…One Giant Leap for Aemon Targaryen

It had been a month since Jon's punishment. He was granted a few short quests in between, nothing earth-shattering, but just a few chores around the Keep to help out the staff. It granted him a total of 50 Exp points and a better understanding of the Small Folks. He had kept up with his training and lessons with the Maester. The only change he caused was he included Robb whenever he and Arya came up with a prank or just general misadventures. It resulted in a much closer relationship between the brother and sister, and a rather disgruntled Theon…but who cared about anything that the Squid thought.

The first thing Jon did after getting out of his punishment was go to the Glass House. He made a bouquet of the winter roses and quietly smuggled it into the Crypt. He broke down in front of the effigy of Lyanna as he finally truly knew her to be his mother.

Jon had found a clearing in the Godswood farther than the Hearts Tree, where he made an archery range for himself. He didn't want a repeat of when he tried to shoot with his left hand. For the safety of the people, and himself, he had chosen the deepest part of the wood to practice discreetly. He still had a way to go but he wasn't as dismal as he was when he first started this workout. His Valyrian writing had surely enabled him to use his left hand with more ease. As a bonus, he had reached the second level with the skill, up to par with his Common Tongue skill. He kept Maester Luwin in the loop with his progress, the old man was ecstatic about it. He mumbled something about developing a new technique for warriors/knights to use. He had insisted that Jon visit him every other day and tell him about his practices in detail while he made notes.

His abilities with swords had increased in leaps and bounds. He had kept the Weirwood sticks and squeezed in any free moments he could find to practice with his dual-wielding. Everything in the secret, of course, he didn't want his fa-uncle to find out what he was doing. He wasn't ready for another confrontation with him yet. Jon was trying hard to find what was the meaning of the trait The Song of Ice and Fire. He had a vague idea that it had to do something with magic, he could ask the Maester's help since Maester Luwin had a Valyrian steel link in his chain proving his studies in magic. But then again, he didn't want to draw any unwanted attention towards him.

*Line Break*

Jon had just finished his practice in the yard for that morning when he found Arya lurking nearby. She must have given the Septa the slip and absconding from her sewing lessons. Jon chuckled to himself and went over to her. Arya was hiding beside some barrels of nails near the stable. Jon crouched down to her level and whispered in her ear –

"Alright, what are we hiding from?"

Arya let out a yelp and turned to face him, she glared fiercely at Jon. "Don't do that, stupid!"

Jon laughed and mussed her hair, "So, are you going to tell me what are you hiding from here?"

Arya scowled. "Stupid Sansa made me mad. I wanted a few minutes to catch the cat so he doesn't get into the kitchen like the other day. But Stupid Sansa found out and snitched to the Septa."

Jon smiled, "If I help you with your cat, will you promise to go back to your lessons?"

Arya looked down and fumbled with the hem of her dress. "I reckon…"

"Then let's go, little sister. We have a traitorous cat to catch."

Ping!

To Catch a Cat!

Chase the cat around Winterfell and catch it before it hides or gets into the kitchen!

Bonus Objective: Avoid tripping over obstacles in your path and colliding with people while you run!

Reward: +1 Dex

10 Exp

?

Accept: Y / N

Jon accepted the quest and took off running after the cat. It wasn't as easy as he thought. He couldn't avoid colliding with people in the corridor, who yelled at him somewhat fierce for ramming into them. Or he couldn't help from falling flat on his face jumping over unassuming barrels or boxes in the yard. After running for fifteen minutes, a battered and bruised Jon caught the cat. He took it back to Arya who was laughing her head off at Jon's misery.

"Here is your cat, now I think you are needed to be at your lessons, young lady." Jon said through laboured breath.

"Don't call me a Lady, stupid." Arya snapped and took the cat in her arms. She turned towards the sewing room but again ran back to Jon and gave him a tight hug, "Love you, Jon! You are the bestest brother in the world!"

Jon smiled and hugged Arya back as tightly. Even though he now knew the truth, Arya will always be his little sister, a shadow of his deceased mother. "I love you too, little sister."

Ping!

Quest Completed!

To Catch a Cat!

Bonus Objective: Failed!

