Hello there, I know it took me very long to upload this chapter, however this one proved to be really difficult to write, actually there were several rewrites on my part. Anyway I was also delayed because I began to work on another fanfic. I will be releasing its prologue very soon and if it is successful I am going to write it alongside this story. Without further ado, let's get to it.

Chapter 5: Kill the Girl

"Where to start, I came all this way here because advice I require is from the area I know nothing about, the dragons. And I hoped that you as a maester and as a Targaryen could help me."

A slight hint of surprise appeared in Aemon's face. "You know who I am? Well, I dare to say I am quite knowledgeable in Valyrian and dragon lore, however I wonder why would a daughter of Lord Eddard Stark be interested in dragons? As far as I am aware, Starks have never had anything to do with such creatures, not that they ever could."

Lyanna was glad that Maester Aemon would be able to provide her with the knowledge she wanted though she also began to suspect she will have to reveal Zyraxes existence to get it. "The reason why I need to know about the dragons is rather simple…. I found a dragon egg in the crypts beneath the Winterfell and later it hatched."

After this statement, maester Aemon was quiet for a moment and when he finally answered it was with a hint of suspicion in his voice. "Really now? You will forgive me but I found such a claim very hard to believe." Aemon paused and leaned towards where Lyanna was standing like he wasn't blind at all. "Even if you find a dragon egg, you would be unable to hatch it, mainly because every dragon egg that remained in this world petrified over the years and such eggs are basically dead…. You see, my own brother Aegon the Fifth lost his life while attempting to bring back the dragons."

Lyanna noticed sadness in Aemon's voice. "He was gathering knowledge from me and from all across Essos and he also gathered every last egg Targaryen family owned and he still failed. He and I always dreamed about the return of dragons but after his tragic death I came to the sad realization that it's simply not possible."

Lyanna just sighed and finally sat down on the chair at the opposite side of the table. "In that case I think you will be very surprised in a moment." And before maester Aemon could answer anything she just opened a bag with Zyraxes inside. "Come out dear, don't be shy. It's time for you to meet someone new."

"Oh, I can finally get out!" Zyraxes didn't hesitate and immediately jumped out the bag just before maester Aemon and set her gaze curiously at him. "Muña, is he ill? It seems to me like he is about to be dead."

"I know nothing about his health, however, he is very old and unfortunately blind. So would you please stay still for a moment and let him touch you? I need to convince him of your existence. He doesn't believe me." Zyraxes didn't answer but she did what Lyanna asked her.

Aemon frowned as he noticed something hitting the wooden surface of his table. ,"What did you just drop before me?"

"I told you… I found the dragon egg and later it hatched. I am no liar and I wouldn't be here if it weren't true. I know you can't see her so just reach with your hand and pet her, certainly you can recognize a dragon."

Aemon remained skeptical although he had to admit that if Lyanna didn't have a proper reason for visiting him, she probably wouldn't. So he slowly stretched his hand toward the spot on his table from where he heard a hitting sound previously. As soon as he touched Zyraxes's head and recognized her little horns and rough scales, the surprise which Lyanna promised, came to him and was even amplified when he felt the dragon's sudden mind connection and heard an unfamiliar voice inside his mind. "Greetings old man, muña told me that you need to be convinced of my existence."

Lyanna saw Aemon's surprised expression soon turned into a happy one as he continued to pet Zyraxes. "I have never ever thought I would be able to meet a living dragon in my lifetime. Tell me how you did it? And where exactly did you find that egg?"

Next few minutes Lyanna spend by describing everything about her discovery of the dragon egg in the crypts beneath Winterfell: the location of a hiding spot, the engravings on stone block covering it and she also told him the fact that the egg was located directly on the exit which lead to the hot springs and the egg was most likely engulfed in a hot air and steam, before she removed covering stone block. Then she explained how she took the egg to her room, later hid it in her bed, how she went to sleep that night while forgetting the egg was there and how she was awakened in the morning by a newly hatched dragon, which she named Zyraxes.

After she was done explaining, Aemon just nodded and began rubbing his chin. "Interesting, very interesting. Who would have thought the rumors of Prince Jacaerys Velaryon falling in love with Sara Snow were real and that he left her a dragon egg. What's more he probably ensured that Sara knew how to keep the dragon egg alive given the characteristics of its hiding place."

"So if the egg wouldn't be placed there the way it was, to be kept warm. It would be petrified?"

"Indeed, I am not sure how much you are familiar with the history of Targaryen family but after the Dance of the Dragons, all of Targaryen Dragons were either dead, dying, too small or just were missing. In any case during the reign of Aegon the Third also fittingly known as The Dragonbane, all dragons that remained died as he had no love for dragons. And he knowingly stopped caring for all remaining dragon eggs which in time all petrified. From those days forward any attempt committed by the Targaryen family to hatch those eggs failed. Amongst them my brother as I mentioned before."

Lyanna was, for the most part, familiar with this history, even though she had no idea Aegon the Third let the dragons and eggs die knowingly. "I see, then I am very lucky the egg I found was alive, however there is one thing I don't understand."

Aemon raised his eyebrow. "Then go ahead and ask, maybe I can explain."

"Alright. If the egg was alive and kept warm by the hot springs, why didn't it hatch?"

"Well, the answer for that is rather simple, because if my knowledge is correct, there is only one place in Westeros where dragon eggs can hatch naturally, The Island of Dragonstone. Beside that, the dragon eggs could also hatch in the presence of dragon's future riders. Someone, who has the blood of the dragon flowing through their veins."

"I see, so the egg hatched due to my presence. Zyraxes told me that I have the blood of the dragon after she was born."

"That is not so surprising to me. The old Valyrian scrolls I studied described dragons as intelligent creatures with keen senses. In short, they should be able to recognize a person of Valyrian blood." With that he also stopped petting Zyraxes who remained still while looking at the old maester. After a few moments she turned around and ran back towards Lyanna and jumped on her shoulder.

