A/N: JUMP TO THE CHAPTER, "WINTER IS COMING," IF YOU JUST WANT TO READ PART 2 OF THIS STORY. YOU DON'T NEED TO READ PART I TO UNDERSTAND IT OR READ IT. THAT'S ONLY IF YOU WANT TO. BUT IF YOU'RE JUST INTERESTED IN PART II OF THIS STORY GO AHEAD. NO WORRIES. IF YOU'D LIKE TO READ PART 3, SIMPLY GO TO THE CHAPTER TITLED, "PART 3, CHAPTER 1." SAME AS THE SECOND PART, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO READ THE OTHERS TO UNDERSTAND THE STORY. ONLY IF YOU WANT TO.

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Here is part 2 to my first epilogue story, the black wolf and mother of dragons. I just missed this story too damn much for me to not continue. So, if you have not read the black wolf and the mother of dragons at least read it or skim it to understand what happened. If you don't, you'll be confused. Trust me you won't understand what is happening at all.

Below is a little summary about each family.

Stannis Baratheon is the King of Westeros. Lord Davos his Hand of the King.

James Stark is married to Daenerys Targaryen. Together they have five children. The first are Eddard and Rhaella. Both of them are sixteen years of age and are fraternal twins. Eddard (Ned) appears as a Stark, brown hair with grey eyes, he also married his cousin, Lyanna. Rhaella has silver hair and lilac eyes. The third child is Catelyn (Cat). She is twelve and has brown hair with violet eyes. The fourth child is Rhaegar. He is five years old with silver hair and grey eyes. The fifth child is Rhaenys. She is a newborn of about nine months and has brown hair with grey eyes.

Arya Stark is married to Gendry Baratheon (Waters), the Lord of Storm's End. Together they have four children. Robert, the eldest and future Lord of Storm's End, is a man of seventeen who looks like Gendry (dark hair, dark eyes). Lyanna is a girl of sixteen who has brown hair with grey eyes who is married to her cousin Eddard and she currently is pregnant with their first child. Edric is a boy of twelve who has dark hair but grey eyes with Arya's face. Finally they have a newborn girl named Cassana who is five months old.

Sansa Stark is married to Jon Targaryen (Snow). Together they have four children. Robb, the eldest, is eleven years old and has the Tully look (auburn hair, blue eyes). The second is Jeyne, a girl who is ten years old and has the Stark look (Grey eyes and long face) but auburn hair. The third is Brandon who has the Stark look all together (black hair, grey eyes, long face), he is five years old. The fourth is Marissa, a girl of one and has the Tully look as well.

Bran Stark, the Lord of Winterfell, is married to Myrcella Lannister (Baratheon). Together they only have one child, a son named Jaime who is thirteen years old and the acting lord of Winterfell. He has his mother's eyes (emerald) but his father's looks and hair (auburn). Myrcella is currently pregnant with their second child.

Rickon Stark, the Lord of Karhold, is married to Marci Karstark and live in Karhold. They have three children. Rickard, the eldest, is five and has auburn hair and brown eyes. The second is Alys, is three and has brown hair and blue eyes. The third is Benjen, a newborn of three months with auburn hair and blue eyes.

Finally we have Eddard and Lyanna, who are newly wed. Lyanna is pregnant with their first child.There are a few other people living in Winterfell that you should know about. The first is Casella. She is the daughter of Ser Edmund (castellan at the moment and master-at-arms) and is sixteen with emerald eyes and auburn hair. Casella was Eddard's first love and had been so since they were children. He took her virginity at the age of thirteen. Of course there is Catelyn Tully Stark who still lives in Winterfell with her family and grandchildren. There is also two other girls who are nobleman's daughters, Beth and Darci. Finally there is the maester, Maester Willem.

A few other characters of note are Minisa, Alerie and Victaria. Minisa is the second child, and only daughter of Roslin Frey and Edmure Tully. She is betrothed to Jaime (Bran's son) and is thirteen. She has auburn hair and brown eyes. Alerie is the daughter of Arianne Martell and Willas Tyrell, she is thirteen years of age and has black hair with brown eyes but white skin. She is betrothed to Robert (Arya's son). Victaria is the daughter of Margaery Tyrell and Tommen Lannister, the Lord of the Rock. She is twelve and is betrothed to Edric (Arya's second son).

Anyway, let's get on with it again. Also, I doubt this story will be AS long as the first one, but…I never suspected 8 chapters either and look what happened. I don't know what will happen.

Disclaimer: GRRM owns all.

Chapter 1 Eddard and Rhaella

Eddard

The road north was a long one.

Eddard Stark did not expect it to take so damn long. As a child he had studied the maps on Maester Willem's table in his turret that had been rebuilt from a fire that consumed Winterfell long ago. Ned knew the map of Westeros as best as any other man, but he now realized that maps were smaller than the real country. They had been along the kingsroad for about almost a full moon with an army of northmen behind them. He just wished for them to arrive, to defeat Mance Rayder so he could go home to Lyanna's arms. That is all I wish for in this moment. I would give my weight in gold to see her smile or feel her touch.

But a man has his duties.

They had left Winterfell in a rush and a hurry, amidst the commotion of an army that was preparing for a long march. Ned could still remember the shouts and yells, the hammer upon the steel over at the blacksmiths workshop in the courtyard. The sweet song of steel was so familiar to him now, everyday he had to hear it upon the kingsroad while the army set up camp for the night. It was no more than ten thousand men that had come from Winterfell to Caste Black. He could still recall going through Wintertown with the army and thinking about how many memories he shared in that town. He and Casella went one night to the tavern, giving coin to the owner to let them stay a night. It was not the night he took her maidenhead, but the first time he saw her without clothing. He was no more than twelve. I wish nothing but the best for her, she deserves it. Many a time Ned dreamed of moments lost with his first love, a person he'd always love despite their history and his love for Lyanna. Casella was his first love, something not so easily forgotten. Ned would never forget, as he knew she wouldn't either.

