Disclaimer: I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire.

Another dragon, another wolf, another stag

Epilogue

"Talking"

"Thinking"

(Location: Harrenhal University)

"I'm going to destroy this thing," Rhae growled as she looked at the book in front of her. "I am going to rip it to pieces, burn it in a great blaze, and laugh as the pages burn before me."

Mya looked at her from the kitchen. "Rhae, you know you're not going to burn the book," she said with complete exasperation. "You love books too much."

She looked at her best friend. They had been through thick and thin since middle school. Mya's father used to say they were just like their ancestors. Since Rhae was a history major, she knew what he had been talking about. Mya Stone had been a handmaid to Princess Rhaenys Targaryen. Despite the difference in their status, they had been friends and remained so when Mya was officially made a Baratheon, adopted by her uncle.

Still, the friendship didn't stop her from scowling at her friend. "Mya, don't ruin my foul mood."

Mya sighed in exasperation across the apartment. "You've been saying the same thing to every book you've picked up and got mad at."

"That's because they're not telling me what I want to know."

"Your theory is a little far-fetched. You know that."

"It is not," she insisted. "I know it's the truth. Westeros's history has been tampered with." Ever since she visited Winterfell back in high school and read their version of history, she knew that history had been changed.

At first she had thought it was a discrepancy in the one book but the more she read the more she found the same discrepancy. It was like history had erased a person, pretending that he didn't exist. The strange thing was that in the North one person was gone and in the south was another. The only thing that Daemon Targaryen and Jon Snow shared was that they had both joined the Night's Watch before the Second Long Night occurred but that was it. The fact that neither showed up where the other was made her believe it was the same person, just with a different name.

The thing was, whenever she tried to bring it up, people either didn't believe her or outright scoffed at it. Even when she pursued it as her maesterial degree, her teachers either laughed like it was a good joke or suggested that she tried something else. Anyone else would've given up on it after so much ridicule.

But she didn't. She pursued it with a tenacity some people would've called madness if they were in the middle ages. She didn't give up and she wasn't going to give up now. She stood up from her chair and grabbed the book. "I'll be out," she declared, heading for the door.

"Where are you going?" Mya asked, looking at her. "Wait, don't tell me. You're going to the library."

"Of course I am," she said, putting on her coat.

"Rhae, have you ever considered taking a break one of these nights? You don't need to study."

She looked back at Mya. "I don't study all the time, Mya. You know I go out. I went to see that blockbuster movie everyone was talking about."

"That was three weeks ago," she said flatly.

It was true, but it was beside the point. "Look, I've got to return this book back to the library. And I know that my brother is coming over, so it's better to leave now."

She didn't have to look back to know that Mya was blushing. "I'm just making him some dinner."

"I know that. I also know what will come after dinner." She glanced back at Mya and saw she was blushing even harder. "Mya, you guys have been going out since we were sophomores. I'm surprised that Egg hasn't popped the question yet."

"Y-you mean he's going to?" She tried to hold the stutter in but it slipped out.

Rhae stopped at the door, her hand on the doorknob. "If he is, he hasn't told me," she said. "I don't know what's taking him so long."

"Well, he is a prince."

"And I'm a princess and you're a lord's daughter. And we're not even important."

She knew Mya was rolling her eyes. "Rhae, that's not true."

"Of course it's true. You're the fourth child of Lord Baratheon and my grandfather's oldest brother is the king, and that makes me and Aegon the gods only knows what position in line for the throne. The media doesn't care about us. It's why we're able to study here in peace." She opened the door. "I'll be back."

The evening sky was starting to creep in as she came out of the apartment block. It wasn't warm but it wasn't cool. It was just right. She started walking and the campus soon showed itself. Harrenhal University had been built around the ruins of Harrenhal, even using some of the ruins as buildings. Some people might've said that was wrong and even blasphemous. Rhae just thought it added to the richness of the classes. After all, Harrenhal University had a big history program.

