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

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

Chapter Fourteen

295 AC

Jaehaerys Targaryen

Jae woke up, and for a moment he wasn't sure where he was. He looked around the room, and slowly it came back to him. He was in Lys, in his brother's manse. He noticed the sun streaming in through the window, and he smiled. It was time to get up, he thought.

Getting out of bed, he crossed the room to the trunk where his clothes were. His uncle had indeed gotten him quite a few new clothes for his nameday, and he was glad of them now. His normal Northern garb would be too heavy here, so he reached for one of the new tunics with a small smile. The tunic was Stark grey, but he noted that there was some black and red detailing on it also. It seemed that lord Stark was trying to show both sides of his heritage in the clothes he'd given him, and that both pleased and surprised him.

Pushing those observations aside for now, he put on the tunic along with a simple pair of black breeches. He pulled his boots on as well, and just as he finished there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," He called, turning towards the door. It opened, revealing Aegon standing in the doorway.

"Good morning, Jae," His brother said, smiling at him.

"Good morning Aegon," He replied, smiling too.

"Did you sleep well?" His brother asked, and Jae nodded. "Good, I'm glad. I wasn't sure if you would be awake yet, but since you are do you want to come down and break your fast?"

"Of course," Jae said, and Aegon nodded before leading the way downstairs. Jae followed him, and a moment later a sleepy Ghost did too.

Everyone was already downstairs, and after quiet greetings they began to eat their meal. Breakfast was mostly fresh fruit and bread, and there was cool water to wash it down with. Jae had never seen some of the fruits before, but he tried them all the same. They were good, he thought, and he wondered if they had these back home as well.

"Will we be training this morning Ser Arthur?" Aegon asked, breaking the comfortable quiet in the room.

"Of course Your Grace," Arthur replied. "We can begin straight after breakfast."

"That sounds wonderful," Aegon nodded. "And what of you, Jon? Do you have duties today?"

"I have, but only in the afternoon and this evening Your Grace," Connington explained. "I'm meeting with one of Varys's contacts later too."

This was interesting, Jae thought. He hadn't written any letters to his uncle or cousins yet, but mayhaps he should.

"Lord Connington," He said after a moment of thought. "Since you're meeting with Varys's little bird later, would you be able to give them a letter or two for Winterfell?"

Connington studied him for a moment, and Jae felt sure that the man would say no. However, after a moment he gave him a small nod. "Of course my prince," He said. "Just give me the letters before I leave and I'll see it done."

"Thank you." Jae replied and the man smiled.

"I thought we might start on your Valyrian lessons this afternoon my prince," Haldon said, offering him a kind smile.

"That would be wonderful, thank you," Jae said politely. He hoped he'd be able to learn, he didn't wish to be the only Targaryen who couldn't speak the language. Now that would be embarrassing.

"I'll join you after my harp practice," Aegon offered, and Jae smiled.

"I'd like that," He admitted, taking a sip of water. Aegon nodded, shooting him a reassuring smile.

Soon enough, breakfast was done. Jae, Aegon and Ser Arthur went outside, and Ghost followed. He wanted to run outside, so Jae let him, knowing that the wolf wouldn't go far. Ser Arthur handed them each a training sword, and then stepped back, looking between them.

"Right," He said. "Your Grace, I haven't seen you fight before, so first why don't you and your brother spar so that I can see your strengths and what you might need to work on."

Aegon nodded, and both he and Jae took up their stances. Jae studied his brother, waiting for him to attack first.

After a moment, Aegon did and the spar began. Aegon slashed out, aiming for Jae's side but the blow was easily parried. Jae counterattacked, slashing low. Aegon stepped back, and as Jae drew back his sword Aegon struck with a series of quick thrusts. Jae blocked the first, parried the second and sidestepped the third. His brother was good, he thought, and Jae was excited to see just how good he was.

