Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
This is an AU story about Rhaegar, Lyanna and Jon Snow, which begins before the snows in the North. Lyanna is 33 and Rhaegar is 41 when they see each other again.
The name Vol comes from Volantis (Vol-antis)
Many people in Lys have white hair and lilac eyes (from light to dark).
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Braavos
The handsome man has become very prosperous along with those who work for him. When he and others arrived, they settled on one of the islands on Braavos. The man then set-up a Noble Household on the least populated side of the island, and the inhabitants, their children and grandchildren now work for him, including those who came with him, who're now married and have children.
The man knew when dragon eggs were hatched and who's responsible. He knows who she is and what happened to her mad brother. The man thinks the young girl is foolish and knows Westros will not abide the dragons again. His spies in Essos are keeping an eye on her and the dragons. He also has spies in Westros, except the North.
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When the man awoke in the middle of the night he knew he could not get back to sleep. He got dressed, retrieved his sword and quietly left his home. While he was walking on the beach he saw an old woman sitting by a fire.
"Who are you and why are you here?" the man asked with his hand on his sword hilt.
"I was waiting for you my Lord," she answered.
The man raised a perfect eyebrow.
"Will you look into the fire?" she asked.
The man knew then the old woman's a crone. "What will I see if I looked into the fire?" he asked.
"The past and present," the crone answered looking up at the handsome man.
After the man studied the women he realized she wasn't a threat to him. He sat down next to her and looked into the fire.
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King's Landing – The Red Keep
The man saw who was responsible for the death of his wife and children. He also saw Lord Eddard Stark arguing with Robert Baratheon who was sitting on the Iron Throne wearing a crown.
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The North
"Hello Ned," Lyanna said smiling at her brother as he rode through the gates of her castle in the Wolfswood. "Welcome to Castle Wolf."
"Hello sister," he replied giving her a hug after he dismounted his horse.
"There's food and drink in the hall," Lyanna told the Winterfell guards.
Brother and sister walked into her home and his horse was taken to the stable.
xxx
"Why did you chose this castle?" he asked her during lunch.
"Granted it's not Winterfell, which seats 500 in it's great hall, whereas my hall only seats 65, but it's adequate for me. My castle only has 30 rooms, but don't forget about the guard towers, barracks, stables and the other keep that's connected to mine where my servants live which is much larger than my castle. It also has a weirwood tree and there's plenty of food in the Wolfswood and fish from the river and sea. There's also a village nearby where I get other supplies," she answered.
"The Lady of Castle Wolf," he said smiling.
"It's better than being the Lady of Storm's End," she replied. "I run everything Ned and I do it for me and not for someone else."
xxx
"Your message said it was urgent Ned," she said after lunch.
"King Robert is coming for a visit," he told her.
"Does he want to see me?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I told him you're no longer at Winterfell and went to live in the woods," he answered. "He also asked if you're still mad from grief."
"What did you tell him?" she asked.
"I told him you're under the care of the Flint's," he answered.
Lyanna laughed. "I am, but not in the way he thinks," she said.
Ned smiled.
"We both committed treason against our King," she said. "I thank the gods everyday I have a brother like you. I also thank you for your help in raising my son."
"That was for his own protection," he replied. "We both know Robert would have killed Jon if he knew who his father was."
"Instead everyone thinks he's your bastard son, Jon Snow," she said.
"He looks like you Lyanna," he replied. "Jon has Stark hair, eyes and face."
"But he has his father's tall, lean muscular build, his eye shape, nose, mouth and smooth skin. Jon also has his father's demeanor and he's very much his father's son. As I watched him grow up I saw his father, but your wife only saw a Stark because of his hair, eyes and face," she told him. "Sansa treats Jon with indifference and she's very much her mother's child."
"I'm sorry about that Lyanna," he said. "We both know Catelyn hates Jon and we can never tell her or anyone else who he really is because it will endanger all of us."
"I know Ned," she replied. "It's a good thing I was at Winterfell while he was growing up."
