26

Summary:

A bit of fluff, a bit of deep conversations, a bit of plot, a bit of everything. Lots of Val and Jon.

Notes:

First off, I would like to thank you all for reading. Last chapter pushed this over a hundred thousand hits which is incredible. Getting close to a thousand comments and kudos too! Admittedly, I have a good portion of the comments but whatever.

Edits: Corrected mentions of the Lannisters (Tywin, Jaime,Cersei and their children) being at Casterly Rock at the time of Jon Arryn's death. Now they were in the middle of traveling there, the canon timeline for this details is messed up and basically teleporting. Cersei's group never reaches the Westerlands. And I made a few small changes in the Val/Jon scene in chapter 16 to make it a bit less romantic when it comes to Val's dialogue.

Warning: This starts with a tiny bit of naughty stuff, not exactly smut but not safest for work.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Val:

Like most nights Val had taken to Jon's bed but unlike many of those nights Val was deep in thought. The many topics of the meeting lingered in her mind, there was one thing that stood above the rest.

"What are you thinking about?" Jon looked over his shoulder at her as he started the fire. He'd been strong in the discussion. "About seeing your sister again?"

Yes, she missed Dalla greatly but her mind was on other things. "Come here Snow. That fire needn't your touch anymore."

Her mate rose, taking off his gloves and moved to sit beside her with a curious look. He made no move to speak and waited for her to continue. Normally Snow waited for her to begin their engagements and while it usually doused her desires somewhat, this time Val was thankful.

"You have my gratitude for what you are doing for my people. You are taking a great risk for them. Meeting Mance will be dangerous but you are willing to do so at risk to yourself and your family." Val met his eyes. "And you are doing much to learn the ways of the Freefolk. Few men would do all this. I admire your kindness, even if it did get you killed." She rested a hand above his beating heart and kissed his cheek. "You gave me hope, for my people, my sister, me." She'd bear this weakness only temporarily, enough to show appreciation but no more else she become as soft as the others, not that they were as weak as she once believed.

Jon wrapped his arms around her and held her to his chest. "Thank me once we know that I didn't get us all killed." 

Once more he disregarded her thanks so she'd have to resort to more physical methods. Val graced his lips with her own before gently pushing him down on the bed.

Over the next hour she treated him. He'd long since learned not to protest on her behath when she'd take him in her mouth. Val had held his gaze when she had not lost herself in working him over. She had let him return the favor if only for his love of the act. For the first time their coupling had been slow and sweet rather than pure fucking.

As Val wiped his release from her belly, she mused on the fact that he had yet to finish inside of her. "It is a shame to waste such strong seed like this." Potential wargs and leaders fated to not exist. She could birth him a whole clan if she wished, here they had ample food to do so.

"Beyond the Wall is no place to be caught when with child." Jon watched her wash herself. "I had thought you wouldn't desire a child just yet?"

Normally she wouldn't but there was something about seeing the strength of their potential children, skinchangers and capable warriors with minds to match. "You are a good mate, one that fathers strong sons and daughters. On our return then?" Val recognized being sick would make it hard to keep the pace they needed to complete their tasks on time.

The corners of his eyes crinkled, and he smiled. "If that is your wish."

Rolling her eyes at him, she shook her head. "Have you not been listening to me, Snow? Or maybe something else caught your eyes." Val bent down to discard the dirtied rag.

Red faced and sputtering, Jon pulled furs over his manhood, he was too easy to tease.

"You know, I might just miss that pouty mouth when we head north." The South had spoiled her. Its warm seductive embrace was hard to leave.

"Why would we stop?" Silly, silly, boy.

They'd be unable to wash so frequently. "If you wish to put up with the stench of days without bathing I won't stop you but don't expect any kisses or my mouth from me."

Nose wrinkling, he got the point. "We best use our time wisely then." So he did know something.

"We should." She smiled at him and had an idea. "You know, Marg might appreciate such a gift for her nameday."

His brows narrowed with skepticism. "I don't know about that… besides I already have a present for her."

To think for a moment she thought he understood women, Val sighed. "Is it something that will leave her dreaming of your head between her legs every night that we are gone?"

"Well no… But surely-"

Val cut him off with a finger to his lips. She'd have to handle this on her own, Southerners could be so stubborn when it came to their wants. Crawling back under the furs, she called Ghost onto the bed. The silent direwolf was much wiser than his master though he was not so blissfully toasty as Snow.

Catelyn:

"Grandmother?"

The call made Catelyn stop her steps and look behind her to see one of Jon's daughters, one of the ones not birthed by Sansa. It was still strange to Cat that they referred to her as one of their grandmothers considering her previous treatment of the boy.

This one was silver haired with the same slight tint of gold as Sara's. She was one of Margaery's if Cat recalled correctly. In her arms was a long wood panel poorly wrapped in cloth. "May I have a moment of your time?"

"Of course." Catelyn was only returning to her chambers anyway.

Shuffling her feet with nerves, the girl looked to her feet and back. "I made you something."

Intrigued, Cat smiled at the young girl, she was between Sansa and Arya in age. "Oh? So what do you have for me?"

Balancing the board on a raised knee with a hand while trying to unwrap the gift with another, the girl moved with gentle grace and perfect balance. Dropping the coverings she turned the long rectangular piece of wood.

Cat gasped at the beautiful work of art the girl made. Five direwolf heads neighbored each other. The heads progressively rotated from a direct portrait of Greywind to a side profile of Shaggydog. It was more messy than many painters favored but it was beyond impressive for a girl her age and the color she added made it eye-catching.

