Arise Maul: Reborn Son of the Dragon

by VFSNAKE

Maul has just been killed by Obi-wan Kenobi on Tatooine. His spirit encounters the most unlikely of people who could give him a second chance. At the same time, a dying nine year old Jon Snow is in need of a second chance following Lady Stark's attempt to kill him. Jon survives, but barely. No longer Jon Snow, he flees to one day get revenge on those who wrong him and his family.

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4-The Pieces Begin to Fall

(Westeros-Secret Location-Several Months Later)

Lord Connington stared down at the Spider. Trapped in thick binding ropes and metal chains. The lock in place on both with Jon having the only key. While many didn't know it, Jon Connington still had quite a few friends in Westeros despite being forced to flee when the Usurper won against his Prince. He called on every favor owed to him to get the bald Eunuch here like this. Though many didn't mind given how the Master of Whispers was despised by so many people for his questionable loyalties to the crown. There were few on the Small Council who could escape the Mad King's wrath and paranoia regarding who was friend and who was foe, with the Spider being the most chief among them.

At the same time, many had hated the Stag for his piss poor ruling over the Seven Kingdoms, punishing anyone remotely connected to the Targaryens regardless of who fought in battles during the war or not. As far as the Stag was concerned, anyone remotely connected to the dragon had to be brought low and constantly be reminded of it during any feast or tourney the Usurper held. Heavy taxes, reduced lands, and open belittlement at any feast held by the King while boasting of the day he killed Prince Rhaegar at the Battle of the Trident while fighting for his lost love Lyanna Stark.

Add to the fact the fat stag filled the Small Council with his loyal supporters, two of which were his own brothers didn't help. Only one was competent but kept in a position unbefitting of him, and the other brother was lazy while enjoying the trappings of power meant for someone more qualified. The Master of Coin was clearly incompetent if the increase of the smallfolk being increasingly poor with the crown spending more money than it takes in. The Hand of the King was more of a nursemaid handling a whiny man-child for a King and unable to stop said whiny man-child from doing whatever he wanted. The Grand Maester was an old man who didn't follow the rules of his profession was a pervert lech who loved to lay with whores, never realizing the act could and would be used against him by other ambitious people.

And finally, last but not least, the Spider himself. Lord Varys was the Master of Whispers on the Small Council and arguably the most influential man there. A man with a spy network so vast, it spanned from Westeros to Essos to the point where the eunuch knew what you had for breakfast two days ago and what color your shit was after taking one.

He was also one of the people Jon hated the most short of the Usurper himself. A man who supposedly knew many things, yet conveniently did not know what was going to happen when Tywin Lannister had marched toward the city. A man who had so many little birds, yet not one of them had told the Spider of Tywin's intentions. A man who had so many connections all throughout Westeros and beyond that he couldn't smuggle Princess Elia Martell and both her children out of the city back to Dorne. It wasn't until he stood back from the situation did Jon let the revelation hit him like the Wall itself had fallen on his head. The old Rooster did not believe, correction, no longer believed the Spider was unaware of Tywin's plans when marching on King's Landing. That he was unable to save Elia Martell and her children before the lion started sacking the city when let in by the Grand Maester.

He had contacted the Spider through their mutual contact in Pentos, and Jon practically demanding to see the Spider in person on a matter of important urgency. When the Magister asked about Aegon, it took a great deal of Jon's willpower to lie right to the man's face about the boy and say the false dragon was fine and safe. When the Magister wanted to meet the boy, Jon had told him that it wouldn't be safe right now after seeing a vision in the flames when they went to Volantis to consult R'hllor. While the fat Magister was not a religious man per se, he did not question Jon about it and decided to simply trust the Rooster's decision.

When seeing Varys in person, Jon had set things up where meeting in a neutral location was accepted by all parties, but still one that was of the Spider's choosing. Jon half expected the man to change venues at the last minute to ensure it wasn't a trap. Fortunately, the Spider was confident nothing would happen to him given his value alive far outweighed his death. Too confident. Not to mention arrogant in the belief he had Jon's loyalty and trust.

Had it been any other moment, he would have been right.

Jon had spoken briefly to him, vaguely even to the point where Varys became suspicious of him being there until a sword was drawn and pointed at his fat neck. Soon, men Jon knew could be relied on had the man bound in ropes, chains, silence with a gag, and blinded by a hood before his fat body was put on a cart by traveling to a location only the Rooster knew.

And here they were now.

Jon had roughly dragged the fat bald man into the abandoned home that had once belonged to a farmer who long left it for a place the Rooster did not know nor care. What Jon wanted or cared about was the truth and he intended to get every piece of information from the Spider he could get before ending the eunuch's life.

"Did you really think I would let this go when I learned the truth? That I would not come for you?" asked Jon while Varys looking calm for the most part, even if there was a small sheen of sweat right now on his bald head since it was clear the eunuch knew the man's restraint was already thin.

"I don't know what you mean Lord Connington. Perhaps, you could explain why this was necessary along with your growing hatred for my presence," said Varys calmly despite his current predicament.

"You lied to me, Spider. Aegon is not Rhaegar's son. He is a bastard. A black dragon. A false dragon. You would have me train and raise a lie!" exclaimed Jon while Varys showed only a slight hint of shock and worry.

"The boy?" asked Varys though he suspected the answer was not good.

"What do you think?" asked Jon coldly with Varys sighing.

"I think he is dead. That's quite unfortunate," said Varys with Jon pacing back and forth.

"Why lie to me? Why allow me to be part of such a farce? Why not smuggle out Princess Elia and both of her children? You could have done it Spider. You had the means, the resources, and connections to get all three of them out of King's Landing before Tywin Lannister sacked the city. Yet you didn't save any of them when the time came. Why?" demanded Jon Connington with Varys not answering and the Rooster struck him hard in the face and bruise soon forming.

"Answer me! Why, Varys?!" demanded Jon with Varys looking up at him after a moment to collect his thoughts.

"For the good of the realms," replied Varys, only to be punched again.

"Don't feed me that horse shit Varys. Rhaegar's family would have benefited the realms alive over being dead when the Mad King was disposed of. They didn't have to suffer the way they did. You knew what was going to happen long before it did and chose to be silent. Isn't that why you whispered into the Mad King's ear to keep the gate shut when Tywin Lannister's army was outside the city?" demanded Jon, as he had learned enough to know the man in front of him would never let Tywin into the city.

"You seem to know much about my actions Lord Connington. Yet you still have quite a few questions on why I did what I did. Given your temper and the clear desire to lash out at my person, I will answer your questions to help bring you peace, my friend," said Varys calmly though the man would find no peace with him.

"Oh, you will answer my question Varys, or I will take this knife to your face and start peeling chunks of skin off of it in such a way, the Heads of House Bolton from the days of the Red Kings would have been extremely interested in adopting into their House. So, tell me, my friend, why? And don't you say it was for the good of the realms," threatened Jon while Varys eyed the knife near the hip and sighed.

"For power Lord Connington. Why else? The King who sits on the Iron Throne may command the Seven Kingdoms, but he who controls the King wields the true power behind him. For years, my associates and those who came before me have wished to rule over the Seven Kingdoms using the King as a puppet as our means to achieve our goal. For years we orchestrated plans, plots, and schemes which have either failed or only born partial fruit. The latter produced sour rewards for the risks taken to accomplish our desires. But we endured it all waiting for the time to strike, and strike we did. The dragons had become weak. They no longer had the strength to rule like they did ages ago. The Mad King was burning people alive and causing the flames of rebellion to rise while he tried to stamp them out. With the Mad King being what he was, our victory seemed assured, the dragons would fall, and a new House would rise to take over as the royal family. Our only obstacle was Prince Rhaegar since he had none of the madness and was loved by Lords and smallfolk alike. Unlike his father, he was strong. His blood was strong. In fact, I dare say his blood was the strongest seen since the time when dragons still flew through the sky," said Varys while Jon clenched his hands.

"And Princess Elia? Her children? I'm guessing you couldn't risk either child being the same as Rhaegar in terms of potential. Not unless you could benefit from them being alive," surmised Jon with Varys simply nodding.

"Admittedly, Princess Elia was not meant to be killed when the sacking of the city occurred. I did try to smuggler her out in order to gain favor with Dorne. I truly did. But she wouldn't dare leave her children. Neither of them. She would not trade one child for the other. I told her saving all three them from what was going to happen was not possible. The Princess called me a liar. Even said I was playing a mummery on everyone but her. It happened right before I was slapped across the face, and she stormed off with the intention of telling the King about my actions," said Varys with Jon piecing things together instantly.

"Unfortunately, you got to him first. You convinced the Mad King to have her kept locked away before Elia could say anything. You knew he would be paranoid enough to do something if the woman could convince him of treachery on your end," said Jon with Varys nodding.

"Yes. I told the Man King that keeping Princess Elia secluded in her section of the castle would help keep Dorne in line and fight for the dragon. Later on, I tried to appease the woman later when Tywin's army was outside of the city by offering to take baby Aegon out of King's Landing. Unfortunately, she refused my offer and wouldn't take it unless said offer involved both her children. I told her I can only save one and she had to choose. Again, I was called a liar and told me to leave," said Varys with Jon frowning.

"Why did one matter over the other? Both would be of equal value regardless of age or gender," asked Jon with Varys letting out a small chuckle.

"It didn't. Either one would work in favor to the plans created to influence the Seven Kingdoms. But Elia was not willing to part with either one. Taking both would have been impossible to cover up so late in the events that were about to befall King's Landing. Even if it meant saving only one of the children, Elia knew our plans for either offspring of Rhaegar's would be one of manipulation and lies in order to bring about our total control over everything. When the sacking came however, I doubt she believed it would end so violently the way it did for her or the children. I imagine she expected to be sent back to Dorne while her children were kept hostages until old enough to be sent to the Silent Sisters and the Wall. I do admit what happened to them in the end was not anticipated," said Varys despite not believing just how far Tywin would go to ensure total victory in the sacking of the city and "proving his loyalty" to House Baratheon.

