AN: I owe this whole story to Mr. Martin. George R.R. Martin…

Black. Everything was just black. James could hear many sounds in this vast emptiness. He could feel how cold it was. So cold…He could sense the dampness, everything was wet. There was a drop of water trickling down and hitting the floor. James could feel nothing, see nothing. Emptiness….all just empty. The sound of the drop of water hitting the floor, over and over. As if it was some sort of great wave; crashing against a stony shore. It lasted awhile.

Suddenly he felt life in him again and he opened his eyes. He was in a dark room. He noticed a hallway, illuminated by torches that were placed in holders against the wall. James was in the crypts of Winterfell, that he knew. The stone-tiled floors scraped against his feet as he stared down the hallway looking at the crypts of the Starks of old and all the Kings of the North. There was King Theon, the Hungry Wolf. King Walton, the Moonking. King Torrhen, the King Who Knelt, the one who bent to Aegon the Conqueror and all his dragons, succeeding the North to the Seven Kingdoms. There was Rickard Stark, his grandfather, a man James never knew. His uncle Brandon Stark, the man James would always aspire to be. Each crypt held a stone statue of the person, with a direwolf at their feet. Each holding a real sword in hand, however some had rusted away.

And finally there it was to his left, catching his eye like a flash of light. Lyanna's tomb. Her statue stood there, extending a hand, her face calm. There were many candles already illuminating her statue, as if it was illuminated by a thousands suns. James walked up and knelt before it, seeing the blue flower he had placed there many years ago still there. Withering away…When a voice called out to him…

"James…" the mysterious voice said again and again. "James…"

He quickly turned around and found nobody there, when he heard it a third time.

"James…"

"Who's there? Where am I? What is this?" he demanded, looking around the crypts. He was never scared of them as a child, but now he couldn't help but be. It got real cold and James began to stroke his both his arms with his hands for warmth, when he saw a hooded figure at the end of the hall staring at him.

"Who are you?" he yelled at the figure. "Show yourself!"

The figure than darted to it's right and ran up the stairs, quiet like a mouse. James ran after it and ran up the stairs in pursuit. He pushed open the doors to Winterfell and was stunned. Everything was white. Winterfell was standing, as it had for thousands of years, but it had a white tint to all. James stood there and noticed he was wearing his Night's Watch clothes, and looked as he now stood in the courtyard, nobody was there but him. Winterfell was completely abandoned, nobody made a sound except the wind in the air. Event the sky was blue, a kind've blue that blinded the eyes, but still everything was white.

"Where am I!" he yelled at the top of his lungs. "Somebody? Anybody? Father? Mother? Robb? Anyone?"

"James…" the voice called out again as he whipped his head around to find the mysterious figure standing before him in a white dress with a white cloak, hood up.

James began to approach the hooded figure when it turned heel and ran, this time James watched as it ran toward's the giant iron gate that led into the godswood. It stopped before the gate to turn around and look at James, this time he noticed it was a woman under the hood. She reached her hand out and coiled her fingers at him, as if begging for him to follow her. "James…" she said again and this time he ran after her towards the iron gate when she opened it and entered.

When James finally got there and opened it she was nowhere to be found. He was than taken back by the Godswood, now it was snowing and he noticed on the floor a fresh blanket of it coated everything. All the leaves on every tree were white and even the bark too, all except the heart tree. It's red leaves were even a brighter shade than usual as it drew James towards it. He arrived toward 's the heart tree and stood before it's presence; staring at the carved face with it's red sap making it's way down the bark, as if the tree itself were weeping blood. Bran was always scared of the weirwood, but James never was. When finally he heard the voice again call out his name.

"James…" it echoed through the godswood. "Who are you? Show yourself!" he demanded yelling at the sky. When finally the person walked from behind the heart tree and stood in front of him, removing the hood. It was a woman with brown hair and grey eyes. With a crown of blue flowers on her head.

"Who are you? Why do you call out to me?" James asked staring at her. "Have you forgotten me? For I have not forgotten you….nephew."

