Woo wee! Big chapter this time folks. Enjoy!
and yes,I know the ages of the characters are incorrect but I figure,hey, if I'm gonna screw with the timeline, why not go all the way. lol

Chapter 17 – Celebrations and Secrets

Today was his fifteenth name day or his twenty fifth, depending on how you view time. Jon chuckled at the absurdity of it all. His soul had already celebrated its twenty fourth name day and now here he was back in his younger body, celebrating his fifteenth name day all over again. Jon turned away from the window after watching dawn break and started to prepare himself for the day and it promised to be a busy one.

Jon's name day celebration had turned into quite the event. Ever since Tyrion had shamed her into organising a party for him, Lady Catelyn had gone out of her way to make it a good one. Jon was of the personal opinion that she was only doing so much in order to make sure that Tyrion couldn't say she had shamed House Stark by providing an inadequate celebration as the Lords of the North were going to attend.

Ned had thought that Jon's name day celebrations were a perfect opportunity to have a meeting with his fellow Lords and Ladies. The official cover story in order to get them here was in addition to the name day party; Ned was going to officially legitimize Jon as a Stark. He would have no place in the line of succession to Winterfell which Jon had been Jon's idea. He didn't want Winterfell and certainly not at the expense of his siblings. For Jon, it was enough just to be called a Stark.

What had surprised Jon and Ned was it was Lady Catelyn who came up with the idea.

Cat, Ned and Jon had sat down in Ned solar and had a full and frank discussion about Jon's parents. Jon had confessed to his aunt that he knew and that his uncle had told him a couple of years ago when he was old enough to realise how much danger his life would be in from not only Robert but others who would use him to start a war if the truth came out.

This was the story that Jon, Ned and Tyrion had devised.

Cat agreed that Jon was not stupid and that he fully realised the dangers to his family as well and was impressed that he's not told anyone. Not even a hint.

When she ask Jon that as the rightful heir to Westeros and the Iron throne, did he want to sit in his father's seat, Jon had laughed his ass off and told her no way.

He offered further explanation when a confused looking Cat asked him why not. He told her that everyone who sits in that bloody ugly and cursed chair dies before their time with way too many enemies trying to pull them down before that. It was a cut throat game that called for lying, scheming and plotting. Could he lie and plot, yes if he had to. Could he arrange a cold blooded murder in order to achieve his aims, not a chance in the seven hells.

Cat thought about what Jon had just said and found she actually respected him for it. She approved of his decision not to take the throne and agreed that it was a damned ugly and cursed chair that kills everyone who sits on it in brutal ways but she also knew that Robert was still a threat to Jon's life and no matter how she felt about Jon, she wouldn't let the King kill an innocent child.

After an afternoon of talking and planning, it was decided that giving Jon the Stark name was one more layer of protection for him. After all, nobody would care if a bastard was killed, but if a Stark was, then the offender better pray that somebody else kills them first before the North got hold of him.

When Ned asked her what she would say to people who asked her why she was going along with this when everyone knew she hated Jon, Cat shrugged and with a wiry smile said,

"If my Lord Husband commands it, I have no choice but to accept it."

They laughed.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

After his private morning training in the Godswoods, Jon entered the great hall to already fine his family and Tyrion assembled at the head table. As Jon hesitated, Ned saw him standing there and motioned for him to join them at the head table. Jon smiled and took his seat.

"Happy Name Day" was the greeting he received from the family and Tyrion. Jon smiled and thanked everyone. The children had been informed of his change of status and were all thrilled for him, except Theon, who was in both Ned and Cat's bad books for the time being.

Theon resented Jon's change in status because it meant that now he was the lowest in rank when it came to the positions of the household. While he may be a Prince in his own homeland, here he was just a hostage while Jon, a bastard, was being elevated to a noble status. Being a Stark of Winterfell and Lord Stark's acknowledged son now meant that Jon could be called Lord in his own right. Theon thought this was unfair as Jon was still a bastard regardless due to the status of his birth.

"Happy Name Day, my son." Ned said to Jon.

Jon wanted to roll his eyes. In the Time Before, all he ever wanted was for his father to acknowledge him as his son but now that he knew the truth and had accepted it long ago, he found while he was happy to get rid of his bastard status, he wondered if it would really make a difference.

