A/N: Honestly not sure what people are going to make of this one, see the end for a less vague note and I hope you enjoy!

unnamed visitor: I'm glad you didn't see it coming, I live to surprise haha. Robb and Jon always seemed to have such a close bond to me so I had no doubt in my mind that Robb would believe him in an instant. Ned did too, but it was more of a case of him not wanting it to be true, even though he knew it was. Ned was indeed holding back when talking to Cat and more will be revealed in this chapter. I think it was important for Cat to get that out about Jon, since she's been repressing it for years. Well I can't possibly comment on anything else haha, all I will say is thank you and I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Boramir: Thank you. Yes indeed, Tywin will be unable to do much from his position with Renly messing around. I agree that Renly is dim enough to try something like that should the opportunity arise, let's just hope it doesn't! And poor Ned indeed, not an enviable position to be in!

Guest: You're very welcome.

Right then, I'll let you get on and read, look out for another A/N at the bottom!

:)

Truth

"Please Aedan, please…please, please stop crying," Amy was near tears herself as she paced up and down the gallery. He had been incessantly crying since he woke near dawn and after being fed and changed he still wouldn't settle. Light was creeping in through the far window now and Amy's body felt on the verge of collapse. She was exhausted, this little routine had become far too frequent and she was nearing the end of her tether. Interrupted sleep was one thing, but this? Gods. She just did not know what to do to soothe him, she had tried all she could think of. Rocking him, bouncing him, hushing him, singing to him, and none of it was working. Still he cried and it was all she herself wanted to do because she felt so utterly inadequate.

"Amy, what are you doing in here?" Robb's confused and sleep laden voice caught her attention and she turned, seeing him stood there clad in a robe. "Trying to settle him somewhere he won't wake the whole keep," she told him, her voice quavering slightly; "I've done everything…he isn't hungry, and he isn't wet, I have no idea what to do with him…he just won't stop," her voice was near hysterical at the end and Robb was hushing her, coming closer and laying his hands on her shoulders to pause her in her pacing. "Go back to bed," he said softly.

"How can I with him like this?" she demanded and Robb was easing their screaming son from her arms in the next moment. "Go back to bed," he said again, more firmly this time. This time she nodded, blinking her stinging eyes before she moved to the door before Robb could change his mind. Even before she closed it behind her she could hear that Aedan's cries had lessened slightly. Gods. How was it that one moment with Robb calmed him and yet she had been up for over an hour trying to soothe him to no avail? What could she possibly be doing that was so wrong? She tried not to think about it as she dragged her exhausted body down the hallways towards their chamber.

Once inside she took a deep breath of relief at the silence that greeted her, immediately feeling guilty that she was glad her baby was no longer in her presence. She loved him. Gods she loved him with every fibre of her being but he had been testing her and a moments relief from him felt like just the thing she needed right now. That and sleep. She eyed the bed, shrugging her robe from her shoulders and crawling into Robb's recently vacated side. It was still warm and she snuggled down against his pillow and breathed in the comforting scent he had left behind, her eyes closing almost instantaneously.

"Yes, send word back to Lord Stark that his son can be released from his vows," Steffon waved his hand dismissively and Cersei eyed him for a moment before setting her gaze on her father who was sat at the head of the table. "And the rest? The wildlings?" her father asked him, his own eyes fixed exclusively on his grandson who was moving about the map table and eyeing up the markers that had been placed. "I'm expected to believe that tale?" Steffon snorted and Cersei saw Sansa frown from where she sat opposite her. "Lord Stark must feel there is some truth in it to take the trouble to warn us," her father spoke up.

"Perhaps he just has a little too much faith in his bastard son," Littlefinger said in a rather derogatory tone and Sansa's frown only deepened, one setting in on Cersei's own face now. "Lord Stark is not a man to be hoodwinked," Stannis said stonily and on this rare occasion Cersei found herself firmly in his camp as he and Littlefinger glared at one another. It was no secret that Stannis wanted him removed from the council but that would mean the end of his golden touch and they needed coin more than ever if a war truly was coming. Unfortunately retaining him meant putting up with him on the small council but she supposed it would just have to be endured. "I agree," she said when no one else showed any sign of speaking up, a smug little smile coming to Littlefinger's face which she wiped off with her next words; "with Stannis."

"As do I," Sansa added pointedly and Cersei smiled slightly at her as the corner of Stannis' mouth twitched up momentarily. "As do I," her father added heavily and Steffon finally moved away from the map and came to sit at the opposite end of the table. "Perhaps some truth in the wildling threat," Varys seemed to concede grudgingly, "but walkers?"

