Got One-Shots Book 2

Alliance pt. 2 (Ned Stark x fem!reader)

(You should read part 1 first so you don't get confused.)

"Y/N! Look!" Sansa cried, running into the room with a wide smile. She came up to you, the fabric in her hands fluttering behind her, as well as Septa Mordane. "My first dress! I did it all by myself!" she told you proudly. Septa Mordane cleared her throat and Sansa blushed. "Well, Septa Mordane helped a little." You grinned at her and held out your hand to examine the dress. "You did a wonderful job, Sansa. It is lovely." Ned came into the room in time to hear Sansa say, "Thank you, Mother."

You had been married to Ned for a little over a year now. You had done your best as his wife, despite his initial coldness toward you. You fawned over and helped his children as much as possible. You found little things in common with each of them, even Theon and Jon. "Hello, lord husband," you greeted when you saw Ned and he gave you a rare smile. You turned back to Sansa. "I'm not your mother, Sansa." Her brows furrowed. "But you care for me like a mother would. You are married to my father."

"True, but I am not here to take your mother's place." Sansa nodded and kissed your cheek. She pulled back and asked, "May I still call you Mother?" You glanced over at Ned, who nodded. "If you wish." Sansa grinned and left the room. Ned cleared his throat and you glanced over at him. "Is there something you require?" you asked him.

Ned' hands were clasped in front of him and he looked nervous. "Not at all. I simply wished to tell you that Lady Lysa Arryn is traveling to Winterfell." You hummed. "She wishes to size up the woman who has taken her sister's place in your family." Once more, Ned had to fight back a chuckle at your observation. He found that happening more and more lately. "I am certain that isn't it. I'm sure she only wishes to visit with her nieces and nephews."

You gave him a pointed look. "Lord Hus-Ned. You know that's not true." You got up and smoothed down the skirts of your dress. "However, I will try and remain positive. For you and for the children. Now, if you'll excuse me, I told Arya I would have tea with her this afternoon." You got up and left the room, leaving Ned to wonder how he was going to get through Lysa's visit.

A few weeks later, Bran climbed down from the ramparts and ran over to you. "Mother! Aunt Lysa is here! I saw her carriage." You smiled down at him. "Thank you, Bran, but do me a favor, at least for your aunt's visit." Bran cocked his head to the side. "No climbing. Just for now, okay?" He nodded and ran away again.

You joined your new family at the gates of Winterfell, ready to greet Lysa. Your gaze scanned the family and you frowned. "Jon, why are you and Theon standing back there?" Jon's dark eyes looked at you in surprise. "Because it's my place, Lady Stark. I'm a bastard." You glanced over at Ned. He could see the wheels turning in your head and knew exactly what you wanted. After he nodded, you turned back to Jon and Theon. "You both are part of this family and I expect you both to act like it. If you are back there, then I should be back there as well."

"F-Father?" Jon stuttered and Ned smiled. "You heard her." Timidly, Jon and Theon both took their places at the end of the line. Jon gave you a soft smile. Of all the children, you seemed to get along with Jon the best, just another way you were different from Catelyn. Try as he might, Ned couldn't help but compare you to her. In a lot of ways, you were alike, but there were more differences.

All conversation ended when Lysa's carriage pulled to a stop. The auburn haired woman stepped down and her eyes immediately went to you. They narrowed and you did your best not to shrink away under the harsh glare. "So, you are the woman replacing my sister?" Her accusatory tone made you straighten to your full height and glare back. "With all due respect, Lady Arryn, I am not trying to replace anyone."

You could tell that everyone was holding their breath, waiting to see what Lysa would do or say. She just huffed and moved on, greeting her sister's children. Then she came to Jon and Theon. "Since when do we let bastards greet the highborn as a member of the family. "Jon is a member of our family. He is Ned's son just as much Robb, Bran, and Rickon are." You weren't going to let her insult Jon.

"Eddard, perhaps you would accompany me to the crypt? I should like to pay my respects." Ned nodded and started walking away. As he passed you, he gave your arm a reassuring squeeze. He knew without you saying a word that Lysa was rubbing you the wrong way. As soon as Lysa was out of sight, you breathed a sigh of relief.

