Chapter 41: Winterfell

Winterfell 293 AC.

Ned.

He was sitting in his solar when Alyn knocked at the door with the news that Jon's party had been spotted, nodding to his guard he called for Vayon to ready the household to welcome them. He found himself both excited and terribly nervous to meet Jon again after the four years the boy had been away from home. What would his boy be like? Had he changed? Did he know the truth?. These and other thoughts were racing through his head as he walked down towards the courtyard.

When word had come to him of the things Jon did he had felt so proud of his boy, to see him reach his potential was more than he ever dared to dream, but it also brought with it the same worries it always had. Fame brought notice, notice brought questions and should Robert ever begin to ask the right questions, then Jon's life and by extension Ned's and his families was in danger. But it seemed that Jon deeds didn't really attract that attention and Ned had breathed a sigh of relief, while then having to deal with the other problems they brought.

Cat consistently and continually complained about the boy as she called him, never his name and never where he could hear it had she called Jon a bastard, but he had no doubt she had done so. As news arrived at Winterfell about Jon's achievements and despite his own reassurances, Cat had been convinced this was a master plan to take Winterfell from Robb. Something that Ned knew in his heart would be the last thing Jon would ever do, besides if Jon ever set his sights on taking what was rightfully his, Winterfell wouldn't be the prize he sought.

He smiled as he saw his children line up in the yard to await the arrival, Sansa looked resplendent as always and little Arya looked eager for a new experience while Bran looked nervous and Robb and Theon were laughing and Japing as usual. His wife though looked as if she was fit to burst, her features were schooled but he knew that at some point he'd hear it yet again, he sighed as he looked at her. In all their years of marriage the only disagreements they had that were in any way serious were the ones when Jon was brought up, he had only ever lost his temper with her when they spoke of his boy.

"Father are they really here?" Sansa asked excitedly.

"Aye, my love they are." Ned said as he heard the hoof beats on the pathway to the keep.

He looked to the gate as he took his place beside his wife, he saw the blond hair of Jaime Lannister and a brown haired boy beside him and then he saw a sight he'd never expected to see in Winterfell. The white wolf was enormous and he could hear the gasps all around when people saw it, a Direwolf, it was true his son had a Direwolf, Ned couldn't stop the smile that appeared on his face then.

It was mere moments later that he saw him, Jon had grown both taller and it seemed he'd filled out more. His hair was longer than he'd expected and when he saw him look towards his family and saw the smile that appeared on his face it was like an arrow to his heart, it was his sister's smile. As he watched them dismount and walk towards them he felt his heart race, his mouth suddenly dry.

"Lord Jaime welcome to Winterfell. "Ned said with a nod.

"I thank you Lord Stark, but we both know it's not I you wish to see." Jaime said with a smirk.

"Lord Stark." Jon said with a nod and Ned frowned at the formality.

"Jon welcome home son." Ned said and waited for a friendlier response which didn't come as Jon instead introduced the other boy.

"May I present Lord Loras Tyrell my lord." Jon said smiling as the other boy moved forward.

"A pleasure to meet you my lord." the young boy said before Jon introduced Howland's two children Meera and Jojen. It surprised Ned that they'd traveled with him and he didn't need to look to see the grimace on his wife's face.

"Lady Stark." Jon said politely.

"Jon." Cat said and he could hear the forced civility in her tone.

"Robb." Jon said softly.

"Snow." Robb replied stiffly and Ned turned to glare at his son.

"Little Sister, look at you, you've grown so much."

"It's is good to see you Jon." Sansa said her manners impeccable.

"Now that's no way to greet your brother is it." Jon japed and Ned felt his heart expand at the large hug and excited squeal that came from his daughter at something Jon whispered in her ear.

"Arya, is it really you. "Jon said a note of shock in his voice which confused Ned.

"Who else would I be." the little girl said to laughs. "Is that your wolf?".

"Aye, you want to meet him?" Jon asked.

"Can I?" she asked her voice full of wonder.

"Of course," Jon said and Ned watched as the wolf, which since Jon dismounted had been sitting quietly by his horse, suddenly got up and walked towards them, it's size becoming even more apparent the closer it got.

"Ned, the children." Cat said loudly.

"I assure you lady Stark that Ghost won't harm them." Jon said and Ned shook his head at his wife to leave it be, which she did albeit reluctantly."

While Jaime and Loras made their introductions to everyone and Sansa stumbled through her words meeting the Warden of the West and the Tyrell boy, Ned noticed Theon and Robb giggle when the Reeds passed them by. He would need to speak to them both later, he would not tolerate them disrespecting Howland's children. He looked on as Arya and then Bran ran their hands down the wolf's fur and watched as Jon helped a clearly nervous Sansa do the same.

"He's so soft." Sansa said.

"Aye little sister he is."

"Lord Jaime, I've made some rooms available for your men in our barracks, Jory can show them the way. Vayon will show you and Lord Loras as well as Howland's children to their rooms." Ned said while still paying more attention to Jon.

"I thank you Lord Stark, and Jon?" he asked.

"Will stay in his old room." Ned said and would have said something about the look Jaime gave him but something else grabbed his attention.

"Farlen will take the wolf to the kennels." Cat said.

"Ghost sleeps with me my lady.." Jon said determinedly and Ned sighed, he had hoped the pleasantries would last longer than this.

