296 AC

Eddard Stark took a deep breathe enjoying the peace and quiet of the Godswood. This was one of the only places where he could truly do away with all barriers and speak his mind. Before the Old Gods, he could confess all his sins, all the things that he failed in and all the things that he regretted to this day. Sometimes he even prayed for guidance from the ancestors that must be one with the Old Gods now. There are many things that he had to be sorry for and chief among them was the death of his brother, sister and father. Eddard blamed himself for the fate that befell his family. If he hadn't put the idea of Robert marrying Lyanna all those years ago to his friend's head in the Vale then half the problems could have been avoided. Because of him his sister lost any chance to have a good life and drove her away from her family to the arms of a married prince. For her misadventures, Brandon and his father lost their lives along with a whole lot of good people in Westeros.

The only consolation that he had was that he was able to protect Lyanna's child even if he failed in saving her. He did know that Jon didn't have the best of childhoods but he did his best to always encourage him in his success. The boy was a genius with a sword and with a quill. When he learned from Maester Luwin that Jon grasped lessons so fast that Robb couldn't keep up he was proud. That pride was tripled when he personally saw how dedicated Jon was in the training yard. Eddard had always kept tabs on Jon through Rodrick Cassel who reported Jon as a calm swordsman that has a tight leash on his emotions. Eddard himself has watched his nephew train in the yard and he could see why Ser Rodrick was praising Jon.

While Eddard was proud that his nephew was a gifted boy he couldn't help but worry. Day after day he could see more and more resemblance with Rhaegar Targaryen in his nephew and that frankly scared him. If he can see Rhaegar in Jon then those of the South can definitely see that too. If Robert ever found out the truth he couldn't imagine what would happen. No, he could imagine what would happen. He had already seen that one time with the bodies of Aegon Targaryen, Rhaenys Targaryen and Elia Martell. Even after all these years with all the atrocities that he had witnessed in the war he still gets nightmares from that day in King's Landing. Some of the nights he would wake up seeing the bodies of those children speaking and crying looking straight at him. In his dreams they would ask him 'was the rebellion worth it?'. The answer was no and the guilt drove him mad sometimes. It was the thought of his family and the warm safe embrace of Winterfell that kept him sane all these thirteen years.

He loathed himself because of the war and he had prayed since that moment to never be called again to another one. Of course, the Ironborn had to dash all his hopes by starting off their rebellion. He did like the fact that the Ironborn burned down the Lannister fleet in Lannisport. While he knew several innocent people suffered for it he couldn't help but feel some glee in the misfortune of Tywin Lannister. Ever since that day in King's Landing he had this disgust or revulsion for anyone who is a Lannister. In the Ironborn rebellion, he had to work with several Lannisters but he was able to keep his opinions of that wretched greedy family to himself and see to his duties to his king without fail. In the end, duty and honour triumphed any personal feelings he harboured against the Lannisters.

With the rebellion over he returned back to Winterfell happy that he has reunited with his family again but this time with a new ward in the form of Theon Greyjoy. The boy was a real piece of work but he has managed to instil some sense of honour into the boy. At least that's what he hoped but he was not completely sure because he did see how Theon treat Jon. Thankfully his nephew was more mature in that regard and never reacted to Theon outside of some small incidents which made Rodrick Cassel intervene in the training yard. Eddard never involved himself with the internal dynamics with the boys as he felt that Robb was the perfect guy to deal with any situation if things escalated. But lately, Theon has mellowed out somewhat and treated Jon a little bit better, in turn, Jon was more gracious in the training yard against Theon. His nephew was a terror in the field with a sword in his hands and he could take on both Robb and Theon and still come out on top sometimes. Although Robb was a deft hand in swordplay he lacked the finesse and quick bodily reflexes Jon displayed. While Robb was quite a natural with a sword in his hands Jon was someone who cultivated the skills with hard work. He knew about Jon's routine early running regiment and his tenacious exercises that aimed to build upper body strength. He had even heard from Jory that his nephew had made a dummy wooden post up in the hills where he practices kicking and punching. Being a veteran in the war he knew that any skill may come in handy when one's life was on the line.

So even with some bumps, he would say life in Winterfell was largely peaceful. He only wished that his father, brother and sister didn't have to lose their lives for him to enjoy this peace. Then again the new generation of Starks was disturbingly similar to the old one. His youngest daughter Arya resembled so much with her aunt Lyanna that it brought tears to his eyes. It was as if the Old Gods were giving him a chance to correct some of the wrongs of his past. That is the main reason why he always allowed Arya's obsession with learning to wield weapons and riding horses a silent agreement. Though he would never admit to such a thing in front of his very southern wife. He was aware that Jon would teach Arya her way with the bow late at night or in the early morning.

If Arya reminded him of Lyanna then Bran reminded him of his elder brother Brandon. While Bran was not at an age to be the exact copy of the Wandering Wolf, the boy was too much curious for his age. There is not a corner or walls that Bran had not scaled in Winterfell and so far his son has never injured himself. He just hoped that the 'not-injured status' remains true as he was struggling to control Bran from all his climbing adventures. Sansa, on the other hand, was a carbon copy of her mother, a perfect southern lady. While he had his reservations about Sansa, she was still a child and there was still time for her to grow up. He was hoping she would adjust more to the North as he had some plans to find her a suitable husband from the North. The Karstarks do have an heir that would suite Sansa besides they are practically family and he won't have to worry about how they would treat her. While Catelyn preferred a southern house for Sansa to marry into he was not sold on that idea unless the prospective house was one from the Vale. Perhaps he ought to inquire more about House Royce. He was sure that Lord Royce would be happy to have a Stark as a good-daughter.

He paused his musings as he heard the sound of footsteps coming closer and closer. Soon enough he found his 13-year old nephew before him sporting a sombre face.

