"By the gods above, the gods in heaven needn't blame you too much. After all, the Queen would surely make the first move, and then deal with the King's two brothers, Stannis and Renly, who are truly a pair—one an iron fist, the other a silk glove. But you got involved, and now you're all in trouble together." Varys wiped his mouth. "But I also heard that Littlefinger hinted at you pledging allegiance to Joffrey."
"How do you know?" Eddard asked Varys.
"You needn't worry about these things; I have my ways of knowing. Now I should discuss my thoughts, as Queen Dowager Cersei may also come to see you after I speak with you."
"Why?" Eddard looked at Varys.
"Look at your questions, Lord Eddard, you are not suited for King's Landing. The Queen Dowager fears too many people. While you are formidable, you are not the most crucial. Ser Jaime is fighting in the Riverlands, and Lady Lysa holds The Eyrie with strong forces, always at odds with the Queen Dowager. In Dorne, there's even deeper blood feud with Lannister. And then there's your young lord, your son, who is gathering his vassal Lords."
"Robb, he's just a Child!" Eddard exclaimed, greatly surprised.
"Indeed, he is a Child, though he commands a large army. So, what worries the Queen Dowager most are the three storms, the three Baratheons. Gendry, Renly, Stannis, each one more formidable than the last." Varys looked at Eddard.
"The trouble was also caused by you; you personally created a monster, that monster named Gendry. Queen Dowager Cersei originally worried most about Stannis; he has always been a skilled warrior, upright and unyielding, as unmerciful as black iron. But compared to his wild nephew, he seems like a lamb. The Boy Blacksmith beheaded Khal Drogo, Khal Jhaqo, Red Beard, and the Archons of Myr and Tyrosh, all hung on Longspear.
The bastard flows with dissolute and gloomy blood, and some bastards have an even more fervent zeal for conversion. He may not love Robert, but that doesn't stop him from showing immense passion for avenging his father. If House Stark and House Tully fight the Queen Dowager's father and brothers, The Boy Blacksmith will breach King's Landing, then take a few more heads as trophies, preferably golden-haired Lannisters. Of course, the Queen Dowager herself might not survive, although I truly believe she cares more about her children."
"Gendry Baratheon is Robert's true heir," Ned said. "With a will and legal right as proof, the throne is rightfully his, and I welcome him to ascend as King."
"Don't be foolish, my Lord. You are sacrificing so much for Gendry, yet he might be eagerly waiting for your head to be chopped off. Only then will House Stark and Lannister have an unbridgeable feud, and he will have a better claim to avenge you," Varys said. "So I advise you to sober up and stay alive with a useful head. Your daughter has pleaded for you so earnestly; this opportunity is hard-won. Moreover, Queen Dowager Cersei is now overwhelmed with problems; the fleet Across the Narrow Sea could reach King's Landing."
"This woman murdered my King, slaughtered my men, and crippled my son, and you want me to serve her?" Eddard was incredulous.
"It's all for the realm, my Lord," Varys looked at Eddard. "You possess extraordinary value, and House Stark also has considerable strength. A righteous man can declare a will, and naturally, he can also declare a will to be false. You admit your error to Queen Dowager Cersei, state that the will was your fabrication, declare the three storms to be usurpers, ungrateful traitors, and then pledge allegiance to the true King, Joffrey. The Queen Dowager will undoubtedly go along with it. As long as you give her time to prepare for war, as long as you agree to keep silent, then your honor will remain, and the Queen Dowager does not wish to lose you as a strong ally. Even in the worst outcome, it's merely returning to the Wall to find your brother. If that blacksmith King were to attack, you might even become a honored guest in The Red Keep and a soothing presence for the Queen Dowager."
"That's impossible," Eddard raged.
"Nothing is impossible. Think of your woman, my Lord," Varys said. "Think, the blacksmith you supported might not be a good person either. His wife has dragon's blood, and he doesn't like having a regent above him. If you die in King's Landing, I'm afraid he'll laugh, and your son will have no choice but to rely on him and bleed for him. A bastard is a bastard, a schemer."
Eddard remained silent.
Varys continued, "Confess your error to the Queen, Lord Eddard. As long as you admit the will is false, admit your treason. Even if you join the Nights Watch, House Stark and Lannister will reconcile. Joffrey will marry your Sansa, your youngest daughter will marry Tommen, and your heir will marry Myrcella. Look what a fine chessboard this is! Then, even on the Wall, who would dare offend you?"
"That's impossible, I promised," Eddard shook his head.
"Then, my Lord, what about your daughter's life? How precious is that? Let the Queen Dowager hear what she wants."
"No, please, don't let the Child get involved. Sansa is just a Child."
"That's not up to you. You remember those children, the Targaryen children."
"...Let Sansa forgive me, I promised Robert." Eddard turned his head, tears streaming down his face.
"Truly, truly a cruel father."
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