"Which is why the mummer was needed. Your fake Aegon," said Jon with Varys nodding again.

"The plan was in jeopardy given how I knew Robert would not be an effective ruler. A commander and warrior yes. But not a ruler as you and everyone else knows. When word reached me of the late Queen giving birth to a daughter, the plan shifted for our mummer to marry Daenerys under the pretext of the House's tradition of incestuous marriage the family is known to practice. To achieve it, the plan would eventually involve you or one of our agents handling our mummer Aegon long enough to convince him to marry his 'aunt' Daenerys, given how the two were nearly the same age," said Varys with Jon seeing how that would work.

"And Viserys? What about him?" asked Jon knowing their plan could be denied or delayed because of the boy.

"A means to an end. One way or another, our mummer was going to take the Iron Throne. Viserys was not really a factor in it happening, except for protecting his sister during their exile in Essos. But with the madness that plagued House Targaryen being prominent more often than not during these times, there was always a chance Viserys would lose his mind to it, and someone would end him for us. By that point, Daenerys would have been secured for our mummer to marry when old enough," explained Varys with Jon looking extremely angry with the Spider at this point.

"And the true parentage of the now dead mummer? Who was the father?" asked Jon since he felt the identity of the boy's actual father needed to be known.

"My contact in Pentos. The Magister and cheese monger. Believe it or not, the man wasn't always so horribly fat in his youth and was quite the warrior. Supposedly, he fell in love with a Blackfyre, and they had Aegon. When Robert Baratheon took the Iron Throne, I contacted my friend and we arranged for his child to be given to you while calling him Rhaegar's son," said Varys since there was no point in hiding it from the man given how the mummer was dead.

"Good to know," said Jon before taking out his knife and stabbing a now surprised Varys in the shoulder and making the bound man cry out in pain.

"What are you doing? I told you what you wanted to know," said Varys in confusion while Jon nodded.

"Aye, you did. And that was your mistake. You are assuming I would let you go after all of this. That you still had value in some shape or form," replied Jon with Varys wincing when the knife was taken out and stabbed into his other shoulder.

"I can still be of value to you Lord Connington. The things I know. The people I know. The vast wealth of information I possess could set things right for you," said Varys with Jon glaring at him while recalling the instructions the Red Priests and Priestess left for him for this moment.

Ignore the Spider's pleas. His baiting with knowledge and information in exchange for mercy are lies. He has nothing to offer you once the truth is revealed about his past actions. The man will tell you what you want to know when pressed with a blade to his flesh. After that, he will try to spin more webs on you in a desperate attempt to escape your wrath. If allowed to escape, the prince will be in danger, and you will be to blame. How you end him is entirely up to you, but do not let him escape with his life. If the Spider lives, he will come after the dragon to control him through his webs.

"You assume I am interested in such things Varys. You assume the supposed wealth of information you possess in that bald head of yours will save you from my wrath. It won't! I don't care about your plots, plans, and schemes for the Seven Kingdoms. I just wanted to know the truth about Rhaegar, his children, and the mummer you placed in my lap. With you gone, the plans you and your fucking associates have created will fall to pieces," said Jon with Varys shaking his head.

"Do you think we have not planned out other contingencies for such an event? With or without my own influence or help in them? The plans created in the event this failed will be set into motion and your life will be ended as a result," said Varys with Jon pulling out the knife again and slashing the Spider across the face.

"Do you think I am intimidated by your threats, Spider? That I will consider letting you go for a few of your crumbs left behind to follow? And most likely to my doom? All in exchange for more information or your freedom? I spoke to the Red Priests in Volantis. I know you have nothing to offer me Spider. I know enough," said Jon while Varys shook his head.

"And you think they told or showed you everything? They have led you false Lord Connington. They only gained your loyalty through exposing a single mummery, and because it was connected to yourself. Had it not, I doubt your mind would be clouded with rage," said Varys with Jon spitting at the man's bound body.

"Maybe my vision is clouded like you said Varys. But you know what? Fuck my line of vision. Fuck the mummery you put me through for over a decade. Fuck everything. What I do know, is you are going to die here Varys. I will avenge Rhaegar and his family. Not only that, but I will help move an obstacle from my Prince's last remaining son," said Jon with Varys looking surprised now by this.

"I see. So, the one who hatched the dragon's is Rhaegar's child. Though I wonder who is…the…mother?" asked Varys while slowly piecing things together.

"Aye, you figured it out. It took me most of the boat ride back to Westeros to figure it out too. Hidden from the stag and everyone else who would want to tear the boy apart. Ned Stark fooled everyone for what he did, and while I hate the fucker, I admire him on some level for keeping my prince safe. Even if he did it in the most distasteful of ways," said Jon before he slashed Varys in the throat and watched the man bleed out.

With his revenge on the Spider complete, Jon let out a sigh. It was a victory, but it was a bitter one as the man had hurt one major enemy of his beloved prince. One of many from what Varys had revealed that were knowingly or unknowingly working against the dragon. It was disheartening that he would not, could not, join Rhaegar's child in his quest for revenge. Oh, he could try to help, maybe even meet the young lad, explained his connection to Rhaegar, and hope beyond hope his prince's son would be willing to accept him.

But the Priests of R'hllor had hinted it wouldn't be so in their instructions. Simply by revealing his part in getting revenge on Varys with nothing else about where to go next. Should he meet the prince? Kill the fat Magister in Pentos? All they did was give him instructions on killing the Spider and left it at that with no indication on where to go from there.

Meaning his purpose in his role of things had been fulfilled. And in Jon's mind, it was enough.

Writing down what Varys had told him from memory, Jon placed the book of all the details in a secret passage, knowing one of the Spider's little birds he paid generously, would send it through the network, and to get it to the priests of R'hllor so they could get it to the last son of Rhaegar. Jon walked outside of the room to the outside world. Only to find himself surrounded by men, armed men. Sell swords by the looks of it.

All of them looking at him with the intent to end his life here and now.

'So that was why Varys was so calm about not being betrayed by me when we first met. Or that he did not put up much of a fight. It is no wonder the Spider was so willing to give up all of the information to me he had about the mummery. In the event the eunuch didn't leave at an appointed time from our initial location, these men would be at the ready to rescue the Spider or, at least, kill his executioner,' thought Jon while drawing his sword and smirked while seeing his silver haired prince look at him from beyond those men.

And smiling at him while beckoning the Rooster to his side. It was time to come to the other side.

Jon was ready for his end. His prince's son would avenge them all. All the wrongs righted. All enemies of the dragon cast down. All of their bodies burned to ashes and dust to scatter into the wind. And while Jon himself would be alive to see it, he trusted the Gods would help guide Rhaegar's son to his destiny.

"LONG LIVE THE DRAGON! LONG LIVE HOUSE TARGARYEN! FIRE AND BLOOD!" yelled Jon with a might shout and charged the group of sell swords.

The battle was a short one. Jon, fighting like a man possessed, killed three of the five men. The fourth was severely injured and would most likely die later from his injuries. The fifth man however, had been the one to do him in with a sword to the chest. With the last of his strength, Jon spit in the man's face, grabbed his knife, and thrust it into his killer's neck. As life left him, Jon smiled and embraced death with open arms while recalling the words spoken in Braavos and Essos.

Valar Morghulis. All men must die. How appropriate when thinking about his life and those around him.

Valar Dohaeris. All men must serve. And Jon had served. Served the dragon loyally. Faithfully. Even the mummery had been in good faith. To serve the dragon. And when the truth was revealed, Jon proved his loyalty to the dragon by striking down those who would threaten its House and those who dwelled within it.

'I have done all I can. Let the Gods be merciful in their judgement.' thought Jon before darkness took him and he knew no more.

(Yi Ti-Several Years Later)

A shirtless Maul sat in meditation in a training arena. His tattooed torso was exposed for all to see and currently has his mind stretching out into the Force. Feeling the ebbs and flows around him while he was planning the next course of action on how to proceed with returning to Westeros. The God-Emperor of the land had welcomed him with open arms, even more so when the man saw that Maul had brought three living breathing dragons to Yi Ti. It was a three-day long celebration in the Capital with the return of such wonderful creatures back from their supposed extinction.

After introductions were made, Maul had requested to stay in Yi Ti for the foreseeable future, if only to learn from the empire's best warriors on how to fight like they do. Naturally, the God Emperor, upon hearing this, was thrilled to hear dragon prince was wishing to stay with in lands. The ruler of the empire arranged for his best warriors within Yi Ti to train Maul in the art of close combat fighting and a variety of weapons.

And Maul mastered every single one.

'My time for returning home is drawing closer. My dragons are growing in size and will soon be a power unto themselves. A power to be feared,' thought Maul while feeling the life of those around him and the desire of his dragons to assist in their Father's revenge.

There were still a few issue to be handled first.

The most important one was finding his long-lost aunt and uncle currently lurking around Pentos. Family should be together and both the only real family he had left from his father's side. Maul had tried to get in contact with them through paid contacts, but Viserys was good at hiding both himself and Daenerys or they were being blocked by other forces not wanting him to reach his kin. Next, he would need to pay the fat Magister in Pentos a not so nice visit. The information the late Jon Connington had written down about the Spider's plans had successfully made its way to the Red Priest in Volantis and they had made sure to send it to Maul. It had infuriated him to know end at how Varys and others had planned to take control of the Iron Throne, of Westeros itself, through shadowy means, and turning the King who sat on it into a mere puppet.

Unacceptable.

Once those issues were handled, Maul would gather an army needed to take back what his birthright and rally Targaryen supporters to his cause. It would a tad difficult to do, but not impossible. Not with the information he needed locked away in various secret locations that required his personal attention to obtain them. Once he had what was needed, Maul would begin his campaign, crush his enemies, and remind the Seven Kingdoms what happens when you challenge a dragon.

