Game of Thrones, Season 1

Eddard Stark:
Can you free me from this pit?

Varys:
I could. But will I? No. As I said, I'm no hero.

Eddard Stark:
What do you want? Tell me, no stories, no riddles. Tell me, what do you want?

Varys:
Peace. Did you know that your son is marching south with an army of northmen? Loyal lad, fighting for his father's freedom.

Eddard Stark:
Robb? He's just a boy.

Varys:
Boys have been conquerers before. But the man giving Cersei sleepless nights is the king's...the late king's brother. Lord Stannis has the best claim to the throne; he's a proven battle commander and he is utterly without mercy.

Eddard Stark:
Stannis Baratheon is Robert's true heir. The throne is his by rights!

Varys:
[tuts] Sansa pleaded so sweetly for your life, it would be a shame to throw it away. Cersei is no fool. She knows a tame wolf is more use to her than a dead one.

Eddard Stark:
You want me to serve the woman who murdered my king, who butchered my men, who crippled my son?!

Varys:
I want you to serve the realm! Tell the Queen you will confess your vile treason, tell your son to lay down his sword and proclaim Joffrey as the true heir! Cersei knows you as a man of honour; if you give her the peace she needs, and promise to carry her secret to your grave, I believe she will allow you to take the black and live out your days on the Wall, with your brother and your bastard son.

Eddard Stark:
[laughes] You think my life is some precious thing to me? That I would trade my honour for a few more years of...of what?! You grew up with actors; you learned their craft and you learnt it well. But I grew up with soldiers. I learned how to die a long time ago.

Varys:
Pity. Such a pity. [Varys moves to leave, but turns back for one last word] What of your daughter's life, my lord? Is that a precious thing to you? [Ned is visibly given pause by the remark]