After the death of King Robert Baratheon, Ned discovers that Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are actually the products of incest between Cersei and Jaime Lannister. Driven by his unwavering sense of honor, Ned warns Cersei to flee the city before he tells Robert. This mercy proves to be his undoing.

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In the episodes leading up to his death, Varys visits Ned in the dungeons. He convinces Ned that his life is forfeit, but his daughters’ lives are not. To save Sansa and Arya, Ned agrees to a bitter compromise: he will confess to treason, acknowledge Joffrey as the true king, and take the black to join the Night’s Watch.