I'm trying something out. In UK time, I've been uploading the last couple of chapters in the afternoon and reviews are appearing nowhere near as fast as usual. I'm uploading this one before bed in an experiment to see if the times make any difference, or not.

I hope you all enjoy this one. In to some more AU territory at the end, which I'll explain afterwards, but for now please enjoy chapter 5!

I own nothing but Durran. Everything else belongs to either George RR Martin or HBO.

Finally, after over a month at Winterfell, the Royal party were preparing to leave that day. Durran had enjoyed his time here, but there was only so much he could take of the Northerners and the reminder of his Father's lust for a dead woman. He would be glad to go home to restart his training with Stannis, and catch up properly with Daenerys.

Sat to the left of his Mother, he was digging into a fresh sausage when Jaime asked from opposite him. "How is the arm healing?"

"Well." Durran said, after swallowing his mouthful. "It doesn't hurt when I ride anymore, I'll be back to beating you in duels in no time." He grinned.

"First you have to beat me." Jaime smirked.

"You shouldn't have been riding in the first place. Why you went on that infernal hunt I'll never know." Cersei told him disapprovingly.

"It's expected of him as the son of the King, Cersei." Jaime told her. "Anyway, they weren't gone for long."

"When can I go on a hunt?" Tommen asked from beside Jaime.

"When you're bigger my love." Cersei smiled at him.

"I am big." Tommen complained, causing Durran to chuckle lightly. His smile grew when he heard the tones of his other Uncle coming from the doorway.

"Bread. And two of those little fish. And a mug of dark beer to wash it down. And bacon, burnt black." Tyrion was telling the servants to get him food. He lifted Tommen up to move him aside and sat down.

"Little brother." Jaime noted.

"Beloved siblings." Tyrion responded.

"How were the kennels Uncle?" Durran asked with a grin.

"The company was hairier than I normally keep, but I can't complain." Tyrion said amusedly. "I've slept in worse."

"You've slept with worse." Durran chuckled, causing Tyrion to laugh and Cersei to frown.

"Enough of that Durran. Eat up." She scolded. Durran put his head closer to his plate to try and calm himself down. The table fell quiet for a moment as they tucked in, when Myrcella dulled the mood.

"Is Bran going to die?" She asked Tyrion. Durran looked up nervously. They had barely been an hour away on the hunt when a rider came for Lord Eddard, requiring him back at Winterfell as his son had fallen from the Broken Tower, and hadn't woken up.

Tyrion took a bite of a sausage, looked at Tommen and replied. "Apparently not."

Myrcella grinned. It had been up in the air for a long time whether Bran would make it or not, and this was the first positive report from anybody that Durran had heard. "What do you mean?" Cersei asked him.

"The Maester says the boy may live." Tyrion responded.

"That's wonderful news." Durran said. "The Starks may be grim, but the boy doesn't deserve to die."

Cersei had a momentary grin at his words, knowing that he wasn't as enamoured with the Starks as he made out for his Father's sake, before turning back to Tyrion. "It's no mercy, letting a child linger in such pain." She said.

"Only the gods know for certain. All the rest of us can do is pray." Tyrion told her, reaching for more food. "The charms of the north seem entirely lost on you."

"Charms?" Durran asked. "The only charming things here are either out of bounds for Southerners or ridiculously enamoured with our 'beloved' brother." He added with a roll of the eyes.

"I do believe Sansa Stark has caught the eye of our young black-haired stag." Tyrion grinned.

"Not at all." Durran countered quickly. "There's just nothing up here but coldness and boredom after a certain amount of time."

"I'll be sure to let Benjen Stark and Jon Snow know that you have feelings for Lady Sansa when I'm off to visit the Night's Watch." Tyrion grinned.

"I still can't believe you're going. It's ridiculous even for you." Cersei said with a scoff, saving Durran from an argument.

"Where's your sense of wonder? The greatest structure ever built, the intrepid men of the Night's Watch." Tyrion exclaimed, before turning to Tommen and putting on a creepy tone for effect. "The wintry abode of the White Walkers."

"Tell me you're not thinking of taking the black." Jaime asked.

"And go celibate?" Tyrion asked incredulously. "The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock. I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world."

Durran choked on his drink in laughter at that, and his siblings began to laugh too. "The children don't need to hear your filth." Cersei spat. "Come." She said to her children.

