A/N: WOW! I did not expect such a large, and quick response to this story! Eleven reviews in the first day! As it seems most of you want to see the changes in Westeros, I guess I will do so. (Oddly enough, two of you wanted Ned to lie to Robert in order for things to stay the same. That would have been easier, but I listen to the majority, not the minority. In any case, here's what I think of that possibility.) Oh, and the Manderlys will not be making major appearances in any of my stories, or at least not yet, because, as of The Children, Game of Thrones has covered more thanI have read. There will be a little direct quoting from the book in this, marked in bold so you know what's happening next. Now, on with the story!

Amethyst Eyes

Chapter Two: Ripples

Winterfell, 298 AL-Catelyn

As Catelyn and Ned walked back to their room from the stables, Catelyn thought about all that had been revealed. Gods, a Targaryen in Winterfell for seventeen years, and she hadn't even suspected it! As soon as they arrived in their room, she asked the question that had been burning in her mind. "Why, Ned? Why would you keep it a secret from me?"

"At first, it was because I barely knew you, Cat. Then it was because I feared someone would overhear us and tell Robert. Finally it simply became a habit. I don't even know when I would have told Jon if it weren't for Robert. In any case, some secrets are safer kept hidden. Some secrets are too dangerous to share, even with those you love and trust the most. After all, who's to say what will not come up in a moment of passion?"

Catelyn nodded. She could understand that, even if she was still upset about it. "Do you have anything of theirs? Something that would tell Jon about them?"

Ned shot up. "Yes, by the gods, I forgot about it! Rhaegar left something in the Tower for Jaehaerys. I'll send Harwin to White Harbor with it tonight."

"But will it reach White Harbor before Jon arrives?"

"Easily. Jon's smart, he'll stay away from the roads in order to avoid pursuit. It's safer, but also slower, so when Harwin takes the road, he'll beat him by a few days."

They were interrupted when a knock came at the door. "What is it?" Ned asked.

Desmond's voice came through the door. "My lord, Maester Luwin is without and begs urgent audience."

"You told him I had left orders not to be disturbed?"

"Yes, my lord . . ."

Winterfell, 298 AL-Tyrion

When Tyrion woke up, it was to the sound of his brother-by-law raging at their host. "Don't you try that with me, Stark! If that boy wasn't a Targaryen then where is he?!"

"I sent him to Deepwood Motte for the rest of you visit, Your Grace. Catelyn never liked Jon and seeing as he has asked to join the Night's Watch, I thought I'd let him start the journey now."

"You bring him back right now and prove that you're telling the truth, or I swear by all the gods that I'll make Jaime Lannister my Hand and put your head on a spike!"

Tyrion turned to his brother, Ser Jaime, and asked "What's all this noise about?"

"Robert believes that Stark's bastard is actually a Targaryen. He claims they ran into each other last night after the feast and that the boy has the Targaryen eyes."

Tyrion raised his eyebrows at that. Now that he thought about it, the boy did have eyes the colour of amethysts, but did that make him a Targaryen? If he recalled correctly, the Daynes had a similar eye colour, meaning it was possible that he was Ashara's child, but why the secrecy surrounding the lad's mother? And what would happen to the relationship between the king and his Warden of the North?

Within a week, it was clear that whatever friendship remained between the two surviving leaders of the rebellion was as dead as Rhaegar Targaryen. The Starks had closed ranks against any and all of the southerners. Even Sansa, who had seemed so enamoured of Joffrey when they first arrived had snubbed him in public after he insulted Jon Snow. Young Robb and his parents seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time together, even considering the fact that Robb was heir to Winterfell. By the end of the day, Robert had declared that they were leaving, and Stark wasn't coming with them.

Well, Robert may have been done with the North, but Tyrion wasn't. So, during their last supper at Winterfell, Tyrion spoke up. "Lord Stark, Benjen, I wonder if I might have your permission to visit the Wall and return south without having to worry about being killed or arrested." To his great delight, both Starks agreed to his request, and Tyrion toasted them as thanks.

