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Chapter 3 – Winterfell

299 AC…Casterly Rock

In his solar, Hadrian sat at his desk reading over the paperwork that seemed to multiply every time he turned his head away. Now aged thirty five Hadrian was what many would consider handsome although he looked years younger due to his magic which slowed his aging somewhat, his blond hair was cut shorter than most men but he had grown a small beard which he kept short like his hair. He was still in great shape for a man now in his prime taking care to keep himself in good condition with vigorous exercise and sparring with the long-time leader of his personal guard and friend Ser Raphael Daniels had helped him keep up his skill with a blade. But right now despite the aching of his neck, shoulders and hands he kept on working.

The business holdings that he had started developing with his father in his youth and had expanded in the twenty years since had grown rapidly with careful and considered work on the part of him and those he had recruited to help him run it. The harbour outside of his window in the city of Lannisport was a hive of activity as the merchant fleet he had developed and grown was importing and exporting goods from all over the world just as they did in many other ports spread far and wide. The harbour had been expanded by his construction and architect firms who were already busy elsewhere rebuilding castles for lords or erecting new buildings in cities and towns everywhere. The miners of the now exhausted mines had been formed into a sell sword company he had christened the Strong Men numbering ten thousand soldiers not counting the other smaller companies that he had taken over in the following years. Auction houses, gambling dens, inns/pubs/taverns in cities and on major travel routes, vineyards, glass smiths, real estate, jewellers and many other enterprises had and continued to net him large profits and had not only restored his family's wealth and power but increased it to heights unseen in centuries.

He had even started up the Bounty Hunter's guild; an official organisation that registered bounty hunters so they had certain immunities to local law to pursue their targets within certain guidelines. Guild stations had been established where live targets could be dropped off for transportation and rewards collected so long journeys where no longer necessary. Targets could be posted at those stations and so within days all the bounty hunters associated with the guild would be looking for them. Paid for by a membership fee and a small percentage of each bounty the benefits had drawn many to register and drive most independent operators out of business or forced them to join the guild. This too gave him a profit but also the ability to draw on their skills whenever needed.

But that still did not ease the headache that came with trying to run it all. Adding of course that his father Tywin now spent a lot of his time in King's Landing or elsewhere trying to increase the scope of his family's power leaving Hadrian responsible for running the Rock and Westerlands on top of his own business interests. It had become an ongoing challenge for Hadrian to find people that he could trust that were capable of helping him run the business, Tyrion had been a godsend to Hadrian as if a crisis arose somewhere and he could not go and deal with it himself, he could trust his younger brother to go in and solve the problem. And Tyrion had even had some interesting ideas of his own that had helped Hadrian expand his portfolio. They had set up a debt collection service that money lenders could employ to reimburse them for unpaid debts, sold on through Hadrian's auction houses which also gave them first dibs on whatever lands, buildings or objects that passed through the sales. The Iron Bank remained a big client of those particular services helping the Lannisters in developing a good strong relationship with several members of the institution.

But in secret Hadrian had stayed in limited contact with the surviving Targaryens in exile over in Essos living on the move under the assumed named Peverell to protect their identities while the work to restore their dynasty here in Westeros continued. Plans to put Viserys on the throne had quickly been sunk over the boy developing a madness that echoed that of his father and the last thing they needed was another Aerys after all the trouble the last one had caused. The thought of another king like Aerys made Hadrian nearly wince. Then to top it off the boy after an argument with his mother the former queen Rhaella had gone and got himself killed in a drunken fight with some sellswords they had been trying to hire in Pentos where they had been staying at the time. Thought had been put into whether they could try and install Rhaenys or Daenerys on the throne but given the patriachical society here in Westeros there were doubts that they would be able to hold it, Targaryen women that had tried in the past never seemed to last for long. Then there was the issue with the present oversized backside that sat on the throne in question.

Robert's reign had been just as bad if not worse than Hadrian had actually predicted, he whored and drank and hunted the crown into greater and greater debt most of it owed to the Lannisters, organised by Tywin's ambitious hand all to increase their own power. Also the favouritism towards the Lannisters only spread disunity angering many of the other great houses driving the kingdoms further and further apart, the only real thing that kept the peace was the alliance between the North and the King, not to mention the Lannisters backing the crown financially.

In his old life Hadrian would have just used a confundus charm to stop Tywin but men like him were too strong minded for something like that to work easily. Not to mention that without a focus like a wand more complex and specialised spells were tricky to cast correctly. Runes and wards were easy enough as were simple blasts of energy and some of the less complicated spells but otherwise magic seemed to flow differently here, more along ritualistic lines like the shadowbinders of the Red God who often burned people alive and that was a line Hadrian was not going to cross he thought with distaste for such practices. Potions too were difficult to create here, some had common enough ingredients so making them was easy but others were impossible due to the necessary creatures or plants not being found in this world.

Hadrian however was disturbed from these thoughts when the door to his room burst open and a boy rushed in as an enraged knight followed close behind with his helmet covered in jam and broken pastry. Sighing Hadrian put down his quill and got to his feet as the boy dodged behind a nearby screen to hide from the enraged knight. Seeing his liege's son and the ruler of the Rock at present caused the purple faced knight to stop still and nervously stammered.

"My…my…lord."

"What has my son done this time Ser Boris?" Hadrian asked one of the sword swords dedicated to the protection of his family although from the state of the man's armour Hadrian had already guessed. The Knight stood as tall as he could and said with nervous stamped on every word.

"He…set up a catapult in my rooms my lord which fired an apple pie right in my face." The knight did not like criticizing his lord's son but this was unfortunately a regular occurrence.

"I will see to it that my son apologises to you Ser Boris, now go and clean your armour. It would not do for someone to see one of my guardsmen in such a state." Ser Boris nodded and rushed out the room. Hadrian sighed and went back to sit at his desk saying to the boy still hiding behind the screen with disapproval.

"Tyler if you are going to pull such pranks then please at least do not get caught." The boy stiffened and stepped out from behind the screen and winced at the tone of his father's voice. Hadrian looked up to face his son who resembled him greatly in his youth. His blond hair was shaggy from his earlier running and his green eyes twinkled with mischief. The young boy looked at his father who sat relaxed as he waited to see what his son had to say for himself.

"It was just a joke." Tyler said with nonchalance hoping with his own pride not to let his father see the shame Tyler felt at disappointing him. But Hadrian knew his son too well. Although Tyler had recently been channelling James Potter and launching a series of pranks on the servants of the Rock, he was a good lad and was very smart.

"You have been having those nightmares again. Haven't you?" Hadrian said knowingly with sadness. He sighed, they had had this conversation before.

"About mother yes." Tyler admitted his lower lip beginning to tremble as his anxiety mounted but Hadrian got back to his feet and walked over to the couch in the corner and sat down extending his hand to invite his son to sit down. Tyler slowly made his way over to the couch and sat down next to his father who just let him talk in his own time. Eventually after a tense few seconds Tyler started talking.

"She's sitting there, on the bed…there's…blood everywhere." Tyler faltered stopping for a second as tears began to form in his eyes and Hadrian sensing his son's needs for comfort put a comforting arm around his twelve year old son's shoulders. The boy leaned against his father as if to draw strength from him as he tried his hardest to continue despite his mounting grief. "She just sits there staring at me."

