Two updates in one day. I couldn't stop writing. Well, enjoy,

The Promise: Ned loses a sister, but gains a daughter.

Lyanna's blood soaked hand fell limp in Eddard's hand as he cradled her newborn daughter, Lyaerys Targaryen, in the crook of his other arm. His heart shattered into a million pieces. All the fighting, the war, the bloodshed, the lives that were sacrificed...all of it had been for nothing. His fight for his only sister, had been for nothing. He bowed his head and cried over his dead sister and orphaned niece. The midwives stood off to the side, their faces filled with sadness over the loss of Lyanna Stark.

"Lord Stark?"

Ned looked up to see his bannerman and friend, Howland Reed, standing in the door way with shock and grief written on his face. "No. Lady Lyanna." He stumbled into the room and came to the other side of the bed, the strong smell of blood filled the air.

"She's gone." Eddard croaked, it was hard for him to speak as tears streamed down his face. "This war...was for nothing." He gasped a shuddering breath as he laid his sister's hand back in bed.

"No, not for nothing." Howland stared at the infant in Eddard's arms, her eyes were closed and she was breathing calmly. "The child...Rhaegar and Lyanna's child." He said in wonder as he stared at this peaceful child.

Eddard looked down at Lyaerys and saw so much of his sister in the baby's face. Her head was covered in dark hair, and that gave him a sense of relief because that way she would be hidden better, but how and where became the roadblock in his dilemma. The child stirred in his arms, her face scrunched up then opened her eyes. Stark grey clashed with his own, staring up at him in wonder and curiosity. Eddard smiled sadly at the beautiful child whose eyes drew him in and cast a spell over him. Eyes like Lyanna's...like his own. 'Promise me, Ned.' The answer came to him, one he knew would change everything.

"No." Eddard spoke, his voice firm as he looked up at his Bannerman, resolve set upon his face. "Rhaegar only had two children, and they died at the hands of Tywin Lannister's beast." His voice held barely restrained anger at the thought of that man's crime. "Lyanna died of illness here in Dorne."

"Lord Stark, what are you saying?" Howland's eyes filled with confusion as Eddard stood up, clutching the baby gently and securely. "Her child-"

"She died of illness before she had the chance to be with child." Eddard firmly said to Howland, his gut burned at the lies he has to say, lies he has to hold true to from this day forth.

Eddard looked down at the little princess' innocent gaze, and told the greatest lie that would brand him for life, "This child is my daughter."

Eyes widened at Ned Stark's declaration. "Ned-" Howland cut himself off as he gazed between Lyanna's corpse and to the baby in Eddard's arms. "Do you realize what you are doing?"

"I am the Lord of Winterfell and this is my daughter. A child I fathered outside of my marriage." He held his 'daughter' close to him, "I am all she has in this world now. She will be reared in my House as a bastard, raised alongside her half-brother Robb and all the children that follow." The words felt like wildfire in his throat as he stared at the child who will bear his 'sin'.

"As a bastard? Ned do you have any idea what kind of life you're subjecting her to? And what about your wife?" Howland furiously stalked towards his liege lord. "You know how bastards are looked upon and how they are treated! She'll be forced to bear the hate, disdain, and judgment for the rest of her life!" He exclaimed at the unmoving Stark who gave him a look that resembled the direwolf he grew up as.

"But she will live. She has to live." Eddard practically ordered as he looked down at his sister's corpse. "I went to war to bring my sister home. And she is coming home, just in a different form." He turned to his niece, no, his daughter and swallowed, "She is all I have left of her mother. Someone who I cared for very deeply."

Eddard turned to Howland and asked, "Now tell me, what did my sister die from?"

Howland glanced at the corpse and the blood that soaked the sheets. As much as he hates to subject his dearest friend's daughter to such a life, both he and Stark knew what Robert and Tywin would do to the princess should her identity be known. "Lyanna Stark died of illness here in Dorne."

Eddard nodded in approval, "Good. Now help me prepare Lyanna for the travel home." He gave the princess to the wet nurse when he sensed she was hungry. "And burn the sheets, erase the truth into ashes." Ned ordered as he and the midwives cleaned his sister's cold body and dressed her in a sleeping gown. Howland took the mattress and the blood soaked sheets outside the tower then proceeded to light them afire.

Eddard and Howland watched the flames consume the blood as Eddard held the child securely in his arms again, unable to part from her. Eddard turned to Howland, "What we have burned here shall remain burned in our hearts. Swear on the memory of Lyanna Stark that you will never speak of this child to anyone."

Howland bowed his head, "I swear, my lord." He vowed then turned his gaze to the once again sleeping child, "What is your... daughter's name?"

Eddard glanced down at his new daughter. He can never call her Lyaerys, that would be an instant death wish due to its Targaryen origins. He called her Lyanna in his head, but that would always bring pain whenever he said it aloud. He closed his eyes as he remembered his kind and loving mother, and the pain he felt when he lost her at a young age. Forced to grow up without a mother, much like this child. Had she been alive, she'd have adored this child no matter where she came from.

"Lyarra." Eddard opened his eyes as he spoke his daughter's name for the first time. "In honor of my mother, Lyarra Stark, her first granddaughter shall bear her name." He declared as he smiled fondly at his little Lyarra.

"But not the Stark name." Howland glared at Ned.

"No. She has my blood, but not my name. Snow will be her protection. No matter what pain it brings her, it will keep her safe." Eddard said determinedly, unwavering in his decision to raise her as his bastard.

"Lyarra Snow, bastard daughter of Eddard Stark." Howland sighed mournfully for the tragic princess. "I hope you know what you're doing."

'Promise me, Ned.'

His sister's last words felt like a knife to his heart, but he can't turn back now. This is what he must do to keep her legacy safe. No matter what the realm thought of him, or how much this would hurt his wife. He will dishonor himself to honor Lyanna's dying wish.

"I hope so too."

I apologize if I made Eddard and Howland ooc. But without further ado, thanks for reading and leave your thoughts in the review button.