authorsnote: here we gooo. I still love the reactions to this fic and the encouraging words from people thank you! I wanted to get this out asap but I also had a long list of fics to update inbetween! but here we are, I have also edited the previous chapters, improved the layout/grammar fixes, no story changes just made it prettier and nicer to read!

I do hope you enjoy and please let me know if you do! ahh I loved writing this chapter, the ending made me squeal as I was writing it!

songrecs: get your wish - porter robinson

Once he was washed and had placed his money down, he began to think about money. His uncle would give he and his brother an allowance when they travelled to the East, but Jon would likely need more. He would need to buy items that would aid him going forwards, and currently his own monetary reserves were not in great shape. It was something to think on, but he had other priorities at the moment.

He quickly dressed again before heading back out, his fur and weapons belt on this time as he was done training for the day. Now it was time to find Arya before doing some more research this afternoon. He had already read up on Targaryen history and this afternoon he planned to look into Stark history. He had to remind himself that even though he had a new heritage, he was still a Stark. Eddard Stark was still his Uncle, his Mother Lyanna Stark, he was still of the North and he wouldn't ignore that part of his heritage in favour of his newly discovered side. And so, some Northern reading this afternoon seemed like a good idea.

But first, Arya.

He wanted to complete this quest today as he wanted to maximise what he could gain from quests. If he could have new quests each day, he could level up quicker. He was keen to get to Level 5, to see where he stacked up compared to others. They didn't have books, so he was hoping the levelling process of other people was explained when he reached Level 5, to clear up some confusion and let him know how he was doing against people his age, his peers, and people older and more experienced than him. He expected to be above Robb, due to his life experience, but it would be nice to know.

And yet at the moment he was only level 3, he had ways to go, hence the importance of completing quests constantly to level up quickly.

Thus, he made his way outside, fur on his shoulders, weapons at his hips, Ghost trotting alongside him as always. It was important for him to keep Ghost close, and he would encourage Robb to do the same with Greywind. Their companions weren't just wolves, they were something else, they were powerful, strong and a symbol of their house. Jon would ensure Ghost was always close, close by his side to protect one another. There was also stuff about warging in the book that he needed to look further into. He had always had dreams of Ghost through the years, dreams of running, hunting, eating, dreams that felt so very real …

'Ghost is more alive than I am'

He remembered thinking that, thinking that when he dreamt Ghost was as real as anything, realer than him. And yet, in this time he hadn't had any of those dreams, perhaps because of the dreams of his past taking up that space? He wasn't sure, but he needed to look into warging and connecting closer with Ghost, not only would it be useful, but it felt right, like it was something he was meant to do.

He shouldn't have been surprised when he felt the tell-tale glow of the book, but he was all the same as the script appeared in front of him.

Quest Alert!

In his Eyes

Warg with Ghost whilst awake.

Reward: 100XP, +20 Warging, +5 Relationship with Ghost.

Failure: -10 Relationship with Ghost, -10 Warging.

Now that seemed like a difficult quest, and the penalties were once again harsh. He wondered if as he levelled up the rewards and failures would become higher and the quests harder, that seemed to make sense. In common card games as you got better the game got harder, so perhaps it would be the same here. He nodded to himself, he would do that quest soon, perhaps later that night, but first it was time to help Arya.

It wasn't hard to find her as he tracked the corridors of Winterfell, Ghost silent at his side. He found no luck in the courtyard or in the main hall, but as he wondered past Septa Mordane's domain (trying and likely failing to seem innocent), he caught a glance in the room and saw Sansa but a distinct lack of Arya. He smirked at that before quickly ducking out the way as the Septa turned her head. Once he was sure she was looking away he glanced back into the room, only for him to catch Sansa's gaze this time, luckily, she was shaking her head and smiling. He could see she was trying to say something, and it took him three goes to read her lips.

"Arya went to the stables" He smiled then and gave her a thumbs up to which she rolled her eyes but smiled fondly before he dipped away as he noticed the Septa standing to her feet to make her way outside.