There was a good chance that the Northern Lords, while accepting it as Ned's right to acknowledge his bastard and legitimize him, wouldn't change the way they treated him. He'd most likely always be a bastard in their eyes. They still had thought him as such when they made him King in the North because a twelve nearly thirteen year old girl had shamed them into it.

He rather hoped Lyanna Mormont would be joining her aunt in Winterfell for the party. He wanted to see what she was like now. Jon thought she's be just as formidable at this age as she was at age thirteen and she'd be a perfect companion for Arya.

"So," his uncle's voice caught his attention. "So, were all in for a busy day. The rest of the Northern Lords and their parties will be arriving this morning and the party for Jon's name day starts mid-afternoon after the ceremony. Robb, I want you with me when I greet the Lords. Sansa and Arya, help your mother please. Jon, could you keep an eye on Bran and Rickon and make sure they attend their lessons this morning please? You'll be formally presented to the North and the Northern Lords this afternoon." Ned laid out his orders.

Jon wondered why he was asked to look after his little brothers but chose not to complain. What Jon didn't know was that Ned had arranged a special surprise for him and wanted Jon out of the way when it arrived so he didn't see it.

The rest of the morning went quickly and Jon had had both fun and a hard time keeping his siblings in Maester Luwin's rooms for the duration of their lessons. Ever since Lady Catelyn had found out that they both missed their lessons on a regular basis, it had become ritual to hunt them down and drag them there and guarding the door so they wouldn't escape. Jon understood why they hated their lessons, at that age, the boys had way too much energy to sit still and concentrate on anything let alone lessons but they also needed to learn.

It was almost lunchtime when Ned entered the Maesters room and grinned at what he saw. Both boys were trying to behave and learn what was being taught but couldn't keep still. Suddenly, Bran got up and dashed for the open window only to have Jon capture him only a few feet from freedom. Jon and Bran were both laughing and Ned joined in.

"That was a better attempt this time little brother but you told me what you were about to do, so I was able to position myself so I could catch you easily." Jon smiled and ruffled Bran's hair while he lectured his brother.

"Did not! I didn't say anything! You didn't know! You just got lucky!" Bran was protesting his capture. Jon just laughed at him again.

"Yes you did. You may not have told me what you were going to do out loud but your body told me what you were up to. Your body can talk Bran and if you know how to read someone's body language, you can know what they're going to do before they do it." Jon explained. Bran had a thoughtful look on his face. Ned smiled and walked further into the room.

"Jon's right son. Every person has their own body language. In battle, being able to read this language can save your life if you can tell what move their about to make but enough of this. Your lessons are done for the day boys." Bran and Rickon gave shouts of pleasure about lessons being over and shot out the door and down the stairs so fast they couldn't be tracked.

Maester Luwin smiled at Jon. "You should attend the boy's lesson more often." He told Jon. "They get two educations at the same time and I know which one they prefer." Luwin finished with a chuckle. Ned and Jon both smiled and then Ned turned to Jon.

"Please join me in my solar in ten minutes Jon." He said then turned and walked out of the room "Oh and by the way lad, an excellent practical lesson in tactics and strategy" Ned's laughing voice floated back to Jon.

Ten minutes later Jon was standing in front of Ned's solar and knocked on the door. He heard the "Come in" and entered. His uncle was sitting behind his desk but what surprised Jon was the person sitting in a comfortable chair in front of the desk.

"Maester Aemon!?"

Maester Aemon turned towards where Jon's voice was coming from, tears running down the old man's cheeks.

"Nephew" He replied in a voice of pure joy.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

Ned sat Jon a shocked and confused Jon down and told him that he'd sent for Maester Aemon to come to Winterfell a week ago and told him on his arrival the truth about Jon's parents and that Tyrion and Jon had been sent back in time. Ned explained that if anyone could help them by giving sound advice and wisdom, it was Aemon and Ned was very happy to be able to give Aemon back a small part of his family as the rest of his was brutally murdered in cold blood and revenge.

Maester Aemon for his part was both ecstatic and awed about Jon. He was completely fascinated by what Lord Stark had told him about the future and agreed that the Gods must have been desperate indeed to take such action while feeling copious amounts of joy at having some semblance of his family returned to him.