"I'll not have that filthy beast in my halls near my children." Cat said haughtily.

"Ghost is not a filthy beast my lady." Jon said staring angrily at his wife.

"Ned, surely you can't allow this." Cat said and he sighed, there would be more battles ahead and this wasn't a hill worth dying on.

"Cat's right Jon, it's too dangerous to have the wolf in the keep. We'll find a good spot for him in the kennels."

"Lord Stark, Ghost stayed with Jon in White Harbor and in Last Hearth without incident, neither lord felt the need to protect their children from him." Loras Tyrell said stepping beside Jon.

"Father look he's friendly." Sansa said and to prove it she knelt down and giggled when the wolf licked her face, all her earlier nervousness now gone.

"It's just a damn beast who cares where it sleeps." Theon suddenly piped in though the look he gave him made the boy step back.

"I think it's for the best Jon." Ned said looking to his son and hoping he'd see reason.

"Very well Lord Stark." Jon said and Ned breathed a sigh of relief, though it was a short lived one.

He watched on in shock as rather than allow the wolf to be led away Jon turned and mounted his horse, Loras following him along with the wolf, not understanding what had just happened it took him a moment to realize that they meant to leave. It was only when Lord Jaime nodded to him and made his way to his own horse that the reality of the situation dawned on him. He looked to see Sansa looking just about ready to cry, while Cat stood there with a satisfied look on her face, he couldn't allow this.

"Jon wait." he said as he moved towards them.

"It's fine Lord Stark, I'm sure we can find somewhere in Wintertown and we can still visit." Jon said.

"Do I have your word that the wolf will be under control son?" Ned asked.

"You do my lord." Jon said and Ned nodded.

When Jon dismounted this time Ned made sure to have him brought to his room straight away, he didn't want to give him time to change his mind again. He saw the happy smile that suddenly appeared on Sansa's face and how Arya and Bran followed with their sister and Jon towards his room. Cat glowered at him and Ned shook his head he'd deal with that later, as the others were shown to their rooms, he motioned for Robb and Theon to join him.

"I saw you with the Reeds, you'll both behave better than that do you understand."

"Aye my lord." Theon said.

"Yes father."

"Now why don't you get ready to show your brother around the place, it's been a long time since you saw him." Ned said and Robb nodded before he and Theon walked away.

Ned entered the keep and walked to his solar, knowing his wife would either be waiting for him there or be along soon, their inevitable argument soon to breach all the same subjects, how Jon was trying to steal Winterfell, how he'd shamed her brother. That one alone would take up most of the day he knew, what had happened in Kings Landing he did not know, but he found it hard to believe the story Cat told, that wasn't his boy. 'He's not your boy' the voice said in the back of his mind, but he was and Ned found it hard to reconcile the actions in Kings Landing with Jon, different though he clearly was now.

Jon.

While Loras, Jaime and the Reeds were housed in the guest wing, Jon had unsurprisingly to him been given his old room, as he entered it with his sisters and brother he was however surprised by how small and bare it was. Had it always been this way when it was his he wondered as his things were brought in, he couldn't remember but compared to the rooms he'd been housed in since, this was certainly the most lackluster. Still though there was something comforting and familiar about the room and as he sat on the bed he smiled.

"So I expect you want your presents little sister." Jon said looking to Sansa.

"What, no. I mean yes, but that's not why I'm here Jon." Sansa said and Jon reached over to hug her yet again.

"I know that, I'm so happy to see you again Sansa, I missed you." Jon said and looked at her as the smile appeared on her face.

"You too, you little terror." Jon said as he grabbed Arya and began to tickle her much to her delight.

"Did you miss me Jon." Bran said his voice small.

"Of course I did." Jon said and began tickling his brother too.

"He's so well behaved." Sansa said looking over at Ghost who was laying quietly down by the fire.

"Sometimes he's really not, now presents." Jon said and got up to walk to his chest.

The first set he took out were for Arya and these he'd thought long and hard about, Sansa he knew what she liked and Bran was a boy and he could guess, but when Sansa spoke of their baby sister she described a girl like no other. Ribbons and dresses, fabrics and pretty things wouldn't cut it for Arya so Jon had decided on a couple of other things instead. The first was a book of drawings he had done, Casterly Rock, Lannisport, Castermere, Kings Landing, Ghost, the Pinnacle ships, Wind wheels and more. All the places and things he'd seen since he left Winterfell, when he handed it to her she looked at it in amazement.

"Thank you." Arya said smiling before he handed her the second present.

"I had this made for you in Lannisport." he said as he handed her the wolf pendant, it was a shining silver wolf with golden topaz stones for eyes,

"Really for me." Arya said and jumped up to wrap her arms around him.

"Aye, for you."

When Arya let him go he reached over to his chest to take out Bran's presents, he too got a wolf pendant, this one though had quartz for the eyes. His other present was an elaborate set of soldiers, horses, catapults and dragons, they had belonged to a cyvasse set but Jon had had more of the figures made up so there were now over forty of them.

"Do you like them brother?" Jon asked.

"These are mine, just mine?" Bran asked.

"Aye they are."

"Thanks." Bran said and quickly grabbed the present lest it be taken away from him making Jon laugh.