"Jon is no liar," Sansa almost snarled and Cersei had to fight back a smile, especially when she saw Steffon reach his hand over to lay on one of his wife's. "I meant no offence to you my queen," Varys was backtracking now and even Cersei's father looked vaguely amused. "If he says walkers have been seen then I believe him, if you think my father honest and honourable then you ought to know Jon is made the same way," Sansa said firmly, her eyes travelling up and down the council table as though daring anyone to contradict her. "My queen knows her family better than any of us," Steffon said then, leaning in closer to his wife; "are you certain of this?" Cersei distinctly heard him whisper and she nodded her head before turning to the side, meeting his eyes; "I am certain."

"We cannot afford to send the armies of the kingdoms to aid the North," Steffon announced to the council after a long moment of searching Sansa's eyes; "but I would not leave them without our support, uncle?" Stannis turned to him and nodded his head; "I expect you want the mining of dragonglass increased?"

"And a ship or two to take the ore to White Harbour," Steffon added and Stannis nodded again. "It will be done, your Grace," he said and Steffon smiled slightly at his uncle, a thoughtful look on his face for a moment before he turned his attention to his grandfather. "Would you agree?" Steffon asked and Cersei was relieved when her father nodded his head. "Indeed," he said, "the Wall must be defended as it protects us all from whatever savagery lays beyond. You are right that we cannot spare the men, not with Renly unchecked."

"What can I do?" Steffon asked him, "I cannot declare war on him without proof of treason, and him sabotaging Karenza's betrothal does not amount to that. He is my uncle, I would not have him executed without pause for true thought."

"No, I suppose it doesn't amount to treason, but his behaviour is suspicious your Grace," her father replied and Steffon grudgingly nodded, Sansa's turn now to lay her hand atop his and offer him some comfort. "There could be another way to resolve this with him, peacefully…and keep an eye on him," Stannis said then and Cersei could tell by the look on his face that he didn't like whatever plan he had come up with. "What is that?" Steffon asked.

"Recall him to the small council," Stannis said and Cersei saw her father close his eyes in despair. "And what title would you confer to him? He cannot be left to exert his influence over the gold cloaks again, Steffon would be smothered in his sleep within a week," her father snapped and Cersei flinched slightly. "Is there any word from Dorne?" Steffon asked, clearly wanting to steer the conversation away from his treacherous uncle. "Prince Doran is open to negotiation, I believe he would like the Princess to be a ward at Sunspear for a year," Jon Arryn reported and Cersei fought a scowl.

Steffon was nodding his head slowly, clearly torn between what was best for the kingdoms and what was best for his sister. "Can we trust him?" he finally asked and there was silence for a long moment. "There will always be animosity between our family and Dorne," her father spoke finally, "but Tyrion spent several months there on his travels and no harm came to him, I believe he still corresponds with Prince Oberyn. Prince Doran craves peace above all, he does not want a war and he knows he would get one if any harm came to Princess Karenza. This betrothal could begin to heal the rift with Dorne, and your sister would be well placed to inform us of any unfavourable whispers."

"Very well," Steffon said, "negotiate." Cersei closed her eyes at that as the agreement was made. Should Prince Doran accept she would soon have to ship her innocent daughter away to Dorne, unable to see her for at least a year, perhaps more. The council seemed to be wrapping up now and she pushed her own chair out and rose up, curtseying to Steffon as tradition dictated before she joined the trickle of bodies moving out into the hallway. She turned back at the door to see Steffon placing his hand gently on Sansa's stomach before he leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. Seeing that had lifted her somewhat, if Karenza was to depart for Dorne then at least there would be something here to keep her distracted. While she would miss her daughter terribly at least she would soon have a grandchild to dote on.

"She's completely exhausted, do you think I should talk to her again about getting a nurse for Aedan?" Robb asked his mother, watching the steady rise and fall of her hand as she continued on with her needlework. "Amy seemed adamant that she didn't want a nurse," his mother reminded him and he sighed heavily, leaning back against the cushions of the sofa and running a hand through his hair. "I think she has this idea in her head that Aedan will love her less if she gets a nurse for him," he told her, "I know I had a nurse, so did she, and it doesn't stop us loving our mothers."

"Well it's always nice to hear that," his mother smiled at him and he returned it. "What do you think I should do?" he asked her and it was her turn to sigh, finally ceasing with her needlework. "This might be something Amy needs to work out on her own," she told him, meeting his eyes, "if she is struggling then she needs to know it's alright to ask for help. But you can't force her, doing that will only likely make her even more adamant that she doesn't need any help. That girl is a Lannister remember, and one thing that family have in abundance is pride."

