A/N: New chapter for you all! Hopefully you'll enjoy, thanks so much for reading.

unnamed visitor: Glad it took you by surprise and that you liked it. I toyed with the idea of what the baby would look like but finally settled on him being more Stark in appearance. Who knows what the others will look like when they make an appearance. Glad you liked the name too, I've had it in the back of my mind for a while and decided to use it in this fic. Yes, Jaime and Lanette are thrilled, probably even more so because Amy has invited them. I do indeed hope to have Tywin meet the baby, it might not be for a while but I intend on it happening! Thanks, writing a more human Tywin has been strange at times but very fun - here's the new update, enjoy!

Guest: You're very welcome!

Boramir: Thank you very much, glad you enjoyed the baby scenes and the characterizations. Yes, Renly is mixing his own vain self with stupid and greedy Tyrells, not a great mixture but a potentially dangerous one nonetheless. Tywin will no doubt be prepared for any eventuality since he has seen it all in his time. I think Doran Martell could be convince, but I don't think the others would be particularly pleased about it!

Right-ho folks, on with the chapter!

:)

Deserter

They thundered around the man, his black hood pulled up to obscure him in the dying light of the day. Robb pulled on the reins of his horse to halt him as the man stopped dead. The last two had been the same, almost as though they had wanted to be caught. He tried to push down his unease as he thought on Amy's words to his father; do you wonder if there is perhaps any truth to it? His father was right, surely. Surely there was no truth to it. He caught his father's eye as they made to dismount, his feet hitting the hard ground in the next moment as his father approached the deserter. Robb's eyes slid to Theon, knowing that he had Ice tethered securely to his horse and his friend grimaced slightly at him. This little routine had become far too common over the last moons.

"You are a man of the Night's Watch," his father stated as he came to a halt in front of the hooded man; "a deserter of your post and a breaker of your vows. You know the punishment?" The question hung heavy in the air as the man moved his hands up to tug down his hood; "aye, I do."

"Jon?" Robb spoke before he could even think, his mind racing. His eyes darted to his father and he could see the dismay etched on his face as he stared at Jon. "My lord?" Theon inquired tentatively and Robb could see his eyes sliding towards his horse, towards Ice. "Don't even think about it," Robb snarled and his father seemed to come to, blinking rather rapidly. "The punishment for desertion is death," he said mechanically and Robb could barely believe his ears. "The hell it is! That's my brother!"

"I knew what I was risking," Jon spoke up, "but I knew I had to try after the others were caught and killed. I knew you hadn't believed them, I knew it had to be me. That I was the only one who had a chance of making you listen…making you believe…"

Do you wonder if there is perhaps any truth to it?

"Why not write?" his father's voice was pained, "Why not send us word? Why leave?!" he sounded almost desperate now and Robb couldn't imagine being in his position. "I couldn't write, they locked me up for speaking out," Jon explained pleadingly, "those of us who came back and spoke of it were locked away. No one but the Maester would listen to us and we needed more than one man…Alliser Thorne is in command now, since the Old Bear was killed. I swear my lord, I swear on my life that it is true. The walkers have risen and…and the wildlings are coming…"

"Why wouldn't Benjen tell me any of this?!" his father sounded almost angry now and Robb saw his own eyes going to where Ice was strapped up. Instinctively he moved closer to Jon, coming to lay his hand down on his brother's shoulder. Their eyes met and Robb knew in that instant what the truth was; "I believe you," he said firmly, seeing the relief in his brother's eyes. "Robb," his father said lowly, warningly. "No, I believe him," Robb said, turning to face his father and placing himself in front of his brother; "and if you want to kill him for desertion you will have to go through me first."

"You think I would kill my own son?" his father asked him and Robb almost felt guilty when he saw the look in his eyes. "It's what duty dictates," Robb said quietly and his father nodded his head slowly. "Benjen?" he directed towards Jon and Robb could practically feel him squirming behind him. "He never came back from ranging…he's…missing, I suppose," Jon said quietly and Robb saw the quickly hidden devastation that crossed his father's face. "Benjen's tough, he'll be back," he said with a steely determination and Robb swallowed hard. "Saddle up one of the spare horses," his father directed towards Theon then; "Jon's returning to Winterfell with us so we can sort this mess out."

