AN: So here is the deal, I will finish this story, I promise but I can not give you a time line. I'm on break now but I'm in college right now and that takes priority so I write when I can. I thank everyone for all of their support! Also, I've updated all of the chapters and Chapter 18 now contains a roundabout link to the picture I drew of Sansa on her wedding day.

Chapter 21: Jon

It had been almost a year since the day in the Godswood where Sansa gave me my leather cuff. Rickon, Bran, and Arya had had Name Days as well as Sansa but we could not be there for her. I missed her so much. Robb had sent a raven telling us he was finally headed home. I had grown weary of the duties of a Lord and was happy to hear of his return. The rest of the Stark pack was just as happy. Lady Catleyn had gotten a little lighter, having heard of her son's planned return. Shaena was too large to stay in my chambers now and spent her time in the Wolfswood. Soon she would be big enough to ride.

I had gone on some trips around the North as a liaison for Bran, all of the North was now united in the goal of placing Daenerys on the throne except those I had not yet heard from or visited, the Houses of the Skagos Islands, House Bolton, House Flint, and the Houses of the Neck.

I was looking at a map of the North, planning a trip to the Dreadfort when I received a letter from Sansa and someone unknown from Maester Luwin.

Sansa had just been married and widowed in one day. Ravens had been sent out to tell all of the death of Joffrey Waters. I wonder how my sweet wolf cousin is doing.

Jon,

I miss you and the family so. I feel as if the North is leaving me the longer I stay in the South but I do as I must for my House. King Joffrey has been poisoned and I am now a widow and unsure of my position here. The High Septon has told me that since I did not get to the bedding I am still a Stark and the marriage is void. That is a relief to me as I may now serve my family again though I mourn my King. Robb has left and is heading North. He has told me he will visit friends on his way home. I wish I could return with him. I also write to warn you, it seems there is some unrest in the North, it seems there will be some trouble for you, be careful and trust our friends.

The pack survives,

Sansa

I ran my hand over the cuff. My poor cousin, all alone in the South. My heart ached for her. The North could never leave her, that was not possible, I must tell her that in my reply. Sansa must have people watching her given the tone of her letter. She had gotten information through though. Robb was going to convince the Riverlands to support Daenerys on his way North. Sansa also mentioned unrest. I wonder what that is, maybe Lannister support is being harbored in the North. I turned my attention to the other letter.

The Boltons plot with the Lannisters to overthrow the Starks. That can not happen. Call them, deal with the Lord and the Bastard, both are a danger to you. It is safe to reveal your dragon now. Tides shift and the current flows back towards the House Targaryen.

Your Friend and a friend of the Realm

This was a lot to handle. I reread the letter several times. The script was the same as that of the person who gave me Shaena. This must be someone Sansa trusts because she too warned me of this but I would need proof. Most of all I knew I needed to call Lord Bolton and his bastard son to Winterfell.

—

I wrote to Lord Halys Hornwood, who had already pledged to House Stark and Daenerys, asking about Roose Bolton and any plots he may be hatching. He wrote back telling my he would send out people to inquire quietly. Two days later Lord Hornwood confirmed what the stranger had written, there was talk of Lannister ravens and the Boltons becoming the new Wardens of the North being spread by Ramsay Snow, the Bolton Bastard, and his play things. That was all I needed.

I had Bran sign a letter I wrote to Lord Bolton demanding that he and his son come to Winterfell immediately. They could not actively defy that order without showing their shifted loyalties. I would not allow the pack to be hurt more than it had been.

—

Lord Howland Reed came to Winterfell with his two children Jojen and Meera. Bran and the children became the best of friends almost instantly and I was happy, Bran needed more friends his age. Howland Reed pledged his fealty to Stark and Daenerys and confirmed my parentage to me in private. We talked of my mother and her last moments. I was glad to meet the crannogman.

The Reeds were still at Winterfell along with Daryn Hornwood, the Mormonts and Lady Lyessa Flint when the Boltons came. They came with few guards and Roose Bolton looked like an Other from Old Nan's stories, cruel and dead looking with pale grey eyes. His son was the same.

"Lord Bolton." Bran greeted after the Boltons had dismounted and some guards had taken the houses away. "Welcome to Winterfell."

"You called us urgently, Lord Brandon, what is it you need?" Roose spoke, looking bored and cruel all at once. He was not hiding his disdain of being controlled by a Lord of no more than 8. I stepped forward, nodding to Jory who was ready with his men to capture the Boltons.

"Lord Bolton, Ramsay Snow, you are accused of treason against the North and against House Stark." I looked to Jory who moved to take them.

Swords were drawn then from all parties. I sent Bran away and drew my own sword, I had had enough of this, I would not have any more Northern men die. I called Shaena and Ghost to me. Shaena flew to me, the size of a small cottage now, and roared. Everyone was shocked at her. No one had seen a Dragon in a century.

"Since you fight Stark men, I will take that as a confession of your crimes. Dracarys." I said calmly. Jory and his men moved back but Roose Bolton was not so lucky. Shaena sent flames down on him, burning him to ash in moments and turned next to Ramsay who had moved to attack her. The rest of the Bolton guards dropped their swords immediately and knelt down. They knew punishment would be fast and painful. I touched Shaena to calm her.

I looked up at the crowd around the courtyard. Bran had returned and was smiling at me, he loved to see Shaena, but I worried about him. I had just killed two men after all. I knelt before Bran and drew my sword. "I, Jon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, pledge fealty to House Stark. Hearth and heart and harvest I yield to you. My sword and spear and arrow are yours to command. I swear this to the Old Gods and the New."

Bran smiled even wider at me. "Jon Targaryen, you shall always have a place at my hearth and meat and meed at my table for as long as you wish. Rise Jon." I rose and smiled at him and stood behind his left shoulder.

He turned then to address the courtyard. "I would like everyone to report to the Hall in within the hour. Jory, secure the prisoners. You are dismissed."

Bran then turned to leave. I dismissed Shaena and she returned to the Wolfswood. Ghost followed me, my ever present shadow, as a caught up to Bran. "We need to talk of your next move." I whispered to him. He nodded and we went to his chambers to discuss.