A young, angry dragon whose mind was strong, and a spirit driven with a purpose.

Sensing moving of several people around him, Maul tensed his body and acted accordingly when he was attacked on all sides. Springing to action, Maul blocked two punches, redirected a kick, countered with one of his own to the stomach, and broke the arm of the first attacker before flipping said attacker onto the ground. Three more engaged him when this happened, but a midair spin kick took out two of the three attackers while the last one tried to take him out with a flurry of combo-based strikes. All of which were blocked or dodged before Maul countered with attacks of his own. One of his strikes broke two of his target's ribs, another his hard enough to dislocate the right shoulder, another broke left arm, and the final blow was a kick to the face that broke the man's jaw.

"Magnificent! Truly magnificent! No matter how many times I see you train, I am impressed with your skills young prince," said Bu Gai, who was the God-Emperor of Yi Ti, and had wished to see Maul fight against some of his chosen warriors for this test of skill.

"You honor me with your praise God-Emperor Bu Gai," said Maul with the man appreciating the show of respect given by the young man.

"The honor is mine. In the time you have been here, I saw a young prince with potential transform into a prince with skills that make even my best warriors appear like novices in battle. You are indeed worthy of being called a dragon," said God-Emperor Bu Gai while Maul gave a respectful bow to the man who had been gracious enough to host him and see he received such extensive combat training.

"I strive only to be the best. I must prove myself worthy of my bloodline. A bloodline that all my enemies will soon come to fear once more when I return home," said Maul with Bu Gai nodding in agreement.

"And when will the dragon fly through the air to bring down fire and blood upon his enemies?" asked God-Emperor Bu Gai curiously.

"A few more moons. Only a few more until I am ready. Fortunately, the trip back will be quicker because of my dragons. It's the army I wish to create that will take some time. Not to mention my uncle and aunt hiding out in Pentos need to be found," answered Maul with the God-Emperor nodding.

"And where would you find such an army. I am sure there are a few loyal houses back in Westeros who will rally to you, but not against the full might of the other Seven Kingdoms," commented God-Emperor Bu Gai curiously.

"In Astapor. The Unsullied are a well-trained and conditioned army. A slave army, but one that is known to be fearsome on the battlefield," said Maul with Bu Gai nodding.

"The Unsullied are indeed well trained in all things. Even I can admit as much. However, many within the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros will frown upon you for using a slave army to win back your rightful claim," commented Bu Gai with Maul smirking.

"Which is why I'm not going to have them march for me as a slave army. When they fight for me, it will be because they wish to fight. Not because they have to fight," said Maul with Bu Gai raising an eyebrow in a form of slight surprise.

"Curious. In any case, I look forward to hearing of your many exploits with great enthusiasm when the time comes for you to launch your campaign," said Bu Gai and knowing the young prince would do many great things back in the Seven Kingdoms.

And carve a path of fire and blood in the process.

(Pentos-Magister's Mance-Sometime Later)

Illyrio Mopatis was worried. No. Worried would bring him minor discomfort. Worried would bring him a need to feast twice as much and fuck one of his pleasure slave girls twice as hard. Worried would mean he indulged in his vice more than usual. So no, he wasn't worried at all.

He was fucking terrified. Terrified and angry. Why? Because his secret son was dead. His secret son he had with a Blackfyre was dead. Killed in Volantis by the Red Priests! All because of their damn God told them to do it. Why or how they did it, the man did not care. He was angry his only son (that he knew of) was taken from him and the chance for the Iron Throne was lost. But what terrified the Magister enough to override his anger was the fact he had heard some disturbing things further into Essos regarding the existence of another Targaryen.

One, who was not Viserys or Daenerys Targaryen. One, who was said have birth three dragons. Each one big and apparently getting bigger. One, who had gone to Valeria and returned transformed into a true dragon and one worthy of his House. And one, who was headed his way from Yi Ti all the way here, if not all the way back to Westeros.

Something Illyrio had hoped to capitalize on with Varys. Unfortunately, he had learned, only recently, that his associate had met a violent end at the hands of Jon Connington. Meaning Illyrio now knew who was responsible for his son's death and only wished the man had live long enough for the Magister to end the traitor personally. How Jon figured out Aegon was not the Aegon was unknown to him, but it was moot point. Right now, one Targaryen was heading here, and the Magister knew he had to find a way to bring the young man to his side of things. To gain his favor and connection to Westeros in a way that was just as good as his manipulations to have his own son sit on it.

And he had to do it all before obtaining Viserys and Daenerys. If the three meet, it would spell disaster for his plans for the future. With Aegon gone, the means to control the Seven Kingdoms through the ruler who sat on the Iron Throne would become problematic. Viserys had lost much since the Usurper ruled and was already showing signs of the madness. A madness Illyrio knew could be controlled with gifts, sweet words, and knowing the man's pleasure delivering vices in order to given them to him when needed to make the new Mad King happy. As for Daenerys, he had heard she was said to be moldable in order to keep what little family she had left happy and would do her duty as dictated in order to ensure it would rise again. She did not have the madness, so far, which was good, and making her moldable to be the future husband of a powerful House would allow things to go easier when controlling the war that was to come.

But first, one Targaryen at a time. Preferably one with more value over the likes of the Beggar King and his sister.

That night, the Magister had relaxed with some wine in his hand. The slave girl on hand, who he had ordered to suck his cock, was long gone. Her duty fulfilled for the night and was dismissed to her room with orders to his Unsullied guards to not be disturbed for the rest of the night.

So, when a cold chill entered the room, the fat cheese monger turned to the source of it, believing one of the windows was open. But was surprised instead when seeing a dark robed figure with a hood over his face was the reason for the sudden sense of dread. Watching him intently, Illyrio wondered why he had not called for his guards, and watched the figure slowly walk toward the nearby chair to sit down on. For the longest of moments, neither man spoke, as the dark figure grabbed some wine, poured, and took a small sip while seemingly savoring the taste.

"Good vintage. Such things are hard to come by these days. You either pay top coin for this, which you can easily afford, or you own the wine vineyard and get it for free," remarked the figure while drinking some more and savoring the taste.

"A sense of both. I do own the vineyard and make sure to sell it at a high price only the most richest of men in Essos can afford to pay for it. Even my rivals in various businesses I deal in have been known to drink the wine that comes from my vineyard. I also make sure the wine is top quality to ensure the value matches the price from which they pay for it. I make sure no one knows I own the vineyard, so my rivals have no idea they are paying me out of their own pocket," said Illyrio with a sense of satisfaction in his voice.

"I clever business plan to be sure. Yet, I am not here to talk about wine and coin," said the figure while Illyrio suspected as much.

"What do you wish to talk about?" asked Illyrio while sounding curious yet knew what the man wanted to discuss.

"The future Magister Illyrio Mopatis. A future where the dragon soars high in the skies above and all its enemies are crushed, burned, and ultimately…dead!" said the figure with Illyrio feeling a cold sense of dread and nervousness.

Surely the man didn't believe he was an enemy of the dragon? Sure not! How would he even know of his schemes with other powerful people to bring the dragon low? Of his connection to Varys or the plan to a fake Aegon on the Iron Throne and using Daenerys to secretly legitimize the claim?

"That is a tall order. Especially since the dragon has many enemies. Of course, an alliance between us would help in your cause of finding those enemies and bringing them down. I can provide the coin and the connections to find all of them and you can see to it they are eliminated one threat at a time," said Illyrio calmly despite the fact one of his old instincts from his youth told him to be cautious around this man.

"Yes. I suppose you could help on that front. Afterall, you are one of those threats," said the figure with Illyrio now breaking out in a cold sweat despite doing his best to hide it.

"I don't know what you mean," replied Illyrio with the figure looking up a little from his hooded face and showed the burning eyes that shined behind the darkness.

"I think you know exactly what I mean Magister. Afterall, was it not your son you planned to put on my throne? Was it not your son you planned to play off as my half-brother, Aegon?" asked the figure with Illyrio now sweating even further.

"You are mistaken my friend. I have no son. Sadly, the woman I loved is dead and I have not found any such woman worthy of being the mother of my child," said Illyrio with the figure snarling at him.

"It is amazing how one such as you can spin a lie with your words spewing from your mouth telling the truth in a way you could almost fool someone like myself. Almost," said the figure with Illyrio frowning a bit since he was sure the nature of his lie was concealed by the truth of his words.

"I don't understand," said Illyrio before he felt an invisible grip on his throat and giving it a firm squeeze.

"You are particularly good at forging your lie. The lie was in the fact related to your son. While it is true that you currently have no son, the omission is in the when you no longer had him. If we were to speak about your son several moons ago, your lie would have been more apparent. With him dead, you can easily lie and hide the truth regarding him," said the figure with Illyrio struggling to breathe.

"How do you know my son?" asked Illyrio with the figure smirking behind his hood and produced some papers from within his robes.

"Courtesy of Jon Connington and his recorded conversation with the Spider. Your friend had a lot to say to the Rooster in the hopes it would help buy him time to escape losing his head. As I'm sure you already heard, the attempt failed," said the figure while Illyrio was now looking angry at Jon betraying him.

'The Spider betrayed me!' thought Illyrio while wishing Varys were here so he could kill the man himself.

"No need to feel so surprised or angry. You know as well as I do that Varys would have done everything in his power to escape. Even if it meant betraying you and just about everyone you know with authority and power if it extended his life by a few short seconds," said the figure while sipping some more wine.

"What will you do now?" asked Illyrio nervously.

"Now? Now, I take my revenge on those who would challenge the dragon. The Spider is dead. Your son is dead. But my House still has enemies. I intend to remove them. One by one. Starting with you," said the figure with his free hand slowly curling into a fist and saw the fat Magister struggling to breathe.

