I'm so sorry for the wait guys. I feel so terrible but my job has me working a lot and I am usually much too drained to even think about writing when I get home. I have been trying to get some done over the weekends but those are my only days off. Aside for today which is the American holiday of Memorial Day so I had the day off.

Once again, I'm sorry for the wait on this chapter y'all, I feel like a dick. Hopefully y'all can forgive me me after reading this chapter and all the wonderful teasers it contains. Hehehe (:

Chapter 1.2

Eddard I

Eddard Stark, the current Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, was never meant to hold either of those two titles, sat in the solar which had never been meant for him, along with his wife, the wife that should have been his brother's.

His brow furrowed as his mind turned back. His thoughts returned to near five-and-ten years ago, when everything had changed.

A silver prince had ran off with his sister and his brother had rode to King's Landing to see her returned to the north. Soon after, his father joined his elder brother - in death.

They had both died so far south. In the viper's nest. The den of the Mad Dragon King.

They said his father was burnt alive by green wildfire. His brother, forced to watch, strangling himself in an attempt to save their father. All the while the Mad King laughed.

For that, Ned had called his banners. He had returned north and taken his father's place - his brother's place - as Lord of Winterfell. And he had marched south to avenge his father and brother and to rescue his sister.

Ned had married his brother's betrothed, and taken her father's troops south.

He fought at the Stoney Sept against Jon Connington's host. He fought at the Trident against Rhaegar Targaryen and his army, where Robert killed the Last Dragon with a blow from his warhammer.

He then marched on King's Landing and took the city, which was already being sacked by Tywin Lannister's men.

That is where everything went wrong. The royal family was slaughtered. Murdered and butchered worse than cattle. And Robert had condoned the slaughter.

So Ned took his army and rode south, to Storm's End, where he forced Mace Tyrell and his remaining host to bend the knee before finally setting his sights on Dorne and the rumored location of his sister.

But when he arrived, Ned was greeted with nothing but sorrow and death. And after the events at that tower, Ned finally returned north. Hoping to never travel south of the Neck again.

As he marched his armies back north all Ned could think of was what he had lost.

His sister was dead.

His sister was dead, as was his brother and his father. His best friend had condoned the murder of an innocent woman and her two children. He could not bare the sight of Robert, not even with Lyanna's death weighing on his soul. Robert be damned if he allow the man he once considered a brother near Jon. Not after little Aegon…

Not after Robert had smiled. No.

"Ned," his wife's voice pulled him from his darker thoughts and back to the present.

He turned to face her. His wife was beautiful, she always had been, even after birthing five children. Her fair skin, like ivory, and her long auburn hair tied in a simple braid down her back. Her deep blue eyes shining with a knowing look. A faint smile playing on her lips.

Ned returned it with one of his own.

She shifted towards him a bit and Ned raised his eyebrows suggestively. Cat simply leaned against him, her long fingers tracing across his chest, her lips drawing very close to his —

Knock! Knock!

"Lord Stark!" Luwin's voice called from outside his solar door.

Cat let out a huff of annoyance, removing herself from Ned's person and returning her seat at his side.

"Come in, Luwin." he answered and the grey man entered.

He must have noticed something because Ned saw the tips of the old maester's ears turn scarlet. Despite this, Luwin stepped forward.

"A letter, my lord," he retrieved the letter from his sleeve. "From Bear Island."

Now that caught Ned's attention. There could only be one reason any letter from Bear Island could be arriving at this time. His son.

"Erik."

"Thank you Luwin, can you please fetch Ser Rodrik and Jory Cassel and bring them here?" The tireless man nodded, "thank you."

The old man quickly left the room to go about his task.

Ned turned to his wife but she spoke first "It must be about him. About our boy." She smiled weakly albeit hopefully.

Ned felt a wave of guilt overtake him. He should have told Cat about what all their son has been up to for the past six years but if she found out he had gone north of the Wall… well, Cat hadn't relinquished her southron Gods, even after nearly fifteen years of living in the north. Ned was sure she wouldn't take it well to learn their son had gone beyond the Wall, into the lands of the Old Gods.

Ned nodded, returning his gaze to the bear of House Mormont pressed into green wax which kept the letter sealed.