Hadrian pulled his son closer and cursed that midwife not closing that door and letting his son see his mother like that. Rather than marry the daughter of another house here in Westeros as his father had wanted, Hadrian had married the daughter and only child of wealthy businessman Arthur Vesta from Braavos. It was with his help and contacts that Hadrian had rapidly sped up the expansion of his own business assets and Arthur had gained not only a noble family for his daughter to marry into but a son in law that he could trust to manage his assets and protect his daughter who was a hard and uncompromising as a rose petal. Clarice had been beautiful, who Hadrian would have called a traditional English rose if there was such a thing here. It had never been romantic between them but they had a respect and friendly affection going for them and had six children during their fifteen year marriage until she had died bringing the seventh into in the world, a daughter named in her honour. Perhaps it had been best that Hadrian had never really loved her as her loss while devastating did not hit him as hard as Joanna's death had Tywin meaning he was there when his children needed him. But Tyler had unfortunately seen his dead mother on the bed just staring into space before Hadrian had been able to get him away. Ever since the young man had been struggling with the image that was engraved upon his mind acting out to try and handle his grief in the year since it had happened.

The father and son stayed like that for a while as Hadrian held his son as he let his grief pour out with hot tears falling fast. Then once he had run out of tears, Hadrian put on a gentle smile and ruffled his son's hair which brought a watery smile to Tyler's face and Hadrian then had an idea.

"Hey feeling a bit better now?" He asked and Tyler looking tired nodded and Hadrian suggested. "Look I'm going north to Winterfell to discuss trade with Lord Stark soon. Maybe I should bring you and Richard with me?" His son brightened up immediately.

"Yes father please." Tyler said looking excited. "Can we bring Cassia, Joanna and Sabine too?" He asked wondering if his younger sisters might come too, Hadrian nodded with a smile, his uncle Kevan should be able to handle things for a while at least. Most elder brothers would find it annoying to have their younger sisters along but not Tyler or Richard his slightly younger twin brother. Losing their mother had forged the family closer especially as Hadrian had reduced his trips away to the barest minimum allowing others to take more responsibility now things were more stable so at least he was there for them to take comfort from. The year old Clarice was still too young to go with them and Leo his oldest son was unlikely to join them as he had little stomach for the harsher Northern weather. Hadrian was glad that he had Tyler and Richard to leave his holdings to when the time came, Leo was too much like his mother to be able to effectively run the Westerlands never mind the business empire that they had built. He was too trusting and gentle it was just in his nature, hence why Hadrian had already written a will in favour of Tyler who was more than smart and strong enough to handle it when he was grown up. Leo's skills lay in the artistic side of things, his skill with a paint brush and sculpting was truly unparalleled for someone his age, already his portraits and sculptures were becoming well known through Westeros but there had been times when Hadrian had had to protect Leo from Tywin's ire.

The Old Lion looked on his eldest son's child as a disgrace to the Lannister for being so 'soft' and 'weak'. The arguments between the two had been gruesome and earn the stares of servants as the two fought like rival males in a pride of actual lions. Tywin's cold and ruthless ambition against Hadrian's fury and protectiveness towards his children. Many times it had been hard to placate Tywin with Tyler's and Richard's aptitude for running the Rock but given how bright and strong Hadrian's twin sons were Tywin had eventually been satisfied albeit reluctantly to let the matter drop. Besides the paintings and sculptures that Leo made were something else he could boast about at court.

But soon Hadrian thought darkly to himself he was going to have to think of a more permanent solution to the problem of his own father. He had been thinking of killing him for years but his father served a useful purpose as expanding his own power meant Hadrian could take advantage of his efforts to strengthen his own position while slowly and quietly working to weaken the Baratheon hold on the throne so that when the time was right both the Usurper and the Old Lion of Casterly Rock could be dealt with in a manner fitting their crimes and House Lannister could finally be free of his father's dangerous ambition. The moment Robert died all hell was going to break loose, but Hadrian thought to himself quietly war provided opportunities which were hard to engineer in peace time.

The North was just as cold and bleak as Hadrian remembered. He and his party made good time hoping that they might get to Winterfell before the Royal party arrived from King's Landing so he and Lord Stark could get any negotiations settled before hand although Hadrian was worried that things might drag given the other man's attitude. Since they had first met at the Sack of King's Landing the Northern lord and Hadrian had been cool towards each other. They had a strong respect for the other's abilities but given the man's dislike for Jaime and Tywin, Hadrian was often tarnished with the same brush and Hadrian disliked the man because he had labelled Jaime kingslayer without any chance to defend himself and despite their efforts the name had stuck which was a deep humiliation for his younger brother which Robert just loved to rub in his face while making him watch as Robert fucked his whores to humiliate their sister too which Hadrian knew caused Jaime enormous anger. Hadrian and Lord Stark had fought together during the Greyjoy rebellion to put down the uprising but despite developing mutual respect nothing had come from it.

Hadrian, the children that had joined him and his guard of Lannister soldiers were now only a short distance away from Winterfell and his children despite how cold they were even wrapped up in thick furs were looking excitedly at the horizon.

"How much longer father?" His eldest daughter Cassia asked eagerly as she rode alongside him. Her sisters looked at him expectantly too. Hadrian laughed and told them they would soon see the great old castle. His daughters were all young beauties, something he was told nearly every day despite still being children. When they grew up they were going to become the most sought after ladies in all the land, their blonde hair shined like spun gold and their green eyes sparkled like emeralds. And like their older brothers Tyler and Richard they were more than just pretty faces, their minds were sharp, intelligent and cunning. But for the moment they were still children, eager to learn and listen to their father's adventures with their uncles and Hadrian was grateful that for now they were still just his children. Watching his children grow up brought a lump to his throat, he had been in the chamber to see them born, every single one of them. No matter what the maester or midwife said he would not miss a single moment of seeing his children brought into the world and being the first after his wife to hold them.

The party rode on until finally the big old castle finally came into view. Its towers and walls stood tall and were somewhat grim but his children's eyes still widened given the imposing design and legends that had grown up around the castle that they had heard of from the maesters and knights they had grown up with. The wind was bitter as they rode through the gate and into the main yard where Lord Stark, his family and guards were already waiting for them. The grim faced and quiet wolf lord was standing there with as much expression as a chunk of ice and his wife Lady Catelyn formerly of House Tully had her eyes narrowed in suspicion while directed at him. Sighing quietly to himself he realised this trip was going to be more of a headache than he imagined so he decided to take a quick look around the yard. The Stark children were nearly as numerous as his own; the oldest boy nearly sixteen clearly favoured his mother in looks with thick red-brown hair, stocky build and blue eyes. The next was a girl about thirteen or so name days old that again clearly favoured her mother in looks; long auburn hair, blue eyes, tall willowy figure that would see her as a sought after beauty in the future.