Lyanna just giggled and rubbed Zyraxes under her chin "I never dared to imagine I will have a dragon one day and that she will be so adorable."

Aemon shrugged."She may be adorable now but give her time and she will grow up into a big and fierce creature. In fact, in two years, you should be able to ride on her bag. And if you choose to use her in battle, you might understand why dragons were so feared."

Lyanna was silent for a moment as she was thinking about what Aemon just said to her and how she could use Zyraxes to devastating effects in the future. "Is it the right thing to do that? I mean use Zyraxes in battle?"

"That will be and should be your own choice." Aemon told her with a serious tone. "I mean what is right or wrong? Each of these terms can be used to describe someone's actions, however how one is used by others to describe your actions, almost always depends on the point of view."

"I am not sure that I understand what you mean."

"Well, for example Aegon and his sisters set out to unite Westeros and used their dragons to achieve it. When it was done, many lords, ladies and even small folk agreed it was for a greater good that the former six kingdoms now were in peace and under one king. Would those people say Aegon's actions were wrong?" Aemon paused, letting his words sink before he continued. "On the other hand, Aegon used his dragons to melt Harrenhal and to burn Arryn's fleet and later burned house Durrandon, Gardener and Lannister soldiers. Would relatives and close ones of those who burned say that what Aegon did was right?"

Lyanna was thinking very carefully about the maester's words. "I see….. so there is no definitive answer for my question is there?"

"Blood of the dragon is flowing through your veins giving you power to bond, ride and control dragons. It's an extraordinary power however how you will use it is entirely up to your own conscience."

"I will remember that."

"Good." Aemon nodded. "Speaking of dragon blood. I am aware the house Stark never ever had blood connection with any remaining Valyrian families that are or were present in Westeros. I know you are Lord Stark's bastard daughter and so I guess your mother must have been the one from whom you inherited your Valyrian heritage. Did your father ever reveal who she was?"

"No he never told me anything about my mother though I learned who she was recently and….." Lyanna hesitated and abruptly stopped.

Aemon raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong?"

"Maester Aemon, what I am about to tell you is a secret Lord Stark kept hidden for almost fourteen years. It's vital it stays that way."

"You sound very serious. Don't worry I planned this to be a discreet meeting when I send Clidas away and nothing that was and will be spoken or revealed is not to leave this room." Aemon smiled reassuringly.

A sigh of relief escaped Lyanna's mouth as she was preparing to share the truth with the old maester. "You are interested in my mother, because you think she was of Valyrian heritage. Yet she was not. She was a Northerner."

"Really? Now you leave me very confused. You must have inherited the blood of the dragon either from your father or mother. There is no other way to possess it."

"Of course, what I mean to say is that I didn't inherit it from my mother, rather my father." You see, Eddard Stark is not my real father."

These words left maester Aemon stunned for a moment, though he quickly recovered. "Isn't he? Now you got me even more interested. Who are your real parents then?"

"My mother was Lyanna Stark, according to uncle Benjen I was born to her in the Tower of Joy in Dorne. She didn't survive… " After she told this to maester Aemon, he felt a mix of emotions, surprise, shock, recognition and even happiness upon hearing it and as he finally understood where the girl before him, the seemingly bastard of Winterfell got her power to hatch the dragon egg and bond with the dragon. Meanwhile Lyanna continued. "And my father. My real father was…" She didn't manage to finish her sentence as Aemon interrupted.

"Rheagar, Rhaegar Targaryen." Aemon smiled very brightly. "I have always wondered what happened to his child, to you. I'm glad we had a chance to meet at last, Visenya."

Lyanna didn't know what to say at first. She assumed only her uncles knew about her being Rhaegar's daughter, plus the fact Aemon knew her real name was shocking to say the least. "What? How do you…?"

"How do I know all of this?" Aemon interrupted and raised from his chair and went to the chest next to his bed and while he was pulling out a stack of papers he continued talking. "Prince Rhaegar and I were corresponding with each other quite often, I might add. In his last letter he wrote to me about everything that happened to him during and after the tourney of Harrenhal. Most importantly, how he met Lyanna Stark, fell in love with her and how he married her after annulling his old marriage with Elia Martell. When it comes to your name, he told me about his intention to name his third child Visenya."

He pulled one letter from the stack and one more paper from the chest. "I had my suspicions about the tale the Lord Stark was telling, the honorable warden of the North had fathered a bastard? I never really believed he did such a thing." Maester continued searching through his chest until he picked up something which had the uncanny shape of the long sword completely wrapped in red cloth and made his way back to the table.

When he sat back on the chair he offered Lyanna one of the papers. She reluctantly took it. "This is the letter he sent to me just before he left the Tower of Joy. He was reluctant to do so because of your mother's pregnancy, however the war which was sparked by his father, when he burned the Starks, forced Rhaegar into action. When Clydas read me this letter I was very hopeful that Rhaegar will win the war and become the king he was always meant to be…." Aemon's face again showed signs of sadness. "Imagine my shock and grief when I heard about the battle of the Trident. How he died by the hands of Robert Baratheon and later how his children were butchered on the orders of Tywin Lannister."

Old maester clenched the fingers of his hands into fists. "I was tempted to break my vows to The Night's Watch three times during my life. I remember it well and how each time dark wings brought even darker words to me. This was the third time and it was the most difficult."

Lyanna wasn't sure what to say, She dreaded to guess how much pain maester Aemon must have felt after Robert's Rebellion when Targaryen family were practically destroyed. "He may be a maester of the citadel, and sworn brother of the Night's Watch but ties to one's family can never be completely severed." She thought about what she would have done if Winterfell was about to be burned and all Starks killed and she really doubted her ability to keep any wows that could prevent her from doing something about it. "I am sorry, maester Aemon."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, it's not your fault after all."

