AN: Another chapter is here, yay! To be honest I did not know whether I would write this chapter. There were a lot of negative reviews, especially about the direction of the story and that made me want to give up on this. But the positive reviews kept me going. I realized that this is my story and it will take the direction that I want it to take. So thanks for the support and I am sorry if you don't like the direction of the story but that's how it is going to be.

As for this chapter, it is a behemoth. 9k words. I thought about breaking it up into 2 chapters but I just wanted to get a move on. Actual plot, rather than just info dump starts in this chapter as the web of plots and intrigue starts to weave. Some of the scene transitions aren't the best but I didn't want to add too much filler. There was also a scene planned with Balon Swann but the cahpter was getting too long and the scene didn't feel important enough. Balon Swann is someone that I want to play a bigger role in this fic and I will give him his spot in the sun soon enough.

Chapter 8

The fog of sleep dispelled with the first rays of sunlight. Once again, Harry found himself admiring the lithe form of the woman lying next to him in bed. The sheets had bunched up, revealing a supple teat to his gaze. Not wanting to sacrifice the warmth of his partner, Harry draped a leg across the sleeping form of Kara and latched on to the inviting nipple. It didn't take much stimulation to wake up his sleeping bed warmer. A moan escaped her lips, indicating that she had woken up too.

"Umm Harry, let me sleep for 5 more minutes, I am still too sore from last night. " Kara murmured sleepily pulling away from Harry's hungry mouth.

"Tut tut... I think it's too late for you to be sleeping. Just because I am lenient doesn't mean that you get to sleep all day. By the way, did you release the snakes yesterday? " Snakes were Harry's way to ensure no spies lurked around listening in on his conversations. He had found out long ago that there were secret passages spaces behind walls in the red keep. Even in his room, the space behind the southern wall was empty, indicating a passageway. He hadn't found the way to access it, but the holes in corners were more than sufficient for the snakes to access them. It was the snakes who told him about the space, and also about the little children they had bitten that were spying on him one time or another. In all, it had taken the deaths of four children for Varys the Spider to stop sending spies to listen in on him in his room. The deaths of children were tragic, but he couldn't afford for his secrets to come out, especially after getting access to magic.

"Yes, but I don't like doing that Harry. Please don't make me do that anymore, one of these days the snakes will bite me too. "

" They won't, they know you belong to me. They can taste me on you. " Harry assured nibbling at her earlobe as he snaked his arms around her to grab her teats.

"Alright then, my King of the serpents. Did his grace need my assistance with something to wake me up this early in the morning? " Kara said while turning towards him. She knew there was no turning him down.

"Yes Kara, you see the problem is quite hard" Harry clarified his point by pressing his naked member into the back of Kara's thigh.

"Ohh yes, the problem is quite hard indeed. Let your servant be of assistance your grace. " Kara shimmied down until she was completely under the sheets. A moment later, a hot presence engulfed his member, eliciting a moan from his mouth. Kara wrapped her sweet lips around him and began sucking in earnest. Harry couldn't look at her, on account of the silk sheets covering her but the bobbing of her head was made evident by the way the sheets moved. Harry was getting closer and closer to the point of release. He could never hold out for long against Kara, the woman knew exactly how to work him. His hands automatically made their way under the sheets to grab the back of Kara's head and match her pace with the pace of his bucking hips.

Just as he was about to erupt in her mouth, the doors of his bedroom flew open. Instinctively his hand rose and his magic responded accordingly. A sword flew from the weapons rack and attacked the intruder. Everything happened so fast that even before the intruder realized, the tip of the sword was resting against his throat. Edric Storm shuddered violently as a single drop of blood trickled down his throat from the point where the sword broke skin.

"How many times, Edric. How many times have I told you not to barge in without knocking? Are you so intent on having your head chopped off? " Harry snarled at his squire

"I...I...sorry Harry, but... It's the Princess, I told her you were asleep but she ordered me to wake you up. If I didn't come here, she would've come herself. Please don't kill me. "

Harry let out an annoyed huff and allowed the sword to drop with a loud clang." Send her in and resume your guard duty"

All the commotion had caused Kara to stop her ministrations and now she was peeking out from under the sheets with her head resting on his chest.

"You are too hard on him, do you know that? "

"Ofcourse I am, he has Baratheon blood in him, no matter his station. He needs to learn to conduct himself in a way not to bring shame to our name. If even his half-sister is able to make him forget my instructions, then how is he to keep his cool in the heat of battle. "

" And yet you resent your parents for being too hard on you when their motivations might just be the same. "

Harry didn't like hearing Kara's comment." Shut up or Get back to what you were doing, your mouth will be put to better use that way. "

Kara gave him an annoyed huff." You don't actually want me to suck you while you are speaking to your sister, do you? "

"Then you better shut up" Harry replied pushing her off his chest to the side.

"What is this, brother dear, having troubles with your mistress? " the melodious voice of Myrcella floated in. Myrcella was dressed as impeccably as always, with her golden robes flowing after her and the red ribbons in her hair highlighting her Lannister heritage. Her eyes moved over his bare chest stopping at a few scars here and there. A slight rosy color in her cheeks indicated her blush. That made Harry a little self-conscious, he should've dressed before allowing Cella to enter.

