Winterfell 283 AC.

Ser Arthur Dayne.

All the way on the journey North he had tried to make sense of what had happened in Kings Landing. That the new Hand of the king knew the truth was difficult enough to take considering who he served, that he seemed to suggest that there could come a time in the future where he would support Daeron's claim, was more than he could have hoped.

He wasn't the only one having a hard time of it, Ned Stark seemed almost in a daze because of it. His foster father conspiring against his friend had left him in a quandary, that his nephew was also involved made even Arthur feel a little sorry for the man. Though the conversation he had with the Crannogman made that sympathy soon disappear.

"Life is a strange thing, Ser Arthur, how different things can be just by the smallest of changes." Howland Reed said one night when he had stayed up late after being on guard.

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Had I arrived but a day later that babe may not have been born, had Lyanna not helped me then she'd have never ridden in that joust, she would never have been unmasked by Rhaegar and who knows how the realm would turn out."

He looked to the man playing over what he said in his head, Was he speaking true? Would Rhaegar and Lyanna have still met, would they have still fallen for each other had she not ridden? Would the realm be better for it if they had not? Looking back at the cart where Wylla lay sleeping with Daeron he thought not, despite everything that had happened he'd not give up the babe for anything.

"Then it's just as well you arrived when you did is it not?"

"Aye, it is, you need to be firm when you get there Arthur, with them both." Howland said and he looked at him.

"He's been told what to do by his foster father, he'll do it will he not?".

"Ned would raise the boy as a bastard Arthur, he'd teach him and have him grow up next to his son, but she would not have it and so there'll be a distance, a gap, and Ned for peace of mind will allow that gap to get much worse." Howland said.

"He'd treat him lesser?" he said angrily.

"He would."

The closer they got to the North, the more it became clear what Howland said was true, so one night he stopped Ned from going to his bed and asked him to sit with him for a while.

"What you're thinking it stops now." he said and Ned looked at him.

"I don't know of what you speak Arthur."

"You tell yourself whatever lies you need to, you make whatever excuse you can, you heard Jon Arryn as well as I, should you not deliver, then I'll be gone, the boy too. I swear it on the old gods, and when I come back then there won't be anything in this world that'll stop my blade on that I give you my oath." he said as Ned paled as he looked at him.

It took them another two moons to get to Winterfell and by that time the cold had already gotten deep into his bones. He had been to the Vale once and while not the warmest place in Westeros, compared to this it was like the sun itself. He could only hope to bear it for however many years it would be until Jon Arryn called for Daeron to come foster.

As they entered the gates he saw the men lined up, he looked and saw the woman who was no doubt, Catelyn Tully, her red hair and blue eyes made her a striking woman and she smiled at her husband, the smile, however, left her face quickly upon seeing the babe in Wylla's hands. She said nothing though and he watched as a man who could only be a Stark stepped forward and he and the rest of those in the courtyard took a knee.

"Winterfell is your's my lord." Benjen Stark said and Arthur chuckled when after bidding them to rise, Ned Stark hugged his younger brother before moving towards his wife.

"My lady, it is good to see you well." Ned Stark said and Catelyn held out the babe to present him to his father.

"Your son my lord, Robb Stark, the heir to Winterfell." and he caught both the edge in her voice and the way she looked to Daeron.

"My lady, you honor me so." Ned said smiling as he held the babe.

He was introduced and while she was pleasant enough she barely focused on him, Benjen, however, looked at him with awe, while an older man with whiskers and another younger man looked surprised to see him there. The room he was given was decent enough and was very close to the nursery at his request, he actually carried Daeron's crib inside himself placing it as close to Robb's as he could.

He was settling Daeron in while Wylla took a nap when the lady herself came in, but when she saw him holding Daeron she turned to leave.

"Lady Catelyn a moment please." he said and she looked back to him.

"Ser Arthur." she said curtly.

"I know how people in the south treat children born out of wedlock, I'll not allow it around my nephew, not even by the lady of the house, so speak to your husband, show him your disdain, but do not do so around Jon."

"Who do you think you are to speak to me so?" she said angrily.

