The North, Winterfell
A large flock of crows circled in the sky, their cries echoing in waves. One of them, a three-eyed crow, perched on a branch of the massive Weirwood, tilting its head with human-like intelligence as it watched Bran Stark lying on his sickbed...
In Eddard Stark's study, Robert lay bored in a chair, flipping through a novel in his hands.
Looking closely at the title, it was actually "A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms," and the author column clearly stated George R.R. Martin. It seemed Old Man Martin was quite famous even in the World of A Song of Ice and Fire.
"According to news received by my master of whisperers, Varys, those Targaryen siblings were spotted again across the Narrow Sea. I used to think they were dead. I've decided to continue sending men to hunt them down. Ned, what do you think?"
Robert spoke while reading his book, asking the question with feigned nonchalance as if he didn't care about the answer, yet his eyes remained fixed on Eddard from the corner of his vision.
"Your Majesty, I gave you the answer to this question many years ago. They are but children who know nothing of the world and posed no obstacle to your dynasty back then. To hunt them down now... there is truly no honor in it."
Sure enough, Eddard had his answer immediately. He always believed in justice and honor; he simply could not bring himself to strike at two defenseless children.
Sitting to Robert's right, Joffrey watched his highly righteous father-in-law and sighed inwardly.
When Robert's rebellion succeeded, House Lannister's vassal, Ser Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, brutally murdered the wife and children of the former Prince Rhaegar and presented the bodies to Robert as a token of allegiance, binding House Lannister to House Baratheon's war chariot.
(On a side note: This Gregor Clegane, the Mountain, was actually knighted by Prince Rhaegar himself. It's truly ironic that he repaid Prince Rhaegar in such a manner.)
Robert had been very pleased with this, always believing that this was how dynasties changed—by pulling up the roots to intimidate any small-time troublemakers.
But Eddard could not accept such behavior and had always been at odds with House Lannister; this was one of the earliest conflicts between the Lion and the Wolf.
It must be said that Robert and Tywin were typical politicians, possessing ruthless methods that exceeded those of ordinary men.
Eddard Stark, however, was different. He had political skill—at least enough to be competent among the high-ranking dukes—but his sense of justice and honor invisibly handicapped his political maneuvers.
People could call him pedantic, but never stupid. If Eddard lost his morality, he would no longer be Eddard; he would become just anyone, and Old Man Martin's characterization would have collapsed.
"Seven hells, Ned, you pedantic fool! Those two bastards across the Narrow Sea only need to spread their legs to breed a bunch of little Targaryens to come and attack me!"
"Your Majesty worries too much. Your dynasty is as solid as a mountain; House Targaryen can no longer stir up any waves."
Eddard Stark replied helplessly. In his view, Robert was completely worrying over nothing. Besides, murdering two children did not align with Eddard's principles.
"Joffrey, my son, what do you think?"
"I'm watching while sitting."
"..." Joffrey's senseless smart-aleck remark made Robert pause for a moment.
"I thought a great man should be open and upright. Just two remnants of the former dynasty have scared my father into such a panic. How is it that Father grows more cowardly as he gets older?"
However, the mocking words Joffrey followed up with caused Robert to lose his cool instantly. He roared in anger, "What do you know, you brat! Whose son are you, anyway? You actually think Stark is right? I think you should just go take the Stark name instead!"
"I think Lord Stark is quite right."
"Then from now on, you can just go and call Ned your uncle!"
"As you wish. Your nephew sends his greetings to his Lord Uncle!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger."
Eddard Stark didn't know whether to laugh or cry at the scene. His head was spinning as he hurriedly tried to mediate, though his internal evaluation of the Crown Prince, Joffrey, rose by a notch.
"If you want me to calm down, take this." Unexpectedly, Robert's eyes suddenly grew cunning as he tossed the hand of the king badge from his pocket to Eddard Stark.
The hand of the king is the chief advisor and executor of commands for the King on the iron throne in King's Landing.