Lyanna finally looked into a letter, she went briefly through it, and stopped upon reading one familiar line at the end of the letter. "Maester Aemon what is this, dragon has to have three heads line, about? I heard it before but I really don't know its meaning."

This was unexpected for Aemon. "How could you possibly hear about it? Only Rhaegar and a few of his trusted friends knew, including me."

"What if I told you, I heard it from him, in a way?"

"I would require more explanation when hearing such a claim."

Lyanna wondered what the maester would think of her after she told him about the dreams she had the night Zyraxes was born. "Will he think I am mad? Or will he actually believe me?" In Aemon's face there was no sign of doubt, only curiosity that gave her reassurance. "I had dreams or maybe visions would be a better word for them, in two of them I saw the men, who I presume, was my father and some other people."

At first there was no reaction from Aemon, however after a few moments he frowned and said only. "Describe those dreams to me, in the details if you would."

So Lyanna did all three of them, and in great detail as Aemon required from her. "I never ever had such vivid and strange dreams before. It was only that one night the Zyraxes was born."

"Interesting. It would seem you possess a certain gift, the Targaryens used to possess. The dragon dreams."

"The dragon dreams? You mean like dreams thanks to which Daenys the Dreamer convinced her father to settle on Dragonstone?" Lyanna was familiar with the legend of Aenar Targaryen and his daughter who predicted the doom of Valyria, yet she never considered that her dreams are something similar.

Aemon smiled and nodded. "Yes, given the details you remember about those dreams and how you feel about them I can tell they were the dragon dreams. Only yours were visions of the past rather than a future. I know these dreams could come in two forms. The visions of the past, which could be quite accurate like in your case or it can have a form of prophecy and as all prophecies it can be misleading and confusing, in other words dangerous." Chill went through Lyanna when hearing last words. "I myself never experienced dragon dreaming and nor any other Targaryen since the death of the last dragon. Now with the birth of Zyraxes it seems the ability is back too."

Lyanna tried to process all this new information, she wasn't exactly thrilled by the idea of having dreams of the past or even prophetic dreams."So, now when the dragons are back I may have more strange dreams, wonderful."

"No, no, it's not all so bad. The visions you had, helped you in discovering your identity, I am right?"

"Well, maybe to some extent, but in the end uncle Benjen told me everything, plus there was a fact the dragon egg hatched in my bed so it was pretty big clue that something is rather off about me, however you are right I learned a lot from those visions even my real name even before uncle Benjen confirmed it."

"See, you shouldn't be so worried about it. I assume the dragon dreams probably don't happen too often, although who knows, perhaps I will have some too and then I will see how wrong I am in that assumption." Aemon chuckled and his face got a dreamy expression "One can never stop learning something new, even after a hundred years."

Lyanna didn't share Aemon's enthusiasm about this dragon dreams thing and decided not to meddle in it further. "Maester Aemom I think, we trailed off a bit, would you please tell me now what is that line the dragon must have three heads all about?"

"Oh, yes." Shook his head like he was trying to shake off some unwanted thoughts. "The dragon must have three heads…" There was a long pause before the frowning maester continued. "It's a part of the prophecy told to your father, Rhaegar, by a certain old woman with the gift of seeing visions of the future and the past, called The Ghost of High Heart. Your father tried to fulfill this prophecy, however I am afraid he solely misinterpreted it, which is quite common when it comes to prophecies."

This left more questions than answers for Lyanna and she was not about to let her curiosity about this prophecy go. "What did my father want to achieve by fulfilling this prophecy and why?"

"Well when you want to understand this prophecy and your father's desire to fulfill it. You must also know about the previous prophecy which was told by The Ghost of High Heart.'' Aemon knew he was probably overwhelming Lyanna right now but he knew she must learn about these prophecies if she is to understand and accept her father's legacy.

Lyanna just sighed. "Alright, will you please tell me what those other prophecies are all about?"

Aemon turned very serious as he nodded. "Are you familiar with the legend of Azor Ahai?"

"The legendary hero who wielded a flaming sword and led humanity against the others during the Long Night? Yes, I read about this legend in the book we have in the Winterfell library. It's named "Legends of the Long Night". Lyanna remembered this book. It was a very controversial book, all about the legends gathered about the long night from Westeros and Essos. Her favorite legend was the one according to which this hero was Brandon the Builder who sought out children of the forest to help him and his people to fight the others.

"That's a good book indeed, but in Castle Black's library you may find even more texts about this subject. One of such texts is a certain old Valyrian scroll, you could also find it in Dragonstone library. This old Valyrian scroll describes the Long Night and how it was stopped by the Prince who was promised. This scroll also prophesied that the Long Night will come again and as before the Prince who was promised will bring the dawn. This old prophecy was kept alive in Essos to this day by the religion of R'hllor or Lord of Light, as a prophecy of Azor Ahai."

"Alright but what does this prophecy have to do with the one told to my father?"

"Well this prophecy is probably the reason why Rhaegar was born. You see Jaeherys the second Rhaegat's grandfather, knew about this old prophecy and when the The Ghost of High Heart prophesied to him that the Prince who was promised will be born from his bloodline he acted on it and forced his children, Rhaegar's parents to marry. Despite the protest of both Aerys and Rhaella who were not too fond of each other." Aemon learned how badly this marriage turned up from Rhaegar, it made him feel sorry for both of them.

"So, he forced marriage upon his children, just because some old witch predicted something like that?" Lyanna said with a disbelieving tone.

"As strange as it sounds, she actually had a gift of foresight by several accounts. And Jaeherys was always a little obsessed with prophecies, something his son Aerys didn't have in common with him."

Lyanna felt like she was about to get a headache, so she began to rub her temples. "I gather that my father believed in the Prince who was promised prophecy. Am I right?"