That's when it hit James like one thousand lightning bolts. The woman standing before him was Lyanna Stark, she was as beautiful as he remembered. A white aura was around her head and she just stood there looking quite peaceful.

"It can not be. You're dead...Which mean's that I'm dead." he said still looking at her. This time he felt tears in his eyes as she extended a hand to him and he took it falling into her embrace. Tears rolling from his eyes to her shoulder as she stroked his hair.

"James…sweet James. You are still that child I left all those years ago asleep in his bed. A man of twenty you may be, but you still have that big heart." she said in his ear as he just cried. Cried for his family, for Ros, for everything he had won and everything he had lost. For his regrets in life, and for Bran, just a ten year old boy who fell from a tower. Bran….Was he ok? Did he live?

James pulled his head from her shoulder and stared at her, stroking her cheek. "Where are we? What is this? am I dead? Is this real?" James asked with haste when she smiled and shushed him. "All will be revealed, James. All will be revealed, don't you worry."

"Is this just some crazy feverdream? am I dreaming all of this?" he said as she took his hand and they both sank to the floor and kneeled before the black pool. She than cupped some water in her hands and let it flow down back into the pool.

"It is what you want it to be. It can be life or it can be death. You decide, James." she said looking back at him. "Come sit."

They both sat on the floor before the heart tree, as James looked up at the clear blue sky. It was so cold he began to shiver. "But it's so cold. Surely I must be dead." he said stroking his hands for warmth. As he would often do before the fire when he stood upon the top of the Wall, watching the forest for anything.

"If that is what you want." Lyanna said looking at him.

"No, I don't want that….BUT everything is so tranquil here. I could get used to this." he said smiling at her, when she laughed. "Still so funny, that is a trait of your uncle Brandon's."

"Uncle Brandon….is he here? Can I meet him?" James asked when thing's began getting warmer.

"No it is just you and I." she said as she took his hand and stood up. Hands intertwined she began to speak.

"You must go back James. For your family's sake, you must."

"I don't understand.." said James staring at her.

"Your family is in danger. Soon the Lion and the Wolf will be at each other's throats. You must be the one to protect them, protect them James. Protect them." she said when she took him in an embrace.

"But I don't want to go Aunt Lyanna." James said into her shoulder, "I wanna stay here with you."

"You can't. You still have much to do in life, your mother needs you, Ned needs you now more than ever. Go back to them. Go back…" she said as he felt a pull from her and he was ripped from her arms. And she was growing distant as she stood there, in front of the heart tree, her arm extended out repeating the same words. "Protect them James…Protect them…"

"But there is so much I have yet to understand! The Lion…the Wolf. What do you mean? Aunt Lyanna!" James yelled as he struggled to run back to her, but couldn't.

"Promise me, James. Promise me, you'll protect them." she yelled out

"And one more thing. See that Ros woman one more time."

"I promise." he yelled, when he woke up…

-x-

Protect them James…

Finally his eyes opened as he found himself lying down staring at the ceiling, it's grey stone pattern staring back at him. He knew he was in his room. A sharp pain in his head. . He lifted himself up from his bed and noticed he was only wearing his black breeches, with no shirt, and than he felt a bandage on his head. James than looked to his right, straining his eyes more to see Cersei, sitting there in a chair. She was just as beautiful as ever, she was wearing a blue dress, with golden patterns on it. Her golden hair let down, like a waterfall of sunshine. She looked at him and placed her hand on his bare shoulder.

"Easy now, sweet child. You must rest." she said kissing him on the forehead. "We thought you for the afterlife, but it seems the gods deemed otherwise. I've been visiting you everyday. Just hold on, I'll go get the maester. But I must leave now. Just know my thought's are with you." she said once more before departing from the room. James sank back onto his bed and felt sleep taking him once more when Maester Luwin rushed into the room. The old Maester still in his grey robes, with his sleeves that concealed many items, he sat down by James's side when he began asking questions.