After the two Tully like children the next was very clearly a Stark. A girl who looked about ten or eleven with grey stormy eyes and brown hair like her father. She could not have been a bigger contrast to the older girl who was immaculately dressed and clean of any speck of dirt, the younger girl was dressed in clothes more suited to a boy than a girl of noble birth wearing slacks and a tunic instead of a dress like her sister. Again she had mud all over her clothes and face and her hair was nowhere near as groomed as her sister's which flowed straight and smooth down her back and was matted with dirt and shaggy around her shoulders. After her there were two young boys looking nine and four respectively who like their older brother favoured their mother in looks with red-brown hair and blue Tully eyes.

"Lord Lannister." Eddard Stark said looking at him with suspicion and Hadrian said already feeling weary from the trip.

"Lord Stark. May I present my children; my sons and daughters Tyler, Richard, Cassia, Sabine and Joanna" He said with each child well drilled in their manners gave a small bow to the Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North in time to their name. Stark looked at the five Lannister children with curiosity and then introduced his own family.

"My wife Lady Catelyn." He said and the Lady Stark gave a stiff nod. "My sons and daughters; Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran and Rickon." He said and his own children gave their own small bows except for the youngest girl who just stared in curiosity before asking.

"Where's the Imp?" Lord and Lady Stark both seemed to wince slightly at the girl's outspokenness while the girl's brothers shared a small grin in amusement and the older sister elbowed the younger saying if Hadrian read her lips right…'shut up you are embarrassing me'. Hadrian however was amused at girl, looking at her more closely she definitely reminded him of a younger Lyanna Stark who he had seen crowned Queen of Love and Beauty by Rhaegar at the tournament of Harrenhall. Rhaegar had later confided in him that Lyanna had intrigued him being different to other girls, her feistiness and outspokenness drawing his older friend like a moth to a flame. It was easy to see why Robert had spent so many years mourning her death much to his sister's Cersei's anger. Girls like Arya and Lyanna made an impression that lasted and were impossible to tame. The youngest Stark daughter already seemed to have made an impression on his own son Hadrian realised as the boy's interest was directed solely at Arya, Hadrian shook his head as he saw Tyler begin to develop a crush on the girl so he was going to have to have a talk with his son soon.

"If you mean my younger brother Tyrion then I'm afraid you will have to wait till the royal party arrives young lady." He said with a smirk. Many would have been insulted at their younger brother being referred to as such but Hadrian knew that Tyrion would not let it get to him, he in his own words wore his condition like armour so that it could never be used to hurt him. Arya looked annoyed but not at being told she would have to wait but more at being called a 'lady'. Holding back a chuckle Hadrian turned back to Lord Stark who was giving his youngest daughter a look that told her a firm talking to was coming as soon as they were out of earshot and said. "Perhaps we might get inside Lord Stark? My own children are not so used to the cold." He said mindful of his children who were shivering slightly in the cold air.

After being should to their rooms the Lannister party enjoyed a warm broth in the hall of Winterfell while Lord Stark and Hadrian got down to discussing business in the Northern lord's solar. However suspicious he was of the Lannisters, Ned could not dispute Hadrian was a good business man, laying out plans that not only could he but the whole North profit from. There were huge untapped natural resources including fresh sources of metal ore and enormous forests of timber that would be very valuable in trade to not only other Westeros kingdoms but also to the Free Cities of Essos too, but exporting them had always been an issue as the North had limited inland trade routes and only one major port White Harbour which was on the east coast but many of the valuable exports originated on the west coast but Hadrian had a plan for this.

"The establishment of a new port on the western coast of the North would serve as a perfect means to transport Northern goods by allowing larger cargo vessels to dock here once more secure roads can be established by the Northern houses to transport materials. It would also help importing foreign goods more viable and support a larger fishing fleet for the hard winter when food sources are scarce." Hadrian said outlining his ideas for expanding Northern trade as a joint venture between their two houses. "It would also be useful in maintaining a Northern fleet to protect your coast in event of the Iron born start causing trouble again."

Eddard was impressed at the idea and admitted it was a good one if they could finance it but he felt obliged to add at the mention of the Iron Born.

"I hold Lord Greyjoy's only living son Theon here. Surely that is enough to guarantee their neutrality for the foreseeable future." Hadrian just gave him a deadpan look before saying.

"Lord Stark you remember Balon Greyjoy just as well as I do from the rebellion. A man like that cares only for himself and the legends of a time long past were the Iron born ruled much of the coast. No doubt he has been grooming his daughter Yara to act as an heir and is just waiting for the kingdoms to appear vulnerable enough to try again." Both men had met the man who ruled over the Iron Islands and Eddard could not doubt Hadrian's words. The man's arrogance and complete near fanatical devotion to the old ways of the Iron born had long been a concern. A Northern fleet and additional fortifications along the coast would be helpful in repelling an Iron Born invasion.

"Also there may be another way to expand Northern trade." Hadrian added earning Eddard's renewed attention. "If we use the extensive waterways of the Riverlands, then long ships like those of the Iron Born can carry materials across the country to White Harbour or one of the Riverlands ports to export on larger vessels." Eddard nodded in agreement, it was a plan that could not just benefit him and the North but also their long-time allies the Riverlands as they could use those same ships to move their goods around as well. Deciding to take some time to think on it he got to his feet his actions quickly mirrored by Hadrian.

"Let's take a recess while I think on your proposals." Eddard suggested and Hadrian nodded in agreement. The men walked back out into the cold Northern air and watched as their sons sparred in the training yard while their daughters spent time with the septa doing the traditional sewing and other activities of a high born lady which Hadrian knew would drive his girls mad with boredom. So with a smile he looked down on his sons sparring below. Tyler and Richard were good swordsmen for their age, Raphael Daniels who was also watching closely from the side had seen to that. However the elder Stark boys were no slouches either. Robb was easily parrying Tyler's strikes while Richard was being thoroughly beaten by another boy about Robb Stark's age that had the same dark hair as Lord Stark. This must be the bastard son that Lord Stark had taken in, Hadrian had to admire Lord Stark's commitment for taking in his bastard son and raising him alongside his other children.

A lot of people looked down on bastards thinking that given they were born from lust outside of wedlock that they must somehow be wanton and corrupt from birth, always having to work twice as hard to get even half the respect legitimate births got without a second thought. Hadrian himself had never fathered any bastards not wanting to have any child of his to have the stigma of being a bastard but he had ordered to have Lannister born bastards brought to Casterly Rock where they were put under the care of his aunt Genna and properly cared for and educated. When Tywin and other Lannisters (many not wanting to have to deal with their own illegitimate spawn) had kicked up a fuss about it Hadrian had calmly reminded them that just because someone was born outside wedlock did not mean they couldn't be useful. Also if they were truly the greatest noble family in Westeros then they must hold themselves to a higher standard and so the voices of objection had slowly disappeared.

Hadrian came back to the present and walked over to his sons as the Stark boys with their greater strength and experience clearly won by knocked the wooden swords out of their hands. With a smile on his face he went over Tyler and Richard who looked slightly downcast at being beaten and put his hands firmly on their shoulders and told them.

"Good job." He looked over to Robb Stark who smiled in victory but managed not to look smug while the other boy was about to make himself scarce till Hadrian spoke.