He managed to dive behind the nearby turn and hide behind the wall as he saw her storm outside, mumbling to herself. "Insolent girl, always running away and acting like a barbarian, I'll find her though" She mumbled, and Jon grimaced before running in the opposite direction to the Septa in the direction of the stables.

Once he reached the stables it wasn't hard to find his wayward little sister … though she was his cousin now, as with Robb he would always think of Arya as a sibling.

He could see Septa Mordaine across the courtyard, red in the face talking to one of the guards who had it right to be intimidated by the old Septa. Jon had certainly shrunk under her steely gaze more than once and he pitied the poor lad as the Septa berated him furiously over the location of her ward.

But then Arya had always been good at hiding, not quite from him though, as he spotted her crouched behind the horse water trough.

Deciding a good scare would make her jump and then laugh Jon was silent as he took the back route around the stables, slipping behind the wooden back to sneak up on Arya. Jon had a light tread, always had to avoid being noticed, it had only gotten better during his time with the Watch and the wildlings.

Ahh the wildlings, another future likely lost to him … not just Ygritte, but everything that came with being a wildling. He had climbed the wall, sat with Mance Rayder, walked with wargs … things he wouldn't experience again. Or would he?

The more he thought about it the more he knew he would end up at the Wall again at some point, how could he not with the Others marching closer to home each day? Sure, first he had to look after the Stark pack, go on his tour, defeat the Lannister's (ugh that alone gave him a headache), but then with the War for the Dawn he would need to be at the Wall fighting, helping the Nights Watch, an institute he had once been part of.

Would he see the wildlings again? He knew to have any chance against the Others they'd need to recruit the wildlings as he had done. Would Mance be leading them again? Would he see Tormund, Lord of Bones … Ygritte?

A neigh of a horse broke him from his thoughts and he quickly turned back to the task at hand. Arya remained crouched, smiling to herself at her hiding place, as he rounded the corner and crouched behind her, he was smiling too.

"Boo!"

Of course, his little sister jumped, but whereas Sansa would have squealed and scolded him, Bran would have jumped and laughed, Arya whirled around, teeth bared, ready to fight before laughing when she realised it was Jon.

"Stupid" She said with a roll of her eyes, but she grinned at him as he laughed. It felt good to laugh with her, to be back with Arya. In the future lost to him he had planned to march for her, to save her from the clutches of a monster, but now? Now she was here, safe still … for now.

He had a lot of work to do to protect the Stark's, almost too much, an inconceivable amount for someone with as little power as him, but he had the book, more knowledge now and he would do it, he would protect the pack.

"Hiding little sister?" He enquired and she shot him a cheeky grin.

"Lessons with the Septa are dumb" She often complained about the lessons. Whereas Sansa could sew, dance, and play the harp like a proper Lady, Arya would never be that, didn't want to be. Jon could see why, being a Lady sounded awfully time consuming and dull.

"Aye" He agreed, he found a lot of his lessons dull, especially now, most of what Maester Luwin taught him he already knew. They'd had a lesson on the structure of the Night's Watch the day before and he felt he could teach that class, he'd been Lord Commander once! Of course, now he had to sit through as the old Maester taught them about the Wall and the positions of the Night's Watch, so he could feel Arya's pain. "But your mother won't let you out of them"

"And that's why I escape" She grinned, impishly and he laughed before ruffling her hair, which she ducked with an annoyed groan, she had always hated when he did that.

"Jon you're okay right?" She asked then, for the side of Arya that was cheeky and completely unladylike, there was also a side that always had concern for those she loved, especially Jon, and that made him smile.

"Of course, I am" He said with a nod, but Arya did not seem reassured.

"You're sure? Robb and father were worried you ran away the other day" She was biting her lip now, fiddling with her hands, which he knew meant she was worried. With a small sigh he went to his knee, to be at her height and offered her a smile of reassurance.