"As you can see Cella, I am indecent at the moment. So why don't you quickly finish what you came here for and leave. "

Myrcella directed her gaze towards Kara, who had wormed her way to lie back on top of Harry's chest. The sheets were lowered enough to reveal her bare back, stopping a short way before her hips. Something strange passed over Myrcella's face as she locked eyes with Kara, something that Harry couldn't decipher. Perhaps it was annoyance. Giving her a last frigid look, Myrcella broke the staring contest to turn towards Harry.

"Can't she leave? I have something very important to discuss which should stay away from wandering lips. " The hint of irritation was obvious in Cella's voice. For some reason, his sister had never taken to Kara.

" I trust Kara as much as I trust you Cella, and the only place her lips will be wandering is on me. Speak without hesitation. " He wasn't Edric, he wasn't going to give in so easily to Cella's petulance.

" I will ignore the insult in comparing your flesh and blood with a commoner Harry, because the matter is of importance. Last night, mother and father argued and she forbade him from participating in the melee. I hope you are lucid enough to understand the connotations. " Cella's rebuke for not giving in to her made Harry's lips curl slightly.

Harry let out a sigh." Yes, there's no way father won't participate now. What is she doing? She should know better than to forbid father. Is she trying to get him killed? "

"The sooner he dies, the sooner Joffrey becomes our king."

"Cella! That's our mother you are talking about. I know mother isn't the most... likable person and that she seems to resent me for some unknown reason, but she has shown nothing but love for you. To suggest that she would try to have father killed is not just preposterous but an insult to her. "

" Ohh please Harry, you are away 11 months of the the year and somehow you are an expert on mother? I have lived with her everyday of my life. You hardly know her as well as I do. There's no love lost between mother and father. She so much as admitted to me that she hates it whenever father takes his marital rights in their chambers, preferring the nights when he just passes out after drinking too much. "

" Yes but to go as far as murder is.. "

"Possible. If that woman can have a nine year old sent away from his family then nothing is too far for her. The image you have created for yourself of our parents is nothing more than a fanciful idea, Harry. The truth is, neither of them can so much as stand each other."

Harry didn't want to hear what Myrcella had to say. Surely things weren't this bad. Whatever hatred mother held towards him couldn't possibly extend towards father. The two of them were together for 16 years now. Cella had never loved mother since he was sent away, surely she must be exaggerating. "Cella, please don't speak of this to anyone. What you are saying is so outlandish, not to mention traitorous. Plotting against Joffrey is one thing but accusing mother is going too far. Most likely, tempers were short last night and mother said some things she shouldn't have said. Besides, both of them had a little too much to drink. Yes, that's the cause. Temper and alcohol, not some insidious machinations. "

" Really Harry! Open your eyes, It is obvi... "

" Enough Cella, at any rate I intend to put an end to this madness. If father would not listen to reason then I will enter the melee too and protect him. "

" Yes, because the way to save my father is to put my brother at mortal peril too. Why did I even bother coming here?"

"Because you trust in my abilities? Relax, I won't die so easily. " Harry jested lightly to get Cella to focus on something else.

" This isn't the way Harry. Can't you, I don't know, use your abilities and make him change his mind? There should be something you can do. "

" Not really, the spell that can control minds is too strong to be cast wandlessly. And you know I don't use mind arts against family. "

" You can make an exception here Harry. "

" As I said, it wouldn't matter, father is too stubborn to listen to a mental suggestion and the only sure way requires a wand. "

" Then let's get one" Cella stomped her foot petulantly.

"You can't. Harry said it needs stuff like parts from unicorns or dragons or magic birds that don't die." Kara spoke up, remembering a previous conversation.

Myrcella looked murderously at Kara, offended at having her hopes dashed before turning back to Harry." What good are you then? "

" I can do this" Harry twisted his hand and suddenly, all anger and frustration drained out of Myrcella's body. She wanted to start giggling, but this was no laughing matter. Then why was it steadily getting harder to hold down her giggles. In the end, the urge to giggle won out and a few childish giggles escaped her lips. Thinking that his sister was sufficiently calmed, he removed the charm.

Myrcella felt confused. Until a moment ago, she couldn't stop giggling and now, there was no such urge. "What the hell was that?"

"It's called a cheering charm, dear sister. If words aren't enough, I think this charm will be sufficient to calm down father and make him think rationally, wouldn't you agree? Once he is thinking, he will realize the absurdity of a king participating in a melee. Don't you worry your pretty little sister, magic always has a solution. Now if you are done, you should leave, except ofcourse if you would like a show. " Harry finished by pointing towards Kara.

Myrcella spluttered at Harry's teasing," What? Of.. Ofcourse not. You can enjoy whatever degenerate acts you do with your mistress alone. I have much more important things to do"

Myrcella spun around and quickly left Harry and Kara to whatever they were doing.

" Using magic on your family Harry? Tut.. Tut" Kara mocked him.

" It's not offensive or dark so it doesn't matter. Now that there are no more interruptions, why don't you finish what you started. "

" As you command, my Sorceror Prince. " Kara replied flirtatiously before retreating under the sheets.

scene change*

Harry left the King's Tower for the stables. He had wasted enough time in bed, and then in bath with Kara. From the servants he found that his father had already left for the tourney grounds and was probably getting kitted in the royal pavilion. Nimbus was the only way if he was going to stop this foolishness before it went too far. Just as he fixed a saddle to Nimbus, the scent of perfumes and essential oils invaded his senses. Gods, even Kara didn't use this much perfume on herself. Then again, Harry guessed the perfume was essential to mask the smell of blood that should perpetually hang around a man like this. Varys the spider, the master of whispers. There was no secret that the spider hadn't heard. Though he never wielded even a dagger, his hands were soaked in the blood of thousands. Traitors, rebels, dissenters, no one survived long after falling under the gaze of the spider.