"I'm not finished." Durran complained.

"Now." Cersei said sternly. Durran unhappily finished his drink and took an extra bit of bacon and followed his Mother out of the room, leaving Jaime and Tyrion alone at the table.

The door was closed as Durran got to Bran Stark's room. Waiting for a moment he overheard a conversation from inside.

"I can't do it Ned." Lady Catelyn's broken voice was saying. "I really can't."

Feeling awkward at being there, Durran decided to get this over with so the Starks could grieve alone. He knocked on the door, and waited for a moment before Ned Stark's voice called him in.

"I'm so sorry to intrude My Lord, My Lady." Durran said. "I just wanted to let you know if there is anything I can do, I will. I'll keep an eye out in the capital for anything that can help Bran."

Catelyn could only nod her gratitude, as her hands covered her mouth holding in her anguish. Ned was the one to speak for them both. "Thank you, Prince Durran."

Durran nodded politely. "I'll leave you both alone." He smiled sadly, going to leave before Ned called him back.

"Wait outside for me if you would. I'll only be a moment."

"Of course, My Lord." Durran nodded, and closed the door behind him waiting for it to open again. He was only there for a few moments, and the door opened to reveal Ned Stark.

"I wanted to talk with you on the road, but now seems as good a time as any." Ned told him calmly.

"It can wait My Lord. You're grieving." Durran reassured.

"Bran isn't going to die." Ned countered.

"I… sorry, a poor choice of words." Durran admitted.

Ned nodded his agreement, and the two walked quietly towards the courtyard. Ned began conversation again. "The King has told me about your friend, the Targaryen."

Durran laughed bitterly. "My friend? That's what he said?"

Ned chuckled. "Not quite as nice I'm afraid."

Durran clenched his teeth momentarily. "He's afraid of her I believe, he thinks she's one day going to rise up against him."

"She's a Targaryen, she has the familial right." Ned admitted.

"They lost all rights." Durran said strongly.

"Aye." Ned nodded. "They lost the throne on the Trident."

Durran couldn't disagree. "Dany doesn't want it anyway. She just wants to be free."

Ned wrung his hands awkwardly. "You understand that that will never happen while your Father lives. I remember him, after he took the Throne. Any mention of a dragon and he flew into a rage."

"I've heard the stories." Durran told Ned.

"Stories are one thing, living it is another." Ned continued. "We tried to make him see reason, Jon Arryn and I. He wanted to kill her the moment he laid eyes on her but we convinced him otherwise. I even tried to foster her with my own children."

Durran had a sudden sense of appreciation for the man. "I've heard so many stories about the Quiet Wolf of the North." He began, seeing Ned's distaste of the name. "So many stories about Lyanna Stark too, from my Father and my Mother. As you can probably guess, the Queen isn't a fan." Ned said nothing, so Durran carried on. "I expected to come here and hate it all, but I've learnt more than ever that individuals don't make up their family. Thank you, Lord Stark, for saving Dany's life. I promise you I'll let her be aware of that."

"I did what was right." Ned said, slightly more aggressively than before after the mention of Lyanna. "I'm just glad she's found happiness."

"I hope Sansa can find the same down in the capital." Durran said.

"Tell me, what is Prince Joffrey like really?" Ned asked. Durran sighed.

"He strives to be the best." He said cryptically. Thinking about it, it wasn't untrue. Joffrey had always tried to one up Durran in everything.

"That bodes well then." Ned said, almost relieved.

"I'm sure it does." Durran said quietly as they reached the courtyard. "If you'll excuse me, Lord Stark."

"Of course, I shall see you in a few hours." Ned dismissed him, and Durran quickly left to finalise his things.

Saddling his horse, a voice from behind him startled him slightly.

"Look after my sisters in King's Landing, Baratheon." Robb said. Durran turned and gave him a smile.

"They will be more than alright." He reassured the boy. "Sansa seems made for court and Arya…"

"Arya will find a way to cause havoc on her terms." Robb grinned.

"They'll be fine." Durran chuckled. "I'm more worried about you, don't fuck up half of my Father's country while you're acting as Lord of Winterfell."

Robb laughed. "My Mother would clip my ears if I ever did anything wrong I'm sure."

Durran nodded. "Give her my best, I fear she was rather hysterical when I went to see Bran a few hours back."

Robb nodded. "This has been hard for us all, the timing…"

"I understand." Durran nodded.