"I know you don't think much of the wolves but Father always says you love your children. I would have done portraits but I only knew what Mother and Uncle Rickon look like. But I've done plenty of wolves so I thought…" The sweet thing trailed off and turned her dark amethyst eyes upwards. "Do you like it?"

Did Cat like it? "I love it, you sweet girl." Catelyn's words made her granddaughter smile a grin that could charm even the Stranger. One thing did stand out about the painting. "Where is your father's wolf?"

The girl's eyes shifted towards panic. "I- I didn't know if you would like that…I didn't wish to displease you." Lip twitching into a frown, Cat was a bit stunned by the harsh change in the girl's mood. "I didn't leave any space for Ghosty… I'm sorry."

"Oh, you have nothing to apologize for. If anything it is my fault for… This is a wonderful gift. You are a very talented girl. Perhaps you could do one of Riverrun for me one day, I'd love that as well." Cat tried her best to reassure the girl. "How about we take this to my chambers and I get someone to hang it soon."

"Really?"

Catelyn nodded, the wolves were a part of her children, they represented her babes. "Yes, I'd like to see it every day when I wake or go to sleep. Have you made any paintings for anyone else?"

The girl bobbed her head up and down. "I made Kepa a few of Ghost, his room is so boring without the help of my mothers. Grandmuñas have some of Dorne. Some flowers and some landscapes of the Mander for Mama that I'll give her for her nameday. I'm working on one for Mother with a bush of winter roses."

"I'm sure she will love that." It still amazed Catelyn how close the children were with the mothers that didn't birth them. She felt proud that Sansa could be better than Cat and love her husband's other children, Sansa was rewarded for that kindness with their love.

Arthur:

"You fight like your father. Potentially even better with time." Arthur commented as he and Jaehaerys walked back to the keep. 

Rhaegar had taken up the sword late, but had a keen eye and a mind well suited to learning. Arthur himself had taken his post in the Kingsguard not long into his friend's training. Like most things the prince had a natural talent with the blade and good tutors to nurture it.

Jaehaerys was similar though had the advantage of starting young, which can be a boon or a hindrance depending on the teacher. Rodrik Cassel did a fair job. The boy's lancework was mostly neglected but it was perhaps for the best, the king had solidified no bad habits. "Really? I wasn't aware he was a renowned warrior."

"A far better warrior than many give him credit for." Arthur looked around before continuing in a lower voice. "Many forget he wounded Robert Baratheon to a good degree at the Trident. In that fight Robert had a few advantages. What weapons were they using?"

"Robert wielded a warhammer and Rhaegar a sword of some sort." Jae provided an answer swiftly.

Nodding, Arthur noted the lack of detail on the part of the boy's father. "An arming sword, one handed. What is a warhammer good for?"

 Once more, the king's mind was quick. "Good for bruising with each hit, specifically dealing with armored opponents." Rhaegar's eyes wided on his son's face as he realized this was the first advantage Robert had. "It is impressive on both their parts that Rhaegar wounded Robert to the point he couldn't attack King's Landing and that Robert still won the fight. It is hard to cut a man in full plate."

"A challenge that most singers wouldn't understand, not that Robert would wish to hear the moment sung." Arthur's best friend had been demonized in tales and Robert punished any Targaryen sympathizer. "Now, think of the environment in which they fought."

"The Trident." It was a short Stark-like answer. Jaehaerys didn't speak more than he had to.

Arthur shook his head. "Yes, but give me more detail."

It took longer this time but the boy put it together. "The ruby fort, they say his rubies scattered into the water. So the two fought in the shallows or on horseback in the shallows. Either way Robert would be better equipped and he is stronger."

"Good. We can't say that Rhaegar would have won otherwise and he likely would have lost anyway because of the hammer but it is a good lesson on factors in combat. You'll need to be quick thinking and potentially dishonorable to win such a fight, don't be afraid to retreat and choose your battles. If your cause is just don't fret over what you must do to survive and see that cause completed. You are the most valuable piece on the board, the game is all but lost without you." That was a lesson they learned the hard way, Rhaegar was the hope of all on the loyalist side, without him there was little redeeming about fighting for Aerys beyond Elia and the children and Aerys was holding them hostage.

Jaehaerys frowned. "I don't like the idea of people dying for me."

It was a noble thought but it broke down with a little thought. "Some of them chose to die for you, for the future only you have the power to create. Fighting recklessly lessens their sacrifice."

Sighing in defeat, Jae conceded. "I see your point. Will you train me?"

"Is that a command?" Arthur smirked.

"No, but I suppose it is your duty to see to my protection, that would include my ability to protect myself."

Smiling, Arthur chuckled. "You're starting to think like a snake, which is good to an extent. It is an entirely different language, don't speak it more than you need to, it sounds too posh for many of us."

"You'll train me though?"

"Of course, young hatchling."

"Don't call me that."

"Can't the old wisen master call his apprentice what he wishes?"

"I think not. And you're hardly old."

"You spent too much time as Eddard's son, you are no fun."

Jon:

Face firmly pushed into the cold wet mud, Jon vowed revenge on Varon. His son had pressed him on the importance of grappling and hand to hand combat and Jon had to admit it was a skill he needed in the future, whether because the Freefolk enjoyed wrestling or the need to take a man down to the ground so as to put a dagger through an opening in their plate armor.

"Come on! Break the hold, I just taught you!" The gruff voice called into the one ear Jon had that wasn't deep in the dirt. He seemed to almost relish keeping Jon down. "Gods, Robb is much better at this!"

Years of disgusting envy made Jon snarl as well as he could without getting a mouthful of mud at Varon's remarks. His rage let him break out of the hold with pure strength and knock his son off of him in surprise.