"Father and Robb got it wrong" He said with a nod, "I'm fine Arya, I promise" Not technically a lie, he was fine, even with the shipload of pressure on his shoulders, the worries and the dreams of a past life. He was back with his family, he was okay.

At least Arya seemed convinced and she grinned and nodded her head, "Practice archery with me?" She asked, "Behind the feed sheds?" He laughed then, a popular spot for his little sister to hide and practice, one he'd discovered immediately after she did, and he remembered, sneaking off with her to practice, never caught.

Before he could agree, as he always would, he indulged Arya more often than not he heard something akin to a screech.

"ARYA!" The Septa screamed and Jon realised they'd been spotted, fuck.

He shared a quick glance with Arya, and he knew they were both panicked. Man, he was but the Septa was still scary as he remembered.

"Run!" He called and Arya took off, Arya Underfoot indeed, always fast. She dashed out of the courtyard and he followed.

He was faster now too but clumsier in this body. Still he was quick, and just behind Arya as they wove through the castle, the Septa soon long behind them. Jon laughed when Arya dashed past Robb who looked extremely confused, and a touch suspicious.

"Jon? Arya?" He called and Jon just waved his brother off before following Arya further into the castle, no time to stop.

It was only five minutes later when they were hiding in the empty kitchen storeroom did, they come to a halt, catch their breath, and sit down with a laugh.

"We'll be in trouble when we go back" He said as Arya grabbed a mug of water from the side and gulped it down, uncaring that it spilt on her clothes.

"Nah" She said with that grin again, "I'll just hide till dinner and then go to father, he'll be mad but as long as I apologise he won't mind" Aye she had the right of it, as mischievous as Arya could be she was also damnably cute and few could resist her puppy dog eyes when given the full blast, father just about could but he would make sure she didn't get in any real trouble.

"Going to hang out here?" He asked and as she nodded Jon wanted to stay with her, to catch up some more with her but Jon knew he couldn't. He had much to do, but Arya didn't seem miffed as he said so, just shrugged in understanding.

"It's okay, I'll nap" He laughed again as she curled into some sacks of flour, ready to do just that. He managed to catch her with a ruffle of her hair then to which she complained before he held his hands up in defeat as she held a small bag of sugar up to throw at him. Hands up in defeat he left the room laughing, leaving Arya to her nap.

As he left the storage room, he anticipated the book heating up and writing it's script before he did, and then the words appeared.

Quest Completed!

Wayward Sister.

Reward: 100XP, +5 Stealth.

Current XP: Level 3: 700/2000. Stealth +5 = 15

Well that was good, and he'd completed three quests in one day! He had quest, warging into Ghost but he felt it best to leave that for the moment, he'd done plenty today, and his reading could come tomorrow, and he was ready for some food.

"Come on boy" He encouraged Ghost who'd rejoined him now, having decided against a mad chase through the Castle and instead opting to simply trot after him at a glacial pace. "Food time" That made his companion perk up and he laughed as he made his way to the great hall.

Days passed and Jon continued to move forward. Sure, the quests weren't coming in as fast and Jon realised completing multiple daily quests and others given to him would not be sustainable day to day. The book wasn't offering additional quests at the same rapid pace as those that reset every day, and the daily quests weren't always easy to complete.

Not just that but Jon realised, as eager as he was to level up, particularly to level 5 he also had other things going on. Lessons, combat training, spending time with his family. He knew it was important to follow the book, hell it had guided him from the start! But he had to make sure not to just focus on the book, his training, learning, all of that was important to.

Since coming back, he had been hyper focused on the book, on it guiding him, and though he still intended to follow it he knew he had to make sure not to forget other things. Sure, levelling up his strength to get better at combat was good, but he also needed to train to develop his strength too, not just one or other.

His book was an aid, one he intended to always utilise, but it was not the only thing he needed to focus on.

He needed to find a good balance between working on the book, whilst also making sure he didn't slack with day to day activities. He also needed to make sure his family didn't get suspicious; he could hardly shirk off lessons without raised eyebrows.