"Maybe her own mother can get through to her," Robb pondered, tapping his leg up and down as his mother resumed her sewing. "Yes, perhaps she can," she agreed with him; "they will be arriving soon won't they?"

"I'd imagine any moment now," Robb agreed, "the last message said late morning so it shouldn't be long." His mother nodded at that and he got up off the sofa and walked to the window, looking down at the usual hustle and bustle in the courtyard. He hoped Amy was still asleep, he had left her asleep, easing Aedan quietly into his cradle when he had fallen asleep and tiptoeing out of the room. Why his son had been screaming so much he didn't know, but it hadn't taken him long to calm him. His mother seemed to think that he had likely picked up on Amy's own stress and desperation and had been responding to her feelings. That seemed like a plausible explanation to Robb and was more determined than ever that he would get Amy to change her mind and appoint a nurse for him.

Rickon's nurse still lived in the town, she had been a lovely woman and Rickon always delighted in seeing her, even now. The guards atop the walls caught his attention then as he saw them gesturing down to those on the ground. He imagined one would soon be coming up to the keep to inform them that the Lannister party was approaching and he decided he would save them the journey. "I think they're here," he said to his mother and she set her needlework aside. "I will go down if you like, best you go and see that Amy is prepared," his mother offered and he nodded his agreement, thanking her before making his way out into the hallway and setting off towards their chambers.

She was feeding Aedan when he let himself in and he was pleased to see that she didn't look nearly as exhausted as she had in the early hours when he had found her in the gallery. "How long have you been awake?" he asked her, approaching the bed and seating himself down next to her. "An hour maybe," she said as he pressed a kiss to the side of her head, "I was dozing for a while until he woke up for a feed."

"You look better rested," he commented, "your parents will be here soon, I think the guards have spotted them." Amy stiffened slightly at that and he could almost sense her trying to relax as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder and rubbed up and down her upper arm soothingly. "I ought to make myself more presentable," she said as Aedan finally seemed to have drank his fill, his head turning and his lips smacking as he blinked lazily up at Robb. "I'll take him a moment," Robb said, knowing better than to draw attention to her moment of tension. "Thank you," she smiled, "and thank you for this morning…I don't know what got into him."

"My mother thought your own stress might have been picked up by him," Robb told her as he eased their son from her arms. "I was tired," Amy conceded, getting herself up from the bed and going for the dresser. "Do you feel better now?" he asked as she began sifting through her dresses. "Yes, much better," she confirmed to him and he dared to hope that they were turning a corner. Hopefully once Aedan settled better into a routine it would help Amy even more. She had never been fond of getting up in the mornings and he imagined all this interrupted sleep was rather a shock for her. His own body seemed better adjusted to it, although he did feel guilty at the ease with which he could just roll over and fall back to sleep as soon as Amy had quietened their son.

Robb wandered towards the window as Amy moved around readying herself for the day. He could hear the clattering of the hooves against the stones of the courtyard and a moment later the party came into view. He recognised the fair heads of Amy's parents at the helm of the party at once, and a moment later his own mother and father stepped into view to greet them. Ser Jaime seemed to be scanning the area, no doubt wondering where Amy was. He hoped that his mother would direct them up to the parlour down the hallway as had been agreed. While Amy hadn't said anything Robb had sensed that she didn't want to greet them in public, and she had all but confirmed it in her gratitude when he had told her the arrangements for their arrival. As he watched his mother did indeed usher his good-parents inside the keep and he turned from the window to see Amy twisting and pinning her hair back.

"You look beautiful," he told her, taking in the image of her sat at her vanity clad in fine grey silks. "Thank you," she said, sending him a rather strained looking smile as she slid the final pins into her tresses. "Is it obvious I have barely slept in a month?" she asked him and he knew better than to mention the slight bags under her eyes. "I told you, you look beautiful," he told her again and her smile seemed to come for her easier this time as she rose up. "Was that them I heard?" she asked him as she smoothed her skirts and he nodded his head. Aedan let out a happy gurgle of satisfaction then that didn't fail to bring a smile to both of their faces. "Shall we?" Robb asked and Amy nodded, visibly taking a deep breath before she pulled the door open.

