A/N: I know in the previous chapters I mentioned that Jon will be going to the Wall but I changed my mind. He won't be taking the black but he still won't be with Rhaelle... For now...

Anyway here's another chapter, I hope it's not disappointing. Please enjoy and tell me what you think afterwards!

Chapter 4

"So, this is where you've been hiding."

Ned Stark's grey eyes immediately opened and his lips curled into a wide grin as he heard his brother's voice. He slowly turned his head and saw his younger brother leaning on a tree, his arms crossed and a smirk was playing on his lips.

Today was a rather exhausting day for the Lord of Winterfell; he had been overseeing the hasty construction of the seats and platforms being raised on the courtyard for the upcoming Tourney of Winterfell.

It's not every day that the people of the North experiences and sees such things and he also agreed to it for his children, they loved stories of knights, maidens, princes and princesses so he wants to give them a chance to enjoy things that never happens in the North.

Aside from that he also agreed to the idea for Princess Rhaelle, his godchild, who's now turning seventeen three days from now. The tourney is not only to celebrate her name day but also for Robert to announce the betrothal of his children; his heir, Joffrey to Ned's daughter, Sansa and Rhaelle to Harrold "Harry" Hardying.

Harry was Jon Arryn's heir presumptive, he had been married to Lysa Tully, Catelyn's younger sister but their union didn't bear fruit so the old man was forced to foster the only living relative he had and named him the next Lord Arryn. Though their marriage was fruitless, Jon didn't set Lysa aside and the woman, with the passing of her husband became the temporary Lady of the Eyrie until Harry took the lordship two years ago.

He only has met Harry a few times years ago, Harry was a good guy but Ned wasn't oblivious to the fact that the young man loved whoring and drinking, he also had fathered two bastards. Ned had found it eerie that Robert's choice of husband for Rhaelle had the similar personality as the King.

Though he knew that the decision was made because of Robert's gratitude for Jon Arryn fostering them when they were young, he still can't understand why Robert would think of giving his daughter a man with such reputation.

This somehow reminded Ned of Robert and Lyanna. Even though Robert Baratheon had claimed that he is madly love with Ned's sister, it didn't stop him from whoring and drinking. Ned wondered if that was the reason why Lyanna ran away with Rhaegar Targaryen. But he immediately shook the thoughts away from his mind.

"What brings you here brother?" He asked.

After a long day, he had decided to go to the godswood and enjoy the peaceful ambiance. He wanted to clear his mind of stress and of the thoughts of the coming tourney.

It will be probably the first tourney that he'll ever attend to after the Tourney of Harrenhal years ago…

The memory of Rhaegar Targaryen crowning his sister as his Queen of Love and Beauty still haunted him up to this day. And he immediately chased the thoughts away from his mind before he remembers something else.

Benjen moved from the tree and walked towards him and sat on the big rock across him. Though are born couple of years away from each other, Benjen seemed to look older than he is, Ned knew that it must be because of his dangerous job of being a First Ranger.

He wasn't oblivious of the fact that most of the Rangers of the Watch sometimes just disappear beyond the wall without any trace and had never come back.

"I was looking for you; I thought I could talk to you about Jon." Benjen answered as he rested his head on his hand, his left elbow sitting on his kneecap.

His words surprised Ned, what could he possibly want to discuss about Jon?

"Oh? What about my nep-son?" He stuttered and cursed himself for almost saying the word nephew aloud.

Jon wasn't his son. He never was. He may have the Stark look but he was only part Stark. His real identity and parentage are hidden from the world.

When he first saw the boy as babe in Lyanna's arms, he almost didn't want to believe that Jon was a Targaryen. With his dark brown hair and grey eyes, he could pass as anyone's bastard but never a Targaryen, but then again, Lyanna had only involved herself in two men and she choose the Silver Dragon Prince over the Baratheon Stag.

Jon was the result of their "love" and he made a promise to his sister that he'll protect the child with his life. However the guilt of lying to his wife, children and brother was eating him, he didn't want to lie to them, he didn't to hurt Catelyn and also he didn't want Jon to suffer the bastard's fate when he was in fact the real heir to the Iron Throne.

But Ned knew that exposing his nephew's parentage will be the death of him, Robert will kill Jon. He wasn't oblivious to the fact that Robert hated his daughter for resembling his Targaryen ancestors how much more the son of the man who took Lyanna away from him?

Ned also don't want to destroy Robert, if he'll know that Lyanna went willingly with Rhaegar he knew that it would break Robert. The man had always thought that Lyanna was in love with him but Ned knew better, Lyanna had always been sweet despite her head strong and wilful personality and Robert had mistook it for sign of affection.