"You have good skill with a blade. What is your name?" Hadrian asked and the boy stopped and turned around looking very nervous at suddenly being the centre of attention with everyone in the yard watching him and Lord Lannister. He was sure to be in for an earful from Lady Catelyn after this he thought to himself nervously before he answered.

"Jon Snow my lord."

Hadrian meanwhile was studying the boy in front of him. Although the boy had the same lean build and dark hair as Lord Stark there were differences too. His eyes were a strange shade of darker grey than the traditional Stark eyes and his face had different cheekbones but as Hadrian walked forward to shake the boy's hand he looked him right in the eye and suddenly it was like the world had stopped.

Hadrian stopped smiling immediately as he scrutinised every line on the still young face of Jon Snow and another face from years past was superimposed over it in his mind's eye to see the similarities and turned around to face Lord Stark who looked on them with fear dancing very publically in his eyes. Hadrian with his temper mounting said in a strangely calm voice but his expression showed his rage.

"Lord Stark. A word in private." He said, his stern voice made in clear this was not a request and he marched his body taunt with anger back to Ned's office where the Lord of Winterfell followed looking increasingly worried. Everyone else in the yard looked on confused at the sudden change and Robb came over to Jon and asked.

"What has gotten him so riled up?" Jon jumped to the obvious conclusion with a shame that had been born of years of slights and coldness from Lady Stark.

"Because I'm a bastard." But Tyler who now walked over to join them said looking very confused at his normally calm father's actions.

"No it cannot be that. My father champions bastards at home. We have illegitimate cousins and uncles that are raised and educated. He even gets the ones that show particular promise legitimized."

"So what is it then?" Robb asked now getting angry at the slight towards from Lord Lannister towards his half-brother but Tyler only shrugged.

Once inside the office of Lord Stark, Eddard or Ned as he was known bolted the door closed and turned to face Lord Hadrian Lannister who was standing there with his thunderous expression. Ned was comforted by the weight of his sword Ice, close at hand if he needed it. He saw Hadrian's hand was close to his own sword too as if expecting an attack but the heir to the Westerlands instead asked him angrily.

"What the hell were you thinking?! Do you have any idea what will happen if Robert Baratheon or my own family find out about the boy?" Hadrian was feeling very much at the moment like strangling the lord of the north. All this time and the answer to their problems had been right here under their nose, in plain sight all along.

Eddard was feeling confused at the strange reactions he was getting from Hadrian Lannister. He had always seen the Lannisters as cold, cruel and calculating and they did nothing to deny it especially Tywin Lannister. The way they had butchered Princess Elia and her children during the Sack of King's Landing had been enough reason for him to do what he had done with Jon. Hadrian Lannister coming to Winterfell had been perhaps his worst nightmare as Hadrian was one of the very few people still alive that would see Jon for who he really was but he had for once been grateful that Catelyn had kept the boy out of sight and he had thought they would get away with it but then they had gone to the exercise yard at the precise wrong time just as Jon was there. He had expected Hadrian to draw his sword and kill Jon right there and then but instead he had dragged Ned in here. What was going on? Eddard thought to himself before he answered.

"I promised his mother before she died that I would always protect him. Especially from men like your father." He added accusingly and Hadrian put his hand to his face as he felt a tension headache coming on.

"He should be learning his legacy. Does he even know?" Hadrian asked massaging his temples and Ned just shook his head and Hadrian said angrily as his temper began to rise again.

"He deserves to know. When were you planning on telling him?" He asked right now he was thinking how fast he could get the boy out of here and to Braavos where he would be safe especially before the Usurper King's party arrived. Already he was mentally composing the letters he would have to send by the fastest ravens he could find once they were done here.

"When he joins the Night's Watch, he has always dreamt of it. After that it wouldn't matter." Hadrian's temper finally flared and he smacked his fist right into Eddard Stark's face. He surprised himself with the strength of his punch sending the Lord of the North to the ground with the beginnings of a bruise on his face.

"You would waste perhaps the only decent chance that we have of turning the Seven Kingdoms around on the Night's Watch! I know that their mission is important but this is different!" He raged at Eddard who looked up now more surprised, still in shock from the sudden punch but that Hadrian had called Jon the best hope for the Seven Kingdoms too. Hadrian realising that he was going too far especially by striking a lord paramount and a warden so he took a few calming breaths before extending his hand to Ned who took and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet and Hadrian then explained.

"Robert Baratheon has managed to in the last sixteen years whore, hunt and drink the crown into greater debt than in its entire history, nearly six million gold dragons last time I checked living way beyond his means with a lifestyle that was supremely decadent even by the standards of Aegon the Unworthy. Three million owed to the Lannisters alone." Ned's eyes widened in horror when he heard that figure but Hadrian was not done yet. "Worse he has successfully insulted and driven away the other major houses and angering key allies and that has left the seven kingdoms more divided than they had been for centuries. If not for the backing of your family and mine he would have been kicked off the throne years ago." Hadrian told him and desperate to believe that his old friend would not have been this bad a king Ned searched Hadrian's face for any sign of lying only to be disappointed when he saw complete honesty and worse he had seen signs of Robert's expanding girth when they had last seen each other years ago but he had written it off at the time and some letters he had received from the late Hand of the King Jon Arryn, his almost second father had sounded similar to that effect but he had paid them no mind. So he decided to ask his own question before Hadrian had the chance to bombard him with another.

"Why do you care? Your family is only benefiting from the situation." He studied Hadrian closely to see how he answered and what Hadrian said shocked him.

"Because you are not the only person who saved a child of Rhaegar Targaryen. Princess Rhaenys and her mother Princess Elia are still alive. I and some likeminded allies snuck them out of the Red Keep and spirited them away the night of the sacking. Rhaegar was my friend. Had I had the chance I would have brought the Lannister army to the Ruby Ford that day and we would have crushed your friend Robert, so I did the next best thing. I protected his child."

The silence in the room was intense as Ned assimilated what he had just been told. He immediately thought that the other man was lying and said so.

"But the bodies? Aegon?" He pressed only for Hadrian to dismiss it.

"I don't know who those poor people were but an ally substituted imposters for the real Princesses that night and spirited the real ladies away. And as for the so called Prince Aegon? Turns out there was no Prince Aegon, Elia couldn't have any more children after Rhaenys so Rhaegar needing a son married your sister as a second wife to get the male heir he needed. Your sister was desperate to find a way out of her betrothal to Robert and Rhaegar gave her one. Who on earth put the idea that she had been kidnapped into your brother Brandon's head I don't know." Hadrian confirmed all the things Lyanna had managed to whisper to Ned on her deathbed after bringing Jon into the world and given that only a select few people knew these things (most of whom were dead) Ned became convinced he was telling the truth as incredible as it seemed.

"So what now?" Ned asked Hadrian who told him firmly as he took hold of this miracle with both hands. He knew Ned Stark by deed and reputation and the man's honour would never let him put one of his own family in danger by revealing what he had said. The northern lords while vulnerable due to their honour were also strong with the strength of their convictions. Ned wanted the best for his nephew and hated to see the rightful heir to the throne treated as badly as Jon was.