The still pristine blond hair was an infuriating sight, Varon grinned like a wildling equally so. "Seven Fucking Hells! That is more like it. Don't rely on momentary strength though, you need to learn this!" He pulled Jon back into the tussle, this time Varon struggled more to imprison his father. "I thought redheads were the ones with tempers!"

Even with his rage, Jon found himself once more kissing the mud in the same hold. Struggling against his restraints and using all his will and muscles was futile as Varon was prepared this time.

"Calm the fuck down and do it properly." Varon's tone was much kinder now. "Remember what to do?"

Realizing the blonde had been trying to rile Jon up and replicate battle conditions, Jon took a heavy breath through his mud caked nose and relaxed. A dagger would have found its way into Jon already if it was really war. Thinking back on the escape process he hummed in affirmation.

Sighing, Varon's relief was audible. "Good now show me it." His hold was even more secure than the previous time but Jon followed the directions and soon had a knee on the man's chest. "See, not hard. Now get your leg off me and get us some training daggers." 

His rage still lingered in his chest but Jon refused to give it any more of a voice, though he did relish the dirt clinging to Varon's pale locks. Jon ignored Val's laughs over his appearance and grabbed a water skin to wash the mud from his eyes.

Tutting, Varor clicked his tongue in disapproval. "You wouldn't be able to wash your face in the middle of battle, would you?"

"You're enjoying this," Jon spat bitterly with no doubt, there was no question.

"Aye, very very much so. You put up a much better fight a few moons ago." That insufferable smirk was back. "Covered in mud one might finally say you look handsome."

Jon tried to glare but mud blinded him. Blinking it away, he instead pointed a finger. "Careful, I control whether you are born or not." They both knew it was an empty threat.

"Not as much as you think. You'd have to get away from her and I don't think that is happening." Varon motioned to where his mother eyed Jon while she fiddled with a dagger. "You should appreciate my gentleness, it means I like you well enough." Coming from him it meant a lot, Varon wasn't much of a hugger but even they hurt.

Val:

"Sneak attack!"

The shout startled Val from watching the boys' spar. Instinctively she turned just in time to avoid a poke from Aerea's stick. Grabbing the girl's wrist Val couldn't help but laugh. "If you're going to surprise attack someone don't shout that out before you attack them, that ruins the surprise part."

"It isn't honorable to attack someone if they don't know it's a fight." Round golden eyes looked as innocent as could be. The girl had sounded very much like a mix of her parents there. Snow's silly honor but Margaery's word games.

Val snorted and shook her head. "Starks… Sneak attacks aren't supposed to be honorable, the perfect sneak attack is one where they don't know what hit em'."

A pout ended the innocent act. "But I like sneak attacks and I'm not supposed to like bad things and dishonorable things are bad."

"If they must know it is a fight, tell them after or so late that they can't dodge you as I did." Val chose not to point out that she shouldn't warn the enemy at all, she might regret it if she had. "Sneak attacks can be good. They end wars quicker, and wars are bad."

Straightening and looking at Val like she made the sun rise every day, Aerea looked hopeful. "So sneak attacks are good?"

Yes and no. But Val didn't want to discuss complex topics like the worth of future lives versus present ones with a child. "Well…It depends on what you are fighting for and which side you're on."

"Surprise hug!" Instantly Val was squeezed around the hips by the five year old. "Thank you Mom!"

Before the child could escape and continue her reign of terror about the inhabitance of the castle, Val caught the girl. With the girl ensnared in her arms, Val began to tickle Aerea.

Squirming wildly to avoid her fingers, the brown haired princess giggled. "No! S-stop! I will punch you!"

"Tickling is for training little warriors!" Val would confess that these children had very much made motherhood more appealing. "Make me stop, no hitting the head, neck or belly."

Continuing to resist, Rhea began beating on the top of Val's back. Between her uncontrollable laughter she managed to speak. "I will escape!"

Over the girl's shoulder and giggles, Val spied Jon chuckling and eyeing her. Moving her brows suggestively at him, Val grinned at his blush. She wanted one of these small fighters and he'd give her at least four of them.

Marg:

The morrow would bring with it her nameday, it would be the first she'd spend without the majority of her family. They had not forgotten about her as Winterfell received a shipment of fruits and food from the Reach, and amongst the food were presents that she resisted peeking at. Marg had spent a fair portion of the day musing on how the day would go. It had annoyed her that Jae would be leaving to venture beyond the Wall, but was pleased to hear they'd not be leaving so soon after her nameday, she had five more days to make sure he didn't forget her.

She was deep in her thoughts, the warm air and aroma of flowers and plants reminded her of home, even if it was a bit stuffy in the Glass Gardens. The other day had reignited Marg's desire for Jon, he and her youngest were so adorable together. Margaery even ignored how he spoiled the girl, completely falling prey to the girl's schemes, Aerea was a Tyrell after all.

 Marg was suddenly prodded at the sides of her waist and a shout followed near instantly. "Sneak attack!"

Shrieking loud and at such a pitch some glass panes may require replacing, Margaery launched off of the bench faster than she'd ever moved before. Whipping around to face the irreproachable smile of the daughter Margaery had only moments ago been so proud of. "Aerea!" Gods, Marg's heart was practically shaking her whole body with every drum. "You made me two years older with that scare!"

Uncaring of Marg's heavy breathing, Rhea curtsied. "Mama! Mom taught me to sneak attack better."

It took Margaery a moment to piece together who it must be, it was hard to think logically while recovering. Marg still had yet to become accustomed to the different mother variations that the children used to distinguish them apart. However she could only think of one of Jon's possible wives to teach such a thing. "Val?"

Aerea nodded in confirmation. "Mom." 

Val and Marg would be speaking soon about teaching good behavior. "And just what did you learn from her?"

