Ashara Dayne was rocking her daughter in her arms as she watched the horses and carriage approaching Starfall. They were coming with dark tidings. A messenger had arrived a few hours earlier to inform the household of the business of the approaching riders.

Dayvin, the steward, met with the man. Dayvin had arranged rooms for the messenger and for the coming guests. They would be entering Starfall privately, seen by as few prying eyes as possible. It was for the best, Ashara believed, too many should not know the tidings the men were bringing, not yet.

Arthur, her elder brother, was dead. He couldn't be dead, not Arthur. He had been the best sword in all the world. How could Ned, of all the men in Westeros, have been the one to kill him?

"Alysanne, Alysanne, sweet and gentle," she sang, lulling her little girl into a restful slumber. "You will meet your father today sweet Alysanne."

The riders drew nearer, and she felt her heart sink just a little more. Life was not supposed to have been this way. She should be married to Ned. They should be living in the Red Keep with Elia and her babes and Arthur.

She left the window and walked the short distance to the nursery. Wylla, the nursemaid, was straightening the room when she entered. She half-expected Allyria, her seven year old sister, to be in the room, but Ally was across Dorne at the Water Gardens. Their father had sent Allyria away shortly after Ashara returned to Starfall so that the girl wouldn't know of Ashara's pregnancy. Their eldest brother Arron would return with her when he returned from Sunspear.

"She just ate," Ashara informed the nurse, "And she has been up since before daybreak, so she should sleep well for a few hours. I will be meeting with our guests in the solar."

"Of course, my lady, I will watch over your little one." The nursemaid smiled warmly. Ashara returned the smile, though she knew her expression held no true pleasure.

She walked slowly to the solar, the room which had once been her father's and was now her brother's. She did not want to be in that room, it reminded her too keenly of what the war had cost her. Her father was gone, slain in the Battle of Ashford. He had gone to war for duty, for loyalty, and to honor their liege lord and king. His body had not been returned, and would never rest with his forbearers.

Elia, her closest friend, her confidant, her Princess, was dead, murdered in King's Landing along with her two babes. Elia, sweet Elia, made of Valyrian Steel and twice as sharp, though everyone thought her made of glass. They had known one another since they were girls, and they were cousins to some close degree. Lady Aliandra Dayne nee Martell, Ashara's mother, was first cousin to Meria Martell, Elia's mother. Ashara had held both of Elia's children. Rhaenys was so much like her uncle Oberyn, so full of life and light and fire. Aegon was only a babe... What sort of monster murders babes?

She wished that she had been in King's Landing longer, so that she could have seen Rhaenys dance to her father's songs and Aegon's teeth begin to grow. Alas, she had been sent away as soon as her condition, her pregnancy with Alysanne, had become known. Elia had dismissed her home, so that she might not become a source of gossip in the court. Her father had forced her to remain sequestered within a select few rooms of Starfall so that her shame could be kept hidden.

She had been forbidden to write to anyone about her pregnancy, as though that would make the condition disappear. By the time Alys had been born, the war had begun and she dared not name Alysanne's father. He was condemned to death, a traitor of the crown, until the Usurper won his war with Eddard Stark by his side.

Would he have waited for her if he had known about Alys? Would he have killed Arthur? She felt nothing. Arthur couldn't be dead. He was the best sword in the world. Why would Ned kill Arthur? Why would Ned even be in Dorne? Why did he marry Catelyn Tully when he had promised to marry her? Why was her father dead? Why?

She wondered how much time had passed between entering the solar which had been her father's to the time Lord Eddard Stark arrived. She had lost count of time when Dayvin entered the room and told her about the guests. Lord Eddard was accompanied by another man, two women, and an infant. Dayvin had escorted them to private rooms, far from prying eyes. They had asked for a wet-nurse for the babe, and the infant had been taken to Wylla. Ashara acknowledged the steward's words and then asked for Lord Stark to enter the room.

Eddard Stark entered, and they were left alone. He was worn, tired, and covered in fine red dust from the Red Mountains. She saw the shadows in Ned's eyes, her Ned, and she wished that there was something inside of her which could feel anything. She wanted to love him, to touch him, to be told that nothing bad had happened since they had made Alys at Harrenhal.

They did not speak as he approached and placed Dawn, Arthur's sword, the sword of House Dayne, upon the desk before her. She touched the sword gingerly, biting back tears which threatened to fall. That was a funny thing, she did not remember when last she had cried. Was it when she had lost Ned or her father or Elia and the babes? She did not know, for she had not felt anything in so very long.

"Did you kill him," she questioned quietly. She kept her eyes trained upon the blade, not wanting to make eye contact. She did not want to see him, not now.

