Title of the story-The reign of the Wolves and the Regency of the Dragons

Chapter 1-The Tower of the DragonWolf

Hello everyone, Id like to welcome you to my first fanfiction story, I've never done something like this before but I was inspired during this awful lockdown and just couldn't help myself. Firstly I'd like to apologise in advance for any errors and plot holes you'll see within this story, I plan to grow over time and during this growth I'll fix anything that shows up, however constructive criticism is appreciated, I'm going to do my absolute best to interact with those who comments in order to grow a stable and fun community and I hope I manage to create a well written and loved AU of a combination of the distinctive worlds of ASOIAF and GOT.

I'd just like to say thank you to authors like Longclaw 1-6 and Alperez16 for example (more names to be added later when I think of them) who paved the way and inspired the small fish that is me to write this. Also a shout out to KrimzonStriker over on archive of our own who wrote a story about Ned as Regent for Jon Snow but unfortunately abandoned it after a few chapters, that is the most direct inspiration for this story. There's not a lot using this idea so I hope to open up the market more for other authors.

Of course and most importantly thank you to George R.R Martin for creating the universe we all base our stories off of without you none of this would be possible.

I plan for this to be a very big fanfic that'll cover two different times that being Ned as Regent and The reign of Jon Snow (Jaehaerys Targaryen). There will be romance but not a lot until Dany and Jon are of an acceptable age. My ultimate goal is to not abandon this story as I have seen plenty of people do too much better works but of course there's no point in me uploading unless I get some sort of traction any amount of encouragement will do honestly. So tell me what you think, I'm always open to ideas and looking to improve and well enjoy (please)

Chapter has been updated to reflect the fixing of the majority of spelling, punctuation and overall grammar mistakes. Spelling of words in this chapter and those that follow after will reflect "American-English" instead of "British-English" to reflect George R.R Martin's writing type instead of what I grew up with.

Ned

"Go Ned, take your most trusted men, take the entire northern army if you have to and find my Lyanna, I'll stay here and stop my newly acquired kingdoms fall into the claws of Tywin fucking Lannister."

These words from his closest friend, a man he considered as much as a brother to him as Brandon and Benjen are (or were in Brandon's case) were the last words Robert Baratheon The first of his name spoke to Lord Eddard Stark before he left Kingslanding on a near-blind quest to Dorne.

Well, that was a lie; those weren't the last words he heard Robert say.

But he decided he'd instead not think about the bodies of the innocent dragon princelings that Tywin Lannister presented to the soon to be crowned King.

"I see nothing but dragonspawn."

Words that made Ned feel uncomfortable just thinking about, how could his brother be so cruel? It certainly wasn't the best way to start his reign, the first reign that wasn't directly Targaryen in three hundred years.

To say Eddard Stark, the second son of Lord Richard Stark, was glad to get out of the viper's pit known as the capital of the seven kingdoms would be an understatement. Ned had never meant to be Lord of anything, never mind the Lord Paramount of the most extensive Kingdom in Westeros, but yet he was because of his brother's recklessness and the madness of a now-dead king, among other reasons.

Ned Stark would have been happy earning his way in this shit world through a number of different ways. It didn't truly matter as long as he got to stay out of Southern politics

His youngest and only surviving brother, Benjen, still got to fulfill his desire to become First Ranger of the Night's Watch.

While Ned had to marry his Southern bride, that was meant to be his brother Bran's betroth originally.

This position of power was where he was now and by the Old gods and the New Ned Stark was going to find his sister or at least get closure on the topic of her disappearance.

In truth, he never believed Rhaegar kidnapped her but yet there was never any proof to suggest otherwise besides accounts from those who knew her best.

The thought of Robert's Rebellion being a lie couldn't possibly be real, right?

Despite his hatred for the backstabbing politics of the South and its ultimate representation through the mere existence of the capital, Ned had a worrying thought about the state of Robert when he last saw him.

A wound he had taken in his battle with the former crown Prince Rhaegar at the 'Battle of the Trident,' which had, according to Grand Maester Pycelle, began to fester again but would not be life-threatening.

So, after hearing that his friend would be okay after a "few dosages of milk of the poppy."

Ned quickly left along with his six most trusted companions-Willam Dustin, Ethan Glover, Martyn Cassel, Theo Wull, Ser Mark Ryswell, and Howland Reed. All good men and all handpicked because of their loyalty and connection to House Stark.

