Disclaimer: I don't own the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who read, reviewed, followed, and favourited the last chapter. I hope that you all enjoy this chapter, and please feel free to review.

Chapter Ten

295 AC

Jaehaerys Targaryen

The day before Jae's twelfth nameday, he finally worked up the courage to open his chest once more. He stared down at the relics inside, and at the two letters that lay there. They were still sealed, because he hadn't had the courage to open them. As much as he desperately wanted to, he'd felt that it wasn't the right time. Now though, he knew that it was so he opened his mother's letter first and began to read it.

My Son,

There is so much that I wish you to know, and I don't have the time to tell you all of it. First, Jaehaerys, know that I love you. I have loved you from the time I knew I was with child, and I will love you even after I am gone. I will be watching over you, my boy. Even when you think that you're alone, know that you are not. I am here with you, and I always will be.

You also have to know that I'm sorry. I'm so sorry that I won't be there for you growing up, that I can't be the mother that you deserve. All I can do now is to give you a few words of advice, and hope that they will help you in some small way.

Be yourself, Jaehaerys. Be a wolf, and be a dragon, and never be ashamed of who you are for you are my son, and I am proud of you.

I have little time left, I fear. I'll wish you farewell now, but remember that those who love us never truly leave us. Be safe my son, and be strong.

All my love,

Your mother.

Jae had barely been able to read the last few lines. His eyes had filled with tears, and it was all he could do to keep them from falling. His mother had known she was dying when she'd written this he realised. She'd been in pain, weak, and yet her last thoughts had been of him. She'd truly loved him, and it made his grief and love for her all the sharper.

He read the letter again, taking in every word. His mother's words...her only words to him, filled his heart and brought a small sad smile to his lips.

Eventually, he refolded the letter and hesitantly reached for his father's. He slowly opened it, and began to read that one as well.

Jaehaerys,

I hope that you won't have to read this letter, because if you do, then I have failed. I have failed you, and your mother, your siblings and Elia, and I have failed the realm as well. I'm sorry that I failed, my son, and that the love your mother and I shared caused such a war. I know that you might feel responsible for it, but know that you're not. The fault lies with my father, and with me, and with Robert Baratheon who allowed his stubbornness and pride to dictate his actions.

I've said enough about that, though. This letter is for you, Jaehaerys, not for me. When you're mother told me that she was with child, I was overjoyed, I am overjoyed still. I had thought that you would be a girl, but your mother insists that you will be a boy. Lyanna is very rarely wrong, and I do not think she will be wrong in this case, either.

My son, I want you to know that I wish I could be there for you. I wish I could have been the father that you no doubt deserve, and that I could have continued to love you as much as I already do. Now that I am gone, however, I do not know how this war will truly end for my family. I hope that your siblings and your mother will be safe, and that you are all together. If so, I need you and your siblings to stand together, protect and love each other as siblings should. Tell them I love them, Jaehaerys, that I am sorry.

I must go now, my son. Stand tall, and be the prince you were born to be.

I love you, Jaehaerys.

His father's letter was just as moving as his mother's had been, Jae thought as he hastily wiped the tears away. The words had hit home, and as sad as he was to read these letters, he was glad that he had done it all the same.

Without warning, a soft knock came on Jae's door. Quickly placing his father's letter back into the chest and closing the lid, he called for his visitor to come in. To his surprise, he found a young servant boy on the other side.

"Has lord Stark summoned me?" He asked, confused.

"No m'lord," The boy said. "I came to see if you wanted any letters sent east. My master wanted to know, said he'd get them where they needed to go. Since you're leaving, he'd thought you might want to send word ahead, m'lord."

Jae frowned for a moment, confused, but then it hit him. "Oh...you work for Varys?" He asked softly.

"Aye m'lord." The boy nodded quickly.

"Wait a moment then, I'll write a letter."

Varys was right, he realised. He could hardly just show up in Lys, that would be rude if nothing else. He should write to Aegon, letting him know that he was on his way. He quickly grabbed some writing supplies, and after a moment he began to write.

Aegon,

I know that we don't know each other yet, but I'd very much like for that to change. I only found out about my heritage, and about having a living sibling that I knew nothing about, from my uncle lord Stark very recently, and I'm sorry that I did not know sooner. It's been hard to come to terms with, but I hope you'll believe me when I say that from the moment I heard that you lived, I wanted to meet you. I'd like us to be brothers, Aegon. My uncle says that you want to meet me as well, and gods I hope that's true. In any case, I'm going to come to Lys, and hopefully you'll be willing to meet me.

I understand that I'm presuming much by coming, but we are family. I'm sorry that you've been without family for so long, and I hope that soon that will change and I'll be your family.

I very much look forward to meeting you and getting to know you, brother. I count the days until we can finally meet.

Your brother,

Jaehaerys.

He reread the letter several times. Should he be more formal. Should he address it to King Aegon VI instead of what he had done? But no, he wasn't a prince writing to his king right now, he was a boy writing to his brother. He just hoped that Aegon would see it that way.

"Here you are," He said, after carefully sealing the letter. "Make sure this gets to where it's needed."