"You were the one who raised him and taught him how to ride," he told her laughing.
"He's a better rider than I am," she said smiling.
"Jon is also a great swordsman and he learns quickly," Ned told her.
"I wish Jon had known his father. I still miss him and there's a hole in my heart Ned," she said sadly.
xxx
"I killed a deserter from the Night's Watch, and before he died he told me he'd had seen the White Walkers and the Others beyond the Wall," Ned told her.
Lyanna nodded her head.
"You don't seem surprised," he said.
"I had a dream last year that Jon was at the Wall, but I couldn't see who he was fighting," she replied. "In my dream he looked like ice and fire. Winter is coming Ned."
"I feel it too," he said. "Do you have enough provisions to last through the winter that's coming?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered.
"On our way back to Winterfell we found a litter of dire wolves. One for each of my children. Jon found the 6th dire wolf away from the others and he was the runt of the litter. Jon named him Ghost, and Ghost is all white and has red eyes, the same as the weirwood trees.," he told her.
"Ghost also has the colors of House Stark and House Targaryen," she said.
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Winterfell
"I kill him every night in my dreams," King Robert said to Ned in his Solar.
"He's dead Robert," Ned replied sitting at his desk,
"But he won," Robert told him.
xxx
"You're to young to join the Night's Watch, Jon," Benjen said.
"I'm a bastard Uncle Benjen," he replied outside the hall. "I have no lands or title to inherit and no marriage prospects."
"You'll have to get permission from your father," Benjen told him.
xxx
"Night gathers, and my watch begins...," Jon Snow said kneeling before the weirwood tree.
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Jon Snow fought one of the Others at Castle Black and destroyed it with fire.
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"I had the hilt remade," Lord Commander Jeor Mormont told Jon and handed him a sword.
Jon looked at the hilt of Ghost and then unsheathed the sword.
"This is Valyrian steel," Jon said surprised looking at the sword.
"And it takes a man to wield it," Lord Mormont told him. "That swords has been in my family for over 500 years..."
xxx
Maester Aemon talking to Jon on more than one occasion.
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Corn, King, Snow, the raven said.
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Jon met Ygritte, fell in love and broke his vows to the Night's Watch.
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Jon Snow became the 998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch.
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"That is the end Lord Vol," the crone told him. "If you want to know more you'll have to contact the Lady."
"How?" he asked looking the crone in the eye.
"Your know how my Lord," she answered.
The crone got up and walked away.
xxx
When the man returned to his stately home he thought about all he'd seen and heard. The emotions he'd held inside all these years finally came to the fore, and he broke down and wept. He too realized he has a hole in his heart.
She's more beautiful now than she was when I first laid eyes on her – a woman fully grown who's come into her own. I didn't know she bore me a son or what happened to her or my child until now.
When I saw Jon I saw he looks like both of us and he does have my build. I thought Aegon was the Prince that was Promised, but the song of ice and fire was always about Jon. It was his bastard status that sent him to the Wall to fight the Others and the White Walkers. Jon Snow has my blood, which is fire, and his mother's blood, which is ice. I got the prophecy wrong. Jon didn't know Maester Aemon is one of his relatives and I was glad to see him give my son good advice. What surprised me was hearing the crow say: Corn, King, Snow. The crow called my son a King and I wonder why. Another thing that surprised me was seeing one of the Others, who had cold blue eyes and could only be killed by fire and not by a sword, spear, lance or bow. Jon now has a Valyrian steel sword, his birthright. The young wildling girl he fell in love with has red hair. Red and black.