The road north was not as scenic as Ned had thought. Tiny hills sprawled the west side of the road with abandoned stone towers along its summits. Ned liked to imagine a time when they were occupied by the intrepid men of the Night's Watch, back when it was an honorable brotherhood of men. To the east of the road the land was flatter with more bridges, streams and rivers to be found. Ned even saw some abandoned holdfasts along the land as well. Each time he passed one he liked to think that it could belong to him and Lya one day, him and their family. Already she was with their first child. It made Eddard solemn and sad with each day.

Each day began the same. The army would march for most of the day with little breaks in between - only for eating, to be honest. Ned would march with his uncles, father and his cousin. Robert was the only true company he found amongst the men. His father was mostly with Bran Stark and his lords, along with Robert's father and Ned's uncle and Lannister uncle. He and Robert would sit on their horses and talk as the sun moved in the sky. About their lives, mostly. At times Robert would tell him about his fears of facing the wildlings and what could go wrong. Ned waived them away.

As the night would come, Ned's uncle Bran would stop the army and have them camp for the night. If there was an inn around (how few in number they were) Ned would be able to sleep there with his uncle's, father and Robert. After a fortnight they began to move into a dark forest with oaks and evergreens as old as the north encompassing it. "The wolfswood," was what Ned knew it as. It stretched far along the North and many a time he would go riding in it with Cat and Jeyne. Gods how he missed his family, just as much as he did Lyanna. He missed Rhaegar's laugh and his mother's smile. He missed his grandmother's hugs and his aunt Sansa's beauty and kisses. He missed his other cousins and his sister Rhaella to some extent. He missed Cat so much and Jeyne's pretty face, the blush that would grace it as well after he'd kiss her on the cheek. He missed Jeyne and Cat the most out of them all. Of course Lyanna he would miss the most, but Cat and Jeyne…they were equally as missed. Not a day went by without Ned thinking about one of Jeyne's hugs and kisses that could make him happy on the worst of days. How much she just wanted to please him by letting her show her love for him. Many a time had Jeyne been there to hug him when he was sad. As she had been before he left south for his fostering.

Winter is coming, Ned thought ruefully as he whipped his cock out and drained his water. It came out fast and flowing like a river that had been held up by a dam, and what a great relief it was. The summer snows had taken their toll and the air was might chilly and cold. Eddard had to wear furs just to prevent himself from freezing, but Robert had to wear even more. He was raised in the South and knows nothing but heat. I've known the cold summers of the North all my life. As my children will, and Lyanna will get used to. Ned sighed to himself as he shook out the last few drops and laced up his breeches. Even saying her name in his mind made him solemn and sad.

"Are you done?" Robert barked from behind. "Come on, Ned, a few more hours and we can stay at an inn tonight! It's been nearly a week, and-and…oh, just come up on the horse!"

Ned turned around and nodded, remounting his horse. Robert was beside him in his furs and brown leather over chain mail. On his back was a sword and a dagger at his side. Robert's hair was down to his shoulders, his beard scruffy and thick. Ned envied his beard. He could only grow a light shade, but not as thick and unruly as Robert could. Ned looked back to the front where he saw his uncle's and father just sitting there on their horses. Men of war and experience, Ned thought as he looked at them. His father was sitting upon his horse, his black-brown hair falling almost over his ears again. Like most of the men, he had also grown a beard. But Ned saw a few strands of grey beginning to grow in, something he'd never tell him of.

As the men moved forward again and the march resumed, Tyrion Lannister had come beside Robert and both began to talk. Robert told him about Alerie and Storm's End. Ned frowned at that and decided to further spur his horse down the road towards his father. James Stark was sitting upon his horse and listening to his cousin-brother Jon Targaryen speaking about the Night's Watch when Ned pulled up beside him.

After a moment or two his father turned to him and gave a half-smile. "Hello, Eddard."

Ned dipped his head. "Father."

He grunted. "Still angry with me, I see."

No, not anymore. It was true, Ned had been angry with him after learning that he had to join them in coming to the Wall. He and Lya did not leave their chambers for the whole day when they received the news. His father had come and tried to get them out of it, but they were stubborn in their persistence. Ned cursed his name under his breath, blaming him for making him go. His father wanted him to learn, he knew, and this was probably the best way to do so. If Ned was to be a lord one day, he may have to fight for Jaime if it ever came down to it. It was three days before he left that he realized what this journey meant. It is a chance for me to become a man.

"I am not angry anymore, Father."

His horse shook its maine and then he replied, "I'm sorry, my son. I didn't want this for you, but…you know this must happen."

Ned nodded. "I know. It is just…"

"…you miss Lyanna and all that you have left behind. I know." He sighed. "I miss your mother with each passing day. I miss Rhaenys and your sister's and Rhaegar. He is only five, Ned. He needs me in his life now more than ever." His father then smiled. "Or you. I fear he loves you more than me, Eddard."

Their horses were walking at a pace right now as all Ned could hear was the shouts of men, creaking of wagons, and neighs from horses and donkey alike. He could smell the horse and donkey shit in the air, but had grown so used to it that it did not bother him anymore.

Ned smiled softly at that. Suddenly he could hear Rhaegar's laugh in the wind, he could swear. Yet he knew the gods were just being cruel. "I'm terribly sorry about that."

His father laughed. "No matter. I'd rather have it that way anyway. I was close with my brother's growing up, so should you." He then grew serious. Ned could see the lines in his face behind his thick beard. "I've never really asked you how you are fairing?"

"I'm trying the best that I can, Father."

"I know it is a heavy burden for one so young to bear, Ned."

