Winterfell 295 AC.

Aemon.

He had felt like a child again, a young boy embarking on a grand adventure. All the way to Winterfell the feeling never left him and the only drawback was that he couldn't see the lands he traveled through. Benjen and his companions however did their very best to describe them to him and his own memories of the North filled in the gaps. Yet it was only later when he spoke to his nephew and had Daeron tell him of Winterfell itself that the great keep became something he could picture in his mind once more.

Finding that Daeron was already there and ready to greet them himself had been a wonderful surprise as he had feared he'd need to wait for his arrival and so be more limited in the time he got to spend with him. It was not to be the only great surprise he was given when he arrived and spoke to his nephew. Daeron took no time to be alone with him so that he could share the incredible news from Essos.

"They've found them uncle, both of them." Daeron said excitedly as they sat in the rooms he'd been given for the duration of his stay.

"Found who, nephew?"

"Viserys and Daenerys, uncle. They're safe from the usurper's blades and are with men we can trust."

"For true, nephew? Both of them?" he asked eagerly.

"Both of them, uncle. I have the letter myself signed by Magister Illyrio. Viserys is to travel with Lord Connington to be introduced to the Company of the Sea Snake and its leaders and Daenerys will stay with the Magister at his manse."

"She will be safe there?" he asked slightly worriedly, though far less so than he had been for many a year.

"She will uncle. Illyrio is one of if not the most powerful Magister in Pentos. His manse is secured as much as any keep is and not only will Daenerys be protected there, but she'll have the comforts she's missed for so long as well as access to a Septa to help educate her in the ways of Westeros." Daeron said, his own joy clear in his tone.

"I had not dared to hope." Aemon said softly.

"In time they can come back here and visit you or were it able to be arranged mayhap you could travel to visit them?" Daeron asked and Aemon shook his head.

"I fear I'd not have such a journey left in me, nephew. Mayhap you could see them on my behalf or see they get any letter I may wish to send to them?"

"I intend for both, uncle. When I'm able, I intend to travel to see my uncle and my aunt and we can arrange with Lord Varys for any letter you wish to be delivered to them arrives unmolested." Daeron said and Aemon nodded.

"Very good. Now tell me of this young girl of yours." he said with a smile on his face, one which only grew as Daeron spoke of his betrothed.

It had been far too long since a match was made for love in his house. Those that were never ended well according to some, but then those that weren't hadn't ended well either. Listening to his nephew speak of his betrothed he felt that this particular match would and could be one of the few which did. Speaking of matches soon had him discussing what was to occur with Viserys and Daenerys and would Daeron seek matches for them both. Something his nephew seemed reluctant about.

"It's not my place, uncle." Daeron said and though he couldn't see it, Aemon could sense the frown on his nephew's face.

"You are the head of our House, nephew. If not your place then whose is it?"

"I have no wish to trade my family for favors, uncle."

"And yet this is the world we live in. I'm not telling you that you must, only that you must consider it. Speak to Lord Stark or Lord Arryn, to Lord Connington or Lord Varys and they'll tell you the same. I wager Ser Arthur would too, nephew. If it helps bring you the throne and restores our House's rightful place more easily, then it's something that at least must be considered." he said hoping that Daeron took his words for the counsel he meant them as.

"Very well, I'll consider it. Now come, it's time for our evening meal and I can introduce you to Elaena should you wish it."

"I very much do, nephew."

It turned out to be a brief meeting and it wasn't until a few days later that he got to spend any true time with Daeron's betrothed. Aemon found himself sitting alone in the Godswood when the girl and Sandor Clegane came his way. He enjoyed the peacefulness of the glade, the silence, and the solitude that it offered, and while he and his nephew as well as he and the Starks had come here more than once, he enjoyed coming alone just as much.

"Maester may I join you?" the girl's voice called out and he turned in the direction he believed she was walking from.

"Is that the Lady Elaena that I hear?" he asked, though he knew it was.

"It is Maester." she replied softly as he bid her take a seat beside him, the two of them sitting in silence for a few moments before she spoke "I find the quiet here to be most welcoming."

"As do I, child. I much prefer quiet to the hustle and bustle of a working keep. Helps me think." he said with a chuckle.

"I've wished to speak to you for some time, Maester. Since Daeron told me of you and your life at the Wall."

"My nephew speaks of me often does he?" he asked jokingly.

"You and others in his family."

"We are far less than what we should be in that regard." he said sadly and welcomed it when she took his hand in her own.

"I wanted you to know that what I feel for Daeron is true, Maester. I care not who he is or what he's meant to be, I mean I do." Elaena said and Aemon chuckled and bid her continue "What I mean is even were he not to be what he was, even were he what everyone believes him to be. He'd still be who I wish to wed."

"I believe he feels the same for you, Lady Elaena."

"Elaena." she said softly.

"It does my heart good to know he has found such a thing in his life and that you feel the same as he. It will take you both to do what is needed to be done and to right the wrongs in the Realm and I am most pleased to know I'll soon name you as kin." he said as he squeezed her hand.

They spoke some more, Elaena telling him of her mother and father, and of her brother while he told tales of his own family. By the time that Daeron came to escort him back to the keep, both of them were feeling the chill and were a little hungry and he welcomed the warmth of both the keep and the meal he ate that night. As he did the fire that Daeron lit himself in his room for him.