Ned told Jon that Maester Aemon would be staying here with them until the new recruits for the Nights Watch that Tyrion had arranged to arrive at Winterfell. At that time, Ned, Jon, Robb and Tyrion would be returning with Maester Aemon to Castle Black with the extra recruits and supplies that Ned had ordered his Banner men to start arranging in addition to Tyrion's. The ultimate plan was for Ned to speak to Mance Rayder and get Jon's eventual position organised for when he left Winterfell to come to the Wall. That wouldn't happen until the timelines matched up in a little under a year and a half but Ned thought it prudent to get it established and accepted by Commander Jeor first.

It was decided to hold off on any serious discussions until after Jon's name day and headed to the great hall to eat a light lunch as the feasting would take place in the early evening and promised to be a very enjoyable one.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

The rest of the time went fast and before Jon knew it, he was standing in the finest clothes he'd ever worn with the Dire Wolf of the Starks proudly displayed on his breast, in front of the Lords and Ladies of the North about to be officially legitimized and presented to the North as a Stark.

Lord Stark of Winterfell held in his hands a very old royal decree of Legitimization that Robert had signed fifteen years ago so Ned could legitimize Jon whenever he wished to. It was still a valid decree and it would shut the Lords up who would protest the legality of the ceremony. The crowd hushed and Ned started.

"On this day in the fifteenth year of Robert Baratheon's rule, long may he reign, I hereby ask the people assembled here to stand as witness as Jon Snow of House Stark is legitimized and raised to the station of Jon Stark, Son of Eddard Stark and forever more be known as a Lord of Winterfell. So I swear and avow by the Old Gods and the New." Ned turned to Jon who knelt on one knee.

"Do you Jon Stark swear and avow to uphold and adhere to the Codes and Practised of House Stark?"

"I Jon Stark so swear and avow to uphold the Codes and Practises of House Stark."

"Do you Jon Stark swear and avow to defend the House of Stark with your life? To defend your family to your last breathe from this day until the end of your days?"

"I Jon Stark swear and avow to defend House Stark and my family from this day until my last day."

"And do you Jon Stark, swear to defend the North and give your life's blood if needed from all invaders both foreign and domestic?"

"I Jon Stark so swear and avow to defend the North from all invaders both foreign and domestic."

Ned turned back to the audience.

"I call upon those gather here to swear by the Old Gods and the New the validity of the Vows spoken."

"We so witness and swear by the Old Gods and the New." Was the reply from the audience.

Ned held out his hand to Jon and helped him rise to his feet then turned them both to the audience,

"I present to you all, men and women of the North, my son, Jon Stark of Winterfell."

A great cheer went up from the crowd as Ned embraced his now legitimized "son".

He wondered if Lyanna was laughing her ass off at him in the Afterlife.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

The party that followed the ceremony swiftly found its place in local northern legend as one of the best parties ever thrown in the North. Lady Catelyn had spared no expense and was told that she had done great honoured to the House of Stark by everyone who attended, but she also knew that Tyrion had also contributed some of the entertainment, food and wine behind her back but Cat choose not to make an issue out of it as it. While Ned and Jon made the rounds she and Tyrion Lannister actually had a civil conversation.

Tyrion had chosen a quiet moment to approach her and offer his compliments and congratulations on the stunning success the celebration had turned out being. Cat had thanked him nicely as he was sincere. He was about to turn away when she said two words Cat never thought she would hear come out of a Lannister's mouth.

"I'm sorry."

Cat was astounded. She couldn't think what he had done to be sorry for.

"Sorry for what Lord Tyrion?" She asked him. Tyrion gave her a shamed face look.

"I'm sorry for the distress I must have caused you and your husband by telling you about those disgusting stories circulating around Kings Landing. Please believe me when I say, I didn't do this to cause you any troubles. I just felt you should know due to the fact that it could be believed and that would not be a good thing for House Stark." Tyrion explained why he told Ned about the stories.

Cat was once again astounded. A Lannister had just apologised to her about something that actually wasn't his fault. Cat didn't realise it but at that moment her opinion of Tyrion Lannister changed. While she still didn't' like him, it now was more due to the fact that he carried the Lannister name then anything against Tyrion personally.

"Thank you Lord Tyrion but your apologies are unnecessary. It wasn't you who told those disgusting lies about me. I have put the blame where it should truly lay, on Littlefinger and my sister."