Robb finally relaxed then, turning around and pulling Jon into an embrace for a long moment. Jon held him back tightly and he could feel the relief radiating from him. When Robb pulled back Bran was at his side, almost launching himself at Jon as Robb stepped back from him. He looked away from their embrace and towards his father who looked more troubled than he had ever seen him. Robb approached him and his father looked almost apprehensive. "You believe him too I know you do," Robb said lowly, laying his hand on his father's forearm; "what are we going to do?"

"The only thing I can do, write to the Capitol and hope they do not think me mad," with that he turned away, hauling himself back up onto his own horse. The rest of the party moved to do the same, everyone giving their lord a wide berth as he called out the order to return to Winterfell. Jon's horse fell into step with Robb's as they began their journey and Robb sent him a strained smile. "Thank you," Jon said meaningfully and he nodded. "There's no need to thank me. I'm your brother, you would have done the same for me," he said.

"It is the truth you know," Jon said, "the wildlings are gathering to attack the Wall. The Watch are in denial about it and we barely have any men to defend it. If it falls it will let even worse through…" Jon tailed off and Robb imagined he had seen the way his knuckles were stretched white as he gripped onto his horses reins hard. "I suppose there will be time enough to discuss it when we get back," Jon said quietly and Robb was grateful for the change of subject; "how have things been since the wedding? I've had no news…I was beyond the Wall for so long and locked away when I got back."

"I did wonder why you never replied to my letters," Robb said slightly wryly, turning his head and seeing Jon smiling slightly. "How's Amy?" he asked and that managed to quirk Robb's lips up, glad to have his mind focusing on something good for a moment. "She's perfectly well," Robb told him, "we have a son," he went on and Jon's smile widened. "Congratulations, when did that happen?" he asked with a slight laugh. "He's ten days old. Aedan," Robb added the name of his son. "A very new addition then," Jon said, "I can't wait to meet him."

The sound of hooves had Amy up out of her seat and going to the window. Even in the evening gloom she recognised the top of Robb's auburn head and she breathed a sigh of relief as she always did when he returned safely. Perhaps it was irrational of her to think that anything could happen to him when he and his father always left with skilled guards but he was her husband and she couldn't help but worry about him. He had been called out of Winterfell far too often recently and now it was not just fear of losing him herself that gripped her when he left but fear of Aedan losing his father. She shook her head, determined to shake away all the ill thoughts in her head and glanced towards the cradle where her son was sleeping. He seemed peaceful enough, his little fists flung up around his head and his fingers twitching every now and again.

Amy looked back out of the window and saw all the horses being handed over to the grooms and stable boys, her eye caught by a new addition to the party that had her frowning. Could that really be Jon? A nasty little feeling clenched in her stomach then. Surely it had not been him who was the deserter… From the little time she had spent with him and the countless words Robb had spoken about him she was almost certain that he couldn't do such a thing. As honourable as Robb was it seemed as though Jon outstripped him in that regard. She glanced back at Aedan again and tried not to think about how grumpy he would be if she woke him now. She could hardly leave him up here alone though and she had no doubt that whatever the reason for Jon's arrival Robb would not be coming right back up to their chambers.

Her desire to know what was going on just about outstripped her desire to not wake her sleeping baby and so she approached his cradle and lifted him carefully up into her arms. He shuddered awake, a grumble of disapproval leaving him as she pressed him against her chest and twisted her torso from side to side, hushing him soothingly. A few more grumbles came from him as he threatened to wake properly, his head nuzzling against her as he settled slowly. Finally his fingers flexed against her breast and a shuddering sigh came from him and she glanced down and saw that his eyes were firmly closed again. She moved slowly to the door and opened it as quietly as she could, not bothering to close it behind her as she made her way down the hallway towards the stairs.

When she came to a halt outside the parlour she paused for a moment, pressing her ear closer to the door and hearing the murmur of voices within. She recognised Lord Stark's voice after a moment and bit down on her lip, wondering if she ought to knock first. She decided against it, she would never usually knock before entering the parlour so why should she start now? If the conversation was meant to be a private one then she imagined they would have gone to the council chambers or Lord Stark's study. She opened the door quietly and slipped inside, the conversation cutting off as the three men present turned to look at her. Immediately she wished she had knocked, her hold coming a little tighter around Aedan as she tried not to cringe at the look on her good-father's face. Even Robb looked a little irritated but Jon mustered a weak smile for her which she endeavoured to return.

