Ned studied the small room as one of the stewards brought in food and ale. There were books and maps here and there, correspondence sat in tidy stacks, sorted by importance… he'd taught Jon that. He'd taught the lad many things. He'd also taught him not to lie.

He let his gaze shift to Jon. The role of Lord Commander sat well with him. The younger man stood, waiting for the steward to stop fussing with the food and the fire, and leave them be. He said nothing, but his eyes gave him away. Impatience, anticipation, fear, hope, gods he had his mother's eyes. The silence was unbearable.

"How is Ghost?" Ned asked, more to break the silence than for any other reason.

"He's good." Jon replied. "He's been very useful."

Ned nodded. He took a small mouthful of ale and had to fight not to spit it out. "Gods, I think that's worse than the batch they made ten years ago, what are they straining it with? Dirty socks?"

Jon shook his head. "The ale's bad, the food and the company are worse, but that's not why you're here."

Ned gave a bitter laugh. "No, it's not." He forced himself to drink some more ale. They remained silent and the steward finally left the room.

"Father?" Jon asked pleadingly. The pain in his voice spoke far more loudly than any words could.

Ned kept his eyes on his cup. "You are my blood but I am not your father." He said very quietly. "I'm your uncle. You're Lyanna's… and your father's name is Rhaegar… and I'm a traitor for letting you live." He felt the tears start but made no effort to hide them. "She begged me to keep you safe, she knew Robert would never tolerate you to live, and she knew she was dying. She made me promise." He finally looked up at Jon. "You're my blood, and there you were, lying in my arms, looking up at me with your mother's eyes. What choice did I have but to protect you? What choice did I have but to love you?"

Jon appeared to be in shock. Ned buried his head in his hands and cried. Minutes seemed to pass. Eventually Ned heard the sound of Jon pushing back his chair. Jon's boots made his steps sound heavy against the stone floor as he walked around the table towards Ned.

"Uncle." Jon whispered and knelt down beside Ned.

Ned felt Jon's arms wrap around him, Jon had gotten taller, even from kneeling he was able to rest his forehead against Ned's shoulder, he could feel Jon shaking and knew that he was shedding silent tears, yet he was still trying to offer Ned comfort. It was the last reaction that Ned might have expected. He turned, pulling Jon into a tight embrace.

"She'd be so proud of you." Ned whispered. "I'm so proud of you. I love you so much, I wish I could have done more, I wish I could have done better by you. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you sooner, I didn't know how. You are my blood, you will always be my blood, remember that."

"Tell me about her?" Jon asked.

Ned nodded, he gestured to the empty chair beside them and Jon moved from the floor to sit on it. The food grew cold and the ale grew warm but neither cared. They sat and talked for hours, and slowly two broken hearts started to mend.

~~FIN~~