One that we all must carry. "You were seventeen when you left for the Night's Watch. How is this any different?"

His father shook that notion away. "But I was not leaving a wife heavy with child. It was an easier burden to bear, believe me."

"But you loved that woman of yours, Father."

At that he gave a small smile. "Lyanna knows too much."

Ned smiled, too. "It was not her who told me, but Robert. Plus...you know how Aunt Sansa is, and Tyrion."

He nodded. "I do, I do. She...this woman, mind you, was a whore. I cannot deny that. But underneath all of that she was...something else. She was witty, smart, at times a bit mean, but at times kind. She was my first love, something I cannot forget. She'll always stay with me."

"Do you love her more than my mother?"

At that he raised an eyebrow. "I don't think I ever could. What would prompt you to ask that?"

"I don't know," Ned lied. He often thought whether or not he still loved Casella more than Lyanna. Of course that was before they were married, yet the feelings still lingered.

His father caught the lie. "You lie. This is about Casella, isn't it?"

Ned nodded, to which his father sighed and explained, "Ned, Sella was your first love, something you will not forget. Trust me when I tell you that she will keenly be remembered in here." He pointed to his heart. "And here." He pointed to his head. "But, the love you hold for your wife is stronger. When you hold you and Lya's child for the first time...trust me, my son, the love you feel for Lyanna will swell to the moon and heavens. Believe me."

And with that his father spurred his horse forward after a soldier had just come and beckoned him to meet with the Lord of Winterfell. Normally Ned would have gone with him but all the joy was just squeezed out of him after thinking about Lyanna again. She plagued his dreams and thoughts day-and-night, as she should in all things. Ned often had a recurring nightmare since he left Winterfell's grey walls. It began the same. Lyanna would be on the birthing bed, all the Stark women around her along with Ned's sister Rhaella, Casella, and a sea of midwives. She would be giving birth, her face scrunched from the pain, her beautiful chestnut hair matted against her neck and forehead from the sweat. Her mother would be by her side clenching her hand as Ned should have been doing. Finally Lya would scream and began to weep blood and heavily from her sex. The child would be born, but Ned would have to watch as Lya would die. He always awoke in a jerk and a scream, Robert had seen him one time.

The rest of the day passed on slowly, but word crept up amongst the ranks that they were finally nearing Castle Black. Ned sighed in-relief when he heard the news from Robert himself. There were many cheers of joy as the army made camp for the night outside of a place named Mole Town. Ned's father had told him about this little town outside of the Wall. Many times the black brother's would come down here to lay with whores for a night. It was no secret amongst the Night's Watch that some men snuck off in the night to break their vows. Ned's father had been one of them. "I never took my vows seriously," he told him. "I never cared until later in my life." At that Ned could feel remorse.

That lords and his family were spending the night within Mole Town itself. There was a brothel there with rooms for them to rent out. The brothel owner had been more than happy to let the lords of the North and Winterfell spend a night in his brothel. Ned was now seated around a table with his uncle's, Robert, and his father. Beside him was the Greatjon Umber and Robert on his right. Bran Stark, the Lord of Winterfell, was talking in hushed whispers amongst his lords while Ned's father and uncle's listened. Robert did not seem to care for their talk. He was half in his cups and had a whore on his lap. Robert was laughing and laughing, kissing the whore on the lips every so often. It was as if Alerie had meant nothing to him in this moment. Ned hoped he would change his ways.

Ned kept to his tankard of ale and lightly sipped on it. He did not care for the company of whores on this night like his cousin. He planned to be ever faithful to Lyanna, for she certainly deserved his devotion in all things. The sting of leaving her heavy with child pained Ned everyday, more so than any sword wound that has been felt under Ser Edmund for all those years. As he sat and drank his tankard with the roaring songs, fresh bread and meat, and singers around him he looked back at his love with Lya. It all began in King's Landing when they fostered under King Stannis - well Lya was a lady-in-waiting to the queen. Casella had stopped loving him, stopped sending the ravens and found love in another's arms. Ned found his own love in Lyanna's, and would not trade it for the world. His only regret was not loving her sooner, truth be told. Lyanna had been in-love with him since she was a little girl, Ned knew nothing of it. If only I had known sooner, I would have loved her since I was four as well. Yet Casella held my heart for many years until Addam's took its place. Now he is dead.

Suddenly he felt a clap on his back as he turned to his right and saw Tyrion Lannister there, half drunk in his fourth cup of wine. He gave Ned a grin and downed his cup. "Lord Stark!" he yelled over the commotion. He had called Ned that since he was a boy. It was a nickname, so to speak. "Why do you look so fucking grim?"

Ned couldn't help but chuckle lightly. "I just cannot find it in myself to have fun in this moment. Certainly not like Robert." He looked back to see his cousin kissing a whore, she had half her tongue down his throat.

Tyrion turned around to see the image and back to Ned, he gave a hardy laugh. "It seems your cousin does not care about courtesy."

Ned sighed. "Robert and courtesy don't belong in the same sentence." He heard one of his cousins laughs.

"I can't believe his father hasn't said anything."

Ned shrugged. "Robert will just find another way. I just advise him to be careful. Gods know it would be horrible for him to get a bastard on some poor girl."

Tyrion nodded. "I fear his grandfather was plagued with the same thing." He lifted his goblet. "He also had a thing for bastards." He drank from the cup.

"Gods forbid," Ned swore. "Our grandmother would have his head in a heartbeat. His mother would have his heart."

"If he's not careful then he will have many Robert's roaming around. Hells, he may already."

"I doubt it." Ned drank from his tankard once more. He thought about his own child in this moment. Ned wondered if a daughter he could spoil was growing in Lya's belly, or a son that he could teach the ways of the sword. A little Sansa or a little Gendry, as Lyanna wants to call our son. I wish for nothing more.