Luwin was back in record time, he, Ser Rodrik and his nephew, Jory Cassel, all stepped inside Ned's solar and the heavy door shut behind them.

Ned showed them the letter, "This letter just arrived from Bear Island." He explained.

Noticing both Cassel's were now completely interested.

"I have yet to open it," Ned placed the letter in front of him on his large desk.

"Well you should bloody well open it, my lord!" Ser Rodrik exclaimed, a bit too enthusiastically. The stout man cleared his throat, "Sorry, my lord, my lady. I'm just… I hope to hear the lad is safe and sound."

Ned nodded and saw Jory did as well, watching with well veiled interest.

"It's fine, I shall open and read it now."

Ned held his breath as he cracked open the green wax bear seal of House Mormont. The letter that had just arrived from Bear Island. He was currently sitting in his solar, the solar that was never meant to be his, with his lady wife, Catelyn, a wife that was also never meant to be his.

Maester Luwin, Jory and Ser Rodrik Cassel; his captain of the guard and master-at-arms respectively, were now also in the room. Briefly, Ned wondered how Brandon would have run Winterfell but he quickly shelved those thoughts away to the back of his mind.

Everyone watched him with curious gazes, all eager to hear news from Bear Island. With good reason too.

Over the past year, Lady Maege had written to Eddard on several occasions. The first was around ten moons ago, perhaps longer, Maege had claimed that Ned's own long lost son, Erik Stark, had arrived on the northern shore of Bear Island on a battered boat filled with the corpses of wildlings.

It was the first confirmed sighting of his son in over two years since Howland Reed had reported Erik's disappearance from Greywater Watch. And while Eddard was not pleased to hear his son had somehow gone north of the Wall, he was relieved to know Erik was safe and alive.

He wanted to tell Catelyn about it but since Maege claimed and Erik refused to speak about it with her, Eddard was forced to shelf the issue until a later time. So he chose not tell Catelyn about how their son had arrived on Bear Island, only letting her know that that was where he was and that he was alive and well.

The second letter he received from the She-Bear was less then three weeks after the first, concerning Erik's odd behavior both on and off the battlefield. When Eddard learned about some of Erik's questionable actions concerning his enemies, he was awestruck to say the least. He couldn't quite believe some of the things Lady Maege had written about his son in her letters.

Though there was one of the letters that just about had Ned go completely grey haired. Lady Maege claimed that she had caught Erik in her daughter, Lyra's bed. Maege wasn't angry however, explaining how she had watched their relationship slowly blossom, jesting that they tried to conceal it. "Nothing slips past the She-Bear," Ned had mused.

Barely a moon ago, Eddard received a letter from Maege concerning the attack on Bear Island and the kidnapping of her two daughters and Erik's reaction. Eddard became distraught, unsure of if his son would survive or worse if he would lose his love - a pain Ned knew too well. Ned cursed his son's recklessness and prayed to the old gods every day that his son survive and return to them unharmed.

And when word of the sack of Wyktown reached Winterfell, it was almost enough to blanch his entire beard from salt-and-pepper to stark white. Eddard knew that his son was responsible for the act. An act that could be perceived as an declaration of war. Eddard also knew that his son's actions would have repercussions, repercussions which would ultimately fall on his shoulders as Warden of the North and Erik's lord father.

Sighing, Eddard began to read the letter from Lady Maege. She wrote to inform him that Erik had heeded his summons and had left for Winterfell before the letter was sent. Eddard's heart swelled with joy knowing his son was alive and well and was returning home after so many years of being away. But the rest of the letter was far from heartwarming and Eddard's grey eyes hardened like stone as he read over the inked words.

"What is it Ned?" His wife asked, she appeared to be worried of the worst when she saw Eddard's expression harden. "Is Erik…?"

Ned shook his head, answering her unfinished question and she seemed to relax slightly but not completely, sensing something worse than their son's demise had occurred. "Maege writes that Erik has heeded my summons. He has set sail for the mainland and is on his way home." Catelyn's demeanor still didn't settle, she knew him too well.

"Well?" Rodrik's voice boomed, "Was the boy the one responsible for the sack of Wyktown?"

Ned frowned, it seemed word had also spread to the people of Winterfell. He shouldn't be surprised, he didn't doubt that the entire north knew of his son's visit to the Iron Islands by now - if not most of Westeros. Ned would have to answer for this, he knew.