"I'm only to say 'sneak attack' after I attack them." The girl grinned like it was some valuable lesson.

The idea that Val had been another of her daughter's victims was pleasing. "Saying 'sneak attack' doesn't sound very sneaky, does it?"

"Well… no. Oh! I'm not supposed to say that. Sneaky is silence! Thank you Mama!" Hugging Margaery, Aerea snuggled into her. "I love you." Not giving her mother a chance to respond, the girl was already out the door before a crashing sound came from the entryway. 

"What the fuck?" Marg could hear the confusion and surprise from out of sight. "Rhea!" That voice sounded like Lorys.

"Sneak att-" Aerea's loud voice was hardly stealthy. "Sorry I'm not supposed to say that. It isn't sneaky."

Margaery realized she created a terror. Val was off the hook for this so long as Marg was as well.

Jon:

At Rhaenys' suggestion, he and the four women who may become his wives came together after supper in the family room to get to know one another better. They'd settled to read through the history of the Targaryen kings of the Seven Kingdoms as it taught Val their stories while teaching the others mistakes of the past. Rhaenys did most of the reading but since she enjoyed it no one made any moves to deprive her of her book.

Val had taken to invading Rhaenys' space to look over the Dornishwoman's shoulder to connect the letters on the pages to the words spoken. The wildling pressed against her back had caused Rhae to stamper for the first chapter and blush for the entire reading. Jon was sympathetic, he's had those full breasts pressed against him many times and he wasn't resistant to them.

They were only just discussing returning to their bed for the night when a party of his daughters led by Maenara joined them. Maenara's eyes twinkled at the sight of the five of them cuddled on the floor. "We came for goodnight kisses."

Behind Mae, her silver haired sister had a mischievous grin that Haella couldn't hide. Jon knew the group was up to something.

Awwing, Marg pushed him up. "Go."

Shaking his head, Jon stood between the two groups with his arms out. "So who is first?"

"Eldest first?" Laerra smirked, there was definitely a scheme afoot.

Robyn pouted and stood up for herself even if in a quiet voice. "That is no fair! You've gotten plenty of kisses already! Youngest first!"

"Aye!" The younger half of the group chorused. 

Raising her hands in surrender, the future queen shrugged. "Then we have a majority, unless Dalla sides with eldest first."

"It matters little, I'm in the middle regardless." Dalla shrugged. "My neutrality makes it a draw, six against six. How is there a majority?"

She clearly fell into Lya's trap judging by the woman's wide smile. "I vote for youngest first." In return for betraying the older siblings, Laerra was cheered by the younger ones. "Because I have the youngest right here and I'm collecting for him or her." Her finger pointing at her flat belly revealed her plot.

Sighing, Dalla accepted defeat with honor. "Well played."

"I'm the queen for a reason, besides I'm a Tyrell, it is what we do." Lya stepped forward and embraced Jon before leaning down just a tad in a bid for her kiss on the crest of her head. "I'll be back for mine." She said before stepping to the side. "Mothers, you are not spared from giving kisses."

The girls played along even if Rhaenys and Sansa were a bit shy about it. It became a systematic process. When Laerra arrived before Marg, her mother was the only one not to kiss her forehead, instead Marg leaned over then whispered and kissed her daughter's belly.

With each daughter it was a little different; Aerea jumping him, Robyn burrowing into his chest, Mae politely bowing her head but leaning forward craving an embrace, Shireen and Myriah squeezing him half to death, Haella kissing his cheek in return, Dalla's patronizing cheek pat, Sara rolling her eyes, Minisa swaying them, Cailin's humming, Daena's happy eyes, Sauna and her disappearing scowl.

When everyone had their kisses, Maenara poked him shyly. "Our mother's haven't gotten their kisses." That was their game, the rest had been the ploy even if it was to their benefit.

"Yes, where is my goodnight kiss Jae?" Marg had a hand on her hip in the same expecting and disappointed pose that Lady Stark sometimes adopted when dealing with her children.

"Youngest first," Jon reminded. He needed to open his arm in order for Sansa to approach him. They shared an embrace before he kissed her head like he had the others.

Sansa kissed his cheek as she made to back away from the hug. "You deserve a goodnight kiss too."

Some of his daughters booed him, Haella being the noisiest. "You can give a mother of your children a better kiss than that!"

As red in the face as her hair, crystal blue eyes peered up at him in hesitation before nodding. They shared a quick peck of the lips which was enough to please the girls.

Margaery was not so shy, hanging her arms around his shoulders and interlacing their lips for a far deeper kiss than Sansa's. When they broke after a few seconds, a smirk and a grin greeted him. Sansa gasped at the improper kiss which only caused her to receive her own wink.

"Eww…" Rhea, Roh, and Shireen cried all at once.

Val and Rhaenys exchanged looks. Rhaenys gave a voice to their silent conversation. "I turn eighteen in three moons." Jon made note of that.

"Then you are next." There was a slight look of uncomfort on Val's face but she nudged Rhaenys forward.

She approached him hesitantly but Rhaenys had a nervous smile even as a finger tapped rapidly against her thigh. "Don't expect a kiss like that from me. I'd like our first kiss to be our own." Rhaenys wasn't ready for that yet so she stepped into his arms with her head down.

Jon welcomed her. "When you're ready," he agreed. His acceptance made her relax into his hold. Pressing his lips into her dark hair would have to do, no matter what Haella thought. He was rewarded for his respect with a kiss of his own to the cheek.

Val was on him before he knew it and had to one up Marg by adding tongue.

He heard Sauna's gasp over the chuckling of others. "Rhea, Roh turn away!"

