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LEARNING AND LIVING

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Eddard Stark had always known one day his life would lead him away from Winterfell.

Since an early age he had understood Brandon, his older brother, would inherit their father's seat in the North and he, alongside with his younger brother, would be sent away to learn with other high lords.

So by his tenth nameday, news of his impending journey to learn under Tywin Lannister did not shock him as much as the rest of the household. His mother had fought his father over his decision to send him to Casterly Rock as the Old Lion's ward. Brandon, a boy of five and ten already, pleaded his father to send him to Lord Jon Arryn instead. Lyanna also insisted on the issue, even though she wasn't really fond of the idea of him learning alongside Robert Baratheon. Eddard, didn't really care for his destination, since no matter where he ended up, it wouldn't be Winterfell.

Two moons later, he arrived in The Rock accompanied by several of his father's men and some members of the Night's Watch. He was taken to be introduced to Lord Lannister's household, consisting of him, his lady wife and their twin children, Cersei and Jaime. They seemed polite enough but soon he would learn that Lord Tywin expected great things from everyone in his household, including his family and new ward.

Under his tutelage he learned many of the things the maester at Winterfell had already started teaching him. In addition to this, he was also encouraged to learn about politics, diplomacy and even combat with his heir. Apart from their joined lessons, Ned didn't see much of Jaime. Instead of that, he always spent his free time with his sister.

She would always be with her lady mother during the morning, leaning to be a perfect lady in preparation for her time to marry a high lord of her father's choosing. But as soon as she was dismissed, she would go looking for him in the yard and would insist on him playing with her to whatever tickled her fancy that day. He never complained, not wanting to show disrespect to the young lady and as time went on, because he really enjoyed having her attention focused on him above all others.

Those were peaceful and enlightening times for little Ned.

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Unfortunately, those times ended when Lady Joanna died during childbirth.

He had been as shocked by the news as everybody else in the household. She had looked very healthy during her pregnancy, not even suffering from morning sickness. But it was the labour which had taken all her strength and life force. And his child had been cursed with dwarfness, causing him to be rejected by his father and sister. Only Jaime seemed to care for the boy after he had been born.

Well, Jaime and Ned.

Having two younger siblings, Ned had always liked children, and little Tyrion Lannister was no exception. Despite his deformity, the boy was utterly fascinating to both boys and there wasn't a day where they didn't stole away after their lessons to simply be with the baby. And all the hours in each other's company pretty soon made both boys form an unshakeable bond.

Cersei, of course, didn't like them spending time with Tyrion. She was bitter for her mother's death and like her father, she blamed her brother for her no longer being with them. And hated him even more now that Ned didn't have much time for her, preferring to be with both her brothers whenever he wasn't studying.

"Let's play." – she had said one afternoon after he had cleaned up after practice and was about to go play with the baby.

"We can play later, Cersei." – he had replied, leaving his quarters and walking towards the nursery.

"You never spend time with me anymore." – she complained, grabbing his hand and trying to pull him close to her.

"Why don't you come with me instead?" – Ned smiled, trying to encourage her to accept.

"No."

"Come on, Cersei. Don't you want to play with your baby brother?"

"That thing is not my brother." – she frowned. Ned frowned too.

"Don't call him that. He is just a baby."

"He killed mother. He is a murderer."

"He is not to blame. Women die in childbirth. Don't blame him, Cersei." – he whispered soothingly while caressing her hand.

"He killed her. And I hope he dies too." – she answered.

Ned didn't say anything else, simply letting go of her hand and walking away.

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After that, whenever Cersei tried to come near him, he would look the other way and find something else to do. At first she was angry with him for avoiding her, but then she was just hurt. She wanted him to be her friend again. And she was going to get him to talk to her one way or another.

With a plan in mind, one afternoon she walked towards the nursery and watched the three boys without being noticed. Both Jaime and Ned were sitting on the floor with baby Tyrion between them. He was resting on top of a thick fur to keep him from catching the cold while the older boys moved several toys in front of him, making him squeal in delight and move his little arms and legs. She could stop the giggle that erupted from her throat by watching them play, making Ned turn around and look at her.

"Come, sister." – Jaime said, but she could only look at Ned's face. She shook her head and turned around to leave.

"Stay, please." – Ned's voice called after her, making her stop and gasp. She turned around slowly and looked at him once again. He smiled at her lightly and she smiled back, getting closer and sitting with them. – "Here, take this." – Ned offered the toy he had been holding and went to find another one before sitting next to her once again.

She smiled brightly and started waving her toy in front of her brother.

By the time Tyrion turned one, Cersei was already his favourite person in the world. And she adored him more than she had ever thought possible.

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Years passed and Ned and Cersei continued being close.

She was now a beautiful lady of five and ten and he had just celebrated him seventeenth nameday. And as a young man he couldn't help but notice the girl's beauty and charm. He even admired her cunningness, obviously inherited from her father and which had also rubbed off on him during his many years as his ward.

It was during that year a raven arrived with news of his brother Brandon's bethrotal to Lord Hoster Tully's daughter, Catelyn. Tywin himself had informed him of the potential joining of both houses several moons before so as with many events in his life, Ned wasn't surprised with the news.

"What do you think of this union, Ned?" – Tywin asked him after having informed him on the letters contents.

"It was as you said it would happen, my lord." – he began. It will strengthen the North with the many products they can obtain from the South while ensuring house Tully a powerful ally in the wild north.

