Author´s notes: As readers on AO3 have pointed out, the start might be confusing. Jon Dayne looks exactly like Jon Snow portrayed by Kit Harrington. Jaehaerys Targaryen is another person, who´s fate will be revealed chapter 2. Dusk is House Dayne´s second ancestral sword, which looks exactly like Dawn. Dawn is no greatsword here.

Chapter 1: Dusk

All stars fall at dawn, but rise again at Dusk."

The Red Keep was a beautiful sight today, as the sun shone high above him. The sky was filled with big white clouds, filled like the tummies of rich lords. It was hot, at least under the training armor he was wearing. Jon wanted nothing more than to jump in the big pool of water where Rhae probably spent the day. Maybe if he saw Egg the two of them could spend the night at the beach with some wine. Dany and Rhae would probably join them too. Not that his father had to know.

The city King´s landing was loud, as everyone wanted to enjoy the good weather. Traders on the market screamed as if it was their last moment on earth to sell goods they found in lands from far away. It had rained in the last couple of days, so the children were happy to play in the mud the stormy weather left behind, while their parents lectured them to keep their clothes clean.

His stance was impregnable, the swinging of the sword in his hands fluidly, his movement balanced. Still, Jon´s face touched the mud under him as he fell. The blood in his mouth mingled with the sandy dirt. The young boy instantly spat it out, but made no movement to get up. He did everything right – why would he still lose?

The training was always harder than the day before. When Jon went to bed Rhae often gave him some self-made herbal paste to ease the pain of his joints and reduce the blue spots of his skin. If Jon didn´t knew better, he might have thought that his father was a sadistic swordsmen having fun destroying him during the spars. His father stood mere meters away from him, now finally reaching down to him. Jon´s eyes filled with tears, he neither wanted to disappoint his father nor look like a fool in public. With a mindset like this would he truly ever reach the point of being called The Sword of the Morning?

Arthur was quiet for a long time, before speaking in a calm tone, "I know what you are feeling Jon. You are frustrated that you lost and that´s okay son."

He waited a couple of seconds, but Jon did not react, "Hold on to this anger of losing and let it be the muscle in your back which makes you stand up again. It´s a sign that you have not given up yet."

"It´s so hard father.", Jon waited shortly to start sobbing profusely, "What did I do wrong? Why would I still lose? Why can´t I , like you, beat my father at ten and four name days?", Jon whispered, his eyes red from the tears spilled.

His father sat down next to him, not caring about the looks everyone around him was throwing at them. "My father was not a swordsman Jon… it was easy for me to win Dawn in a fair battle from him. It wasn´t really an accomplishment at all. And it does not matter as he and I are different persons, just as much as you and I are not the same. No matter what these fools may think or tell you Jon, I see a far greater swordsman in you than myself.", the tone of pride sent shivers through Jon´s body.

"You are only saying that to make me stand up.", Jon murmured defeated.

"Maybe. But did I ever lie to you? Now stand up Jon Dayne. There is no way to go but forward, or have you ever seen someone walk backwards his whole life?", after Jon finally lifted his head to look at this fathers face he saw him smiling, "And if you cannot stand up on your own, remember the people both friends and foes looking at you."

After Jon let out a deep breath he moved his head to look at the fence surrounding the yard used for spars. When his eyes found those of Princess Daenerys she let out a very unladylike scream, "Stand up Jon! Stand up! Stand up! Stand up you idiot!" Dany pounded her hands on the woods of the fence every time a word left her mouth.

With a smile on his lips Jon finally stood again, "Father, will it ever be not impossible for me to get the sword from you?"

Arthur simply shook his head, "We cannot know if you don´t try. However, Jon you are forgetting what Maester Pycelle taught you. Nothing is impossible, just highly improbable."

Jon couldn´t help but groan before chuckling. "I remember your jokes to have been better when I was boy."

"Quit your antics.", his father may have said sternly, but Jon knew that he too was trying to hold his laugher, "Common Jon, advance. If you call yourself a man already than bring it on. Show me what you are capable of!"

"You remember the day the stars really fell?", Dany asked him, sucking on an orange. He and her were ten and one name days back then. It was a warm summer night. Dany sneaked out of the Red Keep with a small cake and some oranges. They have both lain in the soft green grass in the gardens of the Keep watching the stars. And true to Jon´s House they were moving very fast at the sky like little birds. It was truly astonishing. Even though the young Dayne knew that the princess was only afraid of the thunder during a storm, she was adamant to hold his hands. Jon was about to respond when the door opened abruptly.