All too soon it came to the time when he had to leave and head back to the Wall and so he spoke to Lord Stark and thanked him and his wife not just for the welcome they'd given him, but for all they'd done for his nephew as well. He handed Daeron the two letters that he'd written out for his other niece and nephew and was stunned when Elaena handed him a cloak that she'd embroidered for him. Aemon welcomed its warmth as his nephew tied it around his shoulders.

"It was so good to meet you, Lady Elaena and though I shall not be able to attend yours and Ser Jon's wedding, I'd wish you both to know that I wish you all the very best and I am so happy for you both." he said as he felt the girl and then his nephew embrace him.

"I thank you for your good wishes, Maester Aemon, and I hope we can meet each other again soon." Elaena said and he could hear the sincerity in her voice.

"I shall see you soon, uncle, and I'll ensure any letters that come from our family reach you as quickly as they can." Daeron whispered in his ear and Aemon welcomed the idea of hearing from more kin.

"Stay Safe, Daeron, promise me that you'll stay safe." he whispered back.

"I promise."

The ride back to the Wall was very different than the one from it. His sense of excitement was replaced by one of regret and he so very much wished it was elsewhere he was riding to. Aemon offered up a prayer to the gods, both the Old and the New, he asked for them to look after his kin and begged them a chance to meet Viserys and Daenerys and to live to see his nephew crowned and his family restored. More than any of that though, he prayed that all three of them would be kept safe from harm and that was another dragon needed to be taken, then for it be him.

Lorath 295 AC.

Jon Connington.

He'd heard all the talk about Viserys over the years, heard how it was said that he was his father come again. That he showed signs of the affliction that had struck Aerys, and that the Targaryen Madness was prevalent in him. There had been many tales spoken of the Beggar Prince and as they sailed towards the Company's base, he wondered had that been why he'd not gone to him. Was that the reason he'd not sought our Rhaegar's brother and sister or was there something else?

He couldn't be sure and felt it wasn't truly a thread worth pulling on. Had he gone to them, who knows where he or they would be now and given that a son of Rhaegar's lived? Who knows what thoughts he'd have put in Viserys's head before they had found that out? The boy was already arrogant and entitled enough without him becoming Jon's tool for vengeance, justice, and redemption. It was far better that he'd not gone to them and even though they'd suffered from having the lack of a protector, he felt no guilt about it now.

What he did feel was a sense of responsibility, a sense of purpose. Illyrio had told him that Viserys saw himself as the rightful king and so Jon needed to dissuade him from this line of thinking. The boy thought himself clever and his words as going unnoticed, but he had uttered them in Illyrio's manse and the servants all had ears. So he had been overheard when he told his sister that he would take the men of the Company from his bastard nephew and with them he would then take his throne. It was a boy's hope, a foolish boy's hope, and it was a hope he would soon remove from him. One he'd already started to if he was being honest.

"Lord Connington." Viserys said as he joined him in breaking his fast.

"Just Jon, my prince." he said and noticed the small tremble of the prince's upper lip.

"My nephew, Jon, can you tell me where he is?"

"In Westeros." he said saying no more.

"And he truly is my brother's son?"

"As truly as you and your sister are your mother's children." Jon replied and again noticed the trembling of the prince's lip.

He'd begun to do this more and more over the course of the voyage, to name them both as Rhaella's far more than Aerys's children. Far better that Viserys sought to be like his mother than his father and when he'd told him why that was, the prince had the good sense to look shamed after his anger subsided. It had been a hard thing to tell a boy who still believed the very best about a man that he should not, but it had been needed. Jon remembered hearing the sobs of the boy as he went to sleep that night and called out his mother's name as he cursed his father for what he had done to her.

"Does he have the men to take the throne, Jon?" Viserys asked eagerly and this had been the one thing that had not changed in the prince's questioning, that eagerness, and glimmer in his eyes when he asked about the retaking of the throne was always there.

"In time he will have. But timing is important, my prince. Timing as much as men will decide the war to come." he said and Viserys looked at him keenly.

"Was it timing that lost the rebellion?" Viserys asked curiously.

"Many things lost us the rebellion, my prince. The forces allied against us fought for a single cause, we fought for many." Jon sighed.

"I don't understand."

"Your father was less than beloved, my prince, as I've spoken to you on." he said to a nod "Your brother, on the other hand, there was not a man in the realm who didn't love your brother."

"Other than Stark and Baratheon." Viserys spat.

"They had their reasons, right and wrong though they were. I know some say it was your brother and Lady Lyanna's disappearance that was the reason for the war and while it's true it was the spark, the flames had been set long before then. What your father did to the Starks was the true spark, as without it the realm would not have risen. Not even were the tales of your brother kidnapping the Lady Lyanna true."

"I always knew they were not." Viserys said firmly.

"No, they were not. Tales of your father, however.…when we arrive at the Company base speak to some of the men there who knew your father. Speak to Ser Richard Lonmouth who was your brother's former squire. Whatever it is you still don't believe about my words, my prince, speak to them and see if that is still how you feel." he said and Viserys nodded.

"Do you regret the rebellion, Jon?" Viserys asked a few moments later.