"I didn't realise I would be interrupting," she apologised, "I just saw you were back and when you didn't come up I thought I would come to you," she eyed Robb towards the end and his irritated expression softened slightly. "You weren't to know," Lord Stark said rather stiffly; "it's no matter anyway, have you seen Catelyn? I need to speak with her." Amy shook her head at that, feeling almost shy in her good-father's presence in a way she had never felt before. He had always been a man of few words but when he did speak he was always kind, his brisk manner now was slightly unnerving to say the least, as was the tension she could practically feel in the room. She wished now that she had just stayed upstairs and waited for Robb to explain whatever was going on to her later when they were alone. It was too late now though, she had made her decision. "I'll go and find her," Lord Stark said after another awkward moment, not giving any of them a second glance before he slammed out of the room.

Aedan jumped awake in her arms at the noise, a wail leaving him at once that had Amy almost cursing. Robb did, but she imagined it was only partly because his son had been startled given the way Jon was cringing back in his chair. Amy looked away from them and busied herself with soothing her son again, pressing a kiss to the top of his head and rocking him gently. His wails soon subsided but he didn't fall back to sleep again, his eyes wide and shining as she cradled him in her arms. "Congratulations," Jon offered up into the awkward silence and she smiled genuinely at him, hearing the sincerity in his voice. "Thank you, would you like to hold him?" she asked and he glanced nervously at Robb before he nodded his head. She approached and shifted him down into Jon's waiting arms, watching Aedan eye him almost suspiciously, the way he did to all new people who held him.

"He's a Stark alright," Jon chuckled after a moment and she could only agree with him. "Save the eyes," she said in response and he nodded slightly. "Aye, his father's eyes," Jon looked up to Robb and Amy saw him bestow a rather stiff smile. "I didn't realise you were coming," Amy said tentatively then and Jon smiled rather wryly. "I think Lord Stark wishes I hadn't," he said after a moment and Amy frowned slightly, looking to Robb for guidance but he seemed to be avoiding her gaze. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"I left the Wall," Jon told her after a moment, "without permission. I'm a deserter, my head wouldn't be on my shoulders if Lord Stark had done his duty." Amy gasped at that, again looking at Robb, as though hoping he would contradict Jon's words. "You're his son…he would never, no matter the circumstance…" she shook her head, horrified at what she was hearing. "He has to inform the King, and the other kingdoms," he continued and her frown deepened. Surely a deserter from the Wall did not warrant such a fuss being made. Something else was clearly happening here and she knew that she wouldn't like it from the way that Robb was still avoiding her gaze. "Why did you leave the Wall?" she asked the most obvious question and now Jon seemingly couldn't look at her either.

"The other two men," she said slowly, seeing Robb stiffen as she mentioned them let her know she was on the right track; "the tale they spun about wildlings and walkers was true, wasn't it?" Jon nodded his head heavily in response and she took a deep breath. "As many as they said?" she asked and he nodded again, seemingly mute now she was discovering the truth. "And I suppose the Watch will need help, to fend them off?" she continued on and he continued to nod. "And likely that means you marching to the Wall to aid them," her eyes were on Robb now, "which is why you can't look at me…"

He did look up then and she saw the apprehension in his eyes. "Believe me, it's not something I want to do," Robb said, his eyes flickering between her and Aedan and her irritation soothed slightly. "Well never mind that now, what is going to happen with you Jon?" she asked, coming to sit herself down next to Robb, his hand reaching out and taking one of hers as she settled down. "I don't know," Jon said heavily, "it's not likely I can return to the Wall, they would kill me themselves for desertion. Lord Stark is going to write to the King…hopefully he will have mercy on me and allow me to leave the Watch. For my own good…"

Jon sounded almost bitter at the end and she smiled sympathetically at him. "I'm sure the King will grant Lord Stark's request, you are kin after all," she said and he nodded his head, mustering a smile for her that looked as though it cost him a lot of effort. "That doesn't help with the trouble beyond the Wall though," Jon said heavily, "the acting Lord Commander will not hear of any coming wildings or of the walkers, despite having seen them with his own eyes. He is in denial…he knows there are not enough men at Castle Black to defend it but he is too stubborn to listen and send out for help. I had to come Amy, I couldn't let any more men leave only to be executed for desertion, not when I was the only one who had a hope of getting Lord Stark to listen."