Reward: +1 Dex

10 Exp

Failed to earn bonus reward!

Since that day, Jon had been given a Quest each morning. He had to run along the top of the walls and battlements of Winterfell. At first, people thought him to be losing his mind but when it became a daily occurrence, they stopped paying attention to him when he zoomed past them running every morning. Theon made some mocking remarks to him and Robb asked with concern why Jon had taken a sudden interest in running on the walls every morning. Jon replied that it helped him with his balance and stamina. He tried to entice Robb in his runs, although he became somewhat interested, then Theon happened. Jon shrugged and never again brought up the subject.

A couple of months went by when again Jon encountered the same situation with Arya. This time he caught the cat much quicker and managed to avoid ramming into too many people or tripping over every box or barrel he had to jump over. His spatial awareness became attuned enough that he could plan a way through almost in an instant. It helped with his body movements while he ran. Seeing the progress he had made, he added running through obstacles in his workout regime at his secret yard. There he had more space to run full tilt and also many more obstacles for him to avoid or jump over or slide under.

*Line Break*

It had been almost a year since Jon had become the Champion. He and Robb had progressed from wooden training swords to blunted tourney swords at the yard. Jon had to try very hard to appear at par with Robb or slightly better than him. He could decimate Robb if he wanted to, but he figured that would be detrimental to the ego of the future heir of Winterfell. Not to mention, the rantings of Lady Stark which he wanted to avoid at any cost. He progressed far ahead of his peers, he stood at a place now where he could take on a new guard recruit and almost beat him. The only thing holding him back was his inexperience and the proper strength. Else his skill, speed or stamina was almost at par with an adult.

Meanwhile, Bran had started his training in the yard. As Jon promised himself, he made it a point to show the ways to Bran and help him out along with Robb whenever they could. It was weird to see that Bran taking his lessons from Jon and Robb more seriously than he did with Ser Rodrick.

Arya didn't want to be left behind. So she had made sad faces and produced enough fake tears to Jon that he felt guilty and started to train her during the crack of dawn at the out of the way backyard. He had roped Robb into this secret training schedule. He had grumbled at first about waking up this early every morning, but a slap at the back of his head from Jon and a puppy face from Arya soon put an end to that. Jon had wrung out a promise from Arya that in exchange for their training, Arya had to take her other lessons seriously and she will not run from the Septa as regularly. He tried to make her promise to fight less with Sansa, but he doubted that the Old Gods themselves couldn't even manage that.

Everything went smoothly at first, but a well-behaved Arya was as much an anomaly as two suns in the sky. Soon enough, Jon and Robb had found themselves sitting before Lord Eddard in his solar.

Ned laced his fingers on top of the desk and peered down at the boys sitting in front of him. Robb squirmed under the stern gaze of his father, but Jon remained as stoic as ever. Since their argument, Ned had kept an eye on Jon. He knew something had changed in Jon, but for the life of him, he couldn't put his finger on what it was. All he knew was that Jon had become much more sure about himself. He seemed to have found a new wealth of confidence and grace. He had heard from the others about Jon's progress in his lessons (though he had no idea about Jon's secret training regime). He let out a sigh for the enigma that Jon had become.

"For what reason do you boys think that I called you here?"

Robb and Jon exchanged glances but remained quiet.

"Why do you think that Arya is suddenly behaving so well?"

Robb looked at Jon – I think he found out.

Jon raised an eyebrow – I think so too, let's see where this lead on.

Ned cleared his throat. "If you boys wouldn't mind stopping your silent conversation…?"

They both turned towards him in unison, eyes bulging out.

Ned snorted, "What? You thought you two are the only ones who could have an entire conversation just by looking at each other? You are forgetting that I had two brothers and a sister, and we were as close as you two are. Why, I can even teach you tricks that will make your tiny heads spin…"

The boys appeared very eager at this point. Ned cleared his throat again.

"That's not the reason I called you here. I want to know why you two have started to train Arya in arms?"

Jon looked at Robb – You tell him.

Robb frowned – Why me? It was your idea.

Jon pursed his lips – You are the heir to the Lord, be responsible.

Robb sighed in defeat.