Tyrion turned around to laugh and make jests with Robert as Ned turned back to his father and uncle's. They were still deep in conversation, Ned saw, and so he decided to listen. Sometimes he did this and just did not put in any input or thoughts. He wanted to get in the minds of these men who were lords of the realm (well his father had been a king). They were talking about what to do next once they arrived at the Wall.

"We attack the wildlings," said the Greatjon. "I know how those savages function. They raid my lands all the time. A few of their heads probably grace my cities gates in this moment."

"We cannot allow that," the Lord of Winterfell dismissed. "No, we cannot attack like that. We are inviting Mance Rayder to try, we don't want him to try. We must not fight at first."

"How can we not fight at first?" whispered his father hoarsely. "Bran, they have it under siege! We have no choice but to lift it."

"We have to go through the middle, James," said Bran Stark. "How can we lift it in such a way?"

"There are other ways," added Gendry Baratheon this time. "Stannis went around when he first defeated Mance. Why can't we do the same?"

"Mance will be expecting that!" Bran yelled now. "We cannot do the expected."

"Then we must do the unexpected," Jon Targaryen finally spoke. "We treat with Mance."

"Treat with Mance?!" cursed the Greatjon. "How do you expect us to treat with a man like that!"

"I had to do it the first time," Jon snapped. "Mance will listen. He probably wants something."

"He wants the heart of the North!" the Greatjon Umber bellowed. "That's what he wants, my lord!"

Bran waived him away. "Let him speak, Lord Umber."

The Greatjon nodded.

Ned's uncle continued, "We have a parley with him, under a peace banner. Just bring a few men with us, that is all."

"How can we trust this?" Gendry said.

"Jon is right," Bran said. "We have to try."

"I do not trust, Mance!" Ned's father whispered. "I didn't then, and I don't now."

"James, he helped reclaim Winterfell," said Jon.

"I don't care!" his father snapped. "Mance didn't have a choice then!"

"Enought of this," the Lord of Winterfell said. "We will treat with Mance."

"The Night's Watch will not like it," James Stark warned. "Mance was one of them, and betrayed them twice now. They will not go for it."

"We will convince them," his uncle assured.

Suddenly Ned felt a hands on his shoulders and warm, moist breath hot on his right ear. "Would you like to become a man, pretty boy?"

Startled, Ned shrugged the hands off and turned around to find a whore standing behind him. Her hair was brown down past her shoulders. Her skin was faire and she had brown eyes. Ned thought her comely, but did not care to lie with her. Suddenly he felt his eyes grow wide and a stirring in his breeches as he saw her breasts were exposed now, her dress was a light blue with a white bodice. Someone had ripped her bodice downward to expose them. Ned's eyes went back to her face as he gulped. "I'm not a boy," was all he croaked.

He turned back to his tankard as the woman bent down to kiss his cheek. "Such a pretty boy. Why must you play so shy?"

"I'm not a boy," Ned whispered again, looking back at her. "And I don't want what you have to offer."

He saw she was taken a back. "The boy has a bite to him." She smiled. "I like that."

"I don't care what you like," Ned told her. "Just-just leave me alone..." he turned back to his ale again and drank out of it.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw the whore sit down next to him. She propped up her head with her elbow on the table and frowned. She reached over to stroke his hair. "Poor boy. I can see that you are hurting."

Ned closed his eyes as she threaded his hair. Even though he knew he shouldn't allow it, he liked the comfort. Lya had done this for him every night as he went to sleep. It was the most relaxing feeling. Ned missed a woman's touch since leaving Winterfell, but the only woman's touch he wanted was Lyanna's. "I'm not a boy," he said again.

"Of course you aren't," she said soothingly. "You must have bedded many a woman by now. You're a pretty lad, women must line up to lie with you."

At that Ned laughed. "Believe me, they do not."

She grinned. "You're not a very good liar."

"I am a great liar."

"Sure you are, Lord Stark."

Ned took another drink from his tankard and said, "My name is Eddard, or Ned if you like. I'm no lord."

At that she smiled again. "Lord Ned."

"I'm not a lord."

"Sure, Ned."

Ned took a drink again and set it down. "And what is your name?"

"My name?" she said, pointing between her breasts.

Ned nodded. "Surely even whores have names."

She shrugged and sighed. "My name is Jeyne, Ned."

At that he almost spit up his ale. "You lie!"

She shook her head. "No, Ned, it is Jeyne."

He laughed. "My cousin is named Jeyne. I...I miss that girl."

"And who is this girl you speak of?" She scooted herself very close to Ned to thread his hair again. He could feel her breasts beginning to push up against his arm. "A lover?"

At that he laughed again. "Gods, no, she is my cousin and only ten. But...if she were my age, I would marry her. I cannot deny that."

"So you are close with this girl?"

Ned nodded. "She is my best friend in many ways. Ten, she may be, but she has the mind of a girl my age. I love her."

"You told me you weren't a boy. You told me you had a woman."

"I'm not, and I do," said Ned. He felt goosepimples rise on his neck as she continued to thread his hair. "I-I have a wife and she is with child."

He saw Jeyne's eyes grow wide. "You? But you are so young. Who is the lucky lady?"

Ned smiled as he picked up his tankard. "Lyanna." He took a drink and wiped the foam. "She is my cousin, but I married her. I...I love her like no other. And I had to leave her."

"I see why you must be hurting," the whore said. "To be young and in love. I'm afraid I never had the chance to experience it." Ned felt himself coil like a snake as her hand went from his hair to his thigh, she began to stroke it up-and-down. "Let me take the pain away, m'lord. Let me help you forget."

Ned took her hand off his thigh. "I'm afraid you are mistaken. If you want a lordlings son, go find my cousin. He certainly wants it more than me."