Oh for real, the thought of potentially reuniting with his sister, then returning to Winterfell and finally getting to hold his new baby son in his arms for the first time and never setting his eyes on those lion banners hanging up around Kingslanding again truly made Ned feel happy

However, after seeing the three men in dragon crested armor standing outside a tower, he had been directed to in the middle of nowhere in particular of importance located in the Dornish Red Mountains made any sense of joy disappear faster than the head off a traitor body.

"Ser Oswell, Ser Gerold, Ser Arthur, I can't say I'm particularly happy to see any of ye, but I'm certainly curious as to why you're here."

"We are where our prince asked us to be Lord Eddard," snapped Ser Gerold Hightower, the famous but aging Lord Commander of the Kingsgaurd of the now-former King.

"Aye, perhaps that's true yet that prince you speak so highly of is dead, dead because you weren't there to protect him on the trident," replied Ned.

"You might be right, Lord Eddard."

"If we had been on the Trident, our Prince wouldn't be dead that much is true."

"Instead, that usurping Stag would have died on the edge of my swords as opposed to a wine-induced puddle of his own making."

That comment from Ser Arthur leads to a few quick chuckles from all three men and a look of pure shock on the face of Ned.

Seeing his inability to respond Ser Oswell decided to break the tension "given the looks on your face and the fact that none of us are white walkers, I'm going to presume you weren't aware of your whore mongering friend's demise."

All Ned could do was shake his head in response, so Ser Oswell continued, "We just received word from the capital, the whoring Stag is dead before he could even be crowned, woe to him, I hope he burns in the seven hells for what he did."

"What HE DID, are you japing me? You, three so-called knights, stand here cursing Robert while keeping my sister captive, it's not truly about what he did; it's about what you are doing right now Sers". Ned truly surprised everyone, including himself, with his response, the quiet wolf wasn't known for his anger.

A deadly silence broke out before Ser Arthur began to unsheathe his swords, followed by his brothers, which led to Ned and his small party doing the same. It was going to be seven versus three; usually, Ned would have liked those odds, but they weren't facing three ordinary hedge knights, these were three of the greatest swordsmen to walk the earth within the last fifty years at least, But before blood could spill from any of the action-ready lords and knights a scream could be heard from the tower above

"NEDDDDDD GET UP HERE NOW."

And just like that, all swords were put away as Ned sprinted for the tower that he now knew for sure held his sister. No one dared to try to stop him because, quite honestly, they didn't want to.

Nothing could have prepared him for what was behind that door. As he pushed it, open Ned saw a pool of blood around his sister's bed, blood, and roses-winter roses and, more importantly, a baby.

"Lyanna, what happened, why are you here, is..is that his?" He nearly spat the last words out, "Yes, Ned its Rhaegar's son and the heir to the Iron Throne, I don't have much time Ned, I've lost too much blood. I'm so sorry for what happened, I left a letter in Riverrun, but the next thing I heard was Brandon being strangled to death and Father being burnt alive."

"It's all my fault, We should have told people about the marriage only the three Kingsguard and the High Septon knew, so many died because of me and Rhaegar's love." Lyanna said, while crying.

Ned could barely keep himself from crying too but managed to choke out "it will be all okay Lyanna, you're going to be okay, and we will find you a Maester, now tell me what you mean about your marriage to Rhaegar? He was already married to Elia Martell."

"They had it annulled Ned, Rhaegar, and I married for love while they married for duty."She let this news sit for a minute then continued. "Our son is the rightful heir to the Iron Throne. His name is Jaehaerys Targaryen," Lyanna barely managed to choke out as the blood was getting deeper.

"You must protect him, Ned, protect him from having the same faith as his siblings, that bastard Robert and his lackeys." Lyanna pleaded with him.

"It's okay Lyanna, Robert is dead, I will protect Jaehaerys as long as I live."

"I will raise him as my own in the North where he will be safe from whoever sits that dang throne." Ned replied in an attempt to soothe her.

"No Ned, you must bring him to Kingslanding and rule in his name until he is of age, it is his destiny to rule, his father saw it in a dragon dream, he is the last of Rhaegar's line, and he must become King".

"Promise me, Ned, promise me that you won't rob him of his birthright in favor of keeping him as a bastard and a stain on your honor, the Kingsgaurd won't let you leave if you let him be raised to be anything less than a King now that Robert is dead. I know going back North is the option most Stark's would take, especially you, but you must rule in his name, or else the world is doomed, bring about the second hour of the wolf Ned, don't let those Vipers harm my son".