"Any day now, lads, I am not getting any younger here."

Robb gulped and took in a deep breath, "When Bran started his training, Arya became morose. She wanted to learn the ways of the sword, or how to shoot properly…so Jon thought" he received a kick at the shin. "…I mean Jon and I, we both thought that we could cheer up our little sister. We figured that if we teach her how to handle the weapons properly, she cannot hurt herself by learning on her own…"

Robb looked at Jon – Was it alright?

Jon nodded – You did good, brother.

Ned rested his chin on his hands. "Why did you decide that it was okay for her to train in arms in the first place? Sansa doesn't want to learn the ways of the sword; she is becoming a proper lady. Arya should try to follow her elder sister."

This time it was Jon who spoke up. "With all due respect, Lord Stark, you are wrong. Sansa is not Arya, neither Arya is Sansa. They are as different from each other as day and night. Sansa is the perfect little Southern lady, she is happy with her sewing, singing, dancing and praying at the Sept and dreams of a gallant knight. But Arya is of the North. She will sooner bash the head of the man who will show her the littlest disrespect than to run away crying. And who said that a lady cannot wield weapons? The House Mormont, your lealest Bannermen, they train their women from the day they can handle a sword. Can anybody say that they are not Ladies of a high born house? They are ladies, aye, but ladies of the North! They do not believe in the flowery pomp and poise of the Southorns."

This time Jon received a kick at his shin, Robb was glaring at him – Are you trying to get punished again?

Jon had the sense to look ashamed.

Ned sighed and leaned back in his chair. "You are correct of course. But that doesn't mean that Lady Stark will agree with you. At this moment she is happy that both her daughters are trying hard at their lessons. Soon she will become aware of what Arya is doing, what then? How do you plan for that fallout?"

The boys had their heads down, thinking very hard. Indeed, they hadn't thought that far ahead.

Jon started in a small voice, "I may have a solution…but it was more of a long time solution…"

Ned indicated for him to go on.

"Why not send Arya to foster at the Bear Island? She will learn how to become a proper Northern Lady under the watchful eyes of Lord Jorah and Lady Meage. Also, they are the fiercest warriors of the North. Arya will be very happy there."

Ned hummed in thought, this idea indeed had merit.

Jon gulped and took another gamble head-on, "…and we, I mean Robb, Bran, Rickon and I could do with some more Northern learnings."

Ned raised an eyebrow in askance.

"I mean, all we have are lessons from Maester Luwin about the Houses of the realms, treaties between the kingdoms, strategies, economy and law. Ser Rodrick trains us with arms. But what of the North, its culture? We are of the First Men, what do we know about them? We only heard about Brandon the Builder, Brandon the Shipwright, Theon the Hungry Wolf, Torrhen the Last Winter King…the history of North cannot be said in a few short sentences, I refused to believe it. Robb here is the future Lord of Winterfell, he is to become the Warden of North. He must know the lands and its people which he is to be the Lord of. Bran and Rickon, are the Starks. They carry the name that has been around for thousands of years. They need to know their legacy. I am not a Stark, but I am of the Stark blood. I would like to know about my ancestors too."

Only the sound of the fire burning in the hearth could be heard in the solar. The boys sat still in their seats. Lord Stark leaning back in his chair scratching his chin, deep in thought. After a couple of minutes, the silence got the better of the boys, they started to fidget in their seats.

Suddenly Lord Stark sat up straight and looked at them with utmost seriousness. "What you've said is indeed true. I'll be doing a disservice to my ancestor if I do not ensure the future generation of Stark learn about themselves. I will send for someone who will come and teach you about the North." The boys exchanged a happy smile. "But we have been distracted from the original topic." Lord Stark peered at the boys. Again they started to fidget under his gaze. "I think it would be better if you continue with her training, but be very discreet as you were. Your idea of fostering Arya to the Mormonts have merits, Jon. But she is yet very young. We will revisit that topic in another year or two. For the time being, you are to act responsibly with her. Do not make me regret my decision. You are to make sure she knows proper care while handling her arms. Also, you need to make her attend her other lessons without any fuss. You can be strict with her for her sake. And if, by Gods' grace, Sansa one day shows eagerness for the same lessons, please do not discourage her. Help her too as much you can. Do I have your words?"

