Cersei Lannister Marries Eddard Stark During Harrenhal
Cersei marries Eddard Stark during the tourney of Harrenhal
A Lioness in the North
Cersei Lannister was headstrong and taking a walk through the Gods Wood’s is enough to change destiny. Being found in the morning in bed with one Eddard Stark forces her into a marriage that evening by command of the Mad King during the Tourney at Harrenhal. Destiny changed and with Tywin furious over losing his heir and daughter to the King's whims will set a fire that will burn a dynasty to the ground. But in the ashes can love grow in the frozen North between a lioness and wolf?
Details:
Did some more research as I had thought the timeline differently. So the set up is that before the tournament Tywin receives a letter from Rheagahr promising to undo the appointment of Jaime if he'll attend the tourney. Citing that as king he could say the appointment was to deprive a family of an heir and in no way impunes Jaime's honor. Seeing the opportunity and reading between the lines he attends and brings Cersei as well on the chance he could get a betrothal for her.
But being headstrong and after a disagreement she storms off walking into the Gods wood of the castle and stumbles upon Ned who is taking the time to pray. They talk and due to Cersei’s rage about everything she opens herself up to someone who is willing to listen. Finding a connection that she has wanted, being someone who doesn't look at her as a pawn and an actual person she latches on and they sleep together.
The next morning they are discovered once Tywin is aware of her being missing and chastises her and demands retribution from Eddard. Unfortunately the commotion draws the king in who offers a solution. They will marry at sundown and the tournament will continue. Lest his former hand wish to risk a Hill being born from his daughter.
Enraged he talks to Rickard Stark who offers a decent enough solution of land that has resources but no one to work them as dowry payment. The Northern Lord is angry but also proud as it further ties the north to the south. The now married couple are together for the rest of the tournament and it continues as normal. Afterwards during the rebellion Tywin is engaged very quickly and forces the loyalist forces back into the capital. Rheagahr deploys attempting to break the siege and fights and dies to Robert.
The city surrenders and is plundered with everyone there leading to more of the gold being split amongst every faction fighting. Robert marries Catelyn and Lysa married Jon Arryn. Now Warden of the North returns home after finding Lyanna and baby Jon. Though he is treated the same for a time, Cersei isn't an idiot and begins to piece together that Jon isn't Ned’s son. Leading to a confrontation before the Greyjoy Rebellion which simmers till Ned returns again. The story starts before the Tourney and goes through the rebellion and into the main books with several changes as a result.
The main plot will follow more the books than the show but with the aged up show characters. A few changes would be Sansa being a Baratheon and Joffrey being less of an evil shit as Ned wouldn't let that grow or stand. He's ruthless but not torture cats evil, Marcela and Arya I could see being twins in this version and Cersei definitely backing Aryas hijinks and desire to train versus Cats rejection. Tommen I could see being a little older than Bran in this one. Bran still being Bran for sure. Rickon I could see being still cat's son and taking after Robert a lot.
I also don't see her allowing as many whores as he got than in the books. So Gendey might squeak by into existence. As for the war of the five kings, this one I don't see as happening unless Littlefinger plays the Lannister and starks against the Baratheons. Probably by supplying a more obvious poison and Lysa proclaiming Jon's death to advance the position of Ned. A lot more political posturing and less everyone for themselves.
The Tyrells probably are more focused on matching Margarey to Robb. There's some options for bloodshed for sure but not to the same degree. An easier start is Robert's inevitable death and the Greyjoys and Martell's using the chance to push for independence or more rights. Cat being Cat I could see declaring war on the Lannisters assuming they were behind the death and Lysa pushing her into it. Now another thread is that Robert and Cat didn't have any male children which would bring Stannis and Renly into the fight with Ned backing Gendry or even Jon for it further leading to war. The more I think about it , the lack of heir still can work even with a faithful wife if he constantly refuses to sleep with her after having only girls. Which would work more with the Henry the 8th similarities. And into Sansa potentially being a Elizabeth I… now that sounds like some set up.
Snippets:
“You whore!” Tywin yelled as his hand impacted his daughter's face. Her head turned from the force as her expression changed from one of regret to fear. Looking up at her father she had never seen him this angry before. Not even the death of her mother had caused this much rage. Behind her she could hear Eddard attempting to go to her side. But her father's guards made sure he couldn't do much more than squirm. Both of them were in their small clothes and not even the shock of it all could force Cersei to cover herself.
“Leave her alone! If there's anyone you should take your anger out on, it should be me.” Eddard yelled back, struggling to reach the woman whom he had just laid with.
“I'll deal with you later boy.” The father replied, turning to his daughter again. A crowd was forming, while the Starks had been in rooms in the castle. Eddard had used a tent to be closer to Robert Baratheon, his fellow foster with Jon Arryn who had arrived late and didn't wish to move anyone from the castle. Especially as the Lannisters showing up hadn't been known to them during their travels.