I didn't win Robert because I thought I lost Lyanna and I didn't know she had my son who's known grown, and I lost more than you'll ever know. I know you met Lyanna, your betrothed, for the first time at the Tournament at Harrenhal and I saw how you looked at her in the feast hall. You were in love with Lyanna's beauty, but not Lyanna herself because you never knew her. I know it was her brother Brandon who kept you away from his sister because he saw you for what you were, and so did Lyanna. We all saw your drunken games and how you treated some of the servant girls – and you never saw the look of disgust on Brandon's and Lyanna's faces. Because of your drunken games Robert you never saw the connection Lyanna and I made in the feast hall. When she cried during my song I knew then she was mine and on some level she knew I was hers. I had awoken the fire, passion and love inside her, that's why I crowned her the Queen of Love and Beauty. We are one Robert and always have been, that's why she became my wife and bore my child. Deep down you always knew she was mine and not yours. I was surprised to see how fat you became, you're still a drunk and I know you have many bastards.
You're a very noble and honorable man Lord Eddard Stark and I too thank you for protecting my wife and my son. I can't imagine the burden you had to carry all these years, the man thought.
xxx
"Who was the old woman?" Captain Ulrick asked his Lord the next morning.
Lord Vol told him and what he saw in the fire, but not about the White Walkers and Others.
"She alive and she had a son?" Captain Ulrick asked.
"We're going home my friend," Lord Vol told him.
xxx
"My Lord," the man said with a bow.
"I want a ruby inserted here and here," Lord Vol told the smith.
"Yes my Lord," he replied.
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The North – White Harbor
The men shopped at the finest shops and purchased cloth, furs, warm clothing, fur lined boots and gloves. They also stopped by a tailor's and told him how they wanted certain cloaks lined.
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Braavos
Lord Vol met with his bankers at the Iron Bank and settled his affairs when his men returned to Braavos.
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The North - Castle Wolf
Lady Lyanna Stark is still grieving after learning that Ned was beheaded, her nieces are being held hostage at the Red Keep, and her younger brother Benjen is missing beyond the Wall.
Lyanna realized that her father, Brandon and Ned all died at the Red Keep. She was happy to learn that the North has broken away from the Seven Kingdoms and now has it's own King; and King Robb has declared war on the Lannisters.
xxx
"This message just came for you my Lady," Joro said.
Lady Lyanna thanked her Steward.
Joro bowed and left her office off the Solar.
Lyanna froze when she saw the handwriting on the parchment and her face went pale. She nervously opened the parchment and before to read.
Lyanna
I know you thought I was dead, but I survived and I'll tell you how when I see you again. This is what I want you to tell your household staff and the Captain of your guards...
Lyanna then went to her chambers and wept for hours and didn't have supper that evening.
Her maid asked if her Lady was ill.
Lady Lyanna told her she was fine and just needed to rest.
xxx
The next morning after breakfast Lady Lyanna met with Steward Bran Joro and Captain Jonos Flint.
"When my deceased brother Lord Stark sent me a raven from King's Landing a few years back, he wrote and told that he'd met a rich Lord from Braavos at the Red Keep and his name is Lord Vol. He also wrote that Lord Vol and his family have traded with Westros and Esso for over 150 years. Lord Stark told Lord Vol that he thought we'd make a good match and Lord Vol told my brother that he'll think about it. My brother also wrote that Lord Vol's wife and two children died years ago from the pale mare and he has no heirs. Lord Stark told me that Lord Vol's family is descended from one of the Noble Houses in Lys and they moved to Braavos a few hundreds years ago. The message I received yesterday was from Lord Vol and he wrote and asked if we could meet," she told them.
"What are you going to do my Lady?" Steward Bran asked.
"I'm going to write Lord Vol and tell him yes," she answered.
"Lord Vol will probably freeze to death in the North," Captain Flint said laughing.
Steward Joro also laughed and Lyanna smiled.
xxx
The household staff gossiped about whether Lord Stark told Lord Vol about his sister.
"She's recovered and I think she should get married," one of the maids said.
"But she's soiled," another maid said.
"Due to know fault of her own," a third maid said.
"If they do decide to get married I wonder what Lord Vol will think when he realizes she doesn't have her maidenhead," the second maid said.