He looked to Sansa who was eagerly awaiting her own, he smirked as he may have gone slightly overboard with presents for her. She too got a wolf pendant though the gems in the eyes this time were the most elaborate of them all, these gems were called cats eyes and were remarkable and while the others gave the impression of eyes, these actually gave the impression they were looking right at you. Her next present was a golden locket on a chain, the design engraved on it was of a wolf standing tall whle howling at a small moonstone. The last couple were the fabrics he'd purchased in Gulltown, myrish lace which he could see her smile brightly at as she ran her fingers through it and a selection of other fabrics which made her eyes go even wider when she saw them all.

"Jon this is too much."

"Not for my little sister it isn't'" Jon said and she smiled happily at him.

He helped her carry her presents down to her room, Arya and Bran following behind, he carried Robb's in his hand hoping to see his brother in the family wing. As they walked they met Loras who had clearly settled in and was already bored given the look on his face.

"Lady Sansa." Loras said with a bow when he saw them.

"Lord Loras." his sister said shyly as she curtsied, while behind her Arya just giggled and Bran paid no mind.

"Where are Jojen and Meera?" Jon asked.

"Meera's not feeling too well, so Jojen decided to stay with her. I think she's just tired though." Loras said and Jon nodded.

When they reached the children's rooms Arya left the book in her room and quickly rejoined them, Bran went to a different room that already had some toys in it eager no doubt to play with his new ones. Sansa bid them enter her room to place the things down on her table and Jon was immediately struck by the difference between her room and his, where Jon's was small and bare, Sansa's was not. The furniture, the bed, the bedding all of it was of a much better quality than his own, the room was brighter, warmer too, not that Jon begrudged his little sister anything but it did show him the contrast in how they were both treated.

After leaving her room they finally came across Robb and Theon, the Iron Born looking at both him and Loras with a smug grin on his face, Jon handed over the presents he'd bought for his brother. As with the others he too got a wolf pendant, the eyes on this one made from Garnet, he'd also gotten his brother an ironwood bow, something which had taken a lot of work and coin to get the wood delivered to him.

"Thanks Snow." Robb said half halfheartedly.

"Robb." Sansa said annoyed.

"What?"

"That's the best you can do, after Jon brought you a present, you can barely thank him."

"I did thank him, didn't I Snow." Robb said smirking.

"His name is Jon." Loras said angrily but Jon looked at him and shook his head before he said or did anything else.

"He's a bastard, they're called Snow." Theon said wearing the same smug grin he had before.

"He's our brother." Sansa said loudly.

"Whatever." Robb said as he and Theon walked away, leaving the bow and pendant behind.

"I'm so sorry Jon, I don't know what goes through his head sometimes, as for Theon, gods." Sansa said while Arya rushed over and picked up the bow looking at it with interest.

"Can I have it." Arya said making both him and Loras laugh.

"I think we better leave it for your brother little wolf." Jon said and Arya looked at him with annoyance on her face.

"But…" she said as he took it off her.

"Maybe we can have a smaller one made for you eh." Jon said mussing her hair and she smiled beamingly at him.

Jon carried the bow and pendant back to his own room and left them there before hurrying back to catch up with Sansa and Loras who'd headed to the outside, his sister keen to show his friend more of their home. Arya though hadn't left his side and as she walked beside him she kept rubbing her hand through Ghost's fur, her little hand only managing to reach the wolf's side as he towered over her. When they did catch up with Sansa and Loras they were walking towards the Glass Gardens, so they joined them while Ghost instead walked off in the other direction much to Arya's chagrin.

"Where's Ghost going?" she asked.

"He does that from time to time little wolf."

"Jon, I was just about to show Lord Loras the flowers, he doesn't believe we grow them here." Sansa said smirking.

"Then I think he's in for a big surprise little sister." Jon said reaching his hand down to take Arya's in his as they entered the glass gardens.

"It's so warm, Jon why didn't you tell me there were warm places like this in the north." Loras said his eyes closed as he enjoyed this newly found heat.

"Maybe we should move his bed out here, what do you think Sansa?" Jon said smirking at Arya who giggled.

"What, no we couldn't, he's a lord Jon we couldn't, wait, you were making a jest." Sansa said giggling as she saw his face.

"Only half a one, trust me I wouldn't be surprised if we find him here a lot." Jon said as he watched Loras sit down on the bench and lean back.

"You have the truth of it." Loras said making both his sisters laugh now.

Out of the corner of his eye though Jon saw them and walked towards them almost in a daze, the winter roses shined in the light, the blue looking more clear and sharp than he had ever remembered the color being before. His hand reached out almost on it's own, his fingers touching the petals. Feeling the tears in his eyes he quickly wiped them away, not wishing to have to explain crying while in a glass garden. When Loras came over he smiled at him and Jon took his knife out to cut three of the flowers putting one in his pocket, before walking to his sisters with the other two.

"For my two beautiful sisters." Jon said handing each of them a winter rose.

"I thank you Ser." Sansa said with a curtsy and a smile.

"It was my pleasure my lady." Jon said with a bow and getting a laugh from Sansa in return.

Arya looked at him oddly as she held the flower in her hand, so Jon knelt down and took it and from her hand and placed it in her hair.

"Now you look just like a fierce and beautiful little wolf." Jon said and Arya smiled before laughing when he tickled her.