The Hand of the King's responsibilities include issuing orders in the King's name, wielding power, commanding the armies, administering justice, and convening the small council to assist the King in the daily operations of the realm. When the King is unable to attend to state affairs due to illness or absence, the Hand sits upon the iron throne as the acting ruler.
The office dates back to the time of Aegon the Conqueror. The founding monarch of the Targaryen Dynasty, Aegon Targaryen I, said of his close friend (rumored to be his bastard brother) and trusted general Orys Baratheon (founder of House Baratheon of Storm's End): "my shield, my stalwart, my strong right hand."
Orys became the first hand of the king of the unified dynasty due to his military achievements after the War of Conquest in Westeros, and all subsequent Hands were named hand of the king for this reason.
"Since Old Jon died, there hasn't been anyone in court I can trust. Why did he have to die! I could die! Everyone could die!"
"Your Majesty, please allow me to think it over carefully." Eddard Stark felt somewhat helpless; Robert had already mentioned this to him yesterday.
Furthermore, he had received a letter that night from Old Jon's wife, Lysa Tully, stating clearly that Jon Arryn had not died of illness, but had been poisoned by Cersei Lannister.
His wife Catelyn and Maester Luwin both urged him to go to King's Landing as the Hand, both to help Robert and to secretly investigate the cause of Jon Arryn's death.
He had already decided to go to King's Landing, but his son Bran's current condition made Eddard hesitate.
"Then think quickly, I still have to go back and host a tourney."
With that, Robert tossed the book onto the table and walked to the door, heaving his great belly. Feeling a hint of chill from outside, he tightened his voluminous robe and muttered, "I really don't understand how you can stand being stationed in this godforsaken place."
"Because winter is coming, Your Majesty." Eddard Stark suddenly looked up, giving a serious reply that left Robert somewhat bewildered.
"Fine, fine, winter is coming. This place of yours could also be used to store my wine—it's a new shipment from Highgarden this year. You must taste it once you reach King's Landing."
Joffrey sighed inwardly, thinking: This old geezer isn't coughing up any gold, and he's still spending so extravagantly every day.
Joffrey was truly afraid that before he could even take the throne, this old geezer would have mortgaged the iron throne for a loan. (It seemed this cheap father of his had already done exactly that.)
...
"Jon, why do you keep pestering me, boy? I told you, it's best if you don't join the Nights Watch."
Clad in black, Benjen Stark was being annoyed to no end by Jon Snow. To think that in this day and age, someone still believed the Nights Watch was full of honor and greatness—and this fool was his own nephew.
"Uncle, I want to go! I must go!" Jon held his head high, his face looking like a miniature version of Eddard Stark to Benjen.
"I think you don't understand the Nights Watch at all. You're still young. Do you realize what it means to never take a wife or father children for your entire life?"
"I will never marry or father children. I won't let my children suffer the same humiliation I have as a bastard since childhood!"
These words seemed to strike a cord deep within Jon Snow. He kept his head high, struggling to prevent the tears from falling.
He was truly tired of living under another's roof; the cruelest part was that he still didn't even know who his mother was.
Jon Snow could not forget the cold mockery Lady Catelyn had directed at him when he went to see his brother Bran yesterday. He understood Lady Catelyn very well, and he also hated his status as a bastard intensely.
At that moment, the Lord of Winterfell, Eddard Stark, arrived on horseback. "Ben, let him go. Perhaps joining the Nights Watch is a good destiny for him."
Eddard Stark added inwardly: It's better than being hunted as a fugitive.
Eddard Stark looked at the bastard who bore such a strong resemblance to him and reached out to touch Jon Snow's cheek. His eyes were full of reluctance, and his mind kept echoing those words she said over a decade ago: "Promise me, Ned."
He looked into Jon Snow's eyes and said several things very earnestly: "Take care of yourself out there. Don't go fooling around with that crowd, and don't be afraid to spend money. If you have any trouble, tell your uncle or write to me. You've grown up, and I respect your decision."