"Aunt Lysa doesn't like you," Arya said and you laughed. "I noticed. Now run along. The two of you have your lessons and your brothers have training." The children all scattered and you knew you wouldn't see them again until the feast that night. The feast that would end up changing your relationship with Ned forever.

You were seated between Lysa and Ned when Sansa came up to you. Her eyes were shining with unshed tears. "Mother, Arya...she's ruined my dress." You motioned for her to come around the table while you stood. You then motioned to Robb, who escorted Arya over, along with young Rickon and Bran. You took a look at Sansa's dress. "It's not ruined, Sweetling. We can get that out easily. For now, I think you should go to bed. Leave the dress out. I will deal with it."

"Thank you, Mother. Goodnight." She hugged you and left. Robb brought the three younger children over as well. They all hugged you and kissed your cheeks. "Goodnight, Mother," they all said. After the children were gone, you took your seat once more. From the corner of your eye, you could see Lysa's face turning bright red.

"You let them call her 'Mother'?" she hissed before turning to you, "You are not their mother. You will never be my sister." You shook your head and replied, "I am not trying to be. They call me 'Mother' because they want to. I have never tried to be your sister." Lysa didn't seem to hear you as she continued to trash your good name. You could feel yourself getting upset, but you never expected Ned to come to your defense.

"Enough, Lysa. Y/N is Lady Stark. She is my wife and I will not have you speaking to or of her in such a manner. While it is true that she is not Catelyn, Y/N has tried her best to fill the void in the children's lives that Cat's death left behind. She has been the best Lady Stark she could be. I will not let you tear her down and destroy the light she brings to our home."

You were actually crying now. Jon came over and took your hand. "Come on, Mother. I'll escort you to your chambers." You glanced at Ned. He smiled and gave your other hand a squeeze. "Go on. I'll join you shortly." Nodding, you got up and left the grand room, ignoring the sour look on Lysa's face.

Once you were in your chambers, you began pacing. You never expected Ned to come to aid like that. While he wasn't a cruel man, he hadn't shown you very much of his gentle side. The door opened slowly and a small face appeared. Rickon. "Mother?" You smiled and gestured for him to come in. He opened the door the rest of the way to reveal all the Stark children, including Jon.

"Are you alright?" Robb asked. You nodded. "Come here," you whispered. Rickon and Sansa came to you first, but the others followed suit. "What are you all doing here?" you asked. Arya climbed onto your and Ned's bed. "Jon told us Aunt Lysa wasn't very nice to you. You were sad." You sat down on the bed next to her and ran your hand through her hair before kissing her forehead. "I will be alright. You needn't worry yourselves."

Somehow, while you were talking, all the children ended up on the bed with you. When Ned finally made his way to your shared chambers, he was confused to see the door open. He poked his head in and his heart nearly melted at the sight. You were in the center of the bed, leaning against the pillows, with all his children around you. You were telling them some kind of story that had them enraptured.

Not wanting to interrupt, but needing to talk to you, Ned reluctantly cleared his throat. Everyone's heads snapped over to him. "I need to speak to Y/N and you all should be in bed," he said firmly, but gently. The children all kissed you and left the room. You stood and faced your husband.

"Thank you, Ned. You didn't have to do that." Ned cleared his throat again and you could see he was a little nervous. It was unlike him. "Yes I did. You are my wife." You shrugged. "Lysa's right though. I'm no Catelyn Stark." Ned took a step closer to you and took your hands. "No you aren't, and I love that about you. If you were exactly like Cat, her memory would haunt me forever. This place would be as cold as the winds outside the walls." He paused, watching your face.

"Y/N, I will always love Cat. Nothing will change that, but I believe there is enough love in my heart for another. For you, if you will let me." You fought back a dreamy sigh. Your husband really had a way with words. "I care very much for you, Ned. And for the children. I would like to have the chance to love you," you whispered. Ned smiled and brought your hands up to his lips.