"Stop it, gerroffff." she said laughing louder.

"My Lady shall we leave these ruffians." Loras said smirking while he offered his arm to Sansa.

"Why thank you brave knight, I fear for what they may do to us."

"Have no fear my lady, I shall protect you from the wolves." Loras said laughing as he and Sansa walked from the glass garden.

"Apparently we're ruffians and wolves, hmm what to do." Jon said before kneeling down so Arya could climb on his back.

They waited until Sansa and Loras left before Jon ran outside, Arya holding onto his back and shouting.

"Faster wolfy, faster." Arya shouted as Jon raced past Loras and Sansa both of whom were doubled over in laughter.

Catelyn.

She was furious, that boy had only just arrived and already Ned was taking his place, he had humiliated her in the courtyard when all she had been doing was trying to protect her children from the bastard's beast. She had waited as long as she could and despite trying to calm herself with sewing it hadn't worked, she would need her husband to see clearly what she already knew, that the bastard was up to something.

When the news had come of what had happened in Kings Landing she had stormed to her husband's solar to tell him, how his bastard had tricked and shamed her brother, how he had said such horrible lies about her family. She had actually felt in some ways relieved as it proved everything she had ever thought about the bastard and his nature, proved just exactly why she needed to be wary of him. But instead of listening to her, Ned had made excuses for the boy, had told her there must be some mistake, mistake, mistake, she had it in her own brother's words had she not.

Yet it still hadn't been enough for her husband to do anything about it, even when news came that the bastard was coming to Winterfell, Ned had refused to listen to her and not allow him to come. That he was traveling with Jaime Lannister was bad enough, but that he had somehow made friends with the Tyrell boy made it even worse, her children should be friends with the first and second richest families in the realm, not Ned's bastard.

She had been happy when the raven came from the Tyrell's telling her that their son would be coming to visit, though disappointed it hadn't been the heir as he would be a worthy match for her Sansa, who was certainly not going to be wasted on a third born son. But he would do as a way to introduce the Tyrells to them, Robb could befriend the boy and maybe they could organize a visit, if not the heir then perhaps the daughter, yes that could work out well she had thought. Lady Margaery would be a good match for the future warden of the north, but then she had read that he was in the bastards company.

" Why is he with the bastard?" she asked Septa Mordane.

" They are tricksters my lady, perhaps he's enraptured the boy." the septa said.

" But he's trueborn, surely he knows all about their ways?"

" He's just a boy my lady, perhaps he's not paid attention to his lessons."

" I shall have to welcome him all the same, maybe once he sees Robb and spends time away from the bastard he'll realize the truth."

" That sounds like a wonderful idea my lady, he could spend time with Lady Sansa too."

" My daughter will marry an heir Septa, nothing less."

" Of course my lady, I just meant that perhaps if he was allowed spend time with Lady Sansa it would have him bring up his sister while speaking to her."

" Yes, yes, that and befriending Robb, Lady Margaery could visit, she and Robb, oh yes indeed, that's a most excellent idea."

But already she could see that there was no way she'd allow that boy near her family, he was already far too much under the bastards spell, given what had just happened in the courtyard, both he and Lord Jaime were. But there was nothing she could do about them, they were trueborns and lords, no it was only the bastard she had power over, though he no longer seemed to think so. So now as she stormed to her husband's solar she'd make it clear to him that she did, she'd not have him walking around after humiliating her so.

"Is my husband inside?" She said to Alyn as she reached the door.

"Aye my lady." Alyn said as he knocked and opened it for her.

She walked inside and saw her husband sitting at his desk, his hand reading a raven scroll, she watched as he winced, then smiled and then winced again before putting the scroll down and looking to her.

"My lady, please take a seat." Ned said and she did so though she had intended to stand.

"I won't have it Ned, I won't have him here, you saw what he did." she said angrily.

"And what would you have me do Cat, send him away, you think if I do so that Jaime Lannister won't leave too, him and the Tyrell boy both maybe Howland's children also. They made it very clear in the yard just what would happen if the wolf wasn't allowed stay with Jon. How do you think they'd react to me sending Jon away?"

"It doesn't matter anymore, he humiliated me in public and you're just going to allow it to stand, do I mean so little to you my lord." she said her voice pleading.

"Of course not, you are my wife, I'd not have you shamed more than I've already done myself, but you were wrong Cat, the wolf is no problem and certainly no danger to our children. This is a raven from Lord Umber, this from Lord Manderly" Ned said picking up both pieces of paper "Jon and his accompaniment stayed in both their houses and these ravens are full of praise for both him and his wolf." Ned said smiling before he schooled his features.

"Why was he staying with the Umbers, I told you this would happen, he's making friends with your bannermen and you're doing nothing about it." Cat said her voice agitated.

"What would you have me do Cat, tell them to turn down the deals he's brought to them, to turn down the coin he's brought to the north. Bear Island alone is soon to be as rich as the Manderly's from their deal if what Wyman says is true. The Greatjon writes of a deal to sell ice which I do not understand but if it's so then the north can only benefit, my bannermen would not take kindly to me forbidding these deals." Ned said looking at her.

"So we're to do nothing about him trying to usurp your son, nothing about him trying to steal your bannermen away and what of my humiliation my lord, will you do nothing about that too?" she said tears falling from her eyes.