She stepped onto the campus and looked at the campus. Despite the bad history of the ruins, it found great success as a university than a castle ever did. It was changed into a school when Maekar II convinced the maesters of Oldtown to begin a second school there. A city grew around the school until it became what she saw in front of her. It was because of the university and the city that when people thought of the Riverlands, they thought of here first and Riverrun, the kingdom capital, second.

She considered walking amongst the ruins for a little, get a feel for the history again. It was something that she loved to do. Perhaps it was because she loved history. She always felt like it was a story that she could read and reread and find something new each time. When she went to university, she refined her love of history into a focus of medieval age, specifically the era of the Three Wise Dragons. The kings Aegon VI, Maekar II, and Maegor II, that was when the medieval age started to turn to the modern.

"No, Rhae," she told herself. "Go to the library."

The library was one of the new buildings, having been built over the Flowstone Yard. She walked in and ignored the sheer size of it. They were old friends now. The librarian looked up once. "Hello, Princess," he said.

"Hey, Ed," she said back. She put the book on the desk.

"Returning it already?"

She frowned at it again. "It didn't have what I want."

He took the book and started the process of returning it. "Are you going to try and find another one?"

She nodded. "There's got to be a book in here that proves my theory." He didn't laugh at her. Ed was one of the few people who didn't disprove her theory instantly. The first time he heard it, he claimed to be quite interested and wanted to hear more.

She left the librarian's desk and went deep into the shelves. She knew the path to the historical section and the shelves that held the books she needed. She had been going the shelves steadily, still hoping that she would find the book that she needed. She had been hoping to find a connection between Daemon Targaryen and Jon Snow. Now she was just hoping she found something that showed they lived in the same era.

She found the shelves and stared at them with a mixture of hatred and weariness. "Hello, you foul blasted things," she said to them. "Shall we get to it?" They didn't answer. They never did, no matter how many insults she threw at them.

She started down the shelves, scanning the titles. "Excuse me," a voice said from the end.

Rhae looked that way and saw a man standing there. She recognized him. "Jon, right?" she asked. "Jon Drake?" House Drake was a family formed from the union of Prince Viserys and Sansa Stark. As such, they were distantly related. But it was only that marriage that made them related and it happened 1,000 years ago.

"Yeah, that's me," he said, coming closer to her. He looked different from the last time she saw him. He had a beard now and his hair was longer. "I'm glad you remember me."

"Wow, he's handsome," she thought. Despite what some people might think, she did have a libido and it was currently telling her that what she was looking at was a catch, plain and simple. They had shared history classes before he went into archeology. "Working out in the field has done wonders for you," she told him. His black flannel shirt emphasized the muscles she knew he didn't have before. The straps of the backpack pulling against the shirt also helped.

"And you're still as beautiful as ever," he replied, smiling a smile that made his violent eyes seem brighter.

Her stomach did funny things. The last time she had felt like this was with her last boyfriend, Joffrey Lannister. She thought that what they had was serious. He didn't and ended up sleeping with her cousin. It backfired on him when they both gave him a black eye.

But Jon wasn't Joffrey. She self-consciously touched her short hair. She hated the curls she got when it was long. Now she wondered if she kept it long so he could see what it looked like. "What can I do to help you?" she asked him.

"Actually, it's what I can do to help you. Are you still pursuing that theory of yours?" he asked.

"You know I am." He had been rare in that he didn't or did believe her. She had never pressed him about it but that was because she hadn't really known him outside of class.

"I think I can help you with it."

She had heard those words before and they never came through. Still, she guessed she could hear what he had to say. "What would that be?" she asked, trying to keep the disbelief out of her voice. It worked, somewhat.

He didn't react to it. "I went back home to Seawolf's Rest over the summer. My family was hosting an excavation of Seadragon, the castle where the Drakes used to rule from."

She knew about it. That's what puzzled her. "I thought it wasn't a ruin." It had been preserved to serve as a museum of sorts.

"There are some spots that haven't been touched," he explained. "No one really expected to find anything but in a cellar, I found a set of old books that somehow had been preserved. It was examined and studied. When we realized what it was, I thought of you and I transcribed." He put the backpack down and pulled something out.

He held a binder. When she took it and opened it, she saw that it was full of papers. She started reading the first page instantly.