"No." Even blinded Jon could identify that stubborn tone as Aerea's. " What is Mom doing to him with her tongue? Is that still a kiss?"

When he was released it was to laughter. Laerra and Haella were hunched over in a fit. Marg was giggling as she clutched onto their youngest. Sansa and Rhaenys were flushed and resisting smiling to different degrees of success.

Val:

Above the rim of her cup of ale, Val watched Margaery and Snow converse. Val watched as her plan unfolded and they left the hall, Margaery a few minutes after Jon. The warm feeling of her drink made her uncharacteristically giggle at his awkward departure. 

She thought it ridiculous that a woman can't be alone with a man for a moment in the South without her purity being questioned. Val didn't really care about that nonsense, but beyond the Wall there was little inheritance, only what one made of themselves and blood only mattered for skinchangers and woods witches.

South of the Wall things were different though and so Jon and Margaery had to put extra effort to hide the relationship until after the mission beyond the Wall. Only after, when Jon would be at low enough risk could they be more open and let rumors spread.

"What are you smiling about?"

Val turned to the redheaded girl, Sansa, a Stark. She knew the girl and Snow were related but she was confused as to just how close. Jon was raised as a son by the girl's father but was not in truth the redhead's sibling. He had a different name than Stark. Regardless, Val never asked as she preferred not to think about it.

Squinting her eyes and hiding her grin behind her mug, Val giggled again at her successful plot. "Snow is going to give Margaery a second gift in private."

The girl flushed a deep red when she understood Val's insinuation, it was an adorable thing that nearly matched her hair. It wasn't all innocence though, Val detected a pinch of annoyance in Sansa's stuttering voice when she spoke. "He-he isn't…"

Her lip would be bruised from biting back a smile at the sight. "Just his special kiss. I'm sure he'd give it to you as well if you wished it." Val leaned forward on her elbows for a closer view of Red's reaction.

Sansa lived up to all of Val's slightly tipsy expectations. The blush now extended under the neck of the dark blue dress and out of sight. "I-I couldn't ask for…that! A lady isn't supposed to want such things!"

"I see no problems with anything done between lovers so long as it is done willingly. You can desire a great many things and I'd think Snow would prefer it that way. That priestess of yours is teaching you all wrong. You aren't planning to lie still in bed like a dead fish, are you? I can't imagine that would be much fun for any of us." Val certainly trained Snow to have higher expectations. "He probably already wants you, but he has these annoying doubts that prevent him from seeing that you might want such a thing."

"Why would he want me when he has you three?" The girl was just that, still a girl, but Sansa was a pretty one and evidently birthed as strong of children as Val had, more of them even. Southerners were silly, always so unsure of seizing what they wanted. Beyond the Wall if you hesitated then another would take it if they could.

Val would be lying if she didn't have her own doubts, she was the only one who wasn't a lady. The incident with the original Shireen haunted her at times now that she knew there was a cure. From the tales, Val wasn't sure if she would have gotten back together with Jon after her part in the girl's death if it wasn't for the fact she carried his sons. "We all have some doubts. For all that I've fucked him, he still finds himself unworthy." Her stupid noble man.

A small smile broke through the girl's depression. "Jon can be silly like that sometimes."

"That is why he needs us." Reaching out, Val twisted a finger around a red lock that glowed in the hearth's light. "From what we've heard of the future you are a very strong woman, different from me but no less strong. Our man likes strong women. And you are kissed by fire."

The praise seemed to lessen the unwarranted insecurities, but caused Sansa to scrunch her brows in confusion. "Pardon?"

Continuing to twirl the hair around her digit, Val smiled. "Being kissed by fire means you have red hair, the Free Folk consider it lucky, fire is life beyond the Wall. Many find it very attractive…"

"Oh." Sansa's rosy cheeks returned in full force but she didn't move away.

Jon:

"Has Sara seemed extra bitchy of recent or is it just me?" Minisa asked as she scribed down another measurement that the elder triplet called out. Her concern was warranted, the youngest triplet had scarcely been seen outside of the library and had been grumpy the few times Jon had caught a glimpse of her.

Cailin huffed as she tightened the marked strip around Jon's bicep. "She is worried for Taelon or I imagine that is what has her sulking more than usual. The mention a week ago matches the drop in her mood." Her voice was soft and low as she called out another length and moved to his shoulders.

Marking it down, Nissa played with the end of the quill. "It is worrisome. But Daena did the numbers and Aunty couldn't have made it to the Westerlands. The closest weirwoods would be in the Riverlands. If they were here, would they not have come to Winterfell? They wouldn't know that we are here."

The mention of aunt, Westerlands, and Sara's fretting allowed Jon to recall that Taelon was Aegon's son. That explained why Jon's half-brother had bouts of sullenness as well. 

Having given the final measurements, Cailin started to arrange palettes of colored fabrics. The two girls were busy planning wardrobes for the trip south and had cornered Jon to torture him before he left for the Wall. "They might not know that they are in the past or precisely when. The working folk don't have much sense of dates at this time, Muña hasn't ordered public calendars required in towns yet."

"Ugh, they might not even know where they are or have gold on hand for horses." Minisa frowned as she held up a green fabric up to Jon's face and shook her head.

Spying dozens of different purples, Jon held back a groan. "Are Aegon's children trained to protect themselves?" If unsavory men came across such a well dressed group, he didn't want to think about what may happen.

Cailin answered him. "Aunt Mya's three are much more martial. Orys is every bit the warrior that his grandfather was before Robert became king and got fat. And the other two aren't slacking. But Aunt Cella's are not defenseless either, Rhaenyra is truly scary and the boys aren't bad. I worry for Elaena though, she is only six."