"Cat, Jon would never try to usurp Robb, we have nothing to fear from him, he loves his family too much. As for this morning I shall speak to him, tell him how he's to act while here, now my lady if there's nothing else?"

"You're a fool Ned, you'll see I'm right and when you do I hope it's before the bastard throws us all from our home." Cat said as she left the solar.

She should have realized her husband would do nothing, he was not a man of action, he was nothing like Brandon, he wouldn't have let a bastard humiliate her or allow him be raised with their children. Had Brandon lived then Jon Snow would have been Ned's problem alone and wouldn't have been in a position to threaten her children at all, had he done so then she had no doubt Brandon would have done whatever was necessary to protect her sons birthright.

As she walked down the corridor she heard loud laughing from outside in the yard, racing to the nearest window she looked down to see the bastard carrying her youngest daughter on his back, loud laughs coming from Arya. She looked on as Sansa was holding the Tyrell's boy's arm and both were laughing as they watched the bastard pretend to be an animal of some sort, though was it really a pretense.

Looking on she saw her son and the Greyjoy boy looking on with disgust and she smiled, at least her boy knew the truth of things, as she saw the bastard let her daughter down and then run as she chased him an idea came to her head. She smiled when she looked back at Robb, of course that was it, he'd put the bastard in his place, show him up for the lesser thing he really was, yes she would speak to Robb later.

"Mama look, Jon gave me." Bran said holding up a beautifully carved dragon.

"It's lovely sweetling." she said as she turned to look at her baby boy and smiled,

"But your books are better are they not?"

"No mama, dragon." Bran said as he ran down the corridor making noises she assumed were supposed to be dragon sounds.

She grimaced, her daughters, her baby boy, the bastard was ingratiating himself with them all, while all the while he plotted to steal their birthright, was there anything in this world more devious them the baseborn.

Jaime.

He walked past Jon's room and shook his head, he understood why Ned Stark would place him in his old room, the man no doubt thinking his nephew would appreciate the familiar surroundings, but to Jaime it showed that the man knew nothing. He had to know that Jaime wouldn't have put him in such a room in Casterly Rock, so after four years for Ned to do so would only prove to Jon how little he ever had when he was here. Worse than that it showed no insight into how others would perceive it, Loras would be affronted for Jon, but Dacey and her sisters too would not be best pleased.

Of course just thinking of Dacey made him miss her even more and so he needed to do something to keep his mind off his betrothed, he debated whether to spar, but in the end decided to go and make sure his men were settled. He had sent Jors and Alrys with some of the men to Wintertown, only some of them would stay here in the keep itself and even though Jon's guards would be among them, he knew they'd settle the men far better than his own would.

He also would need to discuss with Ned Stark the mere fact that Jon had guards, something that would no doubt not go down well with the lord. Deciding to head into the small town himself to check up on them, just for something to do, he headed out the door to go to the stables. Before he got the chance to leave though the Maester approached him.

"My lord, a word if I may?"

"Of course Maester?"

"Luwin, my lord." the Maester said smiling.

"Luwin, of course how may I be of help?"

"There are some ravens for you my lord, from Casterly Rock?"

"Ah good, do you have them with you?"

"I'm afraid not my lord, I hadn't expected to see you yet, so had intended to bring them later, if you'll follow me I'll get them for you?"

"Very well."

Jaime followed the man down the corridor and up the stairs to the rookery and the Maesters quarters, there were more stairs before he got there leading up to the library itself according to the Maester. When he entered the room he was surprised by the number of books that were scattered around the place, Creylen always kept his rooms neat and tidy yet Luwin's seemed more in order somehow.

"My lord." The Maester said handing him a couple of scrolls which he opened one from Tyrion and the other from his aunt.

Brother,

We've arrived back at the rock all safe and sound, though not without a few scratches from that damnable cat, slap Jon for me next time you see him. I await your return eagerly and hope you are well.

Tyrion.

Nephew.

I am glad to be home and shall not wish to travel such a way again for a long time. I shall ensure all is well in your absence, but do not take to long nephew, your place is her with your family and they miss you as do I.

Genna.

Jaime smiled reading the two messages, he had sent one raven from White Harbor as had Jon so and he'd also sent news of his upcoming wedding by raven from Castle Black, which would no doubt be replied to while he was here. He decided he send them another from here just to let them know he'd arrived safely, so he asked the Maester for some parchment and wrote one out.

"Can you send this for me Maester?"

"Of course my lord." the Maester said with a small smile.

"I thank you." Jaime said turning to leave.

"My lord, may I ask you a question about Jon?"

"Of course Maester."

"The things I've read, the ships, the wind wheels, even this latest thing with ice, they are true my lord?"

"They are Maester, Jon's a very bright boy, his ideas have been invaluable." Jaime said a note of pride in his voice.

"Do you think he'd discuss them with me my lord, I have some ideas you see, some ways I think things could be used, though I wish I had an idea of how these wind wheels worked."

"I'm sure he would Maester, I'll speak to him for you, as for the wind wheels, I'm sure Jon has some drawings of them or if not he could no doubt draw them for you?"

"Jon draws my lord?" the Maester said surprise in his voice.

"Aye Maester, he's quite talented too, as I'm sure you see for yourself."

"I look forward to it my lord, I thank you for your help."

"Think nothing of it Maester."