They named me Lord Commander. We barely survived Mance Rayder's attack on the Wall and they name me Lord Commander of the Night's Watch. I should probably blame Sam and Quentyn. They were talking amongst the men, to Cotter Pyke and Ser Denys.

When I came to the Wall, I didn't expect to become the Lord Commander. Then again, there are many things I didn't expect when I came here. I didn't expect to become the steward to the Old Bear. I didn't expect to spy on the Free Folk from within their own camp. I…didn't expect to fall in love again.

I didn't know what to do with being the Lord Commander. I went to Maester Aemon to ask for guidance. He told me the same thing he told his brother, King Aegon V. "Kill the boy," he said, "And let the man be born." He also suggested that I write a journal, that perhaps it would help focus my thoughts if I saw them written. I have no idea if what he said was true or not. I never wrote a journal before. Perhaps now would be a good time to start.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

302 AL

Rhae tore her eyes away from the paper. "Is this genuine?" she asked. "This isn't some kind of bad prank?"

He shook his head. "No, it's real. Every word that we found has been written is there," he told her, pointing at the binder.

"What was it doing in Seadragon? Shouldn't it be at the Wall?" As soon as she had asked that question, she started thinking about it. During the Second Long Night, the Wall somehow fell, leaving a gaping hole between Castle Black and Queensgate. Whatever caused it also made it impossible to repair. Time eroded both sides of the hole, making it larger until it covered the area from the Nightfort to the Sable Hall. After that, the Night's Watch practically fought to keep the gap from growing any bigger.

"I'm not," Jon told her. "It doesn't say. But keep reading."

Oh, she was going to keep reading. She was going to need better lighting and a chair. She started walking back to the tables, grabbed the nearest chair and sat in it. She opened the binder again and devoured the words within.

I'm going to try something that will make the Night's Watch enraged. But there's no other choice. The Free Folk must come through the Wall. It's the only way to prevent them from being killed by the Others. Those who haven't seen the Others don't believe that they are real. They're more focused on the wildings. And yet, those who have seen the Others don't want to give up their distrust and hatred of the wildings. Both sides have been fighting for too long. But this has to end.

The Free Folk can settle in the Gift. But since that borders the North, the lords will not like the Free Folk there. There will be protests, from the Last Hearth and Bear Island particularly. It is why I've asked for a delegation from the North to come to the Wall so that they can have a voice in the matter. I received word from Winterfell. Lord Stark is sending the Pack to be that voice. They will be the ones who will contend with the Free Folk when they take their fathers' seat. I also asked Maester Aemon to stand as a representative of the Iron Throne, due to his Targaryen blood.

In that aspect, I am glad. Although I would like to see Lord Stark again, I cannot. It would mean that we would have to talk and I must admit the prospect terrifies me. I already know what the men say when I'm not in the room. They might not say when I'm there but I know it's on their minds. It's all rumor and questions now and I mean to keep it so. It's why I asked Maester Aemon to represent the Iron Throne. I want no dragons from the south coming to the Wall. It would defeat my coming here.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

302 AL

I…I nearly died last night. My own men attacked me. If it hadn't been for Robb, Edd, and Ser Daemon, I would've been killed. I knew that the Watch did not like what was happening with the Free Folk. But I didn't expect that they would try to do this, when the castle was filled with lords from the North!

Does this mean I have been a horrible Lord Commander? No, I can't believe that. A horrible Lord Commander would've let the Free Folk die out beyond the Wall. If that happened, the army of the dead would swell to numbers I shudder to think of. Could the Watch be so blinded by their grudges that they were willing to let that happen?

That's wrong of me to say. The entire Watch doesn't believe that. The outrage they had against the traitors this morning was so loud, I wouldn't have been surprised if the Last Hearth thought there was a storm on the horizon. Several have demanded they lose their heads for what they attempted. The Pack agreed and the Free Folk were angry they could've lost their chance for safety.