"Please! Don't! I have powerful friends, vast wealth, and the means to aid you on your quest to take the Iron Throne!" pleaded Illyrio with the figure's hand freezing in a semi-gripping motion.

"Do you honestly believe I would allow you to live? After what you and Varys tried to pull? After what you and others have tried to do to my House? You tried to cast down my family when we would not march to your tune. You tried to see us nearly wiped out to the point where you could manipulate the few who were left. Even worse, you tried to set in motion for a pretender to sit on the Iron Throne and use one of my blood to marry said pretender in order to validate the claim. I would have to be as bad as my Grandfather, if not worse, to let you live after what tried to do," said Maul angrily with his hand now closing into a fist.

"Please! Mercy!" gasped Illyrio while grasping his throat and falling to his knees.

"The only mercy you are getting from me Magister, is a quick death you don't deserve," said the figure before he twisted his wrist and a loud "SNAP!" was heard.

'My love. My son. Forgive me. I failed you both,' thought Illyrio while life began to leave him.

"One more thing Magister. My name, for when the Gods ask who sent you to face their judgement? It is…Maul!" stated Maul while staring into the now lifeless eyes of the man he just killed.

With his action done, the robed figure snarled in disgust at the sight of this fat man before him. How a man could be so fat and be alive until now was beyond his understanding. By all accounts, the fat man should have been dead long ago from his obesity. Maybe in another give to ten years, the man would have died, but by that point the plan would have succeeded if allowed to go the way it did. The stupidly fat Magister would have gotten what he wanted and died happily knowing his machinations successfully bore fruit.

Going to the man's Solar, Maul walked over to the large desk and sat in the large chair designed for the incredibly fat Magister before he opened up every section of it. A man like Illyrio while incredibly fat was also incredibly smart to run his business empire to the point where his wealth was massive. As for Maul, it was more than that, as he was set on finding anything useful for the future to move his plans forward. A man like Illyrio who had vast amounts of wealth at his disposal also had connections in every place in Essos and Braavos where he could sink meaty fat fingers into when an opportunity arose.

Finding different books and business ledgers, Maul finally found the man's journal, which was the real prize among all of this effort to search the man's Solar. Upon opening the journal, Maul sees the details of the man's life unfold before his eyes when reading, imagining the man's thoughts and feelings about all the different things from people to business transactions and ultimately his goal to put his lover's son on the Iron Throne to honor her supposed Targaryen lineage.

The Magister's journal was practically a road map for Maul to seize the Iron Throne and who to remove from his path to get to it.

'One obstacle down. Many more to go. Now, I need to find my Aunt and Uncle before they become lost in this city for me to find,' thought Maul while planning to take control of this manse and everybody in it by showing them the Magister's fat corpse.

Nothing said obey me to servants like killing the previous owner.

(Magister's Mance-A Few Weeks Later)

With the resources of the now late Magister at his command, it was easy for Maul to find his uncle and aunt in the city. It was even easier to get them to come to the manse and speak with him after he made sure they understood it was kin they were meeting instead of the fat cheese monger. Maul suspected the fat man had done things deliberately this way to make the two more dependent on him for when he had "conveniently" found them in Pentos. How he would tell them of his efforts to find them and was a loyalist of the dragon with many other loyal friends waiting to answer the call to arms.

Given the journal Maul read, he felt his assumption wasn't too far off from of what the man and Varys had planned for the two Targaryens.

When the two entered the large solar, Maul could easily sense Viserys in all his usual smugness, like he was being given something that was always meant to be his regardless of his current situation. Maul did not even need the Force to see the boy for what he was and what he would become if allowed to let his actions run unchecked. The boy had bled through one dragon loyalist after another while in Essos and all due to the growing madness building within him. The boy being far more like his father over his brother, and it showed from what his growing number of spies he claimed from the fat Magister had told him.

Viserys would be nice and kind at first, as someone of royal blood would be expected to act when they were a guest in the home of others. The problem lay in the fact the young man would also whine and complain at times, belittling the servants of his host, calling them degrading names, expecting them to take all of the insults because he was the King of the Seven Kingdoms despite being in exile. He had bled through one loyalist House in Essos after another to the point where he along with Daenerys were on the streets and struggling to survive.

Speaking of Daenerys, it was clear she was slightly scared and concerned for their safety. Not because of the host or past host she had accepted hospitality from. She was afraid of what her brother would do to her and their host while they were here in his home. The poor girl had seen more than enough of her stupid brother's actions toward hosts when Viserys didn't get what he felt was entitled to him. The idiot was under the impression his title as supposed King allowed him to rule over people beyond the Seven Kingdoms and could make others do what he wanted whether they wanted to or not.

Something that would need to be dealt with soon. Very soon.

"Welcome Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen. I welcome you to my current home," said Maul while sitting in his chair and watched Viserys looked a little put out for him not standing for his King.

"It's a lovely manse. Worthy of a King like myself to start my campaign to take back the Seven Kingdoms and everything else that was taken from my family," said Viserys with Maul mentally frowning since the fool had just admitted he had no power, no friends, and no support to call upon within a few moments of speaking.

It was no wonder people called him the Beggar King.

"Our family Viserys. We are kin after all and share royal blood," said Maul with Viserys sitting down in a nearby chair and Daenerys doing the same though she was clearly more humble in accepting hospitality of others.

"While you claim to be family, I do not recall anyone of my House having your unique…features," said Viserys in an almost snobby tone.

"I am kin to you and Daenerys. In fact, I am your long-lost nephew. My mother named me Aegon," said Maul since that much was true, but at given everything that happened to him, it wasn't right to take the name for himself.

Not to mention it felt wrong to take the name of his dead half-brother. Granted, his mother didn't know anything about what happened to Elia Martell at the time but that didn't' mean Maul was going to just accept it.

"Aegon? As in our nephew we lost at the hands of the Mountain?" asked Daenerys with Maul smirking.

"That would be the wrong Aegon. I am not that Aegon. Sadly, he was slain by the Mountain under Tywin Lannister's command to ensure there would be no one to challenge his daughter's children right to rule in the future after she married the Usurper. I was named Aegon by my mother…Lyanna Stark," said Maul with Daenerys looking surprised while Viserys looked at him with hate.

"The wolf bitch! You are her son! I should gut you now for everything that woman and her House did to mine when they joined with the Usurper to take down the dragon!" exclaimed Viserys while practically leaping from his chair and drawing his sword.

"Viserys don't! We are guests here in his home. He is our kin. You don't want to become a kin slayer!" pleaded Daenerys before she was backhanded hard by her brother.

"Silence sister! I will do as I please. I am the King of the Seven Kingdoms and will not allow some bastard born from the womb of that Northern whore to live in my presence. The dragon has been awakened and it will have its day here and now!" countered Viserys before moving to slay the tattooed man in front of him.

Only for an invisible force to grab the silver haired man and slam him into the ground. While this was happening, the air in the room suddenly became cold, almost to the point where the three could see their own breath. The room even became darker, which should have been impossible in the eyes of two siblings given it was the middle of the day and the sun was shining brightly outside.

"You are indeed correct about one thing Viserys. The dragon has awakened and is extremely pissed at you right now," said Maul while glaring at his uncle with a great deal of distain.

"H-How? How are you doing this? Why can't I move?" asked Viserys while acting more like a scared child instead of a prince or so-called King.

"My powers are keeping you in place uncle. I would prefer I didn't use them here, much less on my own family, but you are forcing my hand given your words, not mention action against your own sister. Have you no sense of shame? Insulting my mother, striking your own sister across the face, and drawing your sword to be a kinslayer by planning to murder your own nephew. My father would be ashamed of you," said Maul and saw Viserys scowling up at him now.

"You are a bastard! Born from a Northern whore who seduced my brother and helped caused the fall of our House. You do not deserve this kind of power! You do not deserve to call yourself a Targaryen!" said Viserys before he felt his throat tighten in an invisible grasp and lifted not the air while he struggled to breathe.

"First, my mother was never a whore. If you call her that again, I will gladly kill you. Regardless of being cursed for becoming a kinslayer in the eyes of Gods and men. Considering you don't consider me kin and how you are acting right now, I doubt many would throw a fit over it. Second, my father, your brother, loved my mother, and I can prove it since I know certain things most do not. You can back my claim for the Iron Throne as I am Rhaegar's trueborn heir, and together the dragons will rule once more. Or you can challenge me to a fight here and now, which will result in your defeat, most likely your death, and one less Targaryen will be alive," said Maul before letting his idiot uncle drop to the floor and breathe again.

"Forgive me for asking this nephew, but why are you not back in Westeros? Why are you here?" asked Daenerys curiously since she felt being civil with her nephew was the best course of action at this point.

Trying the method Viserys used was clearly not the best option.

"Because I know the truth. A truth kept from me by my uncle, Ned Stark. He raised me as his bastard son so the likes of the Usurper and Tywin Lannister would not come to take my life," answered Maul while his aunt looked shocked by this news.

"So, you are a bastard. If the mangey wolf the Usurper has for an attack dog called you one, it must be true," remarked Viserys before he was suddenly lifted off the ground by the invisible power from earlier and thrown across the room where he hit a wall with enough force to knock him out.

"Idiot. As to your next question looming in your mind aunt, I left because my uncle's Lady Wife Catelyn Stark tried to kill me at the end of the Greyjoy Rebellion. She had received a letter telling her that her husband had been fatally wounded and would most likely return dead. As her son Robb would be the heir to Winterfell and future Warden of the North, she felt it prudent to…remove me from the castle in the belief I would have taken it from him somehow," explained Maul while Daenerys eyes widened at the implication of how he phrased things.

"I take it she failed given you are here," remarked Daenerys with Maul letting out a chuckle.

"She did, but not for the lack of trying on her part. I still have the knife marks from when she stabbed me to prove it. Fortunately, I was strong enough to survive her brutal assault and the tattoos on my body cover them nicely," said Maul with a smirk and saw Daenerys was shocked he survived such an attempt.