"I am the boy's uncle, he is my blood, it is my duty to see him raised right and treated well. Take comfort in the fact that we will be gone in a few years my lady, before the boys eight name day we will be here no more. I ask you not to love him, you may ignore him if you must, but be friendly and courteous as befit's a lady and I shall ensure Jon does the same and treats you with the respect your station deserves."

She left and he sighed hoping his words took, later that night he argued with Ned Stark and made the same threat as he had before.

"I am not the only one who knows of Jon my lord, we made a promise, remember that and the oath I gave you."

Kings Landing 283 AC.

Yohn Royce.

Every time he held her in his arms he felt the tears threaten to fall, every smile she gave him, every blink of her eyes, he saw her, he saw the sister as he looked at the niece. Elaena, just saying the name made him smile, it was so much like her to pick such a name he thought, the story of the Three Maids in the Tower was ever Jeyne's favorite.

"If I should ever have a babe Yohn, I'd name her for one of the maids."

He had laughed at the time, his little sister had been but seven name days old, she had then been married and widowed young, childless, and had thought to remain so her heart so broken by her husband's death. But surprisingly she and his lord had met and gotten along, they had married and as he heard the little babe belch loudly he laughed at the wonder he held in his hands.

"I thought I'd find you here." Jon Arryn said walking into the nursery.

"I cannot help it, my lord, she reminds me of her so."

"Me too Yohn, me too." Jon Arryn said his voice soft as he looked at the babe.

"Your wife still not taken with the babe?" he asked a tad bitterly though he knew the marriage had been forced.

"No, I had hoped, but it seems not to be. Which is why I must ask you a favor old friend."

"Ask of me anything."

"Elaena is my heir, unless I am blessed with a boy. I need her raised as such, I ask you to do so Yohn, to raise her to rule the Vale one day."

"Would it not be better for you to do so Jon?"

"I am Hand of the king and the king doesn't rule Yohn, if I don't, then the Lannisters will fill that gap. I would neglect her not by choice, but by circumstance, your girl Ysilla is the same age is she not? They could grow up together."

"The babe needs her father Jon, you would deprive her of that?" he said his voice cutting.

"I will always be her father and what time I can give her I will, you know this of me Yohn, but even where I to resign, I'd not be able to give her the time she needs, you, your lady wife, your children." Jon said his voice almost pleading now.

He looked at his lord seeing how hard it was for him to ask this of him, how much he wished he did not have to.

"I will Jon, I will gladly."

"I thank you, Yohn, I know she would were she here too."

"She'd smack us both around the head and tell us to look after her babe." Yohn said and even Elaena laughed when he did.

They said a tearful goodbye to Jon a few days later and any doubt he had of how much the man loved his babe was removed as he saw him fuss over her. Lysa never once came to see her, nor did she come to wave her off and as the ship sailed off he began to think it for the best he brought her home. The journey to Gulltown was hard, the weather bad and yet Elaena was quiet all the way.

"Such a quiet babe my lord. Even when the other babe was put close not a sound did she make." Marla said and he looked to her.

"Other babe?"

"Lord Stark's babe my lord."

He nodded as he walked up to the deck needing fresh air to clear his head, Jon Snow, Lord Stark's bastard and the other surprise Jon Arryn dropped on him before leaving.

"I've agreed to foster Ned's lad when he's older Yohn."

"That's good my lord, named him for the king did he not?"

"No the other son Yohn, young Jon, the one he named after me."

"The bastard my lord?"

"A babe Yohn, an innocent."

"Of course my lord."

"He and his uncle will be coming to the Vale when he's old enough, I wish you to take him into your service."

"His uncle?"

"The boy will squire for his uncle and it'll be a boon for you to have The Sword of the Morning to call upon would it not."

"Ser Arthur, the boy is a Dayne?"

"In all but name Yohn."

Yohn had no problem with the boy's birth, he knew some would and some did but he never cared for such a thing. He had met good men and bad men, trueborns the lot of them. It wasn't what side of the sheets you were born on, it was what kind of a man you were which defined you. A lad trained by Ser Arthur Dayne, he looked forward to seeing that in the future, to comparing the boy's skills to that of his own sons.