"How many of those did you eat today already dear sister?", Rhae looked at her in disbelief, while walking to the table in the middle of Jon´s chamber. Rhae and Dany called each other sisters, because they grew up together. Both were raised by King Rhaegar and Queen Elia after Danys true mother, late Queen Rhaella died. Well they called themselves sister as long as they didn´t annoy each other too much…

The princess looked at her with a grimace, "It´s only my third. And muna gave it to me!"

"So you would stay quiet and wouldn´t continue to fight the teachings of the maester.", a grin formed on all of their faces.

Dany pouted, "Is it my fault that Maester Trollhead always dismisses my corrections of his stories? I cannot believe he called Daeron Targaryen a fool! The man conquered Dorne!"

Even though Jon was trained in the art of the swordsmanship from a very young age his fondness of books never faltered. The room around him would always change depending on the book he was reading. Jon often let his fantasies free, imagining himself as Aegon the Conqueror or Aemon the Dragon Knight. There were two large shelfs in his room displaying just a small amout of the books he has already read. While his comprehension level sometimes did not understand the words, there was always Rhae to teach him the meanings.

Jon loved to remember these moments of absolute peace…

"What does conquering mean?", a very young Jon Dayne asked, averting his eyes from the book he war reading, furrowing his brows. His head was settled in the lap of Rhae. They would only ever do this when they were far away in the garden so that no one could see them.

"Well if you fight for something, like lands, you may keep them after winning the war.", Rhaenys smiled at the stoic face Jon was making. After some minutes of different grimaces, Jon made while he tried to fully comprehend the meaning, Jon simply nodded his head.

"Okay, I think I know what conquering means. But what is war?"

Rhaenys simply jiggled at the frowning Jon.

The only one to ever find them during this time was Dany. After that she was adamant that Jon should also lay in her lap. Other than Rhaenys who enjoyed reading the book with him, Dany was often more occupied with his hair.

Jon still remembered the face she made after his father cut it very short like his own.

"Well of course. Daeron may have fought Dorne and even won, but he was never able to keep it. Aegon the Conquerer reigned over the lands he conquered but Daeron did not. He as well as all the men with him died.", Rhaenys lectured the sour looking Dany.

The offended princess finally looked over to Jon and woke him out of his musings, "Jon what do you think?" She obviously wanted him on her side. Both princesses narrowed their eyes and studied him.

The young Dayne pondered for a couple of seconds before finally saying, "Well Rhaenys taught me the word ´to conquer´. And I remember that she said that he who fights for lands and wins the war may keep them."

"You little-"

"But then again, one could say, that while Daeron might have conquered Dorne for a couple of weeks, he was a fool for trying, as the quest was highly improbable to bear fruits.", Jon smiled as both the princesses were somewhat pleased with that answer.

Rhae narrowed her eyes again, "Ever the diplomat Jon.", and punched him on the arm.

"What was that for?", Jon let out a yelp.

"For being you.", they both smiled at him. Jon loved it. Their smiles could warm his heart on the darkest days and make him feel complete after getting punched in the training yard the whole time. Well, both princesses knew too, that he couldn´t deny them anything if they simply smiled and asked for something from him. Not that he minded though.

"Why aren´t you sparring with Egg?", a Dany of the age of ten and three questioned him, dusting off her beautiful white dress. Jon wouldn´t have wanted to stand up yet, but the princess had to be at the castle again for her teachings. The boulder they sat on was their little spot to dream and meet up without anyone noticing. Only Rhae and Egg knew of it as well. The big stone lay at the border of a small wood. You could watch the Blackwater Bay while enjoying the chirps of the birds around. The grass beneath them was soft and they often had small feasts between the four of them here.

"Lord Connington and the King wouldn´t like that, at least that´s what father told me.", Jon now stood next to her. They both started to walk.

"But you always love to train with Egg! He even calls you his brother like I and Rhae are calling each other sister. I will tell brother Rhaegar to stop being stupid!" Dany stomped her foot on the ground. However, she forgot her very high and elegant shoes and lost her balance. Jon instantly caught her. Daenerys used that moment to squeeze him tightly, so that his lung may not breathe.

Uneasy Jon looked around, searching the surroundings for people who may watch them. After being sure that there was no one of the common folk around he put his arms around the princess.

"It is unfair! You are a Dayne and your father was once brother´s best friend. Why wouldn´t he like you there?"

Since Jon didn´t know the answer either he just shrugged, "I can ask father, he will know. Dany… we have to get back to the castle."

"No, we will go to the spar of Egg and you will fight him.", Dany bossily declared, as if she never heard his words.

"I don´t think that´s a good idea prin-", she snaked out of the hug, took his hand and started running towards the fields used for all kinds of arms.