"I hoped to find you here, my Prince. Your return to the capital is a joyous affair though I hope your visit isn't once again tarnished by the unfortunate poisoning of children. "

" Maybe if those children didn't wander in places they aren't supposed to, there won't be any unfortunate deaths. "

" Such is the nature of children your grace, no matter how much you admonish them, you can never fully control them. I feel they are like hearts in that regards. Hearts wander towards those one can never have and no matter how much one might try to control it, the heart wants what the heart wants."

" Are you implying something, Lord Varys? " Damnit, had he seen him with Sansa last night? He couldn't afford to be discovered so soon.

He resisted the impulse to dive in to the spider's mind and find out what he knew. That was a lesson he had learnt to his misery. Years ago, when Harry had recently discovered his ability to steal secrets from another's mind, he had wanted to learn the Spider's secrets. A naive Harry had thought that knowing the secrets of the top spy would allow him to turn Varys into his pawn. So he had dived, in search of knowledge. What he got was a headache so terrible, he was bedridden for a couple of days. Varys's mind was a whirlpool of information. So much data, so many individual threads of memory that it threatened to shatter Harry's mind. His consciousness was caught in the flood of memories. No sooner did he grasp one thread that ten more assaulted him. The result was that Harry got nothing, yet barely escaped with his sanity intact. Now years later, he was in a better position to skim this mind. Yet it wasn't worth the risk. Varys, without even knowing the word, had some of the best occlumency protection in his mind. His mind was truly his ultimate weapon.

"I am no Lord, as you well know my Prince. And I wouldn't dream to imply something negative against you. What you do on late night trysts is no one's concern. " Ofcourse the bastard knew. The question was, what did he want.

" If you have something to say Varys, speak fast. I do not have time to dally here with you. "

" Yes ofcourse. You are doing the right thing, my Prince. His grace's life is under threat if he was to participate in the melee. Who knows, a misfired arrow, a drunken swing of an axe too low. All it takes is one misjudged blow and the realm would end up poorer by a noble king. "

" How do you know where I am going? " Harry asked tersely. Ofcourse the Spider knew where he was going.

" A little bird told me, my prince but I guess that is not what you want to hear. Truthfully, I just found out that your sister knew of the king's argument with the queen and ofcourse you know everything that the Princess does. There are no secrets between you two. What a bond the princess and you share, a bond of loyalty and trust. Though the same can't be said for the princess with Prince Joffrey. I wonder what could make Princess Myrcella favour one brother over another. Perhaps it is the fact that you my Prince, look nothing like your siblings?" Varys finished cryptically.

What? How were his Baratheon looks supposed to matter at all? Was Varys intentionally being obtuse, ignoring Joffrey's behavior towards his siblings. " How am I supposed to answer that? If there was a question in your mindless prattle, then you are better off asking the Princess herself. Who she deems worthy of her trust is her decision. Anyways, I grow weary of your insinuations and pointless rambling. Move out of my way and go bug someone else Spider. "

" Just one last thing, my Prince. The reason I came to find you is that your bannerman, Lord Bryce Caron is preparing to attack Lord Manwoody of Dorne for dominion over the ruined castle of Vulture's Roost. The crown has already decreed Vulture's Roost as part of Dorne and this event can cause hostilities between Stormlands and Dorne, something the King doesn't want. Sixteen years of peace cannot be sacrificed over the greed of a minor Lord, you understand, don't you my Prince? "

Damnit, this was the reason he came to speak to him. All the other rambling was to catch him off guard.

" I have a man in position for Lord Caron to meet an unfortunate accident. As sad as this is, the small council has decided that this is the appropriate course of action. I wanted to give you enough time to decide the next Lord of Nightsong. Lord Bryce Caron does not have an heir after all. May I suggest having the King legitimize Lord Bryce's bastard? The people of Nightsong will appreciate being lorded over by someone with Caron blood. " The way Varys simply explained to him the impending assassination of one of his principal bannermen chilled Harry to the bone. He was reminded yet again that the delicate effeminate man standing in front of him was in reality a cold blooded killer.

" Damn you Spider, don't you dare go behind my back assassinating my bannermen. Remove your catspaw at once or you will be the one meeting unfortunate accidents. " No way could Harry allow this to go through. This would severely weaken one of his principal bannermen, not to mention undermine him drastically if somehow it were to get out that he did nothing to protect a man sworn to him.

" But it's already been decided by the Small Council. "

" Fuck your small council, if Lord Caron dies, I will personally gut you Spider. I am Lord Paramount of the Stormlands, I will be the one to deal with my bannermen. You and your small council better remember that" Harry snarled. These people were testing his patience. It was all he could do to clamp down on his magic which was begging him to lash out at this infuriating man.

