FAMILY

CATELYN

Cat believed in family, she believed in the Seven. She came from a family that turned its nose up at Bastards. Family Duty Honor, those are the words of House Tully. She had lived by them all her life and felt little to no shame about how she treated Jon Snow, until now. She also felt happiness that her husband had never been unfaithful to her. At the moment her emotions went from one extreme to the next.

"Mother." The sound of Robb's voice bought her out of emotional stupor. "Mother are you alright?" When she starts laughing Robb grabs her and hugs his mother tightly.

"The Noble Eddard Stark. How could I be so blind? I am such a fool."

"Father lied to protect Jon Mother, not to make a fool of you."

When he releases her she looks at him, "My son you are growing up so fast. One day you will have a wife and be Lord of Winterfell…" She grabs his face. "Promise me you won't keep secrets from your family."

"I promise."

"Good now go be a brother…I mean cousin to Jon."

"I have always thought of Jon as my brother."

"Of course. Go be a brother to him."

He stands up, "Are you angry with Father?"

"Anger is just one of the emotions I am feeling right now."

ROBB

He kisses his mother on the cheek and leaves her room. When he reaches the main part of the Castle, he is confronted by Theon. "Robb…What was that at breakfast with Arya?"

"Theon my brother by choice." He says grabbing his shoulders, "I cannot tell you. As Arya said, if Jon wants to tell you he will."

Before Theon can pester him for answers he walks away. He heads for the godswood, but Jon is not there. Then he smiles and heads for the Family Crypts and there is Jon standing in front of his Aunt's Statue. He walks up to him and stands at his side in silence. "Father…Or my Uncle as it may be caught me down here when I was seven."

"I remember we were playing hide and seek. That was just before the Iron Born rebelled."

"Even then I was drawn to her statue and now I know why."

"You will always be a brother to me my Prince."

Jon looks at him and they both smile causing Jon to shove him. "Shut up you moron."

SANSA

She has a long talk with Rickon telling him not to tell anyone else. When she feels comfortable that he won't tell the secret, she goes looking for her mother. She finds her in the Sept praying and kneels beside her to pray as well. They both finish at the same time. "Are you alright Mother?"

"I am getting there my dear sweet daughter."

"How do you feel?"

She laughs, "Prayer always helps me to see the path I must take."

"I hope that path leads to forgiving Father."

"It will take time, but yes."

"And Arya? I wonder how she knew."

"You think she was lying about dreaming it up?"

"I don't know mother it sounds a little too convenient." So mother and daughter decide to go speak with Arya.

"Arya I want the truth."

"About what Mother?"

"How did you know about Jon?"

"It is as I said…I had a dream. Don't you believe me?"

Sansa and her mother hug Arya, "Of course we believe you my little savage."

JON

Every Stark in Winterfell was dealing with the news of Jon's true parentage differently. Robb and Sansa seem to accept it. So had Bran, Rickon was young, but to Jon's surprise able to keep the secret. After a few days Jon decided it was time to speak with his…Father/Uncle. "Lord Stark may I speak with you in private."

He sighs, "Lord Stark is now?"

"You are the only father I have ever known and yet, I find myself conflicted. The man who taught me to be truthful and honest has been lying all this time."

"To protect you from Robert…Robert loved your mother. Or so I thought. He said it, but thinking back on it I have my doubts."

"Why?"

He pours some drinks for the two of them. "Robert was weak when it came to women. We all thought Rhaegar had kidnapped your mother. When I met up with him on the Trident I saw and heard from his own Banners how he Robert had a woman in his tent every night while confessing his love for my sister and how he would get her back…And then in King's Landing…Tywin sacked the city and ordered his Knights Ser Gregor and Lorch to kill women and Children. Queen Rhaella escaped, but poor Elia and her children…" They talked for most of the day and it was a servant who had to fetch them for evening meal.

EDDARD

He and Jon head for evening meal. His wife is there, but she does not look at him or speak. Then she sighs and stands up, "Jon!"

He looks at her, "Yes My Lady."

"Come sit with us."

Those already in the hall stop what they are doing to watch. Arya smiles and waves him to come to the High table, Robb and the other children do the same. "Yes My Lady." Everyone at the table avoids eye contact.

"Okay!" Theon says breaking the silence. "What is going on? Because ever since that day you all have been acting weird."

"Theon!" Arya says before Eddard could speak up. "Let it go…If Jon wants you to know he will."

To Ned's and everyone else's shock Theon does not reply. He looks at his daughter. Something was different about her. She was more confident and has a wisdom about her and a commanding presence. After eating Cat surprises him and leads Ned to her room. "We need to talk."

"Of course my Lady."

"Do you have any more secrets? Think carefully before you answer me Ned."

He sighs, "I did not kill Ser Arthur Dayne."

"Then who?"

"I did not kill him alone is what I should say. Howland was wounded and I stood alone against Ser Arthur. He would have killed me, but Howland stabbed him in the back. And I…I finished him off to my shame."

She shakes her head and hugs him, "Not to your shame. You are alive and you came back to me. If Howland had not done what he did, then I would have been left to raise Robb alone. And I would not have Sansa, Arya, Bran, and Rickon."

"Howland wanted me to tell you the truth. He also wanted to take Jon as his ward. When I refused he cut off all contact with me. Cat I am so sorry."

"Shush…We will not speak of this again." Ned, Cat, and Jon agree to keep things as is, he will remain Jon Snow bastard of Winterfell, but have a loving place among the family.