At that Jeyne got up and sighed. "Fine, Lord Eddard. I don't get you." She bent down to kiss him on the lips, Ned didn't know what to do. She pulled back and grinned devilishly. "At least I stole a kiss."

And with that she strode away, comely and all. Ned retreated into his chambers for the night soon after. He had to help Robert up to his bed once the festivities died down. Robert had gotten too drunk to move on his own, so Ned's father and him had to prop him up, one arm on each shoulder. Ned's cousin was as strong as an aurochs, and about as smart as one too when influenced by the drink. He was grumbling about a whore that he was supposed to meet in his chambers at this time. Although Ned had already seen him go into three different rooms with three different whores earlier that evening.

His father grunted. "Robert, you must not drink like this again. Not once we arrive at the Wall."

"Oh come on, Uncle James," Robert slurred. "Just...just have a little fun."

James Stark gave a laugh. "I had plenty of fun at your age, believe me. But you must understand that this ends tonight, Robert. You will not be allowed back down here once we arrive at Castle Black."

"Oh, fuck that," Robert grumbled. "I'm coming back down here every night."

"Does Alerie mean nothing to you," Ned grunted out as he lifted Robert step-by-step. "You told me you loved her. Why must you dishonor her, so?"

"I-I love that girl, Eddard Stark!" Robert drunkenly yelled. "Do not tell me otherwise!"

"Oh, that's shite," said Ned. "If you loved her, you wouldn't be cheating on her as we speak."

"I'm not married to her...yet," Robert defended. "And I won't marry her for many a while now that we must go to the Wall." He burped. "I miss her."

"Love is sweetest, dearest Robert," said Ned's father. "But it cannot change a man's nature."

Ned laughed. "Who said that?"

"Your wife's namesake," his father told him. "It was something that she told my father, and something he told me. It means that even though he may love her, it will not change his ways. I just hope he changes."

Ned looked to see Robert half asleep, so he slapped him awake. Robert gave a startled shake of the head and continued to walk. It was silent now. Until his father said, "I saw that whore you were talking to. What did she want?"

"What do you think," said Ned as they pulled Robert some more steps. "To make me a man, as she put it."

"Did she know you became one at thirteen?"

Ned shook his head. "No, she didn't. I wish I had waited for Lyanna. It would have been that much more special to lose it at the same time."

His father laughed. "And I wanted to wait for your mother, sure. We do not know what life will bring, Ned. At the time you thought Casella was to be your wife, it was only natural for you two to lose it with each other. You have been in love since you were children. I can still remember how you'd grow nervous around her when you first met her. You would cower behind your mother's skirts at first, she told me. But after I returned you grew more bold and she fell for you. Now it is Lyanna who you call wife."

"Lyanna has been in love with me for just as long. It was just me who was so blind."

They dropped Robert off at his chambers and Ned bid his father good night. He thought of Lyanna again and went solemnly into his chambers. When he opened the door he found a figure laying on his bed. In the moonlight he could see she was without clothes and Ned sighed when he saw it was Jeyne.

"I told you I did not want it," Ned barked. "Why must you insist?"

She rose from the bed and walked over to him. "I just liked the way you tasted, Ned. I just wanted another." She pressed up against him.

Not in the mood for this, Ned told her, "Leave. Just go." His tone was flat.

She laughed again and caressed his face. "Oh, I don't think so."

He grabbed her wrist gently and said, "No. I don't want this. You are a very pretty woman, Jeyne. I-I just do not want to dishonor my wife. I'm sorry."

Jeyne smiled a sort of crooked smile. Her teeth were not straight. "I can understand, my lord." She came over to press a kiss to his cheek and lay a hand on his shoulder. "I just wish there were more boys or men like you." Jeyne went to the door and turned around again. "If you should ever want to just speak to someone, a woman - I know how lonely you will be up at the Wall. You can come see me. I'll always listen."

And with that she left him. Ned awoke early the next day and the march began again. Eddard had awoken to a loud knock on his bed and Lyanna in his mind again. Her face always graced his thoughts when he awoke each day. Often Ned imagined waking up with her in his arms as she once laid. Half her face snugged into his chest, her arms cradled against him. Ned dressed and began the days march with the men.

They arrived at the Wall half-a-day later.

-x-

Rhaella

"Must I go to the godswood with you?" Rhaegar asked as they walked along Winterfell's courtyard. "Rhaella, I was supposed to spar with Brandon!"

"You may spar with Brandon once we are done here," Rhaella told him as she held her head forward and shifted Rhaenys once again. Rhaella's little sister was nine moons now and growing. She told their mother that she would take care of little Rhaenys while she tried to catch up on sleep. Rhaella herself knew she of all people deserved it. Her mother had spent countless nights awake with not only Rhaenys but at times Rhaegar. Rhaella's little brother missed their father and Ned...Eddard especially. Rhaegar had shared his chamber with Ned since he was a tot, so the idea of sleeping alone again was terrifying for him. When Ned went down south for his fostering he slept with Brandon and Robb in their chambers, but now that he was older their mother would not allow it. He often awoke scared in his chambers and scurried down to their mother's. Daenerys Targaryen had let him sleep with her and Rhaenys a few times, but knew he had to stop eventually. Now Rhaegar would sometimes come and sneak into she and Cat's chambers at night. Rhaegar would crawl into Rhaella's bed and she would let him. She loved him too much to deny his sad grey eyes. It was what reminded Rhaella of the father and brother that were gone. At time she missed Ned, although Rhaella would never admit it to him. It was not that she didn't love him...it was just they weren't as close as they were supposed to be.

"But, Rhaella.." he pouted.

"Rhaegar," Rhaella said firmly. "How many times do I let you sleep in my bed or treat you with nothing but love? Is this not the least you can do, my sweet?"