"Aye m'lord." The servant bowed, and left the room, leaving Jae alone with his thoughts.

Eddard Stark

The feast that Vayon had prepared for Jon was a small, but happy one. They held it in the great hall, and Jon sat at Ned's right at the high table. Catelyn had indeed not turned up, and Ned was glad. She would have likely dampened the mood anyway, and Ned didn't want that. Jon was smiling brightly beside him, and the look of shock when Ned had told him they'd be celebrating his nameday had made his heart ache.

"Thank you for this, lord Stark." Jon said softly from beside him, for what must have been the hundredth time. "You really didn't have to do this."

"But I did, Jon," Ned told him, smiling softly. "You deserve to have this, lad."

Jon smiled, his eyes bright. Ned knew that things still weren't quite right with his nephew, but this was a good start he thought.
"Right," He said loudly, looking around the hall. "We've eaten, and we've laughed and we've toasted Jon's health. I believe that now is the time for gifts."

Jon's eyes widened, and Ned chuckled. He'd let Robb and Arya know about the feast, and unsurprisingly, both already had presents ready for their brother. To his surprise though, it was Ser Arthur, sitting quietly at the end of the table, who rose first.

"We've not known each other long," The knight said, violet eyes on Jon's grey ones. "but you'll be my squire, and I your knight so I felt it was only right that I give you something." He took an object wrapped in cloth from his cloak, and handed it over with a smile.

Unwrapping it, Jon revealed a finely made dagger. The pommel was a wolf's head, Ned saw, carved from white stone.

"Thank you, Ser," Jon said, his eyes returning to the knight. "You did not have to get me anything, I did not expect this."

"I wanted to, lad," Ser Arthur told him. "I know that you already have a sword, but every good knight needs a backup weapon."

"Thank you very much," Jon was flushed, clearly moved by the kingsguard's action. "I am honoured to be training with such a worthy knight."

Ser Arthur only smiled at Jon's words, before he returned to his seat. Ned found that he smiled too. Despite the fact that Arthur likely hated him, Ned appreciated the man's kindness to not only Jon, but to the rest of his family too.

"Robb says you're going somewhere warm," Arya said, getting up. "So I annoyed Sansa until she made you this."

She unfolded a new cloak, a much lighter one than what was normally worn in the North. There was a stitched direwolf on the back, and Jon smiled at the sight of it.

"It's lovely, little sister," He said, ruffling Arya's hair. "And thank you to you as well, Sansa."

Sansa only nodded, while Arya grinned and hugged her favourite brother tightly. "You'd better come back soon." She said. "I want to learn everything about being a knight."

"Aye, little sister, I'll teach you have no fear." Jon said, laughing. Arya sat herself down next to him, and Robb got up.

"I was going to get you a new sword," He said. "But father said that you already have one. I decided on this instead, maester Luwin always says you read more than we do, and I'm sure you'll find some time for it."

Robb handed over a large book, and Ned caught a glimpse of the title: The History of House Targaryen, from Conquest to the Rebellion. Well, wasn't that fitting, Ned thought with slight amusement. He knew that Robb knew the truth, and he was glad that Jon trusted him enough to tell him. Those two were brothers, he thought with pride, they'd never turn on each other.

"Thanks, Robb," Jon beamed. "It's perfect."

"You're more than welcome, Jon. Just remember not to be a stranger, write to us won't you?"

"Aye brother, of course I will," Jon said, and the two brothers shared a warm hug.

Ned was about to get up to give Jon his own gifts when the hall door opened and to Ned's surprise, Benjen entered.

"Uncle Benjen!" Jon exclaimed, beaming. "You made it!"

Ned had sent word to Benjen many weeks ago that Jon would be leaving, and he was more than glad that his brother had made it. "Aye Jon, of course I did. Couldn't miss your nameday now, could I? I've brought you something lad, something special."

"Really? What is it, uncle?" Jon asked, and for the first time, Ned saw the squirming bundle in Benjen's arms.

"I found him on my way here, lad. Looked like his mother abandoned him, and when I saw him I thought of you."

With that, he gently put the bundle down and a moment later, the creature inside had shaken off the cloak that had been around it. It was a wolf pup, Ned saw...no, it wasn't. This was a direwolf pup, with pure white fur and red eyes that reminded Ned of a weirwood tree. The little direwolf wagged its tail, and to everyone's surprise it ran straight to Jon.

Laughing, Jon scooped the pup into his arms and it licked his face. He stroked its fur, his grey eyes shining.

"He's perfect," He said. "Thank you, uncle!"

"You're welcome lad," Benjen said, smiling fondly. "I hear you're leaving, so this little one can go with you. He'll be a little piece of the North, even if you're half a world away."

"Aye, I'll take him with me," Jon said. "And I'll call him Ghost. He's such a quiet thing."
"Aye he is," Benjen grinned. "I'm glad you like him nephew."

Jon nodded, and the pup settled down quietly on his lap. Deciding that now was as good a time as any, Ned rose.

