Author's Note

I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire.

Ned finds Cat on the balcony over the training yard, watching Jon spar with Jory. Jon moves like a Crannog boy, and Jory moves like a castle knight, and together they are an odd match up.

"He's grown so much," she says as Jon catches Jory with his blunted training knife.

"Greywater Watch was good for him," Ned agrees even as he thinks of Sansa and her claims of his nature.

Cat's eyes glitter with tears. Ned frowns and takes her hand. "Cat? What is it?"

Cat points towards the godswood, where Rickon's howls are echoing into the air. "That! That's wrong!"

"Our children are healthy–"

"Our children are monsters!" She throws herself against his chest and weeps. "What's wrong with me that he's so perfect and all mine came out demons?"

"Not you." Ned holds her and kisses her. "There's ice in Stark blood."

"Then why is the bastard so perfect? He has the same father! Why isn't he a monster like mine?"

#

Ned cannot bear to see her cry.

#

They sit in his solar, Jory and Rodrik guarding the door, and he speaks. He cannot tell her all and he cannot tell the truth, but he only omits what is necessary and gives an approximation of Howland's belief that Jon's other side may have balanced out his Stark blood.

"Then it is true. I am not enough," Cat declares, and cries again anew.

Ned hates that he is hurting her this way, and wants to say more, but to do so would be saying too much.

When Cat is composed again, she has a new request. "Legitimise him."

"What?"

"Jon. Robert would grant it you in a heartbeat. Legitimise him and have done with the matter."

"Jon is older than Bran and Rickon–"

"Then stipulate that he is to come behind our children. Ned. Is he not your son too?"

"He is my blood, and he bears the Stark looks. If I legitimise him, the Northern Lords very well might prefer Jon to any of our own sons."

Rickon is wild and Bran is unnerving and Robb is unpredictable. Jon has been fostered by the Reeds, respected and steady, if reclusive, and is both caring and stern.

And legitimising him means Robert might look at him.

#

He takes the final word, but two moons later they both receive letters from King's Landing, as does Maester Luwin. Ned's is from Robert, short and jovial, amused that it was his Lady Wife that requested the legitimising of Ned's bastard. Cat shows him hers, also from Robert, though more formal, thanking her for the request and confirming he will grant it, before inquiring after the children.

Luwin's is Jon's letter of legitimisation.

Ned waits until he is alone in his solar to throw things, and heads out to the godswood that night to pray.

It is morning before he and Cat take Jon aside into Ned's solar to give him the news.

Jon stares at the letter. His Stark grey eyes shine with tears. "You made me a real Stark?"

Cat touches his arm. "You were always a real Stark."

Author's Note

Cat: Jon's so sweet and perfect.

Cat: Why aren't MY kids sweet and perfect like Jon?

Cat: Ned?

Cat: Ned, WHY ARE MY KIDS NOT PERFECT LIKE JON?

Cat: Fine, I'm gonna steal this child.