"Bran will live though, and when he wakes up I'm sure Mother will be back to herself." Robb said, more to himself than to Durran.

"I'm glad to hear it." Durran nodded. He saw Robb notice Jon Snow coming out of the stables. "Go, say farewell to your Brother."

Robb grinned. "We shall see one another again, I'm sure of it."

Durran laughed, and held out his left arm. Robb gripped his forearm in a mark of respect before walking towards Jon. Noticing Myrcella struggling to get into the wheelhouse, he ran up behind her and lifted her up, grinning at the squeals of protest coming from her. As she was in the wheelhouse she turned and hit him lightly on the chest.

"Don't do that!" She cried, laughing too.

"I apologise Princess." Durran grinned. He noticed Myrcella staring out behind him towards Jon and Robb.

"Why can't Robb come too?" She asked, slightly dreamily.

Durran raised his eyebrow at her tone. "Has the Northerner caught the Princesses eye?" He asked teasingly.

"No!" Myrcella cried quickly. "I just… I…"

"I'm teasing, Myrcella." Durran laughed. "Robb has his own duties now, with Lord Eddard coming to King's Landing to help Father he must become the Lord of Winterfell."

"He'll do well." Myrcella nodded strongly. "He seems very dutiful and honourable."

"He is." Durran said, looking back towards Robb. "Which is why I'm glad he's staying in the North. The South is no place for such ideals."

Looking around, he was glad to be out of the marshlands of the Neck. He patted his horse with his good hand, and rode quickly to catch up with his Father.

They soon stopped for the night, and Robert forced Durran to go to his meeting with the Maester to inspect his arm. He'd been riding for weeks against the advice of the Maester, so wasn't looking forward to it. The Maester inspected his arm, and sighed contently.

"Well there seems to be no further damage and it has healed nicely. Tell me, does this hurt?" He asked, pressing down on points of Durran's forearm. Durran shook his head. "Very well, you're cleared by me. I don't want you doing anything too strenuous however. Riding is fine but wait until you're back in King's Landing before you start training again."

"Thank you Maester." Durran nodded, having no intention of following that advice. Robert gestured Durran out of the tent, and they walked together.

"You're not going to listen, are you?" Robert asked.

Durran chuckled. "Am I that obvious?"

Robert ruffled his son's hair. "You've barely gone a day without a sword in your hand since I came back from the Iron Islands. I'm amazed you didn't try and spar with the Starks even with an injury."

"I was tempted." Durran admitted. "But…" He trailed off.

"But what?" Robert asked.

"It's nothing." Durran said, too quickly. Robert peered down questioningly at his son.

"Clearly not." Robert said.

"I didn't want to make it too much worse." Durran sighed. "I want it to be like nothing happened when I get back to Da… to King's Landing."

Robert noticed the slip of the tongue. "You're still on about the girl? I thought the North would set you free lad. Make you give up, see there's better out there."

"Better? Like who?" Durran laughed bitterly. "The only Northern family you'd ever let me marry is the Starks, you've betrothed Sansa to Joff and Arya's a child."

"You could do worse than Arya." Robert nodded. "She reminds me of…"

"Don't say it." Durran growled. "I know who she looks like. I am your son, but never try and use me to relive your deluded fantasies."

Robert grew red with anger. "Careful now…"

"I know you and Mother hate each other." Durran continued. "But you could have made an effort."

He didn't let his Father say anything else, and stormed off back to his horse before he was called back.

He refused to speak to his Father for the next few days. Durran knew it wouldn't be able to last for long, Robert was the King after all, but he was so angry at the constant reminder of the dead girl his Mother had been pushed aside for that all reason left him.

They set up camp at the Inn at the Crossroads. A popular inn for travelling as it lay by the crossroads marking the joining of the Kingsroad, River Road and the High Road. The Baratheons and Starks had been given rooms for their stay, and Durran changed into some fresh clothes, including one of his favourite bright gold shirts, before going for a walk to clear his head.

He headed southwards, until he came towards the Trident. He could hear sticks slapping together. Investigating further, he noticed Arya Stark and a big red-haired boy pretending to swordfight with large sticks. Sighing, he walked out from under the trees.

"Lady Stark." He announced. The boy immediately dropped his stick in horror, as Arya turned, annoyed.

"Don't call me a Lady!" She exclaimed.

