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Night gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death.

I shall take no wife, hold no lands, father no children.

I shall wear no crowns and win no glory.

I shall live and die at my post.

I am the sword in the darkness.

I am the watcher on the walls.

I am the shield that guards the realms of men.

I pledge my life and honor to the Night's Watch, for this night and all the nights to come.


(JON SNOW)

Jon was surrounded by darkness on all sides leaving nowhere for him to escape. Left, right, above and even below pitch black closed in upon him ready to drag him away.

"For the watch."

His brother's betrayal. Stabbing him and leaving him for dead.

Dead.

Was that what the darkness was? Was he in the afterlife? Jon had always worshiped the Old gods, never knew enough about any of the others to worship anything else. Lady Stark had not taught him as she did her children.

Catelyn Stark.

Jon felt the pang of her death in his chest despite their differences. He never held her ire of him against her. After all, she only spoke the truth. He was a constant reminder of her husband's unfaithfulness. How could he fault her for not loving him like she did her own children?

That thought brought yet another stab to his heart. His brothers and sister's dead or believed dead all except for Sansa who was in Winterfell at the mercy of Ramsay Bolton. No doubt wishing she was dead. His family gone. And now he was joining them.

"Jon…Jon, wake up."

"Father?" Jon blinked as the darkness faded and he saw Eddard Stark standing over him a worried look on his face. Or at least he thought it was his father. Everything is so blurry.

"Jon, do you remember anything? Who attacked you?"

Head swimming Jon blinked his eyes trying to focus his vision. But it was for naught. The black was closing in on him again. He could see it coming, the afterlife was trying to keep him.

"I don't want to die."


(EDDARD STARK)

"I don't want to die." The words ran rampant in the Lord of Winterfell's mind. Words spoken by a boy he saw as his own. One he had cared for and protected since his birth. The child his sister had begged him to keep safe.

"I don't want to die." He whispered trying the words for himself as he watched the young man who had said them first. "I'm sorry, Jon. Lyanna."

He had failed.

Failed in his mission to keep his sister's son safe. His promises broken and now nothing but words in the wind.

"I'm sorry."

"Dad?"

Looking over to the door Ned tried to smile but his lips wouldn't move. Not even for the brown-haired girl peeking her head into the room.

"Arya, you should be in bed. Your mother won't be happy you're up."

"I heard the guards outside my room talking." Arya's eyes went from him to the bed he was seated next to and he hung his head. "Is Jon going to die?"

"Of course not, Arya. Jon's just very tired."

Arya shook her head and stepped into the room closing the door behind her and Ned sat straighter as tears began to gather in her eyes. "You're lying. The guards said he had been stabbed a bunch of times and wouldn't make it through the night."

The tears grew bigger and fell faster and Ned moved quickly crossing the room lifting his sobbing daughter into his arms holding her tightly.

"I didn't even get to say goodbye!" Small hands gripped his tunic bunching the fabric together around his shoulders.

Silently cursing the guards who he would be having words with tomorrow he held Arya tighter to his chest. "Jon will be fine Arya. The guards were exaggerating."

"You're lying." Ned closed his eyes. He had seen the wounds Jon had suffered. It was a miracle Ser Rodrik had found him before he bled to death. And it would be another if he survived.

Master Luwin had said it himself. "All we can do is pray the gods will grant us a second, my Lord."

"Okay," Arya's head nodded against his chest and he loosened his arms as she wiggled around trying to get free.

Setting her down on her feet he opened his mouth to send her back to her room but before he could she was moving. Crossing the room and dragging the chair Jon had at his desk in the corner closer to the bed placing it next to his.

"I'll sleep here." She crawled up onto the chair. "He shouldn't be alone when he wakes up."

Not wanting to upset her anymore Ned took his seat again and wrapped an arm around her. They would wait together until Jon woke or he didn't.


(JON SNOW)

"I failed."

It was the first conscious thought that came to his mind when he woke.

Turning his head he saw his father, Lord Stark and Arya sitting together next to his bed. He had decided against waking them so he looked back to the wooden ceiling of his room and closed his eyes letting the memories come reminding him of what he was.

Ygritte. Glenn. Mance. All the Free Folk at Hard Home. He had failed them all.

Lost in his grief he didn't see his father's eyes open.

"Jon?"

Startled by the sound his eyes shot open and he tried to sit up instinctively reaching for Longclaw only to be held down by two strong hands against his shoulders.