"We send Jon to Essos where the remaining Targaryens are in hiding so that Queen Rhaella and the rest of her family can prepare him for the day he takes the throne. If Robert was ill-suited to being a King, wait till you see Joffrey. The boy is monster enough to give Maegor the Cruel or even the Mad King a run for their money. We tell no-one but Jon the truth. In public we say that he has been given a job as a captain in one of my sell sword companies. Is that okay?" He asked Ned Stark who while feeling very uneasy nodded in agreement. Ned went over to the door and unbolted it before telling a passing guard to have Jon come to his solar immediately. A few minutes later the nervous looking young man arrived, his confused eyes darted from both Ned and Hadrian.

"Come in Jon, there's something that I should have told you long ago." Ned said to him and once inside Ned re-bolted the door and gestured for Jon to sit on the couch while he and Hadrian took their own seats opposite and Ned looked at the boy that he had raised as his own son and words suddenly failed him. He had never wanted a member of his pack thrown into the vicious dance that was the game of thrones despite knowing that he would soon be caught up in it himself. The only reason Robert was riding north was to name him his hand of the king but his children he had hoped to keep out of it. A chance that was rapidly fading.

"Jon, there is no easy way for me to say this. You will always be a son to me but…" Ned stopped for a moment as he prepared himself as Jon looked increasingly pensive so Ned just blurted it out. "Jon I'm not your father but your uncle. Your real parents were my sister Lyanna and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen."

Jon did not react to that at first, the poor lad both lords realised was in complete shock. His world had just been shaken to its core. And Hadrian decided given they were short on time to speak while the boy was absorbing the last revelation.

"She was fleeing her betrothal to Robert Baratheon when your father saw her he became enamoured with her. Since Elia Martell could not provide him a son he decided to take Lyanna as a second wife but someone spread the rumour that she had been kidnapped and that kicked off the rebellion. Rhaegar sent your mother to the Tower of Joy to be safe but she died from a fever after giving birth to you. Concerned after what happened to your half siblings in Kings Landing your uncle to protect you claimed that you were his bastard so no-one would realise that you were a Targaryen."

"How do you know this?" Jon asked quietly, his mind in turmoil as he tried to process what he was being told.

"Because Elia told me." Hadrian said earning a sharp look from Jon before he continued. "Elia was and continues to be a good friend and your father and I knew each other very well. That's why I recognised you as his son when I first saw you."

"Wait." Jon said still trying to understand all this when one part stood out like a sore thumb. "You said Elia Martell continues to be a good friend? But she's dead right?" Hadrian gave the son of his late friend a gentle smile and told him how he and some allies had smuggled Elia and her daughter out of the capital to safety. How Aegon had been an illusion and that his grandmother, aunt, stepmother and half-sister were still alive living in Essos and that they wanted to send him to join them. Jon did not know how to cope with this, everything in his life had been a lie, all the shame heaped on him because of his supposed illegitimacy when in reality not only was he true born but in reality the rightful heir to the Iron Throne.

"I doubt that anyone in the Royal party would recognise you given how Stark like you are. But we can't afford to take any chances so I am sending you to Essos where your father's family will ensure your safety and teach you how to rule." Hadrian told him and Jon looked up surprised.

"What?" He asked alarmed and Ned told him sadly.

"A war is coming Jon, when Robert dies which from what I have been told will happen sooner rather than later someone will need to take the throne and that person needs to be you." Ned hated war, the rebellion which had gotten his best friend Robert his crown had nearly broken the Stark family and the North as a whole only for nothing to change for the better and now his children were almost certainly going to be caught up in another. Hadrian was likewise having the same thoughts about his own children.

"Officially." Hadrian said taking over the conversation. "I will be giving you a job as a captain in one of my sell sword companies. I'm sure that Lord Stark will want to send a company of trusted Northmen with you so please gather them quickly Lord Stark, while I have some letters to send." Hadrian said unbolting the door and walking to his current rooms where he had to inform his allies and more importantly the Targaryens of his discovery so plans could be put into place and accelerated leaving behind a very confused young man and weary Lord Paramount of the North.

Tyler meanwhile had been exploring Winterfell unaware of what his father was doing and had decided to prank the stuffy old septa of the great old castle. He crept into the room where she would teach her young charges needlework but had taken a short break for lunch. He carefully pulled out a jar of his father's quick set glue and applied it to the stool where the septa would sit on both the seat and where the legs met the floor, he had seen how the septa had criticized his sisters and that Stark girl Arya for their unsatisfactory needlework while heaping praise on that other girl Sansa when he had gone to tell them it was time for lunch so he decided in his still maturing mind that the horrible old woman needed to be humbled. No one insulted his sisters and got away with it! He thought to himself furiously and if he was honest with himself he had not liked to see Arya being spoken down to like that either. So what if she was not a perfect little lady like her boring older sister, she was far more interesting. He said to himself firmly justifying what he was about to do.

He had just finished when he heard female voices coming up the corridor and looking around frantically trying not to get caught before the prank was finished he darted behind a screen and cupboard trying to be as quiet as possible as the target of his prank came into the room with her young charges who were chatting to each other. He could not risk looking around the screen to see what was happening or he would be noticed but he was able to hear them all the same.

"Now I expect better work from you girls. Honestly I would see such needlework from a savage beyond the wall, not supposed noble ladies. What are they teaching you at Casterly Rock? Why can you not be like Lady Sansa here, her work is perfect, this work would not suit a beggar on the street" He heard the septa criticise and he frowned at the insults which he knew were not being solely directed at Arya but his three sisters as well. His sisters were just as smart as him and loved to ride horses and were fine archers much to their grandfather's annoyance who would have preferred it if they were mere beautiful ornaments that he could use to bolster their family's power. They had brilliant voices and loved singing to their baby sister Clarice but needlework was not their forte. They were competent but by no means really skilled. It was the same with Arya as he understood it except unlike his sisters she had not been allowed to pursue her own interests with the same freedom.

Tyler gritted his teeth given the insults being directed at his sisters but did not react as he waited for his prank to take effect. He heard his sisters laugh at the septa and her comments shrugging it off which brought a smile to his face.

Then it happened.

He heard the sound of fabric ripping and then for a moment silence before laughter started from his sisters and Arya Stark as the septa shrieked in embarrassment and the sound of her rapid footsteps as they raced out of the room nearly made him burst out laughing as he put his hand over his mouth to keep his silence. He waited a moment for it to be quiet and then looked out from behind his cover and saw the room was deserted so he stepped out from behind the screen feeling rather pleased with himself until he felt something prodding into his back.

"Got you." A girl's voice said smugly and Tyler feeling embarrassed turned around to see Arya smirking at him triumphantly with a stick in her hand.

"How?" He asked annoyed that she had got the best of him but she just kept smirking at him telling him.

"Figure it out yourself. But thank you." She said to him honestly. "Seeing her running through the halls with the back of her skirt missing was priceless." She told him laughing at the sight that she would treasure for ever. Sansa had already given her a look that said she blamed her for this but it had been so funny that she did not care.

Tyler meanwhile was suddenly struck by how pretty her smile was, it radiated with joy and her stormy grey eyes were like glowing moons in the night's sky. But he shook himself and said with mischief dancing in his eyes.

