Speechless.

Ned Stark looked on speechless, whilst holding his sister's infant son in his arms. Lya had slowly craned herself into a sitting position on her birthing bed. His mind was on the brink of an explosion. How did this happen? She had been dead for over an hour but now she was back? Yes, Thoros had instructed the midwifes to clean her up, to change her clothes, and her bedding, but Lyanna was breathing again… different from before; not faint but strong. Sweat no longer prattled her face; blood no longer seeped the sheets.

She only smiled.

Her Smile.

No one there said anything, but it seemed that his sister seemed slightly amused with everyone in the room looking at her—gobsmacked like turkeys. Not even her brother had the courage to form words just yet.

The only person who seemed to speak was the drunk man, but he was mumbling incomprehensible words that Lyanna couldn't exactly put together, but it did sound like he was muttering, "it worked," over and over as he drank more rum from his flask. She found the man quite amusing, but not as amusing as Howland and Ned. Howland had pure shock written on his face; he opened his mouth to speak but he fumbled any words his tongue came across. Lyanna had to try her best not to laugh at her friend, her brother, and whoever the drunk was.

Oh Seven Hells, I'm not going to be the one who speaks first!

Finally, the room's silence ended when Ned shattered its kingdom's domain. "H-h-h-how?"

Lyanna hesitated. "I don't know… I… I can't really explain it right now, but I'm back, Ned, I'm back. And I don't intend on leaving this world again for a very long time."

Ned wanted nothing more than to hug her, the only reason he didn't was that he'd awakened her sleeping baby.

Almost on cue when Aegon began to cry, Lyanna's motherly instincts instantly kicked in. "Can I hold my son, big brother?" she asked, timidly.

His eyes began flooding with water. "Of course you can, little sister."

Carefully, he handed the babe to her. The second she held him, his crying stopped; she smiled, satisfied.

"Hey, sweetling," cued the She-Wolf; Aegon had the Stark look, sure and through… her face, grey eyes, and a single raveny curl on his still baldly, baby-head. He smiled as if he knew she was his mother. "You were a very, very bad boy today," she said, playfully chastising the infant; her eyes lighting up with mischief. "Yes, you were… you gave mummy a very hard time delivering you," he gurgled, making her heart swell with adoration.

Oh, Aegon, I'm going to make sure that you have an accommodating childhood.

"It's okay though, I'm here now and that's all that matters." She murmured; this was the first time she'd held her son. Studying him, she couldn't help but to feel pride… her baby boy was perfect! Lyanna couldn't be prouder of the miracle that Rhaegar and she had conceived. "Gods, he looks perfect; doesn't he, Ned?"

"Aye, Lya, he does," said Ned; a brood sieging his face; it didn't go unnoticed to Lyanna.

"What's wrong, Ned?"

He took a deep breath; this was going to be difficult.

"You loved Rhaegar, didn't you?"

"Yes, brother, I did."

"Why, Lyanna, why?"

"Why what, Eddard? It's not my fault I fell in love-"

"You could have told us, Lyanna!" Ned shouted, his anger breaking free from its shackles. "If we had known, the shit that happened to-"

"I am sponged with guilt every day for what happened to Brandon and Father," Lyanna said, meaning every word. "But if I told you, Brandon, or Father, then I would have been confined to my quarters! And when it was time, you would have shipped me off like livestock to Storm's End!" She countered; Ned stayed silent, proving her point. "I told you so many times I wouldn't marry Robert—I told you that then and I tell you that now—I still will not marry that man… I won't… Even if he still desires to have me as his wife."

Ned yearned; honestly, it wasn't worth chasing her anymore. If he tried coercing her, he'd be forced to chase her and his nephew to Yi Ti and back. And he didn't want to endure that stressful experience ever again; no, he just wanted to go home. "I know, Lyanna."

She pursed her lips, choosing her next words carefully. "I told you so many times, Ned, I told you I would run away before I married him. I told that to everyone, but no one took me seriously."