Cat had decided that she would help House Stark be Strong and standing here before her was a half sized man who had more honour and dignity then most men twice his size. Here before her, was the perfect ally for House Stark. Suddenly she remembered she wanted to ask him something.

"Lord Tyrion…"

"Please, call me Tyrion my Lady"

"Tyrion then. Ned informed me the other day that you were speaking to my children about the major and minor houses and their politics and policy's and I wish to know how such a conversation came about." She asked Tyrion with a smile.

Tyrion laughed. "Well to be honest, I actually found your daughters in rather heated…debate….shall we say about Roberts Rebellion and it was clear to me that they didn't know as much about it as they thought. Well suffice to say I got involved and from there it turned into a somewhat haphazard lesson on the political reasons why it happened and which houses fought on which side and well…I am sorry if you feel that I've overstep my bounds in this area."

Debate was putting it mildly. They had been one childish insult away from coming to physical blows. Tyrion had stepped in between them in order to stop them before it actually got that far. He had warned Ned after he left the girls in a much better mood but was unsure if he had informed his wife about how bad it actually had been and decided not to say anything.

Cat sighed in frustration. Her girls were really testing her patience with their childish war. She had made it clear to them just the other day that this senseless fighting will stop now. She had sat both of them down and gave them a sever lecture on the importance of family and warned them the next time she caught them behaving like they had, there would be severe consequences for them both. They were sisters, she told them. They would learn to act like it.

Cat had decided not to make any drastic changes to the children's educations until after Jon's name day as they were all too busy in the week leading up to it but hearing what Tyrion had taught the girls that day she had an idea.

"Tyrion, its recently been brought to my attention that my children's political and intrigue lessons have been very poor up til now and I was wondering, as you've spent the last few years in Kings Landing, giving my children some lessons in Kings Landing's current events and politics and what current court intrigues are in play? My children need to know such things. Especially Sansa and Robb."

Cat may not like Tyrion but she wasn't stupid. Tyrion was on good terms with all her children and what's more is that they would listen to him when he was teaching them something. He could get through to them where a Septa and a Maester couldn't.

Tyrion was startled. He was hoping he would have a chance to educate the children but expected that he would have to be very subtle about the whole thing and right now, Lady Catelyn had just asked him to do it officially. He smiled at her and gave her a short bow.

"Lady Catelyn, it would be my pleasure and honour to tutor such bright young minds" He told her, laying on the courtesy a bit think.

Cat gave a genuine laugh. She had to admit, he was an amusing little fellow.

"Then we shall speak tomorrow and come up with a schedule that shall suit until you go to the Wall for your visit but for tonight, let us enjoy the celebration." And with a smile they walked off to do just that.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

Jon was feeling overwhelmed. Going from being a bastard who nobody recognised to Lord Jon of Winterfell who everybody recognised was a bit much but Jon managed just fine. Having dealt with most of the Lords in the Time Before as King of the North, Jon knew exactly how to deal with them and the best ways to make sure they would have no problems with his sudden elevation.

He made it clear to everyone that it was at his request that he was not a part of the succession for Winterfell. Winterfell was Robb's and he made that clear to the Northern Lords and that he was Ned's and Robb's most loyal subject. This pleased the Northern Lords and due to this, they were happy to call Jon a Stark and treat him as such for Jon also made it clear that being called a Stark was more than he could hope for and it was the only thing he ever truly wanted.

Both Ned and Jon were worried that Roose Bolton might decide to try and stir up some trouble but he seemed to wisely hold his tongue. Ned suspected that he wouldn't tomorrow during the meeting the Northern Lords were really here for.

Tyrion and Jon had told him what Roose and his Bastard had done to his family and that they suspected that Ramsey had killed Domeric, Roose's eldest son and heir in the Time Before. Ned just wanted to kill both of them and install Domeric as Lord of the Dreadfort. That reminded Ned that Domeric was still alive. Ned was thinking of suggesting to Roose that he foster Domeric at Winterfell. That should keep the boy alive a little longer.

Ned and Jon returned to the high table in order for the feast to start. Ned gave a toast to Jon and then it started. There were roast meats of every description, roast and raw vegetables, fruits, pies both sweet and savoury and Tyrion's contribution, wine. Lots and lots of southern wine from the Arbour and Highgarden vineyards. All during the feast, everyone from the Lords and Ladies to the common folk came up to Jon and congratulated him on both his new name and his name day and the presents he received were far above standard for a normal name day.