"Do you want to prank someone else?" He asked and Arya's eyes lit up with interest.

Elsewhere Bran Stark was still trying to improve his archery with some solo practice but he let out a groan of frustration as he again missed the target again sending the arrow to high. He threw the bow to the ground in anger at his apparent ineptitude especially when his older brothers and even his sister Arya were better than him. He just tried and tried and never seemed to get any better. He suddenly felt something rubbing against his leg. He looked down and saw his direwolf rubbing his leg with his silvery grey head to try and comfort him. He smiled at the wolf's concern and gently he stroked the wolf's head which emitted a contented noise at the attention. He had yet to name his wolf unlike his siblings who had already named their own wolves. Whenever he came up with a name it just did not feel right so for his was the wolf with no name.

"You need to relax when you aim." A voice said suddenly from the side and Bran surprised whipped around to see the younger son of Lord Hadrian Lannister, Richard standing there with his arms folded looking distinctly unimpressed. The direwolf at his side tensed and started growling slightly at the young Lannister only a few years older than Bran himself.

"What do you mean?" Bran demanded. It was bad enough being seen as inept around his own family, far worse for a high-born outsider from the south. Richard sighed and picked up a bow and arrow from the rack nearby and loaded an arrow and from his position over ten feet further from the target than Bran said to the younger boy as he took aim casually.

"You are too tense when you aim so when you release that tension by firing it puts the arrow off target." Then just to illustrate his point he fired and hit the target dead centre. Bran just stared at the arrow for a moment before looking down at the bow he had thrown and with a strange sense of determination coming upon him he picked up the bow and took aim with a fresh arrow, mindful of the gaze of Richard Lannister he felt his hands tense on the bow as he aimed but then he remembered what Richard had said just moments ago so as his direwolf pressed its head against his head again in a rubbing moment Bran felt himself calm down and ease his tight grip on the bow slightly before he released his arrow. He felt a sense of elation as the arrow struck the outer edge of the target. It was not a bull's eye but it was certainly an improvement to missing the target completely.

"See?" Richard said with a grin and Bran turned to face him. "You can do it."

"How did you know?" Bran asked and Richard answered with a calmness that was almost unnerving.

"I see and I listen and then I make judgements on those observations. You have good hand-eye co-ordination but you are so nervous that it renders it a moot point. You have to belief that you can do something when you try. If you believe that you cannot do something then you have already taken the biggest step towards actual failure." Richard told Bran the lesson that his father had taught him and his siblings when they were old enough to understand. "Now do you want to continue practicing?"

It had taken nearly a week but a ship had been prepared to take Jon to Essos. It would be at White Harbour soon so with Robert Baratheon's royal party due at Winterfell any day now the time had come for Jon to depart but at his side there was a party of the most loyal North men who could be counted on to stay loyal to and protect Jon, trained by Jory Cassel, the Captain of Lord Stark's guard. Lady Catelyn despite her quiet hatred for Jon had appeared to send him off and gave him a curt nod which he evenly returned before Theon gave him a slap on the back and told him to enjoy some of the ladies from across the Narrow Sea. Used to his crass way of talking Jon just returned the slap on the back before moving on to his siblings.

Jon received a manly hug from Robb while Sansa gave him a quick goodbye having picked up on her mother's feelings towards Jon but there were sad tears forming in her eyes which he smiled at and gave her a gentle hug which she returned quicker than he had expected. Bran and Rickon were like Robb giving him an affectionate hug but then for Jon came the hardest goodbye, the 'sibling' he was closest too…Arya.

His little wolf girl stood there looking very downcast and despite her furious attempts to suppress them, tears had started to run down her cheeks. He smiled as he knelt down to face her. She asked him with a slight quake in her voice.

"Why do you have to leave?" Jon took her hand and told her gently.

"Lord Lannister has offered me the chance to make something of myself. That can never happen here. I can bring honour to our house and see something of the world while I'm at it." He said catching the annoyed eye of Lady Catelyn over Arya's shoulder. Arya then flung herself into Jon's arms and wrapped hers around him as tears started flowing more freely down her face. Jon wrapped his arms around her gently held her as he let her cry saying to reassure her. "It won't be forever. I will be coming back. Maybe you might come and visit me too."

That seemed to make Arya feel better and she pulled back as he pulled out a handkerchief and carefully wiped her tears away. He smiled and told her.

"I'll write, don't worry. Besides you need to stay here, who else is going to get that stuffy Mordane to learn her lesson?" That brought a laugh and a smile to Arya's face and he stood up and ruffled her hair before remembering something. "Oh I meant to give you this on your name day, but since I'm leaving I will let you have it now." He said producing a small thin dagger like sword and handed it to her. Arya was in awe when she took it, the small sword was perfect for her height and build and she gave it an experimental wave and smiled to her a sword of her own in her hand. While the other members of the Stark family looked on in either amusement or disapproval he told her.

"It's called Needle." He smirked at the name given his 'little sister's' atrocious sewing skills which brought a laugh to from all that were not in disapproval over her having a sword. Tucking the sword in her waist band Arya gave Jon another hug.

"Thank you." She said brightly now she felt better over 'losing' her older brother. He gave her one final hug before going to his horse were the leader of his small guard of twenty men Thom Rylander was waiting with his men. Getting on his readied horse he gave his mother's family one last look before he turned his horse and rode out towards White Harbour and the ship that was waiting to take him to Essos where he would meet his real father's family, checking his direwolf Ghost was at his side he then headed off.

Watching him go left Hadrian with a sense of relief as the boy was that little bit safer than if he had stayed here. He had known that Rhaegar had married Lyanna Stark in hopes of having a son but he thought that the match was fruitless, once the boy was safely with his father's family there was a far greater chance of putting a better King on that throne when Jon was ready. But there were things that had to be done first like removing potential problems like Stannis and Renly who were almost certain to declare themselves king once Robert died if the information Varys had given him was correct. He and his allies within the country and without would have to advance their plans though for as the Starks were fond of saying…

Winter is coming

Just a day and a half later the party of Robert Baratheon arrived at Winterfell, the Stark family and their household stood in the yard waiting to receive the royal family. Sansa was nervously tucking her dress back into place from imaginary winkles as her mother whispered in her ear that she had to act like the perfect lady around the queen and crown prince. The eldest daughter of Winterfell was eager to make a good impression on the aforementioned royals so that maybe they chose her to be Joffrey's queen. It was her most cherished dream. Arya meanwhile lived up to her reputation as a troublemaker by arriving with only moment's to spare with a guard's helmet on her head only for her father to quickly hide it as she forced herself in-between Sansa and Bran.

As the King and his Kingsguard rode in followed by the Queen's wheelhouse and the rest of their procession Eddard saw that what Hadrian had warned him of was all too true. Robert had really gone to seed badly since they had last seen each other nine years ago when they had fought against the Iron Born, the man who had stood over six feet tall with muscles as hard as stone was long gone replaced by a man that was a shadow of his former self. His girth was now well advanced, his coarse beard hiding multiple chins and his eyes had lost the fire they once had now looking very weighed down. The residents of Winterfell including the existing Lannister guests all kneeled as King Robert got off of his horse in front of Lord Stark. Behind him Ned could see Robert's eldest son sneering at Sansa who looked away blushing. He did not like that look on the boy's face at all and worried if Robert was going to 'suggest' what he thought he was going to suggest in regards to Joffrey and his eldest daughter.