He nodded and looked to the ground. Rhaegar would always listen to her above all others. He was never insolent with her. "Yes, Rhaella, you're nice and kind. I just wanted to spar."

"Mama bid me to look after you and so I shall."

They walked a few more steps as Rhaella now clenched Rhaegar's hand. He then said, "Why can't Grandma take me to the praticeyard!"

"Grandmother needs to rest more, Maester Willem said so. She deserves it, Rhaegar."

He nodded, his silver hair bouncing. "You're right, Rhaella. I-I just wish Papa was here...he'd take me." He sighed. "Or Ned. He would have, too. He's Symeon and I'm Prince Aemon."

At that Rhaella stopped him in his tracks and held a sleeping Rhaenys close to her shoulder while she bent down to look Rhaegar in the eyes. Her baby brother looked down at the ground and Rhaella could hear his sniffling. At the point of his nose she saw the tears forming and dropping down to the ground. Rhaella frowned and lifted his chin up for him to look at her. He misses them so much, Ned especially. "Baby brother, I know how much you miss them. I miss Papa and Ned, too. Imagine how Lyanna must feel."

Rhaegar nodded and looked up at her, managing half a smile with swollen red eyes. "Pretty Lya is married to Ned. She must love him and miss him. Especially since she has a baby coming."

"She does," Rhaella told him. She flattened his hair and wiped the lingering tears from each eye with her thumb as she used to when he was a babe. Rhaenys was drooling on her shoulder. "Mama misses Papa, too, and Ned as well. We all do, Rhaegar. I'm sure Brandon misses his papa, and pretty Aunt Sansa misses her husband and Ned. But, Rhaegar, crying will not bring them back any sooner. Just be strong, my love. As Ned would ask it of you. Who is the man of this family?"

This time he smiled brightly. "I am."

Rhaella smiled. "I did not hear you..."

"I am," he said louder this time. "I am the man of this family."

"And you must be an example to all of us. You have to be strong for all of us." She kissed his forehead. "For Mama, me, Rhaenys, and Cat."

Rhaegar laughed. "Cat takes care of herself. She is strong."

"I know she is." Rhaella stood up to clench Rhaegar's hand again. "Let's go, my sweet."

He gave a curt nod and followed her into the godswood. Rhaella wanted to go pray today by herself with Rhaenys and Rhaegar in front of the Heart Tree. Rhaella's mother had expressed an interest in Rhaegar learning the ways of the old gods. No one in Winterfell really followed the Seven except Lady Catelyn, Sansa Targaryen, Myrcella Stark, and at times even Rhaella's mother. Lyanna followed them at times, but she always prayed to the old gods while in the North, where the weirwoods have their power. Rhaella, however, was a Stark, and the Starks followed the old gods. The wind picked up as Rhaella opened the door to the godswood with a little help from Rhaegar. It made the gate creak open and cut through the wind.

Rhaella wiped some silver hair from her face and made her way through. The godswood was old and earthy, but she loved it all the same. It held a place of deep meaning to her. It was where she grew up with her siblings and cousins, it was where she had talks with Casella about everything. It was the place where she kissed some boy when she was ten. He was just a squire who came from Storm's End, and Rhaella had never seen him again. He was comely and kind, only a year older than her. Now she wished she had seen him again, for he was an honorable man. Rhaella didn't know how many honorable men were left in the world, she thought all of them lived in the North or Winterfell. She did not care to marry anyone from the South, even thought that's where the squire from Storm's End was from.

As Rhaella neared the Heart Tree she saw a figure kneeling in the front of it. This person was deep in prayer, her hands clenched firmly in front of her as she kneeled and prayed. It was Lyanna, of course. She was in a dress of woolen brown with white frills on her collar and wrists, her brown hair was curled down her shoulders. Lyanna did this most days when she missed Eddard a lot. She would go into the godswood and pray for him. Lya missed him so much. Rhaella had to be there for the first week when she would not come out of her chambers. She sat in there with Lyanna and let her cry in her arms as she had done many times before when they were children. Lyanna missed him with her every being. Rhaella didn't know she loved her brother this much. Yet she knew that his child was inside her, a bond that Rhaella could not even fathom comprehending until it happened to her.

"Is that Pretty Lya?" Rhaegar whispered as they stopped walking to give her space. Rhaenys was still fast asleep on her shoulder.

Rhaella nodded and kept her gaze on Lya. "Yes it is, Rhaegar. She is praying for Ned."

"I want to pray for Ned and Papa," he replied.

"We can. Just give Lyanna her space and wait until she is done."

A few moments later Lyanna stood from the ground and laid a hand on the tree. She then turned around and marched towards Rhaella with her head to the ground. Through her dress she saw the bump that was already visible. Lya had been with child for almost four moons now. It was still small, of course, but had grown a lot bigger since Ned had left. Lady Catelyn had to lend Lya some maternal dresses for the time being while her own were being sown by servants. Lyanna flashed them a small smile when she looked up to notice them. She kept her hands down firmly by her sides and walked over to them.

Rhaegar ran over to her and Lyanna picked him up and held him. Rhaegar had grown protective of her since Ned left, taking the promise he made to him literally. He made sure to love her and be nice to her everyday. They shared their love for Ned together. Lyanna kissed his temple and said, "How are you, Rhaegar?"

"Fine, Pretty Lya. How are you?"

Lya smiled and kissed his temple again. She had always appreciated the nickname by which Rhaegar, Brandon, Robb, Jaime, and at times Ned called her by. Rhaella always enjoyed when Edric would call her beautiful. "Fine, my love."

He frowned. "No you are not. You miss, Ned."

She smiled. "I do, but praying helps."

Lyanna closed the distance between them and shifted Rhaegar to her other arm. She smiled afterwards, how Rhaella saw the pain she was trying to mask. "How are you, Lya?"