"Yes," he answered eventually. She could hear the pain in his voice. Did he have a right to pain? Yes, she knew he did, he too had lost much. "It was never supposed to be like this. He was guarding my sister. I would never have let harm come to her. They raised up their swords and we fought back. Only two of us survived the day."

"Your sister?" She had nearly forgotten Lyanna Stark, the girl for whom a realm was destroyed. She looked up at him, seeing the anguish which lined his eyes and face.

"She's dead," he whispered.

"May the gods give them rest." Arthur had died as he had lived, he would have wanted nothing better. Why had he been guarding... and she knew... Arthur had said, only briefly and a few months past, that he was doing his duty to his sovereign. "How did she die?"

He shook his head. "Asha please..."

She snapped, cutting off his words. It was venom, the first emotion she had felt in many months other than when she felt peace holding her little girl. "The babe is hers isn't it?"

The color drained from his face. "He's an infant, innocent of anything his parents did."

The Dragon's whore had a child... a cousin to her own Alysanne. A child who had been born while his own half-brother and sister were murdered beside their mother. She wanted to laugh or cry, she did not know which felt more appropriate.

"Why bring the bastard of the Dragon's mistress here? That child will find no safety in Dorne."

He sank into one of the chairs near her. "I needed to see you. I needed to explain everything to you. I needed to return Ser Arthur's sword. I don't know what to do with him. I don't know what to do."

She laughed, a bitter tone. "I heard that you have married."

His face displayed guilt, pain, at least he could feel something. "Ashara I..."

"You're sorry? I know that during the war our families were on opposite sides, but do you really think an apology will heal the hurts I feel? My father is dead. My closest friend and her children are dead. My brother is dead at your hands."

She laughed, nearly hysterical. "I have a daughter, Ned. Alysanne is your firstborn. What will become of her?"

He placed his head in his hands and she stood. She was fury and he was nothing but shocked. "A daughter?" He seemed lost. "Asha, I didn't know. There was no word of you after Harrenhal. I thought that you had forgotten me."

"Forgotten you? I gave you my virtue."

"I know," he muttered softly. "What would you have me do? I am wed to Catelyn Tully. I can and will support you and the child. When she is of age I will find a husband for her."

"Is that what you think I want? Money and a place to ship my child off to when she gets older?" He looked at her in quiet confusion. "I wanted a husband. I wanted a man who would love me and my daughter."

"I do love you." His voice broke and he shook his head. "I wanted to marry you, Asha. I barely know my wife but she is near to term with my child, and may have already birthed the babe."

Love me... She was overcome with a wave of emotion and sank to the ground in sobs. He knelt beside her and gathered her in his arms. He cried quietly against her as she sobbed loudly. The war had taken much away from both of them. Their fathers and brothers had both died for hopeless cause. He pulled her away gently and cupped her face in his hands. With his thumbs he wiped the tears from her eyes. She wiped his tears away with her own fingers.

"I would rather have married you, but I cannot change what has come to pass. The gods know that I would have gladly taken you to wife. I will always love you Ashara, but I must do my duty to my wife."

She gently kissed his lips, on impulse. He kissed her back, tentative, emotional. She could have gladly died in his embrace. A part of her did die when he pulled away. "I will always love you too," she whispered.

He rested his forehead against hers. "I am sorry. I am sorry for everything."

"Why did Arthur die?" The words came from her mouth in hushed tones.

He pulled away from her and rested his head in his hands again. "He died to protect his king."

"His king?"

"Rhaegar took my sister as a second wife. I do not know if she was wholly willing or not. Your brother died to protect the child from anyone, even his own uncle. I never would have hurt the boy... he is my nephew, my blood. I would never have any child killed. I hate what happened to Princess Elia's babes."

She moved her head slowly, absorbing his words. "My brother died doing his duty to his king." She laid a hand in his and squeezed. He held onto her hand, as though she was his anchor. "How will the child be kept safe?"

"I don't know. I... I was considering taking him to Winterfell and claiming him as my bastard."

She bowed her head, thoughtful. "He could remain here." The words left her lips slowly, uncertainly.

He stared at her in shock. "How will he?"

She smiled thinly. Her brother had died to protect the boy. Her daughter was his cousin. It seemed a natural duty to protect the boy. "We already have one child together my lord, a second will not seem so strange. I have remained in seclusion this entire time, and none will realize differently save for one or two who are loyal to my family."

He touched her cheek gently, and she leaned into his touch. "Another child will destroy your reputation more than I have already done. Will you be safe here?"