Leaning over the side of the deck he felt his stomach empty and after clearing his head he went back down to the cabin to find Marla looking a little worse for wear and gave her leave to go empty her own stomach. He moved closer to the crib to see Elaena laying there, a small smile on her face, her eyes open as she looked around, the shaking of the waves having no effect on her at all.

The journey from Gulltown to Runestone was relatively easy, the weather held up and Yohn once again found himself amazed at Elaena's quietness, the babe not crying once on the way. He even found himself riding back to the carriage on occasion just to make sure she was well and found her sitting in Marla's arms eagerly looking out the window.

"She seems happy?" he said to Marla as he saw Runestone in the distance.

"She is my lord, she seems to like this place much more than the capital."

"It does smell better." Yohn said with a smile and he laughed when Elaena giggled at him.

They reached Runestone a little later and he was happy to see Yara standing there with his children, his boys lined up to greet him, Ander growing taller every day and Robar and Waymar looking on happily and proudly as he got off his horse. He looked to his wife who was holding Ysilla in her arms, her questioning look at Elaena and Marla quickly replaced by a smile.

"Runestone is yours, my lord." Yara said and he leaned in and kissed her cheek, making sure not to crush his daughter with his armor as he did so.

"It is good to be home, my lady. Marla, bring Elaena close so she can see her aunt." he said and the wetnurse and the babe walked over "Boys come here and meet your cousin."

After the introductions were made and he was settled in he went to speak Strong Sam to see if there was anything he needed to know, knowing that even better than his Steward his Master of Arms kept up to date with what the Mountain Clans were up to. He found the man as he always did, drilling his men, there was no one he'd rather have as part of his household than Sam and he wondered how he'd take to Ser Arthur and Jon Snow when they arrived in a few years.

"My lord."

"Samwell, what news?"

"The Black Ears and the Burned Men have been causing trouble on Hunter and Templetons lands my lord, we've been left alone so far. I sent out a few patrols just to make sure, had Helliweg send them raven's offering help should it be needed."

"Good man Samwell."

"You my lord, how fares you, your trip to the Capital?"

"Strange tidings Samwell, I brought my niece back to foster." he said and Sam smiled, Jeyne was always a favorite of his as she was of most of Runestone's Household, so he had no doubt Elaena would be too "But I sometimes don't understand Jon's mind, it seems she's not to be the only one to foster."

"My lord?"

"Ned Stark's lad, his bastard and his uncle are coming to stay with us when he is of age."

"Ned's lad?" Sam said another small smile on his face.

"Aye, you know who his uncle is don't you?"

"No my lord." Sam said surprising him.

"Ser Arthur Dayne." he said and for the first time, he could remember he saw genuine excitement on Sam's face.

"The Sword of the Morning, having him her is a great boon, my lord."

"Aye, him and the lad, well I'll leave you to it, come see Elaena when you get the chance Samwell."

"I will, thank you my lord."

After talking to his steward and to Helliweg he walked to the nursery finding Marla and his wife there, both of them laughing over the babes. He walked into the room to find Marla holding Ysilla and his wife holding Elaena and he smiled, at least Jon Arryn got that right. His niece would know love here, he, his wife and Marla would see to it, so what if the fish was too stupid or stubborn to share her own.

Runestone 287 AC.

Jon Arryn.

Being Robert's Hand was far more work than he had envisioned, far more time consuming, Robert's tendency to spend coin far more quickly than they made it causing him countless sleepless nights. Behind everything stood Tywin Lannister ready to offer his support, his coin, his counsel, he had offered them 500,000 gold dragons to remove Jaime from his vows and he had tried his best to get Robert to accept.

But the queen, the king, and Jaime himself scuppered that plan, and so instead of gaining they had borrowed coin. Most of it going on Joffrey's name day tourney, the king ordered the realm to celebrate and so they did. No matter his attempts at curtailing the expense, his arguments with Robert over counting coppers led nowhere and he was glad for this break, glad to be back in a place where the air was clean.

Riding into the Keep he looked and was happy to see her standing there, his daughter smiling up at him, her long blond hair and bright blue eyes making her stick out among the Royces. Dismounting his horse he walked to Yohn and took the usual introductions, almost too eager in his desire to move to his daughter and when he reached her she curtsied before he opened his arms and then she ran to him.

"Papa, you're here." she said as he scooped her up in his arms.