"Come join me, Jon." Edward patted the ground close to him making way for his nephew

"I hope I didn't interrupt your prayers, Lord Stark." Jon inclined his head to the heart tree

"You can dispense with all the formalities Jon. We are not in the presence of others now are we?" Edward smiled benignly at his nephew and patted him on his shoulder. But he could feel that his nephew was not his usual self.

"What has happened Jon? Is there anything that you wish to tell me?" Edward asked curiously

"I would like to talk about my mother." Jon requested which made Eddard sigh internally while presenting a cold almost detached look to his nephew

"Know that I have my reasons to not share her name with you. I will tell you one day Jon but that day has yet to arrive." Eddard said coldly as he stood up but he paused as Jon spoke

"You don't have to answer me, uncle. I know who sired me and I know I am no Stark." Jon also stood up starting straight into Eddard's eyes without flinching

Eddard felt as if the ground beneath his feet was quickly disappearing. Only one word was getting repeated over and over in his mind and that was, 'How?'.

"It doesn't matter how I know but the fact is that I know who I am. I am the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, Prince of the seven kingdoms and the heir to the Iron Throne. Isn't that right, uncle?"

"Who told you this?" Edward asked in a low audible voice quite contrast to his hard stance before.

"House Targaryen still has allies uncle. While you did a good job in hiding me there are still Targaryen loyalists that know what Rhaegar Targaryen did and the truth behind the rebellion. A war is brewing in the horizon uncle and I believe I have a part to play." Jon said as he turned away from Eddard and looked into the carved face on the Weirwood tree

Eddard struggled with the knowledge that his nephew knew the truth and there are apparently Targaryen loyalists that know about Jon's real identity. The most prevalent thought in his mind right now was about the consequences that would follow if this news gets out. Robert would call the banners and march his armies to Winterfell without a moment's hesitation if it means he could kill Rhaegar's son with his own two hands. Tywin Lannister will be hiring every known assassin in the world to kill any threats to his grandson's claim to the throne. Eddard himself would be forced to call the banners of the North and he would have to look into the eyes of the Northern lords and ask them to fight to protect his nephew. The war would ravage the seven kingdoms as Targaryen loyalists would rise up to finish the war. Old alliances will come into question and chaos will spread across Westeros. He was startled out of the horrific images of death and destruction as his nephew continued to speak.

"I thank you for protecting me all these years and raising me as your own son. You could have quietly handed me over to some tavern wench or gave me away to the Night's Watch or you could have sent me off to Essos. But instead of doing all that you kept me close to you, treated me like a son risking your own marriage and the obvious danger that I would bring upon you and your children. I am truly grateful for all that you did and do for me uncle. That's why I think it is better for me to leave the North and settle in Essos." Jon finished and he turned to face Eddard again and this time Eddard pulled his nephew into a hug

"You are my blood. I promised your mother that I would protect you and I intend to keep that promise. Winterfell is your home and no one can harm you in the North. I won't allow you to go anywhere." Eddard said fiercely

"Every moment that I live here increases the chances of danger to me and to my cousins. I don't want to take any chances. This had to happen at some point and it is better that I move to Braavos as soon as I can." Jon sighed as he felt his uncle stiffen at his words so he spoke in a much gentler tone

"This doesn't mean that I won't visit you occasionally. I just think that putting an ocean of distance between me and the Iron Throne is a more prudent move for now. Perhaps I can once again return to the North permanently after king Robert is dead. Either I pursue a life of my own in Essos or I join the Night's Watch. These are the only two safe options before me and I would really like to lead a modest life in Braavos."

Eddard shook his head in negative. "You are only ten and three Jon. How do you expect me to send you off to another continent far across the ocean all on your own? I need some time to think about this."

"Take your time uncle but I am leaving all the same. I have to meet someone at the Wall and then I would be gone from the North." Jon said not moving an inch from his decision

"What are you talking about? You mean Benjen?" Edward asked curiously

"I would like to speak with uncle Benjen but I was hoping to have a word with Maester Aemon of House Targaryen. He is an old man now and it would lighten that man's heart seeing a member of his family visit him in his final years. It is the least I could do."

Eddard let out a sigh and was about to once again refuse his nephew but he held himself back at that last second. There were many plans that he had with Jon but all of those plans hinged on his nephew never learning the truth. Eddard was hoping to secure Jon a wife from House Mormont and that would secure Jon and his family from any possible repercussions in the future seeing as the Bear Islands is at the edge of the world far away from the eyes of the South. But now that Jon knows the truth and more importantly the fact that Targaryen loyalists made contact with Jon right under his nose made his instincts flare-up. So he came to a decision…

"I will grant you permission to visit the Wall but you will return straight back to Winterfell by which time I will come to a decision." Eddard continued before Jon could interrupt, "Even if I do let you go off to Essos I don't want you to be in a foreign land all on your own. I will find someone that I can trust to stay with you and protect you from anyone that wishes you harm. You are the only thing remaining of my sister and I will not forgive myself if something happens to you when I am still alive."

"That is acceptable." Jon eventually agreed after thinking about it for a while

"Good. I need you to promise me one more thing."

"What is it, uncle?" Jon asked looking at the grim face of his uncle

"I need your word that you won't seek out the Iron Throne. I don't want you to be the reason that the Seven Kingdoms fall into a destructive war. The kingdoms have suffered enough." Eddard looked expectantly at his nephew

"With the Old Gods as a witness I, Jaehaerys of House Targaryen won't raise my claim for the Iron Throne so long as House Stark remains as the Wardens of the North." Jon took the oath and although Eddard was not all too happy with the wording he caved in seeing as House Stark would remain the Wardens of the North for a long time.

If only he knew what was in store for him and his family two years from now.