Catelyn felt the strangest sensation that she was being watched as she left the Sept, her steps cautious and her eyes darting about her as she walked down the steps. She could practically feel eyes boring into her as she crossed the courtyard and she resisted the urge to quicken her pace as she approached the keep. Her head whipped around as she heard a scuttle of movement behind her, her eyes finding the big red eyes blinking at her from the shadows beneath the steps of the Sept. She swallowed hard as the owner of the eyes slunk out from its hiding place, the pure white direwolf eyeing her for a long moment before trotting off across the courtyard and rounding the corner near the stables. Catelyn pushed away the odd sensation of guilt and shook off her unnerved feeling before continuing on towards the keep, Ned emerging from the main doors as she came to the bottom of the steps.

"We need to talk," her husband said at once, as she ascended the steps. "About Jon?" she guessed and a flicker of surprise crossed his features. "Have you seen Robb?" he asked her with a frown and she shook her head. "I saw his wolf," she said, really looking at Ned now and seeing a deep worry set in his eyes that had fear instantly bubbling up inside her. "Has something happened?" she asked him, "Is Jon alright?" she asked. Despite everything she had never wished harm on the boy, she would hate for Ned to lose a child, for her own children to lose a sibling. "He's deserted the Wall Cat," Ned confessed to her, his voice wavering with emotion and her eyes widened, her feet moving to close the small gap between them and wrap her arms around his waist.

"What happened?" she whispered against him, her heartbeat quickening as she sensed him trying to get his emotions under control. Ned was rarely emotional. Vulnerable. The only time she had ever seen him cry was when he had returned from the war and set eyes on Robb for the first time. Even then he had seemed ashamed of himself, cringing away from her comfort that she tried to offer him. Though, likely that was borne out of guilt as much as any shame as it was soon after that he had confessed Jon's existence to her. "I brought him back here," he told her steadily after a moment and she felt relief that took her by surprise; "what else could I do?" he pulled away from her embrace and she shook her head; "I've written to the King, asked for Jon to be released from his vows, if he goes back to the Wall now the Watch will kill him themselves."

"Well of course he can't go back," she said briskly, "I will have to see the maids about sorting his old chambers I suppose…" she trailed off as Ned looked at her strangely. "What?" she asked him as his eyes continued to bore into hers. "Why are you being like this?" he asked her and she had to admit that stung. "You think I would ever wish harm on him?" she asked him, her eyes widening; "I know I have never been able to think of him as my own but do you really think I would wish him dead?"

"No," he shook his head, regret flooding his features now as he pulled her back against his chest; "no of course not." Catelyn held onto him, squeezing her eyes tight to stop the tears coming. She loved Ned, she truly did, but whenever Jon came into the conversation it always seemed to turn sour on one side or other. She wished that she could have accepted him but it was near impossible when she saw how close he and Robb grew and how it twisted like a knife in her stomach that Jon looked more like Ned's true son than her boy did. "It's not his fault, I know that," she confessed to him, his hand coming to tangle in her hair as she said the words; "I just can't help it Ned…I can't…"

"I know," he murmured quietly, his lips pressing against her head. "Thinking of you with another…" he stiffened as she spoke but she needed to get it out, she had been repressing it for so long; "it wasn't so bad back then. I was hurt yes, but I didn't love you the way I do now. I suppose the more I grew to love you the more I grew to resent his existence. It wasn't him, not really…but all he represented in my mind. Does that make sense Ned?" she pulled away to see his eyes tight and shining. He nodded rather vigorously before he spoke again; "things were never meant to happen the way they did. I never wanted to hurt you Cat, it was the last thing in the world I wanted but…" he seemed to struggle with the words, looking almost as though he thought he had said too much. "I love you," he finally said, pressing a kiss to her forehead; "and I want you to remember that no matter what."

She frowned at that, thinking that it was an awfully strange thing for him to say and thinking again that he wanted to say more than he was willing or able to. It struck her then that she hadn't asked him the most glaringly obvious question and all thoughts of Ned and Jon's unnamed mother flew from her head as she met his eyes again. "Ned, why did Jon desert the Wall?" she asked him and he grimaced at her question. "The same reason the others did," he said heavily, "Amy was right before, it seems there is more truth to their tales than I was willing to believe."