"James, it's a miracle you lived. How do you feel? Is everything alright, your legs? he asked looking at him. James was about to speak when Robb appeared in the doorway and flashed a big smile. Standing there in a brown tunic with black breeches, his hair curly and auburn stubble setting in.

"He is awake!" he yelled down the hall. "James! He has finally awoken!"

"My legs are fine Maester Luwin. Nothing but a little headache. I can move them fine." James said as he looked down at his legs and wiggled his toes. "Anyway enough about me, how is Bran?" Maester Luwin looked down at the floor and than stared back at James about to answer when Sansa, Arya, Rickon and Jeyne Poole ran into the room. All had big smiles on their faces when Sansa rushed over and placed herself on James chest, embracing him as he leaned back on the pillows.

"I thought you had died. We all did." she said embracing him, her arms wrapped around his torso. Head on his chest. "I'm glad your awake, James."

Than Arya ran over and hugged him too, Rickon as well, even Robb came over and hugged him as did Uncle Benjen who had just walked in to the room, hearing all the commotion. However, all of James's thoughts were on Lyanna and his bizarre dream, or was it? That James did not know, she had spoken so cryptically that he couldn't understand what she meant. The Lion and the Wolf….what could she mean by that. Soon James was snapped out of his thoughts when Jeyne, without hesitation hugged him tightly. Her embrace lingered, when James couldn't breath.

"Jeyne…Jeyne…I'm glad to see you too, but I can't breath." James begged as she stood up. "Sorry…" she said walking back to Sansa.

"So what have I missed?" James asked his siblings, who were all staring at him. "Well Me, Father, Arya, and Jeyne leave for King's Landing today. Uncle Benjen is going back to the wall with Jon." said Sansa standing there at the foot of his bed.

"Aye, I'm going back today with Jon. It's true. Tyrion Lannister is joining us." added Benjen.

"Tyrion? Why?" said James

"He want's to see the wall." replied Benjen

"Aye, well if a halfman can go. So can I."

"But you can't!" Arya shouted, looking as if she was going to cry.

"I don't know if that's the best idea, in your condition." said Maester Luwin.

"I must go back. I can't delay any longer. Time heals all wounds, and if I can walk, I can ride. I wanna be there with Jon." said James when everyone was silent.

"The wall will still be there James, I wrote to Mormont. He knows." said Benjen.

"I don't care if the Lord Commander knows. I'm going back, end of story." James said with a tone of anger. Protect them James...

"So where is everyone? Mother? Father?" James asked when silence passed. "How is Bran? They looked at him with solemn faces. James thought the worst…"How is Bran?" he asked again.

"Will somebody tell me? How is my little brother?" he asked again, with a yell when finally Maester Luwin spoke up.

"I think it's best if we spoke in private, James." he said when Uncle Benjen nodded and escorted his siblings outside. He closed the door behind him, when now they were alone.

"I want answers Maester Luwin. Tell me what happened." James asked looking at him.

"You've been asleep for two weeks now, Bran since then. You're father found you and Bran unconscious on the floor near the first keep, when you didn't return to the courtyard. Your mother was devastated, she has been by his side since. Thankfully, you were unharmed."

"You're father has visited you everyday. Siblings as well. Sansa would often talk to you about her day, as you laid there peacefully. Arya would just stare at you, Robb couldn't handle it. Jon would visit, as would Theon from time to time. Even young Jeyne Poole made sure you were taken care of. Rickon was too young to understand. Your mother would always sob when she walked in to visit, often not she also couldn't handle it." he finished when he took a deep breath.

"I'd suppose you want to know about Bran. Well he, as you know, was found by you on his chest unconscious. He is still sleeping, in his room. The worst part has past, and if I'm correct he should be able to walk again. You cushioned his fall, James. It's because of you that he will be able to walk again, thank the Gods. All that he has suffered was his ankle sprained. But we've managed to handle it. However, he will have to stay in Winterfell, even if by some miracle he awoke today. He still can't walk just yet."