" Even the ones that don't recognize you my Prince? Yes, there are many lords in Stormlands that do not feel you are capable enough to hold Stormlands. You have done a good job of winning over the people in service of Storm's End but the same isn't true about the rest of the Stormlands. Many, including Lord Caron, feel that Lord Renly is better suited for the role and support him from the shadows. You will do well to utilize this opportunity to whittle down your opposition. You should utilize the support the crown is offering you. " Damn the bastard, it seemed like there was nothing that could be hidden from the Spider. He knew about the resentment in Stormlands, many of his Lords felt he wasn't old enough to lead them. It was hard enough, weaning the knights and people of Storm's End away from Renly's influence. With the way people saw Renly as the second coming of his father and the bad word slipped about him through Renly's loyalists, many of the lords weren't sure in his ability. Stormlords followed strength, and right now they believed Renly to be stronger than him. The regular undermining by his parents didn't help matters either. Yet, killing off one of his major Bannermen and crippling the power of the Lord of the Marches wasn't the answer.

Harry took a deep breath before continuing, "As I said, Spider, I will deal with my bannermen on my own. Stormlands won't be going to war with Dorne. I do, however, appreciate you coming to me before executing whatever was decided. Abort those plans, I will speak to Lord Stark and assure him that the matter has been handled. "

" I live to serve my Prince. I would however, like to leave you with one last question. Why did Lord Caron suddenly decide that it was a good idea to go to war with a Dornish Lord? It would be better if you treat the root cause of this desease rather than just the symptom. "

"And I suppose you already know the answers yet wouldn't tell me, will you? "

"No my Prince, I am nobody and I have no answers for you. You need to start thinking about these questions and many more that you should be asking. I will, however say, that many people are pulling at strings from the shadows. People who do not like Storm's End getting too strong. Be careful, my Prince. " With those dire words, Varys turned around with a flourish and left him alone in the stables.

Questions assaulted Harry. Wars were expensive, so where did Caron find the expenses to fund this misadventure? Did someone else have the ear of one of his strongest lords? If yes, why? Who wanted to weaken the Stormlands? Why provoke Dorne? It couldn't be Renly who was involved, could it? Why would Renly weaken one of his biggest allies? The questions were many but there were no easy answers. He needed to get to the bottom of this. But first, he needed to stop Caron from his foolishness. He couldn't allow things to spiral out of control.

"Edric, Garret, Willem get in here" he hollered. "Edric, Run to Kara and ask her to send a letter with my seal to Ser Pensworth to command Lord Caron to travel to Storm's End. Ask him to bring his bastard with him. Garret, prepare for a journey to Storm's End,you are leaving within the hour. I want you to question Lord Caron about his reasons to attack Manwoody. Not the usual crap about ancient rights and whatnot, the real reason. I want to know the real reasons, and who funded him. It is possible that Caron decided it all on his own but something tells me that is not the case. No one would go to war without provocation and risk losses without financial stability. Keep me posted. Willem, you will have guard duty alone for sometime. Recruit someone trustworthy to split watches but make sure none of my secrets spill out. In the meantime, share your duties with Edric. Tourney grounds are a good place to recruit knights. It's about time I added some more capable knights to my retinue. "

" As you command, my Lord" three voice rang out. This was all he could do at the moment. Anything else will have to wait until he could analyze the situation further. Maybe Cella would have some inputs. Harry's thoughts were troubled as he rode out of the red keep towards the tourney grounds.

The king's pavilion wasn't hard to spot, it stood out as the most massive in the grounds. Golden Stags in full gallop decorated the top. Looking away from the pavilion, Harry spotted Lord Stark a short way ahead heading in the same direction as him. He hailed for the Hand of the King to stop and dismounted immediately.

Ned Stark POV*

Robert couldn't be allowed to participate in the damned melee. The danger was too much, the opportunity too easy to fake an accident. The reason he had accepted this position and travelled all the way to this blasted city all the way south was so that he could protect his friend from Lannister machinations. Yet, no matter what he tried, Robert seemed to sink further into their grasp. The Queen's goading was just what Robert needed to participate in the melee after he was angry at himself for letting himself go and shaming his son in the feast.

That son was yet another puzzle in the convoluted web of lies and deceit that was present at every step in King's Landing. If you heard a layman, Harrison Baratheon was the forsaken Prince. Sent away from the capital at a young age, he was rarely invited back. His quarrels and fights with the crown Prince Joffrey were well known, as well as the queen's aparent apathy towards her second son. People went so far as to say that even the King didn't care about the Black Prince.

Yet, Robert told him a different tale. A tale about how the only way to quell Harry's wrath was to send him away. That when they were younger, Harrison Baratheon came dangerously close to the sin of kinslaying. That it was Robert's love for the boy that he sent him away rather than punish him. That the Princess had come out of the whole ordeal traumatized, first by the crown prince and then because of her other brother forced to leave. The crown prince hadn't been blameless, but the retaliation by Prince Harrison had been considered too extreme. All three of the royal children had come out in worse condition from that unfortunate incident. Ned didn't know how he would've reacted if someone did something similar to Lyanna. He didn't know whether he could blame Harrison for reacting the way he did.

Then there was the whole incident where the said Prince thought it appropriate to crown his daughter, the daughter betrothed to the elder brother in front of everyone. Not only was it distastefully close to what Rhaegar had done all those years ago, Ned couldn't help but wonder if there was some underlying malicious intent to humiliate his brother. His thoughts on strengthening the bond between their families by betrothing the young prince to Arya was irrevocably damaged now too. He couldn't have Arya marry someone who had so publicly favoured Sansa first. The two girls fought enough without adding a Prince between them. Not to mention the ill will between the two Princes could bleed into Sansa and Arya's relationship. No, looking elsewhere for Arya was the best option now.

