Mikeygigs Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 I love what-if threads, and on one of my re-reads of Game of Thrones, I came upon this little scene. Littlefinger takes Ned to his brothel, where Cat is waiting for him without Ned's knowledge. Littlefinger baits Ned when they arrive, and Ned puts a dagger to Littlefinger's throat. Ultimately, Littlefinger was saved by Catelyn's prompt arrival, but what if Ned had killed Littlefinger? How would things be different? Ned just murdered a noble in cold-blood. Not sure about the laws of Westeros, but some kind of punishment is in order. Ned goes to the Wall? Exile? Loses his Handship and has to pay a penalty? What does it have on the greater plot of ASOIAF? Does the War of the 5 Kings happen? ::Addendum:: Even in that scene, I think it was highly unlikely that Ned would have killed Littlefinger even without Catelyn's interference. However, for the purposes of the thread, lets assume Ned was angry and went all the way. Also, happy holidays from Japan! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beanis Buttershield Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 However, for the purposes of the thread, lets assume Ned was angry and went all the way. Happy Holidays! Safe to say Littlefinger would've promptly lost the game of thrones and would've squealed like a little girl whilst wondering how he could've underestimated the noble Ned Stark. If Ned killed Littlefinger, Ned would disgrace himself and his family. He would still be jailed, but probably shown mercy and sent to the Night's Watch (or exiled?). I'm not familiar what would happen to his successors in that situation but I assume Robb would have a much harder time rallying loyal bannermen. Also, R + L = J would be much easier to work into the plot. However, the psychological anguish from making such a stupid decision would cripple him and Ned would probably just disappear as a nameless, sad old man. :thumbsup: edit: actually im not so sure about Ned being jailed. If he killed the lowborn Petyr Baelish while Robert was king.. he'd receive a slap on the wrist. His dishonor would still cripple him though, and Catelyn would probably develop mixed feelings about what to think about him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lion of the West Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 I think that it would have been more chaotic in the short term but more stabile in the long term. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonCon's Red Beard Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 No one would care if he had killed Littlefinger. He had no brother, father, army or men to answer for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikeygigs Posted December 26, 2014 Author Share Posted December 26, 2014 No one would care if he had killed Littlefinger. He had no brother, father, army or men to answer for him. Be that as it may, you can't kill a noble in cold blood and not be punished. Its about the King's Justice more than it is for Littlefinger, specifically. I don't think Ned would have been killed, but he'd need to be punished. It sets in motion all these other events, really. Does Robert die so soon? Does the Wot5K even happen? What does Stannis do? What are the effects of a strong North? What does Varys and Illyrio do now that the Kingdoms are not in chaos? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Good Guy Garlan Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Robert would've gone, "Oh, Ned. Who's gonna count the coins now?", and then he'll shrug and name someone else Master of CoinUp in the North, people like the Greatjon would find the whole thing highly amusing, and the Lannisters would think, "Shit, better not mess with Stark now" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boarsbane Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 No one would care if he had killed Littlefinger. He had no brother, father, army or men to answer for him. Not true, Ned himself would care. Oh and Lysa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erza Whitewalker Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 I doubt that Ned would have faced serious consequences. The story changes greatly of course - no dagger lie, no kidnapping Tyrion, no excuse for Tywin to loose the Mad Dog of War... WRT to Ned, remember when Jaime attacked him in the street? Three of Ned's men were killed - not nobles but at least Jory had a last name and his uncle was a knight. Ned is left severely injured, by a Kingsguard member over a family issue (not anything in the line of duty or in service to the realm). Jaime flees the city and what does Robert do? He tells Ned to return Tyrion, make amends with the Lannisters, and then he goes hunting. So, yeah, Ned offs LF, Robert keeps on doing what he likes and no justice is served. (not that I personally would want Ned to be punished for that!