"Of course I am my love, you think I'd miss your name day?"

"No papa, missed you."

"Missed you too sweetling." he said and she laughed as he tickled her and carried her inside.

"Have you been studying like a good girl?" he asked and she nodded.

"Yes papa, we learned of the houses, of their words, As High as Honor." she said proudly and he chuckled as he mussed her hair.

"Very good Elaena, will you sit with me tonight."

"Of course papa." she said and he let her down so she could run to Ysilla who was waiting for her.

"She looks well Yohn." he said and Yohn nodded.

"She's been looking forward to your visit for moons, how fares you Jon?"

"Tired Yohn, though I'm all the better though for seeing her, for seeing you." he said a small smile on his face.

"Lady Lysa?"

"Things are better Yohn, she seems a little happier, though the loss of the babes hasn't helped."

"Aye, I was sorry to hear of it Jon."

"I thank you, come let's get inside, I'm sure my daughter will wish to see her presents." he said and Yohn laughed a little more then.

She had been indeed, the little toy falcon especially being one of her favorites, the feathers so soft that she giggled every time she rubbed them against her face. After putting her to bed himself and thanking Marla for saying on as he always did, he sat at the table with Yohn, a glass of warm cider in his hands.

"I tell you Yohn, that man has no care for coin, no care at all."

"He is the king Jon."

"Between him and the queen they just spend, nothing I say seems to get through to either of them, if it weren't for knowing Tywin Lannister would take my place I'd give him the damn pin back."

"It's really that bad?"

"You saw the tourney Yohn, nearly 200,000 that cost, for one tourney." he said shaking his head.

"It was the prince's name day Jon, surely that makes a difference."

"You would think so and if it were just that I'd accept it, but it's on top of all the other things Yohn.." he said and Yohn looked at him.

"I received a letter from Ser Arthur." Yohn said and Jon was surprised.

"You did?"

"Aye, from his nephew actually, he wished to thank me for the opportunity for his wardship here, said he was looking forward to coming and spending time at Runestone."

"Considerate lad, I sent him a letter some time ago telling him that it'd be here rather than the capital and explaining the reasons why, he sent me back one, thanking me for my thoughts and promised he'd make me proud." Jon said thinking back to the letter he got a few moons earlier.

"It's good to see Ned's teaching him well." Yohn said and he looked at him.

"I'd say Ser Arthur too, the man is as chivalrous as he ever was."

He left the next morning taking Elaena on to the Eyrie, she had visited the place just once, but as his heir he wished her to know it more. His daughter was usually so quiet and as she rode in the carriage she proved so, but when he took her out at the smooth parts of the road, when he had her ride in front of him the questions came quick and fast.

"Why can't we ride all the way papa?"

"Do I have to go in the basket?"

"What's a mule."

"Can I see the moon door?"

He found he could bearly keep up with her, but it was the smile on her face as she rode in front of him that he kept looking to, her mother's smile, it both warmed his heart and broke it at the same time. He held her hand tightly as they walked the rocks, his little girl wrapped up warmly against the winds, peering past him over the edge and showing no fear of the drop, which was more than could be said for him.

When they reached the Eyrie itself she raced around the castle, opening door after door and despite himself being out of breath, despite being tired, he found himself joyfully chasing after her. In the end, it wore her out and she sleepily shrugged when he asked if she was tired, shaking her head when he put her to bed and yet falling asleep within moments.

"Goodnight my little Eyas." he said kissing her forehead.

The moon he spent in the Vale went by far quicker than he had hoped it would, it seemed he had not enough time to do all he should, deferring some things he didn't get done to Nestor and happy to see Eleana and Miranda get along so well. He spent as much time as he could with his daughter, but it didn't feel like a lot and she like he was as sad as he when the time came to part.

He visited Robert's girl and made sure she was well looked after, Mya growing well and healthy he was glad to see, but as he took sail in Gulltown he found it was his own girl his thoughts were on, and instead of Robert's it was his own feelings of a father's failure he lingered on.

Winterfell 286 AC.

Ned.