From where he was Hadrian saw his younger brother Jaime clad in his golden armour smirk at him which Hadrian evenly returned. But his eyes like everyone else's were drawn back to Lord Stark and the King, the former having now risen to stand face to face with the man that he had called brother.

"Your grace." Eddard said in respect focusing his attention away from Joffrey and back on the king but Robert looked him up and down and said.

"You've got fat." That raised a few eye brows given the King's considerable girth and Ned just looked Robert just and down before Robert let out a laugh and pulled Ned into a strong manly hug showing some of his previous strength.

"Nine years Ned! Where have you been?" Robert asked after he released his long-time friend and now smiling himself at seeing something of the man he remembered Ned answered.

"Guarding the North for you, your grace. Winterfell is yours." Ned replied as the king moved over to hug Lady Catelyn who graciously accepted it before turning to Ned's children.

"This must be Robb." Robert said feeling a sense of pride that Ned had named his first born son after him. The heir to Winterfell bowed to the king and shook his hand wondering how this overweight man could be the great and powerful warrior his father had described to him. Then Robert turned to Sansa who put her best smile on and she blushed as Robert remarked. "My you are a pretty one."

From his position at the side Hadrian could see Cersei scowl at the attention Robert was giving the Stark children. He smirked amused, his relationship with his sister had improved after she had become queen oddly enough. They saw much less of each other and it seemed that although irked that her children would not inherit Casterly Rock her mood had risen given that her children were royalty who would rule over all Westeros.

Meanwhile Robert had moved on to Arya but he merely asked her name before moving on to Bran and asked the young lad with a smile on his face.

"Show us your muscles." Bran smiling at the encouragement and proudly showed off the little muscle he had causing Robert to chuckle. "You'll be a soldier."

Arya then saw Jaime Lannister remove his helmet and whispered to Sansa.

"That's Jaime Lannister, the queen's twin brother." But Sansa hissed at her to shut up. Just then Queen Cersei walked over trying to cover her bitter irritation extending her hand to Ned who kiss her hand as protocol demanded and said.

"My queen." Being called by her title seemed to perk Cersei up enough to smile, especially when Catelyn gave her a full curtsy. But then Robert ruined it by ordering Ned to take him to the crypts. Cersei turned to her husband and looked at him imploringly.

"My love we have been riding for months. Surely the dead can wait till we have rested." But Robert ignored her and Ned took Robert down to the crypts. Once the King was out of sight Hadrian walked over to his siblings who now noticed him and while Cersei showed her surprise not knowing he would be here, Jaime sported a delighted smile at his older brother.

"Sister, you look beautiful." Hadrian said as he took her hand a put a kiss on it just as Ned Stark had done and Cersei graciously accepted the compliment with a smile. Then he turned to Jaime and gave his younger brother a manly hug.

"It has been too long." Jaime said happy to see his brother and then caught sight of his nieces and nephews who all rushed over to see him, Jaime beamed at them and asked. "How are my nieces and nephews?" He kneeled down and gave Cassia, Sabine and Joanna a hug while smiling at his nephews who all just waited for their sisters to finish before giving him a manlier hug. Cersei just looked down on her brother's children with a slight smile.

"Brother, how is your sword arm these days?" Hadrian asked. He and Jaime had travelled with Tyrion in years passed when they were able and had many adventures together such as slaying witches of Durain's Forest or more recently working together to hunt down and kill Euron Greyjoy when Harry's sell swords had been hired to defend the Free Cities after the renegade Iron Born man had started raiding the Essos coast in a campaign of bloody terror. Robert hated Jaime and was only too eager to send him out of the capital for a while. Certainly their adventures together had added a few new pages to the section about Jaime's deeds in the Book of Brothers, the text that chronicled the tales of all members of the Kingsguard.

"Much improved brother, in the next tournament I am sure to demolish any competition." Hadrian smiled, his brother would never change. Then he heard two young voices cry uncle and then two blond haired missiles were coming straight at him so he quickly knelt down and caught his niece and youngest nephew in his arms pulled them into a hug. Tommen and Myrcella squealed in delight as he spun them around before putting them down and kneeling to speak on their level.

"How are my favourite niece and nephew?" He asked and they both beamed at him, how these two small angels could be related to a demon like Joffrey Hadrian would never know. They were both the sweetest children you could imagine, Myrcella was just as beautiful as her mother but without any of the bitterness and greedy ambition that you got with Cersei and possessed a sharp mind with near endless kindness and courage…the perfect princess. Tommen was a good lad who tried his best at everything he did and loved animals but Hadrian suspected was being badly bullied by Joffrey and Cersei would do nothing to stop it for all her claims of a loving family she would only ever have time for Joffrey which Hadrian supposed was one of the reasons Joffrey had turned out as he had. Over Tommen's shoulder he could see Joffrey sneering at them until he saw the hard glare in Hadrian's eyes and backed slowly away. While he had limited contact with his oldest nephew it had not taken much to see that the boy was a coward when he could not hide behind his mother's skirts.

Later that night the feast was in full swing as the King drained goblet after goblet of wine and grasped the buttocks of every half decent looking serving wench that came within reach. Hadrian who was sitting with Raphael just shook his head in dismay. One would think Robert might lessen his consumption of such vices when in the presence of his best friend but no…the Usurper King just drank and ate and flirted if it could be called that right in front of his wife. Although their relationship was not the best it did irritate Hadrian no end to see his own family slighted that way.

"My lord, do you want to go out into the training yard and spar?" Raphael suggested. Hadrian smiled.

"That would be a good idea, I need some air any way." He surveyed the hall once more to see what was going on. He saw Joffrey telling Lady Sansa and her friend Jeyne Poole of his 'many' hunting successes and tournament wins which was enough to make Hadrian laugh. The boy was a coward, a vicious one but a coward all the same and Sansa was just eating it up blindly. He almost pitied her, she was going to get disillusioned and probably badly hurt very quickly if she kept up that attitude. He looked over to see his own son Tyler whispering something in Arya Stark's ear and the looks on their faces promised trouble which was soon made real when Arya catapulted food from her spoon straight at her sister who was mortified as she was hit straight in the face. Hadrian smiled as he saw the two together, he had never seen his son get close to a girl before with the exception of his own sisters. He wondered if Lord Stark might be open to a betrothal between the two, he knew from his own discrete enquiries that the girl did not want to get married and more fancied being a warrior and a knight. While this would be a turn off for most men in this world Hadrian thought she would be an excellent match for Tyler. The girl had boundless energy, a strong will, quick wits and the strength of character to be whoever she was going to be regardless of what others said or did. Someone more than capable of matching his son, be his partner in the truest sense of the word and if she could harness those traits and learn to channel that willpower and energy then the girl could be a great leader and really help push his house forward in the future. He also sensed the stirrings of magic inside her, her brother Bran too which was a great bonus for anyone if they knew how to use it properly.

