Disclaimer/Author's Note: I have not read the books yet. I have seen the first 6 episodes of the show at this point. I am absolutely in love with this show, Kit Harington and Richard Madden (not to mention my love for all things Sean Bean). This story has nothing to do with the show for the most part, though Jon might end up wanting to join the Night's Watch. Basically, I've taken the characters and done what I want with them so it's mostly AU.

Never Too Late

Chapter 1

The sun was heavy in the west, just barely visible above the trees. Two forms danced by the river, the clang of steel against steel ringing out with each contact. It was a duel and it was a vigorous one. Both were looking for a weakness, for an opening; for the other to fail. They were strong opponents and this was not their first duel. A thrust here, a parry there, a lean and a kick. The two were in a heated, deadly tango.

The sound of hoof beats approaching fast didn't faze them. They continued, even as their friend shouted their names. Robb Stark jumped off his horse before it halted and insisted they stop. "Father is coming." He added forcefully.

The ringing of steel stopped immediately as the two looked to Robb simultaneously. In a flurry of motion that had swords hidden, a blanket thrown to the ground, books open, and a picnic basket on display, the three friends arranged themselves as though they had been sitting reading and eating all afternoon. Robb forced a laugh just as his father appeared in the clearing.

Eddard Stark was a formidable sight. Tall, even in his saddle, he was an imposing man unless you knew his true nature. Honorable and mighty, Lord Stark was also a kind and just man. With him was the captain of his guard, Jory Cassel. The two men stared warily at the three friends.

"Hello, father." Jon Snow nodded his acknowledgement toward Lord Stark, his father. "What brings you out to the river on such a fine day?"

Eddard smiled unconvincingly at his sons. "Checking up on you." He answered honestly. He eyed his two boys before resting his eyes on their third companion.

"Lord Stark, how kind of you to be concerned about our wellbeing." Delylah Cassel, Jory's eldest daughter, returned Eddard's smile. "We've just been studying and having a brief lunch."

"Out in the woods, Lylah? Really?" Her father raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Not sure why you three come all the way out here to study."

"Don't you trust us, father?" Robb asked, feigning a hurt expression.

"No." Lord Stark's reply was a single, harsh syllable.

The three friends could only chuckle at that reply. There were probably the three most untrustworthy kids when they were out together; Eddard would have to be a fool not to suspect them up to no good.

"I promise, there is nothing going on to concern yourself with." Jon assured his father best he could. "Just studying."

"And eating." Lylah added, holding up a sandwich she had grabbed from the basket.

Lord Stark and his captain looked less than persuaded but couldn't do more than nod in compliance. "Back to the keep before nightfall." Eddard commanded. The three nodded their agreement. Reluctantly, the two men turned their horses and headed back toward home.

When they were out of earshot Delylah flopped down backward on the blanket, sighing with relief. "Close one." She whispered.

"Not sure why we have to hide this." Jon dropped his book and began digging through the basket for dessert. Pulling out a cookie he grinned at his find before looking back to his two friends. "We train together every day in the keep."

"Father thinks we'll hurt ourselves without supervision." Robb reminded him. He grabbed the sandwich from Delylah before she could take a bite and stuffed the whole half into his mouth. Chewing slowly he grinned at her as she punched him in the shoulder.

"He treats us like children." Jon shook his head, picking pieces off his cookie and eating it slowly. "We're not anymore."

"You're always children in your father's eyes." Delylah stopped beating on Robb long enough to answer Jon's musings. "Even when you're thirty you'll always be a child to him."

"Maybe you'll always be 'daddy's little girl' but we actually are going to have to be men. I don't think father sees us as kids. He just has no reason to trust us when we're together." Robb amended Delylah's comments. "There's a difference."

"Either way," Lylah shrugged. "I don't know what the problem is about practicing away from Winterfell Keep but I don't want to get caught. I've had enough whippings on account of you two." She pointed at both boys in turn.

"Same." Robb grabbed her finger when it pointed at him. "We just have to be more careful."

"Or have a better watchman." Jon threw the last crumbs of his cookie at Robb.

"Who was winning?" Robb asked, throwing the crumbs back at his brother.

Jon and Delylah's eyes met, challenge brewing just beneath their gazes. "I was." They replied in unison. All three fell into a fit of laughter. "Rematch, then." Jon offered.