Both the boys had ear-splitting grins on their faces, they nodded eagerly.

"Good. Now, don't think I have forgotten about your cheek earlier either, Jon. You are to help out in the kitchen for a week for your lack of decorum."

Jon opened his mouth to protest but thought better of it.

"Don't think you'll be alone, your brother will be joining you to share your burden."

Robb looked aghast, "What?! But I didn't say anything!"

"But you thought the same, did you not? Jon may have uttered the words, but the thought ran through both your heads, were they not? Furthermore, do you want to abandon your brother for something that you both did?"

Rob lowered his head and shook to say no. He glared at Jon though – Look what you did, Snow.

Jon had a small smirk on his face – Oh come on, Stark, a little work won't destroy you.

"You are excused now."

Robb was out of his seat in a blink, but Jon appeared to have something more to say.

"Yes, Jon?"

"Father, if you don't mind, could you tell us about our Uncles and Aunt? We know practically nothing about them. You just said that you could not only talk to each other by looks like Robb and I can, but more. Could you tell us stories from your youth? You must have had fun, You, Uncles Brandon and Benjen…Aunt Lyanna. I would like it very much to have some stuff to blackmail Uncle Benjen with when he comes for a visit next…" He looked at Robb who once again took to his seat and was looking at Ned eagerly.

Ned's visage took a blank look at Jon's request, he gazed sternly at the boys for a few moments. Then he sighed and shook his head.

"Please understand one thing, talking about them is very painful for me. We may not have been as close as you are, but we were close. Their absence still haunts me…" His face took a sorrowful mien, then he shook his head again and a mischievous glint showed in his eyes, "Do you know that your Uncle Brandon and I had once convinced your Uncle Benjen that if he prayed to the biggest horse in the stable as the horse god of old, he will become a better rider? The poor lad went and annoyed father's horse so much that it kicked him. Lyanna was so mad at us. Ben still bears the cut above his left eye…"

The rest of the evening was spent with Ned reminiscing about the days of the past. The solar was full of sounds of laughter. Jon sat there absorbing every bit of information about his mother without anyone noticing.

Ping!

Quest Complete!

The North Remembers!

Try to secure tutelage about the history of the North!

Reward: +10 Orator

+10 Leadership

+10 Old Tongue

+1 Int

20 Exp

.

Ping!

Quest Complete!

A Trip Down the Memory Lane!

Coax your Uncle to talk about your mother!

Reward: +10 Subterfuge

+1 Int

+1 Luc

20 Exp

Jon shook his head, he could never get used to these secret quests. He shook off the thought and concentrated again on the stories about his mother and uncles.

*Line Break*

Changes appeared rapidly within the walls of Winterfell. A fortnight after Ned talked to Jon and Robb, Lady Jonelle Cerwyn arrived as the tutor for all Stark children. Lady Catelyn didn't like her presence at her home and she made it known to her Lord Husband, quite loudly in fact. But Lord Stark remained unmoved from his decision and Lady Jonnelle, or as she asked the children to call her, Lady Ella took up educating the Starks what it meant to be a Northerner.

Lady Ella didn't arrive alone at Winterfell, she brought along her cousin, Lord Medger Cerwyn's youngest son Cley Cerwyn along with her. Apparently, Lord Cerwyn had made a condition that in exchange for Lady Ella being a tutor for the Stark children, Cley will be fostered at Winterfell. Being of the same age as Jon and Robb, Cley soon found himself integrated into the group. What was previously known as the Terrible Trio of Jon, Robb and Arya, the dreaded pranksters and general source of mayhem around Winterfell, had become the Fearsome Four with Cley's inclusion. Arya was at first a little hostile towards Cley, thinking he will be trying to drive her brothers away from her, but soon enough, after a few bribes of pastries, she came to think of him as another brother whom she could wrap around her fingers on a whim.