"I regret what it cost, my prince, I regret what it cost." he said sadly.

They arrived two days later and were welcomed at the docks by men of the Company, Viserys looking at them almost excitedly. Compared to how he looked at the barracks and the men training though it was as if he'd been disinterested. The look in his eyes briefly brought up images of his father in Jon's mind and so he shook his head until he could only see his silver prince once more. After getting the prince settled, he then explained to him that while he'd be given more comforts than the men or even the commanders themselves, he'd have to fend for himself much more than he was used to, something that seemed to displease him greatly.

"I am a K….Prince!." Viserys exclaimed.

"In a soldier's barracks, here you're a prince still but this is not a manse or a palace. Here everyone pulls together and so shall you, my prince." Jon said and he watched as the boy stormed off in a huff, the two guards right behind him and with orders not to leave his side or let him from their sight.

Taking his seat he welcomed the wine that Richard poured him and that his old friend had decided to join him while he drank it.

"He's far too entitled, Jon." Richard said as they drank.

"He's a prince."

"Who thinks himself a king?" Richard asked.

"A thought that we must remove from his head. There is a determination in there, Richard. Were we able to focus that in the right direction he could be a great asset to us and to our king."

"The princess?"

"Is her mother reborn." Jon smiled "She has Queen Rhaella's strength though I fear had she spent much more time with the prince alone, then she'd have been as beaten down by him as her mother was by her father." he said with disdain.

"And now?"

"And now she's to learn how to be the dragon she's meant to be. Illyrio believes she has it in her and just talking to her briefly, so do I."

Things went as he'd expected over the next week or so. Viserys on the surface was pliant, apart from one or two outbursts when he realized that he truly did have to be far more self-sufficient than he'd been in some time. That he was still getting it far easier than even he and Ser Richard were was at first lost on the prince, though as the days passed he seemed to come around to it more and more. What took much longer for him to come around to was the truth that these men couldn't be swayed to his side.

Jon allowed him free reign to try to get them to turn on Daeron and instead back his claim. He heard tales of fortunes being offered, lands, titles, and none of it having Viserys's desired effect. At times he'd see the prince looking despondent and yet he waited for almost a moon before he approached him and laid out the path he had in front of him.

"What am I to do with this?" Viserys asked as he caught the sparring sword.

"Train of course." he said back as he nodded and moved his own to strike the prince.

"I know how to wield a sword." Viserys said contemptuously.

"Then prove it."

He very much did not know how to wield a sword, far from it. His use of one was pitiful and after Jon knocked it from his hands and bid him pick it up and then repeated the action, Viserys's annoyance and frustration were clear.

"Your nephew killed near three and ten men not more than a few moons ago. He was knighted for it and when I faced him one on one, he beat me without breaking a sweat. You can never be king, my prince. It's not the role you were born for."

He looked at Viserys who glared back at him and seemed about to speak only to hold his tongue, the boy's eyes then going to the sword on the ground.

"But you are a prince of the blood. Uncle to a king and one of the last male heirs of the House of the Dragon. You cannot be a king, but that doesn't mean there is not a role for you to play. There have been great princes of House Targaryen have there not?" he asked and saw Viserys nod "Family is everything, my prince, blood is everything. Will you stand with your blood or fight against it?"

There was no sound to be heard, no movement from Viserys and the prince didn't even look at him for some time. Jon held his breath and then he smiled when Viserys moved to the sword and picked it up, holding it properly in his hands for once.

"My nephew will need men capable of wielding swords and leading armies will he not?" Viserys asked and Jon nodded.

"He will."

"Then we have much work to do to forge me into such a man. Shall we begin?"

"As you command, my prince." Jon said happily and looking to the determination in Visery's eyes, he looked forward to how he'd be when the time finally came to pay back those who'd dared to wake the dragon.

Pentos 295 AC.

Dany.

She giggled, it was something she did more and more during some of the lessons she took, and dancing always brought out the worst in her. That she danced only with servants or Unsullied was perhaps the reason for it. As when it was servants it was girls and no boys and when it was Unsullied, it was, Unsullied. It had been explained to her that her virtue was to be beyond reproach and so she needed to understand that being alone or too close to a boy was not something that was acceptable in Westeros.

It had taken her some time to understand even some of the most basic Westerosi customs and it showed her just how lacking her education had been. The things they did there were so very different from how things were done in Essos, from simple things such as eating and speaking to things like feasting and dancing. There was a propriety and protocol that was unknown to her and each time she made a mistake she felt like a foolish little girl. Yet she looked forward to each and every lesson and each moment she spent learning new things, even if at times she giggled.

"Princess." Septa Lemore said reproachfully.

"Forgive me Septa." she said as she nodded to Red Flea and they began to move again, the giggles soon coming once more.

"I think that's it for dancing today. Come, we must speak on the Houses of Westeros."

"Thank you, Red Flea." she said as she moved from the Unsullied, his face showing its usual lack of emotion as he walked to the door and Dany did her best not to giggle again.

It wasn't that she didn't enjoy dancing with one of the Unsullied or that they weren't surprising good dancers, it was they never changed expression no matter what. When she giggled, when she trod on their toes or looked into their eyes and tried to make them laugh, nothing could change their expression and it was funny to her. Even after Illyrio had explained why that was, what their training consisted of, and it had horrified her, she still giggled when she danced with them. She had taken great pains to tell them more than once that it was not at their expense that she did so.