Robb followed her through it, adjusting his grip on Aedan so he was cradled up against his chest rather than laying in his arms. His son gurgled again, his little hands clenching into fists, one of them closing around the lacings at the top of his doublet. Keeping him secure in one arm he moved his other so he could place it on the small of Amy's back as he caught up with her. She tilted her head up to smile at him at his touch and he returned her gesture, hoping he could relieve some of the apprehension that he could see shining in her eyes. She paused when they reached the door of the parlour, quite obviously steeling herself for seeing them again. It had been many months and their last meeting had hardly been one Robb remembered fondly, remembering how Amy had cried in his arms for so long after they had gone.

He was about to open his mouth and say something comforting but before he could she had pushed open the door and stepped inside. "Here they are," Robb heard his mother's voice as he followed Amy inside. His good-mother was on her feet at once, Ser Jaime rising rather more slowly behind her as she crossed to Amy at once and gathered her into her arms. "You look well," his good-mother said when she released her, her hand coming up to cup her cheek; "do you feel well?"

"Perfectly well," Amy replied and Robb smiled slightly as her mother's eyes turned to him. "Gods, I forgot how tiny they are," she said, her own mouth tilting up into a smile as she came closer. Robb adjusted his grip again so she could better see her grandson, his eyes flickering towards Amy and seeing how she greeted her father. It was careful, but they embraced, Ser Jaime pressing a kiss to the top of her head before he leaned in and murmured something Robb couldn't hear into her ear. Amy had a smile on her face when she turned back though, ushering her father towards him and Aedan. "May I?" his good-mother asked then and Robb moved to offer her the baby at once. She took him carefully, her eyes lighting up as his blinked up at her, that inquisitive little look on his face again.

"Does he always look that suspicious?" Ser Jaime asked in a rather amused tone and Robb couldn't help but smile, seeing Amy looking far more relaxed than she had done before. "It's his standard look for new people," Amy said, moving closer to her mother and wiping a little milk from the side of Aedan's mouth. He kicked his legs out and let out a frustrated gurgle at the contact but Amy merely smiled at him, her fingers coming to stroke across his head for a moment. "He looks like you Robb, aside from his colouring," Amy's mother commented then. "And here I thought our blood was strong," Ser Jaime joked and Amy laughed slightly.

"Ned thought Stark blood was strong until I had our children," his mother commented and Robb sent her a smile. "I suppose one can never know," Amy's mother said, a smile on her own face as she seemed unable to tear her eyes from her grandson. "Do you intend to keep him all day or can I hold him a moment?" Ser Jaime asked slightly exasperatedly after another moment and she looked up in vague surprise. "Of course," she said, "I'm sorry, you should have said before."

"And here, part of me thought she would refuse," he said as his wife shifted Aedan into his arms. Robb watched Amy's reaction, seeing that her body thankfully seemed to stay relaxed as her son settled in her father's arms. "Luncheon will be in an hour," his mother spoke up then, moving round the sofa so she could make for the door, "I will leave you all in peace for a while." Robb turned his head to her and mouthed his thanks to which she inclined her head and smiled before slipping from the room. "He's utterly perfect Amy, you must be so proud," Ser Jaime commented after a few minutes of silence. "I am," Amy confirmed and Robb wrapped his arm about her shoulders and squeezed slightly as he heard the sincerity of her voice; "I feel so very blessed."

"White walkers?" Jaime raised his brows as Ned poured two tankards of honeyed mead, seeing his body stiffen at the two simple words. "That is what Jon said he saw and what can I do but believe him?" Ned asked as he approached, holding out a tankard to him. Jaime took it with thanks and watched as the man sat down. He looked as though he had aged about ten year since the last time he had seen him and that had been mere months ago. "Are you gathering your banners?" Jaime asked him after they both took a heavy drink.

"They know to be ready," Ned nodded his head, "and Stannis is shipping dragonglass to White Harbour so we can at least forge some weapons to send to the Wall. I don't want this to end in a battle but if there are truly one hundred thousand wildlings preparing to gather then what else can I do? The wall can't fall, we all know that."

"And the Lord Commander is refusing to acknowledge any of this?" Jaime questioned him and Ned sighed heavily. "I have written to the Wall every day without fail since Jon came back and I haven't heard a damn thing. I even asked the crown to send word but still nothing. How they can ignore this is beyond me. If only Benjen were there…" he tailed off and Jaime looked at him sympathetically, wondering if he ought to muster up some comforting words about his brother. "Of course he'll be back," Ned continued on determinedly before Jaime could find any words; "but that doesn't help any of us in the meantime."