I agreed with their sentiments. The traitors were executed. I killed them myself in the yard with the Watch, the Free Folk, and the Pack watching. I looked them in the eyes as they died. When my duty was done, I looked and saw all of them watching me. They looked at me with respect. Perhaps this will help smooth the talks now.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

302 AL

I received a letter today, from King's Landing. It bore the Targaryen seal. I opened it, holding out against hope that it was from someone I wanted to talk to. But I found it came from the King and his queen. No sooner had I read the letter than I threw it into the fire. They wanted to write back. They will not get it. My name is not what they think it is.

The Free Folk have settled in the Gift with little trouble. So far, the lords of the North have no complaints about them being there. There had been some uncertainty about the Free Folk stealing a woman to get a wife. I talked the chiefs of the Free Folk and managed to make a compromise with them: A wilding could try to steal a woman but they also had to give her family a warning beforehand. In return, the family agreed to welcome him into their hall before he stole her and that they wouldn't actually kill him.

No one was particularly happy about the compromise. Quentyn told me that was a sign of how good of a compromise it was. Now that I think about it, perhaps what we had accomplished was how courting actually began. In the Seven Kingdoms, a man marrying a woman does technically take her away from her family. That could be seen as stealing. I wonder what the maesters in Oldtown would think of that.

On the note of the maesters, I have been thinking of sending Sam down to Oldtown so he can forge his chain. When I brought it up to him, he nearly fell into a panic. He told me that no Tarly had ever been sent to Oldtown. I reminded him that he swore his life to the Watch and he obeyed the Lord Commander of the Watch. I had to remind that Maester Aemon was an old man who would most likely die soon. If he did, we would need a new maester. But I also told him that he would only go when I was sure there would be no trouble between the Free Folk, the Watch, and the North.

I've received word of Sansa and Prince Viserys. They've finally married and gone to their lands. The castle is being built as is the port. Prince Viserys apparently took a step in furthering himself from the royal family. He changed his house name to Drake. I don't know what the king thinks about that. Perhaps he might think it's a new Blackfyre family that will try to take the Iron Throne. Or perhaps he thinks nothing of it.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

303 AL

Rhae stopped herself from going any further to look at Jon. "Do you mind if I take a highlighter to this?" she asked him. She had to mark what she thought was important.

He nodded. "Go ahead." He even held out a highlighter for her.

She took it and flipped through the pages. Every time she came across a page that she felt was important, she marked it. What she marked, she also read.

I had a surprise today. One of the wandering crows brought in recruits, two of which were Ned and Tommen. The last time I had seen them was at Riverrun. They had been boys then. They were men now but it was clear, despite Tommen's knighthood, they were green. While I was glad to have seen them, I reminded myself of Uncle Benjen's words. A man must earn his chance on the Wall. I learned that lesson harsher than I hope they will.

There is the question of Tommen though. I had always believed that Lord Tywin was preparing him to be his heir. I took him aside and asked him why he had come. He told me that he wasn't the heir his grandfather wanted, he couldn't be. But Lord Tywin would never accept that, so that was why he came to the Wall.

Whatever the case may be for him being here, Lord Tywin could possibly come after him. For all I know, he could be on his way right now. He would have to contend with the North first if he wants to come. That should give me time to ensure Tommen swears the oath.

News also came with the crow. Prince Aegon had married Lady Margaery in a grand wedding. I remember how unhappy he had been with that marriage until he gave his family and the Tyrells his demands. I also wondered about Mya. Now that she was a proper Baratheon, was she at Storm's End? If she was at the wedding it was probably in Lord Stannis's attendance, next to Lady Shireen.

There was no news about Rhaenys, only that she was at the wedding. I was glad and saddened to hear that, for the same reason. I can't think of her anymore. My place is here at the Wall.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

308 AL

We got the news before he arrived. King Aegon's son, Crown Prince Maekar, was to be fostered at the Wall. I had Sam check the histories. This had never happened before, not even before Aegon the Conqueror bent Westeros to his will.

The prince came into Castle Black with an armed escort. That escort left once he was properly placed in my care. That's when he made his first mistake. In the yard, in front of the entire Watch, he called me uncle. I made him clean the common hall after supper, without any help. It was cruel, I know. When he was done, I took him aside and told him never to call me that again.