Maul knew she would be equally shocked on how he survived if told the full story.

"And you couldn't return home to the castle because she was there," said Daenerys while having an idea of how things went, and Maul could see in his aunt's mind how it might have happened.

She actually wasn't far off with her imagination from what he could see with his aunt picturing Catelyn Tully trying to end his life.

"Exactly. As far as the North was concerned at the time, Ned Stark was dead, and his Lady Wife was by all rights become House Stark's regent until their son came of age to rule. As far as I knew, the news of his death was true, and I couldn't go back. I eventually made my way to Braavos for a short time before making my way to Essos. I traveled quite a bit during my time away from Westeros, and I learned things as I progressed through my time here. I grew in strength in ways I could never have done in the North and now I'm almost ready to return home," said Maul while Daenerys looked surprised since she didn't think they could go home as they were without an army and allies to support them.

Apparently, her nephew had obtained all that and more.

"When do you suspect we can return nephew?" asked Daenerys curiously.

"We still have some ways to go before the time is right. We still need an army on our end and a means to rally the Targaryen loyalists suffering under the Usurper's rule. The former will not be difficult since we have the means to obtain it and the help of my children will certain accelerate our plans," said Maul with Daenerys looking even more surprised.

"Children? You have children? But…you are so young," said Daenerys with Maul smiling at her.

"Oh, you misunderstand my wordage aunt. While I'll do consider them my children in a literal sense, I do not mean children one has with a woman. Come, I will introduce you to our extended family that will be able to further represent our House," replied Maul while motioning Daenerys to follow him.

Curious and confused, Daenerys had followed him to the intended destination. Which happened to be a large stable designed to hold small army of horses. Confused further, Daenerys followed Maul into the stables and was shocked by the sight that was in front of her when entering the large building.

Three large dragons, all of them twice the size of full-grown horses, sleeping in the warm hay, and were surrounded by horse skeletons. Some of them slightly charred from being burned by the dragon's fire before they were feasted on.

"Dragons. You actually hatched dragons," whispered Daenerys with the three large creatures awakening at the sound of her voice focusing on the girl's presence.

"From the heart of our homeland. As it turns out, Valeria had multiple dragon stables. They would hatch them, and they would grow until ready to be ridden by their chosen rider," said Maul while his aunt just walked over to them and stared in awe with each one staring back.

"They are magnificent," whispered Daenerys while each one sniffer her now outstretched hand before they accepted the girl what they knew she was.

A Targaryen. A dragon.

"They are my children. Born from fire and blood," said Maul with pride in his voice.

"The one in the middle is Rhaenix, named after Rhaenys, your niece. She was Rhaegar's daughter with Elia Martell. The one on our left Feralax. The one on our right Savagix," said Maul while the image of two people he knew briefly came to his mind from a past life that were mere shadows to him now but deep down deserved to be honored in his heart all the same.

"Daeny! Daney! Where are you?! Show yourself or you will risk waking the dragon!" exclaimed Viserys while Daenerys looked from Maul to the open stable door before looking at the three dragons.

"He can't seem them. He will treat them like beasts of burden. Like property. I don't want them to be hurt by him," said Daenerys since her brother would go on and on about what he would do if a dragon were born from his greatness.

"No. Let him see. We will let the dragons judge him. If he is worthy, they will let Viserys be a rider to one of them," said Maul while hearing Viserys voice getting closer.

"And if he isn't worthy?" asked Daenerys while looking over at him fully.

"That's up to my children to decide," replied Maul while knowing exactly how his children would react to Viserys when the foolish boy tried to do something he shouldn't.

"Daeny! Daney! There you are sister. You wondered off with our half-brother bastard. I thought you might have decided to become a woman early and let him fuck you," mocked Viserys while Daenerys scowled slightly at her brother, and Maul looked ready to kill him.

"You should be more respectful to your family Viserys. Especially now during our House's dark times," said Maul while Viserys scoffed and glared at him.

"It is not your family, bastard. You are born from a Northern whore who seduced my brother in order to aid the Usurper in claiming the Iron Throne. I will never allow one such as you to be part of my noble family. As the future King of the Seven Kingdoms, I officially ban you from acknowledging anything to do with our bloodline!" decreed Viserys like it was just something he could say and could be done with a snap of his fingers.

"Really? Because I think my children will have something to say about that," said Maul with a smirk on his face.

"Children? What do…you…mean?" asked Viserys before he realized his sister was standing near three large dragons, which were all focusing on him.

And they didn't look to happy to see him either.

"Still think I'm not worthy of being a Targaryen?" asked Maul with a smirk.

"You have dragons. Actual dragons!" exclaimed Viserys with joy while ignoring the angry look the three creatures had on their faces since they took in his scent and didn't like it.

"Born from fire and blood," said Maul proudly while sensing his three kids were proud to be born from their connection to him.

"They will do well in aiding me in my claim for the Iron Throne. I will ride the strongest of you into battle and you will further cement my claim as the King of the Seven Kingdoms," said Viserys while the dragons seemed to frown at his words.

"You are assuming they will let you ride one of them," commented Maul offhandedly and the stupid boy took it as an insult as well as a challenge before glaring at the dragons in front of him.

"I am Viserys Targaryen. You will submit to me. I have the blood of dragons in my veins. I demand your allegiance! I demand your obedience!" stated Viserys with the dragons looking at each other with Feralix snorting out small blast of fire from his nose before growling at the young man.

"I don't think they like being told what to do by someone as weak as you," commented Maul while his uncle looked more enraged at being rejected.

"Obey me you wretched beasts! I am the dragon. I am a Targaryen! We are the masters over your kind, and you will obey like good beasts should," said Viserys and drawing his sword, swinging it around in a threatening manner, with the three dragons growling louder.

"Foolish uncle. Don't your remember the old Valyrian saying?" said Maul with Viserys glaring at him and each of the dragons gathering fire in their mouths.

"A dragon is not a slave," whispered Daenerys while seeing Viserys had finally seen the three dragons were not happy with him and were about to make that known.

"No! No! Stay back! Back you vile beasts!" exclaimed Viserys with Maul snorting.

"At first, you were in awe of them. Only for you to call them wretched and vile when they didn't wish to obey your every command. You don't treat them with the respect they deserve," said Maul while his three children got ready to unleash their anger at the unworthy Targaryen.

All Viserys could do was run, but the dragons shot their streams of fire at him. When they reached him, the silver haired man could only scream in pain and roll on the ground while trying to put the flames on his body out. Unfortunately, for Viserys, the flames kept coming, and consumed him in their entirety until there was nothing left but ashes blowing in the wind.

"He's…gone," remarked Daenerys while she could only stare at the spot where her brother once was.

"You are taking his death remarkably well," commented Maul with Daenerys hardening her heart when it came to Viserys.

"Viserys was my brother, but he was mean and cruel. He wasn't always mean and cruel when we were growing up and I will one day mourn the loss of the brother I once had. But not now. I will not mourn that vile part him that manifested itself," said Daenerys calmly while Maul could tell she was holding the loss of her brother inside for now but would most likely let it out later when time permitted.

"Let's head back to the manse. I intend to find out what you know and expand on your education," said Maul while motioning Daenerys to follow him.

(The North-Winterfell)

Eddard Stark was corresponding with Robert more and more with each passing raven sent to each other about the looming threat by the Targaryens over in Essos. Namely the one with three dragons and the risk of him finding the other two in order to reclaim the Iron Throne from the stag while getting revenge on them all for the rebellion. The secret of the dragons being born was a closely guarded secret, but Ned was no fool despite what some would think. He knew something like that could not be kept a secret for long and someone would say something to cause rumors to come bursting forward like a leak in a dam.

Usually, such matters fell under the jurisdiction of the King's Master of Whispers, Lord Varys. However, the man had been missing now for a few moons. No one had seen him for some time, and some were even now suspecting the man had fled to Essos to assist the dragons in their return. Something Robert mentioned in the last raven they exchanged, but Ned had replied back stating Varys could have easily aided them in the past yet had done nothing to ensure their return. Gods old and new, the damn Spider could have easily used his connections to rally an army for them in secret and had an invasion ready long before the Greyjoy Rebellion.

The only thing Ned could contemplate from the Spider's absence was the man was dead and slain by someone who had a grudge so deep they did not fear retaliation from the crown or one of the man's many so called "friends". It was well known that Varys was not a well-liked man, being a foreigner from Essos and came from nothing, only to rise and reach far from his position to be Master of Whispers. In that time, one could argue Varys earned himself quite a few enemies to go with his "friends" and one of them finally couldn't stand the idea of the Spider being alive one moment longer.

A fact, which became more clear when Varys was finally found and the body of a man nearby who had been a ghost from the past many didn't think would return to Westeros.

Jon Connington.

It was clear when his body and the bodies of those around him had been found, a fight had broken out between the Rooster and those who attacked him. The Spider's body was found inside, stabbed in the shoulders and throat slashed. A clear indication to Ned that the Rooster wanted answers to something and the Spider most likely provided it before Jon ended him in the belief it was what he wanted to hear. What they talked about would most likely be unknown to all since anyone who could tell them was now dead and rotting corpses.

But to know the Rooster had returned to Westeros under everyone's nose and to kill the Spider of all people had shocked Ned deeply. Everyone knew Jon was devoted to Rhaegar and had fled to Essos to avoid capture and Robert's (arguably bias) judgement. Knowing his friend like he did, Ned suspected Robert would have offered the option of the Wall or the chopping block. Neither of which Jon would accept and left when he did to plot his revenge.

Which was actually puzzling to Ned since everyone would suspect the man would aim for Robert instead of Varys, given how the former killed Rhaegar. While Robert was protected at all times, it would not stop someone like Jon from getting close enough to get past the guards and kill the King.