Taking her seat she began to write out what it was she knew of the great and larger houses of Westeros. Their words, their history, and their allegiances as well as which side they had taken in the rebellion. She had learned more about them and it in the last couple of moons under Septa Lemore's guidance than she had in all her years before it. Some of the things surprised her greatly as she had always believed what Viserys had said about why her family was deposed. It was his words about the rebellion that she'd held true for so very long only for the truth to finally be revealed to her during the earliest of her lessons with the Septa.

At first, she'd refused to believe the words. Refusing to even consider that her father had been how Lemore said he was and she'd denied to herself and any who'd listen that he had done such terrible things. Then she'd worried that she too would be afflicted with the Targaryen madness that the Septa said her father suffered with. So much so that she'd not been able to sleep or eat for days and it had taken Illyrio himself to speak to her to bring her around. The tales he told her about her brother, her mother, and others in her family including her nephew made her see that it was not inevitable that she or Viserys would succumb to madness, nor was it even likely.

"He really burned people?" she asked as she sniffled.

"I'm afraid so, princess. What I know of your father is that he was never the same after being held prisoner at Duskendale, though I believe long before this he had shown signs."

"Like Vis has?" she asked worriedly and the Magister shook his head.

"Your brother was troubled, princess. I did not find him as showing signs of madness. Worry, pressure, constantly being on the run from those who would do you both harm and with no way of truly protecting a believed sister, that is what caused your brother's moods, or so I believe."

"You think he loves me?" she asked misunderstanding.

"How could he not, you are his sister. Speaking from experience it's a love that knows no bounds." Illyrio said sadly.

"Were you and your sister to wed too?" she asked and was surprised when Illyrio shook his head.

"No. The only man I ever deemed worthy of her hand was your brother. I speak of the love between siblings, the same love I see when your brother looked to you before he left."

"Will I marry my nephew then?" she asked curiously, understanding now a bit better what Illyrio was trying to say.

"I believe his grace is already betrothed. I'm sure you'll find a husband you are most pleased with and that just like me, your brother and nephew will only seek one worthy of you."

The thoughts of that were something that comforted her more and more and yet as she learned about the great houses, their allegiances, and how politics truly worked, she began to think that she may be matched for the best advantage to her house. When she asked Lemore the Septa said that this was often the way with matches in Westeros and she had once overheard Viserys speak of the same. It made her think of certain houses from time to time, consider places she may like to name her home as well as which houses brought their family the most benefits.

Starks, Baratheons, and Lannisters were out as she'd never wed into the latter two and Daeron already had the support of the former. Illyrio had told her that it was an Arryn that her nephew was betrothed to when she had pushed him for more information, so that took the Vale out of the equation as well. Leaving Dorne, the Riverlands, Crownlands, Lords of the Narrow Sea, and the Reach. Was she to be given a choice she'd like to wed someone from the Reach, she could see herself enjoying life there. But despite what the Magister said about her brother and nephew, she doubted she'd be given a choice in things. Girls seldom were after all.

"Princess." Lemore said and Dany looked up from the book that she'd been barely reading and nodded, answering the next two questions that were put to her "Very good, that's it for the day. Do you wish to spend time in the gardens, or would you prefer to join me in on my visit to the markets?"

"The markets." she said quickly.

Visiting them was perhaps the highlight of her week. Being able to shop and purchase things for herself with no worry about coin or fear of usurper's knives was something she welcomed greatly. True she had to keep her hair covered and she disliked wearing the hood, but she always felt like a normal girl and not a princess. As if she was out with her mother and not with her teacher. So she hurried and changed and she, Lemore, and their guards spent the rest of the day simply walking past stalls and merchants and though she found little to buy, she enjoyed it all the same.

She enjoyed the letter that was waiting for her upon her return even more. Viserys wrote to her and told her that he was enjoying his time with the Company and was learning how to fight and lead men. Reading that he wished to be there by their nephew's side when he took back the throne both surprised and worried her, yet she was happy that he'd come around to accepting that it was Daeron and not he who was to be king. The words at the end brought tears to her eyes. Happy tears, as reading them was like hearing from the brother she had once known and loved so very much. It made the words the Magister had spoken to her seem that much truer and made her long to see her brother even more.

When she asked the Magister if they could go and visit him or have him come and visit them, she'd been delighted when he'd agreed, though he'd not said which he'd agreed to. She'd settle for either, though the idea of a trip to Lorath was something she was very much keen on. It was less than a moon later when he agreed to taker her to see Viserys so that she could see how safe her brother was for herself and was that not enough to fuel her excitement, the Magister had more good news for her too.

"Letters Princess. From your nephew and from your Grand Uncle Aemon." the Magister said holding up the letters in his hand.

"Truly?"

"Truly Princess." Illyrio handed her the letters and after thanking him she ran to her room to open and read them both.

Winterfell 295 AC.

Elaena.

Jon knew every little hiding place in the keep and outside and only Arya it seemed knew them better than he. It was perhaps why she'd caught them kissing more than once and made both of them chuckle at the disgusted look she'd get on her face when she did so. Sometimes though they'd not be found and the kisses would go on for far longer and those were her favorite times of all. Jon's too given how he'd get flushed and flustered.