"I suppose we can't do much but hope they are safe or still in your time. I'll try talking with Sara later." Jon wasn't sure how much of a comfort he could be, he wasn't the same man as the one that raised her.

"She'd appreciate it, Sara has a soft spot for you, most of us do. We love you, even if you are shorter than we prefer." Minisa poked his nose before dancing away giggling.

Her sister was less lighthearted and couldn't escape the melancholy yet. "It is sad that Sara would have been married by now if we didn't get sent here. It has been over four months since they've seen each other."

Minisa snorted but adopted a depressed look. "I haven't seen my boys in nearly the same, I miss Oldstone too and my dancing hall."

"Your boys? Baelor didn't mention you were married or had children when I asked." While lazy, Jon didn't think Baelor would hold back information.

Freezing in the middle of a slow mournful spin, Minisa looked like a startled deer. "Wha- uh… nothing."

That only made Jon more worried. "Do you have bastards?" He tried not to frown, Jon didn't wish to displease his daughter nor seem disapproving of his grandchildren solely for their birth, he'd been on the other side of that. "Which would be… okay so long as you love them and they have a good father figure."

The brunette woman looked to Cailin pleadingly.

Cailin only ignored her and smiled softly at Jon. "I see you've grown wiser." Then she turned to her Stark looking sister. "You got yourself into this mess on all accounts, I'm not keeping your secrets and solving your problems."

A whine escaped Nissa. "I don't have any kids and I'm not married yet. Uh… They aren't boys, at least usually."

Now Jon was the one struggling to speak, he was too confused. "Explain. Please."

"Uh…" Minisa looked to the redhead in the room. "Please for me…"

Crossing her arms, Cailin stared back for a few moments before groaning. "Only because this is torturous to watch. Nissa here attracted the attention of two boys, boys because half the time they act like it when around her, and she can't decide whom she wants to marry."

"I wouldn't have to choose if Father lets me marry both. Knowing their rivalry it would only cause more trouble between their houses if I only married one." Or she could simply marry someone else. Grey eyes refused to look at him.

Jon made a strangled sound. This sounded familiar, another Jaehaerys and another daughter. Rhaenys had just read to him about Princess Saera, the daughter of the Conciliator that sought to wed three of her secret lovers and ended up on the opposite side of the Narrow Sea as a whore. "And their thoughts on sharing?"

Minisa waited a few seconds as if waiting for another question but shrugged after a moment. "They fuck one another when they get angry sometimes so I imagine they'd be fine with it. In their eyes it is probably better to get one teet than none, just like the Mother's."

It took a moment to realize his daughter got herself mixed up in the Bracken-Blackwood rivalry. Jon greatly wished to put his head in his hands and groan. "And you are the one providing the keep and lands?"

"Aye. They are second sons."

That made things easier but whoever fathered the heir… "I don't know that you'll be able to legally practice polygamy under the doctrine, but any children can be legitimized. And you would need to handle the heir carefully." Jon can't believe he was agreeing to this but it was better than the alternatives, he wasn't going to ask if she'd bedded them, he didn't want to know.

Wearing a wild grin, Minisa bounced gracefully on her toes over to Jon and blessed him with a hug and a kiss to the temple. "Thank you Father! And do not worry I can handle the fern and raven, I'm a dragon and a direwolf. Also, I claim the names Duncan and Jenny."

Jon should have known his children would be willful and wouldn't so easily follow every norm, altogether he still thinks his brood was a lot less troublesome than others. Minisa with her 'boys', Haella favoring women, Brynnard being Brynnard, Baelor and his commoner 'wife' and Aerea's mischief. One in four wasn't bad odds, at least they wouldn't be breaking any betrothals. So long as they didn't start any wars then he fared better than most Targaryen fathers.

Catelyn:

She caught Jon beneath the weirwood in the cold morning air. Cat had already spoken to much of the departing party yet her previous treatment of the boy made her hesitant to ask anything of him. He had no reason to oblige her after all her glares and attempts to remove him from his only home.

The king looked so much like a Stark under the bloody canopy it hurt, a reminder that Catelyn had never birthed a boy with the look of the Kings of Winter. He looked at peace for a boy of nearly fifteen about to range into hostile lands. Perhaps that was why he was here, for the same reason as she: serenity.

Catelyn had taken to visiting the sacred woods more of late. Alsauna had been trying to convert her to the Old Gods and had been rather successful for the childrens' presence alone was a greater act of intervention than any the Seven had ever offered.

Moving before the tree, Cat prayed in silence as custom with the ancient faith. Daena argued that praying was counterproductive and the time was better spent on creating solutions, she only approved of visiting the woods for peace of mind. But Catelyn could do little to help on her own, she'd done all she could and so she prayed the gods would do what they could to protect her sons, to protect Bran who was far too young for such a journey. She came before these gods to calm herself enough to enjoy these last few hours with them.

They stayed like that for a while until Cat opened her eyes and looked at the boy that had haunted her for so long. She hadn't noticed before but Sansa sat in the shadow of his round stone throne. Her daughter had removed her boots and had her skirts lifted to dip her legs into the dark motionless water. Sansa sat atop what was surely Jon's cloak. It was a sweet scene but made her recall that the two and Margaery Tyrell had shared a bed the previous night. Old fears were summoned but Cat pushed them down and tried to think the best of the boy unlike what she'd done for most of his existence.

"Jon," Catelyn said carefully. Despite Cat addressing the future king, Sansa turned to look at her as well.

His eyes popped open and Cat was stunned by how they once again looked grey. It was a trick of the light, unless you were close or the light hit the orbs just right then even Ashara's eyes looked grey at times in Winterfell. "Yes, Lady Stark."

