This is my second attempt to make a GOT fic (waahhh). I know somehow the plot is kind of overused and mainstream but I hope you find my story different from the others, I can't promise that it will be good but I will try my best. The story is mainly based on the TV show and some scenes are from the books (only some, I haven't finished reading the books yet and I don't want to venture on something I'm not that familiar. sorry. I hope you enjoy and please do add some reviews.

*I do not own Game of Thrones /A Song of Ice and Fire, all the characters and some plots that are used are owned by either HBO or GRRM with the exceptions of my original character, Lyanna Snow.*

Chapter I

At first, the sweet smell of the winter roses had welcomed the nose of Eddard Stark, the current Lord of Winterfell after his father and brother's death. Amongst other things, being the Lord of the great keep and warden of the vast lands was not on his wish list. As the second son of a Lord, he was expected to rather be a knight or maybe take the black, which was common for Northrons than the Southern people who had no idea about the harsh winter. He was even supposed to be adopted by Jon Arryn and be his heir until the news of his brother and father's death along with the King's warrant for his mentor to surrender him and Robert Baratheon to the capitol.

Jon refused and with that he raised his banners, thus it started Robert's rebellion, he thought it funny that it was Jon who started it but it was named after Robert. But now, after everything he suffered, every fight he survived and every sleepless nights he endured, he finally found his sister.

Then it came, the foul and sickly stench of blood. It lingered much longer than the sweet and delicate scent of the roses.

That's how he found her.

She was laying on the bed, her grey eyes lit up and her thin red lips curved into a small smile at the sight of him; he would have smiled in return if he wasn't troubled with her current state. The white sheets that covered the mattress was soaked with blood and from the sight of it, he knew that she had just given birth just a few hours before he arrived and he silently cursed himself.

He should have expected this, after everything. After the rumours that circulated days after the Prince took her but no, he didn't thought of it at all and he focused on fighting Arthur Dayne instead and in the end he just let the Knight go, telling him that there's no use of him since the Viserys Targaryen was now sailing across the Narrow Sea along with his baby sister.

"Ned."

Her small voice crooked and he immediately kneeled before her, taking her tiny hands that were almost freezing. He gently lifted his hand on her face brushing away the lose tendrils of her brown hair away from her cheeks and tried to keep himself from breaking down. He had lost too much now, his brother and father, now he can't lose her too. Not yet. He didn't even mind the two babes peacefully resting on their mother's bosom, his sister's arm protectively draped over them keeping them from falling.

"Lya…."

It was all he can manage to say as the tears slowly stung his eyes. He felt his heart breaking at the moment. He cursed Rhaegar Targaryen and wished that it was him who killed him instead of his friend but there was no use, he was dead. He won't be coming back but then Ned still failed to save his sister, it was too late. She'll be gone soon.

"I'm sorry…. I know that it is wrong but I loved him Ned. I loved him. I went with him willingly, had I known that this would result to war; I should have told you the truth. I'm sorry if I caused father and Brandon's death. I'm sorry." Lyanna sobbed, gasping every now and then and stopping at every word. She was dying. He knew of that. Judging on the paleness of her skin and the amount of blood she lost, she wouldn't last in minutes. He knew it.

"Robert was never meant to be a good husband Ned…"

She laughed at her words and it struck him that his sister had no love for his friend, the man who was deeply in love with her, enough to wage a war for her honour, well, not that it was only for Lyanna's cause but the war was also because of the injustice and brutality of the Mad King sitting on top of the Iron Throne. For a moment, Ned Stark seen to have gone deaf and dumb. He does not know what to say to his dying sister. All he wants was just to savour the last moments he will have with her.

"What of the babes?" He finally asked after a few minutes of silence and staring at Lyanna's once lively grey eyes which were now replaced with pain.

"The babes, aye. Take care of them Ned. If Robert will find out about this, he might harm them…. He… He might kill them… Please Ned… Promise me you'll protect them. Promise me you'll hide them. That you will treat them as your own…" She paused and withdrawn the hand that he was still clutching, she moved it to her neck and with all her last forced she pulled a necklace with a pendant in the shape of a winter rose, it was adorned by sapphires and rubies. "I want my daughter to have this Ned. So that I will forever be near her. For my son, there's nothing I can give him as a reminder but my love, my love and Rhaegar's love will go with them. Promise me Ned….." She placed the necklace on his open hand.

