A/N: Happy New Year!
I have a beta now so thanks goes to gnurd for helping improve this chapter. You are awesome!
Thanks as always to those who review and for the followers, it amazes me that so many are interested in my writing.
I am also on tumblr now (as an FYI), same username. I'll post links to new chapters there though I know anybody who has followed this gets an alert anyway. I just thought I should get a little modern :D

Chapter 57: Jon

Jon Snow still dreamt of fire and dragons. Sometimes he dreamt of Winterfell but the images of dragons came more frequently. He often woke covered in sweat. Arya had told him of the dragons coming and he wished he could blame the dreams on what she had said but they had started before he had gone to Winterfell. They simply became more vivid afterwards.

He received letters from Arya. They were for the most part short. She wrote him after hearing of Robb's Will. He did not open the letter straight away. When he did he felt foolish for waiting. The language was warm and supportive.

I am disappointed you cannot be with us in Winterfell. You are so much like Father. I understand, you must put your duty first. I will do my best to prepare Rickon to be Lord of Winterfell.

A weight lifted from him after reading it and just for a moment Jon did not feel so burdened.

Melisandre continued giving him space but she watched him. Jon felt as though she was just waiting for something, he knew not what. Her eyes were on him as he moved around the castle each day. He knew he should be thankful that she did not actively seek him and that she accepted that he did not welcome her presence but her surveillance of him made him uneasy. She knows of my dreams. He had not forgotten her telling him so.

She did come to him to warn of seeing an attack in the flames.

"Servants of the enemy are coming, those you call wights. I see walking death invading the castles"

"Castles?" Jon asked. "More than one?"

"Three" Melisandre said, sounding certain.

Despite his skepticism regarding Melisandre's visions, Jon reminded his brothers to be ready for attack all along the Wall. The alert was sounded at Castle Black only a few days later. Jon had put a man on guard not just on top of the Wall but also from the best vantage point of Castle Black. He gave the same instructions for the other castles along the Wall.

Jon woke to the sound of the horn and began to rise quickly. He had a torch burning ready and Ghost by his side. By the time the horn had sounded three times Jon had the torch in his hand. He opened the door to the armory and came face to face with a dead man. He was dressed in black but Jon had trouble recognising him. His face was a ruin and only one blue eye could be seen surrounded by torn and hanging flesh.

The last time Jon had faced a wight he had been a green boy. He was not that boy any more. As Ghost lunged at the creature Jon did not hesitate to set it alight with the torch. The fire consumed the wight but he soon realised it was only the beginning. More shapes were coming behind it. They were slow moving, shuffling but they were coming. They remember Jon thought and they are coming for me.

Jon could hear his brothers approaching but they were too far away to help. One torch is not going to be enough.

"Jon Snow"

Jon turned, feeling a sudden warmth and found Melisandre by his side. Her eyes seemed to glow almost as red as the ruby at her throat.

"How-" he began to ask but she shook her head.

He took a sliding step sideways and thrust his torch at the next wight to approach but as it crumpled he saw that there were four more behind it, grouped closely together. He turned to Melisandre to speak to her and saw her reach inside her robes. He heard her saying something rapidly in a low voice. Then she beckoned to him.

"Come closer Lord Snow"

He did not have time to argue. He stepped close to her and as she pulled her hand from her robes flame streamed forth, encircling the two of them in a wall of fire. Jon felt the heat yet it did not burn him. The wights were bent on their task and did not stop. He heard Melisandre speaking in another language again and an arc of swirling fire burst out from the ring surrounding them, burning the wights where they stood.

The flames disappeared as the wights fell. Behind their remains Jon saw the huge eyes of the squire from Winterfell, Tomas, with Leathers by his side. Other brothers gathered around them. By their expressions Jon knew they had seen enough.

"Are you well m'lord?" Leathers asked, a puzzled look on his face.

"I am" Jon replied, not sure what else he could say.

He shared the tale of what had happened knowing that by morning it would be all over Castle Black. The men needed to know. They need to be ready. Jon knew that this attack would not be the last. When the men retreated he turned back to Melisandre.