"Aye, Erik led the sack on Wyktown. Lady Maege wrote to inform me that Erik managed to rescue her daughter Jorelle and many other captive women, un- unfortunately," Ned's voice faltered and he saw the worry fill Catelyn's face while Jory and Rodrik both adapted rather serious expressions, understanding what he was failing to say. "Unfortunately, Erik was unable to rescue Lyra Mormont in time."

Catelyn gasped, clasping her hands to her lips as tears welled at the corners of her crystal blue eyes. Ned reached out and took one of her small hands in his larger calloused palms.

"Our poor boy," Catelyn whispered barely audible.

Eddard had told Catelyn about Erik's involvement with Lyra Mormont, Catelyn had mixed feelings about their son's actions in the bedchamber but when Maege had mentioned Erik vowed to wed Lyra after seeking Ned's approval, Cat had given her blessing.

To know Erik had lost someone he cared for deeply at such a young age, well, it more than upset Ned, though he hid his distress. His wife was more open with her feelings on the matter however.

Ned frowned and squeezed Catelyn's hand reassuringly, he was quite distraught over these events. His son had lost the woman he had willingly vowed to take as a wife. Maege had described it as "...he growled and barked, claiming her as his. He begged me for her hand even after he had taken her maidenhead. I think your boy is blind in love with my daughter, Ned…" the thought made his frown deepen. His son had been in love with Lyra Mormont and she was stolen from him.

Eddard would have to inform Robert of this, no doubt the King would already know of the state the Iron Islands was in. Hells, he probably knew of the sack of Wyktown already! It was imperative that Ned explain the situation before Robert lost his head and stormed north demanding Ned answer for his son's actions. If war broke out because of this it would all be on Ned's head. He sighed, shaking those thoughts from his head. Robert, even after all these years of being apart and somewhat at ends, was still one of best friends. Ned had no doubt the King would side in his favor over the Ironborn, especially since his son had the right of it to begin with.

Making up his mind on the matter of the Ironborn, Eddard decided he'd write to Robert after Erik arrived, that way he'd get the absolute truth of the matter from his son's mouth. Nodding to himself, Ned began debating on if he should inform his other children of Erik's pending arrival. With a soft smile, Ned made his decision rather easily.

"Jory, please go find my children and bring them here. I'm sure they'll want to hear the news of their brother's return," Ned ordered his captain of the guard, who simply nodded in response before turning and exiting the solar to find Eddard's children.

After Jory left, Ned dismissed Luwin and Ser Rodrik while he and Catelyn waited for their children to arrive.

"Our boy is coming home Ned," Catelyn whispered and he hummed in response, wrapping his arm around her shoulder to comfort her. "But he's not our boy anymore, the world has ripped his heart out and smashed it into pieces." Tears welled at her eyes and Ned was quick to brush them aside as they rolled down her cheeks.

"Erik will have changed, yes. Life will have hardened him and forced him to grow, Howland told us what the green can do to those with the sight Cat," in truth Eddard didn't fully understand it but his son possessed the ancient abilities the First Men had learned from the Children of the Forest. It briefly led him to wonder if his other children possessed similar abilities to Erik. "but he is still our boy, that will never change." Ned stated, Erik would always be his son. A Stark of Winterfell. Always.

After a few moments, four of Eddard's five trueborn children were standing in his solar, with inquisitive looks plastered on their faces. Eddard's brow furrowed as a frown etched its way across his solemn features, as he remembered his bastard son, Jon Snow, was in King's Landing, squiring under Ser Barristan Selmy.

The boy had been in the capitol ever since he was ten-and-two. Ned still remembered Jon demanding to be allowed to go south shortly after Erik had been sent to the Neck. Ned hadn't wanted to let him go but Jon argued his case well.

"It's not like I'm heir or anyone important," his boy had said, his dark eyes flashing angrily. "I'm a bastard, nothing more. I have no place amongst your household."

The boy's words had stung terribly. Making Ned's heart ache for Jon Snow.

"You do have a place amongst my household Jon," Ned had insisted. "You are my son."

"I am a bastard." The boy had argued back. "Robb and Arya treat me well enough but Sansa practically ignores me and Lady Stark hates me!"