"Don't move, son. You could reopen your wounds."

It was hours later that Jon finally came to the conclusion he was not going to die. Laying stiff as a board on his bed with Maester Luwin tending to the stab wounds on his torso he had seen all his family members except Lady Stark.

Robb, Bran, and little Rickon had come at the same time all three asking how he was and little Rickon even asking if he was going to die. That got a snort of amusement from Robb but their father hadn't thought it was funny and sent the three boys away immediately after. Sansa had only peeked in for a moment to wish him well with a quick 'get better' but he didn't mind the short words. Or how she looked down her nose at him. As long as she was safe he would be fine.

And as for his last sibling.

Jon glanced down at the small ball of a girl curled up against his side. She hadn't left since she woke up and saw the bandages covering everything between his neck and waist.

He was glad she hadn't left. He hadn't seen her since he had left for the Wall after gifting her with Needle.

"You should rest Jon, your body will need time to heal."

Jon didn't bother to reply but did close his eyes. He knew he wasn't going to get any sleep that night but it would have been rude to disregard Maester Luwins request.

"What should I do?" That was the question keeping him from following the Maester's instruction. He was alive after being stabbed to death by his brothers in the watch. By someone who he thought was a friend.

Not only was he not dead but he was in the past. From what he saw of his siblings and his own small body he guessed he was around two and ten. He'd have to find a way to ask that wouldn't make him look like a fool. Maybe when he told his father of his decision on taking the Black Oath.

"Jon, rest."

Opening his eyes Jon glared half heatedly at the medicine master who was offering him a small wooden cup no doubt filled with Essence of the Nightshade. Taking the offered drink he swallowed the entire cup in one go.

Jon handed the cup back to Luwin already beginning to feel the effects of the sedative. His eyes slid closed images of a future that would never come true running through his mind. Strangely alongside those dreams was a voice sounding suspiciously like Eddard Stark shouting at him.


"I forbid it!"

"Maybe I am a seer." Jon thought as his father, Eddard Stark stood at the foot of his bed staring down at him with the rage of not only a father but the Warden of North.

Not that he was surprised that his father was arguing with him over the matter. The first time they had this conversation he was seven and ten almost an adult and still they had fought with words before Lord Stark had relented. It had made him happy that even though he was a bastard his father still wanted him in Winterfell at the time and even made him question his decision.

However, this time things were different and he was firm in his resolve to take the black.

"Father, someone obviously doesn't want me in Winterfell," Jon said pointing a finger at his bandaged torso. "What's to stop them from going after your trueborn children? Robb or Sansa could die just to force you to exile me from Winterfell. I'm not taking that risk."

It was all total bullshit and he did feel regret at having to lie but it was necessary to save his family. He would head to the wall years earlier than last time. Meet Commander Mormont and rise in ranks again. He would help Tormund and the wildlings escape the Night King and make it past the wall. Come to a truce with Mance and his one hundred thousand man army. How he was going to do that he had no idea but he wasn't going to fail his family a seconds time.

"Are you listening to me, Jon? You're not joining the Nights Watch. I can have guards posted around you and your siblings. This will not happen again." Ned declared.

Jon smiled at his father but shook his head. The sentiment was nice but. "You can't do that father, not for a bastard. What would Lady Stark say"

"She will accept my decision."

"When Maester Luwin declares me fit to travel," Jon continued as if his father hadn't spoken. "I'm leaving for the Wall. I don't want to go and I will miss all of you but it needs to be done."

His father didn't seem to care for that and left the room without another word leaving Jon to his own devices. Which was forming plans and back up plans to build his army before the King decided to visit Winterfell and force his father to become the Hand. When everything good in life turned to shit and the destruction of his family began.

"I'm going to save them. I won't fail again."

It was a week before Jon was up on his feet again and against the recommendations of Maester Luwin.

Sitting at his usual table in the great hall breaking his fast as the sun rose outside. He was alone except for the serving girls who were preparing food for his family.

"You're up early."

Jon looked up from his plate as his father and Lady Stark entered the hall taking their seats at the main table.

"So are you," Jon said focusing back on his food when Lady Stark sent him a cold glare. Sighing as an uncomfortable silence reigned over the room he stood up bowing to the main table before leaving the room quickly. He couldn't deal with Lady Stark's icy blue eyes or his father's angry grey ones. There was too much on his mind.