Deciding to go on the offensive he feinted to the left and then slashed quickly to the right. Aegon managed to block the slash, only to have Jae strike again, this time aiming high. When Aegon stepped back, Jae stepped forward. He began pushing harder, his attacks coming faster and Aegon struggled to block them all. Finally, Aegon tried a counterattack, aimed for Jae's left. Jae sidestepped, sweeping his sword low and catching Aegon's leg with the wooden blade. Aegon stumbled, and before he could regain his balance Jae brought his sword up, pointed at his brother's neck.

"Yield?" He asked, and Aegon nodded.

"I yield," He said, smiling as Jae stepped back.

"Well fought brother." Jae said, and Aegon's smile brightened.

"You too Jae." He said, and Ser Arthur approached them, looking proud.

"That was well done, both of you," He said. "Your Grace, you have excellent technique. Your speed is good, but on that last move your attack left you wide open. Watch your opponent Your Grace, try to give them as few openings as possible."

"Yes Ser," Aegon nodded, and the knight turned to Jae.

"Good work," He said. "It was wise to let His Grace attack first. Never underestimate your opponent."

"Aye Ser," Jae said, and Arthur smiled.

"Now I'm going to spar with each of you, and remember to watch what I'm doing. Your Grace, you first. My prince, watch carefully."

And so it continued. They trained for a few hours, Ser Arthur teaching them some maneuvers and correcting others. Both he and Aegon took in the information well, and by the end of the training session both them and the knight were smiling.

"Good," Ser Arthur said. "That's enough for today I think. Why don't you two go inside and clean up."

Both brothers nodded, and quickly went inside. They went up the stairs, and into their respective rooms to freshen up.

Once he had quickly washed himself and changed into a fresh tunic Jae sat at the small desk in the corner of his room. To his pleasant surprise, there were writing supplies waiting for him. He took a piece of parchment, and began to write.

After some thought, he wrote three letters. One for Robb, one for Arya and another for his uncle. He thought about writing one for uncle Benjen too, but he did not. He was worried that someone at the Wall could read it before he could, and he didn't want to take that chance.

After sealing his letters, he took them and left his room. Jon Connington was sitting outside alone, so Jae approached him.

"My prince," Jon Connington said, looking up at him.
"My lord, I'm sorry to disturb you." He said, still not entirely sure of how to speak to this man. He knew he was loyal, but he had such sharp eyes and they, along with his red hair reminded him uncomfortably of lady Stark. He knew that that was stupid, the man was nothing like her, but he couldn't help worrying about it all the same.

"You aren't disturbing me, my prince," Connington said, and he smiled at Jae. "What can I do for you?"

"I have the letters," Jae explained. "The ones for Winterfell."

"Ah, of course," Connington nodded. "I'll make sure Varys's contacts know where to send them."

"Thank you, my lord," Jae said, and he handed over the letters. Jon nodded, and took them, tucking them away inside a pocket of his tunic.

"You fought well today," Connington said as Jae was about to walk away.

"Oh...thank you," He said, smiling a little.

"You fought like your father did," Connington added. "Your brother fights in a similar way as well. You both did well. Rhaegar would be proud of you both."

"I hope he would be," He said after a moment. "I wish I could have known him. I wish I could have known both my parents."

"Aye," Connington sighed. "I'm sure you do, my prince. I wish I could see Rhaegar again too, he was the best man I ever knew."

Jae remembered what Arthur had said about Jon Connington's feelings for his father. He thought that the man might still feel that way, and he felt sad for him. It must be hard he thought, being in love with someone who was long dead.

"Everyone who really knew him seemed to love him," Jae said at last. "Ser Arthur did, he saw him as a brother. You did too, and there were others weren't there? When I asked Ser Arthur why so many would fight for Aerys, he told me that they didn't. Rhaegar was the king we chose, he said, and it was him we'd fight and die for."

"Aye," Jon said softly. "That's the truth of it. Aerys made me Hand of the King, but I had no love for him. He was a madman, we all knew it, but I stayed for Rhaegar's sake. Little good I was though, my prince. I failed him."