James sat there as all that information sank in. Bran would be fine because of him, now he was beginning to understand what Lyanna meant. He was their protector and he had to be there for them, as he always would be. However, there was one thing on his mind he had to take care of, Ros. James needed to see her again and apologize for everything. He also had to see Jaime Lannister before he went back to the Wall. James remembered seeing his hand holding Bran, the golden sleeve on his tunic unmistakable. There was no way he could prove it was Jaime, but it was definently someone, Bran has always been sure footed.

"Do you remember anything?" Maester Luwin asked breaking the silence. "Bran was always sure footed, how did he fall?" I can't tell him, I must keep this to myself. For now.

"I remember nothing. All I recall is Bran slamming into me and us crashing onto the ground." James said.

"Bran has always been sure footed. Why would he fall?" asked Luwin looking at him intently now. As if he knew James was hiding something.

"Not sure Maester, but excuse me I must dress." James said in a quizzical voice, when he got up out of bed and Maester Luwin took his leave. Now to go see Ros...

-x-

He put on his Night's Watch clothes and made his way out of the Great Keep to the courtyard. Winterfell had been as busy as ever, when he finally stepped out onto the courtyard. The vivid white tinted version of Winterfell was still fresh in his mind as James looked up at the clear sky and took in a deep breath of that cold Northern air. He finally began to walk towards Wintertown, walking past the iron gate of the godswood, Lyanna's ghost standing there in his mind.

Soon he walked into Wintertown, the town that was now getting crowded as winter was coming. The roads were muddy as they ever been, and all the log houses were lined up with their undressed stone. Even the merchant's were out. James walked over to the brothel in Wintertown to find her, but she wasn't there. One of the whore's there told her she was at the East Gate, she was leaving for King's Landing. James than ran over there and found her standing in the back of a cart, talking to some man who was sitting in the front. She stood facing the cart, red hair pinned up in the back, wearing a grey woolen dress, it clung to her hips and showed the curves of her body. James walked until he was ten yards behind her and yelled her name.

"Ros!" he yelled behind her as she turned around to face him. Instead of meeting a look of hate and anger, he found a smile on her face. Her eyes lit up as she began to run towards him, James did too as they both embraced and began kissing passionately. Tongues swimming in each other's mouths over dominance.

"I'm sorry." James repeated between kisses, "I'm sorry. I could die for you. I love you. I always will, please forgive me."

"I thought you were dead. When word came that you and your brother were found unconscious by the first keep, I cried. Word spread throughout Wintertown that you guys might not survive. I'm sorry for what I said to you. I love you too, James." she said still kissing him when finally they stopped and stood there holding hands. When James saw the cart behind him.

"Then don't leave. Don't go to King's Landing. Come back to the Wall with me, I'll keep you hidden in Castle Black. I have my own chambers, we can stay there together." James said. When she grabbed his face.

"Are you stupid, or foolish? My love, that could never be. As we could never be, I will always love you James, but I have to leave Winterfell and the north. I have to start new in King's Landing. You can come visit me." she said smiling.

"Aye, maybe I could." he said smiling when the man driving the cart yelled at her that they were leaving. She turned around and told him to wait, when she turned back to him and kissed him again. Than James got another idea.

"Let's go, in the broken tower." he said with a smile from ear to ear, "One last time." Ros smiled back at him,

"Like we used to do. I think maybe we could, if I can convince him to linger a few more minutes." she said as she walked over to the wagon driver and ran back to James, with a devilish grin.

"We have a few minutes, Stark." she said in his ear, "Better make the best of it."

Soon they both ran over to the Broken Tower. The Broken Tower, or the Burned Tower as some people called it, was once the tallest watchtower in Winterfell, but over 140 years ago a lightning strike set it afire and the top third collapsed inward, and no one bothered to rebuild it. It stands behind the old inner ward. James would visit her in there in the past, one of the places in Winterfell nobody would look. They opened the door and found it exactly like it always was; chairs thrown everywhere, cobwebs all over, dust covered everything. It was dark.