Jon received clothes, some for riding, some for fighting, some for court and all with the proud dire wolf of House Stark embroidered on them. From Lady Catelyn, he received a clock almost identical to the one Sansa had made him in the Time Before including the tooled direwolf in the leather. His thanks to her were heartfelt and sincere. From his "father" he received an excellent high quality Northern breed horse and from Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon the saddle and tack to ride him. On and on it went with Jon receiving a huge mound of presents. At last, it appeared to be finished but Tyrion, who had waited for the tide of humanity to stop approached Jon with his name day gift.

"Congratulations Lord Jon." He told his old friend, pleased as punch that his plans to give him a celebration worthy of his friend had succeeded beyond his expectations. He handed Jon his present.

It was a longsword almost identical to Longclaw. There were two major defences between this blade and that one. This blade wasn't valyrian steel and Ghost on the pommel was tooled in silver with red rubies for eyes and there, incorporated into the wolf, was the sigil of his other family, a three headed dragon. The genius part of it was unless you were looking for it, you would only see the wolf.

Jon stared at the blade in awe. It was Mikken's work he knew but still, it was a work of art.

"Thank you Lord Tyrion, it's beautiful." He thanked his friend formally while his eyes conveyed to Tyrion just how much this gift meant to him. Tyrion just smiled then turned to the rest of the great hall and spoke in a loud voice,

"To Jon Stark, may all your days be as joyous as this one!" he proclaimed and lifted his glass in a toast.

"To Jon Stark!"

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

There were quite a few hangovers the next day and Jon, who had wisely switched to drinking water after the first couple of hours, was amused as he watched the various lords enter the hall in various states of distress.

Yesterday had been one of the best days Jon had ever had in either lifetime. He was no longer a Snow, no longer a bastard but a Stark of Winterfell. He knew that this wasn't necessary but decided that it didn't hurt anything and Lady Catelyn was right, it was another layer of protection for him.

This afternoon was the meeting of the Northern Lords. His uncle hadn't spoken to anyone about what would be on the agenda but he and Robb and been ordered to attend. It would start an hour after the noon meal finished so until then, Jon decided to play guard dog and make sure that his little brother attended their lessons this morning. He smiled to himself as prepared to play the game of hunt and catch or in some cases drag, his brothers to Maester Luwin's rooms and walked out of the hall already seeking his prey.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

Once again, Jon found himself dressed in his good clothes and was in front of the Northern Lords in the great hall only this time, the atmosphere wasn't a festive one.

Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North was in control and opened the meeting by greeting the gathered lords and ladies and thanking them for attending yesterday's celebration and today's meeting then got down to business.

"I have gathered you all here to speak about a possible threat to the North. The Wildlings gather in great numbers in the Frostfangs mountains. This concern's me as we are unaware of how many there are and what their purpose of gathering in such huge numbers is. Another thing that concerns me is that if they do attack, The Nights Watch doesn't have the numbers to hold them off for very long and while the Wall itself is a formidable barrier, it can be passed. We've all caught wildlings south of the Wall and one I questioned before I executed him admitted to climbing it. He told me that it was a very dangerous climb and many have fallen to their deaths but the Nights Watch is unable to stop them as they don't have the numbers to man the whole Wall. Only three of the forts are occupied and between those three, vast amounts of empty, unguarded, un-patrolled space that they can climb without fear of being spotted. This is a situation that needs to be rectified so I now open the floor up for suggestions."

Ned sat a back down and waited.

The lords were quiet at first, either thinking or murmuring quietly to their neighbours, but gradually the volume in the room rose until only shouting could be heard. On and on it went as the lords shouted at each other, disagreeing with what the other had to say until Greatjon Umber's voice rose over the rest, telling them to shut up.

"Gods, you lot are worse than children fighting over toys." Greatjon said in disgust. "I reckon the first thing we have to do is find out why the wild fuckers are gathering in the first place. Then we kill em if they pass south of the Wall."

The rest of the Lords all roared in approval. Ned concealed a smile. He'd already figured out what Greatjon's answer would be. But knowing what was coming, he had to find a way to make the Wildlings, Nights Watch and the Lords of the North to work together.

Somehow

Next chapter, the meeting continues and Cat lays down the law to her children.