The other two maids thought about what she said.
xxx
Braavos
"We sail for Westros in two months," Lord Vol told them. "I'm sending Captain Ulrick, my male servant and some of my guards ahead so everything will be there when we arrive."
"Yes my Lord," they replied.
Lord Vol told his household staff that Lord Sallador (his Steward) will be in charge and he'll keep in contact with him.
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The North – Castle Wolf
"Lord Vol's Captain and some of his guards have arrived my Lady. They're being housed in their own barracks and Captain Ulrick has his own room. Lord Vol's male servant, Jordan, is housed in the servant's wing. Lord Vol's sigil is red with two long crossed swords in the center," Joro told her. "They all speak the Common Tongue."
"Thank you Joro," she replied.
xxx
"It's cold here Ser," a guard said.
"They're furs on our beds and fires in the hearths which will keep us warm," Captain Ulrick replied.
Captain Ulrick has his own dressing room, bath and a hearth in his chambers.
While they were traveling to Castle Wolf, Captain Ulrick, who has never been to the North, noticed the North is vast, but very beautiful.
Before his Lord arrived Captain Ulrick studied his surroundings and he and his men met the guards of Castle Wolf and socialized with them. They ate in their barracks hall, which also has a lounge area.
During the day they trained together, and Captain Ulrick noticed the Northmen are very good swordsmen. But he that because many knights have fallen under the Northmen's swords, including several Kings guards.
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White Harbor
"Lord Vol," Lord Manderly said to the Braavosi with a bright smile when he walked into his office.
"Lord Manderly," he replied with a nod and sat in the chair in front of Lord Manderly's desk.
"Due to the lateness of the hour, your escort from Castle Wolf will escort you and your party to the castle at sunrise and you're be staying at my castle this evening," Lord Manderly told him. "Before we leave for New Castle I'll send a raven to Lady Lyanna and tell her you're here and when to expect you."
"Thank you my Lord," Lord Vol said.
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When Lord Vol and his company arrived at New Castle, Lord Manderly introduced him to his wife, Lady Leona, his daughters Ladies Wynafryd and Wylla and Captain Jonos Flint, the Captain of the Guard at Castle Wolf. Lady Leona smiled and Ladies Wynafryd and Wylla blushed when Lord Vol kissed each of their hand. Then Lady Leona had the servants escort Lord Vol and his Company to their rooms.
Lady Leona noticed Lord Vol's guards either have blond hair and blue eyes or white hair and violet eyes. What she didn't know is that those guards were all bastard born and they came from Dorne, Lys and Esso, along with their mothers and any other children they had, who're all now in service to Lord Vol.
Lord Vol was born to rule, Lord Manderly thought looking at the tall elegant man when he walked into his Hall.
During dinner Lord Manderly learned that Lord Vol is a liege Lord, which didn't surprise him. He also found out that Lord Vol built a large home on a beach outside Braavos and that's where he now lives.
"Is your home a castle Lord Vol?" Lady Wynafryd asked.
"No it isn't my Lady, it's made of white stone," he answered and told them how homes are built in Braavos. "I also had homes built for my Lords and our servants which surrounds my estate.
"Did you live in one of the stately apartments in Braavos my Lord?" Lady Leona asked.
"I use to before I got married my Lady," he answered.
"What does your home look like my Lord?" Lady Wylla asked.
"My home sits on a hill overlooking the beach. It has two levels and the majority of the guests rooms are on the second level. I live and work on the first level, but they're a few guest rooms on that level and the feast hall is also on the first level. Everything on the first level is open to the beach and have terraces," he answered.
"It sounds beautiful," Lady Leona said.
"It is my Lady," Lord Vol replied smiling at the Lady of New Castle.
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"Can we do business Lord Vol?" Lord Manderly asked before he left New Castle the next morning.
"Braavos needs wood my Lord," Lord Vol whispered in his ear and told him when he'll discuss business with him.
Lord Manderly smiled thinking about the connections he'll have across the sea. Then he bowed to Lord Vol.