Being Maester of Coin, I can have a say in such bids, so to speak"

"War will be inevitable. I feel sorry for the innocents that will die in the process" the bald eunuch lamented nonchalantly.

"Yes, I can see your sorrow" he mocked him. "Innocent casualties and collateral damage are unavoidable consequences of war."

"But the outcome could only benefit the realm: the truth about the Rebellion all those years ago will out and the people will claim what is rightfully owed. The right family will be restored to the Throne that rightfully belongs to them. We will rid the realm of this troublesome king."

"War is indeed inevitable. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. What do you crave, my beloved friend? What do we all crave? Power. And what gives us power? Chaos. Chaos is a ladder meant to be climbed. How do you bring about chaos? With War. And regardless of its outcome, we will be on top. The right seed on the right field always yields the best crops. If this boy is restored to power, Lord Stark and his stupid honor will make sure the boy rewards those who helped him - us." he winked knowingly. "Raised by Lord Stark, this boy King will be easily manipulated. And if Lord Stark were to die in the war – which he will – there will be a very sad widow in the North in need of comfort" he smirked bowing his head and taking his hand to his heart, his little finger stroking the Mockingbird pin on his lapel.

"Should King Robert and his allies win …"

"We'll make sure he knows it was us who helped him. If King Robert wins, he will reward those who helped him eliminate the threat to his rule and bring down the treacherous Starks who lied and humiliated him" he concluded thinking back to his own humiliation all those years ago and its vivid reminder: that scar which goes from his navel all the way to his shoulder. "One way or another, we will get the spoils of war, my friend."

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Next: Ned learns of his friend's upcoming visit.

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