Lord Eddard Stark
Storm's End was becoming oppressive, he was becoming restless, he needed to do something, but for now the King seemed more than content to allow them all to sit there and plan. The results of that were coming through now, as Jon Connington speaks. "Lord Grandison reports that the northmen under Lord Stark's son, and the rivermen under his goodbrother Lord Edmure met their army and defeated them. It was quite the brutal battle Your Grace, it seems that the northmen and rivermen were not in the mood to give peace, even to those who put down their swords."
Ned can hear the accusation in Connington's words, and the tiredness he feels at such an accusation is making his head hurt. "How did Grandison survive then if they were being so ruthless?" the King asks, his tone neutral.
"He was in command of the reserve Sire, and when he saw that the fighting was going southwards, he retreated. He thought it better that someone survive from the fight and live to tell the tale instead of allowing you to be caught blind." Connington says.
The King looks quite distressed when he asks. "How many men did Grandison bring with him?"
Here Connington looks somewhat distressed himself. "Around four hundred Sire. They were attacked as they tried to retreat by Stark and his men, despite them flying banners of peace."
Ned cannot believe that, he knows Robb, he knows his son, and he knows his son would never do something like that. "Grandison must have seen wrongly. My son would never have done that."
Connington does not look impressed. "Your son was also supposed to have sworn himself to his rightful King by now Stark, and yet he has not. He has ignored every letter you have ever written to him since coming back, and he is supporting a King who killed your son. So tell me Stark, do you really know your son as well as you think?"
Ned remains silent, admitting defeat, he does not know his son as well as he would like, and that hurts him more than he thought possible. In the silence, Prince Oberyn, a man who bears him no love speaks. "So the rebel Stormlords who were to meet with us have been defeated and slain to a man. What of Lord Edric and the men who went with him?"
Here Connington hesitates, risking a glance at the King, and Ned feels his heart sink even further, the boy was but a child, no older than Bran or Arya. "He was slain trying to flee from the battle." Connington states, then he looks at Ned and says. "By your son Stark. Your son killed a man who had thrown down his weapons."
"He was not even a man; he was a boy." One of the Dornish Lords chimes in, staring daggers at Ned.
Ned feels himself sink further and further into a well of sadness and sorrow, his son, his son seems as if he has lost his way, Ned feels as if he has lost his way as well, he does not know where to look, who to look to. All he knows is that he needs to find his son. Before he can say anything though, his King speaks. "Lord Edric is dead, then is he? We do not have his half-brother in our possession, but we do have his half-sister. I believe a change is in order then." The King looks at his uncle and says. "Your nephew will consent to having his betrothal broken I trust."
"My nephew will do what it takes to see Your Grace's needs done." The Prince replies.
The King nods. "Good. Lord Connington, your cousin is now formally betrothed to Princess Myrcella and he shall rule as Lord of Storm's End from here on in."
That surprises them all, but Ned can see the sense in it, slowly Connington asks. "Which of my cousins Sire?"
"Raymund." The King replies smiling.
Connington looks uncertain about this, but he nods all the same. "Very well Your Grace, I am sure Raymund will be delighted at the honour."
The King nods, then looks at Ned and says. "Now Lord Stark, I must ask you something very important."
Nervously, Ned asks. "Your Grace?"
"Your son has not replied to any of your letters, as you have said yourself. He has done things contrary to my interests and therefore contrary to your interests, he supports a man who killed your son, and yet you insist that he will be able to see the light and that he will fight for me. Considering his murdering of Edric Storm, I must ask, do you still believe that?" the King asks.
Ned looks at the King, feeling all the old nerves that once plagued him as a youth come falling back into him. He feels as though he has failed, that Brandon would never have let things get so far south for their family. Slowly, softly and painfully he says. "I believe so Your Grace."
Connington snorts, but the King places a hand on the man's arm and asks. "And why is that?"
Ned takes a breath, then looks at the King. "Because he is my son Your Grace, he is my flesh and blood and I cannot give up on him. I know that there are things between us that need to be resolved, and I know that should I get the chance to resolve them, then things can work well between us. I am confident of that."
"And if the boy refuses to accept your reasons, and your explanations? If he continues to serve a false King?" the King asks. "What will you do then?"
Ned closes his eyes, praying that the gods will forgive him, that Cat will forgive him should it ever come to this. "Then I will do whatever is necessary Your Grace." The moment the words leave his mouth he feels horrible.
The King however, seems pleased. "Very well, you shall leave with your men and ride out to meet with your son on the morrow."