"Indeed. What's more, he even believed to be the promised Prince himself, at least for some time."

XXXX

He was in a bad mood. Ned hoped he would catch up with Benjen and Lyanna on the road by now as he wanted to hear an explanation from Lyanna for leaving and not even bothering to tell him about it or asking him for permission really shocked him."What she was thinking? To just leave Winterfell?...Ned also wondered about the fact that Lyanna was asking maester Luwin about dragon blood. "Why would she ask Luwin about that? Did she somehow find out about her parentage? Did Benjen tell her? I will have to have a talk with both of them."

He was pulled from his thoughts by Ser Rodrik. "Lord Stark, we will soon arrive at Castle Black."

"Aye, it would seem so." Ned saw the buildings of the main residence of the Night's Watch in the distance. "I just hope Lyanna is there and with my brother, maybe we should have ridden after them even during the nights."

"We might be able to catch up with them, however traveling in these parts is risky my Lord, I am sure Lord Benjen and your daughter weren't night travelers either." Ser Rodrik served house Stark all his life and for the time he served Eddard Stark, he was able to tell when his liege was troubled, even calm men like Lord Stark. "You shouldn't be so worried my Lord, your brother kept her safe, I am sure."

"I can't help it, if something should happen to her… Better not to think about it, let us hope the guards reports were true and she really went to Castle Black with Benjen."

"My Lord, may I ask something?"

Ned gave Rodrik a curious look. "Of course, go ahead."

"Why did you assume Lyanna went to the White Harbor after she left Winterfell?" Rodrik asked with the sign of curiosity in his voice.

Ned was silent at first before he answered. "She recently expressed a desire to leave Winterfell for Essos and to become a mercenary there."

Rodrik wasn't too surprised, upon hearing this. As her trainer he knew that Lyanna was very talented with the blade and she was good enough with the bow and was natural when it came to horses. So from the day she began to train alongside Robb, Rodrik knew the life of the lady wasn't exactly fitting for Lyanna. "Did she? Well I think it was just a matter of time before she asked for your permission to do it."

"Would you like me to approve such a notion?" Ned frowned and looked directly at Rodrik, clearly displeased.

"May…. I speak frankly, my Lord?" Ned nodded to him slowly. "The way I see it, your daughter is well prepared for such a life. She was trained with the sword, bow and lance and you yourself taught her the tactic and battlefield strategy. And honestly, I found it difficult to imagine her living as an obedient lady married to some lord."

Ned considered Rodrik's words, he knew there was some truth to them. "Even so, I can't just let her leave to an uncertain future on a different continent. She may not have my name, but she is still my blood and it's my duty to protect her."

"As you say my Lord, I only told you my honest opinion."

"I appreciate your honesty Ser Rodrik." With that Rodrik bowed with his head respectfully, however immediately looked forward as they arrived at Castle Black.

They were welcomed by a rough looking fellow, clearly one of the seasoned members of the Night's Watch. "Who are you and state your business." He asked with clear disrespect in his voice even after seeing men with the direwolf banner of house of Stark among Ned's escort.

"I am Lord Eddard Stark, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North." Ned's authoritative tone caused the men to be taken back a little and visibly got paler upon the notion of being rude to the ruler of the North. Clearly the man wasn't a Northman, however Ned continued. "I am here to find my daughter, she should arrive here some time before me and with my brother, Benjen Stark."

A hint of recognition appeared on the black brother's face. "Oh, that lass who came here with the First Ranger? Yes she was here and let me tell you she left quite an impression. Not everyone here has a gaul to tell Ser Alliser that his training methods are bad, anyway when last time I saw her she went from Lord Commander's solar to the Rookery, I don't know why, but First Ranger accompanied her. You probably should go and speak with Lord Commander too, he likes to keep an eye on people who come here. I can take you there."

Ned nodded and looked at Rodrik. "I am going to speak with the lord Commander, wait here with the rest of the men Ser Rodrik, this will hopefully won't take too long." He got off the horse. "If Lyanna should show up before I am back, hold her here until I return."

Rodrik bowed his head slightly. "As you wish my Lord"

Ned made his way towards Lord Commander's residence, just behind the formerly rude fellow. On the way he got the chance to look around. From what he saw he was able to recognize some facts, his brother had told him about the poor state of The Night's Watch, crumbling buildings, poorly equipped men and small numbers were visible at first sight. "Maybe I should have taken Benjen's complaints about the Watch more seriously." With these thoughts he got before Lord Commander's solar doors.

The man who led him there knocked and opened them. "Lord Commander, forgive me if I interrupt, but Lord of Winterfell is here."

"Is he? What a welcome surprise, let him in." Ned entered and beheld his former bannermen sitting behind his table. "Ah Lord Stark, it's good to see again. How long has it been? Thirteen years?"

A Mormont's raven begins to shout. "Stark, Stark!"

"Yes, and you still keep this old raven, I see. It's good to see you too, Lord Commander, though it's probably an unexpected visit for both of us."

"Indeed, and I would bet that you are here because of your daughter, am I right?"

Ned felt a little guilty for not going here on the visit sooner and that was it Lyanna who forced him to be here. "Yes, I am sorry, maybe I should come here to see the state of the Night's Watch sooner."

The Lord Commander shrugged. "Well, I understand the Lord of Winterfell ought to be quite busy.ׅ" Mormont motioned to the chair opposite him.

There was no room for objection in Mormont's tone and Ned knew when to put his pride out the way so he just went to sit and prepared himself for a long conversation that was surely to come. "So where is my daughter? I know she must be still in Castle Black? I caught sight of her horse in the stables."