A voice broke him out of his musings. Turning around, he saw the object of his confusion riding towards him. The lad dismounted gracefully before handing the reins of his horse to one of the helping hands. It seemed like the Prince wanted a word with him and there was no way to graciously deny him. Looking at him, Ned didn't know whether he liked him or hated him, so he decided to settle for caution for the time being.

"Lord Stark, it's a pleasure to find you here. I assume you are also on your way to talk sense to my father. I believe we should join forces, as convincing the king once his mind is made is no small feat. "

" If I remember my friend, aye, you are correct. " his voice came out more hoarse than he wanted it to. The weather down south did not agree with him at all.

" Allies should always be on the same page Lord Stark, and as we are allies currently, let me apologize for the incident during the tourney yesterday. I did not know that the beautiful maiden I crowned was my brother's betrothed. It was not my intention to bring shame to the ancient name of the Starks. As such, after knowing her status, I carry no intentions towards your daughter. "

" That is... good to hear. The realm has been torn apart enough over Stark girls. I don't want a repeat of follies of the past. " The lad was charming, no doubt about it. Though he couldn't yet decide how true his words were.

" Well said, Lord Stark. I can see why my father values your council so much as to appoint you Hand of the King. Now, in the spirit of alliance, I would like to request you to rescind the decision to kill one of my bannerman. "

" You mean Lord Caron? Your information is flawed, young Prince. I was never in favour of that decision but Lord Renly and Lord Baelish convinced me that you were still too young to effectively govern the Stormlands. As such, it was better if the crown acted from the shadows rather than let an arrogant lord ruin the peace that the realm enjoys. Even so, I directed Varys to give you an opportunity first to deal with the matter peacefully. If you fail, I will send a representative of the crown with an army to bring Lord Caron to answer to the crown. Assassination is a dishonourable way to sentence a man, no matter his actions. "

He saw the Prince's eyes widen. Someone had lied to him, it seemed." I thank you for your discretion, my Lord Hand. I assure you the matter will be dealt with peacefully. "

" See to it that it is. If you need any guidance in dealing with recalcitrant bannermen, my chambers are always open. I can always make some time for my friend's son. " He decided to offer his help. The Prince's youth and inexperience in dealing with these matters was was evident that not many people were on the Prince's side, so it was up to him to help Robert's son. Besides, Harrison taking responsibility for his bannerman's actions pleased him. The second prince could be a good lord paramount one day.

The two of them neared the king's pavilion which was erected at the edge close to the water. Robert's massive warhammer and shield were displayed proudly outside the golden tent made of the finest silks. He had hoped to find Robert in a wine addled sleep but luck was not with them. Instead they entered the tent to find Robert being fitted with a breastplate by a couple of squires. The squires seemed to be fighting a losing battle against the king's enormous girth, who did nothing but take a huge gulp from his wineskin.

"It won't go your grace, it is made too small" one of them squeaked, almost in tears.

"Seven Hells, do I have to do everything myself? Piss on both of you" the lad jumped and the king noticed their arrival.

"Ahh Ned, look at these two idiots. My wife insisted I take them as my squire and they are worse than useless. Can't even put a man's armour on him. Boy, you are a knight now. Will you relieve me of them by taking them as your squires? "

Ned needed just a glance to understand the problem. " The problem isn't with the squires, Robert. You have grown too fat for your armour. " Harrison besides him turned around with shock on his face. Evidently the boy wasn't used to hearing anyone speak to his father like that.

Robert Baratheon took a long swallow of wine, tossed the empty wineskin onto his sleeping furs,wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and said darkly, "Fat? Fat, is it? Is that how you speak to your king?" He let go his laughter, sudden as a storm. "Ah, damn you, Ned, why are you always right?"

The squires smiled15nervously until the king turned on them. "You. Yes, both of you. You heard the Hand. The king is too fat for his armor. Go find Ser Aron Santagar. Tell him I need the breastplate stretcher. Now! What are you waiting for?"The boys tripped over each other in their haste to be quit of the tent. Robert managed to keep a stern face until they were gone. Then he dropped back into a chair, shaking with laughter.

There was no such thing as a breastplate stretcher. Harrison chuckled and Robert bellowed in laughter. A small smile wormed it's way on his face too before being replaced by darker thoughts. The two squires had blonde curly hair, just like the Queen.

"Gods those two are idiots. I hope Santager has the presence of mind to send them elsewhere. We ought to keep them running all day."

"Those boys," Ned asked him. "Lannisters?"

Robert nodded, wiping tears from his eyes. "Cousins. Sons of Lord Tywin's brother. One of the dead ones. Or perhaps the live one, now that I come to think of it. I don't recall. My wife comes from a very large family, Ned."

A very ambitious family, Ned thought. He had nothing against the squires, but it troubled him to see Robert surrounded by the queen's kin, waking and sleeping. The Lannister appetite for offices and honors seemed to know no bounds. "The talk is you and the queen had angry words last night."

The mirth curdled on Robert's face. "The woman tried to forbid me to fight in the melee. She's sulking in the castle now, damn her. Your sister would never have shamed me like that."15

He could almost hear Harrison bristle besides him on hearing his mother being compared to Lyanna. Ned did not want a repeat of what happened last night. "You never knew Lyanna as I did, Robert," Ned told him. "You saw her beauty, but not the iron underneath. She would have told you that you have no business in the melee."