White Harbor, 298 AL-Jon/Jaehaerys

Jon (no, his name is Jaehaerys,) finally allowed himself a chance to rest as he arrived at White Harbor. Though he trusted his uncle, he had barely slept since leaving Winterfell for fear of the king. No, he's a Targaryen, he should not be calling Baratheon 'king,' he is the Usurper. Baratheon stole the throne from his father and now wants Jaehaerys dead because he knows he is a usurper.

Only a few minutes after coming to his decision about the Usurper, Jon (Jaehaerys,) arrived at New Castle, the seat of House Manderly. Lord Wyman welcomed him with open arms and granted him a room for as long as he needed it, while promising to keep word of his arrival from the Usurper. He was then guided to his room by Wendel Manderly, where he promptly fell asleep, and did not waken for two days.

When he awoke, the first thing Jon (Jaehaerys!) went first to the kennels and checked on Ghost, who had naturally followed his master south. The second thing he did was see Lord Wyman. "Again, Jon Snow, I welcome you to my home. Might I finally ask why you are here?"

"I'm leaving for Essos, my lord, for my own safety. Lord Stark bid me ask for the Golden Company sword, before I leave."

Lord Wyman's eyes widened before asking "What goes beneath the gold?"

"The bitter steel," Jon (Jaehaerys!) responded.

Lord Wyman nodded, and commanded his steward to bring the sword. "There are several ships in the harbour, many of them are from the Free Cities, or going there. Also, a rider arrived from Winterfell with a chest for you, apparently Lord Stark knew you were coming here." The servant gave Jo-Jaehaerys a letter and small package, just as the steward arrived with the sword.

Curious about what his uncle could have possibly saved just for such an occasion, Jaehaerys (finally!) pulled out the sword. The sword had a ruby embedded in the pommel, very unusual, and expensive. He was shocked to find the distinctive smoky colouring of Valyrian steel. And etched into the blade were Valyrian runes, runes that spelled out the name of the sword. "Blackfyre," Jaehaerys whispered in shock and awe. How had his uncle managed to retrieve his ancestor's sword, and where from? And it was only after he identified the sword that he realized that the crossguard was a pair of dragon heads, perfect for the ancestral sword of House Targaryen. "Thank you, my lord. I promise, I will never forget your kindness and help, Lord Wyman."

"I thank you for that promise. Now, you had better get going. Your best bet would be to go to Captain's Corner, you'll know it by the green ship on it's sign. Good luck, Jon Snow."

"Again, thank you," Jaehaerys responded as he slid Blackfyre onto his belt. He was on his way to Captain's Corner when he was pulled into a dark alley by two large men. "What in the seven hells do you think you're doing?" he demanded before he was knocked out.

When he came to, he was inside a room with no personal touches, and another man was there sitting on a chair by a desk, yet he was lying on a bed. An inn, Jaehaerys realized. He had to be in a room at an inn, but where? "I am sorry about how my men treated you, my lord, but what can you expect from thugs? I hope we can still speak as two civilized men," spoke a fat man in a hooded cloak.

With a groan, Jaehaerys answered "Well, it could have been worse. Your men only left me with a nasty headache, but no worse than your average hangover. Who are you, and what do you want with me?"

"My name is Varys, and I am here to help you, assuming my little birds heard correctly. Tell me, Jon Snow, are you truly the son of Rhaegar Targaryen, or did my little bird report a falsehood?"

Taking a deep breath and hoping that his uncle was right, he answered "I am Jaehaerys Targaryen, the third of my name, son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark."

Varys smiled. "Good, I hoped I heard correctly. Now, we haven't much time. If you wish to find your aunt and uncle, go to Pentos and ask for Magister Illyrio Mopatis, they are staying with him for now. To get there, board the ship called The Maiden of the Sea, the captain will take you directly to Pentos. Finally, one of my agents is going to integrate himself into your household, a former knight. Him you can trust, how far is up to you, Your Grace."

Jaehaerys blanched at that. He hadn't thought of it before, but the Spider was right: with the deaths of Rhaegar and Aerys, he was the rightful Lord of the Seven Kingdoms now. Gods, as if he hadn't had enough shocks this past week! "Thank you for the information, Lord Varys. I shall act on it at once." Jaehaerys quickly left the room and went for the docks. Upon arrival, he blessed his uncle for insisting he learn to speak and read Valyrian, as he quickly found The Maiden of the Sea and paid for passage to Pentos.