'Could that be why Jon went after Lord Varys? To find out about the King's habits and use them to sneak into King's Landing to end Robert? Did Varys deny him at first and only after threatening his life and the act of stabbing him show the resolve of doing it make the Spider tell Jon what he wanted to know? And was the Spider even truthful when he talked?' thought Ned since it was hard to tell given the stories of how Varys was always good at hiding truths while supposedly speaking the truth at the same time.

Part of Ned wanted to believe it was simply Jon going mad and trying to aim at someone who could get him close to Robert or possibly the next best thing. While Varys wouldn't hurt Robert emotionally, it would put the Seven Kingdoms in a very vulnerable position with its Master of Whispers silenced, and the spy network the Spider created during his time alive being lost to the ages. Not only that, but the loss of Varys meant to means to keep track of the remaining Targaryens living in exile somewhere in Essos.

Meaning the loss of finding out if your sister's son is coming back with vengeance in his heart? To take the Iron Throne from your friend. Considering the dragons he hatched, you know he won't come back to have a goblet of wine with you or Robert.

Frowning at the nagging voice in his head, Ned thought about his sister's son as time progressed during his time running the North. The boy was indeed his sister's son when it came to his temper and had the fighting skills Rhaegar was said to possess in his youth. When it came to fighting, the boy was a natural with a sword and even with a horse from what Ser Rodrick told him of his progress. Ned himself saw it at times in the sparring yard before the Greyjoy Rebellion when sparring with Robb and had hoped to see those skills grow to the point where he could suggest they could be put to good use at the Wall when old enough.

"My Lord, Howland Reed is here to see you," said Maester Luwin with Ned looking surprised to hear his old friend was here in Winterfell since the man's arrival was unexpected.

Why didn't he send a raven?

"Send him in," ordered Ned with Maester Luwin bowing and let the man into the room before shutting the door to give the two privacy.

"Ned," said Howland while giving him a polite nod.

"Howland, it's good to see you old friend," greeted Ned while walking up to the man and hugging him.

"It's been a long time, Ned. I'm sorry for not writing to let you know I was coming, but this isn't a formal visit, and I didn't want anyone to know I was coming," said Howland with Ned frowning.

"What is going on Howland? Has something happened in your lands? Is your family all right?" asked Ned with Howland smiling and nodding.

"They are fine Ned. Thanks for asking. But the issue that had me come here pertains to you and your family Ned. Namely to your son," said Howland was emphasizing on son to let him know which boy he was referring to between all of Ned's brood.

"What about him?" asked Ned while Howland looked at him for a few seconds before sighing in what could only be disappointment.

"You of all people know the truth cannot be hidden from me, Ned. Do I really need to force things out of you like when we were younger?" asked Howland with Ned frowning.

"And what truth could you try forcing out of me?" asked Ned while walking back to his chair.

"That you wronged the boy. You wrongs his mother. You didn't honor the promise she begged you to keep with her dying breath," said Howland while Ned glared at him.

"I followed her dying wish to the letter. I honored her promise to keep Jon safe," replied Ned while his friend shook his head.

"You honored the promise to the letter Ned, but not the intended spirit. You protected him from Robert and Tywin, but you did not protect him from the harshness you placed him with his status as a bastard. Did you think your Lady Wife would overcome her hatred of him as the years progressed? Why no tell her the truth and ask for her silence? Why name him your bastard? You could have easily given him to me as an orphan to be raised on my lands. No one would have questioned you on it, as many would see it as an honorable act. But you didn't do what I suggested. I told you he would suffocate with his status as a bastard regardless of being called yours or not, but you didn't listen. And now, he is gone to become something you don't want him to become in life. A dragon," said Howland with Ned scowling further since his friend was always blunt with him and truthful in all things, even when Ned himself did not want to hear them.

"It was for the best Howland. The dragon in him could not rise up. You know what Robert would have done. What Tywin Lannister would do. Even the North could not protect him if they learned he was the son of Rhaegar Targaryen. They would march against him," said Ned with Howland shaking his head.

"Would they Ned? Or would they rallied to defend the son of Lyanna Stark? You forget that while his father was a dragon, his Mother was a she-wolf of the North. A woman loved by all in this kingdom that is the North. Don't bother denying it Ned. They would have seen young Jon as Lyanna's child first and Rhaegar's second. Even if there was any truth to the kidnapping and rape, which we know are false. If anything, the truth would have given him the full protection of the North," said Howland while Ned grit his teeth in anger.

"You don't know that for certain. I thought Robert being King would make him a better man and look what happened when Tywin presented his fealty to him," said Ned with Howland nodding.

"Aye, Robert's reaction, or should I say inaction, against Tywin Lannister that day proved he wasn't the great friend you thought or believed him to be when sitting on the Iron Throne. Not that I didn't warn you of that either. Or how he acted when marching against Rhaegar," said Howland while Ned winced since he knew Robert's appetites growing up were things no one was able to truly keep at bay.

Even less so when the man became King.

During the Greyjoy Rebellion, the man had no shortage of wine to drink and women to take to his tent to bed despite the fact the man was married and had a Queen to come back to in King's Landing. Their shared foster Father, Jon Arryn, had stayed in King's Landing to do his duty as acting Hand of the King. Ned had wondered if Robert did such things when ruling or if their foster father had been able to curb such things. Given his habits and the way he talked to people, Ned had doubts, but wanted to believe his brother by choice would not stray too far from the honorable path.

"You don't know him like I do. He's changed since you last saw him," said Ned with Howland snorting at him.

"Changed? How? Has his drinking and whoring decreased? Or has it increased? You haven't seen him since the Greyjoy Rebellion. We both know the man would have shamed Lyanna within the first year of their marriage had it happened. She told you plenty of times before Ned. She told you how he acted, and your sister clearly stated she didn't want to marry him. You just didn't listen to her or to anyone else," said Howland with Ned's hands becoming fists.

"She should have done her duty. She would have tempered him. She would have set him right and he would have been faithful," countered Ned while Howland shaking his head at the man's denial of the truth.

"Always making excuses for him. You did that during his rebellion against the Mad King too when he was drinking and whoring during the war. You said he would stop bedding women left and right once Lyanna was rescued and married to him. You said his reason for drinking heavily was from the stress of the war and fighting on the battlefield. You said justice would prevail when the Mad King was finally dead and that honor would finally be restored to those who were wronged by the dragon," said Howland while he saw Ned wince since none of those things happened.

"He is my brother by choice. After everything I lost, you could not expect me to protect what I have left in terms of family," countered Ned with Howland shaking his head.

"No. I didn't expect you to betray your brother by choice after everything you lost from the damn war. I also didn't expect you to betray your sister by blood or the child she brought into the world at the cost of her own life," Howland shot back, and Ned grit his teeth once more.

"I didn't betray her!" exclaimed Ned with Howland not looking convinced.

"If that were true, I wouldn't be here. We wouldn't be having this argument. The boy would have been happy living with me and free to choose his own destiny instead of certain people secretly planning to try convincing a naïve bastard child of a Lord to join the Night's Watch in the near future," countered Howland with Ned looking surprised.

"How did…?" asked Ned with Howland giving him a "you know how" look.

"You forget what I am, Ned. I can see things beyond normal sight. I know what you planned to do during Jon's time here when growing up. Telling stories of the Night's Watch and how they were performing their sacred duty to protect the realms from Wildlings. How they defended the realms from their actions on the innocent lives throughout the North. All the while, you neglect to tell him how those men have to give up lands, titles, inheritance, and swearing off having any children," countered Howland knowing it was Ned's intention to keep the boy somewhere away from the rest of the Seven Kingdoms and still be part of the North.

"It would have protected him," said Ned with Howland shaking his head.

"We both know that is a stretch, Ned. You know as well as I that the Night's Watch isn't some glamorous institution where men sacrifice everything for the greater good. You have seen in passing what is sent to the Wall these days. I know I have when they came through my lands to get here. Your brother Benjen also comes down from time to time to visit so I know he has told you exactly what the Wall now holds in terms of recruits. Thieves. Murderers. Rapists of all kinds. They chose the Wall because the alternative was losing their heads. You wanted to send your sister's son to the Wall filled with those type of people and in the belief, he will be safe among them," said Howland with Ned wincing since it was a truth he did not want to accept or hear, even if it was correct.

"The Lord Commander there would have helped him prepare to deal with them," countered Ned with Howland sighing again.

"Again, you make excuses rather than face the truth. The old bear won't be alive forever. When will you stop thinking like a fool and think like a dire wolf?" asked Howland while Ned looked insulted, which was good because it was intended to be an insult.

"I will not be insulted by you Howland. Not now. Not over this," said Ned with Howland sighing.

"Even now you won't admit the truth, Ned. Not even to yourself. Despite all you did for your sister's son, there is some part of you that hates him. Some part of you hates Jon for representing your sister defying your father for the arranged marriage he setup for her to marry Robert. You hate Rhaegar for marrying your sister with their actions starting a war. You hate Jon because he represents your sister's supposed betrayal to your brother by choice, even though he was the one who was shaming her repeatedly with his whoring ways long before the war started. You are in denial Ned, and I fear for the day you have to choose between your brother by choice or your sister's son," said Howland with Ned looking angry and worried.

"You have seen something. You have seen some form of the future," surmised Ned knowing his friend had such power, despite it being vague and blurred at times.

"Aye, I have seen something. I saw the return of the dragons. Three of them flying high and their father flying the highest of them. I saw him slay his enemies. One by one. The stag, the lion, the falcon, and the trout. But when it comes to the North and the dire wolf, I see two outcomes," said Howland with Ned now looking worried.

"What did you see?" asked Ned with concern.

"One vision where you fight for the stag and the truth is revealed. The North is badly scarred, and the dire wolf sigil is severely burned. It will take a long time for those burns to heal. In the other vision, you choose the dragon. The North will prosper. The North will become stronger. Your past actions will be forgiven since they were done for noble reasons," said Howland while Ned clenching his fists.