"My gifts aren't quite as exciting, I fear," He said, causing everyone to laugh. "And they're already in your room, ready to be packed. I had new clothes made for you, Jon, a squire should be well dressed and your other clothes aren't best suited to where you're going."

"Oh...you didn't have to get me anything, lord Stark. The dinner was more than enough."

"Nonsense lad," Ned said. "You're leaving tomorrow, and the least I can do is to see you right. That's where my other gift comes in." Ned took out a heavy bag, handing it to his nephew. "You'll be needing money on your travels, my boy. This should be enough for now."

"I...thank you, lord Stark. This is...thank you." Jon whispered, his eyes wide. Ned saw Benjen smile approvingly out of the corner of his eye, but it was his nephew's slow, hesitant smile that he cherished.

"Don't mention it, lad," Ned said softly. "Now, Robb, Arya why don't you both help your brother to get back to his room with his gifts. I'm sure you'll want to spend time together before he leaves. Sansa, see Bran to bed, would you?"

"Of course father." Sansa smiled and ushered Bran out of the room.

"Aye father," The others chorused, and a moment later, only he, Benjen and Ser Arthur were the only ones left in the room.

"It's good to see him so happy," Benjen said, smiling softly.

"Aye it is," Ned agreed. "I should've done this years ago."

"Aye," Benjen nodded. "But you're doing it now, that's what matters. You know I never agreed with you withholding the truth, but I'm glad he knows now. He'll be happier for it, and he'll be with his other family soon." Benjen said, and he turned, looking across at Arthur. "I know you're a kingsguard, Ser Arthur, but please...protect my nephew. He's all I have left of Lya, and if anything happens to him then I don't care how good you are. I'll hunt you down and I will kill you."

"Benjen-" Ned started but Ser Arthur shook his head.

"It's all right," Arthur said, and he gave Benjen a small smile. "I'll protect your nephew, lord Benjen. I've sworn to do so, and anyway I like prince Jaehaerys. He is his parents' son, and I'm honoured to be serving him."

"That's all I needed to know," Benjen nodded, smiling at the knight. "Now come Ser Arthur, Ned, let's have an ale or two before bed, shall we?"

Ned glanced at Arthur, and the knight looked back at him. They'd never be friends, but perhaps a drink was a good place to start being civil to each other.

"Aye," Ser Arthur nodded. "I suppose we could have one before I'll have to get to bed. The prince and I have a long day tomorrow."

"That you have," Ned said, nodding. "All right then, Ben, Arthur...let's have a drink. To Jaehaerys's health."

And so, when the ales came, they did.

Jaehaerys Targaryen

Ghost was adorable. The direwolf pup ran around his room, much to his and his siblings' amusement. Robb and Arya had indeed followed him inside his chambers, and all three of them were now sprawled on the floor, talking about silly things that they'd done through the years.

"Remember when you pretended to be a ghost to scare us all?" Arya asked, grinning at Jae.

"Aye, and Sansa squealed so much I thought she'd wake the dead." Jae added, and the others laughed.

"That was a good day," Robb said. "Today was, too. I'm glad you got a nameday dinner, brother."

"Aye, and mother didn't come," Arya said. "I'm glad too. Do you really like your gifts, Jon?"

"Of course I do little sister." He said, getting up. "Actually...I have gifts for both of you too."
"You do?" Robb asked, surprised. "Brother, you didn't have to do that."

"No, but I wanted to." He said, opening a trunk and pulling out the two gifts. He handed Robb his gift first, it was a fine steel sword that Mikken had finished for him just this morning.

"I have a sword now," He said in explanation. "I know we're so fighting with training swords, but I thought you should have a proper sword too."

"Thank you, Jon, it's amazing." Robb grinned, and Jae smiled back as he handed Arya her gift too.

He'd thought about getting her a sword too, but he'd decided that she was still a bit young. He'd gotten her a fine weirwood bow, and a quiver of arrows to go with it.

"I know you want to be a warrior," Jae said softly, smiling at his sister. "So I thought you might like this. Maybe in a few years, I'll get you a sword too, would you like that?"

"Oh yes, Jon, I would! Thank you, brother, thank you! I love them!"

"Good," Jae smiled. "Now, Ser Marcus wants to leave early tomorrow, and I don't know if you'll be up. So, in case you're not, I'm going to say goodbye to both of you. I'll come back, I don't know when yet but I will, and I'll write."

"You promise?" Arya asked, setting the bow down so that she could throw her arms around him.

"Aye, I do," He said, hugging her tight. "I promise little sister. Now go, it's getting late."

"All right," She sighed. "Love you, big brother."

"I love you too, Arya." Jon ruffled her hair, and she ran off clutching her bow.

"Be safe, Jae," Robb said, moving to hug him too.

"I will be, brother. You be safe too, all right? And look after Arya."

"Aye, I will," Robb assured him. "Farewell, brother, I'll write to you too, whenever I can."

"Varys has a spy here," Jae said. "He'll find you, I bet. Goodnight, Robb, and farewell."

Robb left too and so Jae was alone. He went to bed, excited for the journey to come, and to meet the brother who awaited him at the end of it.