"I'm fine," she managed to croak in a soft voice. Lya feigned another smile for Rhaegar. "Truly, I'm fine."

Rhaella sighed. "Sure you are. Lyanna, why must you spend most of the day alone? Just come sow with me, Beth, Darci, and Sella. You know you'd want to."

"I can't," she told her. "I can't see Casella's face."

At that Rhaella groaned in anger. "Lya, stop using her as an excuse. Both you and Ned forgave her long ago." Rhaella closed the distance between them and looked her in the eyes. "Stop pretending, Lyanna. It will not change the situation."

Lyanna looked away from Rhaegar, the tears already forming in her eyes. Rhaella looked to her brother. "Rhaegar, why don't we go to the practice yard?"

He nodded but Lya waived it away, sniffling up her tears. "No, no, you're right. Me being alone all day will not make my Eddard come back to me sooner. I'll go sow with you."

Rhaella managed a soft smile. It felt as if she won a battle or took a flight on the back of Drogon. "Good. Let us go to the practice yard then."

They strode from the weirwood towards the gate, Lyanna walking beside her talking to Rhaegar. Rhaella's brother was asking her questions about her marriage and the babe in her belly. He was ever curious about it. He understood that Ned was the father, or at least to some extent he knew. Rhaegar thought it curious because they were cousins, seeing as Lyanna was his cousin as well. Lyanna had explained to him that she and Ned loved each other, that it was meant to be. He then asked about the babe, if it was a boy or a girl. "I don't know," Lyanna said. "But, Ned wants it to be one." Which Rhaegar always thought funny because he wanted another brother. He asked about names and everything.

When they approached the gate, they heard laughs and the scuffling of feet. The elder Stark boys appeared at the door way with sweat and smiles. It was Edric, Robb, and Brandon. Jaime was the lord of Winterfell and had many duties throughout the day, he had no more time to play with the boys. Maester Willem often helped him, as did Ser Edmund and at times Lady Catelyn. Catelyn Tully Stark always liked to be kept busy, no matter how many times the maester insisted she rested.

Rhaella's heart jumped. Has my father and Ned returned? "What's happened?"

"Has Ned returned?" Lyanna asked in a blaze of worry. "What's happened?"

They remained silent.

"Speak!" Lyanna yelled, causing Brandon to jump slightly.

"Tell us what's wrong!" Rhaella demanded.

Robb raised a finger, still panting. He smiled and looked to Rhaegar. "Rhaegar, Grandmother has let us go ride out in the wolfswood today. Come with us!"

Rhaella scoffed heavily and rolled her eyes at this. These boys are such dullards. Suddenly she heard some sniffling and saw Lyanna sobbing strongly, her face into her free hand. Rhaegar looked at her with pain on his face and kissed her cheek. Lyanna looked at him and laughed, hugging him once more before putting him on the ground. Rhaella shot a mean look to her cousins, whose faces were plain in shock.

"You fools!"she yelled at them. "How could you be so cruel?"

Rhaenys began to stir on her shoulder, so she soothed her before she awoke. Rhaella then went over to Lyanna and soothed her for a moment, rubbing her back as she always had. Lyanna just blinked out her tears and placed her head on Rhaella's free shoulder. She looked over to see Robb and Edric's face soften, while Brandon was cowered up against Robb. Rhaegar was standing in the middle of the ground before them, looking abashed at the ground with his hands behind his back.

"Rhaegar, you did nothing wrong," Rhaella told him softly. "You did the best you could." She glared at her fools of cousins. "Certainly way better than they did."

"We're sorry, Lya," Edric apologized, lunging forward slightly. "I didn't mean to scare you like that or bring up false hope."

Lyanna looked at him and nodded. "I know, you are forgiven. I'm just being stupid, is all." She motioned to Rhaegar. "Rhaegar, go play with your cousins. You've done enough, sweetling."

Her little brother gave a curt nod and ran off with his cousins. Lyanna exhaled heavily and sighed once they left, Rhaella just rubbed her shoulder. "Come, Lya, let's go to the Great Keep."

Lyanna nodded. "Yes, perhaps that is for the best."

They strode from the godswood to the Great Keep without a care. Most of the castlefolk would walk by and nod their heads or smile at the both of them. Rhaella and her cousins had always been beloved by most of Winterfell. Some of the elder ones, who knew them as tots, would bless Lyanna and her child. Others would come and rub her belly, however small it was and pray for a healthy child. Lyanna hugged some of them in thanks, or nodded or pressed kisses to some others. She was ever grateful for their support. They all knew who the father was, and he was well known around Winterfell. They promised to look after the Lady Lyanna in what ever way they could; they promised to make her happy as well. Yet Rhaella knew that only Ned's presence could make her truly happy.

They arrived at the sewing room after, but Lyanna stopped her at the door. "I don't think I can sow today, Rhaella. I'm-I'm just exhausted, and I don't want to sow. I really just want to sleep."

Rhaella shook her head. "Lyanna..."

Lya grabbed her free hand and said, "Rhaella, you've done more than enough. I will tell Ned how you cared for me." She pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I love you, my cousin, but I need this time alone." She rubbed her belly.

Rhaella nodded. "Fine. I love you too, Lyanna."

Rhaella Stark could not help but sigh heavily as she saw her cousin walk away. She is also my good-sister now, Rhaella remembered. Yes, I must remember that. She felt so bad for her the thought just wanted to make her cry. Rhaella did not like to sob, but she did not have to. Rhaenys awoke in her arms and began to cry out for their mother. Rhaella rocked her and held her close, soothing her as best she could. She then decided to take her to her mother to be fed. As she walked the halls of the Great Keep, Rhaella found Cat and Jeyne roaming the halls. These girls were growing everyday and Cat was turning into more of a woman. Rhaella knew she had her first moons blood about a year ago. Rhaella had awoken to see a pool of blood on Cat's bed one morning a years past. Cat had been crying she could tell and Rhaella told her it was all right that she would get their mother. Rhaella liked to believe her and Cat had grown a little closer after that. Jeyne, on the other hand, was still a girl at ten but was on the verge of womanhood. Her beauty just kept growing with each day like a blooming flower, as Ned liked to put it. How Jeyne missed him so.