Jon often trained the entire day. If there weren´t any stable duties for him or classes of the Maester to attend he would spar against everyone he found. Every foe was an opportunity for him to learn new tricks to surprise his father. Not that it ever worked. Nevertheless, people of all ages always sought him to spar.

It was common knowledge to the folk that the young Dayne aspired to become the next Sword of the Morning. And how could he not – for his father was Ser Arthur Dayne himself! Maidens and old warriors alike loved watching him from a very young age. Books may give him an idea, but the sparring ground would always be the place to put these thoughts into action.

And even if it was highly improbable for him to ever defeat his father Jon considered himself to be good with the sword. After beating the man of arms his father gave him Dusk, the sword used by the last Dayne King, Vorian Dayne, the Sword of the Evening. It did not matter to Jon that he may now never hold Dawn now, the sword his father wielded at the Tower of Joy to defend the late Queen Lyanna and her son Jaehaerys. It was unheard of even for him after all the stories his father told of House Dayne that one could wield both.

Dusk shimmered purple in the sun light. Dusk and Dawn were the two ancestral swords of House Dayne. Both made of different fallen stars leading to one being purple like the sky at dusk and the other bone white like stars before dawn. Their banner shows it: A white sword crossing a white star on purple ground.

Dusk was Jon´s holy treasure. The sword worked perfectly for him and every day for next weeks he picked it up, unsheathed it right after waking up and before sleep to remember himself, that his father truly gifted it to him. No matter the words Lord Connington called him, nothing changed the big smile on his face. He polished the already clean swords for days for only after Rhae called him a simpleton he stopped.

Upon his arrival Egg, short for Aegon Targaryen, fifth of his name and heir of the Iron Throne, screamed "Jon! I won you know? Against Rhae, she was all this grumpy after her spear dropped to the ground! I need an enemy worthy of a King-to-be, you wanna´ spar?"

Aegon could be a little overbearing sometimes. The arrogance he displayed was nothing but a childish pride he had due to his standing. It was natural, Jon thought, It´s not like he´s looking down on you. He is the crown prince and has to act like it. Not being prideful of the feats he accomplished at his young age would seem insecure. He wouldn´t look like a king, if it wasn´t for the small snob in him.

He and Egg were like brothers and his father often compared them to himself and King Rhaegar when they were just boys. Always fooling around with each other while playing in the dirt, riding in the Kingswood to learn how to hunt or to measure oneself to the other by sparring with swords or shooting arrows with the bow. Every time they both fought each other with the sword, the yard became full of the young maiden of the keep. Egg only had to flash a small smile at them and they all would cheer for him. The young Dayne on the other hand always had Rhae and Dany to applaud him.

Jon would always remember the sweet orange juice and finest chocolate cakes when he was invited to play with the royal children. Maybe that´s when Dany got addicted to oranges?

Aegon even started to call him brother one day, only to be lectured by the Septa watching over them. He never used the word in the public again, only when they were alone or with the princesses.

The crown prince and Jon often sat down at the old weirwood tree close to the beach. It´s red leaves intrigued both Aegon and him. A balcony made of sand stone was built so one could either pray or look onto the Blackwater Bay. Beneath them was a small beach they oftentimes swam at.

Egg always started their meetings with talking about his day. The meetings, oh how Egg hated the meetings he had to attend. And if his stories were true, Jon would have despised them too.

"And can you believe it? Every small thing that happens in this realm, they talk about it for hours! I am not lying – hours! When a Lord dies of old age they do it. When a bannerman is killed they talk about it. When Lord Connington farts they talk about it!", Egg only ever spoke with his crude tongue with him. It made them both chuckle. "You know, when I am King we will do no such boring meetings!", Egg declared before standing up.

"We?", Jon asked in with a questioning face.

"Of course! Brother, you will be my Hand of the King!", Egg now held his hand out, waiting for Jon to take it.

The young Dayne nodded and stood up himself, "Always!". He took the hand of Egg and they both looked out onto the sea, where dusk swallowed the last lights of the day and stars rose anew.

However not everyone liked Jon. The comments of the high Lords and Ladies, as well as Jon Connington hurt the young Dayne deeply. He always thought that he was liked by both noble and the common folk. But it was nothing but a façade the Lords and Ladies wore when his father was close or one of the royal children. Otherwise he knew it – the bastard of Starfall, that´s what he was in their eyes. Their smiles always lost the happiness and became smugly when his father excused himself from the feast. He wasn´t born in a consumed marriage and Jon knew they ridiculed him for it. Sometimes he wanted nothing more but to just throw his fists at them, but that wouldn´t change their opinion – only solidify it. So Jon kept his head high, walked out and cried alone on his bed. He wouldn´t give them the satisfaction of losing his temper.