Leaving the room Jaime decided to go do what he was about to when the Maester had interrupted him so heading outside he walked through the yard. As he was looking for the stables he heard the laughter coming from the main courtyard, so he went to investigate and couldn't help but laugh himself silly at the sight. Jon was chasing his young cousin around and making a large snorting sound which had the girl giggling, while her sister and Loras looked on. Every so often Jon would stop and make a move towards his older cousin forcing her to take refuge behind Loras who stood ready to vanquish whatever beast Jon was pretending to be.

"He seems happy." the voice of Ned Stark said from behind him.

"Aye he is my lord?"

"Ned.

"Ned." Jaime said with a smirk.

"I've not seen my two daughters have such fun in many a moon."

"Jon has a way with people, especially those younger than him, he and my cousin Joy are inseparable at times and he and Loras take time to train and play with my other young cousins too."

"With live steel?" Ned said.

"No, Jon only uses tourney swords when training the children, though he and Loras have been using live steel for a number of moons now."

"He's too young," Ned said standing even closer to him now.

"Is he, I've seen him wield a blade for over four years, there isn't a boy in the realm as good as he is, not just for his age, but older too. I doubt there's anyone close to him that's not in the lists and in a year or two even they won't be a match." Jaime said before laughing as Jon fell to the ground and both girls jumped on him wiping mud into his face.

"What happened in Kings Landing?" Ned said when his own laughter stopped.

"Jon put a fish in it's place, perhaps you should follow his example my lord." Jaime said and walked away before Ned could respond.

Loras.

Jon's sisters? cousins? no sisters that's how Jon viewed them and seeing him with them it was hard for him to think of them any other way. His sisters were as different as could be, Sansa reminded him of Margaery, she was polite, refined and ladylike, while Arya though younger and obviously because of that less proper, was anything but and he doubted she ever would be. While Sansa observed courtesies her sister almost spat on them, she was a wild little thing and Loras couldn't help but like them both immediately.

His brother on the other hand was everything they were not, impolite, unrefined and not very lord like, but considering he spent his time hanging around with an Iron Born then Loras shouldn't have been surprised. He had thought the northerners hated the Iron Born, certainly when Lady Dacey, her sisters or Ser Jorah and his Aunt spoke of them they made it clear just what they thought of them. These people had reaved through the north for years, he also knew they'd attacked some of his own cousin's ships too.

But the Iron Born walked around the yards of Winterfell like he was a visiting lord and not a hostage, not even a ward would stroll around his foster home with the level of arrogance the Iron Born swaggered with. While Jon had been playing with his younger sister and when he and Sansa weren't being dragged into the game, Loras had spent his time watching the two of them sniggering while staying on the outskirts of the yard.

"That was so much fun." Sansa said before shrieking as a mud covered Jon moved towards her.

"Come here little sister, give your brother a hug." Jon said and Loras laughed as the girl hid behind him again.

"Oh you really shouldn't do that, Loras." Jon said as he wiped some of the mud and made a move as if he was going to cover Loras with it.

"Don't Jon, please." Sansa said laughing.

"Very well little sister, but this isn't over. "Jon said and he and Arya walked to his room, the little girl not moving away when Jon pretended to wipe the mud in her face, though he didn't do so.

"Lady Sansa shall we?" Loras said and Sansa giggled as she took his arm.

"Tyrell," he heard a voice call from behind him and turned to see Robb and Theon approach.

"His name is Loras." Sansa said determinedly still holding his arm.

"I'm sorry my lady, Loras." Theon said mockingly.

"What Greyjoy." Loras said and Sansa laughed openly.

"We were wondering if you'd like to join us for a spar," Robb said with a charming smile.

"I'm afraid I'll have to refuse Lord Robb, I've a previous engagement you see, a lady who needs escorting." Loras said and he and Sansa moved to walk away.

"Ladies and Bastards, you keep odd company Tyrell." Robb said laughing while he suddenly felt Sansa grip him tighter.

"Far better company than squids though." Loras said as he walked away to load muttering.

"Thank you." Sansa said softly.

"For what my lady?" Loras asked.

"For not fighting with them."

"As I said I had a previous engagement," Loras said and Sansa smiled.

They headed for Jon's room and Loras was surprised at how far away it was from everyone else's, though when he got there he was more surprised to see just how different it was to his own. Loras's room though not as luxurious as his quarters in Highgarden or the Rock was compared to this one vastly superior. That they would put his friend here annoyed him, that they would put the rightful king here made him furious.

"This was my old room, its good to be back in it." Jon said smiling when Loras looked at him.

"Is it?"

"Aye it is." Jon said, before he could speak further Arya came running in with a servant carrying paper and charcoal, along with some inks and quills.

"What's that for?" Sansa asked curiously.

"Jon's drawing me." Arya said smiling.

"Drawing you what?" Sansa asked her voice full of confusion.

"Drawing me." Arya said determinedly and Jon thankfully clarified before Sansa got annoyed at her lack of understanding.

"Arya, asked me if I drew people because of her book, so when I said I did, she wanted me to draw her."

"Can you draw me too?" Sansa asked excitedly.

"Of course, though I'll need colored ink?"

"For what? Sansa said.

"Your hair stupid." Arya said giggling.

Loras could see Sansa half torn between getting annoyed at her sister for calling her stupid and wanting to get the ink.