"As far as I know she must be still talking with Maester Aemon. She was really insistent on meeting him. I didn't question it too much, you don't have to worry about her, your brother is her escort after all." Mormont poured two tankards with ale, one he handed to Ned. "She will come back when her talk is finished, I asked her to talk to you on Night's Watch behalf, however since you are here already we shall talk now."

Ned drank from the tankard and frowned. "I suspect it will not be about how The Night's Watch could make a good ale."

Lord Commander's face visibly darkened. "I wish…. No, our talk is going to be about something far more serious and at the end you might think the bad ale is the least of our problems."

XXXX

"Let's get this straight, my father believed to be the prince who was promised just because of some prophecy told by the Ghost of High Heart to his grandfather and the knowledge he found in some old books and scrolls?" Lyanna was puzzled by all this.

Aemon noded. "You may find it strange or even dismiss it as nonsense. I understand why you would do so, nevertheless he was convinced. Afterall he even changed his lifestyle after he learned about the possibility of being the prophecies hero."

"How so?"

"Well, Rhaegar never had any desire to wield the sword and spent much time in the library or with his harp. However after he discovered he might be the Prince who was promised, he began to train with the sword and lance."

"I see." It made Lyanna feel uneasy, the thought of being guided just by some prophecies to change yourself. It didn't seem right to her. "But you said he only believed for some time what happened and where the dragon has to have three heads line, comes in?"

"Your father believed he was the Prince until he met the Ghost of High Heart in the ruins of Summerhall. It was then, when she told him the prophecy about three heads of the dragon. After he asked her whether he was the Prince who was promised or not and if he wasn't, who was. Upon hearing her answer, he changed his goals and plans."

"Why? What was the wording of this prophecy?" Despite her uneasiness Lyanna was also curious.

Aemon seemed to be concentrating as he tried to remember. "You might be the Prince who was promised or you might be not. The Prince is destined to be born from Targaryen bloodline and the dragon has three heads." Few moments of silence before Aemon spoke again. "This was at least wording he wrote to me in the letter. If there was something more to it, I don't know."

"Are all prophecies so…how to put it vague or outright gibberish?"

Aemon wasn't surprised by Lyanna's skeptical tone and comments. He himself would have thought the same once. "Unfortunately yes, nevertheless they still have power to influence people's lives for better or worse."

"And how hearing this prophecy influenced my father? Why did it convince him to stop believing he was the Prince who was promised?"

"Rhaegar considered both prophecies the Ghost of High Heart told him and Jaehaerys the second and came to the conclusion the Prince who was promised will indeed be born out of Targaryen bloodline which could appoint him as such. However the ending of the prophecy about three heads of the dragon told him something different"

"Ah we finally get to this thing I wondered about, as I am afraid I am still not following. What exactly did my father deduce from those words?"

"It was his belief and also mine after some consideration, that maybe the Prince who was promised doesn't need to be only one but perhaps they are going to be three, hence three heads of the dragon. Rhaegar was quite convinced it would be his children and he had two already. But to fulfill the prophecy he needed the third child.

Lyanna was reminded of one of her dreams. The one where the man who was now for sure her father talked presumably to his wife Elia Martell."We both knew this marriage won't be the one of love, I didn't choose you and neither you me and dragon has to have three heads and I have found the love recently which will provide me with what I need. I won't give up what I gained recently."

Lyanna also remembered the calm yet slightly sad face of Elia Martell and her words "I agreed because I can't give you what she can."

Without Lyanna saying anything Aemon continued. "Rhaegar also wanted to name his three children after the conqueror himself and his sisters. He had Rhaenys and later Aegon, the problem was that his wife Elia wasn't capable of having more children and one more was needed."

"Visenya, me…"

"Yes, Rhaegar set out to search for a new wife which would be able to give him another child and he found your mother Lyanna Stark at Harrenhal, what he probably didn't predict was how fast she would capture his heart." Aemon smiled sadly.

A painful feeling crept into Lyanna's mind and wouldn't go off. "Was I born only because of a need to fulfill some prophecy? If Elia would be able to have a third child….. he and my mother might never meet or marry. Would they?"

"I understand why you would feel bad about it, yet in the end it doesn't matter anymore. I can't even count how many times I ask myself questions starting with if…" Aemon closed his blind eyes and leaned back in his chair as if dreaming. "What if I took a crown which was offered to me at the Great Council? What if my brother succeeded in hatching the dragon eggs. What if Aerys the Second didn't go mad and what if Rhaegar beat Robert Baratheon at the Trident? So many ifs yet they change nothing as the history doesn't know any."

Aemon straightened and reached with his hand and somehow found Lyanna's arm moving his hand on her shoulder. "What is in the past should be used only for learning of it. Do not dwell on it. You are Rhaegar's last surviving child, Princess of house of Targaryen, what's more you are its future. And you must accept it."

Lyanna somehow felt the weight of responsibilities that were suddenly thrown at her and she didn't enjoy it. "I…Don't know how to be all of that. Being a bastard of Winterfell was all I ever knew."

Aemon didn't flinch and the tone of his voice got even more serious. "Your dragon hatched because of who you are, not who you think you were. You can't hide from what you are, Visenya." Aemon withdrew his hand. "You may think you were born for some need to fulfill the prophecy of three heads of the dragon, yet your father and mother fell in love. I would even dare to say that Rhaegar in the end didn't care for it too much, rather he wanted to put things right in the realm and save house Targaryen for the sake of his children and new wife."

"Given the fact you are the only of his children alive I would say the prophecy of three heads of the dragon was very misinterpreted or maybe it wasn't even about Rhaegar's children, who knows. From Jaeherys bloodline came a few more members of Targaryen dynasty afterall, but I think we have spoken enough of grim past and prophecies. Look forward, not backwards."

After some pause Lyanna spoke. "Thank you maester Aemon, you are right. I should concentrate on the future. But my priority now is to take care of Zyraxes. As I said before, that is the reason why I am here in the first place."