“But we just… I'll marry her!” The young man roared. He knew he had made a mistake but his honor demanded he make it right.
“And what could a second son such as yourself offer her? A small castle in the frozen lands you call home? No, she was made for a higher purpose than you can provide.” The bald lord said, still looking down his nose at Eddard. “If anyone could take her now, you've soiled her virtue.”
“This won't do dear Tywin, no it won't do at all.” A voice came that made the assembled crowd kneel. For King Aerys has graced them with his presence.
Eddard looked at the King, for it was different seeing him across the crowded feast hall to him being within arms reach. His white hair matted and clinging to him. Nails that reached past what even he would think of claws. And purple eyes that held a glint of madness he could see so very clearly now.
“Your Grace, this shouldn't rise to your attention. I am merely disciplining my daughter.” Tywin said, his voice having gone even colder to his king, and former friend.
“But it has, a daughter of one Warden found in bed with the son of another. Peace in the land is my prerogative. I assume you wish to reduce the dishonor she has caused by marrying them at once. I thought given your father's tastes you would be wary of someone making more Hills?” The King's words cut the father, going after all of his weaknesses.
“Fine, they will wed.” The blonde man spat. Turning to look at his daughter he motioned for her to follow. Especially as she was still barely covered by her small clothes.
“Excellent, at dusk if our host will allow it? Don't want either running off now do we?” Aerys said, a cruel grin forming on his face at the distress his commands were causing.
—
Cersei wasn't a fool, but given how much even she had to learn about the North, her ego had taken a few bruises. But even she could see her husband was hiding something about his other son. Everytime she looked at him something about his looks rubbed her wrong. It was like she was seeing someone else, someone whose name was at the tip of her tongue too. Sighing in frustration she continued to knit, her large and pregnant belly kept her from doing much lately. Getting an urge to stand she motioned for assistance.
Standing with a bit of help from one of her ladies in waiting she shuffled to the window. The yard below was filled with her sons training and she could see the boy as well. She did call him Jon but it was another to think of him as such. A low dislike for the stain on her husband's honor and their marriage was just another thing she put up with. The boy adjusted his leather vest and for a brief moment his gray almost black eyes seemed to shift color.
Her heart stopped as a clue finally fell into place for her, as she looked closer at the boy's face to see a more familiar one overlapping it. His eyes had looked violet, just like Prince Rheaghar’s had been. She had seen him enough to recognize that shade anywhere. The Targaryen shades were different from several in Dorne or the Crownlands, and people suspected Ned had slept with Ashara Dayne? The fools only saw what he wanted them to see.
“Are you alright Lady Stark?” One of her ladies asked, checking on her.
“I'm fine, just need to speak to my Lord husband.” Cersei said, doing her best to waddle to his solar. She would get to the bottom of this, to protect her children. And to find out why her husband never told her the truth.
—
“You shouldn't stare, bastard.” Theon said, catching Jon continuing to stare at Princess Sansa.
“I wasn't starin’.” Jon replied, looking at the other man.
“I know when a man stares at a woman he wants nothing more than to be with. You were looking at her like she is the last bit of water while you're stranded at sea.” The brunette joked.
“I was not.” The ravenette shoved Theon away trying to hide his blush. Sansa was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and had barely been able to take his eyes off of her.
“Making starry eyes on a princess… only you Snow.” Theon said, shaking his head.
“As if you weren't looking at her sister,” he laughed, turning his gaze to the elder sister. Cassana certainly was pretty but Jon preferred Sansa. At least she didn't look at him like he was a piece of shit. Even after being told the truth, the looks, the curses and half whispers hurt. But the only saving grace has been Lady Cersei finally accepting him. Though a part of him longed to sit next to his cousins at the high table and converse with royalty.
Perhaps after training for a bit he would feel better. Or perhaps tired enough to sleep, Ghost followed him out as did Jaime Though the Kingslayer wasn't noticed by him till later, after the Lannister had spoken to him. Jon looked Jaime over and asked pointedly why he killed Aerys. The blonde hadn't expected that and gave a sarcastic answer but he pressed for more. Trying to understand his grandfather's last few moments, tinged with madness they clearly were.
The King's guard refused to answer saying, “Why I did it doesn't matter anymore. The last dragons are in Essos and Robert doesn't care. Just how he died, the look on his face when my blade pierced him.” Jon watched him leave still standing in the summer snows, wondering what had exactly happened to cause Jaime to break like that. Lord Tyrian arrived a bit later and japed with him, trying to cheer him up. Expecting a sullen young man, pushed out by his family. Not as he put it, a man searching for answers to the wrong questions.