"What are you thinking of?" he asked her as she sat in his lap.

"Kissing."

"Have I been remiss in my attentions?" he said huskily as he moved his head to hers and bit gently on her ear.

"I was thinking of how much I enjoy it when your sister doesn't' interrupt us." she said giggling as he turned his head to look around to see if Arya was nearby.

"My sister will be most wroth with you thinking that way." he japed.

"Your sister will be most pleased she's not caught us again."

"True." his words muffled as his lips sought and found her own.

How long they sat there not speaking and just enjoying being alone together, she knew not. When he finally bid her rise and did likewise she almost refused, only to do so anyway. It was time to break their fast and they had a long day ahead of them. Jon had made plans to take them all on a ride through the Wolfswood. It was to be one of the last things they were to do before traveling back to the Vale. Something she both looked forward to and was reluctant about in even measure.

She'd much enjoyed her time in the North and in Winterfell especially. Jon's aunt had spoken to her often about her wedding and had given her advice that Elaena knew her own mother would have, was she alive to do so. His uncles, all of them had been most gracious and had welcomed her to their family unreservedly and as for his brothers and sisters, she had enjoyed spending time with all of them. Bran was now even more set in his desires to become a knight and Jon had promised him that he'd see him squired and knighted when he was old enough to be both.

Robb had welcomed having his brother back in Winterfell as he had the small little competition that had developed between the boys of the North and the Brotherhood. While she had become even closer to both of Jon's sisters while here. Arya followed her brother around as often as she could and she'd even seen Jon spar with the wild little girl, while Sansa had just continued on as she had when she'd visited the Vale. She would be sad to part from them all but she missed Robert and Lord Yohn and Lady Yara and her father most of all.

"Elaena?" Jon asked noticing her creased brow.

"it's nothing, Jon."

"Laeny?"

"I was thinking of our departure and how it makes me feel."

"How you both wish for it and wish it didn't need to be so."

"How could you…"

"I know you, Laeny and I feel the same." he said as he hugged her, and then he took her hand and walked with her to the Great Hall.

As usual, Ser Arthur walked no more than five feet from them and when they entered the Great Hall it was to see the others were already up and eating. Even Waymar had beaten them to the breaking of their fasts, something that earned some raised eyebrows and smirks amongst their friends and Lord and Lady Stark.

"We thought you'd never arrive, Arya was ready to order a search party for you both." Robb japed to a glare from the aforementioned girl.

"I find a need to take in more and more of the grounds the closer it comes to our departure brother. Elaena was gracious enough to join me on my walk." he said to some snorts and a shaking of Arya's head.

"A most pleasant walk it was no doubt, perhaps you and I should walk more, Mya?" Mychel said to loud laughs.

"Eat your porridge, Redfort." Jon said shaking his head, his smile a full one as he winked at her.

After they'd broken their fast, they made their way to the stables and Jon readied her horse for her before moving to ready his own. It took no more than an hour for the whole party to be mounted up before she knew that had ridden out through the Hunter's Gate and were soon riding the path through the Wolfswood itself. Lord Stark may not have joined them himself, but he'd ensured that they were more than well protected and all in all there were close to a hundred of them in the party.

Sansa was not the best of riders and so Domeric rode as close to her as he was able, in case her horse bolted or suffered some misfortune. That she'd come at all was only because of her wish to be close to him anyway and so it perhaps worked out just as she had hoped. Ahead of them Mya and Mychel rode side by side, while Waymar rode next to Robb, Wynafryd, and Jeyne Poole along with some of the Northern boys fostered at Winterfell. Arya rode in front of Jon with his arms wrapped tightly around her and Ysilla rode next to them.

The howl spooked the horses and she saw the guards form up when the second one came. Sandor and Arthur quickly moved forward so they flanked her and Jon while the Stark guards and the guards from the Vale did likewise to the Starks, their fosterlings, and those who'd come with them from the Vale. It was Jon who calmed them down though, telling them there was nothing to worry about and the wolf's howls were not ones of warning or signals of attacks. How he knew so, she wasn't entirely sure but he seemed confident in his words and so she felt herself begin to relax.

This proved only momentary, as when she saw the wolf come out from behind the trees she was not alone in shrieking, and once again the horses began to spook. A glance to Sansa showed Domeric holding the horse's reins keeping the horse steady and it made her miss Sandor take Arya from Jon's horse, and Jon climbing down and moving towards the wolf. So it wasn't she who called out in warning as the giant wolf drew closer to Jon and it was the cry itself that drew her attention.

"JON!." Arya shouted out worriedly.

"Keep calm and lower your arms, the wolf means us no harm." Jon said as he moved closer to it and Elaena could barely breathe let alone speak.

When the second one came she heard Arthur shout out in warning and the sound of a bowstring being pulled.

"LOWER YOUR ARMS!" Jon shouted even more loudly and she looked on as the guard did as he was bid.

The wolf on the left was as black as night and had bright green eyes, while the one on the right was grey and its eyes were yellow. Both were huge and almost of a size with Jon as he stood between them and yet they didn't growl nor show their teeth as they moved closer. She and every single person there were soon looking on in awe as both wolves began to lick Jon's face making him laugh loudly as he stroked their fur.