Pentos, 298 AL-Illyrio

Well, with the wedding complete and the horde gone, Illyrio Mopatis believed that his part in this game was done, at least for a while. Oh, he'd need to keep an eye on Aegon, and an ear on Daenarys, Viserys and Drogo, but he would have no active role for some time now. There was a knock, but it obviously couldn't be as important, so he just sent Sigur to send the man off. However, Sigur came back almost as quick as he had sent him. "Master, the man outside claims that the Spider sent him."

"What?! What are you waiting for? Let him in, now!" Illyrio demanded. What did this visitor have to do with Varys, and why send the man to him? The man that came in with Sigur was about the age of manhood, had a good height, though shorter than Viserys, and he had the look of the North in him. But what caught Illyrio's attention the most were the albino direwolf at his side, the dragon-headed crossguard of the sword he wore, and his amethyst eyes. "So, who are you, and why does Varys send you to me?"

"My name is Jaehaerys Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, and I am looking for my Aunt Daenarys and Uncle Viserys. Lord Varys told me that they were staying with you. Where are they?"

A fourth dragon, Varys? And where have you been hiding this one? "I'm sorry, my lord, but they are no longer here."

"What?! Where are they?!" he demanded.

Hmm, well, he certainly had the temper to be a Targaryen. "At the request of Viserys, I recently facilitated the marriage of Daenarys to Khal Drogo of the Dothraki."

"You did WHAT?! Where are they now?"

This boy certainly demanded a lot, Illyrio thought. If this was the way he acted, then it was a good thing they had Aegon. Between his incessant demands and Viserys' obvious madness, Aegon would definitely be the best choice. "They are on their way to Vaes Dothrak, some two thousand miles east of here."

"Very well. Do you have some maps and a horse I could buy? If I'm going to find them, I need a horse and maps."

Finally, some respect from the lad. Illyrio agreed to sell him the maps he requested, and the horse at a fair price (though more than he had paid for them,) and sent him on his way. "Varys, I hope you know what you're doing, my old friend," he whispered as man, horse and dog rode off after the khalasar.

Casterly Rock, 298 AL-Tywin

When Tywin Lannister received the letter from Robert, he wasn't very surprised. His son-in-law and king was often writing, (or more correctly, having letters written to him,) usually asking for money. Truly, Robert was another Aegon the Unworthy, constantly whoring, drinking and throwing parties. Gods, Tywin could only hope he would at least learn from that Aegon's mistakes and not legitimize his bastards. When he finally did read the letter, something happened that was so rare, Tywin could hardly remember the last time it had happened: Robert had surprised him. And not only Robert, but Eddard Stark as well! Robert accused Stark of hiding and defending a Targaryen, and as such, requested Tywin to be the new Hand of the King. Well, it was a rare man that could claim to be the Hand to two kings, and as Hand to this king, it would be his years under Aerys all over again. He would be the second most powerful man in Westeros (though only in name,) the Lannisters would continue their rise to power, and his legacy would be assured. How could he refuse such a generous offer? Oh, he'd have to curb some of Robert's appetites and expenses, but that shouldn't be too hard, he was only three million dragons in debt. Tywin immediately wrote back and assured the king that he would gladly accept the post.

A/N: Alright, so that's that. For those of you who have only seen the show and not read the books, the opening scene leads into the message from Lysa Arryn about the Lannister's plot against Robert. Now, since you want to see the changes in Westeros, I have a few questions. First, how long do you believe it would take for Tywin to learn the truth about his grandchildren? After all, if Ned can find out with some luck, how could Tywin not figure it out with some skill? Second, during the first Small Council meeting where Tywin is Hand, Robert (who is there for once,) brings up the matter of Jon/Aemon and Ned's treason. What should the Small Council decide on the matter of the North? Will there be war, or will some other measure be taken? Third, what happens with the Starks in response? Finally, and most important in my opinion, what should Viserys' reaction to Jon/Jaehaerys be?