Cley brought with him something new to the training yard. For his age, Cley was rather adept in spear fighting. He regularly challenged both Stark boys to spars with the sword against the spear and made them bite the dust. The jeering from Cley and Arya irritated Jon and Robb so, they had taken Cley aside and begged him for additional practice in proper countering of spears. Though they had threatened him with dire consequences if he let Arya know that they had begged him for his favour. The smirk on Cley's face made them both gulp in fear, they regretfully accepted the fate that Cley would hold this over their heads for indefinite time…but anything for learning to better themselves with arms.

*Line Break*

News had spread around soon that Lord Stark had agreed to fosterage. In six months, Ned's solar was flooded with requests of fosterage. When Jon said that their generation knew nothing about the North's history or culture, Ned took it to his heart. Him being fostered at the Vale from a young age, he had almost lost his connection with the land and its people. Circumstances had made him the Lord of Winterfell, else he wasn't even brought up to hold the mantle. After their conversation that day, he made a vow that he will make sure his children will be brought up with Northern Ethics. Even if he had to fight with Catelyn over this decision. He knew only death will pry Sansa from Lady Stark's grasp, so he focused mainly on Robb's fosterage. Surprisingly enough, there were a few offers to foster Jon as well. He took Maester Luwin with him and together they discussed the most favourable way to ensure Robb's fosterage. He couldn't just send Robb to any of his Bannermen, there were too many politics to think about. He needed to be subtle yet firm enough that the ruffled feathers would be soothed down. He wanted to have his way clear for when he would send Arya to the Bear Island. He could offer Bran as a page or squire to Brynden Tully if Cat became disgruntled enough.

After some scrutiny, Ned had decided that he would send Robb to White Harbour. Lord Manderly being the unofficial economist of the North, the future Warden could learn about trades and coinage from a respected source. The Manderlys also had household knights, Robb's martial lessons could continue uninterrupted that way. He will make a counteroffer to Lord Manderly to foster one of his granddaughters. As they were the followers of the Seven, that way both Lady Stark and Sansa couldn't have enough to complain about. He would send Jon to Karhold as Lord Karstark mentioned in his raven that he wouldn't mind having him. Ned's only concern was Arya, if she suddenly lost the company of both Jon and Robb, she could've caused untold misery throughout the household, only saving grace was that she had taken well to Cley Cerwyn, so Ned had high hopes that his youngest daughter wouldn't cause too much trouble.

It took Lord Stark a fortnight to send ravens and confirm his decision with his Lords. After receiving their affirmation, he broached the subjects during supper one evening. As expected, Arya screamed bloody murder that Jon and Robb will be leaving Winterfell. Lady Stark stormed out of the hall on the prospect of sending her firstborn away from her. Robb and Jon both had horrified looks on their faces. It took Lady Ella all of her patience to calm the situation down enough so that Lord Stark could finish giving his news. First, he had to assure the boys that they are not being punished, the decision was only for the betterment of their future. Then he tried to reason with Arya and Bran who were by now clinging to their elder brothers. Ned requested Sansa to take Rickon to his room, the babe had been scared enough without understanding anything and had been adding to the commotion with his wailing. Lady Ella pried Bran off of Robb and took him to his room, and Cley, bless him, whispered something about spear or deer (Ned couldn't hear him correctly) and took Arya on his shoulders out the keep. Only Theon remained at his seat, looking sulkily at his plate.

Ned took the boys to his solar and explained to them about his planning. They were nervous, yet excited about the fosterage. Lord Stark drilled in them about their responsibilities, they were to obey Lords Manderly and Karstark. Any order they would give, they are to be taken as if it came from Lord Stark himself. Furthermore, they would need to be on their best behaviours and show everybody what it meant to be a Stark. The boys dutifully listened to him. Afterwards, when Ned asked them if they have any doubts, Jon's only question was what would become of Arya's training, or helping Bran at the yard. Ned promised them that he would talk with Cley who would take up training Arya, and Bran would have to do with Ser Rodrick.