But for the moment he put thoughts of building his dynasty aside and stepped into the training yard which was mercifully quiet, lit only by the lamps scattered around. Both men drew their swords, unlike what the master of arms Ser Roderick Cassel would recommend both men used steel when sparring. Raphael was wielding a sword his father had the blacksmith at Casterly Rock make for him when he had become a knight, a long sword that he had named Veracity. It had a bright red grip around the hilt, a silver finish and was decorated with his house's motto 'Loyal to Truth' inscribed on the blade.

Hadrian was using a long sword too but his was made of Valyrian steel. When he had tracked down and killed Euron Greyjoy years ago he had acquired the man's personal treasure stash. Amongst the many great items found there he had discovered Truth, a Valyrian steel blade formerly owned by a noble family from Lys. He had the sword re-forged into something more suited to him, the steel was very dark grey almost black with a red leather hand grip and rubies studded on the hilt and his own house's motto engraved in golden letters on the blade 'Hear me Roar'. The sword itself was named Crimson Night and until the recovery of Brightroar a year ago from a Braavosi sea merchant had been the new weapon of the Lannisters.

They assumed their stances and started. Both had fast reflexes and expert technique not to mention from years and years of sparring they had learned each other's technique well so there was little to no chance of hurting each other if that was not what they intended. They parried, side-swiped and generally matched each other with a speed which onlookers would have had problems following. They carried on like this for nearly twenty minutes before they began to tire and decided to stop.

"Feeling better my lord?" Raphael asked as he caught his breath and Hadrian putting his sword back in its scabbard smiled at his best friend and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Never better." The men walked back inside unaware that someone had been watching.

The following morning was the day of the King's hunt, but before they left Robert pulled Hadrian and Ned aside.

"Ned…Hadrian" He said in greetings much warmer towards his old friend and the newly named hand of the king but still friendly enough to Hadrian as well. "I had a request from Tywin Bloody Lannister to foster Tommen at Casterly Rock with your children." Hadrian nodded he knew that Tywin had been trying something of the kind for years but Cersei had always clung to her children like a limpet refusing to let them out of her sight despite the fact that she only seemed to have time for Joffrey, no doubt hoping that when he was king she would rule through him. Tommen and Myrcella were too easily forgotten and left to their own devices, they should be enjoying their childhood not living in fear of their older brother while their father barely acknowledged them and their mother gave them little attention. Robert then continued speaking. "I have decided to accept and I would like to send Myrcella too. They need to spend time away from that snake pit."

Robert unknown to them did indeed notice his youngest children and how they were treated. Gods he thought himself he had messed up. When they had been born he had sworn to himself to be a good father to them but somewhere he had lost focus and now the result was two children he hardly knew, but loved with all his heart regardless of who their mother was. Joffrey he did know however and the lad was a great source of shame and worry to him, there were not words enough to describe it. When he had killed Tommen's cat just to see the unborn kittens and skinned his fawn he had seriously considered throwing the boy from the walls of the Red Keep but had held himself back. His wife constantly covered or found excuses for their eldest son's behaviour saying he would improve as he got older but if anything the boy was just getting worse, another reason why he wanted Tommen and Myrcella as far away from Joffrey as possible.

"They we be most welcome, my own children are eager to spend time with their cousins." Hadrian said with a smile. That made Robert feel relieved but then he suggested something that he had thought of last night.

"I was thinking maybe Ned's son Bran might go with them." That immediately got Ned's attention but Robert kept speaking not giving the Northern lord a chance to speak. "He and Tommen would be like we were Ned, in the Vale." Robert went misty eyed for a moment as he remembered a time that seemed like a lifetime ago now when life had not only been simpler but so much brighter too.

"I'm willing to take him, the boy seems to get on with my sons. I'm without a squire at the moment so I would gladly give Bran that position." Hadrian said, the boy was very bright and he had seen Richard his much quieter younger son helping him with his archery. Not to mention he could teach the boy to harness his magic and build bridges between the North and Westerlands at the same time.

"I…I need to discuss it with Cat." Ned said not wanting to send his son away. However much he had enjoyed his time in the Vale as a boy being fostered by Jon Arryn he had missed his brothers and sister terribly. Maybe that was why he had such a good relationship with Robert but he was not sure that he wanted that for his own son. Already he was heading south and his daughters would be travelling with him to King's Landing given Sansa' betrothal to Joffrey not that Ned was happy about that given what he had seen in the boy but Robert had left him no choice.

"Well think about while we hunt." Robert said confident that Ned would agree, the man's honour would get him to agree besides it would be a brilliant opportunity for his son. Although he had not participated in any tournaments for a while, Hadrian Lannister was easily his brother's equal if not his superior with a blade and smarter than any maester. The boy would be in for a first class education, the Lannister man's pride would not allow anything else. Hadrian nodded before saying.

"You go ahead, I'd like to see how the boy handles a blade. If he is to be my squire then I need to know how much work is required." He said turning away before and then remembered something and turning back to add before continuing on his way. "Oh I left that crate you wanted in your rooms."

"What crate?" Ned asked as Hadrian walked away and Robert said with a smile.

"It's this drink he makes…fire whisky he calls it. It is some of the best booze I have ever had and his special reserve batch are ever better. Occasionally if he needs a favour he gives me some of his special reserve for free."

Later after the King and the rest of the hunting party had left Bran stood in the training yard with a wooden practice sword in his hand facing Tyler while Hadrian looked on. Tyler was smiling broadly, confident in his ability to wield the practice sword but Bran was looking distinctly uncomfortable and as Tyler struck he was sluggish in blocking the strikes and never went on the offensive probably from lack of confidence. The master of arms here at Winterfell who was looking on much like himself did not seem overly critical with his students so it was not from being put down at least by his current teacher so maybe Bran just needed more time and encouragement to improve. Confidence was something his children had never had a problem with something that was both a blessing and a curse Hadrian thought with a smile. Then from his position near one of the towers he was distracted by a noise he heard from the abandoned tower he was leaning against. It was faint but he had definitely heard something. He walked away from the exercise yard and up the dusty steps of the old tower seeing that there were already two sets of footprints in the fine dust. One belonging to a man's boots and the other a woman's slipper. Despite realising that he should probably go no further he kept on going to the top of the tower where he could now definitely hear the moans and grunts of two people coupling. He was about to go and leave whoever it was alone seeing it was none of his business what two strangers did but then he heard a familiar voice calling out his sister's name. He felt himself fill with horror at who that had sounded like and he burst through the door to see his Brother Jaime and Sister Cersei naked as the day they were born….having sex right on the floor in front of him.

His mind briefly shut down as he took in the scene, he did not want to belief what he was seeing. His siblings meanwhile noticed him and were similarly horrified at being caught in the act by their own older brother and quickly stopped what they were doing and immediately tried to cover themselves in embarrassment. However Hadrian quickly rallied and his shock was replaced by pure fury over what he had just seen. He stormed into the room, slamming the door behind him, walking over to Jaime who was trying to formulate something to say to his brother when Hadrian smashed his fist right into Jaime's face.