"By the gods." Arthur said as she heard someone else say that these weren't wolves they were Direwolves.

"How is that possible?" a guard said and she looked to Arthur and Sandor who were both sharing a look and then she heard Eyas as the falcon flew overhead.

Could it be?

Was it how it was with Eyas?

Was that even possible with wolves? With Direwrolves?

Looking on as Jon rolled on the grass and played with the two wolves as if they were pups, she felt it was. When he got back to his feet and stroked both wolves' necks, she was relieved at the nod he gave her before he moved back to his horse and mounted it once more.

Dorne 295 AC.

Oberyn.

The journey back to Dorne was one he spent lost in his thoughts, the truth not only revealed to him but expanded upon causing him sleepless nights. Not even Ellaria was able to keep his mind from going to where it did and yet she offered him the only true comfort he had until he reached Dornish shores once again. Seeing Arianne standing in front of him, brought up images of her wearing a crown and sitting a throne and only added to his troubled mind.

Doran would demand it, it would be the only price that he'd accept for Dorne's support and Oberyn was certain it was a price that Jon wouldn't pay. Not only had he made that clear in words, but he'd done so in deeds as well. Even Ellaria and his girls had pointed out just how much in love the young man and his betrothed seemed to be. When he'd tried to play it off as youthful infatuation it had been laughter that he'd received as his answer, Ellaria's words still there amongst his jumbled thoughts.

"They are a love match if I've ever seen one, my love. That look the girl has in her eyes and the one that Ser Jon returns most reverently, I know that look. I've seen that look in the looking glass staring back at me and in the face of the man I love."

At the feast that night to welcome them back to Dorne, he was quiet and withdrawn and Arianne more than once asked him if there was something wrong. Oberyn lied to his niece and told her there was not and then did his best to make it at least seem true. They stayed only one day in Sunspear before riding to the Water Gardens. Both he and Ellaria keen to see their youngest girls and he was thankful that was the thought that overrode all the others, even when they arrived and he saw Doran look to him eagerly.

He spent as much time with his youngest daughters as he knew Doran would allow before he sent for him. When he did finally head to his brother's solar, he was far less troubled than he had been. His thoughts were still jumbled but one was clear. He'd told Arthur that when the fight came he'd march with him and his king. That when it came time for Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon to pay, his spear would be theirs to wield and he'd meant it. No matter what Doran decided, that would be true and Oberyn knew full well that there would be others in Dorne who'd feel just as he did. They were owed justice, their spears cried out for vengeance, and those cries would not quieten because Doran willed it so. For only blood would silence them for true.

"You look well, brother, though I'd expected you back sooner." Doran said as Oberyn took his seat and looked to Areo Hotah as he stood behind his brother.

"I had much to consider and much to prove true."

"And did you?"

"I did. Ser Jon Snow is not Eddard Stark's bastard son." he said looking to Doran whose eyes narrowed as he looked back to him.

"Brandon Stark's then, I had suspected as much. Unlike his brother, he was known for consorting with ladies." Doran said smirking as if he'd proved his cleverness once again, it was not a smirk he'd wear for long.

"He is kin to them both, brother, but he's not Brandon's son either, he's Lyanna Stark's." he said knowing he needed to say no more and waiting for the eruption to come from Doran, it came quickly and fiercely.

"He had a child with her….he put a bastard in her belly and shamed our sister even more than he already had. Tell me this boy…this shame of Dorne breathes no more?"

"He breathes still and not you, nor I, will harm him." he said firmly to a look of surprise from Doran.

"Harm him, I don't wish him harmed, I wish him dead." Doran said angrily.

"NO!." he almost shouted and Areo moved his spear just a little "We are not Lions or Stags, we do not hurt children. Name the boy how you will and feel for him however you wish, but we do not judge the child for the sins of the father, I will not be a part of such, and were you to do so, then you would lose my spear forevermore." he said and Doran looked at him in stunned silence.

It took some time for his brother to speak, Doran pouring himself some wine which Oberyn took a glass of too, and only when he'd drunk it did the conversation begin once more.

"Rhaegar married the girl, Doran. By their gods and by our own. Elia and his marriage was to be annulled." he said and held his hand up when Doran readied to speak "I believe what Arthur told me as it makes sense. We both know it was not a match of love and of Aegon's illness. It seems that our sister and her husband were aware of more than even we."

"How so?"

"Elia was unable to have more children, brother. In time Aerys would have forced Rhaegar to set her aside…."

"And they thought Dorne would have stood for this?" Doran's loudly interrupted.

"No. But what could we have done? Had it been done as Arthur said then we'd have had no legal right to do anything but accept it and the shame our sister would have felt would have been far more than any we feel for her. To be set aside is one thing, to willingly walk from an unhappy marriage while securing your children's birthright, that is another, and that is what Elia and Rhaegar had planned it seems."

"What of Lyanna Stark?"

"A love match by all accounts, it seems even in the best-laid plans the gods have their fun. Elia and Rhaegar agreed that he should seek another bride. The fool then fell in love and all their carefully laid out plans faltered because of this."

"And Aegon, Rhaenys?"

"Aegon was to be king should he live long enough to be crowned. If he was wed and had an heir, then his line was secured."