"Your visions have always been left to interpretation Howland," commented Ned with Howland nodding since his visions from time to time had been vague at best.

"Under normal circumstances, you would be right. But this time, what I saw was not some vague image or symbols left to interpretation. I saw it, Ned. Vividly! You will have to decide what is the best choice for the North. I am merely telling you what your actions will be depending on your choices. I know you want to back Robert because he is your brother by choice and is also the King. But we both know he only won the war based on a lie. Do you think Robert's Rebellion would have been successful, if the truth of Lyanna and Rhaegar marrying came out? Your brother and father would have never left the North the way they did for King's Landing. They would have backed Rhaegar because he would have removed his father from the Iron Throne with Lyanna by his side. Maybe even Elia Martell too depending on what his plans were for her and their two children. Sadly, neither of us know because those who could tell about their intentions are now dead and buried," said Howland with Ned feeling frustrated by all of this.

"Even still, you cannot expect me to break my oath to Robert. He is the King! He won the crown by right of conquest," said Ned while Howland sighing and was clearly getting frustrated with the stubbornness of his liege lord.

"So, you are saying Lyanna's son cannot do the same? That Robert can kill and destroy all things related to the dragon, but the dragon cannot return and do the same? The right to rule by conquest is a two-way path, Ned. If Robert can win the Iron Throne through his rebellion, than Jon can do the same and the people would have to accept it," said Howland knowing Robert's action could be repeated if by the Targaryens if they had the means to carry it out.

"I know Howland. Believe me when I say I do know. But I…I can't betray Robert. I can't do it. When the time comes, I will have my bannermen march with Robert to stop the dragons from reclaiming the Iron Throne," said Ned with Howland sighing in disappointment.

"I pray you change your mind, Ned. I truly do. But should you still intend to side with the stag, all I can say is may the Old Gods protect you. For when the truth is revealed, many of your bannermen will not," said Howland before leaving and Ned slammed his fist into the desk in frustration and closed his eyes before leaning back in his chair.

He didn't remember when he went down to the crypts. It was most likely later that day, but his mind had been so preoccupied that his body moved on its own. A cold wind was blowing deep within, which some would say was not natural given how the wind usually didn't blow down here at all. The candles that lit the area were flickering heavily, almost angrily, and there seemed to be a whispering voice in the darkness.

An angry whispering voice.

When he stood in front of Lyanna's statue, Ned felt it was different somehow. It was not as lifeless as it usually felt when he was down here to pay his respects. It felt more alive. More lifelike. It looked more like her than he could recall from his previous visits. As if any moment, his sister would actually speak to him through the statue.

And as if the Old Gods heard the Lord of Winterfell, the statue spoke to him.

"You have betrayed me, Ned. With my dying wish I asked you to protect my son. You held my hand and promised me that you would protect him! You promised me you would he would be safe!" said Lyanna's statue with her voice echoing throughout the crypt.

"But I did protect him. I swear I did. Robert assumes he is my bastard, and no one has questioned it due to his Stark features," said Ned with his sister letting out an angry shriek of rage that seemed to shake the crypt to its foundation.

"You raised my son as a bastard! A bastard! You placed my son low in status when you know how people felt about those with were one. The North maybe more open to them and even more so for you claiming him as such, but the overall stigma remains. You deny him happiness. You deny him proper love. And for what? To honor your promise to me? You do not honor the promise with your actions. You spit on it! You would have him live in misery as a bastard and send my son to the Wall to further deny his claim to the Iron Throne. You would choose that fat fucking stag over your own sister. Your own sister! You would choose your so-called brother by choice over your sister by blood!" exclaimed Lyanna with the statue's facial features showing she was clearly angry with him.

And Ned in turn being angry with her.

"And you should have done your duty! You should have married Robert. Instead, you went and married Rhaegar despite him being married with children of his own. You went against the order of things. Look at what your actions caused Lyanna! You brought about a war. A war that should have never happened had you just done what father wished and what your duty as his daughter demanded!" countered Ned with Lyanna's statue looking even more livid.

"Do no speak to me about duty Ned. You above all people should have known my arranged marriage to Robert would have never worked. I would have gutted the man on our wedding night and gladly gone into exile or lost my head. You talk to me about doing my duty, but what about Robert's duty to be an honorable man and husband? He was bedding women left and right, attempting to father bastards like it was some grand contest. You know its true. Tell me he was faithful Ned. Tell me he was faithful and did not rut with any woman during the war while proclaiming his love for me. Know if you do, I will call you a liar!" said Lyanna while Ned flinched.

"You could have changed him. He loved you. He would have stopped his drinking and whoring ways," said Ned while Lyanna's eyes narrowed.

"He never loved me. He loved the idea of me. The idea of being untamed. Untouched. Unconquerable. He saw me as a challenge. A trophy to hang on his wall and brag to the other Lords about claiming what no one else could. Like I was some giant boar or deer he killed on a hunt. I told you countless times when we were at Harrenhal that I would not marry him. I told you, Ned. I told Brandon, I told Howland, and I told Benjen how I felt on this. I told all of you. I even told Robert for all the good it did me. Out of everyone I told, the only two who listened were ignored when they tried to respect my wishes. One was sworn to silence and the other convinced to go to the Wall to ensure neither tried to defy you after becoming new Lord of House Stark. You spoke to me about ignoring my so-called duty to my future husband. I say that you and Brandon ignored your duty as brothers to protect your sister from an unworthy future husband! You wish to be a stag or falcon over being a dire wolf. That is unacceptable Ned!" said Lyanna with Ned wincing again.

"What would you have me do? Reveal the truth. Stain our honor? Your honor? It doesn't matter now. Let the truth be buried for all time. Robert is King. The Targaryens are in exile. It is too late to right the wrongs of the past," said Ned while Lyanna eyes narrowed in anger before smirk appeared on her face.

"Oh, I would be too sure about that, Uncle" said a voice from behind Ned, which made the Warden of the North turn around to see a dark robed figure walk through the darkness of the crypt.

"Jon?" asked Ned while the figure laughed.

"Uncle, if you are going to address me by name, you should address me by my true name. The one my mother gave to me. Not the one you used during my time growing up," said Jon while looking him right in the eyes.

"Jon Snow is your name. It is the name I gave you. It is your name," said Ned with "Jon" scoffed at him.

"It is the name of a bastard boy who doesn't exist. It is the name connected to a lie. Your lie. I will not be associated with it anymore. Jon Snow is dead," said "Jon" while removing his hood and showing his face to Ned.

"By the Gods. What have you become? What have you done to yourself?" asked Ned in horror at seeing his nephew in this dream like place yet knew in his heart this tattooed form of red and black was him.

"I have transformed into what you didn't wish for me to become Uncle. I have become a hunter. I have become fear. I have become a dragon! And since you will not speak the name my mother gave me at my birth, you may address me simply as…Maul!" stated Maul while walking around his uncle like a predator circles his prey.

"You have become like your Targaryen Grandfather," surmised Ned with Maul scoffing.

"Such a narrowminded fool you have become uncle. You hear those words, and you suddenly think of the Mad King? Did it ever occur to you to think I was becoming something worthy of my father? Worthy of House Targaryen as well as House Stark?" asked Maul while Ned shook his head.

"Your father should have stayed away from my sister. He should have stayed married to Elia Martell and Lyanna should have married Robert as their stations demanded. They chose to forsake their honor and not do their duty," said Ned while Maul sighing in disappointment.

"And what about duty to your family? Does that mean nothing to you? If Robert were to learn the truth of me as a babe, would you have surrendered me to him? Knowing he would put the war hammer to my body? Or would fight for your sister's child?" asked Maul while Ned looked away.

"You can refuse to answer Ned, but the truth is clear in your silence. You would let Robert kill my son. You choose family of choice over family by blood. Do not visit me in the crypts again Ned. Until you can think like a true Stark and a true man of the North, you will not be welcome down here!" stated Lyanna angrily before her statue became lifeless in their presence.

"She is right. And while you did promise to protect me from my enemies, only the wordage of it was the only part honored, not the spirit. You couldn't even keep your fishy wife in line when it came to my life here in your castle," said Maul while Ned clenched his teeth and fists in anger.

"She would have learned to love you as time went by. These things take time," said Ned while Maul now growled at him.

"These things take time? How many years has that woman taken from my life in order to get over her jealousy? Her paranoia? Her hatred for my existence that was a lie?! Did she tell you why I left? Why I fled the North? Did she tell you the truth? Did you ever call her out on the lie she spewed from those bastard hating lips?" asked Maul while Ned frowned.

"I never believed what she told me about your leaving. All I knew was you were gone, and her actions were the source of it. We were estranged for some time following your disappearance," said Ned while Maul laughing at him.

"Oh, what fun this is for me. Truly, this is indeed a fun and interesting moment in time. She no doubt told you some story of me plotting in secret to claim Winterfell for myself. As all bastards are evil in her eyes and the eyes of Seven. Did your Lady Wife tell you how she and men from her House who live here in the North dragged me out into the forest to die? How she personally took out a dagger and stabbed me multiple times before twisting the blade on the last stabbing? How she left me to die in the snow? How she left a man behind to ensure I didn't survive? Did she tell you about her plans for Winterfell? Did she tell you about her plans for the North while regent until Robb was old enough to rule?" asked Maul while Ned frowned at that since he had been told a message during the Greyjoy Rebellion had been sent to say he was fatally injured.

Though who actually sent the letter was a mystery to him and Cat herself had destroyed the parchment since she couldn't stand the idea of having it her presence. Or so she claimed when he asked about it. But still, he would not allow himself to hear his nephew slander his wife, even if she were on the wrong, or did what she was accused of doing.

"I will not stand here and listen to this nonsense," said Ned while trying to leave this false crypt in the hope of awakening from this dream state.

Only to be yanked back by an invisible power and thrown to the floor in front of Maul.