"You too?" The king frowned. "You are a sour man, Stark. Too long in the north, all the juices have frozen inside you. Well, mine are still running." He slapped his chest to prove it.16

"Father if you insist on participating, then I shall too." Harry spoke out. The boy intended to protect his father it seemed. Ned could immediately see the fault with this ploy. Robert would never allow Harrison to participate. That was why the boy had to go through the farce of mystery knight for the tourney.

Robert gave a dismissive chuckle, "You? The melee isn't the same as prancing on a horse and poking at your enemy from a distance. You need to get down and dirty if you are to fight in a melee. You would never last with those scrawny arms of yours. This is why I told you to practice with a hammer. " Ned realized that behind Robert's dismissal was his protective nature. He did not want his son participating and used the mocking tone to dissuade the Prince.

" That does not matter father. "

" No, and I won't repeat myself. And don't even try to pretend to be a mysterious targaryen this time. " he could see Robert's voice held a tone of possessiveness.

" You shouldn't participate either, Robert. Who do you think will dare strike at you in the melee?"

"Are you suggesting that those cravens will intentionally lose? "

"Certainly, no one will dare to anger the King. The reason all the jousters went full tilt against the young prince was because of his anonymity and you won't enjoy that benefit. "

Robert looked like he would burst a vein. For a moment Robert was so angry he could not speak. He strode across the tent, whirled, strode back,his face dark and angry. He snatched up his breastplate from the ground and threw it at his guard, Barristan Selmy in a wordless fury. Selmy dodged. "Get out," the king said then, coldly. "Get out all of you."17Harrison and Ser Barristan made their way out of the tent but not before he caught a nod from the Prince.

He made to follow the Prince before Robert stopped him," Not you, Ned. Stay"

Ned turned around only for Robert to thrust his wineskin in his hands. "Drink"

"I do not have the thirst. "

" Drink, damn it. Your king commands you. "

Ned took a long swig from the skin. It was ale. Cheap, yet strong and it burned at the back of his throat.

" What have you done to me, Ned? Can't fight, can't fit in my armour. You should've been the king Ned. "

" You had better claim. "

" For all the good it did me. I am not meant for this, Ned. I am meant for fighting. This kingship has made me so soft that my boy thinks that he needs to participate in melee just to protect me. Is that how weak I have become? I, the demon of trident, must be protected by a boy just out of his swaddling clothes? I can't win without scaring people with my titles? "

"Prince Harrison cares for you Robert, he meant well. "

" I damn well know he meant well. The boy cares too much, even after I fail him again and again. I insulted him last night and yet here he his, trying to protect me. I kicked him out of his home, yet he cares for us, or atleast everyone except Joffrey. "

" The relationship between the Princes isn't the closest. "

" It's worse than that. Gods know Stannis and I have had our disagreements, but never to this degree. You can't leave the two of them in a room without a couple of knights to stop them from killing each other. They can't say one good word to each other, every moment seems like they would come to blows. Their mother is no good either, exacerbating the hatred the two of them have been nursing since forever. I don't know what I did wrong Ned. Why must my children be at each other's throats all the bloody time. Why can't they be more like your children? "

" Sansa and Arya fight a lot. "

" They don't try to kill each other. Your eldest doesn't mentally scar your daughter so bad that she can't stand to be near him. Harry, I can't help but feel Harry is all my fault. If only I did not send him away, maybe things wouldn't have been as bad as they are now. That just made the hate fester in Harry's heart. "

" Why did you send him away? "

"I had to Ned, I had to. If you were to listen to that mad woman, she wanted him to be sent to the wall. Kept saying I have enough heirs. That one of them should earn glory with the Night's watch. I don't know why that woman hates the boy so much. I had to protect him. The only way was to send him away from the capital. She is the one responsible. Yet, the boy still defends her. The effect she has on the boy, it's not healthy. "

" Boys fight all the time Robert. Harry just has your temper, or did you forget how wild you were in your youth? Joffrey will grow up too. And when both of them do, they will figure out a way to bury their differences. Harry is going to be one of Joffrey's principal bannermen after all. They will work it out, don't worry too much over the feuds of boys. "

" This is what worries me Ned. If they are so hateful to each other now, how will they work together after I am gone? But, yes, you may be right. Harry just needs to cool down. And what better way than through a woman who will keep him on a leash. Yes, Lyanna tempered my wilful ways and it is time someone did that to Harry too. Then, maybe this feud will be at an end. "

The two of them discussed Harry's betrothal and talk about tourney wasn't brought up. Robert japed and laughed with him on the way to tourney grounds. The sight of his friend warmed Ned's heart. This was the boy he had grown up with, he thought; this was the Robert Baratheon he'd known and loved. If he could prove that the Lannisters were behind the attack on Bran, prove that 19they had19murdered Jon Arryn, this man would listen. Then Cersei would fall, and the Kingslayer with her, and if Lord Tywin dared to rouse the west, Robert would smash him as he had smashed Rhaegar Targaryen on the Trident. He could see it all so clearly.

That breakfast tasted better than anything Eddard Stark had eaten in a long time, and afterward his smiles came easier and more often.

Harry's POV*

Compared to the morning, the rest of the day passed relatively uneventfully. Cella was disappointed, when Ser Aerys Oakheart finished third in archery. The event was won by some dornishman named Anguy, who was arrogant enough to refuse his offer of service. Ser Balon Swann was a different case. He jumped at the chance to be of service to his liege lord. A passive scan of his thoughts indicated that he was loyal enough. Slowly, Harry would let him in on his secrets, depending on how loyal he stays. For now, he had another capable knight in his personal guard.