"Why would you say that my lord?" Jae asked, genuinely curious.

"Because it's true," He told him. "You've heard of the Battle of the Bells?"

"Aye," Jae had read about it in the book Robb had given him. "You lead the royal army into the town of the Stony Sept, where Robert Baratheon was hiding. Only you couldn't find him because he was too much of a coward to come out, and the rebels turned up and routed the army. Mad Aerys was furious, so you were exiled and your lands stripped from you."

"I could've won the war that day," Jon Connington murmured, his eyes distant. "I could've ended it, but I did not."

"It isn't your fault that Robert Baratheon was too cowardly to come out, my lord." Jae said, shaking his head.

"No," Connington admitted. "But I could have started burning the buildings, they would have given him up soon enough. Some of my men suggested it, but I said no. I wouldn't murder innocents, I told them, we'd find the traitor and there would be no need for unnecessary bloodshed."

"That was honourable of you," Jae said. "If I were you, I'd have done the same."

"Honourable it might have been," He said. "But it was the wrong decision. There is no honour in war my prince, I learned that fact that day. If I'd made the right decision, then I could have gotten the other lords to surrender. There would have been no more need for war."

Jae thought about that for a few moments before he answered. "But wouldn't there have been? Jon Arryn was fighting because the lives of his wards were threatened, wouldn't he have kept fighting if you'd killed Robert? My uncle fought because his father and brother were executed, all because they believed Robert Baratheon's lies and acted rashly because of it. Hoster Tully...well, he was ambitious I suppose. He wanted his house to rise higher, and he got two good matches for his daughters so he was happy to join the war. He probably cared not about who was right and wrong, as long as his family prospered. In any case, I think there would still have been a war, my lord. Aye, it might have been less bloody but still...you can't hold yourself wholly responsible. It's not true, and having that much guilt weighing on you can't be good either."

Jon Connington stared at him for a few long moments. He seemed surprised, and Jae shifted uneasily. Had he said too much? He'd been trying to help, but should he have kept quiet?

"I never thought of it that way," Connington said at last, bringing Jae out of his thoughts. "I still should have killed Baratheon though, Rhaegar wouldn't have died if I had."

"Maybe not," Jae admitted. "Or maybe he would have. It was war, my lord, anything could have happened. I wish Baratheon had died too, believe me. I wish he'd never lived, in fact. But he will die, I do know that, and that helps doesn't it? His death will bring some justice, at least."

"Aye," Connington said at last. "You are wiser than I thought, my prince." He smiled, and Jae found that he did too.

"Thank you, my lord," He said. "I'll go now, I wouldn't want to keep you."

"Not at all my prince. It was no bother, and I'll take care of those letters for you. Enjoy your Valyrian lesson, I'm sure it will go well." Connington said with a small smile.

"Thank you," Jae said. "We will soon see."

He nodded at Connington and walked towards Haldon's study. He felt that he'd not think of Connington the way he had before. He wasn't lady Stark, he was a good man and Jae would remember that. For now, he'd go to his lessons, and hope that Aegon was right and the language truly would be in his blood.

Eddard Stark

Winterfell was a little different with Jon gone. He'd been gone for a few moons, and both Ned and the children felt his absence still. Robb spent more time with Theon Greyjoy with Jon gone, much to Ned's concern. Despite his belief that Theon was a good lad, he did frequent brothels which was not something he wanted his son to think was acceptable. Arya seemed to miss Jon a lot. She was skipping even more of her lessons with the septa, and Ned had seen her practicing with her new bow. Cat had tried to take it from her, but Ned wouldn't allow it. It was a gift from her brother, and he wouldn't allow Cat to have her way on this.

Ned had been thinking about things a lot since Jon had left. He kept thinking of what Ser Arthur had said, about him being a proper wolf for once. Was he that far gone? Had he become too complacent, too involved with Cat's southern ways? He didn't know, but the thoughts wouldn't leave him alone.