Soon, it was time to reason with the Lady of the house. Catelyn was enraged enough by the time Ned reached their rooms. She ranted and raved at him for near an hour. When she became tired and quietened down a bit, Ned made her take a seat and told her about the hardships he had to face when he first became the Lord of Winterfell. He told her how his fostering at Vale became detrimental to his rule. As the Northerners were of different make, they were doubtful that Ned would ever become the Stark of Winterfell. He had to prove himself at every step he took. His life became even harder because he took a Southern wife, and how it reached a catastrophic stage when he had built a Sept at the heart of the North. Ned had come clean about every situation he had to hide from his wife, every scorn, every derision that he guarded her against. They talked well into the night. In the end, Lady Stark came to understand the harm she could cause to her son's ruling if she kept clinging to her Southern views. She was ashamed about the disrespect Ned had to endure because she wasn't considerate enough. Family, Duty, Honour…her own house words were screaming at her. In her quest of becoming a proper Southern wife, she forgot that she now resides in the North, where the people were different, their views were different. After more than a decade of marriage and living in the North, she didn't bother to learn about what had become her own home. They had resolved their differences that night and perhaps, for the first time became husband and wife for true. Though Catelyn had tried her luck and asked him about Jon's mother, Ned sombrely replied to her that he would tell her one day for sure, all she needed to know at that moment was Jon and he shared blood.

*Line Break*

Jon never dreamed that he would be leaving Winterfell for fosterage. He felt both sad and excited about his prospects. Sad that he had to leave behind his mother, his little sister, his uncle and cousins, the very familiar keep and its surroundings. But on the other hand, he was excited beyond anything about exploring the North further than he had ever gone before. He sneaked into the Crypt that night and spend some time conversing with his mother, telling her about his fears and doubts. Also, how excited he was to finally have a chance to prove himself beyond the walls of Winterfell. The next few days took him to pack his belongings and reconcile with Arya. He made her promise that he would write to her as often as he could. He and Robb had talked with Cley about Arya's training, he was only so happy to take over from them. He promised them that he would make sure that their little sister becomes one hell of a warrior.

Soon, the day arrived when they had to leave their home. Jon and Robb readied their horses and took them to the yard. The Stark family was standing there to bid farewell to them. Rickon only laughed when his brothers took him in their arms and hoisted him up in the air. Bran was sniffing and begged them not to go. Arya stood there with a sullen face. She hugged Robb and warned him to not become any stupider than he already is. Robb choked back a laugh and hugged her tighter. When it was time for Jon, Arya broke down and latched onto Jon, crying her eyes out. It took Robb, Jon and Cley, all three of them to calm Arya down. Jon didn't expect anything from Sansa, but to his immense surprise, she hugged him and gifted him a silk kerchief with a white direwolf embroidered upon it. He kissed her forehead and requested her to not pick fights with Arya. Lady Stark only gave him a stiff nod, but to Jon, that was more than enough. Finally, he stood in front of Lord Stark.

"Son, now you are venturing out in the world to become a man. You will show everybody out there that the Stark blood of old still demands respect. Listen to your Lord, and never waiver from doing your duties."

"I will make you proud, Father."

"I know you will, son. You may not have my name, but you are my blood, I have complete faith in you."

Ned hugged him tightly, "Perhaps once you return, I'll tell you about your mother."

Jon pulled back from him and stared directly at his eyes, whispering back so none save Ned could hear him, "I already know… Uncle!"

Colour drained from Ned's face, Jon only nodded back at him and got up on his horse. Robb was already up on his own and was waiting for him to finish his goodbyes. They rode together through the gate and turned back once to wave back at their family.

Half a day's ride from Winterfell, they had to bid goodbye to each other. Robb will venture further down the Kingsroad southwards and Jon will turn towards the east. They got down and stood side by side looking back at the way they had come from.

"I guess it is goodbye, for now, Snow."

"Aye, you should learn to take care, Stark, I will not be there to baby you anymore."

Robb punched Jon in the arm. "I will miss you, Brother!"

"I will miss you too, Brother!"

They got back on their horses, Robb turned towards Jon for one last time, "Send ravens, keep me posted about your adventures at Karhold." He winked at Jon.

"As long as you keep me posted about your follies at White Harbour." Jon smirked back.

They both laughed and turned their horses towards their destinations. Jon took a deep breath. The air seemed different to him outside of the walls of Winterfell.

Ping!

Congratulations, Champion! You have completed your training phase! Your proper journey begins now!