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Lannister Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Not true, Ned himself would care.Oh and Lysa Yeah, I think Ned would be racked in guilt over this regardless of how much LF deserved it. Especially if Cat ended up catching him doing it. I think he'd confess his crime to Robert and resign his post and brood for the rest of his days in Winterfell despite Robert's pleas that it doesn't matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Once and Future King Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Legally nothing would be done. Emotionally Ned would be bothered especially when he realized LF was truthful about his wife Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Once and Future King Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 I doubt that Ned would have faced serious consequences. The story changes greatly of course - no dagger lie, no kidnapping Tyrion, no excuse for Tywin to loose the Mad Dog of War... WRT to Ned, remember when Jaime attacked him in the street? Three of Ned's men were killed - not nobles but at least Jory had a last name and his uncle was a knight. Ned is left severely injured, by a Kingsguard member over a family issue (not anything in the line of duty or in service to the realm). Jaime flees the city and what does Robert do? He tells Ned to return Tyrion, make amends with the Lannisters, and then he goes hunting. So, yeah, Ned offs LF, Robert keeps on doing what he likes and no justice is served. (not that I personally would want Ned to be punished for that!)The dagger lie had been told already so while some things would change rhat wouldn't Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boarsbane Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Yeah, I think Ned would be racked in guilt over this regardless of how much LF deserved it. Especially if Cat ended up catching him doing it. I think he'd confess his crime to Robert and resign his post and brood for the rest of his days in Winterfell despite Robert's pleas that it doesn't matter. Exactly, it doesn't matter if LF was some nobody that no one gave a fuck about. Ned's character isn't going to able to just go about business as usual knowing he killed an unarmed man in cold blood. It might seem extreme but I could even see him willingly taking the black for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Once and Future King Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 I love what-if threads, and on one of my re-reads of Game of Thrones, I came upon this little scene. Littlefinger takes Ned to his brothel, where Cat is waiting for him without Ned's knowledge. Littlefinger baits Ned when they arrive, and Ned puts a dagger to Littlefinger's throat. Ultimately, Littlefinger was saved by Catelyn's prompt arrival, but what if Ned had killed Littlefinger? How would things be different? Ned just murdered a noble in cold-blood. Not sure about the laws of Westeros, but some kind of punishment is in order. Ned goes to the Wall? Exile? Loses his Handship and has to pay a penalty? What does it have on the greater plot of ASOIAF? Does the War of the 5 Kings happen? ::Addendum:: Even in that scene, I think it was highly unlikely that Ned would have killed Littlefinger even without Catelyn's interference. However, for the purposes of the thread, lets assume Ned was angry and went all the way. Also, happy holidays from Japan! Only in the TV Show does Cat stop him. In the books it was Ser Rodrick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floki of the Ironborn Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Yeah, I think Ned would be racked in guilt over this regardless of how much LF deserved it. Especially if Cat ended up catching him doing it. I think he'd confess his crime to Robert and resign his post and brood for the rest of his days in Winterfell despite Robert's pleas that it doesn't matter. And yet it would have saved his life, and that of his family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee-Sensei Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Littlefinger was a nobody lord, while Ned was the head of one of the greatest houses in westeros with ties in the riverlands, the vale and the best friend of the king. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erza Whitewalker Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 The dagger lie had been told already so while some things would change rhat wouldn't Oops, misremembered that part. Forgot Catelyn had been told before Ned got there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Lannister Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 And yet it would have saved his life, and that of his family. Possibly, the problem with playing what if too far ahead is you can only guess at the consequences. Doubtless Cersei would continue her little quest to consolidate Lannister power and ignite a war at some point. Stannis would eventually make a move at some point as well and Ned could end up very involved in the war if he's forced to call his banners over Robert's "alleged" murder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BRANDON GREYSTARK Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Ned is not somebody who would commit cold blooded murder . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GallowsKnight Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Ned is not somebody who would commit cold blooded murder . Technically the OP is proposing hot-blooded murder. As in Ned is so furious he kills Littlefinger before he could meet Catelyn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gibzit Posted December 26, 2014 Share Posted December 26, 2014 Lysa would declare war on the north. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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