"He-" Ned paused; no, he knew what he was about to say was not true. "I thought he would have loved you, Lya-"

"First off," Lyanna said, cutting him off. "Thank you for coming to your senses, big brother. Second off, he would have never been able to love me; he was only infatuated with my pretty face… and lets just entertain the possibility that he did in fact love me. If he had, he wouldn't have fucked thirty whores by the time we met at Harrenhal." She told him before she continued. "But Rhaegar loved me, Ned; he truly did because I was different. Not because I have a pretty face or a lewd body, he loved me because he accepted me for who I am. I like to wear breaches, ride horses, joist, spar, study warfare, study politics, and he encouraged me to do such things! That's why we loved each other and that's why we married!"

"Then why did he abandon Elia, Lya; she was his wife?!"

"Ned, they never consummated their marriage. Rhaenys and Aegon weren't sired by Rhaegar."

Howland's and her brother's mouth dropped open. The only one who didn't look shocked was the drunk.

"That's impossible, Lya."

"Brooda Wolfa," Thoros said, finally speaking; clearly, the alcohol had gone to his head.

Lya had to style a laugh when the drunk called her brother that nickname. It was clear that he wanted to strangle the fool. "Ellia was known for her exotic traditions… she… she… she was known for coupling with many–"

"I'm sorry," interceded Howland, "but how does a drunk, who barely speaks complete sentences know of this matter?"

"Because the flames showed me."

"The fucking flames showed you?"

Lyanna's face filled with mirth when Howland rolled his eyes. The drunk's explanation was absurd, but at the same time, she believed every word he said. "Just like the flames showed me where the tower was. After all, I was the one who brought the queen back to life."

"I'm no queen–" said Lyanna adamantly before she paused. "What's your name, friend?"

The man took another sip from his flask before he smiled slushily. "Thoros."

"Thoros," she said. "You've done something that before today I'd thought to be impossible, you brought me back from the dead. And I am extremely grateful that you did. So, on my honor as a Stark, and as the mother of the rightful heir of the Iron Throne, I offer you, and your friends, a permanent stay in the North."

The second she finished speaking, Eddard and Howland whipped their heads around so fast that Lya was afraid their necks would snap; they looked at her flabbergasted. She knew her brother didn't like the offer she had just made to the drunk.

I know what I'm doing, Ned. Trust me, big brother.

Thoros too was speechless. "Thank you, Your Grace. May I have time to quell it over?"

"Certainly, take as much time as you need," said Lya, meaning every word. She looked down at her babe. Aegon had nested himself asleep once more, but this time he was sleeping in her lap—his mother's lap. Content, she looked back up at her guests. "Is it alright if I can have the room with my brother? There are certain things that we need to discuss."

"Of course," Howland said, turning around. Thoros saluted her with his flask before he too followed the Crannogman out. Once the door shut, Lyanna looked at Ned, smiling devilishly.

"Well, Ned, even though Thoros is clearly a drunk, I do find your friend quite humorous."

Ned grumbled but saw that his sister's mood was about to waver. Like any good brother, he sat on her bedside and took her free hand into his, holding onto it tightly. Her face was soon replaced with a watery mope.

"Gods, I'm so fucking happy that I'm back, big brother."

"Aye, me too, little sister, me too." He told her, quivering. "I made you a promise an hour ago–"

"I know, Ned."

"Lya, I have every intention to keep that promise–"

"And you will, but now, I'm going to be there with you."

"Lya, I know you love your son, but if you're there, everyone will put the pieces together, they'll figure it–"

"No, they won't. I–." Lyanna said with determination.

"They will, Lya–"

"Gods dammit, Ned, shut up and let me finish!" That worked—her brother had gone silent. "Don't laugh at what I am about to say, you'll think it impossible, but you'll see that I'm telling the truth when I show you. I met a deity and my husband in the afterlife."

Ned looked at her as if she had two heads; Lya, you've had a very shitty day.

"They told me that Thoros was about to resurrect me, and it was then I knew I had a chance to come back. It's maddening, brother, I know, but I'm here now. The only reason why I came back is because my baby boy needs me! Especially if my theory comes to life!"

"What theory, Lya?"

"You're going to raise my child as your bastard, aren't you?"

"Lyanna, everyone will believe it–"

"And they still will, but if my child is going to endure this life, then I am going to be with him, Ned, I am his mother!"

This was blasphemy! If Lyanna raised her son, everyone would know Aegon was hers! If that happened… he didn't even want to entertain that thought.