At the moment, Ned was sitting in his solar going through some papers. The North was quiet, and there was nothing too pressing to deal with.

A light knock at his door had Ned looking up, and he called for his visitor to enter. A young boy stepped in, and Ned recognized Varys's little bird, and he smiled, wondering if he brought news of Jon.

"Letters, m'lord," The boy said, handing him three scrolls of parchment. "From the east. One's for you, and the others are for your son and youngest daughter."

"Thank you lad," Ned said, handing the boy a silver stag. "Go on now, and send Robb and Arya to me as well."

"Aye m'lord," The boy bowed. "Thank you, m'lord." The boy left, and Ned opened the scroll addressed to him.

Lord Stark,

All is well here. I've arrived in Lys, and I'm settling into my brother's manse. Aegon is both kind, and clever and we are getting on very well. We started training together with Ser Arthur today, and Aegon is very good with a sword.

I like it here, my lord. Thank you for arranging passage for me, and for telling me the truth of things. Coming here was the right choice, I'm sure of it, and so was meeting my brother.

I'll write whenever I can, and I'll keep you updated on how I'm doing. I hope you are well, and that things in Winterfell are going smoothly.

I will write again soon.

Your Nephew,

Jaehaerys

The formality of the letter wasn't very surprising to Ned. His nephew had always been formal...but that was partly his own fault, he mused.

Folding the letter, he put it away just as Robb and Arya entered after knocking quickly. Robb looked curious, while Arya, to Ned's concern, looked like she'd been crying.

"Arya?" Ned asked, looking at his daughter. "What's wrong child?"

"It's nothing father," Arya said quickly, not quite meeting Ned's gaze.

"Robb, would you give us a moment lad?" Ned asked, and Robb nodded. He left, and Ned stood up and went to his daughter. He crouched down to get a better look and saw that indeed, Arya had definitely been crying.

"Sweetling, what's wrong?" Ned asked, his voice soft.

"The septa," Arya said. "She called me a wild beast, and...and Sansa and Jeyne laughed. The septa says she'll tell mother I haven't been trying with my sewing, father. She said I'd be punished, and that I'd have to do better or I'd be a shame on my house. I don't want to be a shame on my house, but sewing is stupid! Dancing and singing and the harp are stupid too, I don't want to do them! I'm not a lady, father, and I won't ever be one. Jon knew that, but now he's gone and I..."

Ned pulled his daughter into his arms and hugged her. He hated to see Arya so upset, and his anger at the septa was beginning to rise. It had been Cat's idea to send for her, Ned had agreed in order to make her happy. Septas were not often found in the North, and maybe there was a good reason for that. Arya was like Lya, Ned knew, a true Northern lady. Northern ladies didn't have septas, because septas were of the South and didn't understand them.
"I'll speak to the septa about this," He said at last. "I won't have you upset like this. I'll be speaking to Sansa too, and to Jeyne's father."

"You will?" Arya asked, looking up at him.

"Aye, I will," He said, smiling as he stood up. "Until then though, I do have some good news for you, and for Robb."

"Really? What is it?" Arya asked, and Ned smiled.

He let Robb back inside and sat them down. They both looked at him, curiosity clear in their expressions.

"I have letters for you," He said. "From your brother."

"Jon sent me a letter?" Arya asked, beaming. "Can I write back? Where is it?"

"Of course you can," Ned said. "But give your letter to me all right? I'll send it for you. Here is your letter," He said, handing it to her.

"Can I go and read it?" She asked, and Ned nodded. Arya darted off, and Ned handed Robb's letter to him as well.

Unlike Arya, Robb opened his letter there and then. He smiled as he read it, and Ned wondered what Jon had told him.

"His brother sounds nice," Robb said after he was finished. "Jae says that Aegon insisted he keep Dark Sister. Aegon can play the harp, so Jae gave him Rhaegar's. He offered to give him the sword too, but Aegon said no. He told Jae that he should wield it."