"You will leave when I say you can leave uncle. And you will only be allowed to leave once I have said every single thing that I have to tell you," replied Maul while glaring down at his uncle.

"You can speak but I will not listen," countered Ned getting up with Maul shrugging.

"Listen. Don't listen. It doesn't matter. The point is I will speak, and you will hear my words. Whether or not you listen to them is your choice. But know one choice will cost you dearly. The other not so much," said Maul before two chairs manifested and he sat down in one while motioning for Ned to do the same in the other.

"And what could you have to say to me?" asked Ned while sitting in the chair and glaring at his nephew.

"How about the truth? How about we have an honest conversation where neither of us lies and speaks only the truth?" asked Maul while Ned glaring at him.

"And how do I know you will even speak the truth?" asked Ned while Maul simply let out a chuckle.

"How do I know you will speak the truth? I have more reason to question your ability to speak honestly than you do. When living in the North, you have lied to me about who and what I was in life. In truth, I was prince, only to be raised as a bastard. Barely treated better than a slave one sees in the markets of Essos. I asked you several times on several of my namedays to tell me who my mother was. You didn't have to give me much. Even a name would have been enough. It was all I ever wanted to know. I even told you I would gladly forsake any and all future nameday gifts you planned to give me. Not only on those days but any other namedays if you just granted that one single wish. So, if anyone here is going to have their honor questioned about being honest, it is you," said Maul while Ned looking away from him.

"I won't apologize for my decisions I made to protect you," said Ned while Maul's face staying neutral.

"I don't want an apology from you uncle. I simply want the truth. You speak of being honorable, well I say now is your chance to prove you can be honorable. Speak to me as a man. Speak to me as a Stark. Speak to me words full of truth and be the honorable man everyone in the Seven Kingdoms proclaims throughout," said Maul while Ned heavily sighed this time, and it was clear the man was tired of holding in the secrets and the lies upon lies he felt were needed to protect the Seven Kingdoms from a blood soaking war.

"What do you want to know?" asked Ned with Maul smiling a gentle smile this time.

"Everything. And in return, I will tell you everything I know that you possibly do not," replied Maul with Ned nodding and the two began talking.

(Winterfell-A Few Days Later)

Ever since the end of the Greyjoy Rebellion and his return back from those islands to the North, there was a sudden change in Lord Stark from what the people around him could see of the man. Many of the people wondered what had happened to cause the sudden change in the man to become so cold, and to his own family no less. Strangely enough, as time progressed, the coldness seemed to slowly lift itself off of him for some reason. As if some invisible burden had suddenly left their Lord and he was no longer as grim or cold as they had seen him become in the past.

Or rather towards most of his family.

With his children, the man was becoming an ideal father. Spending time with them as best he could when his own duties as Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North did not impede him from it. With Robb, he helped in his training to fight. With Brandon, it was to show him the Winterfell library and take an interest in the different pieces of knowledge left behind in them. With Sansa, he told her stories of the knights who were honorable and true despite being no different sides of Robert's rebellion against the Targaryens. With Arya, he saw her as Lyanna reborn, and taught her about the different Houses in the North where women were not like the ladies of the South. Arya enjoyed those stories and felt she would fit right at home with the Mormonts on Bear Island given how they had some of the most fiercest women capable of fighting against any man who dared tried to come at them with hostile intentions. His youngest son, Rickon Stark, was a wild boy like Arya and his interest ranged from running all around the castle, causing mischief wherever he went in the process or watching Robb spar in the yard.

But it was his Lady Wife who many noticed was the one on the receiving end of his cold shoulder and it slowly made the woman increasingly nervous as time went by. Many could not understand what she had done to earn his contempt? What had she done to lose his warm nature yet again after his return from the Greyjoy Rebellion? What had she done to make him scowl at her with such disgust at times that she couldn't even get an answer out of him at times when the woman asked about it? Many of the servants in the castle were wondering if Catelyn had done something to offend their Lord during his return from the Greyjoy Rebellion?

There were rumors of course. What castle didn't have them? Whispered though they were, it was the belief that this coldness related to the missing bastard son of their Lord. Everyone knew the man had loved the boy yet didn't give him the Stark name despite raising him among the man's trueborn son. The Lady of Winterfell clearly hated the boy and their were whispers of how she wanted the boy to die in some horrible accident. There were even whispers of the woman praying for the boy's death when she was kneeling before the Stranger in the Sept that Lord Stark had made for her. No one could confirm or deny it, but the rumors and whispers were there, echoing through the halls of Winterfell like a ghost.

Neither the guards nor household servants spoke of these rumors when around their Lord and knew it was best not to speak of them since they didn't know what would go through their Lords mind if he ever heard them. The Quiet Wolf maybe quiet most of the time, but when he howled, it made many shiver in fear of the man's cold wrath when brought down on them.

Not to mention it wasn't their place to ask or question the issues pertaining to their Lord's life. And so long as he was honest and just with them, what was happening with Lord Stark's family life was not their concern.

As for Theon, the boy was stuck between being a ward and hostage with Lord Stark. On one hand, the boy did as he was told and did not complain. The boy smart enough to know there were lines one did not cross when it came to being in the home of others you had no real power in. When first arriving in Winterfell, the boy had seen Lord Stark rule firmly with everyone obeying his command without any form of hesitation. From what Theon had seen from his fellow Iron Born, they would obey the command given by his father, but would usually complain when out of earshot or delay in carrying out the order.

Theon was also smart enough to see that something had happened to the Stark family that had occurred during the time of his father's rebellion. It had something to do with Lord Stark's bastard son and how he had some kind of confrontation with the Lord's Lady Wife. Theon knew plenty about bastard, given the Iron Born made them with any woman they came across they didn't make a Salt Wife. He also knew enough to know the bastard had left after something happened and decided to take his chances in the frozen wilderness of the North over dealing with the woman.

Not that Theon could blame the bastard for leaving. Theon had to deal with her on occasion and she had been a mean cunt when he stepped out of line on things. Lady Stark made it clear to Theon that she would not tolerate him doing anything dishonorable while living in Winterfell. Son of a Lord or not. The boy would like to think an Iron Born such as himself would not tremble at the sight of an angry woman, but her piercing gaze made him nervous at times. She had this look about her when angry or in "cunt mode" as he like to call it, which made him hesitate in wanting to sneak out of the castle to the nearest brothel to show the whores there how the Iron Born were superior to other Northmen in bed.

As things stood, Theon knew the best way to understand this confusing situation was to keep his head down, eyes open, and his mouth shut until the time was right.

Eventually, the attitude between the two had changed from being cold to somewhat warm to a point where they could be in the same room together. Share a bed together. It was only when Brandon and Rickon were brought into the world did things become better for them.

Only to go back to being bad after Lord Stark had awoken from his dream when discovered by Maester Luwin in his solar asleep. Of course, the learned man said nothing of it to anyone, as he respected Lord Stark too much to let anyone know the man had falling asleep there.

When the Lord of Winterfell had awakened and saw the man was conflicted on things from his dream, Maester Luwin had inquired about it. Unfortunately, Lord Stark would not confide in the learned man about them despite the gentle asking of the question. Whatever had happened in the dream the Lord of Winterfell had experience had shaken him deeply.

So much so, that after a long moment of silence between them, the Lord of Winterfell finally decided to ask Maester Luwin a question. A question the Maester was unsure on how to answer.

"If you learned a terrible truth regarding past events that were personal to you Maester Luwin, and it was within your power to change those events, would you?" asked Ned while Maester Luwin pondered over the question.

"It would depend on the event my Lord. Perhaps I would change things, if it were connected to some kind of tragedy I had experienced in my youth? Or perhaps if it were the moment in time where I could have considered choosing another profession outside of being a Maester?" asked Maester Luwin with Lord Stark nodding while thinking things over in his head.

"I'm sorry to ask you that question, Maester Luwin. I just find myself in a situation I have not felt myself in for a long time," said Ned while Maester Luwin frowned in curiosity.

"And what situation would that be my Lord?" asked Maester Luwin with Ned sighing.

"Lost. I am lost Maester Luwin," replied Ned while running his hand along his head.

"In what way my Lord?" asked Maester Luwin while hoping to help Lord Stark make some sense of his feeling of being lost.

"On what the future holds for myself and my House," whispered Ned and letting out another sigh.

"Perhaps, if you told me what it was that made you lost in the first place, I can help guide you back to the path you wish to be on, my Lord," replied Maester Luwin with Ned hesitating and it was clear the Lord of Winterfell was afraid to speak of something truly devastating if it ever came to light.

"I suggest you sit down Maester Luwin. What needs to be said here in this room will take a long time and be kept between us. Something only a select few know and all have been sworn to silence on my command. I am going to tell you this truth because I have known you for a long time and your advice in matters has always been honest and true," said Ned with Maester Luwin smiling a gentle smile.

"I am honored by your trust Lord Stark, and I will try to provide sound advice to your problem if I can," replied Maester Luwin after he sat down in the chair across from Lord Stark.

"What I am about to tell you dates back to Robert's rebellion. No, even before the rebellion. It involves my family, the Targaryens, and the conspiracy which spread lies used by others to bring about the war that should have never happened," said Ned before he told the Maester everything and watched the learned man listen intently to everything the Lord of Winterfell told him.

It would definitely be a long day for the two of them.

(A/N: YAY! I updated. I know everyone wants me to work on my other fics. But I wanted to get this fic out of my head or as much of it as I can. Don't worry about my GoTxMK fic. I will get back to that one soon. I played a lo of MK11 recently, plus the Aftermath DLC. I was kind of pissed with how the story went on that ending. FYI, a lot of people died or captured for evil purposes, even though the ending has Lui Kang bringing hope for the future. Hopefully, MK12 (if it is being made) will make me happy. In any case, I am going to work on this before focusing on anything else. Until next time…PEACE!)