"Accepted." Delylah grinned.

"I call winner." Robb stood and began gathering the remnants of their sort of picnic. Delylah began helping as Jon went off to gather their swords. With the sun sinking rapidly the cold was gathering around them quickly. "Let's get back. I don't like the woods after dark." Robb looked toward the horizon with a small frown. The forest was eerily silent and the shadows were growing long.

Climbing on her horse, Delylah looked over at her two best friends climbing on their own mounts. "Race you." She offered, taking off before they could respond.

"Damn girl." Robb growled, taking off after her. Robb hated to lose. Jon chuckled to himself before taking off after them. Even making their way back to the keep had to be a competition.

"Jackass." Delylah mumbled under her breath rubbing the back of her head where it had just met the ground. Robb was standing over her, grinning wildly but offering her a hand to help her up. He had just executed a move that had knocked her feet out from under her and landed her on her backside. Though her pride was wounded she had to admit the move had been flawless.

"Lylah! Up!" Her father called from across the sparring arena.

Delylah looked at Robb's proffered hand and thought about slapping it away. Instead she grabbed it and allowed him to help her to her feet. "The only way to get out of it is a pivot with a low parry. Nothing else can stop it." Robb whispered in her ear when she was on her feet. "Timing has to be perfect, though." He added with a twinkle in his eye.

"Again!" Jory shouted before turning back to Jon. Jory was helping Jon with his form with a two handed blade; the three kids had grown up learning one handed swords with shields and bows; two handed swords weren't in the usual regiment. Jon had asked Jory to help him with his technique a few weeks ago which left Robb and Delylah sparring partners.

"So," Robb started the conversation while taking a slow swipe at her left side. "What are we going to do for Jon's eighteenth name day?"

Delylah easily parried the move and countered with an easy swing of her own. Their concentration was on the discussion, not the sword play. "Is your mother going to allow for a gathering?" She feinted left then struck right.

Robb, used to her techniques, ignored the feint and easily hit her sword away. He half attempted a kick at her side which would have impacted if she hadn't been anticipating the move. She pushed his foot away with her hand. He shrugged as he regained his footing. "Probably not. But it doesn't mean we shouldn't celebrate somehow. It's Jon."

With a half spin, Delylah swung her sword with the weight of her body and momentum in it. She was slow, however, and Robb knocked her sword from her hand then held his sword's point to her belly. It had been a half-assed spar but Robb still won. Typical. Delylah held her hands up in surrender. "I'll have Bess bake a cake. See if Bran and Arya want to get him something. The five of us can go down by the river or something. It doesn't have to be extravagant; it just has to be special."

Robb lowered his sword and looked over to where Jory was helping Jon. "Yea, he wouldn't like extravagant, would he?"

"What about you? Are you looking forward to your mother's gathering she's planning for your day?" Delylah went over and picked up her blade.

Robb rolled his eyes. "Don't remind me. Ladies from all over are coming. Mother wants me to 'court' the ones I like." He made a face. "I've yet to meet one I like."

Delylah giggled, approaching him. "I seem to recall a Lady Eadie that you seemed to fancy quite a bit."

Robb blushed, the tips of his cheeks and ears tingeing bright red. "That was just a kiss. And you two ruined it!"

"We did you a favor." Delylah smiled, shaking her head. "She was too demanding and needy for you. You need someone who can speak her mind but obey you as a wife. Strong but sweet. Someone who will treat you right and not walk all over you. Eadie is not that person."

"You have my wife picked out for me?" Robb nudged her, bright blue eyes twinkling in the sunlight.

"Not yet but I will. You should let me pick your wife for you. Otherwise you'll be miserable the rest of your days."

"Lylah knows best."

"Girls know other girls. I'll know if a girl is genuine or not. I bet I could pick you a perfect wife."

"Too bad it's not up to you." Robb sighed.

"Ladies!" Jory called from across the way. "Did my arena turn into a sewing room or is this where we practice how to be men? Spar! No more talking!"

"I think your father just called you a man." Robb knit his brows together in mock concern as he readied for the next round.

"I've been called worse." Delylah replied, readying her stance as well. "Now shut up and fight me."

A/N: Review make the world go 'round. Thanks!