"How did you get here my lady?"

"I saw you," she replied. "I made certain to stay close. I am sorry I was not here for the beginning."

"You were here soon enough," Jon said, bending to ruffle Ghost's fur. "You have my thanks."

He learned within the next day that Eastwatch and the Nightfort comprised the other targets but their preparations served them well. The attack educated the new recruits from Winterfell. Up until the attack of the wights the new brothers looked like they thought the Others to be a tale made up to frighten them.

Eastwatch and the Nightfort fared as well as could be expected. The Watch lost two men from Eastwatch and three from the Nightfort but it was far fewer than it would have been without the warning and preparation. Jon was only thankful that the dead from Hardhome had not descended on them in force. He wondered what they were waiting for.

The report from the Nightfort came from Davos Seaworth. Stannis remained in the Nightfort but Jon heard tales that he had an unhealthy attachment to the Black Gate. Jon was not sure of the truth of the gossip travelling along the Wall but there was ongoing talk of the Nightfort being haunted, of voices in the night. It reminded Jon of Old Nan's stories. It was tempting to think of them as myths but given how many of those supposed myths were being found not to be myths at all Jon could not be certain. One thing he did know was that Stannis' men were disgruntled. They talked of moving on.

The Wall needed to be manned but Jon would not be sorry to have fewer mouths to feed, especially if those who left were unproductive mouths. He managed to have food brought by ship using the gold loaned by the Iron Bank. Their stores had not run out but were running low. Stannis' men did not want to be at the Wall. They wanted the glory of the war for the Iron Throne. They wanted the spoils that came with taking castles and they were not interested in taking orders from men of the Night's Watch.

Jon was still in dire need of more good recruits but he could not see any hope of it. They gained some from the men Arya had sent from Winterfell's dungeons. Tomas, the squire who had tried to poison Arya showed great promise though he dropped to his knees every time he saw Jon. He still feared the wrath of the Lord Commander for having attempted to poison his little sister though Jon knew he had feared Arya and Rickon more.

He knew he could write to Prince Aegon requesting men for the Watch knowing it was looking certain Aegon would sit the Iron Throne but initially he delayed. He felt uncomfortable given what he knew of Aegon and Arya. The arrival of dragonglass from Dragonstone had been welcome. Jon had been surprised when the prince had followed through. Jon knew he would have to swallow his pride and make further contact. In the end he decided to send a man south bearing a written request. He knew that was what the Old Bear would have done. A representative from the Watch sent a message as well as providing an escort for any new recruits.

He worried for Arya as she marched South and his worry lessened little as he heard of the success in taking back Torrhen's square and Moat Cailin. When she wrote of the planned assault on the Twins he felt the strongest regret thus far for refusing to abide by Robb's Will. He knew he had made the right decision but that did not remove the desire to be part of serving justice to the Freys.

The raven containing the orders from King's Landing came not long afterwards. Jon opened it having no idea what it was. A chill went down his spine reading it. It felt as though history was repeating itself and he feared that Arya would meet the same fate as Robb, mayhaps not at the hands of the Freys but he was not so naïve as to assume that the weakened Lannisters forces were beaten yet.

The letter he received from the Twins made him smile as much as it made him worry. He read it more than once. The letter all but screamed her frustration and he could picture her as he read it again.

Dearest Jon,

I am most wroth with my bannermen. They crowned me. Aegon passed on the orders from King's Landing when the Freys surrendered and because I am said to be no longer a lady they decided to make me queen instead. I hate it even more than you would have.

I am most worried that I will be no good at it. Aegon tells me they chose me as I am. The only thing that must needs change is that I wear the crown he gifted me. That made me feel a little better. It is not comfortable but I suppose it is not meant to be comfortable. It does make me wonder why people are so eager for these titles. I don't imagine Rickon being pleased when I pass the crown onto him.

The Freys were sentenced. All of those who took part in the Red Wedding were executed. I thought you might be pleased to know this. I do hope that you are keeping well. I worry for you and for all of us remembering what you told me of the Wall.