With those words, her hands finally went limp and slowly went lose from his, her once lively eyes closed and her lips formed into a soft smile. She looked very peaceful like she was just sleeping but she wasn't and it was heartbreaking seeing her like this. She shouldn't be like this.

"No. no. Lya. You cannot leave me…" He said helplessly as he tried to shake his sister again. But it was with no avail. The gods have taken his sister. She was dead.

It's as if the babes knew that their mother has parted with them as they started to wail. Not knowing what to do, Ned Stark shoved the sapphire necklace on the pocket of his breeches and quickly untangled Lyanna's limp arm from the two babes from her grasp.

It won't be hard to hide them. He thought as he studied the two babes, as they gurgled in their mother's breasts, both opening their eyes looking at him, almost studying him like he does to them. They both had brown hair much to his relief however the two had the most unusual set of grey eyes, they were very deep almost the shade of silver with the tint of purple. Although it wasn't that obvious, he wondered if people will notice and he silently prayed to the Old Gods that no one will notice.

His quickly snaked around the hilt of his great-sword when he heard footsteps approaching. From the doorway just on his leftmost side, Ser Arthur Dayne stood with a concerned look following him was his good friend Howland Reed who went with him in hopes to rescue his sister from the Dragon Prince's grasp. However they were wrong when they thought that she was kidnapped. She went with him willingly.

He should have been angry; this affair of theirs had caused the realm to bleed, that caused him, their father and brother's life. But how could he even hate his sister? His only sister? Now she was gone again and the responsibility of raising her children was left in his hands like what she did when she ran with the Prince.

"I told him to go Ned, he wouldn't listen to me. He said he wants to see Lyanna and the oh…" Howland's words trailed off as he saw the lifeless form of Lyanna. "Is she….? He asked again his voice almost sounded like a sob, his face contorted and the mask on sadness on it.

Howland was a good friend to their family and he was close to him and Lyanna, which was one of the reasons, why he volunteered to go here, to save his friend.

Ned only nodded his gaze went back to the babe he was holding, it was the girl. Ned couldn't help the tears falling from his eyes as he looked at the babe in his arms.

She just looks so much like her mother when Lyanna was a babe. He can still remember the first time he carried her. It seems just like yesterday but now… Lyanna was gone.

"I'm not going anywhere Stark. My prince ordered me to protect his wife and children." Arthur Dayne said in a stern voice. He was wounded and Ned and Howland just spared him out of mercy.

His brother's Ser Oswell Whent and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard, Ser Gerold Hightower fled to Dragonstone to protect the new King, Viserys but had failed along way after being ambushed by the rebellion forces. Arthur was left alone to protect Lyanna and Rhaegar's heir.

"No Ned. We can't just take this man!" Howland argued, the Lord of Greywater Watch who was now on Lyanna's side and was holding the other baby, the boy. Howland's face began to smoothen as he watched the baby boy in fascination. "He looks just like you." He commented instead almost forgetting the knight standing on the door, grimacing in pain.

"I promised to protect Lyanna and the children Stark. I won't leave them. I swore a vow to their father! I intend to keep it. I am the only one who can protect them now that their father is gone." The Knight said again and Ned sighed.

Ned looked at Howland first who almost wanted to argue but somehow saw the point, he just nodded to Ned and continuously stared at the baby boy.

The current Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North weighed the situation first. Ser Arthur was right. The children, no, the royal Prince and Princess need to be protected and there's no one fit for the job but the Knight. He can protect them of course but he can't be with them all the time and he needed someone oversee them from time to time. He sighed in resignation.

"Fine. If that's what you wish. I will take you back to Winterfell and I will need someone to look after them. I doubt my wife will welcome me open arms after returning babes in my arms after two years of being away from her." He said. "I can't tell her the truth. This thing should be kept between the three of us. No one must know."

"You intend to keep them?" Arthur asked. "Name them as your bastards?"

"I could bring them with me Ned. Jyana won't mind at all. She can keep a secret and Greywater watch is secluded. They'll be safer there." Howland offered.

"No Howland. I promised her children that I would keep them safe. They will be by my side and I will claim them as mine." He said firmly.

"And what of your wife? She won't be pleased to see you return with the babes. She'll hate them Ned!" Howland argued but he shook his head.

"No my friend. They are of my blood as much as I want to give them a better life, a royal one fit for their blood, I can't Robert has won and he'll kill the children if he learns the truth." He said.