Jaime eyed Lanette as she sat playing with her food in the latest inn they were residing within for the night. "Is it not to your liking?" he finally asked and she snapped her head up, a smile coming to her face at once. "I'm just tired from travelling," she said, "and truth be told…this is not the most appetizing meal we have had so far." Her smile widened as she came to the end, her voice lowering and her eyes darting around; no doubt making sure the inn keep was not in earshot. "I think dining at the Rock all these years has spoiled your tastes my love," he teased her and she laughed slightly. "I think your father would say it had refined them," she corrected him with a raised brow and it was his turn to laugh.

"You seem far more relaxed now," Lanette commented to him, her hand reaching across the table to find his. "I feel more relaxed now," he said in return and she smiled slightly, her eyes searching his face and he couldn't help but wonder what she was looking for. He decided against asking her, merely twisting his hand around so he could lace his fingers with hers. "We must be half way by now," she said questioningly and he nodded his head. "Yes indeed, just over a week and we will see Winterfell looming up again," Jaime confirmed and she smiled widely again.

"I wonder how Amy's coping with it all, becoming a mother is such a big change," Lanette pondered and he smiled slightly at her, seeing the wistful expression on her own face. "I'm sure she's coping just fine," Jaime soothed her, "you know what she's like when she sets her mind to something, and you and I both know she was desperate for this baby."

"True enough," Lanette agreed, nodding her head before releasing his hand and picking up her wine cup. She grimaced when she tasted it and Jaime couldn't help but snort. Granted the wine was more like vinegar than Arbor Gold but it was drinkable at least. "Could you ask them for some water?" she asked him and he chuckled again. "Of course my love," he said, making to rise up from the table, the inn keep noticing him and bustling over at once. "Is everything alright Ser, my lady?" he asked and Lanette smiled sweetly at him. "I was wondering if I could perhaps have some water?" she said and he bowed shortly to her at once; "of course my lady, I'll bring it right away."

"Do you suppose there will be any more from Renly while we are away?" Lanette asked him as she turned her attention back to her dinner. "If there is I'm sure we will soon know about it, the Northern banners will have to be given plenty of notice should they need to gather," Jaime said in return and she nodded slowly, chewing down a mouthful of food that she did not look impressed with. "Does your father really think it will come to war?" she asked him then and he shrugged his shoulders. "My father is prone to think the worst in any case," he replied and she smiled slightly.

"Is that not the job of the Hand of the King?" she responded with and he rolled his eyes. "You sound just like him," he commented and she snorted, turning her attention away from him as the inn keep set down a small flagon of water and a new rough cut cup on the table. "Thank you very much," Lanette smiled widely at him and the man looked delighted, bowing far more lowly this time before he scurried away. "Do you think it will come to war?" Lanette persisted, her eyes flickering between him and the water flagon as she poured herself a cup. "I don't know Lana," he said honestly, "I never knew much of Renly; only that he was Robert's favourite."

"Something tells me he wouldn't be anymore," Lanette said wryly, "something ought to be done about him scuppering the Princess' betrothal," she said thoughtfully before sipping on her water. "And what would you do about it?" Jaime asked her in an amused tone, wondering how ruthless she would be in this matter. "I would remove him from Storm's End for a start and give it to the unwaveringly loyal Stannis. Shove Renly out on a rock in the middle of the sea and see how much trouble he can cause from there. Doubtless he would be throwing far fewer feasts in any case," she said and he snorted.

"You should write to my father with that one," he advised her and she smiled slightly. "Doubtless he has already thought of it," she said, laying her knife and fork down on her half full plate, to which he raised his brows. "Is that all you're having?" he questioned her with a slight frown and she sighed. "I can't stomach anymore, I think I will just go up to bed," she said and he nodded his agreement, getting up from the table as she rose from her chair. "Perhaps the inn we stay at tomorrow night will be more to your refined tastes," he whispered in her ear as he placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her towards the stairs. "Perhaps," she said in an amused tone, "one can dream in any case."

A/N: Well...I hope you all enjoyed that. New one up later in the week!

:)