Ned falls silent, both out of respect for what she must say and out of having nothing to contribute of his own. He was chattiest with his sister, save for his wife, but even so - he is the quiet wolf, after all.
Mention of Robert tightens the muscles of his jaw, teeth clenching against each other in a battle of will and strength. Prior to his sister's arrival, mention of her had elicited the same sort of response from her. Now, however, it's mention of Robert that seems to drive the dagger deeper into his chest. He thinks of the last time he'd seen him, the wrenching in his gut as he realized it would be the final moments for them to be together. He'd no longer laugh and snark his way through their friendship, brothers in arms and almost by blood. He loved Robert, for all of his faults and shortcomings. Mention of him now - and Ned's betrayal surrounding Lyanna, Jon, and Rhaegar - hurt him in a way he can't quite vocalize.
He'd much rather speak of Jon, even if the topic is painful in its own way.
"I can tell you all about his life, if you'd allow it. I can't give you those years back, or allow you to bear witness first-hand, but I can tell the stories as best I can. It won't be the same, but it can be the next best thing." He turns towards her and, after a second's hesitation, tugs her to him and wraps her in an embrace. "I'd told him the truth shortly after I arrived. He wanted to know, and there was no point in me hiding it from him anymore. Even so -" he starts, pulling back to look at her, a hand on each of her shoulders. His expression is stern, but warm and loving. "- Please allow me to be selfish. Please - allow me to have you here, in my life again. Please don't speak those words; they -" He clears his throat, shaking his head. "Don't say such things. For my sake."
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Mention of Robert tightens the muscles of his jaw, teeth clenching against each other in a battle of will and strength. Prior to his sister's arrival, mention of her had elicited the same sort of response from her. Now, however, it's mention of Robert that seems to drive the dagger deeper into his chest. He thinks of the last time he'd seen him, the wrenching in his gut as he realized it would be the final moments for them to be together. He'd no longer laugh and snark his way through their friendship, brothers in arms and almost by blood. He loved Robert, for all of his faults and shortcomings. Mention of him now - and Ned's betrayal surrounding Lyanna, Jon, and Rhaegar - hurt him in a way he can't quite vocalize.
He'd much rather speak of Jon, even if the topic is painful in its own way.
"I can tell you all about his life, if you'd allow it. I can't give you those years back, or allow you to bear witness first-hand, but I can tell the stories as best I can. It won't be the same, but it can be the next best thing." He turns towards her and, after a second's hesitation, tugs her to him and wraps her in an embrace. "I'd told him the truth shortly after I arrived. He wanted to know, and there was no point in me hiding it from him anymore. Even so -" he starts, pulling back to look at her, a hand on each of her shoulders. His expression is stern, but warm and loving. "- Please allow me to be selfish. Please - allow me to have you here, in my life again. Please don't speak those words; they -" He clears his throat, shaking his head. "Don't say such things. For my sake."