"Where is Mother?" Rhaella asked Cat.

Cat shrugged. "I'm not sure. In her chambers with Casella, I believe."

"Casella? Why?"

"Casella wanted to talk to her," Jeyne told her now. Jeyne was in a dress of blue with her auburn hair pinned in the back. Rhaella smiled when she saw the crown of blue roses she had worn since Ned left. According to her, Ned himself had made it for her. Rhaella did not doubt that for a mere moment. "I don't know what about, though."

"It makes no matter, I will go find them."

Rhaella left them after that and marched straight to her mother's chambers. Daenerys Targaryen had handled this situation the best she could, Rhaella knew. Her mother was a strong lady and was both their mother and father with each passing day. She understood the role that her husband had to play in this. Yet Rhaella understood that she missed her husband just as much as Rhaella and her siblings did. But what pained her even more so was that Ned was gone, too. She felt that her baby boy was not ready for such responsibility, yet knew he had to grow up somehow. Fostering had done very much to nurture Ned, but he still had room to grow.

Once she was outside the chambers she knocked on the door. On the other side she could hear muttering and conversation. Rhaella knocked on the door and her mother bid here enter. She opened the door and found her mother sitting at the table with Casella. Rhaella's best friend was doing well for herself, and had moved on from her relationship with not only Ned but Addam, the boy who died on the shores of Pyke and had replaced Ned. He was just a means to replace my brother, but she never loved Addam. It was Ned she always loved. I told her to wait for him, but she would not listen. Now her only love calls Lyanna his wife instead of Casella. But it was nothing she couldn't have prevented.

Rhaella handed over her baby sister to their mother, who put on a cover before feeding her. She sat there with her best friend, who looked nervous in her own skin. Rhaella knew how to read her; she could tell when Casella was nervous. "Sella, why are you so nervous?"

"It's nothing, Rhaella."

Rhaella smiled. "You lie. You're nervous about something. Tell me."

She saw Casella exchange a glance with Rhaella's mother, before looking back down at the ground. Rhaella felt herself grown nervous. "Sella, what is wrong?"

She did not answer.

"Are you with child?"

Casella raised an auburn eyebrow and laughed. "No, Rhaella!" she only spoke in a whisper now. "I've only ever done that with Ned. Never with Addam."

"I know that Ned took your maidenhead, Casella," said Daenerys Targaryen. "You need not whisper that as if it was a curse."

Casella blushed prettily. "Right, I'm sorry."

"Then what were you talking about?"

Her mother sighed, burping Rhaenys on her shoulder. "Casella is thinking of leaving Winterfell."

Rhaella was taken aback, she did not know of this. "What?! Why?! Where would you even go?"

"I have nothing left for me here, Rhaella. Nothing but love and loss."

Rhaella put her hand on Sella's. "Casella, you have a family that loves you. No matter what you had with Ned, we forgave you. The Starks love you." She smiled. "Robb loves you, Rhaegar loves you, Brandon and Edric, too. Don't you understand? We are your family."

At that her friend frowned. "Thank you, but it is not up to me. My father is thinking of making me a lady-in-waiting to Lady Roslin in Riverrun. He thinks I should do the same Lyanna has done, in hopes that I find a husband."

Rhaella could cry but did not. Casella was her best friend besides Lya, Darci, and Beth. If Casella left then she would truly be alone. "That will not happen, Casella."

She patted her hand. "It is not up to me, Rhaella. I've wanted to tell you, but did not have the heart. It may not happen. I am just simply warning you."

Rhaella pulled her hand away and grew angry, looking away. "Right."

"Rhaella..." said her mother. "Do not get upset. This is life and sometimes things happen."

Rhaella only grunted in reply when another knock came on the door. This time Cat came inside with Jeyne at her heels. Both of the girls had a smile on their faces and Cat went over to hug their mother. Jeyne came over to Rhaella and placed her hand on her shoulder. In her other hand Rhaella noticed a message in her hand.

"Who is that message from, Jeyne?" Rhaella asked.

Cat beamed with a smile in her green dress that had a streak of mud on it. "That's what we came to tell you about. The men have sent messages with a rider!"

At that everyone smiled and were happy. Rhaella asked if she could read Jeyne's message and she let her. It was from Eddard himself, of course. Only Jeyne would hold a message straight from him so close to heart. As they walked to the Great Hall she read the message. Ned told her how much he missed Winterfell, Lyanna, and Jeyne herself. He called her gorgeous in every sentence, told her about the lands near the Wall. He described them as flat with some hills, but still it was beautiful country. He then told her about a woman named Jeyne he met near Mole Town, and how much he missed her. Rhaella thought the message very sweet.

As they neared the Great Hall they heard a crash and a scream of help that came from Sansa Targaryen. Rhaella clutched the skirts of her dress and ran down there with everyone else.

She did not expect to see Lady Catelyn on the floor with Sansa cradling her. Rhaella felt tears in her eyes as she ran over to her and saw she was in pain, clutching her chest. Catelyn Tully Stark was breathing and sweating heavily as she was being held by her daughter, whose tears were flowing. Cat and Jeyne went to her side and were crying as well.

"Get the maester!" Daenerys Targaryen yelled as Rhaella began to cry, too.

A/N: Sorry to end it that way, but...it's gotta happen some time.