"You are a Lady though." Durran told her. "And pretending to swordfight?"

"So? Lots of girls have been able to fight." Arya told him stubbornly. "Visenya, Rhaenys, Nymeria…"

"All of them could swordfight, but your technique, it's nothing but shameful for their memory." Durran shook his head in jest, loving the angry features appearing on her face. "You'll need to learn properly before you can even pretend to be like any of those women."

"Teach us then." Arya replied, surprising Durran. Thinking, he realised he really had nothing better to do, and this would help mend things with his Father. Nodding, he agreed.

"Go and fetch me another stick." Durran nodded to the other boy. He nodded back and ran back to find one, and came back a few moments later after Arya had explained who he was. "Now then, Mycah. You fancy yourself to be a knight?"

"One day perhaps, Your Grace." Mycah nodded nervously.

"Please, just Durran or My Prince when in public." Durran waved off. "Your Grace is my Father or my Mother."

"Sorry My Prince."

"Shut up! Now are you going to teach us or what?" Arya asked impatiently.

Durran chuckled, and began to teach them the basics that he learnt as a child. Arya had a natural talent, and Mycah wasn't too bad either. After a while, he pitted them against himself, trying to get them to hit him. They couldn't until a distraction appeared from behind the trees.

"Well well Brother, it seems you have lowered yourself to common standards." Joffrey's sneer came. Durran immediately stopped to look at the Crown Prince, and got a whack in the side from Mycah for his troubles.

"Ouch!" He exclaimed, before reassuring the boy he wasn't in trouble and turning to Joffrey. "What do you want Joff?"

"You just hit the Prince, do you know how that's punishable by?" Joffrey asked Mycah, ignoring Durran. "Answer me!"

"No… No, My Prince." Mycah stammered.

"Leave him alone!" Arya exclaimed.

"Shut up Arya!" Sansa snapped from Joffrey's side.

"It's punishable by death." Joffrey said, unsheathing his sword. "Pick up your sword."

"Joffrey." Durran warned.

"Pick it up!" Joffrey said louder. Mycah nervously picked up the stick. "Now, show me what you can do, knight." He mocked.

"Mycah, stand aside." Durran growled, unsheathing his own sword. Mycah immediately ran towards Arya, and watched on as Durran held his sword towards Joffrey.

"What are you doing, brother?" Joffrey sneered. "You think you can stand up to me?"

"You're not hurting any more innocents." Durran spoke back. "I invited Arya and Mycah out here, I encouraged them to learn swords."

"Get out of my way." Joffrey snarled. "I need to teach him a lesson."

"What lesson? Not to listen to your Prince?" Durran shouted.

"I'm Crown Prince. I outrank you!" Joffrey shouted childishly.

"Go away! We were having fun!" Arya cried. Durran sighed at her outburst as Joffrey turned on Arya.

"Fun? You think swords are fun?" He sneered. "I'll show you how fun they are." He lunged at her, ignoring Sansa's protests. Arya skilfully dodged out of the way, and Durran managed to get in the way and parry his next lunge.

"Pick on somebody that can fight back, you coward." Durran growled.

"Move." Joffrey warned.

"No." Durran said, resigned. Joffrey lunged at Durran, who parried and returned a blow. Steel clashed, and both Brothers went at each other like their lives depended on it. It was all too much for Sansa, who burst into tears and ran off towards the inn.

"FATHER! FATHER!" Was all Ned could hear as his meal with Robert was being interrupted by his eldest daughter. "Father!"

"Sansa, calm down." He said sternly. "What is it?"

"The Princes… they're killing each other!" Sansa exclaimed. Ned looked worriedly towards Robert, who just grinned and belted out a laugh.

"Here we go again. You're going to want to see this Ned." Robert told him, getting up. "Where are they?"

"By the river, Your Grace." Sansa replied sheepishly. Ned got up and grabbed his sword, following his daughter towards the river.

They arrived next to Arya and some lowborn boy, who were staring in awe at the two Princes hacking away at each other. Ned hadn't truly seen a duel like it in 17 years.

"Shouldn't we stop them?" Ned asked Robert.

"Only if you want to be breaking them apart again in a few hours." Robert told him. "They've been better recently, but they can never get on. This stops them from fighting in the future for a time."

"What if they kill each other?" Ned asked.

