Arthur II

When Ned rode through the main gate of Winterfell- after months of absence-, Arthur could immediately tell, that something had changed in the solemn man. Something in his eyes reminded Arthur of Queen Rhaella, before she'd been broken by Aerys' madness. Could it be his Targaryen blood showing for some reason?

He dismounted and greeted his family, tough Arthur could see, that his mind was elsewhere. His suspicions were proven true when Ned waved at him to follow. He did so, casting one last glance at Jon, who was sneaking towards the Godswood. He knew, that Ned didn't like the children going there, but if Jon went alone, it shouldn't be too much of a problem- he was quiet enough 'not to disturb the gods', as Ned always said.

He hurried through the familiar corridors, grateful for the extra protection of the walls against the cold. Even after all these years, he wasn't exactly used to the northern climate.

Once he was inside, he closed the door and turned- Ned was sitting at his desk, Ben, Catelyn and Serena lingering nearby. Arthur just leaned against the door, looking into Ned's grey eyes. "What's that look, Stark?"

Ned shook his head. "I'm starting to think, the madness comes with that goddamn throne." he growled out.

Arthur perked up at that. For the usually calm Eddard Stark's voice to be so dark, something serious must have happened. He was about to ask when Ned noticed Serena right next to Benjen.

"Ben, she shouldn't…"

"I know, Ned." Serena said, her tone steely. "I know, who Jon is."

Arthur tenses at that, hand already reaching forDawn- he'd been in the Godswood with his sword and his thoughts for a while. Plus, Jon had wanted to see it anyway, so Arthur had shown him, though he didn't touch it, just marveled it from afar, as if it was made of glass and would shatter at a tiny touch. "Now,thosewords are dangerous, Lady Greystark."

She glanced at him and rolled her eyes. "I would not sell out a fellow Valyrian,Rhoynar."

Arthur's eyebrows rose. "Valyrain?"

She huffed. "My mother was a Belaerys- an ally of House Targaryen, before the Doom. Unlike many, we didn't flee, as they had. Some had survived, so our line continued. He's my kin, trough both of his parents."

Arthur blinked. That was… unexpected. "We're getting off-topic," Ned said, his tone impatient, drawing their attention back to himself.

"So… what happened, brother?" asked Benjen, probably mostly to disrupt the tension lingering between him and Serena. Arthur huffed and shifted his gaze back to Ned.

"Robert's lost his mind." he sighed. "Tywin beheaded Victorian Greyjoy and offered the head, as a gift. Robert just laughed and patted the Old Lion on the back," he growled, his voice dropping lower and lower, with each word spoken.

Arthur wasn't surprised- Baratheon had never been a sane type. Probably all that drinking and whoring had damaged his head. (But, somewhere in the back of his mind, a tiny voice whisperedAerysand he feared, what would become of the Realm if the Usurper oaf turned out just like him.)

"That's…" Catelyn couldn't even form a sentence, it seemed.

"We can't trust him, Ned." Benjen said, his voice halfway between pleading and cautioning. There was silence. It was heavy with something Arthur couldn't comprehend, but that was probably because he never trusted Baratheon the way the Starks had.'Now, they don't trust him either.'

It was a silence, that carried the possibility of his goal coming true- seeing Rhaegar's heir, as King.

Ned's eyes said it all, but his words were even more shooking. "Time to see, how much we can change the trading fleet, to fit for war, if need be and be as subtle about it, as possible."

Benjen III

He'd never seen Ned like this before.

He remembered Lyanna saying, that Ned was a wolf, who showed his fangs but never bit anyone. Well, right now, it was different- Ned was ready to biteanyone, who tried harming their family and that scared him more, than anything.

He'd called Maege Mormont, Rodrick Greystark and Breon Farrest- Lord of Sea Dragon Point, former second-in-command of the Wild Wolves- for some discussions. Ben wasn't there, but he knew what was the topic- they'd gone over it last night, at least thrice. Ned wanted ideas from the three to improve the fleet- for more trade and for warfare, shall it be needed.

It was hard to believe, but Ned was actually changing- fortifying-, the North, for when Jon would be ready to take his throne. He never knew, that Ned- who hated the southron game of words and deceit,- could be sogoodat playing the Game of Thrones. (The best?The best was, that no one knew, that they were actually playing, so they had an advantage.)

Shaking his head, he headed out from the grounds of the Keep. He'd see his nephew one last time, before he rode back to Moat Cailin with his family- they couldn't stay so far from it, for so long. The point of it was naught, then.

Outside, he found Jon and Ser Arthur, training. Jon, for someone so young, was already talented and was absorbing anything new taught to him, like a sponge.

He was like that with every possible subject, which sort of surprised Benjen. Robb, who knew he'd one be a Lord, hated learning his numbers and letters. Jon lived for a sword and breathed books. He wasn't fun of numbers either, but he never complained. That, he supposed, was Prince Rhaegar in him. Lyanna would have torn the books and papers to shreds.

Jon noticed him almost immediately. He ducked Arthur's next swing and locked their swords during the next, nodding his head to the side. Arthur's gaze turned and he nodded in greeting. Benjen did the same. The Kingsguard let his practice blade drop and nodded. Jon smiled and tossed his own to the ground, running up to him.

Ben wasn't ready for the force, with which Jon would throw himself. "Urg." he groaned, wrapping his arms around his beloved nephew. "We're leaving with Serena and Cregan."

Jon drew away and gave him a sad, wounded-puppy look. "Already? But I like that you're here. Now even father's home."

Ben winced. No matter how many times he'd heard it from him, it always felt bad, that Jon was calling Ned his father. Discreetly, he glanced at Arthur. The Dornishman, as most of the time around Jon, was indifferent, his eyes sharp and vigilant, yet he saw the sadness was there too, for a second. It seemed, Arthur wanted to tell Jon, as much, as he did.

Jon hugged him again and murmured something into his furs. Ben squatted down to be closer to Jon. "What did you say?"

Jon looked up at him with big, sad violet eyes. "Can you tell me about my mother?"

The question was like a knife to his heart. Jon was smart enough to understand, that while Catelyn took care of him, she wasn't his mother, nor was Serena, despite her similar pale hair. Neither Arthur or Ned had ever told him anything, so he was asking the last person, whom he trusted, would tell.

"When you're older."

Jon's face turned dark- 'brooding', as Arthur usually called it- at the dismissal. "But I'm already eight! I'm big enough!"

Ben shook his head, messing his hair a bit. "Wait a few more years, Jon. Ned will tell you- or Arthur when the time is right."

Jon blinked at that, his eyes widening and wiping back towards Arthur. "You knew my mother?"

Arthur gave a slow nod, his eyes flashing sadly. That was, when Ben realised, that Arthur- despite mentioning Lyanna only, as 'the Princess'- was close to her too, as a friend. "Aye, Yo… Jon. I knew her."

Ben gave the Dornishman a look, as he pulled Jon into a hug. He knew very well, that Arthur had almost called Jon, by his title.

"When you're older." Ben said, voice firmer this time, but still gentle. Jon sighed and took a few steps back.

"Alright, uncle."

The quiet, disappointed tone almost broke him. But Arthur and his brother worked too long and too hard to keep Jon's parentage a secret, only for this to ruin it now. There will come the time when Jon will know.

He was sure of it.