"Over there on the table." Ros said as James lifted her onto the table and lifted up her skirts and removed her smallclothes. They were kissing as she was untying his breeches. James was already hard as she was rubbing her mound against him, she finally pulled him out and guided him in her. She was sopping wet, and that pleased him. "Isn't that nice?" she whispered in his ear as he was thrusting. "Oh yes, like that James. Faster, yes….yes. James." she screamed, but it had been too long, and James couldn't last. Finally, he spilled inside her. He grunted and fell forward, laying his head on her chest, breathing heavily. "I think you lasted longer on your fourteenth name day." she said smiling at him. James let out a laugh and they got themselves dressed and bursted out of the door. The light shining in his eyes, they made their way back to the wagon as again she took his hands in hers.

"Can I convince you to stay?" James jested staring at her green eyes. "Anything?"

"No, my love." Ros said tucking his hair behind his ear. "Good bye, James Stark. I'll love you, forever and always."

"Forever and always." James replied, as Ros than got in the back of the cart, and they were off. She began to disappear in the distance. James stood there in silence until finally she was gone.

James than made his way back to the courtyard, he knew he should see Bran now. His father and mother should've certainly gotten word that he had awoken. He entered the courtyard and everybody was busy, men were yelling as the royal procession was preparing their trip back to the Capital. The ridiculous wheelhouse Cersei had rode in was in the middle. People were nodding at him and coming up to him expressing their joy and concern. From Vayon Poole, the steward of Winterfell and Jeyne's father to Rodrik and Jory Cassel, it seemed all of Winterfell knew that he had woken up. Finally he saw Jon talking to a figure near the blacksmith. James got closer and saw that it was Jaime Lannister. The man who threw my little brother from a tower, may he burn in seven hells. He was standing there with his golden hair that went down to his shoulders, still wearing that gold tunic with brown breeches, a Lannister lion on his chest. Jon spotted James from afar and waved him over, a huge smile on his face.

"JAMES! You're awake!" Jon yelled as he ran over and hugged James, "We thought you and Bran for death."

"As did I, but the gods wouldn't have me brother, let's hope Bran wakes up." James said with both hands on Jon's shoulders.

"Indeed Stark, we all did." Jaime said flashing his golden smile.

If this was a man guilty of throwing a ten year old child from a tower, he was good at hiding it. Of course this was the man who slew the King he swore to protect, Jaime Lannister had no honor; that much James knew. Jaime stood there, the proud lion of Lannister he was, looking at James intently. Trying to figure out if he knew something, and yes James knew. He remembered everything the day Bran fell, he remembered a hand holding him, like a spider against the wall. The golden tunic that Jaime wore since he arrived of Winterfell, it's sleeve on the arm that threw Bran. It was Jaime, that much James knew, but he couldn't let Jaime know, it was to dangerous. If he had told Jaime of his knowledge, than an attempt might be made on his life. He could find some poison slip into his drink, or an assassin cut his throat at night. The Lannister's were dangerous, and they were all liars. Doing anything to gain power; that power Lord Tywin Lannister of Casterly Rock will do anything to keep.

"Do you remember anything?" asked Jon striking James out of his thoughts. "Anything at all?"

"I remember nothing, Jon." James said looking at him, one eye on Jaime gauging his reaction. Jaime appeared nervous, his gaze now lingering at the floor, "Nothing."

"It's because of you he is still alive, let alone being able to walk again." Jon said one hand on James shoulder.

"I know, Jon. I'm grateful for that." James said looking at him. By now Jaime took his leave, without so much as a word. James knew he was guilty.

"I leave with you and Uncle Benjen for the Wall today." James said as Jon gave him a look of shock. "So soon? Are you sure you can?"

"Positive. Never been so sure of anything. Anyway, I'm going to see Bran and say goodbye. Care to join?" James asked when Jon's face turned to sadness.

"Sure, I have to anyway. I've been avoiding it because…"

"Because of my mother…" James interjected, when Jon gave him a nod.