"No, I don't suppose it does," Jaime said quietly and they lapsed into silence, both of them concentrating on drinking down the mead. "I wonder if I did the right thing," Ned spoke after a long time and Jaime contemplated him, seeing the conflict in his eyes; "with Jon," he elaborated before Jaime could question him. "What do you mean?" Jaime asked him before taking another gulp of mead. "Have you ever lied to your wife?" Ned asked him and Jaime nodded his head slowly. "Betrayed her?" he went on and Jaime shifted uncomfortably. "In a manner of speaking," he confessed.

"Why do we do it?" Ned asked, a slight frown setting in. "I wish I knew," Jaime said, his eyes searching Ned's face and finding only conflict and pain etched across it. "Is it true?" he asked after a long moment, "That you never told her who Jon's mother is?"

"I never told her a lot of things," Ned muttered quietly and Jaime's frown only deepened. "Did you ever want to?" Jaime asked then and he sighed, running his hand through his hair. "Every day," he said, "but then with every passing day it got harder. I never told her to spare her feelings and yet now I can only believe that I've made things worse. She loves me despite it, but I'm afraid if she ever found out the truth she would never forgive me."

"Is it someone she knows?" Jaime asked him curiously and Ned snapped his eyes to his. "I've said too much," he said and Jaime shook his head. "It won't leave this room," he assured the dark man and Ned held his eyes for an extraordinarily long time. "I never imagined speaking of this," Ned said quietly, "and to you of all people."

"I never imagined enjoying your company either," Jaime said wryly and Ned snorted before draining the last of his mead. "I've left it too long," Ned said regretfully, "and I promised Jon that one day we would speak of his mother. Now he's back, and I know I ought to tell him because it is so unfair to keep it from him but he…he will be just as betrayed as Catelyn."

"I don't understand," Jaime could not get his head around Ned's words; "why would they be any more betrayed than they already have been? How can revealing the name of the woman you fathered him with change anything?"

"Because there was no woman," Ned snapped and Jaime stared at him, "I never broke my vows, Jon is no more my son than he is Cat's." Jaime's head spun and Ned got up abruptly and walked to the side table to pour himself more mead, his hands shaking slightly as he did so. "I don't understand…why would you cause her that pain unnecessarily?" Jaime asked him, there was more to this than Ned had revealed and he felt almost hungry to know the rest.

"She never loved me back then," Ned told Jaime, "it wasn't me she pined for during the war because it was never me who was supposed to marry her. She was intended to my brother and got me in his place when he was killed. She loved Brandon, she thought he was perfect because Brandon could be perfect when he needed to and he was to her in the short time they were together. The wedding she had was never the one she wanted. I was just a substitute. That's why I lied about Jon, because I knew the truth would hurt her more than my lie."

"Jon is still a Stark," Jaime said slowly and Ned nodded heavily, some of the pieces starting to slot into place now. "When I went to the Daynes to tell them about Arthur they had some news of their own for me," Ned told him, "Brandon had taken Ashara to bed a year before, and the proof of it was Jon. I knew at once he was Brandon's, and that I couldn't leave him. The Daynes didn't want him, not after Ashara took her own life…the story was spread that her baby was stillborn, and that's why she did it. She did it because of Brandon, when he died she pined away and after she brought his son into the world she no longer wanted to live. They said she couldn't bear it…the likeness between them. So I took him, and I stupidly claimed him as my own to keep Cat's perfect memory of Brandon intact."

"You're a damn fool," Jaime said after a long moment, the only thing he could think to say. "I know," Ned agreed with him heavily. "Things could have been so different if you had just been honest with her," Jaime said and Ned snorted. "No they couldn't," he disagreed, "she would no more have wanted to raise Brandon's bastard than she did mine, and she would have held it against me just the same for bringing Jon back here."

"But she would never have had to think about you betraying her, being with another," Jaime insisted as Ned polished off his second tankard. "That is the only regret I have," Ned said, "that she believes I was untrue to her, especially now, after all the years we have had and all the children. I know she loves me, but if I tell her the truth now I don't believe that she will ever be able to look at me the same way again."

A/N: I do hope people aren't too disappointed that I'm not doing RLJ this time around. I just don't think it works for this fic and would cause unnecessary tension between the Starks and the crown. This will cause tensions on a more familial level which I think is better for the story. Also, I know it might seem a bit weird for Ned to spill all to Jaime but I do think with massive things like this that it can sometimes be easier to confess to someone you're not as close to. Ned isn't that close to Jaime but he does know he can trust him, hence he spilled his guts.

Again, hope you're not too disappointed but hey...

Just another quick note, I will be disappearing on holiday next Friday. I will update at least once before I go but from then it will be over two weeks before I update again. Just thought I'd give you the heads up so you know I'll be AWOL for a while!

Right-ho, bye for now!

:)