As he paced Jon and Robb looked at him, neither of them used to seeing him so agitated, so nervous, but he worried about Cat, about the babe she carried, worried and thought of Lyanna. He had lost his sister to the birthing bed, and while Cat had delivered Robb without a problem, he still felt the fear. Even Jon coming over to him and taking his hand in his had not made the fear lessen, thankful though he was for the attempt.

Arthur stood a little away, close enough to Jon that he'd not be in any danger, even indoors, even surrounded by guards, Arthur was never more than a sword's length away from Jon. Seeing the man give him a nod of understanding was strange, in the three years he'd been here they'd never become friends, Arthur was always there, watching, judging, waiting for him to slight his king.

Ned had been furious at what Cat had told him, he had confronted the man and Arthur just shrugged, they'd not spoken for almost a moon after it. Now though, three years later he could honestly admit it had been for the best, Cat had warmed to the boy some, had even comforted him when he hurt his knee, which brought a tear to his eye. Whether it was Arthur's threat, or the knowledge he'd be leaving in time, Ned wasn't sure of the cause but he was happy for it.

"My lord, you have a daughter." Luwin said stepping from the room.

"My wife?"

"Is safe and well my lord."

"Did you hear that boys, you have a sister, your jobs are to protect her, to be her knight, just like I am your's Jon" Arthur said and Jon and Robb nodded and Ned smiled at the serious look on both boy's faces.

He walked into the room and found Cat laying in bed, her eyes barely opened, so he quickly went to her first taking her hand in his he kissed her forehead and she gave him a tired smile.

"A girl my lord, are you pleased?" she asked a note of worry in her voice.

"I am as happy as I could ever be my lady, that you and our daughter are safe and well fills my heart with joy." he said and the smile she gave him was beaming.

"Sansa my lord, I would like to call her Sansa with your permisson."

"I would be honored to have my daughter named so, sleep Cat, sleep now my love." he said and kissed her head again.

He walked over to the crib and looked in, his little girl, her eyes opened wide, her little finger in her mouth. Reaching in he rubbed her cheek laughing when she smiled before leaning in to kiss her forehead.

"Boys you can see your sister, but you need to be most quiet, her mother needs her sleep." he said after walking back outside and both boys nodded, Jon's dark eyes meeting his own.

Seeing the smile on Jon's face as he looked down at Sansa, seeing Robb's, he allowed them a few moments before letting the wet nurse take the babe and allowing Luwin back inside. Waking early the next morning he walked to the room to see his wife and child and smirked seeing Jon standing outside the door, his little wooden sword in his hand.

"Jon, what are you doing?"

"I am guarding the princess." Jon said his voice ever so serious and he looked to Arthur who was hiding his grin.

"The guard wished to relieve himself Lord Stark so Jon graciously offered to guard the door, I decided to stand here and wait for his return." Arthur said and Ned chuckled before turning back to Jon.

"May I pass good Ser?" he asked and Jon looked at him as if he was deciding if he were friend or foe.

"You can father, but I am ever watchful." Jon said and Ned had to get inside the door before he broke out laughing.

"Ned?" Cat asked from the bed as she saw him laugh holding Sansa in her arms.

"I was just dealing with the new guard, it seems he's very dutiful and wants to make sure no one would even dare to harm our little princess here." he said and she looked at him inquisitively "Jon, my lady, he guards the door." he said and was glad of the smile she gave him.

"Then I shall need to thank him later."

Over the next few weeks, he found that Jon would spar with Arthur, something he and Cat both disagreed with and wouldn't allow Robb take part in, he would then go to his lessons and after he would be found in one of two places. He'd either be playing with Robb somewhere or whatever room Cat and Sansa were in, Jon would be found standing outside, his sword in hand. ready should he be called upon.

When the letter came from Jon Arryn speaking of Runestone he called Arthur to speak to him, needing to wait until Jon was asleep before the knight would come. Handing him the letter he watched as Arthur nodded, then handed it back with not a comment and he knew he would need to initiate this conversation yet again.

"You have no issue with this?"

"The Vale is better for him than Kings Landing."

"I agree, I was thinking more of the fostering itself, you see how close he and Robb are, how he feels about Sansa, you would take him from them?"

"It is your foster father who wishes to do so, you know my wishes, Lord Stark."

"Dammit Arthur, call me by my damn name." he said his voice rising.