She corrected him, "Catelyn or Cat when in private." For many reasons she'd prefer to move past being called Lady Stark, and perhaps it was in part to experience fewer reminders of their past. Cat had no doubts that they would never get to the point he may call her mother like he'd tried as a young boy, she didn't think she could stomach that even if one day she may be his mother by marriage. That was an option lost long ago and something neither of them likely desired.

"What is it you wished to speak of?" He rested his hand on a thick bundle of folded black and red in his lap. Behind him Sansa watched their interaction.

Taking a deep breath, Cat said what she came to him for. "I understand I am in no place to ask anything of you but I must try. I beg of you to protect Bran, he is still a boy. Please watch over him." She'd kneel before him if he asked, and one day she would when she alongside Ned and her children swore fealty.

Closing his eyes and letting out a slow exhale, Jon answered her. "La- Catelyn, Bran is my brother, he was, he is, and he will be, that hasn't changed. If a fight arrives they will have to get through all of us before they can even touch him and Robb and I won't let that happen. Bran's abilities are important but if it seems we cannot finish our mission we will return alive, what use is his sight if we're dead. You have my word that I'll do all that I can to see Bran returned to you alive."

Relief flooded her. He made no promises out of his power and there was a chance none returned but he gave her the best he could and to Catelyn that meant a lot all things considered. "Thank you, that is all I can ask of you."

He nodded and once more they were left in silence, only the sounds of rustling leaves, shifting branches and the songs of birds broke it.

Cat let herself be engulfed in the tranquility of it all before she addressed him once more. "A piece of advice a week late: next time don't reward Aerea as you had."

His cheeks pinked as he gave an embarrassed grimace. A sennight prior he was swindled by a five year old to have the girl remain safe in Winterfell for the price of a Mammoth, a half-unicorn, and a promise that the girl remains the youngest of the large brood. "Aye, I'm aware. It was hard to say no to that face."

"The struggles of parenthood," Cat mused. She too had perhaps entertained Sansa's dreams too much and Arya's not enough. They knew the world better now, not just the good but the bad, which was something that she should have taught them last time, such a difference it could have made. "We've seen the product of spoiling a child." It was the boys upbringing not the incest or his bastardy that made him so, with such a mother and both fathers it was no wonder the boy turned out rotten.

Sansa joined in with a grin. "Joffrey is horrible!"

Jon snorted and shared a smile with Cat's daughter.

She'd let the two enjoy their last few hours together, a show of faith. Cat had but a few more hours to spend with Robb and Bran and she'd be damned if she didn't use them. Before she left, Cat turned to give a single warning. "If you break my daughter and grandchildrens' hearts by dying on your mission I will be sure to make your afterlife hell."

While Sansa frowned, Jon gave a small chuckle. "You will not be alone in that endeavor. I'll do what I can."

On her way out she passed Margaery attempting to corral Aerea and Robyn with a few of Jon's older children that were staying. It would be a slow three months with so many away but soon she'd see her father and Ned once again.

Jon:

The sword in Arya's grasp had weighed heavy on Jon before he let his sister examine it. He had attempted to trade the blade with Ser Arthur for a dagger but the legendary knight had refused as his place was to protect his king or die trying and the less Valyrian steel lost before the war the better. And so Gnawing Hunger would see Jon through their trek or be lost with him just as his son Aemon intended.

"Will you let me hold Dark Sister too when you return?" Arya was in awe of the swords, they were beautiful and expertly designed.

Jon simply felt unworthy of them even if they belonged to him and his siblings. "I'd say killing a dragon with it entitles you to at least a moment."

A mischievous smirk bloomed across her face. "More than a moment, I think."

"Maybe," Jon teased. "When you are older I might bestow it to you, that is until we make you a blade of your own."

Her grey eyes widened at him. "You'd really give me my own blade?"

Despite the shadow of his very quickly approaching mission hanging over him, Jon managed to smile. "Aye. I'll hunt the firewyrm to forge it if I have to. It may even be forged by your husband."

She'd set the sword aside and pounced at him, trapping him in a hug. "Thank you! And I'm not getting married!"

"Not even if I gave you an exception to do so even as a member of my guard? You wouldn't want Cass to be a bastard would you?" Truthfully, Jon didn't think it mattered much, the girl would be practically a princess and would carry the Stark name regardless, Jon would see it done. Technically Robert had already legitimized her in this life anyway.

"I'm never going to be a lady!" she stubbornly said against his neck.

Jon shook his head fondly. "Like it or not you are and will always be. That doesn't mean you have to be the traditional lady. You needn't even be a traditional wife or mother but you can still have love. Your mother might hate me but if you get married you have my permission to wear breeches and your husband doesn't even need to carry you to the feast, you could carry him for all I care."

Arya hit him on the arm but was grinning. "If he is Robert's son, I doubt I could."

He chuckled and kneeled down. "Promise me you won't deny yourself marriage or love because it is something ladylike?"

She frowned but after a few moments Arya nodded. "I promise I'll think about it."

"Good."

Biting her lip, she looked at her boots. "Promise me that you'll come back?"

Sucking in a breath, Jon pulled her back into a hug. "You have my word that I'll do my best. It may be hard but I'll keep Robb from losing to some Free Folk or wight, he is hopeless with a sword." He tried to lighten the mood.

Once again she hit him, making them both share a dark chuckle. "Don't jest about that!"

Sighing, he gave his serious response. "I know. We'll do everything we can to return, Robb, Bran, all of us." Unlikely as it was.

"You better! Or I might have to stick you with the pointy end when you come back with blue eyes." Arya pointed a finger at him and poked as she pulled out of the embrace.

