What If Ned Stark Refused the Hand of the King and Stayed in Winterfell

Part 2: https://youtu.be/zpKdkXW15pk What If Ned Stark Refused the Hand of the King and Stayed in Winterfell? Let’s explore the depths of it in the video. Before we start, go ahead and click that like button. You knew you’d like the video the second you clicked. 2,500 likes gives everyone a part 2. The cold wind bites Ned Stark’s face as he walks through the Winterfell courtyard. Despite that, he feels himself breaking out into a sweat as he considers what he will say to King Robert. Most men would kill for such an honor, but how could he refuse him? Still, it cannot be helped as Ned feels uncomfortable with the offer. With a deep breath, he heads into the Great Hall where breakfast is being served. Robert beckons Ned over with a cup of black beer. Robert: Ahh just in time, Ned. I hope you’ve come here with good news, Ned: I’m afraid not. I’m sorry, your grace. But I do not think I can accept this offer. Robert: Y-you’re refusing. Most men would kill for this honor. I’ve seen a few try. Ned: Then perhaps if they are so interested in it, they might be better suited for it. Robert stares, still trying to make sense of what he’s hearing. Despite his efforts to convince Ned, the Great Lord holds his ground. He insists his duty is here in Winterfell, to his family and he cannot leave them. When he cannot convince Ned, Robert’s initial anger is as fierce as a storm, his face flushed with the familiar heat of frustration. Throughout the meal, he roars, curses, flips over a plate, and then smashes a mug against the wall. All while saying that all of this, coming here was for him. Ned weathers all of this and by the end, Robert is laughing and cursing Ned for never being able to stay mad at him. But though he cannot serve as Hand, he does give him some advice. Ned: I am no courtier, but one of your brothers has been at court and sat in your council longer than me. Perhaps one of them might be better suited. Robert: Pick one. The silk glove or the iron gauntlet. It may be the hardest decision of my rule. Damn you, Ned. Laughs. But, in the end, they part on good terms, Robert clasping Ned’s arm and calling him “stubborn as ever.” There are no hard feelings Robert assures him, but asks Ned to visit him soon. Yet even as the king departs, Ned cannot shake the sense that trouble lingered like a shadow. For the first few weeks after the king’s departure, things seem to return to normal. Ned continues ruling Winterfell and finds no trouble in the North save for Bran’s fall which leaves a dark shadow over his family. Despite that, everything seems quiet and leads Ned to believe that everything will be ok. But while his son lies unconscious, a fire breaks out in the library and Ned hurries to deal with it. By the time the flames are extinguished, he hears grim news, a catspaw strikes in the dead of night, slipping into Bran’s room to murder him. Ned emerges with a longsword in hand to find Catelyn with bloody hands and Summer standing over the would-be assassin. As they look through his body, they find a dagger, valyrian steel, and a dragon bone hilt. Ned studies the blade with a grim expression. It is no ordinary weapon. Someone in the south, someone of power, wanted Bran dead. The implications are staggering, and as he holds the dagger in his hand, his thoughts drift to Lysa Arryn’s letter. Her warning about the Lannisters suddenly feels far less like paranoia and far more like a chilling reality. The next morning, Ned gathers his family and closest advisors in the Great Hall. He lays the dagger on the table before them. Beside him, Catelyn sits with her hands freshly bandaged. Ned: This was meant for Bran. Catelyn’s face is pale, her hands clenched in her lap. Robb looks ready to explode with anger. Ned: I cannot sit idly by while someone tries to murder my son, I will ride to King’s Landing and confront Robert myself. He must know of this treachery. Catelyn: Are you certain that is the wisest course of action? There have been troubling rumors in the south. You would be at risk. Ned: I will only be there a short time. It is not as if I plan to accept Robert’s offer. In the meantime, Robb shall rule the North in my stead. Advise him well. Taking only a handful of guards and the dagger in question, Ned finds a ship to take him south to King’s Landing. The journey south is long and cold, giving Ned too much time to think. By the time he reaches the Red Keep, he is certain of one thing: the Lannisters are behind this. Though he has no evidence, Ned can feel something in his gut telling him it is. When he arrives in the Red Keep, Ned is greeted by Renly, who thanks him, as his refusal leads to the youngest Baratheon being named the hand of the king. But they have no time for pleasantries as Ned insists on speaking to Robert immediately. #gameofthrones #houseofthedragon #asongoficeandfire #nedstark #robertbaratheon #gameofthroneswhatif