Aemon shrugged. "Of course, we have lost ourselves in these talks that I almost forgot about her. Yes, dragons were the most important assets Targaryens possessed. When they were lost, things got worse for house Targaryen. I now feel compelled to make sure they are not lost again." Maester put his hands on objects wrapped in red cloth. "Speaking of assets, I think it's time to give you this." And he pushed the item towards Lyanna.

Lyanna now truly recognized the shape of this item. "Is this a sword, maester Aemon?" Lyanna slowly asked while she was preparing to unwrap it.

"Not just any sword, go on, unwrap it, take a look and please be carefull not to cut yourself."

Lyanna was careful and slowly removed the red cloth. The long sword had a golden pommel in the shape of flames, handle was from some black material unknown to Lyanna, In the middle of the guard was placed a small ruby on both sides, the guard itself had wavy shape and golden color just like the pommel. Scabart was from the black leather which looked like nothing Lyanna had ever seen. She didn't even know why but she smiled while looking at it. "May I try a few swings with it?"

Aemon sensed an excitement in her voice and couldn't help himself but chuckle. "But of course, just be careful not to cut anything."

Lyanna got up and as she took the sword with the smile on her face, she noticed it was strangely lightwighted. After making some distance from the table Lyanna gripped the handle and pulled and was in awe for a few seconds. She and Robb often saw the ancestral sword of house Stark, the Ice. That is how she was able to recognize distinctive rippled patterns in the blade as soon as she unsheated this sword from its scabbard. "That's Valyrian steel"

Aemon noded with a smile. "But of course it is. What would you expect from the heirloom of house Targaryen."

"I can't just take this…"

"You can and you will.ׅ'' Aemon answered resolutely. "That used to be the sword of queen Visenya and after her many other warriors or Targaryen dynasty wielded it."

"This is The Dark Sister?" Lyanna was amazed. "I have this legendary sword in my hand…"

Zyraxes, who leaped off her shoulder just before she got up off her chair, was now eyeing the sword with curiosity from the table. "I think it looks prettier than the one you have, muña but I don't know why you are so excited about it."

Lyanna looked at her dragon with a puzzled look, before she realized. That Zyraxes indeed can't understand this sword's significance. "Darling I think I will have to tell you some history of house Targaryen, that is if you are at least interested in this weapon and why I am excited about it."

Zyraxes gave Lyanna one of her cute looks, tilting her little head slightly to one side. "Maybe, but you should remember that my weapons will be much better than swords one day, muña, and I will protect you better than any sword."

Lyanna just smiled. "Well we will see in the future, won't we? Plus when you grow up I can hardly take you everywhere, this sword I can."Zyraxes growled, as much as little hatchling could.

Aemon suspected there was some exchange going on between Lyanna and her dragon. When he heard how she took a few swings with The Dark Sister he began speaking again. " Yes, it's indeed the Dark Sister. Lord Commander Brinden Rivers was its last wielder, before he left on his last ranging from which he probably didn't plan to return from, he left the sword with me, so I can give it to a member of house Targaryen if some ever visits the Wall."

Lyanna returned the sword back to his scabart and went to sit down again. "And since the sword is still here I suspect no one ever did come for it, right?"

"Sadly no, Rhaegar wanted to come here many times, however his duties or father hold him from it, when you read the letter I gave you, you can see he promised to come here after he would won the war, as you know that never happened"

"Thank you again, maester Aemon."

Aemon gave Lyanna a smile again. "I am just glad The Dark Sister is back in the hands of someone of house Targaryen who can use it and I fear you will need this blade more than you know." Lyanna shruder upon hearing a warning in Aemon's voice.

"Anyway, you wanted to know about dragons. As I told you I have read many scrolls and books of Valyrian origin here in the Castle Black library, dealing in all sorts of things from dragons to blood magic, later I made copies of them in the case they are needed. I can give you these books if you want, although they are written in High Valyrian and I would need to search the library to find those books."

"That is not a problem, I learned High Valyrian, though one can never stop learning. However I think the book's blood magic is not something I am interested in at least for now. I want to know just about dragons so one book or scroll or even some short advice from you would be fine." It would be a lie to say Lyanna wasn't interested in reading all those books but as for now she directed all her focus on helping Zyraxes. "If I want to read some other Valyrian books in the future, well they are not going anywhere."

Aemon again smiled. "As you say then. When it comes to dragons, it's important not to repeat the mistakes our forebears made and close the dragon in some spaces like dragonpit, rather let them roam free, let them hunt and I am sure Zyraxes will grow and prosper."

"That sounds very simple, is that really all there is to the dragons?"

"Well in the way. If you want more complex information, you will have to read a book. I think I have a copy here in my personal collection. Would you be so kind and pick it on your own?" Lyanna rose up from the chair and headed towards the bookshelf, Aemon gestured. "It's named Dragons: The Power of the Freehold in High Valyrian, it should be located in the third shelf."

After some time and checking names of the books, Lyanna finally found the book Aemon told her about. "I have found it." Lyanna studied the cover. It was made from black leather and as in the contrast there was a picture of white dragon skull all across the front, name was written under the skull. No other decorations were done. Lyanna curiously opened the book and skimmed through it quickly. There was a lot: dragon anatomy, breeding, egg care, bonding with riders and also battlefield strategy. "This is indeed extensive."

"If there is a book which contains as much information on dragons as possible, it's this one. You can keep it."

"Really?" Lyanna answered with a disbelieving voice.

"Of course." Aemon noded and folded his arms. "I have told you I can give you some books and scrolls. This book is a copy made by me when I still had sight, the original is still kept in the Castle Black library, so do not worry. You will need this book more than I do."

Lyanna went to the table and sat once again. "I don't know how to thank, maester Aemon."