Arya Stark

Reluctant Queen of Winter

Jon was satisfied that the Freys had faced justice. He was not happy that his little sister was so near Prince Aegon again. He gifted her a crown. Jon was certain he knew what that meant. He could not write back, even if he wished it. He would not know what to say and it was likely she would have moved on from the Twins before his raven reached her. Hopefully she will have parted from the prince.

The next news proved that was not the case. Arya was venturing further South, further into the Riverlands. She was intent on returning the prisoners from the Red Wedding to their Houses and helping bring an end to Lannister rule. Jon could not blame her for that, no matter how much he wished for her to return North.

It was after dinner and Jon was now rifling through the books sitting in his solar. He had been trying to make his way through them but he did not have enough time to make much progress with the time taken up by his other duties. I will have help with it soon.A raven had reached him from Sam. He was on his way back from Oldtown with his newly forged maester's chain.

Jon only managed to read a few pages before Satin appeared in his doorway.

"M'lord, you have a visitor. He says his name is Lord Howland Reed."

Jon knew the name. He knew Lord Reed was one of his father's bannermen, now Arya and Rickon's bannermen he supposed. Arya had met with him recently but Jon was puzzled at his presence, especially arriving this late. The crannogman had not set foot in Winterfell since the Rebellion. Why is he at the Wall?

"Show him in."

Jon was not surprised to see the man was small. He knew that was common of crannogmen. Lord Reed had an anxious air about him and his green eyes looked sad as he looked at Jon.

"Lord Reed," Jon began. "I am pleased to meet you. My father always had good things to say of you."

Jon saw Howland Reed flinch. It was just barely noticeable but Jon saw it.

"Ned was kind to say so," Howland said hesitantly. "My Lord, thank you for seeing me." He studied Jon rather intently. "I have not seen you since you were a babe."

Jon was surprised then realised he should not be. "You saw me during the war before my father brought me home."

The barely perceptible flinch was seen again. Jon narrowed his eyes. He is keeping something from me, something about Father.

"I met with the Lady Arya," Lord Reed said in reply. "I also saw Lord Rickon in Winterfell before coming here. You are more Stark than either of them though I must admit that seeing Lady Arya was like seeing a ghost."

"It is Queen Arya now my lord" Jon replied. "Her bannerman proclaimed her Queen of the North."

Howland Reed went quiet and shifted in his seat. "Queen Arya tells me you refused the title so as not to disinherit her and her brother."

Her and her brother, not my brother. Lord Reed's tone was courteous but Jon felt the familiar sting. He had tried to kill the boy in him but some wounds still remained.

"It was not right for a bastard to take the rights of his trueborn siblings my lord" Jon replied, unable to keep the ice from his tone.

Howland Reed paled. "You misunderstand me."

"I do not believe I do," Jon said stiffly. "What is it you wished to speak of?"

"Your mother," Lord Reed said quickly. "Queen Arya tells me you still do not know of her."

He will not call her my sister. Jon repressed his bitterness.

"I do not," he replied. "My father said he would speak of it when he returned from King's Landing. He did not get the chance."

Howland Reed shifted again, looking as though he was struggling with something. "You and Queen Arya have a strong resemblance. She looks most like her Aunt did."

"My Aunt too my lord," Jon said through gritted teeth.

"No Jon," Lord Reed said quietly. "She was not your Aunt and you are not a bastard."

Not a bastard, He had dreamed of not being a bastard.

"What do you mean?" he asked. "My father-"

"Eddard Stark was not your father my lord," Lord Reed said, his green eyes piercing into Jon. "He raised you as his son to fulfil a promise to his sister but I have no doubt he loved you as a son."

His sister. Jon pieced the threads together quickly, his mouth going dry.

"My mother was Lyanna Stark?"

"Yes," Lord Reed replied. "We found her dying of a fever in the Tower of Joy. She had given birth to you not long before we arrived."

"My father"

Howland Reed did not break his gaze. "Your father was Rhaegar Targaryen. Lyanna ran away with him and they married. You are not a Snow but you could not be raised Targaryen. The Targaryen's lost the war. With Robert on the throne you would have been killed."

"Leave me my lord," Jon choked out.