"What would you do with him Ned should he stay, give him a keep, raise him right? Your wife may be pleasant to him, she may even like him somewhat, but should she find he is staying and not leaving, then would that change?"

"Cat is more than pleasant to him, she'd be happy if he stayed." he said and while he meant it, he worried he was wrong about it.

"Perhaps, but if we leave, if Jon Arryn does as he said he might, if that's to be a reality, then we have to go, even if not, he needs to be his own man away from here."

"His family is here." Ned said his voice raised yet again.

"As they always will be, who knows Ned, maybe he'll decide to just be a knight, maybe that's all he'll wish for and we'll both be released from our promise."

Arthur said no more and Ned watched as he walked from the room, a part of him wishing to run after the man, to tell him he could not take his son from him. But the voice in the back of his head, his sister's voice was as loud as ever.

"Promise me, Promise me Ned."

A/N: As always thanks to all who've read and especially those who've reviewed. A small little note on this story, while it's started with Jon once again young it will move quicker through his childhood, so we'll see some jumps as we go, Also to Arthur Jon will always be Daeron in his head, so he may think of him like that for a while. Up Next the Greyjoy rebellion brings changes to Jon's life.

Kellar Blair: The Dragon Knight.

Paulies: Thanks so much, I like to change things up so here we get a different Jon Arryn.

Guest: Glad you liked it.

Xand007: Thanks so much my friend, hope you like this one too.

Posiedon: Really glad you liked it.

Melina: Like all writers of fic, I go into them with my own faves and Biases, what I try to do to negate them is write characters differently, I won't get into a debate about Canon Cat, I have different thoughts on her and Ned than a lot of people, but I try to make each character consistent to the reasoning and justification in my story, not to be canon compliant as it's an au and canon goes out the door to an extent as soon as you make a change. Here as you see is more a canon compliant Cat, she actually may even be more friendly towards Jon because of the change in circumstances. As for me being overly glorifying to Jon, this is in no way different than anyone who writes a Dany cenric, Sansa Centric, Robb centric story, the main characters will always be less flawed than those around them, so in some ways always glorified.

PsYoNaDe: you and me both lol.

Goblin: Glad you liked it.

Kunochi: Thanks my friend. As I said it's good to play with a character and have them different, so Jon A will be much different here, Cat will be lesser involved as it'll in some ways be more Lysa that Jon and Elaena have to deal with, what fun that'll be for them lol.

Patriot: So glad you liked it.

Svenion: Really glad you enjoyed it.

Godoftheseas: I always this if you can have Arthur live, then why wouldn't you.

Outcome: If your doing a Jon Centric story then certain characters need to be prominent, mainly the ones around him, I try to change things around but I have my own faves and biases with charactes so those characters will always get more attention/prominence in my stories, as would certain characters in a Sansa Centric or Arya Centric story. I think by now my preferences are known, so coming in anyone who's read my work has an idea of where certain things may go.

Bigdog: Thanks so very much, hope you liked it.

Leinad: Muchas gracias, me alegro de que te haya gustado.

Arianna: Hope the above answered those questions.

Lostindarkness: Thanks so much my friend.

Guest: The schedule remains the same, I too dislike OC's especially in pairings, much prefer to keep to canon, but for this one there just isn't a canon character that works for the premise, so I had to make one, hopefully you'll like Elaena.

Softballsgirl: Thanks so much.

Blizzard: Really glad you liked it.

Mrs Potter: Hope you enjoy it.

Dunk: Being in lockdown helps lol, I also work from home and as long as I have my projects done, it gives me a lot of free time to write, plus I find it relaxing, therapeutic so there's that too.

Anna C: Thanks so much, hope you enjoy it.

Xan Merrick: Thank you my friend, hope you like it.

Eirador: I wanted to do a Vale story for a while, but getting Jon there other than the usual way didn't work for me, so coming up with something a little different allowed it to come.

Anime Princess: Thanks so much, hope you enjoyed it.

Serpanoir: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.

Huntsman: That may be a record lol.

Naruto: Thanks so much, we will see some serious plotting in this, both for Varys and Jon A.

Paulyb: Hope you liked it.

Victoria: Thanks so much my friend. I really hope you like where this one goes.