"If not?"

"Then the new heir was to be wed to Rhaenys when they came of age." Oberyn said and saw the wheels turn in his brother's mind before he next spoke "He will not marry Arianne, brother, not her, nor any of my daughters. Not even the Rose of Highgarden will dissuade him from his love." Oberyn said and while he said so fondly, the look on Doran's face was anything but.

"Then he shall fight without Dornish Spears."

"He has mine." Oberyn said and Doran looked at him incredulously.

"Oberyn."

"No, I've held back for as long as I can. The Vale will ride with him as no doubt will the North. The Company of the Sea Snake is or shall soon be a match for any single kingdom so that gives him three without adding those who will flock to the Dragon Banner. The Lords of the Narrow Sea, the loyalist houses. Who will the Riverlands fight for, Robert Baratheon or Jon Arryn and Eddard Stark?" Oberyn asked and Doran didn't' reply "Dornish spears should fight by his side too, for whatever you may think of him, he shares blood with our niece and nephew. Think of them before you think of anything else and then come up with a way for Dorne to benefit. Regardless, when they march they do so with the Red Viper amongst their ranks. For Elia, For Rhaenys, For Aegon." he said as he got to his feet and walked from the room.

He knew not what choice Doran would make and he hoped it would be the right one, his own had been made long before now. It had been made the moment he'd heard of what had happened in King's Landing. From that day his path had been set and his path led him right to the Lion's Den and to the Old Lion himself.

Winterfell 295 AC.

Arthur.

Watching a boy pet two wolves as if they were mere pups was one thing. When those wolves weren't actually simply wolves, when they were Direwolves and almost of a size with your horse, that was quite another. Yet he didn't feel fearful or worried about Jon as he did so. Not once had he reached for his sword or Sandor for his, other than when they'd seen the Direwolves initially. Now watching as Jon, his brothers and sister, Elaena, and the others all petted the two giant animals, he could barely believe what he was seeing.

"How the fuck does he do that?" Sandor asked gruffly.

"I believe it's like Eyas." he replied to a nod.

"We should go back. You think he's going to want to bring those things with him?" Sandor asked and Arthur just chuckled as he called out to Jon.

"Jon, we should head back to Winterfell, you can pet the wolves more freely there." he said amusedly.

"Aye, you have the right of it. Arya, your horse awaits." Jon said and reluctantly Arya moved to be helped onto Jon's horse and Jon then climbed up behind her.

With a nod from Jon to him to show he was ready, they began to head back to Winterfell and Arthur tried not to be awed by the sight of the two Direwolves flanking Jon's horse. When they reached the gates of the keep it was the wolves and not their earlier return that drew attention. Jon had to shout out to the guards that they had nothing to fear from them and Arya told them that they were her brother's wolves and if they harmed them, then her father would be most angry.

Listening to her say the first part almost proudly and the second in warning brought yet another smile to his face. He thought her to be the most like Lyanna out of any of the Stark children, even Jon himself in some regards, and to see it being proved true once again was a welcome thing. They had no sooner gotten to the large courtyard than Ned, Catelyn, and Ser Rodrik along with a dozen other guards armed with pikes and bows made their way to them, and the wolves began to growl out in warning.

"Lord Stark, ask the guards to lower their arms. There is naught to fear from the wolves, I swear it." Jon said and the wolves claimed at his words and were placid by the time Ned had given the orders to the guards.

"I'd recommend asking them to move back, Lord Stark." Arthur said as he, Jon, and Sandor dismounted.

"Those are Direwolves, Ser Arthur." Ned said disbelievingly.

"Aye they are and they'll not harm any unless provoked, you have my word on it." Jon said as he began to softly stroke both wolves heads and was soon joined by Arya, Sansa, Elaena and the others who did likewise.

It took some time for Ned to be anywhere close to being relaxed around the Direwolves. When Jon asked if he could house them in the Broken Tower, for now, Arthur believed he'd be denied. Only for his uncle to nod and then watch as Jon and all the others walked away with the wolves to ready it for them. With a quick glance to Sandor to tell him to follow, Arthur moved to Ned and to Lady Catelyn to tell them what had happened and how they'd come to have two Direwolves in their party when they returned.

"They caused no harm? Nor seemed as if they would attack?" Ned asked.

"None at all. Jon heard them before any of us and had moved to them before we could even react. You saw how he was with them here, Ned. Out there it was just the same and when he bid the others to come and stroke their heads, I felt no worries or concern."

"They're wild beasts, Ser Arthur." Catelyn said worriedly.

"Not in his hands they're not. I swear it Lady Catelyn, were I to feel even the slightest concern then I'd not allow them anywhere near Jon or any of them. Those wolves will never harm anyone he cares about, I believe this completely."

Over the next few days, he watched as Jon spent more and more time with the two Direwolves and as first Ned and then Lady Catelyn herself rubbed each of them when bid to. Whatever doubts or fears that they had about them were soon dismissed. Not one of the children shared any of those doubts and fears. The Starks especially seemed to be comfortable around the wolves, which shouldn't really have surprised him. Yet even the others and most particularly Elaena seemed to show no fear around them. So it was with no great shock that he learned they would be coming back to the Vale with them on their return. Jon's words showed that there was far more than just a fortuitous encounter that had brought them to his side.