After a moment of silence, as if he had made a decision, he added: "Haven't you always asked me who your mother was? When I return from King's Landing this time, I will tell you."
Before those words were even finished, Jon Snow hugged his father tightly, struggling to hold back his tears.
He recalled the past; his father had never treated him poorly because of his base status, always treating him as an equal to his other sons.
Even when people in Winterfell gossiped about who his mother was, his father had suppressed it with iron-fisted methods.
"This is a parting of men; no more words are needed."
With those words, they parted ways.
King Robert Baratheon's returning party marched grandly out of Winterfell, and Eddard Stark also rode back to join the procession.
Upon his return, he saw his son Robb speaking with Prince Joffrey. The two of them looked like brothers who had known each other for years.
"I've prepared the things you wanted. I really don't understand if something so heavy is actually practical. Didn't you say you don't know any combat skills?"
Robb was somewhat confused. A few days ago, Joffrey had asked him to have Winterfell's blacksmith prepare three-section steel pipes that could be connected together with a spearhead.
He had even modified the scabbard, creating a special place to house these things, with a switch that could eject them at any time.
"Don't worry, I was born with divine strength! Besides, this thing can have miraculous effects in certain situations." Joffrey smiled and patted Robb on the shoulder.
"When you come to King's Landing in the future, I'll treat you to the best wine!"
"Then thanks. It's a pity I can't go along this time. Please look after my two sisters, Sansa and Arya, especially Arya—she's the most troublesome. My father will surely be very busy this time and might not be able to keep her in check. I'm counting on you!"
"Alright, alright, there's no need for such formalities between us. I should go. I'll see you later."
Although he had only stayed in Winterfell for a few days, Joffrey and Robb had formed a deep friendship.
Robb had a very good impression of Joffrey, who was the Crown Prince yet put on no airs. And Robb's insights into military matters truly impressed Joffrey; the two even maintained a high degree of agreement on the idea of training a heavy cavalry square.
The two had spent so much time together lately that Joffrey felt he had spent more time with Robb than with Sansa.
Finally, just as Joffrey turned to leave, he seemed to remember something and warned Robb with a serious expression:
"Brother, I have two things to tell you that you must remember. First: If at some point in the future, say when you already have a betrothal, you fall in love with another woman, I hope you consider carefully whether that woman is approaching you with some ulterior motive."
"Mm."
"Second: If after you break a betrothal, the party you slighted suddenly acts very magnanimous, forgives you, and invites you to their family home for a wedding... I hope you definitely do not go!"
"Mm."
"Did you remember what I said?"
"I remember."
"Do you understand?"
"No."
"Then why the hell are you 'mm-ing'! You're killing me. Anyway, just remember what I said; these words can save your little life in the future! I'm off."
Joffrey's mysterious pile of words left Robb confused. After all, Robb was a native and had no idea he would meet his end because of such things.
Joffrey looked at the dull-faced Robb with frustration, yet he couldn't explain it more clearly.
He thought to himself: This brat must remember. I don't want you to be missing from my side when I conquer the world in the future; I'm still counting on you to train a troop of heavy cavalry for me.
He sighed helplessly and mounted his horse. Before leaving, he looked back at Robb Stark once more, and the two waved their fond farewells.
"Caw~ Caw~"
No one noticed a three-eyed crow perched on a nearby Weirwood branch, watching the scene.
In a massive cave beyond the Wall, branches were densely interlaced. Looking deep along the extending branches, an old man in black sat within a massive Weirwood throne, as if his entire being had merged with the tree.
Beneath his thin black clothes, he had milk-white skin and bone-white hair, along with a terrifying red eye. There was a wine-red birthmark on his cheek and chin, making him look like a Red Raven.
One of his eyes was blind, but he wore no patch, using only a strand of hair to cover it.
Though unable to move, he could observe everything in the world through the perspective of the three-eyed crow. Watching this scene, a sentence slowly escaped his lips:
"Fate cannot be changed. Forcibly reversing fate will only make you pay an even greater price. rhllor, after all these years, you still haven't understood this truth..."