Benjen frowned a little before speaking, "He wants to come with me and join the watch." He announced and Ned's eyes widened.

Jon? Night's Watch?

No. He can't send Lyanna's son at the wall. He can't let him suffer anymore. Jon deserved a better fate than a life of celibacy. He is supposed to marry, have children and be happy but then what could Ned possibly give him? He can't tell anyone about the truth for it will endanger Jon and with him leaving Winterfell and going to the South, he can't expect Catelyn to tolerate Jon's presence here. Unless…

He had been married with Catelyn Tully for almost twenty years now, though it was only for him to acquire an army and support, he had grown to love his Southern bride. Catelyn was sweet and dutiful and he knew that he had hurt her the moment that he brought Jon home from the war. But can he trust her with his secret?

"And what did you tell him?"

"I told him to think about it and that I will talk to you. But by gods Ned, the child is persistent. Is there anything you could do to him so that he won't suffer this fate?" Benjen said in a worried tone.

If only you know how much I wanted for our nephew to have a better fate…

Ned sighed, "I don't know, he can't be knighted since he believes in the Old Gods and of course, I can't just take him to the South. People there don't think highly of bastards not like Dorne." He explained.

"Maybe you can ask Robert to legitimize him Ned? You're friends with him and now you're his Hand, the second most powerful man in Westeros! Surely you have the power to do that!" Benjen explained.

He can do that of course, Robert will gladly help him. He had offered it too many times in the past and until now his friend is offering him to legitimize his "bastard" but he doesn't want to risk Catelyn's anger.

"I'll try to think about it." He lied; right now he doesn't know what he is going to do.

Sending Jon away to the Wall will surely save his life but then he'll be robbing him of his birth right and the chance to be happy.

"You should. I don't want him to go there Ned, he has a lot of potential." Benjen said and shrugged. "I don't want him to follow my footsteps Ned. I only took the Black because I wanted to but on his side, he will take the Black because he has no choice. He is your son Ned, you surely love him. Don't make him suffer anymore sadness. He deserves to be happy."

Jon may not be his son but Ned loved him as much as he loved his children.

Ned sighed and pinched his nose before nodding his head.

"I will try to talk to him first and asks what he really wants, and then I'll decide what I will do with him." He answered.

Benjen then excused himself and went to walk back towards the keep leaving Ned to ponder on what he will do with Jon Snow.

It didn't take him long to decide what he's going to do with his nephew. He can't send him to the wall for he knew that he will be robbing Jon of a possible future yet he can't let him stay in Winterfell, Jon may be his blood but he is not Catelyn's and since he can't bring himself to tell her the truth, he knew that it would be unfair if he'll let his "bastard son" stay in Winterfell while he is away.

So now, his face to face with Jon in his solar, the young man of nine and ten was looking at him warily. Jon was seating on the chair in front of his desk, his mouth pressed in a thin line and his expression solemn.

"Your Uncle Benjen talked to me earlier today Jon. He shared that you wanted to join the Watch, is that right?" Ned asked.

Jon nodded, "Yes father, I plan to go with Uncle Benjen back to the Wall and take the black." He answered grimly.

With his expression, Ned knew that his nephew doesn't really want to go and that he was just left with no choice, Ned sighed, hopefully his decision may help Jon, and he'll be giving him a chance. He doesn't know what the future holds yet as much as possible he doesn't want his nephew to be stuck in the Wall.

"Yes, but tell me the truth Jon, do you really wish to go to the Wall, take a life of celibacy and never marry?" He asked curiously.

He was met by silence, Jon seemed to consider his words and he knew that the young man was having an internal debate.

"Yes."

Ned clasped his hands on the desk and looked at his nephew carefully and asked again. "The truth Jon, tell me, please. Do you want to take the Black?" He asked again, this time in a more firm tone.

Jon looked at him with wide eyes and seemed to hesitate, his eyes downcast and focused on his hands on his lap.

It took a few seconds before Jon met his eyes again, "No." then came the answer.

"Then you won't be going to the Wall." He responded and Jon's grey eyes widened.

"But where will I go Father?" Jon asked with a curious tone.

"Greywater Watch, you're going to Greywater Watch." Ned sighed.

Echo- She will in the future, yes, Robert will regret his actions but it might be too late when he does... An interesting thing will also happen in the future... :)

PorcelainPuppetLady- hmm, Jon won't be confessing yet because he is not sure if his feelings are requited or , I think with her Targaryen great grand mother, it is likely for her to inherit the traits.

PurportedGrey- Not so soon but he'll know it, the confession of the truth will be a little awkward but there will be dragons here... :3

Thank you all for submitting reviews, I would love to hear your comments again for this chapter..