"He does have a tendency to not stay dead. Though he has lasted much longer on his second chance." A voice interrupted them from the open door. Laerra smiled as she stood in the doorway. "Father."

The reminder of his death and resurrection in his other life made him shiver. "Lya. How are you feeling?"

His poor daughter was stuck in the sickness stage of her pregnancy until the day she returned to her time, whenever that was. "Still sick on some days, not riding helps."

"See! Why would I want to have a babe if it makes you sick?" Arya argued looking at him.

Laerra snorted. "Because all the suffering turns to love. The bond between parent and child is incomparable, you only know half of it. But I didn't come here to promote motherhood to you. I wanted to speak with Father."

Arya looked conflicted. "Do you want me to go?"

"No, nor do you need to. Enjoy these moments with him." Lya sat down on the furs where Ghost and Nymeria lounged and ruffled the two's fur. She turned her attention to Jon after a few pets. "I wanted to tell you that I believe you should once again take up the role of Mormont's steward, temporarily of course."

His lip curled up in distaste, even if the mission was very serious Jon was a bit excited to practically be a ranger for a couple moons. Stewardship would ruin that, he'd mainly be tending to the Lord Commander rather than scouting. "Why?"

"While it is important you don't show servitude before Mance and the Freefolk if you are to be the one to negotiate rather than Robb and Mormont. Not only is it an opportunity to see what you personally respect or dislike about a leader but it also teaches humility." She gave him a look that pierced his mind and made him feel like she could read his thoughts.

Whatever Lya saw in his mind or on his face made her continue. "You had us assist with almost every task the servants perform so as to learn respect for their work and position. To lead you must know how to follow. Your hands should be as kindly as a father's, as soft as a scholar's, as weathered as a working man's, as gentle as a healer's, as lethal as a warrior's, you must embody the best aspects of all your people. An impossible task but we can strive."

As Jon thought over his daughter's advice, Arya had to ask a question. "Did he really make you do every task?"

"Most." Smiling, Laerra's violet eyes twinkled. "Muña likes to tell the story of the day Alsauna was in the kitchens. Later at supper Father stood up before everyone and said 'Today my daughter was tasked to assist the cooks, so if by chance your food is still alive, Queen Rhaenys owes you an apology as her cooking ability, or lack thereof, clearly rubbed off on our daughter.' Apparently it only takes a child of Muna by the ovens for even highborn to lose their gluttonous ways. The leftovers were given to the staff and then city dwellers."

Arya grinned at the tale, but Jon chuckled at learning another of Rhaenys' shortcomings, she had no right to mock his knots anymore. "I must remember that, if only to see it for myself. And did these tasks humble you?"

"They certainly made me appreciate the work of servants." Lya's nose scrunched in distaste as she shifted her spine causing a pop. "Carrying buckets of water for a bath as a child makes you very very appreciative when it isn't you climbing the stairs."

Concern seeped into Jon's heart. "You didn't hurt yourself, did you?"

Shaking her head, Laerra's unbraided hair whipped around lightly, it was so similar to his own but longer by a good six inches or more. "I had less than half a bucket left when I reached the tub and the other half soaked into my clothes and the floors but I wasn't trusted with hot water. A sore back and a newfound gratitude but beyond that nothing hurt but my pride."

"I'm glad I didn't have you overworked." Jon was relieved to hear that he seemed to be a good father.

"The maid was told to only make me do it once but not tell me beforehand. A clever little lesson." For a moment she let Jon enjoy the compliment. "It was Mother's idea, Sansa's." His daughter was a cruel heartless woman.

His feeling of betrayal must have shown as Arya laughed at him.

Lya rose from her spot by the direwolves and pressed a kiss to his forehead before stepping towards the door. "I'll say my goodbyes with the others but do be careful Father, you have a lot of people that love you waiting for you to return home." She looked pointedly at Arya then continued, "Myself included. So please return alive, I quite like the fact you are my father."

"You would be great no matter who sires you." As true as it was, the idea was a bitter ugly thing that made Jon want to growl. 

"But whomever may be my father would never be as great as you." Jon was given the most wonderful heartwarming smile before she frowned. "Besides if Great Grandmother had her way it would be Uncle Aegon and that is just no…"

Jon liked Aegon well enough but not enough for that, nope. If anyone was going to father his children again it was damn well going to be Jon.

"Don't worry Kepa, I'll make sure Aegon continues to sleep with the dragons. The only one sharing Mama's bed will be Mother."

Arya's nose wrinkled as she moved away, repulsed by Lya's words. "Gross!"

Laughing at Arya's suffering with his daughter, Jon thought the idea was far from gross. He would most certainly not be forgetting the younger two of his four potential wives like they feared he might, no they would be on his mind a fair bit for sure.

Notes:

I don't know why but this just felt like a crappy chapter and I'm sorry if it was.

By the way Minisa's relationship really has no effect on this story and will hardly be brought up. I mainly used it to express that Jon was learning from not only the other future but from past kings. It also shows a bit of the affect his unique relationship has on the philosophies of his children.

What do you all think about an appendix fic for this? I think it would be nice for readers to have considering the number of Jon's kids. It would be a separate story with a chapter probably for all departures from canon, a summary for the future timeline, a frequently asked questions chapter, another for the original Valyrian steel weapons, and a chapter for each main character and OC like a wiki. And artwork if I ever get around to making any instead of procrastinating.

Damnit, I added another chapter. Margaery's nameday had a bit more content than I'd expected and I really wanted to get into her head again. A summary just didn't feel right. It'll be a short chapter of maybe three to five thousand words, hopefully.

Upcoming Chapter POV Order:

Marg IV

Sansa II

Multi IV

Multi V

Mya I

Realm I