"That was good of him," Ned admitted. "He could've had it, your brother would have given it up without question."
"I know that," Robb smiled. "He says that lord Connington and the others have been kind too," He went on. "And that they have a septa in their group who is actually nice. Gods, I didn't think such a thing existed."

Ned found himself chuckling at that. The only septa he knew well was Mordane, and he couldn't help agreeing with Robb's words.

"Father, when do you think Jae and Aegon will come back?" Robb asked. "I mean, they will won't they? Aegon will want his throne."

"Aye," Ned sighed, frowning deeply. "I suppose he will, and from what I hear the Martells know of him. They'll support him no doubt, and the Reach will too most likely."

"And us," Robb said firmly. "Jae's family, and Aegon's his brother which makes him family too. Family supports each other you said, so we'll support them too."

"Family does support family," Ned said warily. "But I don't know when they'll come, Robb. Years yet, probably. They'll be wanting at least some soldiers with them."

The truth was that Ned dreaded war. He knew that there would be one, he was no fool, but it was complicated. Robert was the brother he chose...but Jon, no Jaehaerys, was his nephew. Aegon was his nephew's brother, so Robb was right he was practically family too. He didn't want to fight them or Robert either, but he knew that he couldn't sit the war out no matter how much he might want to. He'd already failed Lya's son enough times, and as much as it pained him, Robb was right. When the time came, he realised, he would do the right thing. He'd support his nephew, his pack, just like he always told his children to.

"Father?" Robb asked, and Ned realised he'd been quiet for too long.

"I was just thinking son," Ned said. "You're right, when the time comes we'll be supporting our family. We'll see house Targaryen restored."

Robb beamed at him, clearly relieved. "In that case...do you think you should talk to mother?" Robb asked after a long moment.

"What?" Ned asked, surprised. "What about Robb?"

"About Jae," Robb said. "About who he really is."

Ned thought about that for a few seconds. How would Cat react to the truth? Would she tell anyone? Would she keep the secret? He hoped that she would, but he couldn't be entirely sure. She could tell her father, and Ned had no clue what Hoster would do. No, it wasn't the time yet he decided. Cat couldn't know.

"Not yet," Ned said eventually. "The time isn't right yet, Robb."

Robb frowned, but after a moment he nodded. "Will you tell anyone else?" He asked quietly. "Any of the lords?"

That was another question. His lords were loyal to him, he had no doubt. It might be wise to let at least a few in on his plans, it would make convincing the others easier he thought.

"I might," He admitted. "Having a few of them aware of the plan now could be useful. I'd have to swear them to secrecy though."

Robb nodded, looking about as serious as Ned had ever seen him. "Who will you tell?" He asked at last.

"Wyman Manderly," Ned said at once. "When Jaehaerys and Aegon return, they'll need somewhere safe to land their ships. Dorne is an option of course, but it borders the Stormlands. That would be fine if they already had an alliance with the Reach, but they might need to make that when they're here in Westeros. White Harbor would be a good choice, and so they'd need the cooperation of house Manderly."

"Will lord Manderly agree?" Robb asked anxiously.

"Aye, Wyman's a good man. I'll speak to the Greatjon too, if he's with me then a lot of the other lords will follow his lead. Apart from them, I think I'll talk to Maege Mormont. Again, she's well respected, and her daughter Dacey was friends with Lya years ago."

"Do you need me to do anything?" Robb asked and Ned smiled. Robb would make an excellent lord of Winterfell, Ned knew, he was already proving as much.

"Not for now son," Ned said. "Write back to your brother, I will too. I'll tell him that he and his brother will have the North's support."

"Aye father, I'll do that." Robb smiled, and hurried off to write the letter. Ned took out parchment too, and began to write. He would be writing a few important letters today, one to his nephew, and four others inviting their recipients to Winterfell. The three lords he'd mentioned to Robb would get one, and another would go to Howland Reed. As he signed and sealed the letters, he sent a prayer to his gods that all would go smoothly, and that his nephew would stay safe until he and his brother were able to come home again.