"Ha! They may be fools but they're still brothers." Robert waved off, watching on as Durran brought his sword down strongly, only to be met by Joffrey's blade.

"Father stop them!" Sansa urged, in tears.

"It's ok Sansa." Ned told her. "They'll be ok."

The duel had gotten quite an audience by now, but Durran and Joffrey only had eyes for each other. Durran dodged left, and then right, as Joffrey had gone on the offensive. Seeing an opportunity, he parried Lion's Tooth to one side before kicking Joffrey backwards. They both caught their breaths.

"What's your silver whore going to do when I kill you?" Joffrey asked venomously. "Maybe I'll have to taste her myself, she'll make a good mistress."

That turned off all of Durran's self-control, and he let out a loud roar and charged Joffrey. The blonde wasn't expecting it, and found himself on the floor parrying blow after blow. Durran was relentless, and soon had disarmed his brother. Panting over the terrified boy, Durran spat in his face and growled. "If you ever come near Dany again, if you ever mention her name, if you ever think about her in a way that would anger me, I will kill you." He clenched his fist and lashed out, striking his brother in the eye.

"That's enough!" Robert roared. Durran looked around to see the faces watching on. Arya looked gleeful, Sansa disgusted. Ned looked concerned and Robert didn't really show any emotion. "Durran, get out of here. I don't want to see you until tomorrow."

"Father." Durran growled, still angry. He stormed off towards his room in the inn. He could hear Sansa fussing over Joffrey from behind him, and he also heard footsteps running towards him.

"Fuck off." He growled, not in the mood to talk to anyone.

"That was amazing! Can you teach me?" Arya Stark asked, bubbling over with excitement.

"Fuck off I said." Durran repeated, but Arya kept pace.

"Who was he talking about? The silver girl that made you win?" Arya asked, and Durran whipped around to face her, his angry features scaring the young girl.

"For the last time. Fuck off." He growled deeply, pushing her back. He stormed off at pace then, only briefly noticing the voice of Ned Stark calling for his daughter before he entered the inn. He bypassed his sister and slammed the door shut, before lashing out at his room.

Lots of that Baratheon rage coming to the front in this chapter!

Backstory time. The way I see it, with Joffrey having a twin it would mean he didn't constantly have Cersei doting on him. With Durran becoming more of a warrior, I believe that would encourage Joffrey to take more of an active role in a martial way. That would mean that Joffrey would be a capable warrior, hence the decent sword fight.

As for the Starks, Durran likes Robb and that's it. He hates Lyanna Stark with a passion, is intrigued but frustrated by Arya, and doesn't really know what to think of Sansa as she's so focused on Joffrey. He wanted to 'impress' them in the last chapter yes, but not because he wanted them to like him.

I'm not sure about the conversation with Ned, but that's where my writing took me and I can't figure out how to improve it.

I'm going to bring back something I did regularly in my 'Black Wolf Rises' series, and let you all in on a sneak, brief preview of next chapter! In chapter 6 you will meet one of Stannis Baratheon's sons.

As always PLEASE leave a review if you have anything at all to say. Ask me a question, tell me it's good, tell me why it's rubbish. Literally anything!

Thank you all for following/favouriting and reading again, and I shall see you in Chapter 6 – 'Deception'.

Reviews:

Many Faced Mage: He broke his arm on the way, and what Baratheon would let an injury stop them!

Guest (Stark): How? He dislikes Lyanna, but the others have shown him nothing but kindness.

jgs237: It wouldn't have been a conversation he'd like to have by Lyanna, so they spoke about it afterwards.

BLACK-OP1: Aegon is legitimate, so he is Aegon Targaryen, not Sand. But no, Robert, Joffrey, Durran nor Tommen would bow to a Targaryen.

Asphaleia-I: It's intentional. Stannis doesn't seem to be the type to name a kid after his parents. As for your post about Jon, a few inaccuracies. They had only been powerful for 400 years after they were the only ones to foresee the Doom and ended up as the last Dragonlords. Aerys was many things, but he maximised the crowns treasury, which is why it's such a shock to Ned that the crown is so in debt. Baratheons originate from both the first men and Valyria through Orys Baratheon and Argella Durrandon. I don't think Durran would 'empower' Daenerys like that, and I don't think this Dany would want that.

AmuletOfWinter: I'm glad you liked it! I've said before how in love with Maisie I am, so to do her justice is one of the most important things to me in writing.