He did not have a chance to discuss the developments in Stormlands with Myrcella but she had promised to come by his chambers after the family dinner. Yes, his father had commanded all of them to attend a family dinner in the King's solar tonight. He did not wish to witness Joffrey's smug face yet again but he did not have a choice in the matter.

He found Myrcella waiting for him outside the king's chambers with a frown on her face. The frown was promptly replaced by a beaming smile as she latched on to his arms. It was clear Cella was as nervous about this dinner as he was. He gave her a smile and entered the rooms walking past two of the kingsguard.

The inside of his father's quarters was as oppulent as ever. The drapes were black with golden embroidery. The seats looked like they were carved out of solid gold. The table had sapphires and emeralds fixed to the sides. The weapons rack held his father's famed warhammer as well as a few shields and swords. The walls held life-like canvas depictions of the battles his father had fought. Rhaegar Targaryen having his breastplate smashed by a horned demon in knee deep waters was the principal among them, hanging right behind his father who was sitting at the head of the table. On his left hand was mother, as radiant and beautiful as ever. Her hands held a glass of arbour gold, but her eyes held nothing but disdain. Their eyes met for a moment before his mother turned away with a scowl, as if his mere sight offended her.

The person sitting on father's right hand was a surprise. Technically, Renly was family though he had not expected to find him here. His presence brought back thoughts of plots unfolding in the Stormlands and that just brought a scowl on his face. Next to Renly was Joffrey, curving his wormy lips in a grotesque mockery of a smile. He did not allow his gaze to linger long on his elder brother. This night promised to be a long one and he'd rather not start it hearing his vile voice. Sweet Tommen sat next to Joffrey, smiling his innocent smile at him. He was glad that Tommen hadn't yet become a casualty to the toxicity of his family.

Myrcella took the seat next to mother, so he took the one beside her.

"Finally you are here, I thought you had forgotten your way to father's chambers. Alas, the problem isn't your memory brother, you are just too incompetent. " Joffrey drawled. His words bounced right off his skin yet the smile that wormed it's way on mother's lips cut him deeper than he liked.

" Your face is making me sick enough, must you speak too Joff? Spare us mortals your prattle or I would have to get Maester Pycelle to heal my ears."

"Enough boys, you just entered the room. I will not have you two fight while I am eating with my family. If you cannot speak to each other civilly then do not speak at all. " Father thundered.

" As you say father" they both spoke at the same time and then started glaring at each other, daring the other to utter the first word.

The serving girls started serving the first course and the general chatter began. Father asked him how governing the Stormlands was going. Renly thought it fit to add that he wouldn't mind lending a hand if the politics of Stormlords was getting too much for him. Tommen spoke at length about his lessons with Pycelle as well as his new pet, Ser Pounce. Harry promised him that he would come by to meet the gallant Ser Pounce. Myrcella told father all about her sewing and reading as well as her wish to travel to Oldtown. Mother just drank, aside from making a comment here and there to his siblings.

It was as the dessert was brought in that father revealed the reason behind this impromptu dinner.

"Mace Tyrell's daughter, what's her name again, Renly? "

"Margaery Tyrell, a beauty beyond compare. Some call her the most precious rose of Highgarden. "

" Yes, the girl. Renly has spoken highly of her. Tyrells are a powerful house, though they were dragon supporters in the war. It is time we tied them more firmly to the throne and add their strength to ours. You will be taking the girl as your wife, Harry. " his father finished with a big gleaming smile on his face as if he was doing him a favor.

He didn't want Margaey. He had never even seen her, but he knew how desperate the Tyrells were to join the royal family. He had spent the last month fending off the Tyrells and their bannermen only for his father to decide his fate this way. He didn't want the Tyrell girl, he wanted Sansa. Why was it that whatever he wanted was always given to Joffrey.

"No" he replied tersely.

"No? I did not ask for your opinion. You are a man now and it is time you did your duty to this family. Besides, I believe a woman is necessary to tame your wildness. Too long have you had your way. It is time you settled down. And if Renly is to be believed, you might enjoy taking this Tyrell girl to bed. " his father finished with a suggestive wink.

Gross, he did not want to think about his father hitting on his potential bride. No, he did not want yo think about the Tyrell girl as his bride at all. This was too fast. He had secrets, more than any other man. Tyrells were too powerful for Harry to have any manner of control over this girl. And besides, she wasn't Sansa.

"I am not marrying her father. I will choose who I wish to marry. "

" You are choosing too good a girl for him Robert. If the boy had his way, he would marry that whore of his whore. I say let him do as he likes. Why waste the Tyrell girl on him? She would be a much better match for our Joffrey. Atleast the Tyrells aren't savages like those northerners." his mother spoke. He didn't really expect his mother to back him anyway. He could feel Myrcella threading her fingers through his under the table. This was becoming too regular an occurence, Harry thought irritably.

" Joffrey ks marrying Ned's girl, and that is final. Harry, you can keep whatever whore you like on the side, but you are marrying the Tyrell girl after your next nameday. The sooner you accept it, the better it is for you. " His father ordered. So he had less than a year before he was forced to marry an unknown girl. The unfairness of the situation agitated him. He needed to leave and clear his head. Pushing his chair back, he got up.

" I will take your leave now, father. "

" I have not given you permission to leave!" his father's face grew a familiar shade of purple but he didn't bother staying. Turning around, he left as quickly as he could humanly manage.