"Aye, she has been there since you guy's fell."

"Well, she has no choice but to let you. I'll be there Jon. I'll protect you." James said clapping him on the back. Jon Snow, for the first time in a while, smiled.

-x-

Jon's goodbye had gone just as James had thought it would. His mother was in the sickroom, they had arrived and waited in the door, knowing what was on the other side…a grieving Catelyn Stark. Jon Snow was probably the last person she wanted to see right now, and James knew. However, Jon insisted he should face her alone, leaving James out in the hallway, listening to everything. She greeted him with a look of disdain and coldness, threatening to call guards on him, but Jon stood his ground. That made James swell up with pride for his younger brother, who for the first time was standing up to his mother, when he would usually back down. James peered in the door and saw Jon on one side of the bed, his mother on the other, staring at him as he gave an unconscious Bran his goodbye's. Bran looked frail as he was sleeping on the bed, the color gone from his skin, his hair had grown a bit long, his leg propped up on pillows. It looked as if he was in a tranquil sleep, the only movement was his chest; breathing in life. It's because of me he is alive…because of me he will ever walk again, I must protect them. Jon was holding his hand and whispering to him, crying. Catelyn was speechless, still holding Bran's other hand.

Jon got up and was making his way to the door, when his mother said something and called him by his name. This was something new, she never acknowledged him; let alone call him by his first name.

"Yes?" Jon replied turning to look back at her.

"It should have been you." she said looking at him before beginning to sob uncontrollably. Jon stood there for a few seconds and walked out of the room, even passing by James without so much as a glance. James was stunned, he never knew his mother could be so heartless as to wish harm upon another human being, let alone one who was as kind as Jon Snow. He could feel anger build up inside him, the Wolfsblood, his father called it. But he had to quell it, his mother had been through enough these past few weeks, yelling at her would do more harm than good. James entered the sickroom,

"Mother…" he said standing before the bed, staring at her. The sickroom of Winterfell was a big room, with a hearth on the left wall and a big bed in the middle. A small cot was in the corner, presumably Catelyn's. She looked up at him, her mouth slightly open. Her eyes were swollen red and tears stains fresh on her cheek. She was wearing a grey dress and her auburn hair kept untidy. James could tell she had gotten little to no sleep, and hadn't eaten or slept in days. She had been by Bran the whole time, that much he knew, but it didn't matter right now.

"James…" she said as she got up and walked over to him, her feet giving way under her. James caught her in his arms and she began to sob again. "You're awake…I'm so happy." She continued to cry into his clothes, before calming down.

"You saved his life, Bran will walk again. All because of you." she said looking up at him now. "I thought you were dead, when your father found you two by the First Keep, Bran's direwolf howling by your side. Just the sight of you two laying there…" she finished before tears were welling up again in her eyes.

"I tried to visit you when I could, but Bran…"

"Is the youngest, I understand mom." James said before he let go of her and made his way to the bed. He knelt down beside the bed and stared at Bran. His chest kept rising up and down, ever so slightly. Sometimes it look as if his eyes were about to open, but it was just a trick. "I'll always protect you, little brother. Always." James whispered into his ear before kissing him on the forehead. Moments of silence past as both him and Catelyn just watched him. James knew he had to tell her he was leaving for the Wall today, and there was no time to tell her but now.

"I'm going back today, mother." he said stroking Bran's hair, when she gave him a look of surprise; surprise and sadness.

"What…" she said stunned, "Going back? But James, you just woke up. How could you be already going back to the Wall."

"It's my duty. I'm a brother of the Night's Watch, and I can ride." James said still looking at Bran

"You can't…you just can't James." she said now crying again, "I need you, Bran needs you. Your father leaves for King's Landing, and I, I, I can't do this…"

James went to her side and sat next to her on the bed, looking at her. "But you must, mother. For everyone's sake you must, and I must go back." he said as she just kept looking at Bran. "I can't stay at Winterfell forever."