Howland Reed stood and inclined his head respectfully. "You will have questions. When you are ready I will answer them."

Jon remained sitting in his solar reeling from the revelations. The candle guttered out well before he felt ready to attempt sleep. He had thought back to the vision he saw in Melisandre's flames. The woman had looked like Arya but Jon now realised it was not her. It was my mother. He tried to recall the image. He remembered her smiling as the man he now knew to be Rhaegar had spoken of Jon before he had even been born.

I should have been told.

He tried to recall what his father had said of him. Not my father, he thought bitterly, my uncle. Eddard Stark had always treated Jon as one of his children, even while custom had him excluded as a bastard. He remembered the way Catelyn Stark looked at him, the way she had treated him. She hated her husband's bastard son. Jon was a reminder of dishonour and in the end, there had been no dishonour. Eddard Stark had not fathered a bastard.

Jon tried to think of how different his life might have been. Aegon and Daenarys Targaryen came to mind. They were exiled from Westeros, hiding to survive. Even with the hurt Jon felt, the betrayal which still felt raw, he knew that his childhood in Winterfell had been a kinder fate. He had grown up with family, in safety, surrounded by family. They might not be his brothers and sisters as he had thought but they were family.

He slept little and when he broke his fast, he had Satin send for Lord Reed.

When the crannogman arrived Jon could see the pity in his eyes. Jon did not want to be pitied. He was still the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. It did not matter whether he was Jon Snow or Jon Targaryen, whether bastard or no he had duties.

"I do not have much time my lord but I do have questions."

Howland Reed nodded but before Jon could ask anything he began to speak. He told Jon of Rhaegar's obsession with the prophecy of Azor Ahai, that the dragon must have three heads. Rhaegar had dreamed, he was certain that his children would wake dragons and that there must be three.

"Lyanna said that she and Rhaegar were in love," Lord Reed said softly "but their child came before all else. Rhaegar was insistent that there had to be three as there was when Aegon and his sisters Rhaenys and Visenya were the three heads of the dragon. You were the reason there were three Kingsguard knights at the Tower of Joy."

Jon kept his face a mask at the mention of Azor Ahai. There had been enough talk of the prophecy from Melisandre. People twist prophecy to meet their own ends. Jon could not help wondering if Rhaegar had a touch of King Aery's madness to have held so fast to the prophecy that it had helped bring about his undoing.

"I was supposed to be Visenya," Jon said with a mirthless laugh.

Howland Reed did not laugh.

"Prophecy is not something to make light of my lord," he said solemnly. "My son is a greenseer. It is both a blessing and a curse to know of what may or will come to pass." He paused a moment. "Lyanna wanted you kept safe. She would be most grieved to know what it has come to now."

"Nowhere is safe," Jon replied.

"That is true now," Lord Reed said with a slow shake of his head. He looked at Jon intently. "What will you do now that you know the truth?"

Jon had already thought on this. He had remembered Maester Aemon with a tinge of sorrow. The old Maester had been his blood and he had not known. His words came back to Jon again. There was no choice to make here, not really. I shall wear no crowns and win no glory. He would not break his vows and there would be no point to it anyway. He did not want to be king and Aegon had a better claim.

"Nothing has changed," Jon said firmly. "Why did you tell me this now?"

Lord Reed looked strained. "Queen Arya told me of what has been happening here at the Wall. Cold winds are rising, the Others walk the earth and soon darkness will fall. It seems the prophecy is coming to pass."

Jon frowned. "I do not see how it involves me. Rhaegar was wrong. His sister woke the dragons."

Howland Reed nodded slowly. "Yet you are the one here. You are the one with Targaryen blood fighting against those who will bring the darkness."

Jon fixed him with a cold stare. "Who else knows of me?"

"Only me," Lord Reed replied.

There was a moment of silence, "Tell no one my lord"

Howland Reed sighed, "As you wish."

Jon walked Howland Reed out, watching as he departed from Castle Black. As he returned through the training yard he could feel that he was being watched. He turned to see Melisandre and felt a shiver down his spine. She knows. He did not know how but as his eyes met hers he was certain.