Maester Aemon leaned forward. "Make sure that you and Zyraxes survive, take care of her, do not let the dragons disappear again and if you can, accept Targaryen legacy. It will be enough reward for me."

Lyanna looked at Zyraxes. She was cute as ever and just quietly observed their conversation while sitting on the hilt of The Dark Sister. "I fear for her, maester Aemon. You said that in two years she will grow up enough for me to ride her, however it also means I will not be able to hide her existence from others. And if Robert Baratheon finds out there is a living dragon and I am its future rider…."

"He will kill you, your dragon and everyone he will think that helped harbor the daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen, which most likely entails the entire Stark family and not even friendship with Eddard Stark would stop him."

Aemon words may seem cruel yet they ring true to Lyanna. "So, I must leave my home with Zyraxes, leave Winterfell and Westeros."

"I would say it's the only option, unless Lord Eddard Stark wants to wage war for your throne."

The words about the throne left Lyanna uncomfortable. "I am not sure why I should want that damned throne, from the history I can say it brought only conflict and pain to house Targaryen, besides I am a girl, no one would want me as a ruler."

"You are the last surviving child of Rhaegar Targaryen, which makes you the heir of the Iron Throne whether you like it or not and trust me. A day may come when the Seven Kingdoms might need Visenya Targaryen and her dragon to unite them and lead them, if the rumors from beyond the Wall are to be true."

Lyanna was reminded of her discussion with uncle Benjen and also Zyraxes fear of whatever might be beyond the wall and got curious. "Maester Aemon, tell me is there any truth to those rumors about the Others and walking corpses beyond the wall?"

Aemon frowned. "It's possible, Maesters of the Citadel would probably tell you the Long Night is just a tale, but the fact is the Wall have been built for a reason just as is the fact that our rangers disappeared and that wildlings are abandoning entire villages and those we capture swear on theirs lives they saw or were attacked by a walking corpses. These are too many signs to be ignored."

Lyanna suddenly felt cold, which rundown her neck."I see, do you believe it?"

"You don't? Magic flows through the blood of House Targaryen. A magical creature hatched in your presence. Beyond the Wall, well, it was always a strange place full of strange creatures and magic. And to simply dismiss legends of the Long Night as a fairy tale is simply foolish when there are so many things and structures left in the world associated with it, even in Essos. For example, the place is like five forts on the northern border of the Yi-ty Empire, which fulfill the similar defensive role like The Wall in Westeros."

"Interesting, so you want me to defend the Wall one day?" Lyanna asked with curiosity in her voice.

Aemon shrugged. "It is my hope, yes, however as for now I think that you should concentrate on your and Zyraxes survival. Dragons will grow fast when well fed and soon you will not be able to hide Zyraxes anywhere."

"Hmm I always wanted to leave for Essos and join some mercenary company and live the life of adventure for some time already. Now it seems I will have a better reason to do it other than my desire."

Aemon offered Lyanna a second document which he picked out of his chest. "Here, if you go to Essos you will need this."

She took the paper and quickly looked into it. "What is it?" Document was well preserved and on the lower bottom were two names and two seals, on the left was signed her father Prince Rhaegar Targaryen and under his name was seal made of red wax, three headed sigil of house Targaryen. On the right was signed Sealord Ferrego Antaryon the Second and under it was yellow seal, two oppositely jointed triangles with two hands coming from their center on both sides. Lyanna didn't know either sigil or name, though the title of sealord she managed to connect with the ruler of Braavos.

"It's a document which entitles you to the large sum of gold your father deposited in the Iron Bank, it should be 250 000 gold dragons. It could be useful to you if you are going to go to Essos."

Lyanna was shocked. "250 000?! I know he was a crown Prince but to amass such a sum and why did you have this document here? I mean wouldn't he want to have this wealth at his disposal?"

Aemon shrugged. "As you said he was a crown Prince and Prince of Dragonstone, so he had his incomes to gain gold, besides the royal treasury was full so nobody was able to notice that from time to time some small amount of gold disappeared. And as to why I had this document here? Well Rhaegar began to be careful when his father hired a certain spy from Lys, Varys the Spider. Rhaegar knew that if this document should be safe it must be somewhere where Varys can't find it, hence he sent it to me for safekeeping."

"And will they really give me this gold, I mean it's a lot."

"Of course they will give it to you. Iron Bank must keep their word, their reputation is built upon it. You just will have to prove you are Rhaegar's daughter, either show them your dragon, or ask your uncle Lord Eddard for some sort of proof, I am sure in the Tower of Joy was some document proving Rhaegar and Lyanna's marriage."

Lyanna was grateful to maester Aemon for everything he gave her. "I truly thank you again for everything Maester Aemon."

"You don't need to thank me, I told you what you can do for me. Plus you gave me, the old Targaryen, a hope that our house is not done yet and you gave me a chance to meet a living dragon." Aemon's face brightened with a contented smile, which quickly disappeared and was replaced by a seriously looking expression. "Do you know what to do now?"

"Yes, I have to leave everything and everyone I ever knew behind and go to Essos and keep my dragon safe. Though, I am not sure if I am ready and capable to do that."

Aemon sympathized with her, but he knew it's the only way to protect her for now. So he decided to encourage Lyanna one last time. "Yours and Zyraxes safety are in the question here, do it."

"But Lord Stark might not let me go so easily…."

"It doesn't matter, you will protect him too, so do it." Aemon put his hand on Lynna's cheek. "You will find little joy in leaving what you knew all your life but with luck you will find the strength to do what needs to be done. Kill the girl… Kill the girl and let the woman be born.

XXXX

Ned was leaving Lord Commander's solar with mixed feelings. "The wildlings have a king and the dead are walking beyond the Wall. What comes next, return of dragons?" He was escorted by a member of the Watch directly towards the rookery where Lyanna was supposed to speak with Maester Aemon. Once he saw Benjen, he fastened his movement.