"No you can't. But you don't have to leave today." she said now looking up at him, "You don't have to leave, just stay."

"I can't. I must go." he replied reaching out to her when she recoiled, now looking back at Bran. "Than go. You've made your choice. Leave your family, again." she said, cold as ice.

James said nothing and got up looking back at her and Bran one last time. Hurting from how cold his mother had just treated him. So is this how Jon feels all the time… James turned around and was headed for the door when he found his father standing in the doorway staring at him. All stern.

"Father…" James managed to say before Ned pointed at the bed, "Sit, we have to talk." James walked back to the bed and sat down on the chair on the opposite side of his mother. His father sitting at the foot of the bed staring at Bran for a few moments, before turning to his mother and kissing her on the head, only to turn to James.

"Don't worry, your going back today. There is nothing left for you here, Robb needs to learn how to lead." Ned finally said looking at James, who only kept quiet and nodded. While Catelyn was sitting across and stroking Bran's head.

"Now tell me, do you remember anything?" Ned said again, stoic as ever. James took a few seconds to think before he finally realized of all people, his parent's had the right to know.

"Yes. I remember everything." James said as now both of their parent's were looking at him curiously, "And Bran did not slip, he was thrown…"

"By who?" his father demanded.

"Jaime Lannister." James said when his parent's looked at each other and looked back at him in shock.

"Are you sure? How do you know of this?" Catelyn asked looking at him intently.

"Because mother, the last thing I saw before Bran fell was a hand holding him. I did not manage to see a face, but I managed to see the sleeve of his tunic. His tunic was gold, exactly like the one Jaime had been wearing the first few days since Robert arrived. I know it was him. I saw him at the smithy talking to Jon so I decided to approach, he was nervous to see me, that much I could tell. He would always avert my gaze, unless necessary, and walked away without saying a word. Jaime Lannister always has something to say…" James finished as he noticed anger on his father's face.

"Gods…" was all he could manage before he continued, "Jaime did not go to the hunt with Robert. I stayed behind to see you off, but all the Kingsguard went but Jaime. I will see him dead!"

"You can't do anything, father." James said before his mother interjected,

"Can't do anything! The man threw your brother from a window! How can your father not do anything!"

"Because we don't have any proof! Mother, don't be rash. These are the Lannisters, they are dangerous. Now more than ever, if Aunt Lysa's accusations are true. We must tread with caution." James said, his hands motioning at both of them to calm down. "Now if something else were to happen to Bran, gods forbid, we know he is guilty."

"Aye. We can't do anything, your right James. All we can do is gather up some evidence, and wait." Ned said

"I will go to the First Keep and look around for a sign. Any evidence." Catelyn said looking at them both, James nodded back at her in approval.

"Now, I have to say goodbye to Bran." said Ned when he stepped forward and kissed Bran on the forehead and made for the door. James called back to him,

"Father. In King's Landing, be careful."

He turned around and nodded at him before he made his way out of the door. Protect them, James…James than turned around and walked back to the bed and said goodbye to Bran, kissing him on the head. He than turned to his mother and she hugged him, more tears were falling from her face. He hated saying goodbye,

"Mother, there is one last thing." James said as she looked up at him, wiping tears from her eyes. "What do you mean?"

"I had naught the heart to tell father about this, he is not a superstitious man, and I didn't want to worry him." James started when his mother urged him to continue.

"I had a dream when I was asleep. But it was more than a dream, it was real. As real as this, right now. It was with Aunt Lyanna, she said that he was in danger. That father needed me now, more than ever. I have to go to King's Landing, I will urge Commander Mormont to let me go there for recruiting. I must." he finished when she was looking at him with wide eyes.

"Yes, Yes, you must." was all she could say when finally he let go of her and walked out of the room towards the courtyard.