The free folk were curious about Maekar, especially the children his age. They showed their curiosity by teasing and mocking him, calling him little kneeler. He got angry and attacked them. Instead, he was beaten. I had Sam give him basic aide but told him to leave the bruises be.

Then we had the room. He complained that he was being insulted and he had to do something. "You could've done something," I told him. "You could've done nothing." And that was his first lesson as a leader: you can't always react and you must understand those you are going to lead. He didn't understand. I told him to spend the next day with the free folk. Hopefully, he will learn what I want him to do.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

317 AL

It has been five years since Maekar came to Castle Black to foster to the day. He has changed and I cannot take all the credit for that. Sam has taught him, the same as Ned, Tommen, Quentyn, and all the men of the Watch. But even with his change, there is still some way to go for him.

For the first time, I've initiated a change to the Night's Watch. It's probably not a change, more like a more thorough looking at the Watch oath. With so many free folk women and spearwives near and manning the Wall, it's hard for everyone not to find someone to sleep with. A man of the Watch going off to dig for buried treasure in Mole Town is one thing. But to actively sleep with woman here is something else entirely.

But Sam had noticed something in the oath. It was something we discussed amongst ourselves privately, our own Pack at Riverrun. He pointed that the oath prevents us from taking wives or siring children. But he also pointed out that there is nothing in the oath that prevents from "activities," as he put it.

It was a valid, something that we all agreed on. But Edd pointed out how exactly we were supposed to enforce no one actually made a baby. Grenn offered that they just pull out before they're done. It was dismissed because we had no idea if they would. Then Quentyn said, "If we only had sheathes for their swords."

Now Sam designing something to that effect with scraps of leather. It's something that requires experimenting. The Watch was all too happy to volunteer for the experiments. They became less happy when they realized just what the experiments were. No one likes their cock being measured and then compared to others.

We've heard of how Daenerys Targaryen has begun to march across Essos, freeing the slaves that she comes across. I've been told that no official support has been given but a lot of men from the Seven Kingdoms have gone to Essos. They say that she rides the dragon and the dragon listens only to her. Some have said that the dragon is Lyanna Stark reborn. I've heard that it came to Winterfell but would not come to the castle itself. Perhaps this is something I should talk to the skinchangers from the Free Folk.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

322 AL

It would seem that Maekar has become interested in women now. It is normal for a four-and-ten year old boy. It was a good thing the change was made to the Watch. If it hadn't, I do not doubt that some of the Watch would've taken him to Mole Town so he could learn. At least now he could learn properly about women.

It's not just any girl Maekar's interested in. It is Dalla, Val's daughter. She is a leader of the Free Folk, one of their best. Ever since the change was made, she had been with Quentyn. It is almost strange to see a Dornish prince with one of the Free Folk. But it makes a certain sense if I give some thought to it.

Maekar wants to know how to impress Dalla. If he was a typical southron prince, he probably would've just lorded his supposed authority, thinking that would impress her. If he hadn't, he probably would've ordered her to his bed. Either would've earned him pain from her. But he didn't do that. Instead, he came to me, asking for advice. I give him the only advice I knew how to give: I told him not to be drastic or overbearing. All he had to be was himself around her.

He was skeptical but he took the advice. I've seen him talking to Dalla and walking with her, always in sight of Quentyn or Dalla. There are a lot of smiles and laughs between the two of them. I do wonder if the king plans to betroth his son to a lady in the Seven Kingdoms. If he does, I have not heard a word of it. Besides, whatever marriage that is being planned, what could happen between Maekar and Dalla would be better. It would help ease the relation between the Free Folk and the Iron Throne.

Still, seeing the two of them together, clearly falling in love with each other but not saying a word, it makes me remember my own youth. Riverrun is still a clear memory in my mind. There are nights where I dream about my last meeting in the godswood with Princess Rhaenys. Sometimes I wonder, what would've happened if I had said yes. If I knew what came the next day, if I accepted it, would I have told her that I loved her?