"She doesn't hate you," Ned had muttered but he knew how weak it sounded.

Jon simply eyed him seriously, "Erik treated me like I belonged. Erik treat me like a brother, not a bastard but you sent him to foster."

Ned could hear the accusing tone in Jon's voice.

"If I am truly your son, like Robb and Erik, whom you allowed to foster, why won't you let me go to the Wall?"

"You are too young," Ned had replied, not wanting to explain to Jon of his half-brother's abilities.

"Then let me go south," Jon had countered quickly.

Fear had clutched Ned's heart instantly and he stammered for a response, "What?"

"Everytime I ask to join the Night's Watch, you and Uncle Benjen say that I wouldn't know what I'd be giving up." Jon crossed his arms over his chest, meeting Ned's gaze.

Gods, he looked like Lya even back then… but still, if only because he knew the truth, Ned could see the boy's -

"So let me find out."

Ned stared at his son, his son. "I could perhaps send you to foster with one of the northern lords. I know Lord Greystark wouldn't mind, I think he even mentioned - "

"No," Jon interrupted, "Father, I've already spent two-and-ten years of my life in the north, I know the north. So, if I can't go to the Wall then send me south. Let me go somewhere it doesn't matter that I'm a bastard. Like Dorne or squire me to a knight from the Reach or the Vale."

Ned had protested against heavily but as soon as Catelyn had found out, she had written a letter to her sister, who had mentioned it to her husband Denys Arryn, who later mentioned it in a letter to the Hand of the King, Jon Arryn, who read the note near Robert - the king - which led to Jon squiring under one of the most renowned knights of the Seven Kingdoms, the current Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Barristan Selmy.

Gods, Ned had never worried so much as he had in the past six years. Between Erik's fosterage turned disappearance turned near declaration of war and Jon being in the center of the viper pit of a capitol, under the eyes of the queen and Robert, perhaps even worse, for nearly three years now. Both Ser Barristan and the Kingslayer we're familiar with - no. Everything is fine, no suspects Jon to be anything but a young man aspiring to be a knight.

"Thank you Jory, you can go." Ned nodded to the man and he also left the room, leaving six members of the Stark family in the solar along. "Only four of my six children." Ned reminded himself both sternly and somberly.

Eddard eyed each of his children; his eldest son and heir, Robb, stood behind his younger brother, Bran, his third trueborn son, both boys had their mother's auburn hair and blue eyes to contrast their half-brother and wayward brother's strong Stark features - though Ned could only imagine how his other two sons looked now, after years away. His daughters, Sansa and Arya were opposites in everything, from their appearance, with Sansa favoring her mother's Tully heritage while Arya took heavily to Eddard's Stark blood, to their personalities, Sansa the picture of a lady but Arya had much of the "wolfsblood" in her, akin to her elder brother Erik.

"Erik and Arya are much like Brandon and Lyanna," Eddard thought to himself with a sad smile. Hopefully his children will not share similar fates as his siblings.

"What is it, Father?" Robb asked with a knowing look in his brilliant blue eyes.

Ned had spoken to Robb about his twin brother, Erik, on several occasions. Ned had told his eldest son what all he knew of his brother's adventures over the years and Robb asked of his wayward twin frequently. Ned could tell he longed to be reunited with Erik as much as Eddard did, the two boys had always been close - they were twins after all!

And with Jon being gone as well, Robb had devoted himself to his studies and was coming into his duties as heir of Winterfell in great strides. Ned was very proud of his son, though he'd have to start looking for a betrothal for him sooner rather then later. Robb was nearly five-and-ten for old gods' sake! The boy was his heir and would soon be a man grown in a few years. Perhaps he should look into betrothals for Erik and Sansa as well. Though perhaps he should allow Erik time to grieve his lost love. And there was still some time for Arya and Bran, Ned dreaded forcing his children into any betrothal like his late sister Lyanna was.

"Yes, Father," Sansa urged, "why have you gathered us here?"

It seemed like she had heard the rumors of her elder brother's actions on the Iron Islands, her eyes betrayed her curiosity. While Sansa hadn't expressed much interest in her brother's travels and adventures over the years, she was still curious as to what happened to her older brother. Sansa and Erik had often played acting as Sansa's bodyguard when they were younger, so perhaps that was all she could remember of her brother.

