The Prologue to my side project, for any of you who have come from my other story The War For Winter I have placed that story on Haitus, see the full explanation on my home page, but please enjoy this story as I am pretty excited for it. the prologue will be released now, the first chapter tomorrow

Promise

Eddard Stark

Dorne, Starfall….

Lord Eddard Stark rode towards the faint blur of a castle on the horizon, even from the distance he could see the tower known as the Palestone sword, it was truly magnificent, the castle itself scarcely reminded him of the Red keep in king's landing, but in a more gentle welcoming sort of way.

Ned wished he was back in the North, at his home Winterfell, he had done what had set out to do a year ago, he had avenged his brother and father but he had failed his sister Lyanna... A lump formed in his throat as he remembered his Wild sister's final words "Promise me, Ned" her voice a weak whisper yer full of desperation "If Robert finds out he'll kill him you know he will, you have to protect him….promise me"

"I promise," The young lord said to himself, with a heavy heart Ned continued riding towards Starfall, he could bear the thought of the Tower of Joy, he would like nothing more than to leave Dorne forever but first he had one last Job to do…

An hour later dusk was settling and the young lord had finally made it to the gate, where a guard clad in purple with a spear in his hand approached "State your name and business!" the guard commanded.

Ned Brushed his fingers across his horse's mane to calm it "Lord Eddard Stark of Winterfell!" he replied "I've come to speak with Lord Dayne"

"My Lord is not here" the man answers "His Lady daughter rules in his stead"

Ned clenched his horse's reins so tight his knuckles turned white, that is what he was afraid of, now he would have to face the sister of the man he had killed… and who he had also dishonored.

Inside the castle, Ned waited in the great hall which was decorated with the banners of house Dayne, Ned had to squint his eyes at the overwhelming bright purple that covered the room "Lord Stark" a dainty voice said from behind him, he turned to come face to face with Ashara Dayne, "It has been some time she says.

The two of them make themselves comfortable on the cushioned chairs in the corner of the hall "I had not expected to see you here" she says "If you are here to tell me that Lord Robert is now King I'm afraid you have had a wasted Journey, I received a raven weeks ago"

Ned shakes his head "I'm afraid that is not my intention my lady" he says gravely.

Ashara nods as if expecting it "Then I assume it has something to do with that" she says gesturing to the wrapped up blade tied to Ned's back.

Ned nods removing the weapon and unwrapping it to reveal Dawn the legendary sword of House Dayne "This belongs here my lady"

Ashara stares at the weapon, the light seems to leave her purple eyes "Does this mean my brother Arthur is dead?" she asks gravely.

Ned doesn't respond and that is all the answer Ashara needed, she does not weep or cry out in anger but Ned sees the life drain from her and as she spoke he felt as if he was talking to a walking corpse "I see…" Ashara whispers "How did he die?"

Ned remembers looking up at the sword of the morning as the knight raised Dawn to kill him, he remembers Howland Reed driving a dagger into Arthur's back and he remembers striking him down with the same blade that rested on his lap.

"With his honor" Ned finally says.

Ashara seems to find some peace with that "Thank you for returning the blade Lord Stark" she says, she then gestures for a guard who comes and takes the sword from Ned's hand "It will remain here in Starfall until the next sword of the morning arises"

The lady then takes a large gulp of wine before sighing, now I'm afraid I must return something to you" she says.

Ned tilts his head in confusion "My lady I don't-" he is cut off by the sound of crying, as he turns to see what it is his heart stops, he drops his goblet and spills wine all over the floor, standing a few feet away from him, was a young handmaiden and in her arms crying was a child. A babe no more than a year and half old"

"Our night in Harrenhal was special" Ashara explains "Very special I...I should have told you"

But Ned hardly hears her, he just watches as the handmaiden comes closer and crouches down beside him so he can have a better look at the child, he could see now that it was a girl, with dark brown hair similar to his and haunting purple eyes, the same as Lady Ashara's"

"Take her my lord," the handmaiden says with a smile.

Ned hesitates before taking the babe in his arms, the child immediately stops her fussing and looks up at Ned in wonder, Ned looks back up at Ashara "I'm sorry" he says "I'm so sorry"

Ashara shakes her head "don't be" she says, she comes over to sit beside Ned and stroke their daughter's face.

The babe lets out a soft laughing noise which makes Ned laugh in turn as tears well up in his eyes I'm holding a child he thinks to himself A child that I made.

"Her name is Mia," Ashara says.