Howland sighed in resignation and Arthur just shrugged. There is nothing that could change his mind. He already thought of it. He will keep the twins and he'll do his best to fill the hole that their dead parents had left. He had no experience of being a father but he will try… For Lyanna and the babes.

"Then I won't be arguing. You know I care for Lyanna, Ned. I also care for the children. Should you change your mind, I'll gladly have them in my home." Howland said again and Ned smiled.

"Thank you friend." He said as he placed a hand on his friend's shoulder. "And you, if you really wish to come with us, I believe you should be in disguise. Dye your hair in case." Ned said pointing out on Arthur's silver hair. The man nodded.

Then the three of them set out to take Lyanna's body and the babes outside the tower. Arthur brought with him several of his and the Prince's things. He suggested that they take a short stop in Starfall.

He and Arthur then set to burn the tower to the ground to hide the evidence of what happened inside.

As they made their way to Starfall, Ned can't help but glance back to the tower, it made him think of Lyanna, of his brother Brandon, their father Rickard and the men who died in the bloody war.

He then sighed as he watched the sleeping babe on his arms. He was currently carrying the Prince while Arthur Dayne had volunteered to carry the Princess.

'I won't fail you Lyanna. I will protect your children until the end of my days.' He thought as he focused his eyes on the road.

Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark had died and the Tower of Joy burned along with the memories of happiness and love that happened inside its wall.

"I heard that the Usurper is on his way here."

Eddard Stark stopped polishing his sword, Ice as he heard the familiar voice behind him; he did not need to look to know who was disturbing his peace as he knew that the man would come to him as soon as he'll hear the news of the King's journey to Wintefell.

Today was another busy day for the Lord of Winterfell and the Warden of the North.

As usual it started with him breaking his fast with his lady wife, Catelyn Tully Stark. Then the two of them will proceed with their responsibilities that they already memorized by heart.

Then he would go to the training yard where he would find his children bickering with each other (again).

Earlier this day, Bran had been practicing his skills with bow and arrow until Ser Rodrick Cassel, their Master-at-arms had announced that there had been a deserter from the Watch spotted so they went to carry on the King's justice and his responsibility of being a Warden, bringing Bran alongside with them to have him witness the execution preparing him for the future because he won't be ten forever.

However this day turned out a little bit different compared to others.

As they rode back towards Winterfell, they encountered an eerie sight. A dead direwolf killed by the antler of a stag which was also found dead in the edge of the wolfswood. For the others it seemed to be a bad omen but Ned Stark follows the old gods and there are no such things as "signs" in his belief.

The direwolf gave birth to seven pups before it died, leaving them alone in the wilderness. After his children pleaded with him to take the poor pups, they went back to Winterfell with the seven direwolves equally divided and given to each one of his seven children. Four boys and three girls.

And afterwards he was informed by Catelyn of his mentor's death, Jon Arryn who had been his second father after years of living in the Vale with his best friend Robert Baratheon who had been his partner and his leader during the war. It saddened him to think that his second father had died but immediately the feeling changed as Catelyn told him the contents of the other letter which bore the Royal stamp on it.

She also brought the news about the King's plan to take a visit to Winterfell, obviously to ask him to become the new hand of the king, the position that Jon Arryn left open after his death.

And it was the issue that made him seek the peace that the godswood can only offer. He already expected that Arthur would follow him here and talk to him about Robert.

Ned glanced over his shoulder and saw Ser Arthur Dayne leaning on one of the trees near him. Currently he was known as Elbert Sand, a sell-sword whom he meet at Dorne after he learned of Lyanna's death or so does his story goes.

No one except him and Howland Reed knew that the once legendary knight of the seven kingdoms was currently seeking refuge in Winterfell in order to keep his promise to his prince, to protect the two children, the legitimate heirs to the Iron Throne and keep them safe.

Instead of scolding him for calling his dear old friend usurper, he just rose from his seat and looked at the old knight who was barely recognizable because of the black dye on his hair and beard. He still looks like the man he saw at the Tower of Joy with the exception for the hair but no one here recognized the old knight here and if they did have suspicions no one had said a word because it is known throughout the realm that Arthur Dayne has died seventeen years ago.

"Yes he is. He is offering me to become the Hand of the King." He answered briefly and sheathed Ice to his side. Arthur, Elbert sighed and Ned already knew where the conversation is leading. The two brown haired and silver wolfish eyed children that he sired.

"What of the children Ned? I think it's time we tell them the truth. Especially your wife, do you see how she treats them? The hateful looks she throws at them?" Elbert asked his tone almost angry and Ned shrugged, he knows of course.