"Those wolves are gifts from the Old Gods, Arthur, in time they shall gift my family even more." Jon said and Arthur decided to defer to a follower of the Old Gods in this regard.

Winterfell 295 AC.

Jon.

He had felt them at the back of his mind as they had ridden through the Woflswood, two voices almost calling out for his attention and so when they'd shown themselves, he'd not been worried or concerned. Yet something felt off about them too, as if they were to be with him but were not for him. Jon felt sure they needed to come back to the Vale with him when he left and that they wished to do so, but that their time with him was to be only temporary.

After he'd seen them settled in Winterfell and had spoken to his aunt and uncle to assure them they had nothing to fear from them, he'd eaten his meal and taken to his bed. Once there, the dreams had begun and he had looked on as he moved with a white wolf across lands he knew not. Eyas rested on his shoulder and when he looked to the sky he swore he saw a dragon fly. Its silver scales shined and it bore what looked to be flecks of fire though were actually just bronze marks on its back and stomach.

From there he saw images of Arya playing with a grey wolf. Sansa, Robb, Bran doing likewise while a young boy he assumed was Rickon played with a black one. Jon stood with the white wolf and looked them over and he swore in the distance he could see the two wolves from the Wolfswood watching them keenly. Over and over in his head, he swore he could hear one word being said and was someone to ask him who it was who did so, he'd name it as the two wolves.

"Pack."

Waking from the dreams he saw it was still slightly dark outside and yet he dressed and made his way from the keep and to the Broken Tower where he'd housed the two wolves. Sandor walked behind him and snorted when Jon sat down on the floor between both wolves and began to speak to them. His sworn shield then gave him some privacy as Jon told the wolves that he understood and that he would look after their offspring and make sure that his kin did likewise. Laughing a moment later when one after the other they licked his face.

His last few days in Winterfell were spent fitting in as much as he could. Sparring with Arya and Bran, going to see young Rickon. Playing his harp and singing with Domeric for Sansa and her friends and even sitting in on an embroidery lesson with his sister and Elaena when they bid him to. He spoke often to Robb and even broke some lances against him. His brother showed that with some training he could be an excellent jouster, though in the North he'd never become one.

There was nowhere he didn't show Elaena, from Wintertown to the Wolfswood and the Barrows of the First Men. He could see just how much she enjoyed being there and yet as the days drew closer to their departure, she seemed almost keen to leave. By the time they reached Runestone, it would be a moon or so until her nameday and that was something she had no wish to miss. Jon too, despite how much he'd enjoyed being in the North and in Winterfell itself was growing keen to return back to the Vale. He missed the mountains and even knowing it would likely not be until the wedding that he'd see his family again, he was now as much of the Vale as he was of the North and he felt it as it called to him.

They held a feast the night before he was to leave and he danced with both his sisters, Arya far more reluctantly than Sansa which was no surprise. He watched as Sansa and Domeric spoke softly together and as his aunt and uncle looked on with ever-watchful eyes and when it came time for bed, he escorted Elena to her rooms and kissed her goodnight. Then he made his way to the Crypts and said his goodbyes to his mother. The small embroidered handkerchief that Elaena had made for him was soon wrapped around the statue's outstretched hand as he bid her goodbye for now.

"I will return, mother. One day I'll stand here with mine own child by my side and introduce you to them as I tell them all about you. I wish more than anything that I'd gotten to know you, that I'd met you and my father. I hope I make you proud of me. I love you mother, with all I am, I love you and always shall." he said as he closed his eyes and offered up a prayer to the Old Gods that his words were heard.

He felt the shiver of the cold breeze as he left the crypts and made his way back to his room and his bed. Waking early the next morning he broke his fast with his entire family. Then it came time to leave and to bid his farewells. Jon hugged his aunt and spoke softly to his uncle, the words he'd said to him days before having left nothing unsaid. Moving to his brothers, he embraced Robb and then Bran and placed a kiss on Rickon's forehead before then standing in front of his sisters. Arya hugged him tightly and made him promise to write while Sansa finally gave into tears that he knew were only partly for him.

"When we next see each other it will perhaps be to see Elaena and I wed, I shall be most happy to have my little sister there." he whispered in Sansa's ear.

"As will I to be there, Jon." she replied as he kissed her cheek.

"Expect a gift when you get there, one for all my family." he said and Sansa smiled while Arya looked at him almost as if she was about to ask if she could have her gift now.

With a whistle, he was joined by the two wolves and he made his way to the horses. Ysilla and Mya rode in the covered cart with Lady Wylla and Gyles, his squire still not having gotten used to the coldness of the North and perhaps more than any of them looking forward to returning to the Vale. Jon took a last look at Winterfell and his brothers and sisters before they began to ride away. How long it would be until he returned he knew not and what he'd be when he returned was in the hands of the Old Gods. If it was his fate then he'd be a king, the first one of Stark and Targaryen blood and as he looked to the two wolves and to Elaena, he felt ready to do what was needed to be done.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. I had hoped to have this up sooner than now, and yet it is what it is. This is the last almost build up chapter and Up Next we'll be skipping forward as Jon and Elaena and the rest of their family and friends head to King's Landing for the wedding and tourney to follow.