"And how are you going to do that, Lya? If we say you died here, but if you raise Aegon at Winterfell, then word would get out and spread to King's Landing! Robert will find out; when he does all our heads will be on–"

"Crëparvo!" Lyanna murmured under her breath.

At that moment, she knew it had happened—Rhaellor's magic had consumed her!

Ned's jaw dropped like a toad's. Lyanna no longer looked like a Stark princess; she looked like a Lannister princess!

"Well, how do I look?"

Ned didn't reply; his eyes grew so big that Lyanna thought they'd explode. This alone made her giggle.

"H-how?"

"Magic, big brother, that's how! The deity I met in the afterlife taught me a few spells!" She explained, beaming with pride.

Ned began laughing; his sister always loved showing off!

"Do you have any more tricks to show me, Lya?"

"Yes, Ned, I do have one more trick to show you," Lya said before closing her eyes to focus. "Rëparvo!" Her blondish-glamorous facade reverted back into natural Stark-like appearance. When she opened her eyes, a feisty smile prickled her cheeks. "Still think I can't raise my son?"

He rolled his eyes, amused.

An hour and a half ago, the Quiet Wolf thought he had his last conversation with the She-Wolf, but now here she was, doing things no one had done before. Not only had she returned from the dead, but she now was a sorcerer! A sassy sorcerer! That alone made him lark.

"Okay, but we're still going to have to change your name, Lya."

She sighed. "I know, Ned."

He bit his lip down. "Your son's name too, Lya."

Please forgive me, Rhaegar.

"Jon," she said. "His name will be Jon Snow… and my name will be Ceri… Ceri Snow."

Ned took in a breath. "Lya–"

"Ned, stop it! We both know you would have raised him as your bastard anyway!" Her anger died and her gaze softened. "If I claim myself a bastard, at least I can teach my son resilience early on in his life. I don't like this plan, Ned, I really fucking don't, but it's the best chance we have… it's the only chance we have." She said, her voice unwavering. "Besides, he can learn from me that bastards can rise high in this world."

Ned couldn't be prouder of Lyanna. She had transformed herself from being a tomboyish little girl into a resilient, resourceful young woman. "You've grown up, Lya."

She smiled.

"Well, it's about fucking time I did."

Silence preceded until Lya released a tired yawn. "I'm tired, Ned… Can you tell Arthur, Gerold, and Oswell…" She didn't finish that sentence when she saw the color drain from her brother's face. She closed her eyes; a shutter escaped her lips. "Please bury them, brother, they were good men."

"I will, sister," he said, getting off the bed, before leaning forward to kiss her forehead; he was about to take Jon from her, but she protested.

You'll have many times to hold him, but for now, you need to sleep.

"Rest now, Lya; I'll make sure a wetnurse feeds Jon."

She gave him a wolf glare, clearly not wanting someone besides herself to feed her newborn pup. Ned reacted by giving her a wolf glare.

"Lyanna, I am your older brother! I'm telling Robert that you died today, I'm letting you raise Jon at Winterfell, whilst I stain my honor protecting your son, my nephew, and you, my sister. All I ask in return is that you rest for a little. I know you're tired and I know you need some water." He said, taking out a flask; he handed it to her. "Drink it, Lyanna, drink it all." And she did so, graciously.

"Thank you, big brother."

"You're welcome, little sister."

Lyanna then gave Jon to him. Ned gently held her son—their son in his arms.

"I want to bury Arthur, Ned," said Lya sleepily. "He was my best friend, promise me you'll let me bury him?"

"I promise, Lya."

"Good," she said. "If Jon is still asleep by the time I wake, I want to feed him, Ned."

"You'll have many times to do that, Lya, but again, I want you to rest for now. You've had a really wild day." She grumbled, trying to stay awake as long as possible, but soon she went asleep.

Ned smiled as he watched Lya, but guilt soon erred in his soul.

I'm sorry Lya, I'm so sorry. I should have seen that Robert wouldn't have loved you... You were right. I promise you, little sister, that never again will I ignore you... you're beautiful, you're smart, you're witty, and above all else, Lyanna, you're strong. We might have to pretend that you're my mistress, but in private, I'll let you have much say in Northern Accords as I let my wife. I swear it to the Old Gods, Lya, and I swear it to you. We're going to redeem our father's idiocy and we're going to make the North powerful. I promise, Lya.