So as three days went by, he trained in the yard, attended lessons with Robb and completed a few daily quests. It was good, a good balance, and that was what he needed.

The few quests he did had small rewards, but good ones. Not all quests would offer large secrets, valyrian steel or the Iron Throne! But he had come to realise all were important, especially as he had this new perspective on dual focus. Everything he was doing was important for the future. He knew the way to go was complete as many daily quests as possible and then the bigger quests would be tackled as and when they came.

A balance, that was what he needed.

Two minor quests had already added to his stats, and they had been fairly simple.

Quest Completed!

Fix It Up.

Help Jory fix his broken greaves.

Reward: 50XP, +5 Smithing, +5 Relationship with Jory.

Current XP: Level 3: 750/2000. Smithing +5 = 5. Relationship with Jory +5 = 35.

Quest Completed!

The Family Line.

Research the Stark family tree.

Reward: 100XP.

Current XP: Level 3: 850/2000.

Relatively easy stuff that had helped, he had noticed the XP rewards becoming smaller though, which he supposed made sense, the higher he levelled the harder it would be to level up.

With a sigh he pushed himself off the bed and made his way to the bathroom. It was the weeks end but any lazy mornings he had indulged in as a child were gone now. He knew the other Stark children would be sleeping, a lazy morning in, but not him. He had too much to do to indulge in that sort of thing now.

Besides, as a man of the Night's Watch there had been little time to idle. He had got used to rising early, going to bed late, getting by on little sleep. In fact, now he woke up naturally earlier than he used to, earlier than his cousins, and could not get back to sleep if he tried. It was the way about him now, it was just coming to dawn as he started to get ready for the day.

As he came back from the bathroom and walked over to his desk, he pulled the book out of the drawer that had started to fill, with the two sigils, various notes on his heritage, plans and tactics. He picked up the topmost that he had written just the day before when he had gone through his mother's heritage page and taken copious notes, not just for research but to know more about the mother he had been unable to meet.

'Lyanna Stark, 267 AC – 283 AC (16 namedays).

Father: Rickard Stark, Mother: Lyarra Stark (my grandparents).

Brown hair, green eyes, 'A winter rose'.

Knight of the Laughing Tree. Fierce, loyal, wilful and just

Married to Rhaegar Targaryen 283 AC, gave birth to son, Jon Targaryen, 283 AC'

He had stopped there, for other than some details on his mother's personality which he had absorbed in awe, tears trickling down his cheeks as he head of her skill with a horse and her kindness, simple things that had made her wish he knew her, he hadn't wanted to note those things down, he didn't want to use them for anything, just remember them.

With a smile he placed the notes on her back in, he knew his father's heritage page was locked, for it was after his mother's and displayed his name, followed by the words 'LOCKED'. He would have to see about unlocking that at some point, would he do so in the same way as his mother's perhaps? With a quest? He would need to keep an eye out.

He dressed quickly and efficiently then, it was snowing today and so he made sure to bundle up, fastening his cloak across his chest to ensure it did not drift. He wondered what quests would be thrown at him today, but he had found them impossible to predict, he would simply wait and do what came up.

He also planned to meet Robb today, after lunch to discuss their tour, with Lord Stark moving forward with preparations they needed to as well, plan where they would head. Jon already knew where he wanted to go, but he would need to get Robb to agree and get his take, it was a 6 month trip they had time to see a few different places and Jon knew both he and Robb wanted to see as much as possible.

For now he'd go to break his fast and start the day, lessons wouldn't start for a while and he didn't want to train just after eating and so he'd perhaps head to the library, go through his book some more (he hadn't checked his stats in a few days), and perhaps do some reading. It hadn't been his usual thing, learning so much, but he knew it was necessary now.

And he'd always been good at strategy and tactics, he was just brushing up on those, and as dull as it was history was certainly a good way of improving one's strategy.