Stepping outside into the cold he shivered slightly whether it be from forgetting his coat or being subjected to the Lord and Lady's ire he didn't know and he didn't care. He had long since passed wishing that Lady Stark would see him as more than a stain on her pride and there was nothing he could do to appease his father.

"Jon." A soft whisper from behind him drew his attention.

Turning around he smiled at Arya who still had her bed head as Robb called it.

"Yes, Arya?"

"Is it true you're leaving?" She asked staring up at him.

Jon's smile faltered at the sadness in his sister's voice. but he recovered quickly.

"Yes, it's not safe for me in Winterfell anymore."

"Is it also true you're taking the black?" Tears were forming in Arya's little eyes as she spoke already knowing the truth. "I heard Mother and Father yelling about it last night. He accused her of sending the assassin that stabbed you. Do you think she did it?"

Jon kneeled down and pulled her into a hug rubbing a hand through her hair. "I was always going to take the black Arya. I'm just going to do it a little earlier now. And no, lady Stark may not like me but she does love you. Would you be sad if I died?"

"Of course!"

"Then I do not think she would put you through that, do you?"

Arya shook her head and sniffled slightly. "I'll miss you."

Releasing a breath he hugged her closer to him glad he had rid her of thoughts against Lad Stark. He didn't want to cause strife within the family.

The Starks deserved to be together and happy when he saved him. "And I will."

Another week and a half passed before Jon was deemed well enough to ride for the wall. He knew his father had tried to stall Maester Luwin from telling him but that had only brought the Warden of the North two extra days to try and talk him out of his plan.

Jon wouldn't budge, however, no matter how much Arya, his father or Robb pleaded with him to stay. Robb slightly understood why he was leaving or at least thought he understood but Arya had gone from wailing about missing him to yelling and screaming how she hated him. He didn't take it personally knowing it was her way of protecting herself. If she didn't care about him then she wouldn't be hurt when he left.

"Benjen will be waiting for you at Castle Black."

Pulled from his thoughts Jon looked across the road to his father who was riding beside him looking as grim as he had since Jon had made his announcement. "Another person I love being hurt by me."

Lord Stark had spoken to Ser Rodrik a fortnight ago about how he felt he had failed his son who was being forced to flee Winterfell in fear of death. How he should have done a better job of protecting him or put his foot down when Lady Stark treated him with poorly disguised contempt. As if that was the reason he was leaving because he thought he had no place with his brothers and sisters.

Jon pulled back on the reigns of his horse bringing his mount to a stop. Feet away from the son and father was a crudely made wooden sign that read 'The Gift'.

They had arrived. The border between the North and the Night's Watch.

"I'll make sure to write when I can. Tell Arya and the others I'll miss them." He said quietly.

Ned nodded and slid off his horse. Jon followed suit and the two Starks stood for a moment before Jon was pulled into a crushing hug.

"Be safe," Ned whispered squeezing tightly.

Jon nodded before pulling away from the embrace patting his father on the arm. He wasn't tall enough to reach his shoulder.

"I will. Brans nameday is soon, I'll send him something. Maybe a mammoth's bone."

"Mammoths aren't real Jon." Ned chided but was smiling. "But I'm sure he will like any gift you send."

"I hope he will," Jon said struggling only for a second as he remounted his horse.

Looking down to his father one more time before he smiled he smiled a sad smile that his father returned. Jon because he knew what was going to be coming in a few years. And Ned because he thought this was the last time he was going to see his son.

Spurring the horse along he crossed into the gift and away from his family, not looking back as his mount reached a full gallop.

He couldn't look back.

Ever since he had woken up he had been forced to push all the emotional shit he felt to the side. The happiness that came with seeing his family alive and being with him. The sadness of knowing he would be alone on the wall. Davos would still be with Stannis. Sam still at Horn Hill. Edd would still be there but he wouldn't see Jon Snow, his Lord Commander, and friend, he would just see a bastard who as too young to be of any help.

No, if he looked back he would be tempted to stay no matter how strong his resolve.

Kicking his legs he spurred his mount to speed up eager to reach Castle Black. He had a lot of work to do and little time to do it.

Five years.

Only five years until the King died and the War of the Five Kings began.


Time Travel FIC!

The Nights Watch is one of, if not my favorite thing about Game Of Thrones. Not just the ragtag group they are now but what they might have been in the past. Sworn men fighting against armies of the undead to keep the realm of men safe while the very people they protect call them fools for believing in children stories. I love it!

Anyway, hope you guys like it and leave a review with what you think so far. Until the next chapter.