After the first time Jon Connington was heard calling him the Usurper´s dog´s son, his father drew his sword and was about to cut the man´s head of if not for Barristan Selmy the Bold. King Rhaegar did nothing that day and Jon knew, the Lords would never stop until the day he left King´s Landing.

"Jon aren´t you going to grab your sword and spar with me! Use two I need a challenge!", Aegon waved his word at him, "Hurry, before the Septa drags me to my dance lessons!"

Dany clapped him on the back and climbed atop of the wooden fence next to Rhae. She did not seem to care about her dress who got dirty in the process. When Rhae noticed his presence her face got softer.

"Could you just please beat him so his ass touches the ground? He has been obnoxious this whole time. Puffing his chest like a proud rooster.", Rhae said, punching him on the arm. "You know how insufferable Egg becomes after winning against someone older than him. Unluckily I was the dumb person to lose."

Jon unsheathed Dusk and took another sword from the stands. Both he, the young Dayne and Egg Targaryen were circling each other.

"May the better one win!", Aegon declared before raising his swords and attacking Jon.

"So you let him win again, Dayne?", Ser Jaime´s voice filled the room behind him.

Jon never understood the hate Jaime Lannister received. True, the man could be very prideful, but who of the noble Lords wasn´t? He took a liking of the Lion, as they both were set aside by everyone else. We are both outcasts, Jon thought. Surprisingly in turn Ser Jaime also enjoyed his company. This was odd, given that Ser Jaime never really liked anybody. Rather he simply accepted everyone else´s existence.

It only started after Jon asked his father about all the other members of the Kingsguard. To be brash, they were all pretty boring. The exception was the Kingslayer. The young Dayne still didn´t understand the slurs after his father explained the reason behind the name of Ser Jaime. In his eyes, he did the right thing by saving all the people of King´s Landing. He even got pardoned by the King too!

"I am on your side on this subject Jon, it is truly honorable for a man to choose what has to be done over what is the easiest. But he broke an oath nonetheless. What do you learn out of his situation?", Arthur Dayne spoke in a calm voice, being seated next to Jon under the Orange Tree in the gardens of the Red Keep. It was a hot day and Jon just went swimming with Dany, Rhae, and Egg. They were both eating one of the oranges Dany was adamant were the best thing to have ever been created.

"That people are stupid?", Jon did not have a clue, so he spoke freely what his mind thought.

His father smiled and chuckled lightly, "They are yes. But that was not the point I wanted to make. Always think about who you really want to serve. Don´t take oaths lightly, Ser Jaime will confirm my words. Once spoken you dedicate yourself to them. Before you take this big step of trust try to really get to know who you are about to serve."

Jon respected Ser Jaime a lot. To him he was like a very old elder brother. The young Dayne was also fond of the fact that Jaime didn´t have to hide his liking for Jon, as he already got ridiculed. When his father wasn´t there to help him out, Ser Jaime would train with him, show new tricks or teach him his understanding of the world. The lion often used more crude words for his surroundings, but Jon knew they were true nonetheless. While his father always wanted Jon to be critical with everything around him, his older brother wanted him to either not be critical at all and just enjoy the moment or be completely cynical. When Jon asked how to decide between these two, Ser Jaime only laughed, claiming that the young Dayne would learn soon enough.

His older brother also helped him with acquiring new books. When Lord Connington was in the Castle Jon could not visit the large library of the Red Keep. If the Lord only saw him he would be thrown out of it. Ser Jaime took it upon himself to deliver the books Jon wanted to read.

"Of course I let him win. Chances are higher I will get to be at the feast with Connington and his Grace there."

"Smart one, but wouldn´t be knocking the crown prince on his arse be a better prize than a stupid feast with even more lackeys trying to get into the good grace of the mighty King? Both princesses would surely give you a kiss on the cheek for making their brother look like a fool.", Ser Jaime asked raising one of his brows.

"Yes but I haven´t eaten a chocolate cake in what seems years!"

"I never took you for a simpleton like the others."

Well, I´ve done it. Never thought I would ever publish a FF myself after reading them for many years. However with school being completely shut down and this being my last term I finally was able to set down and write. This story is the result of it. It will be a story of multiple chapters. There might be lot of mistakes I´ve made since English is neither my first nor my second language. If you are kind enough please point them out. This story will update regularly as I already structured everything I will write. Edit: Updates probably every 3-4 days depending how much time my family, girl or League of Legend steals! Can´t do any hobbies because of the stupid virus. The story will also be posted on AO3 and Wattpad with pictures of the specific castle/ terrain/ people.