He then felt the familiar warmth in his inner pocket and near rolled his eyes, often when he was thinking of what to do this book would give him a little prompt, it was helpful if not slightly annoying.

Quest Alert!

Where to Go?

Prepare for your Tour by researching Old Valyria.

Rewards: +5 to High Valyrian Reading, 50XP.

Failure: -5 to High Valyrian Talking, -100XP

Again, it had fairly minor rewards, but it certainly told him where the book wanted him to go on the tour, now it was just a matter of convincing Robb …

As he broke his fast, alone in the great hall Jon figured he'd head straight for the library, lessons didn't happen at weeks end and so he'd train in the main hall, spend some time with the family at lunch and then plan the tour with Robb. It was a solid planned day, and he'd knock off his quest first thing and complete any others as they came.

He remembered then he still had one from earlier in the week he hadn't completed, mainly because it seemed like a big undertaking … but then he had a light day today, bar his plans with Robb later, was it worth doing the harder quest now when he had a more relaxed day?

With a small groan to himself he finished his food, decision made, and as no one was around he opened his book and had a look at said quest, the rewards were good, but he knew it would be hard.

Quest Alert!

In His Eyes

Warg with Ghost whilst awake.

Reward: 100XP, +20 Warging, +5 Relationship with Ghost.

Failure: -10 Relationship with Ghost, -10 Warging.

He had heard of warging of course, had even experienced dreams of Ghost which in hindsight might have been a passive kind of warging. He knew he could do it, for he had learned the book did not throw him impossible tasks, he just knew it would be hard and tiring.

But then so was the journey ahead. Resolved and ready Jon made his way back to his room, Ghost was there slumbering, perhaps that would make it easier? No, he'd wake his direwolf up, he didn't want to scare his loyal companion.

Jon thought of the dreams he'd had as he made his way back to his room. He thought of the wolf dreams he had dismissed, too busy to entertain them. He thought of padding through the forest as Ghost, understanding his thoughts, his feelings. Perhaps this wouldn't be too hard if he had done it before.

'A white wolf in a white wood, silent as a shadow'

He opened the door to his quarters and Ghost was awake already, sat on his bed, staring at him as he opened the door, expecting him it seemed. Jon smiled, stepped forward and ran his hand over his fur.

"This might be new for both of us boy, but I won't hurt you" He was more talking to himself than his direwolf, but Ghost cocked his head and he hoped that meant he understood … well perhaps soon he would know. With a nod to himself he pulled off his weapons belt, shucked off his cloak and made his way to his bed.

He had little experience of this, but he remembered Orell, remembered the man who had been so apart of the animals he knew. Jon took a seat on the bed, crossed his legs, and tried to focus – he had no idea what he was doing, he just hoped it came naturally.

Several minutes passed, Jon took deep breaths in and out, but nothing happened. Ghost sat, expectant but nothing came. More minutes passed and at the 10-minute mark Jon let out a sigh of frustration and flopped back onto his pillows.

He had no idea what he was doing.

"Come on" He spoke to himself then, and looked as Ghost stood up, and just looked at him, waiting. It was odd, but it felt like Ghost was showing faith in him, like he was ready for Jon to do it. That made Jon smile and he took another deep breath before closing his eyes.

As soon as they shut, he knew it worked, as his mind raced across the room, as everything blurred and shifted, as everything changed. "Ghost" He spoke as his breath left his lips, as his mind left him for something else, as everything warped and changed.

His eyes opened but not through his body, now he looked through the eyes of Ghost. It felt comfortable, accepting and he knew Ghost had accepted him, he could feel it, feel the acceptance, the feeling of 'pack' and that reassured it more than anything. This was meant to be, meant to happen, and this could only be a strength going forward he was sure. Ghost felt like one with him, occupying his mind together, in concert, comfortable and natural.

This was natural, he could feel it, feel the blood of the First Men in his veins that allowed him to do this, to be one with his wolf, as so many had before him.

