Benjen: Is that Ser Arthur Dayne? Brandon: The Sword of the Morning himself. Benjen: He's looking this way! You know, they say his blade was forged from a fallen star. Do you think he’ll let us see it? Ned: Kingsguard don’t draw swords without reason, Benjen. And you don't want to give him reason. Lyanna: Come on, Ned. I’m ready to meet my husband. Ned: Soon, Lyanna. There’s first some work we must undertake. Arthur: Brandon, Eddard. Benjen: Ned, he knows your name! Arthur: Will you ride this tourney? Benjen: We saw you ride at Storm's End! Arthur: Mhm, I lost at Storm's End. Benjen: But not the tourney for Viserys’ birth. You won then! Arthur: Well, I've unhorsed the prince, and he's unhorsed me. I was hoping to best him this tourney, but he comes not to ride. Brandon: Then why has he come? To serenade us with sorrowful gibberish? Every tourney has some hidden purpose, Ser Arthur, what is Harrenhal’s? Ned: Lyanna, go fetch some wine with your new friend. Lyanna: I’m not a cupbearer! Ned: Take the pup. I'll introduce you to Robert soon. I promise. (Lyanna, Benjen and Howland leave) Arthur: I see you lack patience for riddles, so I'll speak plainly. You've heard reports, no doubt, about Aerys. Brandon: You expect us to slander the king to his sworn protector? Ned: We've heard nothing to speak of. Brandon: We’ve heard of Ilyn Payne. He told a joke the king misliked. Ned: Brandon! Arthur: He said ‘twas Tywin Lannister truly ruled Westeros. Brandon: Hilarious. And for that, King Aerys took his cloak. Aerys: King Aerys took his tongue. Had it seared out with hot pincers, giggling and applauding all the while. Brandon: A mad Targaryen king. We were due one. What is it they say, eh? Every time a Targaryen is born, the gods flip a coin. Arthut: Yes, there is madness on one side of the coin, but greatness on the other. Prince Rhaegar… Brandon: No, we won't go to war to swap one Targaryen for another. Arthur: Oh, what will you go to war for? (Pause) Lord Rickard is not in attendance. Brandon: There must always be a Stark in Winterfell. Arthur: Why not one of you? Ned: Our father's jousting days are behind him, Ser Arthur. His absence is no slight toward the royal house. Arthur: And what of Jon Arryn? He fostered you, did he not? Alongside Robert Baratheon, a man your sister is due to wed, while you, Brandon, are to marry Catelyn Tully of the Riverlands. It could appear that the Starks are forging alliances in preparation for wars to come. Ned: No, that's not… Brandon: We’re from the North, Ser Arthur, we’re always prepared for wars to come. — Excerpt from a scene between the Stark siblings and Ser Arthur Dayne at the Harrenhal feast, Act I of ‘Game of Thrones: The Mad King’ play 🐺💫 ✐ᝰ halidki