(Untitled)

[juno_chan]

For the throneland challenge, a ASOIAF prequel - Robert's Rebellion era.

Title: a second son
Rating: PG - nothing to see here, people
Spoilers: None past A Game of Thrones
Word Count: 760
Summary: Jon Arryn makes plans, Ned makes promises, Robert makes threats.

Comments

[lainemontgomery]

Let me reiterate how FRICKIN' EXCITED I am that you're part of Throneland. SO EXCITED. And this fic is plain proof of why.

Everyone is so flawlessly in-character here that I just can't believe it. Even Jon Arryn- who we only get to know in canon via other people- feels perfect.

"An equal, Ned realizes dully, with a twist in the gut. He is looking at me as an equal. Another lord."

This line kills me. Poor Ned, thrust into this situation that he never wanted, being forced to take responsibility and be a leader and grow up- gahhhh. All the feeeeels.

You also give us a really wonderful and telling glimpse into Robert- he tries to make light of everything, but there's such rage and violence simmering beneath the surface. And the last line is appropriately ominous- Jon sees this dark side of Robert and is wise enough to be concerned by it.

Essentially, THIS IS FABULOUS. Love, love, love.

[juno_chan]

Eeeee, thank you so much!!! *HUGZ

[fields195]

I love your Ned! This is a great portrait of him at a critical juncture in his life where everything is changing unexpectedly. Of course, he feels inadequate compared to alpha male Brandon, and the phrase “the life that Ned now slips into like a pair of boots that do not quite fit” is perfect. I like the part where he’s trying to remember what Brandon had told him about Catelyn and recalls the raging over Petyr (and another hair reference XD). Ned’s semi-naivety seems quite plausible, and it’s amusing how he keeps realizing it over the course of the fic

[juno_chan]

Wheee, thank you!! =D I do feel bad for Ned at this point - I feel like between Lyanna's disappearance, his father's death, his brother's death, his suddenly inheriting Winterfell, the need to go to war, and the need to get married immediately to get Tully swords for the rebellion, he just got hit with one thing after another. I think this point is really where Ned had to grow up, very suddenly.

It's so interesting that Robert reminds you of Brandon (though we don't know how close Ned and Brandon were) and Ned is a lot like Stannis (and we know how Robert and Stannis's relationship was!) and the two were so different but so close. And I truly believe that while Robert won the crown, Jon Arryn was the political mastermind behind the rebellion, and is thinking of the logistics of it, both before and after.

Thank you as always for your comments!!! =D