No, there's no point in thinking about it. It happened. There's nothing I can do about it. She is never coming to the Wall.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

326 AL

The king has called for his son to return home. Prince Maekar asked me to come, to stand with him, his wife, and son before the Iron Throne. I had considered refusing him, saying that my place was at the Wall. But the temptation to see her, see Rhaenys again, was too great. I agreed.

We sailed to King's Landing from Eastwatch. When we walked into the throne room, my eyes found her. She stood close to the Iron Throne. I had thought her beautiful at Riverrun. Now I knew better. She was more beautiful now, with the wisdom and grace that came with age.

When I saw Arya in the white of the Kingsguard, I was proud of her. When I left the throne room, she came to find me. The first thing I did was ruffle her head like we used to do back in Winterfell. She hugged me and we talked. We talked about what has happened to us.

That night, there was a man waiting for me in my quarters. It was Lord Varys. I hadn't really known him the last time I was in King's Landing. He talked to me and revealed something that I and the other had long thought about: he was GOTR. He had seen me in King's Landing after Riverrun and knew what would come next. He could see the war before it happened and he refused to let it happen. That was he helped me flee King's Landing. It was all in the word he used as an identity. GOTR: Good Of The Realm. I listened to his explanation and when he was done, I thanked him.

I didn't do much while staying in King's Landing. I simply told Edd and Maekar to keep their eyes on the others, Young Sam especially. For Quentyn, I told him to pay attention. After what happened the day before, I fear that he might harbor resentment to House Tarly. It is best if nothing ever comes of that. I also talked to King Aegon about the state of the Wall and the Watch. He promised me that if it was needed, he would send men to the Wall, men who were just dregs from the prisons. He also promised me support in resources and supplies.

His reason for this generosity was because I raised his son to be a good man and perhaps a better king then him. I found that hard to believe since the people of the Seven Kingdoms already sing praises of Aegon VI.

I slept alone that night but I awoke and saw Rhaenys there. She was there, in my quarters. I would have been a fool if I didn't know what she was there for. I could've told her to go, to leave. But I didn't. She stayed in my bed that night.

We left the next morning and I knew that I would never see her again. But I was glad for what we had.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

331 AL

It seems that I will continue to change the Watch as it is known. I have made it so any woman who wished to join the Watch can. I knew that the Sand Snakes, especially the elder four, would not resist the chance. It wasn't so much as a response to defend Westeros as it was a chance for them to prove themselves better than me. They never liked how my fortunes seemed to have changed after Riverrun.

The women of Bear Island answered too. Jack's daughter arrived at the Wall with Dacey's mace in hand. The Wall is fit to burst with the men and women manning it. It makes me glad that I had ordered the other castles be reopened. If I had given that order nowadays, it would have caused more problems than needed.

Prince Viserys brought his children from Seadragon. He claimed that he wanted to show them what it was like to be a man of the Watch. They came to Castle Black, four children in all. The eldest was my age when I came to the Wall. Gods, looking at him, so young, I don't think I've felt my age.

But it was his youngest son, Nathaniel, who has my attention. The boy is six years old and looks like a Stark, except for his violet eyes, but there is something else there too. I don't know why but he reminds me of Rhaenys. Is it in the way he walks or speaks? Perhaps it's how his hair is a shade darker and in the right light, looks black? Viserys mentioned that his niece came to visit seven years ago. She stayed there close to a year. Am I thinking too much on this?

In any event, the boy has no interest of joining the Watch. He's told me that he wants to sail the sea and explore the world. Viserys has told me that when he's ready, he will be fostered out to the Iron Islands with Theon. I still find myself surprised he rules the Iron Islands, making them change. I think that he has his sister's aide in that, and her husband's. Arya told me that she and Lady Brienne attended the wedding of Willas Tyrell to Asha Greyjoy. She couldn't figure out who was more shocked, Lord Mace, Lady Olenna, or Theon. I just hope the boy will turn out alright.

When they left, I tried to think not much of it. But Nathan plagues my thoughts.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

338 AL

Lady Catelyn has passed away. I received this news along a request from Lord Eddard to come to Winterfell, to attend her funeral. I had received plenty of requests to come back to Winterfell. I had refused them all. But this one, I couldn't refuse. I traveled to Winterfell alone.