"Mia" Ned whispers "Mia Snow"

"My lord listen to me," Ashara says in a serious tone "I need you to take our daughter back to Winterfell"

Ned's smile disappears "My lady I can't I have a wife who has just given birth to my son if I were to bring a bastard back with me...besides I'm sure the child would be happier here with you"

"Eddard," she says using his first name and grabbing his arm "You don't understand, I can not take care of this child anymore, she needs to go with you, I can not explain everything now but I need you to take her to Winterfell and care for her, "Promise me this"

Ned tensed up as she said those words "Promise me Ned" Lyanna's voice echoed in his head "I promise Ned whispered"

Ashara sighed in relief "Thank you" she says.

The both become silent and stare down at their daughter as she drifts off to sleep. Eddard thoughts drifted to Howland Reed and the child he was protecting at the Tower Of Joy, the child he would also have to take home.

The honorable Lord Eddard Stark would return to his wife and newborn son with two children, one to live as a bastard and one to truly be one.

Winterfell, a month later….

Ned smiled as he rode to the gates of Winterfell with Howland Reed and a few of his household guards "LORD STARK HAS RETURNED!" a voice shouts, Ned recognizes that it belongs to Rodrick Cassel the master-at-arms "OPEN THE GATE!"

The gates open and Ned and Howland gallop inside, a squire takes the horses reins and helps the young lord off his horse.

Ser Rodrick and the Maester Luwin made their way over to Ned and bowed "My lord it is good to see you again" Rodrick said

Ned nods "Thank you, Ser Rodrick, it's good to be back"

"You should know his grace king Robert has sent back the bodies of your brother and lord father" Rodrick explains "we have buried them in the crypts"

Ned sighs sadly "And now my sister joins them"

Rodrick nods sadly "Your lady wife arrived ahead of you," Maester Luwin says "She's resting with your son"

"I must go see her," Ned says before turning to Howland, "Bring them," he said.

The Crannogmen pales "My lord are you sure?"

"She has to know," Ned says "I owe her that at least"

Howland nods and orders two men to bring Mia and Lyanna's son who she had named Aegon with them.

They make their way towards his chambers, Ned stops at the door and turns to his men "do not enter until I command it" he says, his voice cold as ice.

He enters the room to find his wife, Catelyn Tully, sitting on the bed and holding a young child in her arms, she smiles softly at him "My lord come see your son"

He sits down beside his wife and wraps a ram around her, with his other hand he touches his Son's face, a warm feeling fills his chest, the same as when he first held Mia but this time there was no shame "Robb Stark" he says quietly.

"He is strong Ned" Cat says, "Everyone says it "He may not look it but he has the strength of wolves"

"I don't doubt it" Ned answers "Cat I need to tell you something" he stands and makes his way to the door, Cat frowns in concern as he opens it.

"What is this?" Cat demands as Howland steps in holding the two babes, he hands Mia to Eddard and holds Aegon in his arms.

"These...are my children," Ned says as calmly as possible "Mia and...Jon"

Catelyn says nothing she just stares at the children, Ned hands Mia back to Howland and steps towards his wife, he tries to touch her face but she flinches away from him "Get them out" she whispers venomously.

"Cat I-"

"GET THEM OUT!" she screams making all three children cry "I don't want them anywhere near my son, DO YOU HEAR ME!"

Ned realizes that there is nothing he can do to calm her so he stands and removes himself from the room, taking Howland and the children with him, outside they are met by Maester Luwin. "Maester take the children, see that they are given to the wetnurses"

"Yes my lord," the Maester says.

"And one last thing" Ned calls as the man walks away "Send a letter to Lady Ashara Dayne, tell her...tell her that the child is safe and well"

A look of realization appears on Luwin's face, followed by one of sympathy "My lord Lady Ashara has passed"

The color disappears from Ned's face, "What?"

"It was some weeks ago my lord" Luwin answers "She threw herself from the palestone sword...I'm sorry"

As the Maester leaves Ned gasps and leans against the stone wall, he places are hand on his forehead to try and stop his vision spinning"

Howland places a comforting hand on his lord's shoulder "I...I am sorry my lord"

Ned turns to the man, "You are the only other man who knows the circumstances of Aegon's birth" he says "Now you forget it, as far as you know he is my bastard son named Jon, no one must know he is Rhaegar's child"

Howland nods "Of course my lord," he says "If it pleases you I could take the boy and raise him myself"

Ned smiles "You are kind to offer so my friend," he says "But I promised Lyanna that I would be the one to protect him"

"The girl then," Howland says "Your wife will not tolerate her but I will raise her like my own"

Ned shakes his head "I can not do that either" he says "Mia is my shame...but she is also my pride, I could not bear to give her up"

Ned stares at the clouded sky "She will do great things Lord Reed" he says "Great things indeed.