It took Ned a minute to take in all he was being asked, the cheek of such a big request was one only his sister could make him keep, but none the less he responded with "Alright Lyanna, I promise you that Jaehaerys will rule you have my word." He said with a soft, sad smile.

"Thank you, Ned, make sure you tell him I love him as soon as he can understand it."

Ned nodded, now crying as his sister began to dose off for the last time but not without saying, "The pack survives Ned, make sure you remind our little brother of that fact before he goes off to freeze his balls off at the Wall."

And with that, the winter rose of Winterfell was gone never to speak again, leaving a large amount of unintentional destruction behind for her brother to clean up.

A few hours later, Ned emerged from the tower to find his northern companions and the Kingsgaurd sitting around waiting for him. All of Ned's plans had gone up in smoke after the uttering of two words "promise me."

Ser Arthur Dayne

Eddard Stark ran up the tower, past the Kingsguard, and leaving his companions, and if it weren't for Ser Gerold reminding him that Lyanna needed to speak with him privately, he would have run up there after them to protect his Queen and her babe.

A few hours later, Eddard Stark emerged from the tower carrying a baby boy. It was just as the prophecy predicted, Rhaegar did have a second son born from his second wife.

Seeing how upset the right-hand man of the usurper looked shouldn't have upset Arthur as much as it did, yet he couldn't help but think of his sister Ashara who he had always been close with, he thought about what would have done if he was in the same situation.

It made him ease up a little on the quiet wolf, but yet certain things had to be said before anyone could continue. Luckily for them, all Gerold Hightower was always more prone to the peaceful communication side of conversations that are part of the reason why he was Lord Commander, after all.

"Lord Eddard, from the looks of you and from hearing the noise from above, I'm guessing her grace did not survive" A solemn look was all the answer they needed.

A week past with little being said between any of the men. They picked up a wet nurse named Wylia on their way out of the desert to make sure Jae was fed and healthy.

Queen Lyanna's body was wrapped up in a sheet as they brought her along with them. It was to decide once they made it to the castle named Starfall they would leave her bones there until Eddard was ready to establish an escort for them to the Crypts of Winterfell, no one knew what he had planned after that.

Everyone seemed to follow Ned now waiting upon his further instructions, one thing was for sure, none of the Kingsguard would let little Jaehaerys waste away in the North as a bastard as Lyanna had feared Ned would try to do.

They had decided long before Eddard arrived that if things didn't turn out that they would take the boy to Essos, faking their deaths before doing so and raising him as best as they could.

Even though he grew up in Dorne, Arthur was well aware that raising the rightful King as a bastard was no life to live.

Ned's new Tully wife would not take too kindly to the boy, Oswell, an Uncle on her mother's side, assured them of the holiness the Tully's claimed was on par with that of the Hightowers, meaning Jae would get undeserved dirty looks and perhaps worse if Arthur wasn't there to stop it that is.

Therefore between the times of Rhaegar leaving to go to war and his birth, the three Kingsguard, along with Lyanna herself, devised a plan on what was to happen if she didn't survive the birthing bed like some women didn't. As tragic as it was, their strategy turned out to bear fruit, just not the way they would have guessed.

Who would have thought Robert would die from his wounds long after the battle was over.

Arthur's best friend and Prince would find the massive jape in such as a so-called great warrior like Robert dying from his wound long after the battle when he was supposed to have been fully recovered only to fall over and die with a few whores in his arms was undoubtedly some bad jape.

In all honesty, they didn't believe it when one of Varys little birds rode up to them just hours before Ned arrived and told them. They hadn't even the time to tell Lyanna as the wet nurse that they had left behind once they left had barred them from entering while she was preparing to give birth.

Never the less Robert dying changed things though as he was still alive when Lyanna was making her will where they had decided upon these now dead in the water plans. Indeed things had changed in their favor.

The honorable Ned Stark would never go against his sister's final wish since his friend was dead as well.

Despite this, Arthur still wasn't sure the northerner's inability to understand the politics of the south would or wouldn't get in the way of what was rightfully his Nephew's.

They were currently stopped in a Tavern on the outskirts of Dorne.

Starfall was now long behind them when Arthur managed to get a word with Ned away from his Stark guards.

"So Stark, you've read her will, the annulment papers and the letter Elia wrote for Doran, the question is what do you plan to do now?.

"I don't know" he replied. "I don't know. The crown should pass to Stannis now since the Baratheon's won the throne, but just from seeing Stannis after freeing him from the Tyrell siege, I know he would be a shit ruler he doesn't seem to have an understanding of gratitude or mercy."

"Aye, he would indeed be a shit King," replied Ser Arthur.