"Your brother, Erik is currently making his way to Winterfell," Eddard admitted to his children, watching them to gauge their reactions, his grey eyes hard as stone, betraying none of his own thoughts and feelings.

His son Robb was more than pleased, a big grin spread over his face and his bright blue eyes twinkled with joy. Eddard could see similar reactions from his other trueborn children with Arya letting out an excited cheer and while Sansa had a more tempered reaction, she was clearly pleased her wayward brother was returning home.

"Erik's coming home?!" Arya was beyond ecstatic and jumped up and down with glee.

Bran however was oddly quiet. Ned couldn't fault the boy for it though. He was barely two when Erik had left, barely old enough to remember his older brother but his siblings, mother, and (especially) Eddard himself had told Bran stories of Erik over the years. Eddard hoped that Bran and Erik would have a chance to bond since Bran was much too young when Erik left all those years ago.

"Aye, Lady Maege has written to inform me that he has already left Bear Island. He was probably just reaching the mainland around the time I received her letter." Ned explained, "He should be here within a weeks time, perhaps longer if he is delayed." Gods, Ned hoped he wasn't delayed. He missed his son terribly.

"Do you think he's bringing us back anything from his adventures?" Arya piped up almost exploding with excitement.

Ned frowned and looked over to his wife out of the corner of his eye. She met his sideways glance and Ned hesitated before focusing back to his youngest daughter, "I'm sure your brother will have thought of you while he was away."

Eddard prayed his illusive answer satisfied his daughter and when she beamed with glee he let out a silent sigh of relief, now praying Erik had gotten his younger sister a gift, least she wreck havoc across the keep.

"I'm sure you brother will also have many exciting stories to you once he's returned as well," Catelyn spoke up then, though she eyed Ned dangerously.

He couldn't blame her, he refused to tell her most of what Erik had written him, she didn't understand he was doing it for her good. She'd likely go into hysterics if she learned of their son's journey beyond the Wall. Eddard himself didn't even know the extent of that venture. Erik had refused to write about it and according to Maege, he had refused to speak of it with her or anyone else for that matter. It left Ned no choice but to not mention any of it to his wife, until now.

"Yes, I'm sure Erik has many tales to tell. Not even I know where all he has gone or what all he has done," Eddard admitted to not only his children but he was also aiming the comment at his wife. "According to what Lady Maege Mormont says in her letters, Erik has refused to speak of his journey with almost everyone."

Catelyn seemed surprised by his revelation, as did most of his children. Though Arya grinned triumphantly, "I'll get him to tell me! I'll be the first to know all about Erik's adventures!" She declared with determination.

"I want to hear Erik's adventures!" Bran blurted out, before blushing at his sudden exclamation. "I can't wait to meet my brother." He explained shyly.

"Alright, alright," Ned tried to settle his children. "Let's pray that Erik decides to grace us with his tales," he smiled warmly at his children. "Alright off to bed now," Ned stood, motioning his children out of the door, "Not you, Robb, you stay here. Cat, will you take the others to bed."

His lady wife nodded, knowing what he meant to tell their son. She gave Robb a kiss on his temple before guiding their younger children out of the solar, leaving Ned alone with Robb.

"Is there anything else, Father?" Robb asked, and Ned's heartwarmed despite what he was about to tell his son.

"Yes," Ned frowned deeply, "your brother has recently lost someone very close to him. Her death may affect his behavior. So I want you to keep an eye on your brother once he arrives." Eddard chose not to elaborate upon his words and a stern glare shoot down any potential questions that his son may have had.

He sent the boy to bed and let out a long deep breath. Despite all the sorrow his son had recently went through, Eddard felt like Erik's return to Winterfell would be a joyful occasion. And Eddard was sure that time spent with his family and around those who loved him would be good for Erik. For now, Eddard could only wait as his son made his way for Winterfell.

Now then, Ned had a few letters to write.

So, as y'all can probably tell, I broke the chapters done into part 1.1 and 1.2, I will also be adding a 1.3 So chapter one is actually three parts now instead of two. I hope to do so as soon as I am able.

As for character ages:

Jory Cassel - 24

Rodrick Cassel - 53(roughly)

Luwin - 60

Maege Mormont - 57