"Very good, Ned. But don't you think there is love between them too?"

"Could be. Although I don't see Brandon staying true to just one woman for the rest of his life, regardless of his vows. And I am sure Catelyn Tully will simply look the other way if it means maintaining this alliance intact."

"It has been said that she has given her favours to her childhood friend, Petyr Baelish." – Tywin commented, sipping his wine.

"Mere rumors... nevertheless, in such nonsense one can always find some truth." – Ned smirked, remembering one of his first lessons from many years ago.

"And still you don't care who he marries."

"I am not the one marrying her."

"And if he were no longer able to do so, would you take his place?" – the older man asked, sounding serious.

"No, my lord. I wouldn't dare taint my life with such a worthless woman."

"That honour of yours, Ned, it still comes out sometimes and one day it will cause you trouble my boy." – Tywin exclaimed half-jokingly, giving him permission to leave

Ned frowned all the way back to his chambers, mulling over his mentor's words.

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Ned was getting ready to travel to Winterfell for the wedding when news came of his sister's elopement with Prince Rhaegar Targaryen reached Casterly Rock as well as the events that unfolded after the lovers' escape.

Tywin himself had informed Ned of his father and brother's deaths. To say he had been devasted was an understatement. He spent the following days without eating or sleeping, no matter how much Cersei and Jaime begged him to let them take care of him. This situation got so bad that one day he even yelled at Cersei to leave him alone. He instantly felt regret at her hurt expression and was about to apologise to her when she suddenly slapped him as hard as she could.

"Don't get that tone with me, Stark!" She screamed back. We have had enough of your nonsense! Now you are going to eat something and then take a bath because you smell awful."

"Cersei..."

"Don't you Cersei me, Eddard Stark and do as I say!" – she put the tray with his food in front of him and didn't stop frowning at him until he had cleaned everything on his plate. After that he took a bath and returned to his room only to find her waiting for him under his bedcovers.

"Come." – she commanded and once he was under the covers too she hugged him and rubbed his back soothingly.

"I'm sorry Ned. I'm really sorry for your family."

"They… they are gone, Cersei. Father and Brandon are gone." – he whispered brokenly and soon tears fell down his cheeks, letting him release his sorrow after days of numbness.

"Shhh... everything is going to be fine. It is going to be fine."

Ned didn't utter another word. He simply cried and hugged Cersei closer to him. Hours later, Jaime entered his rooms seeing them both on the bed. He got closer and climbed on the other side of Ned and hugged both his sister and best friend.

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During the following days, more news arrived.

It seemed Robert Baratheon, his sister's betrothed, was gathering an army to fight the dragons and rescue Lyanna. Ned, who had been taught to think carefully of his actions, thought the man a fool. And it wasn't only for his rushed decision to head into battle.

He had received many ravens from his sister during his years in Casterly Rock where she had confessed she didn't want to marry the man. She admitted to disliking him for his unruly ways and extreme promiscuity. Remembering her words, he understood why she had preferred to elope with the crowned prince. Because one thing was absolutely certain in Ned's mind. Lyanna hadn't been kidnapped. She was too strong and skillful to let herself be caught unless she wanted to. And he explained so to Lord Tywin.

"Are you sure?" – he has asked, after Ned had finished his explanation.

"Yes, my lord. There is no doubt in my mind she escaped with the Targaryen prince."

"This changes things, surely you see that."

"Yes. There is no point to that war Baratheon insists on."

"That boy is just a fool. So full of himself he thinks he can kill the dragons with the excuse of rescuing a damsel in distress." – Tywin complained. – "However..."

"You are not thinking of joining their cause, are you, my lord?"

"I am not certain. If he were to win, we could lose all we have if we were to find ourselves on the wrong side."

"But if he loses..."

"These last news have changed the game. But enough of this for now, we need to discuss something else." – Tywin started, refilling their wine cups. – "With your brother's death you became the heir of Winterfell and with your father's death… Winterfell is yours now."

"Yes." – the very next day after he had cried himself to sleep in Cersei's arms, he had realized he would have to return home and assume his new position as the new lord of Winterfell. But that would mean leaving the others behind. He would be leaving Cersei behind.

He didn't want to part with her, not now that he had finally accepted he had fallen in love with the beautiful daughter of his guardian. And we was almost sure she felt the same for him, if her touches and coy smiles were any indication.

"You are to return to the North soon. And I think it would be better for me to prepare you for what expects you there."

"My lord?" – What more surprises could there be for him?

"Apparently Hoster Tully still insists on continuing with the joining of your houses."

"But Brandon is dead and Benjen is too young to marry." – he avoided mentioning himself, preferring to play dumb in order to avoid being sucked into marrying that woman.

"I know. It is the Lord of Winterfell they want, whoever he may be. Don't try to play dumb on this Ned. I may find it amusing from time to time, but those Tullys won't, what with their stupid sense of duty, honour and family and all that. Besides, even if you don't marry the Tully girl, as the new Warden of the North, you will need a wife to give you heirs and secure your position."

Ned kept silent. A plan was already forming in his head and he wanted to put it in motion as soon as possible.

"I will go back to Winterfell." – was all he said.

Tywin of course, realized he was planning something, reading his face like an open book. He may not be his father, but he had raised the boy for over 6 years now, so there wasn't much he could hide from him. He smiled though, proud of his charge and resolved to make plans of his own. With any luck, they would match Ned's.