Winterfell looked exactly the same as when I left for Riverrun, all those years ago. Robb greeted me at the gate. His children swarmed around me, wanting to hear stories about what was beyond the Wall. Robb and I looked at each other. We knew what this was like. I remember doing the same whenever Uncle Benjen came to visit.

All the Starks were coming to Winterfell, even as far south as Rickon with Lady Shireen Baratheon. I was the last to arrive, having been summoned when she was dead. Lord Eddard was happy to see us all. But when he saw me, he turned solemn. The day after Lady Stark's funeral, I met with him in Robb's solar.

Once we were alone there, he confessed. Everything that the king had said about me, everything about me being Lyanna Stark's son, it was all true. He told me how he found his sister in the Tower of Joy, how she begged him to take me away from the king and burn her so he couldn't have her, and how he obeyed her, promising to keep the secret. And now that secret was broken. I was silent and so was he. He was waiting for my response. I broke my silence and told him, "You're still my father."

The next morning I came down to break my fast. Prince Viserys and Sansa were there with their children. I sat with them and ate with them. It was there I learned that the dragon Daenerys Targaryen had flown with was now with Nathaniel. It seemed that once she had died and all her efforts crumbled into chaos, the dragon flew from Essos to Seadragon. It tolerated Viserys's family but only allowed Nathaniel to ride it.

I asked him where the dragon. He told me that it had stayed at Seadragon. Apparently he told the dragon they were coming to Winterfell and it would not move from it rested, no matter how much he cajoled or pleaded with it. If there was any remaining suspicions left in my mind, they were gone with that talk.

I left Winterfell for the Wall the next day. I said goodbye to all the Starks but I confess that I gave more attention to Nathaniel. I told him to grow up to be a good man that would do great things. He smiled and nodded. I left Winterfell, knowing that I would never come back. I couldn't. Yet I rode, remembering Nathaniel's smile. I probably shouldn't have but I felt proud of him.

Jon Snow

998th Lord Commander of the Night's Watch

341 AL

Rhae put the lighter down as she stared at the page. There was more, much more, in the binder. It provided an insight to life in the Watch and the events in that time. But she was more concerned about what she found. "This is it," she said. "This is what I've been looking for. This will cement my thesis and prove the maesters wrong." It would rewrite history as people knew it. She looked over at Jon. "How can I ever thank you?"

"Would dinner work?" he asked, trying to be casual but clearly nervous. "I know a place not too far away."

She looked at him, realizing what the implication behind his words was. He wasn't just offering dinner. He liked her and wanted to see if it would go anywhere. She liked him too. She didn't really talk to him when they shared classes. Perhaps that was her mistake. Perhaps she should take him up on his offer.

"You know what?" she said, getting out of the chair. "That sounds great. Why don't we take it a step further and consider it a date?"

A smile broke out on his face, showing him to be surprised but happy at her suggestion. "I would like that," he told her.

She packed up her stuff and together they walked out of the library. Tomorrow she could start the work on bring her thesis together and show those maesters just how wrong they were. Tonight, she was going to have dinner with a good looking man. She didn't know how exactly, but she knew that this was the start of something she wouldn't regret.

End

Author's note: Thank you for all the reviews you've sent me.

Like I said, it would be more surprising or annoying. But here we are, at the end of this story.

I warned you all at the start of this: I was going to be taking an old and familiar notion, force it to its knees, and promptly screw it up the ass. This story has divided people. A lot have been complaining about how this story took a turn for the worse near the end but others have said it was good. I can only say this to it all: I have succeeded in my attempt.

You can probably imagine what Nathaniel Drake's life would be like. He grew to be an explorer, traveling the world and finding new lands, bringing prestige and rewards to his house, making it one of the more powerful houses in the North. As to his name, I was tempted to name him Francis, but Nathaniel would've been a lot more fun.

I could've tied up a few more ends with Jon Snow's journal. But this is Game of Thornes. There are a lot of things we don't know about and it doesn't look like that's going to change any time soon.

I'll see you all in the next story!