Benjen spotted him and just grinned and motioned with his hand like nothing happened. "Greetings brother, I wondered when you would show up." Benjen looked at Ned's escorter. "That will be all Ed. I'll take it from here, go back to your business."

"As you say, first Ranger." Black brother turned around and walked away.

Ned directly walked to Benjen and with a dangerously calm voice asked. "Whose idea was this?"

Benjen feigned surprise. "This? I mean, legend says that Bran the Builder built the Wall, so I guess the Night's Watch had to be his idea."

Ned wasn't really in the mood for Benjen's jests right now, but he decided to be patient for now. "Brother, this is not what I ask and you know it."

Benjen folded his arms and sighed. "Lyanna asked me to take her here to see Maester Aemon."

"So you did just that… And without my permission or knowledge. What were you thinking, Benjen? And why would she want to speak with that old maester anyway?"

"You are up for surprise, Ned and let me warn you ahead, she is not exactly fond of you right now. Which is no surprise to me as I always warned you what might happen if she finds out the truth about her parents."

Ned blinked in on sudden confirmation that Lyanna found out who her parents were. "How did she find out, have you told her?"

"No, I wish. But really no, she already suspected there was something strange about her. I just made sure there was no misinterpretation."

"What are you talking about?"

"Ned, when she came to me and she was quite distressed and confused, she discovered something in the crypts. Something which reacted towards her Targaryen blood. It's also the reason she asked me to escort her here in the first place because she hoped to get help from Maester Aemon."

Ned was the one who was now confused. "What in the seven hells she could find beneath Winterfell that would make her come here and even remotely help her discover the truth about her parentage and why did she need maester Aemon?"

Benjen put his hand on Ned's shoulder and told almost in whisper. "I think you should ask Lyanna when you are with her somewhere out of sight and out of earshot. The matter is delicate and could be dangerous to our family."

Ned frowned. "I don't like riddles Benjen, why don't you just tell me what is going on with Lyanna?"

"Just trust me on this Ned, you will learn everything in time from her. Well, that is if she is willing to talk to you at all."

Ned knew what that meant. "She hates me, doesn't she?"

"I don't think she hates you. I would say she is just angry and disappointed, nothing that can't be mended with an honest talk between you two, brother. Just be careful with her." Benjen smiled reassuringly and removed his hand.

Ned frowned. "You planned to get me here didn't you?"

Benjen shrugged. "I knew you would come after Lyanna and you wanted to know in what state the Night's Watch is, so when Lyanna asked me to take her here I simply took the opportunity to kill two birds with the single swing. Besides, if I refused and didn't take her here, she would probably venture to Castle Black on her own. By coming with Lyanna. I could keep her out of harm's way."

"I suppose that was indeed wise, thank you, Benjen."

Benjen noded with a smile which quickly disappeared. "So, have you spoken with the Lord Commander?"

"Yes, I have. And it was really strange. You don't hear about the Others or walking corpses everyday to be sure."

"What can I say, it would seem that winter is coming. What are you making of it?" Benjen asked with an inquisitive tone.

"Truth be told, I am not sure what to think. I know that neither you or Lord Mormont are liars, and the missing rangers in large numbers are reason to be concerned. So there is clearly something wrong out there. You told me about this king beyond the wall some time ago so there is that, though these rumors of walking corpses is what disturbs me the most."

"Do you believe it, Ned or not?"

"It's hard to believe it to be honest, even if we admit the Others and their undead armies once existed, they were gone for thousands of years. But all those reports are too numerous to be just an accident. Still I can't just send ravens to every corner of Westeros over the unconfirmed rumors."

So you will do nothing? Ned, I know it might be seen as a fairy tale, however all signs point out to the opposite. The Night's Watch can't survive or hold the Wall in its current state. We need help." Benjen stated with urgency clear in his voice.

Ned sighed. "I didn't say I am not going to do something, Benjen. I will try to encourage people of the North who have nothing to gain anywhere else to go and join the Watch, I can even send the raven to Robert to King's Landing to help the Watch too, yet the lords and ladies of the Seven Kingdoms won't believe just my word, we will need a proof Benjen. Without it no one would trust us about the Others or wights."

Benjen thought about it for a second then he spoke. "We will need a wight, or which is less probable case, the Other captured to convince the people of this threat, is that what you are saying?"

"Well, it may sound like something a madman would suggest, although I can't see any other way which we could use to convince people that the Others had returned, myself included."

Benjen noded. "I understand, I am going to assemble a group of Rangers then and I suppose we are going to hunt and capture the living corpse."

Ned got a sudden feeling of worry for his younger brother. "Benjen, do not risk your life on this, we need to find out what is going on but do not get yourself killed."

"It's my duty to serve the Night's Watch. If I die doing it.. well, I made an oath to do so."

Before Ned could say anything, doors opened and Lyanna came out. She immediately stopped in her tracks and froze while looking at Ned with an unreadable expression. Ned didn't lose any time and took an authoritative pose. "Lyanna, I think we should talk about your leaving without my permission."

Lyanna firstly gave a look to Benjen, who just shrugged and smiled at her. Then she looked to the ground. "Well… fuck."

So there we have it, the fifth chapter. Who would have thought the Dark Sister was with Aemon, huh? And since Lord Commander Mormont has no reason to give Lyanna the Long Claw, I decided she would receive this weapon. I hope you like this creative decision. And yes despite my claims that the Others won't be coming into the story anytime soon, I will dedicate a few chapters to them and their threat as Benjen has a goal now. I also know I teased Ned and Lyanna (Visenya) meeting and it was maybe not what you expected but if I write anything more in this chapter it would be too long. Next up: road back to Winterfell and perhaps something more. I don't know when I will upload the next chapter as my time schedule in university is quite unpredictable, however I am already writing it, so hopefully it won't take so long.