Back in his quarters, Harry sat down on his bed to think. It had been a long day. He felt suffocated, like enemies were closing in on him from all sides, yet he couldn't use neither sword nor magic to hit back at them. Someone was actively working to weaken him and the Stormlands. Then there was this ploy to get him married to Margaery Tyrell. Atleast the perpetrator behind this second one was obvious. Renly Baratheon, his uncle by blood.

Loras Tyrell, the youngest of Mace Tyrell's children squired for Renly, and if rumours were to be believed, the two were more close than appropriate. That meant Renly was close to the Tyrells which meant that this marriage was Renly's way to control Storm's End through his influence with the Tyrells. It was all very confusing and Harry couldn't think of a way to get out of this wedding. If he angered his father too much, he could very well lose Storm's End too which would be very detrimental for his position.

His thoughts were broken by the opening of his bedroom door. He expected to find Kara. The two of them were used to sleeping together most nights. The sight of Myrcella in a barely appropriate shift stopped him short. His sister was wearing a translucent shift which did nothing to hide her curves and the slight swell of her budding teats. Harry could see that Cella wasn't as endowed as Kara but the sight still left him with a discomfort in his breeches.

"That was quite a fit you threw back there brother. Unfortunately, it did nothing but reinforce father's conviction that you need a woman in your life. Congratulations brother, instead of Stupid Sansa, you get Manipulative Margaery. That's a step-up, i guess. "Cella said while plopping on his bed. Harry didn't want to think of the effect that had on her teats. He forcibly pulled his thoughts away from Myrcella. His thoughts weren't very brotherly at the moment.

" I don't want Margaery, and don't call Sansa stupid. I think her naivety is... cute. "

" Ofcourse you do, you like to be the one in control. You have always been the pawn, to be controlled from the shadows. This gives you a craving for power. Even in your dreams, or the previous life, you were the one being manipulated and controlled from the shadows. For once in your life, you want to be the one in control. You can control Sansa, but not Margaery. "

" Is that so? You seem to be quite the mind reader sister. If you are done pointing out my failings, can we discuss the more important issue? "

"It's not necessarily a failing Harry. It is actually very desirable, in my opinion. You are a lion after all. You should be the one in power, it is your right. " Myrcella's eyes held a strange glint and her tongue escaped to lick at her full lips. Harry subtly adjusted his breeches before looking away.

" A stag too, don't you forget that"

"Ohh Harry, you prance around enough for anyone to forget you are half stag too. As for the matter about Stormlands, there isn't much we can do as of this moment. Our best course of action is to collect more information. Let's wait for a raven from Storm's End before we move ahead. Whoever is scheming against you cannot move as long as Lord Caron listens to the summons. "

" Alright then, hopefully he won't do anything stupid. Umm Cella, maybe you should leave now. It's too late to stay awake anyway. " Harry said hoping Cella would leave soon. He needed Kara right now to take care of him.

" I am not going anywhere Harry. It's bad enough you aren't here often enough. I am taking full advantage of this opportunity and sleeping with my brother. " Cella said before winking at him.

" What? Cella, it's not appropriate. " Harry did not want to think about the shudder that passed through his body on hearing Cella's words.

" Ofcourse it is Harry. Don't you remember, we used to sleep together all the time. "

" I do Cella, you have been stealing into my bed since you could remember the path to my room. But, you are older now. If someone were to know... "

" No one will know Harry, now come over here and let me sleep. I am tired enough already. " Cella ignored his protests and snuggled into him, leaving Harry with feelings he'd rather not have. It was going to be a very long and hard night.

AN : As always, let me know what you think. Appreciate your feedback.

A common issue has been that this Harry does not have a backbone. Well, canon Harry didn't either at the start. He had a lot of guts but he used to shrunk away from teachers and authority figures. He grew up over the course if the story so much as to start an active ministry defiance underground group but that's not how it started. Similarly, this Harry will grow a backbone over the course of the story. It has just started, give it some time, if you can.

Another common issue is Harry not learning from his memories. He does not have the experiences of past life, I don't know how many times I have said that. He has dreams of some events. It is accurate to say that this Harry has glimpsed his past life as a series of 7 movies. That's about it. The experiences and nurture of this world have shaped his character which is why he doesn't come out as a good guy. He is arrogant and wild, owing to his genes and royal upbringing. He has learnt some important lessons from his memories, chief ones being not to be used in other people's schemes and not to trust blindly. As such, he also comes out as a bit paranoid. Remember how canon Harry was played like a fiddle by Voldemort and Dumbledore until the very end? Do you honestly see this Harry being controlled like that? He is an active player in the game, although not the most accomplished one. You can't realistically expect him to beat career politicians. But he is doing quite well for someone his age.

Another common issue is that Harry is too ignorant of his mother. I did not want to address this as this is kindof spoiler territory but the sheer amount of reviews on this forced my hand. Look away now if you don't want spoiler. He will see the truth soon enough and break off ties with her. Right now, Harry is deceiving himself, a very common trait among humans when things aren't like we want them to be in life. He has created a mirage for himself where he thinks if he is good enough, his mother will start caring for him. I am kindof basing Harry on Tyrion lannister here. The guy spent his life being despised by Cersei yet did his best to save and comfort her during the seige of King's Landing, remember? If Martin thinks that a brother is ready to look past wrongdoings of a sister, what makes you think a son isn't? More spoiler- Tyrion had his eyes opened during the battle to the reality of Cersei's character, Harry will too.