"Lets go get the ink Sansa."

"All right."

By the time they came back after visiting the Maester, Jon had almost finished Arya's picture, it was incredible though Jon did say he'd make her a better one before he left. Not that Arya even heard him as she was far too busy looking at the picture in awe. Sansa sat down and Jon took a little more time with her picture, as he was finishing it a servant arrived telling them they'd be serving dinner soon.

"Here all done." Jon said handing Sansa the picture.

"Jon it's wonderful, thank you brother." Sansa said grabbing him in a hug which took a long time for either of them to let go.

"I shall need to do another so I can bring it with me." Jon said and Sansa nodded.

He and Jon then took the two girls back to their rooms so they could get ready for dinner, after leaving them Jon walked with him to his room.

"Are you sure you're all right about the room Jon, I mean.." Loras said.

"I don't think he meant anything by it Loras, I think he thought it was a nice gesture, Anyway I'll see you for dinner." Jon said and patted him on the shoulder before heading back to his room.

Perhaps that's what he meant by it, but Loras couldn't shake the idea from his mind that had Jon stayed here this is how he'd have grown up, a part but apart from the family. Given how his brother saw him it seemed he had already decided he was not a part, while his sisters obviously didn't agree, but for Loras it was the knowledge that Lord Stark had obviously not seen him as fully his family either which he couldn't come to terms with.

Jon.

He dressed quickly for dinner, a small part of him considered wearing the red shirt and black clothing, to wear the colors of his family, but in the end he went with his usual dark clothing, black really was his color. As he tied the favor to his belt he smirked at his own stupidity, when Arya had asked him to draw her earlier he had done so easily, even Sansa he had no trouble with. Yet they weren't the only girls in his life and why had he not thought to draw the others before now he couldn't tell.

Though perhaps it was partly the lack of colored inks that had done it for him, his mother's picture which he'd usually kept with his father's letters, was dark and used one ink, Arya's too, but Sansa's had seemed wrong without the red. He knew now that he'd need purple for his sister's eyes and the right shade of brown for Margaery's along with her hair, black ink would only distort their images for him.

Today had been incredible though and he wished his whole time here could be this much fun, but he knew that in some way he'd been hiding, from his uncle partly and that would change soon. But even more so from the place he knew he'd have to go to, he shook his head and decided to enjoy the meal as much as he could, the rest would take care of itself.

"Are you still not ready?" Loras said as he opened his door.

"No I'm good, is that what your wearing?" Jon said sniggering.

"What, what's wrong with it, this is my best outfit." Loras said worriedly.

"Oh the outfits fine, it's the idiot wearing it." Jon japed and was too slow to duck the slap Loras caught him with.

"Ow, you do know I could have your hand for that?" Jon said laughing.

"Then how would I protect you my king, a one handed swordsman, what use is that." Loras said laughing.

"Come on, my little sister no doubt awaits your company."

"Ehmm, Jon, I.. you know." Loras said stumbling over his words.

"I know Loras, I thank you for being so nice to her though."

"It's my pleasure Jon, I like them both."

"Aye me too."

They left the room, Jon locking the door after him, he had hidden the egg and his fathers letters in his old hiding spot, better to be safe than sorry he thought. But still he didn't want anyone going through his other things either. Before going to great hall though he and Loras headed to the guest wing to check up on Meera and Jojen, he hadn't seen them since he arrived and was a little concerned about Meera being sick.

"Can I come in?" he said knocking on the door that Loras pointed out.

"Jon, is that you." he heard Jojen say.

"Aye." he said as he opened the door.

Meera was asleep in the bed and Jojen had pulled a chair up and was reading one of the books he'd gotten from Aemon while watching over his sister, Jon walked over to him and saw he didn't seem too upset.

"Is she all right?"

"She's just tired Jon, she hadn't been sleeping well in the tents, so she needs some rest."

"Are you sure, did Luwin look at her?"

"Aye he did, but she barely remembers, I just thought I'd stay here in case she woke up confused,"

"Ah all right, have you eaten?"

"Aye I did, you go eat Jon, we'll see you on the morrow." Jojen said with a smile.

"You sure, I can stay if you like?"

"No go be with your family, thanks though."

"All right see you on the morrow."

"Good night Jon,"

"Good night Jojen, Meera." he looked at the bed and nodded before leaving.

Loras had waited outside while he spoke to Jojen, so when Jon left the room he looked to him and nodded they were fine before they headed to the Great Hall. He was glad his uncle had not decided on a formal feast, there would be no dancing or music tonight. Instead it was just family, Jaime, Loras and the household, when they entered the great hall Jon nodded to some of the people he hadn't seen in years.

Ser Rodrik and Vayon Poole, Maester Luwin, Hullen and Mikken, he smirked at the looks the Septa and Septon gave him. When he had been younger he assumed all the seven hated bastards, he had found though much to his surprise that it mattered more where they were from. The Septon at Casterly Rock paid him no mind whatsoever, nor the one in Lannisport, the one Gerion had picked for Castamere he actually liked, so no it was just these two it seemed who hated him.