"but Stannis already refused the crown and since Renly is the third born and a young boy he's not even being considered I know this because I heard the tavern owner complain about the crown not having a clear ruler. They're thinking about calling a great council to elect someone new, Tywin Lannister is leading the charge with this idea." Arthur continued.

Tywin Lannister's apparent plan certainly raised Ned's eyebrow. Everyone knew Stannis was ridged and wouldn't have risen in Robert's rebellion if he wasn't his brother, yet it was still surprising.

"It appears the course of action is clear, thank you for the wakeup call Ser Arthur, if you wouldn't mind please call everyone together while I plan out what to do next, my nephew will sit that throne if it's the last thing I do."

"I'll keep my promise Lyanna, he whispered to the open room."

As Arthur was rushing out with a small knowing smirk on his face.

"Aye and I'll keep my promise to you to Rhaegar."

Ned

Fifteen minutes later, everyone gathered outside the tavern on request by Ser Arthur.

It was quite nerve-racking having people look up to him, even people as esteemed as the three Kingsguard were waiting for his direction, yet Ned figured he better get used to the idea if he was going to rule in his Nephew's name.

"My Lords," he began. "As you all know, it was my sister's last wish for her son to sit the Iron throne and consequentially for me to be his Regent until he comes of age. However, certain things need had to be put in place, do I have the word of you all that you will follow me until our task has been complete?."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Their acceptance of the situation didn't surprise Ned, but it encouraged him all the same.

"I appreciate the co-operation, my Lords, now the first order of business is to get this letter Elia Martell wrote to Doran and Oberyn Martell in Sunspear as soon as possible since we are currently in Dorne."

"Ser Arthur as the only Dornish man here and spent some time in Sunspear in his youth can I trust you to carry this task out?," internally Ned was thinking about how they wouldn't take too kindly to the brother of the woman showing up at their doorstep. The latter was the cause of such a big slight against their family, and Ned couldn't blame them for being upset.

Ser Arthur nodded in acceptance of the task, so he next turned his attention to the Lord Commander.

"Ser Gerold, I will need you by my side when I enter the city to deal with those more in touch with the seven than I am, given that I don't believe in them and you're a Hightower after all. Do you think you can convince the most devout of the legitimacy of this wedding and, therefore, Jae's high birth?"

"I wouldn't have left your side anyways, Lord Regent, for the sake of his Grace." Ned appreciated the sentiment but hated that name "Lord Regent" ugh, it would undoubtedly take a while to get used to being called that.

None, the less Ned, replied, "I appreciate the help Lord Commander, having you on my side will get rid of some of my future headaches at least."

"As for the rest of my northern allies, I need you to spread the word, ride fast and hard, summon every Lord you can to the Red Keep, tell them that I am calling off the council to crown a new King as I have found an heir."

"Ser Oswell I need you to retrieve the royal family on Dragonstone as quickly as you can, I fear what has happened there since the events in the Capital, they are Jae's kin as much as I am, and a boy needs his Grandmother in his life after all."

A silent but respectful nod was all Ned got in return.

"Right, my lords, we have a king to crown. Its time to get to work."

A cheer in response from his travel companions was welcoming.

And so they all dispersed in their different directions to spread the word that War Hero Ned Stark had found an heir to the Iron Throne,

During this time, Ned, The Lord Commander, and the wetnurse named Wylia were all that remained and made their way to Kingslanding.

Wylia managed to keep Jae as happy as she could, but that Targaryen prince was certainly a screamer, just like Lyanna had been as a babe Ned noted.

He was upset due to leaving her body at Starfall. Still, it was a necessary sacrifice until everything was in order, then he would find a spot in the Winterfell crypts for her, tradition dictated otherwise, but Ned didn't care.

A month passed, and Ned and company were about to reach Kingslanding. In the distance, they could see what could be mistaken for one giant united army if the mistaken person didn't realize all the lords had received a call to the capital after the war.

Ned had taken his first step in sitting Jaehaerys the Conciliator reborn upon the Iron Throne,

Perhaps that would happen one day; however, it was time for Cregan Stark Reborn to emerge and deal with the traitors in an hour of the wolf homage, but who was the traitor when it came to all-out war?

From looking at the golden lion banners, This was a reminder to Ned that he already had an answer to that question. However, like his ancestor before him, Eddard had the power to root out those who would wish upon the rightful King, but he wouldn't make the same mistake Cregan did.

Winter was coming but not just for the North, but for the whole of Westeros, things were about to change.