-x-

The royal family had already left when he arrived at the courtyard. James noticed his family were in the center with the fifty men that his father was bringing with him to King's Landing. Jory Cassel, the captain of the guard, was going. Along with Vayon Poole and the rest of the household guard. They began to make their way out of the gate when James ran over to them. Arya was hugging Jon again, and Sansa was talking with Jeyne, Lady at her feet, while his Father, Robb, and Theon stood there next to them, even Rickon was standing behind his father's leg. Jory was holding the girl's horses by the reign's. Uncle Benjen was at the stables, preparing their horses with Hodor, the half-wit stableboy who only said one word, "Hodor."

James finally got to them and they all smiled as he was ready to say goodbye to his sister's, knowing it would be a long time before he would see them again. Sansa was the first to say bye as she walked up and hugged him, tears in her eyes. Even Jeyne hugged him without hesitation, her confidence grew since the talk in the Godswood, and that made James happy. Rickon ran over to James and hugged him, James threw him up in the air and caught him, he was laughing. Robb hugged James and than shook his hand. "Take care of home, and mother. She needs you now more than ever." James said as Robb just smiled, "Aye, I will."

"Goodbye, Lord of Wintefell." James said as everyone laughed. Theon walked up to James and shook his hand.

"Greyjoy. So long and try not to ruin some poor lass's life." James said smiling at him when Theon laughed.

"I'll do enough servant girls for the both of us, James." Theon said smiling when James cocked his head back and laughed, thinking back to when him and Theon would see who would kiss the most girls as children. Often during feasts they would bring a couple servant girl's back to their rooms and they would kiss. One time, Catelyn had caught them, and those servant girls were no longer seen around Winterfell.

"Try to not let my lady mother catch you, again." James said when everyone laughed, even Ned.

Than it was Arya's turn, she looked like she was about to cry as she jumped up into James's arms and wrapped her's around his neck. She was showering him with kisses, that made him laugh. Even though Arya hated showing affection, she had alway's loved James, but he alway's knew Jon would be her favorite. Soon the girls mounted their horses with Jory and walked through the gate, looking back at them with looks of sadness, James swore Arya was crying. Soon it was just him, Ben, Jon and Ned standing the courtyard as Hodor brought them their horses one by one.

"Hodor." he would say each time he handed you the horses reigns.

Than they mounted and made their way out of Winterfell, through the south gate and made for the Kingsroad when at a crossing they departed. It was cold and a fresh snow was beginning to fall. Uncle Benjen turned north with Tyrion Lannister and his men, while Jon and James stayed behind with Ned to say goodbye. The three of them sat on their horses, Jon on one side and James in between both of them.

"There is great honor in serving the Night's Watch. I'm proud of both you, the Starks have manned the Wall for thousands of years." Ned said as he gave them both a stern look. He always hated saying goodbye, and was never good at it.

"You two watch out for each other up there. James, you look after Jon especially. Winter is coming…"

"I will, father. But Jon will have to fend for himself, at the Wall a man get's what he earns." James said looking at his father before looking right and noticed Jon looking down at his horse.

"Ok, good. And Jon, you be careful. I know you may not have my last name, but you are a Stark. You have my blood, and the blood of the First Men." Ned said before Jon looked over at both of them,

"Who was my mother?" Jon asked with a serious look on his face, "Is she even alive? Does she care?"

Ned grew serious and his face showed something like sadness, "Next time I see you, we will talk about your mother. I promise." he finished before he spoke one last time.

"Now, take care lads. I'm off to be Hand of the King."

And with that he kicked his horse and galloped off south to catch up with his house hold guard. James watched as his father grew smaller and smaller and was soon out of sight, before he turned to Jon.

"Race you to the Wall?" James said smiling at Jon, pretending they were kids again.

"You know it Stark." Jon replied as they both kicked their horses and galloped towards Uncle Benjen. Going back to the Wall and Castle Black. However all of James's thought's were on his father and King's Landing. He had to find a way to get there. He had to protect his father and his family. Protect them James…

AN: Sorry it took longer to update. I had to take a break from writing, I was burnt out. This will be my last update for at least a little over a week, I'm going on vacation so I'll be out of the country. I will be updating when I return