"I can convince Arron to agree with me. Should Prince Doran have any questions, I will tell him the truth. They will support revenge if nothing else. Although I do not know if they will believe he is legitimate."

He pulled a crumpled letter from his vest. "We burned all the other letters in the tower when we built the cairns for the dead. I saved this as proof. It is a letter from Princess Elia to Lyanna. Keep it if you will, so that some day the boy will know the truth."

He passed her the letter and she read it slowly, memorizing and touching the words of her now deceased friend. She did not understand the letter entirely. She did not understand how Elia could have known about Rhaegar and Lyanna and never speak a word to anyone. So many would be alive now if only... if only so many things. She was in tears by the time she folded the letter and hid it in a pocket of her gown.

"Have you thought of a name for the boy," she asked when she was able to speak again.

"Jon. I want to name him for Lord Arryn."

She smiled weakly. "A good name. May I meet him?"

He nodded. "Of course my lady. What is our daughter's name?"

"Alysanne," she replied. "Come with me and meet her."

They walked from the room together, leaving Dawn upon the desk, the only witness of their conversation. They arrived in the nursery to find the nurse rocking Jon while Alysanne crawled along the floor. She pulled herself up and along the furnishings toward her mother.

Ashara scooped her daughter into her arms and tossed the girl slightly, causing her to giggle merrily. "Lord Stark, meet your daughter." She passed the girl to Ned, and he somewhat nervously held the little girl. She had her mother's violet eyes and dark thick hair. He smiled at her and she laughed.

"Hello Alys, I'm your father." She cooperated with his attentions for a minute before squirming to be passed back to her mother. Ashara kissed her daughter before placing her on the floor near her toys. The nurse handed Jon to Ashara and she looked at the newborn boy. He had grey eyes and dark hair, though he was too young for her to see any other features. Ashara supposed that the boy would be safe enough if she claimed the boy as her own. Any Targaryen features he might some day possess could be easily mistaken for Dayne traits.

"They will be raised as brother and sister Ned. House Dayne will protect the children."

He responded without ever taking his eyes off of Alys. "Thank you for everything Ashara. Will you take in my sister's maids who came here?"

"Of course Ned."

"Will your brother Arron approve of these arrangements?"

Arron Dayne, Lord of Starfall and Ashara's eldest sibling, was at Sunspear. She knew that he would return soon, with their youngest sister. She was certain that she could make him understand why she had taken in the boy. Arthur would have protected Jon, and so should they. She did worry over Arron's friendship with Prince Oberyn Martell. The Red Viper of Dorne was restless since his sister's murder, and Prince Oberyn's friends were eager to begin fighting again. "Arron will be perfectly fine with the news of my son's arrival."

She could feel peace as she looked at the babe in her arms who looked up at her with sleepy, curious eyes. She looked to Ned and saw how warm his expression was toward her and the children. The war had brought so much death and pain, but perhaps here there could be a happier life for the children. Ashara may not have been able to be Lord Eddard's wife, but she could protect his secrets and their daughter.

They dismissed the nurse and remained with the children for hours. Wylla returned at one point to ensure that all was well and left food and drink, but otherwise Ashara and Ned spent the remainder of the day alone with the children. They spoke at length. They laughed. They wept. They kissed as though they would never touch again.

Lord Eddard Stark and Lord Howland Reed tarried a fortnight at Starfall before beginning the long journey north. Leaving Ashara and the children was one of the hardest decisions that Ned had ever made, but he knew that his duty was elsewhere. Winterfell was his home, and the North was his to rule. His bride and their child were at Riverrun but would also make the journey north now that the war was ended.

Many times during their stay and after departing from Starfall, the Lord of Winterfell tried to tell himself that he would never betray his vows to his bride. He told himself that he was a good and honorable man. However a good, honorable man would never have had to make the decisions which he had made. He had taken Ashara's virtue and married another woman. He had killed the uncle to his own daughter. He was protecting the heir to the throne. A boy who would, in all likelihood, one day try to overthrow Eddard Stark's best friend. Eddard Stark was just a man. A good man, but filled with faults. Ashara was his weakness. Ashara was his love and joy and shame. He had left her with child when he returned to the North.

NOTES:

This story will somewhat follow canon, though it is clearly AU.

One thing to keep in mind for the characterization of Jon Snow in this story is that he is raised in an entirely different environment than he was in canon. In the nature vs nurture debate, Jon fall strongly in the nurture category. In Winterfell he did not feel welcomed, loved, or like he truly fit in. In Dorne... well bastards in Dorne aren't quite the same as bastards in the rest of Westeros.

I hope that you enjoy the adventure!

Revised 4-12-15