He knows the way Catelyn looks at the twins and as much as he wants to tell her the truth to spare the children from her hatred, he can't. It's better this way, it was better that no one, except him, Ser Arthur and Howland Reed knew the truth.

"The children can't know the truth, you know that. It's better this way to keep them safe." He answered.

His eyes were met by Arthur's and Ned saw the pain and tenderness there whenever the children were mentioned. In the past sixteen years, Ned had witnessed the former knight has shown to the twins when they first arrived in Winterfell, he would guard the chambers were the babes slept and sometimes he would inquire about their health from the wet nurses and nursemaids.

When they grew older, Ned knew that Arthur's duty turned into some sort of paternal love for the two. He had witnessed him scoop the little Lyanna (he named the girl after his sister) and would gently toss her in the air smiling at the squealing child and spoil her with sweets and treats.

There are also times that he would teach the young Jon (he named him after his mentor, Jon Arryn) how to wield a sword and sometimes spar with him.

He was also the one the children would run to when they feel upset that made Ned uncomfortable and a little bit jealous that his niece and nephew were even more closer to someone who was not their blood than him who claimed to be their father.

If anyone knew that Arthur Dayne lives, surely they won't believe that the formidable and legendary knight of the Seven Kingdoms is at the mercy of two sixteen year olds.

He then thought of them, Lyanna and Jon. The two beautiful children his sister bore. He was thankful that their resemblance to their Targaryen father was only minimal and not that obvious to others as everyone already forgot what the members of the family looked like seventeen years after the war.

They both had a crown of brown hair, just like their mothers and their Stark silver-grey eyes hid the shade of purple that can only be seen when you looked at them closely nevertheless it doesn't give away the truth of their parentage as Stark blood flows in their veins as much as the Targaryen ones does.

He lied for sixteen years but he did not regret bringing the children home, though he regrets lying to Catelyn, Jon and Lyanna about the parentage. He was happy to have them home and keep them safe.

Jon, the firstborn had grown into a fine man. A lot of people had been commenting how he grows up and looks just like him much to his surprise. He also had inherited his temperament, always calm and sombre but eager to learn. The one thing that Ned had observed that he inherited from his father was the solemn and melancholic look in his eyes. The boy was quite talented with a longsword and had enjoyed spending his time with Robb, his firstborn and their ward Theon Greyjoy.

Lyanna on the other had been Jon's opposite. If Jon was the moon, Lyanna was the sun. She had a rather outgoing attitude that had always made the others smile. She grew up just like her mother, showing her love for horseback riding like her body was half-horse, her love for arrows but she had also been talented with embroidery and sewing. She also bore a striking resemblance to her namesake and her mother making Ned overprotective of her.

She also inherited Rhaegar's love for music. When they arrived from Dorne, Arthur had brought several of the Prince's things with them including Rhaegar's harp which was now given to Lyanna.

While Jon had been his favorite for his likeness to him, he also favored his niece who often reminded him of his sister but Lyanna was Arthur's favorite as the girl showed eagerness in sword fighting like Jon but has become very passionate of learning and developing her skills. You can rarely see Lyanna without holding a training sword with her running behind Arthur whom the twins consider as their second father not knowing that the knight was the Sword of the Morning and a former kingsguard to King Aerys II. He imagined the shock that would come to his niece face when she'll know about it.

Lyanna had always been vocal for her admiration for Ser Dayne but a bit disappointed that he bested the legendary swordsman.

"Winter is coming Ned. Those were your words. The presence of the king here won't do any good and I fear for your life in the capital should you accept being Hand of the King. As much as possible, it is better to tell the children the truth before it's too late."

"I suppose you are right, but not now." He answered and Arthur gave a knowing nod before taking his leave.

However the after a few strides, the knight stopped and turned back on him, on his lips was a half smile.

"Their nameday is also near, their father has a present for them I safely tuck with me here, and surely they would love it."

As much as his friend tries to hide it, Ned can always see the loving smile and satisfaction in Arthur's eyes every time the twins were happy.

"What kind of present are you talking about?" He asks, curious about this mystery gift, Arthur is talking about. He gives him an arched brow.

"Eggs. Dragon eggs." He says and then leaves him. Ned's shoulders sagged and a frown formed into his lips as he looked at the knight with disbelief in his eyes.

Now, how could he explain the dragon eggs to the two Targaryens?

Soooo... What do you think? :3