His little sister practically waved her hand off for he and Loras to hurry up and take their seats beside them, Arya moving from the other side of the table to give Loras her seat and sit beside him as he sat down next to Sansa. Loras smiled though as he sat beside Bran and a small girl he didn't recognize, though later found out was Jeyne Poole the stewards daughter. A few seats away his brother sat in conversation with the Greyjoy boy and Jon could see them both sniggering and japing while looking his way occasionally.

His brother was a disappointment to him, he could see it now why Jory and the guards wouldn't speak of Robb when he'd asked, he was spoiled, arrogant and cocky, but he was his brother and Jon would try and get along with him. He looked to see Jaime sitting talking to his uncle and his aunt who wore a painted on smile when speaking to his lord, but still gave him her usual looks when he caught her eye.

"We're having steak and kidney pie with peas and gravy." Sansa said smiling at him. As she took a slice of the pie in front of her.

"Gods I missed Gage's pies." Jon said longingly.

"Do you not get pies where you live Jon?" Arya asked.

"No little wolf, no pies in the west, at least none as good as Gage's" Jon said and Arya shook her head in horror at the thought.

"You should stay here then." she said determinedly "You could teach me how to use the bow your making me."

"What's that, your making a bow for a little girl Snow." Robb said laughing.

"Aye, it seems unlike some people Arya actually appreciates gifts." Loras said loudly.

"What's that you say," his uncle asked.

"Nothing my lord," Loras said when he saw the glare Jon sent his way.

"We were just talking about Snow making Arya a bow father." Robb said.

"I think your too young yet for such a thing young lady," his uncle said and Jon couldn't help but disagree.

"I think you're never too young to learn something new my lord, should my sister wish it I think she should learn to wield a bow, or a sword," Jon said looking at hs uncle while Arya nodded her head in agreement.

"We'll speak on this on the morrow Jon." his uncle said looking at him directly.

"As you wish my lord," Jon said

"Will you really teach me." Arya said leaning against him.

"I will little wolf, now eat up you'll need to be bigger and stronger to wield a sword wont you." Jon laughed as his sister started to swallow her food quicker.

"Arya, slow down." Sansa said from beside him as little bits of crust began to fall on her lap from Arya's mouth.

The meal was one of the best he'd had in years, he Loras and Bran spoke a little on spars, while he also spoke to both his sisters given each of them as much of his time as he could, after the meal Arya ran up to her father to show him the picture he'd drawn of her which in turn led Sansa to head back to her room for her own picture. Even their mother smiled at the pictures, though still she gave him the same look.

Jon decided to use the excuse of being overly tired from their travels to do what he wished though and ignored the snide remarks Robb and the Greyjoy boy made, though was pleased to see the annoyance in his uncles face at them both. He bid goodnight to them all but before he got the chance to leave his uncle got up and accompanied him some of the way back towards his room.

"It's good to see you well son, I hope you know that."

"I do Lord Stark." Jon said and his uncle grimaced.

"We should speak on the morrow Jon we've much to discuss."

"That we do my lord, if you'll forgive me I'm most tired."

"Oh, of course, good night Jon.

"Goodnight my lord." Jon said as he unlocked and entered his room.

He waited a few minutes until he was sure his uncle had headed back to the hall before leaving his room, Jaime had allowed Jors and Alyrs the night off as he hadn't spoken to his uncle yet about his guards, so Jon found himself alone in the corridor he moved quickly and made it outside with no problems, moving in the shadows he almost made it all the way unnoticed only for Ghost to appear in front of him.

"Where've you been boy." he said softly as he rubbed the white fur. "Come we've got somewhere to go."

It didn't take him long to enter the crypts themselves, he picked up the unlit torch and lighting it from the one nearest the door walked by the statues, he reached his grandfathers first and closed his eyes before leaning in to touch it. He silently said a few words and moved on to his uncle Brandon's and did the same, before placing the torch on the wall and looking at his mothers. Reaching into his pocket he took the winter rose out and placed it in her open hands.

The statue before him was a dull likeness of the woman he'd seen, he reached inside his shirt and took out her picture and compared it to the statue and couldn't help but think the man who made it had done a poor job. He hadn't captured the light in her eyes, her spirit, her fierceness, looking at the picture and then the statue, he thought that if they'd wanted to embody his mother they'd have done better doing a statue of Arya than what they did.

"I'm sorry mother, I didn't know, had I then I'd have come sooner, I swear it." Jon said softly as he felt the tears begin to flow.

"I don't know if he'd have told me, I may have gone my whole life not knowing who you are, not knowing how close you were, as it is I've gone ten years without you and every day I wake up and wish you were here with me.

I'm doing it mother, doing what you asked me, what you wanted me to do. I will be the king the realm needs, I will fulfill your promise I swear it on the old gods and the new, I swear it. I love you mother, now and forever." Jon ignored the tears that were rolling down his face.

Ghost stirred beside him and Jon rubbed his hand on the wolf's fur, before turning quickly at the sound of the footsteps that seemed far too close.

"Your mother would have loved you with everything she had, it was the only she knew how to love. I too miss her everyday. I miss when wolves roamed these halls, when a she wolf refused to be cowed. For many years I've waited for the white wolf to return, for the pack to be whole once more, only you can do it young pup. For you're not only the prince that was promised, not only are you a dragon, you are a wolf Jon Snow. The blood of the kings of winter flows through your veins and the time has come for you to howl." Old Nan said smiling as she reached down to rub Ghost.