Arthur decided, he didn't like being away from his home.

Well, he could deal with the half-a-continent distance, if only it wasn't socold. He was Dornish, for the Seven's sake!

But, looking at the baby currently in his arms, it was worth it. Little Jaehaerys (or Jon, he'd have to get used to calling himJon)refused to fall asleep after Wylla had fed him. He hadn't cried as loud, as the Stark heir, Robb- the child howled like a true wolf, his voice even heard from the other room-, but the quiet wails and sobs were even worse. So he had no other choice, but to try and quiet him down.

Not even a moon old and the child was like Rhaegar already.‚He's all Rhaegar anyways...'

The child had indigo eyes- the perfect mix of the Stark grey and Rhaegar's lavender and there were already tiny whips of hair on his head, all fair and silvery, like a pureblood Targaryen's. These obvious signs, that Arthur could not ignore. And each time he looked at the infant king, he was glad, that they had come to an agreement with Ned Stark- admittedly, save for Howland Reed, none of Stark's companions made it back.

He only wished, he could have stayed in Starfall, but seeing the look on Eddard Stark, made him stay quiet. He should not have even entertained the idea of staying in his home- he had had a plan, but after Brandon shamed his sister, he was sure Eddard would not agree to it. It didn't matter anyway, though. By the time they'd made it to Starfall, Ashara was dead.

It was only a stroke of luck, that no one knew she had a stillborn daughter and so, they could pass Lyanna's son, as Ashara's child. No father had been mentioned, but since Ned had the child, everyone assumed he was the father.

But it was fine with Arthur. There was not a soul who didn't know, how honorable Ned Stark was- so when he didn't outright name the mother, no one protested. Save for the new Lady Stark, of course.

The frosty look Catelyn Tully-Stark had given him when they arrived, made Arthur think, that she would fit well, into this cold place. Not to mention, she hadn't allowed Ned near herself or their child, for the past three days, since they'd arrived. Not that Ned Stark's life was any concern to him.

What he had taken in stride, was when Benjen came and told him of Ned's plan of making the North stronger and safer.

„And why would he do that, so readily?" Arthur had asked him then. „I thought he was friends with the Usurper."

Benjen Stark looked as fierce, as the wolf on his House banner. „Not with a man, who slays his kin and lets childrens' deaths go so easily. Besides, Ser, if my young nephew was to die by Robert's hand, we'd follow soon enough. Princess Vaella, the only child of Prince Daeron, was our grandmother. If someone were to remember that, House Stark would be in grave danger." he frowned, his face turning sad. „I would have wanted a normal life for my nephew, but... as loath as I am to admit, we would only be safe with a Targaryen on the Throne. And who better, than the child of our beloved sister?"

That had been a shook- while in Dorne, Princess Lyanna had mentioned, that she had Targaryen ancestors, but he hadn't known it was so recent- that she was a Princess' granddaughter.

He sighed and chased the thoughts away- he was in the room alone once more, as he had been most of the time since they'd arrived. Only Wylla came and went to check on the baby and feed him when needed. Of course, Ned had come to visit, but he was mostly preoccupied with his plans for the North.

Plans, he'd said, that his grandmother had laid out after her husband had died. Plans, that had never come to fruition, as Rickard Stark had southron ambitions, that had eventually torn apart the family and resulted in the Rebellion.

The thoughts of it left him feeling empty, but there was still hope- little Jaehaerys was here, where he could protect him. Princess Rhaenys (thanks to someloyalist, as Varys had put it), was alive and with his sworn brothers. Probably already somewhere in Essos with Viserys and his sibling.

And when he wasn't thinking of Gerold and Oswell, he was thinking about Jaime. Bright, promising Jaime Lannister, who'd driven his golden sword into Aerys (and, as Ned said, was even sitting on the Iron Throne, when he rode in). He wondered what had possessed Jaime to break his sacred wovs and kill the King. True, Aerys had been mad- even Queen Rhaella had said as much,- but madness was simply no reason to kill a man. They had known for a while, that Aerys was mad...

‚It doesn't matter now. I will just have to protect Rhaegar's son and wait for the right time.'

And he will wait, for he had the time. For now. And when the time was right, Baratheon and Lannister both will woe the day, they'd risen against the dragons. He'd make sure of that.