It only lasted a minute or so and he didn't move, just glanced through the eyes of his direwolf, around the room, the colours a little different, his senses keener, everything a little stranger but something he was sure he could get used to. It wasn't nearly as strange as it could have been, and Jon knew with practice he would be out running and hunting as he had in his dreams. After a minute or so it ended, he wasn't forced out, but naturally slipped out, out of his companions mind and back to his own.

A gasp left his lips as he woke, it was an odd sensation, like waking but more urgent, and Ghost yipped at him before going to his bed. His direwolf looked a little tired, and Jon felt it too. How could a minute inside his wolfs head have made him feel like he trained for an hour? And yet he felt exhilarated too, adrenaline pumping through his veins, a complete rush in his blood. He quickly got to his feet and washed his face in the bathroom which helped, the cold water helping him to come back, to feel a little less of that rush. He knew he was shaking, both from the rush and the little bit of fear that he had done it!

He had! He had warged into Ghost, to his direwolf. It was a shock to him, and yet it had felt right, it had felt natural. That was the biggest shock of all, that though he did feel exhausted, it had felt so natural, almost easy outside of the tiredness.

The book glowed then, but he ignored it to first go to Ghost, to pat him on the back, "Good boy" He said, and Ghost licked him with affection before settling down. He was pleased his direwolf was okay, he would never want to hurt him, and it meant he could try it again, soon he would, and hopefully the more he did it the better he would get, the easier it would become.

The book continued to glow until he crossed the room and opened it, sat at his desk, and looked over the script.

Quest Completed!

In His Eyes

Reward: 100XP, +20 Warging, +5 relationship with Ghost.

Current XP: Level 3: 950/2000, Warging +20 = 40, +5 relationship with Ghost = 85.

He smiled then, things were looking good, and the rush of warging, of doing it whilst awake was amazing. He was still shaking, grinning even, this was a skill he both needed to work on and wanted to, it had felt so strange and yet so right, like it was innate within him.

And wasn't it?

Stories of the First Men called them Wargs, said that they were one with the animals, with direwolf's and wolf's and fought with them in battle. Wasn't it in his blood? Part of his heritage through his mother? Through the Stark line? He had the blood of the First Men in his veins and was proud to have it, especially now.

He glanced down at the book then, knowing it would show him something, knowing it had to, and he wasn't disappointed.

Warg (Perk!)

You have gained a new attribute.

You have shown you are a Warg! This allows you to be one with animal companions, currently you have 1 companion, your direwolf Ghost. You may have up to 3 (in certain circumstances more can be gained, but only through special quests), and some companions will be more difficult than others! The more you warg the better you will get but it will be hard at first!

+1 Perception, +1 Agility.

Warging allows the unlocking of the Perk Skinchanging, though this requires additional circumstances that are locked to you at the moment.

A bigger grin split across his face then, and he looked back over at Ghost who was now napping happily. Jon was still shaking, elated, and yet he too felt tired. He could see what the book meant about warging being difficult, he felt drained, and though he knew he could traipse to the weirwood he didn't feel tired enough to justify that. Well, he supposed a nap wouldn't hurt, just for an hour or so before he got back to his plan for the day.

And so, he climbed back onto his bed, a smile on his face, and when he fell asleep, he dreamt of running in the forest Beyond the Wall, in the white wood, with four legs, in the snow.

sooo thoughts?

I do hope you enjoyed! what did you think of the ending? Jon being a warg will be a biggg part of this story so I hope you liked! also I loved the chapters where Jon had his 'wolf dreams' part of the reason this will be such a large plot point!

some quick things to address:

- pacing, some people have been concerned that this is paced rather slow but it is necessary! we need to set up a lot before Jon heads out! there will be time skips (or this story would be like 800 chapters), but I'm not a huge fan of those so they will be limited!

- age wise Jon is 17 here, aged up a smidge, I will state the ages of others when relevant.

- pairings, still not going to be revealed, but potential love interests will be revealed throughout, pairing will come eventually!

pls fav/follow for updates, and lemme know your thoughts!

speak soon