A/N With this particular plotline, I'm exploring the fate of Jon if Ned had made an alternate decision following Lyanna's death. The focus will be on plans and schemes to restore the Targaryens to power, and not the threat of white walkers. I'll leave the grumpkins to G.R.M. because no one could tell it like he could.

Disclaimer: I do not own Game of Thrones and make no money from the writing of this fiction.

Chapter 1

Ned had left him, following the sound of a woman's voice screaming in agony. Howland sat, leaning against a boulder, assessing his wounds. He had been cut on his side, but he might just make it. He lifted his tunic and pulled off his shirt. He needed to get some pressure on his wound and he could only think to bind himself in his own clothing.

"That was a dirty play," groaned the man whom Howland had just literally stabbed in the back.

Howland turned his gaze to the man lying on his back not six feet away. He had stabbed the man through with his sword. Why wasn't he dead? Well, he would be soon at the rate he was bleeding. But he had managed to unhinge his armor at on one side and had his hand bunching the fabric of his undergarment and pressing it against his exit wound.

"The result is the same. You are dead, Dayne, for the crime of keeping Lady Lyanna held prisoner and aiding Rhaegar in her abduction."

Sir Arthur Dayne laughed or coughed, Howland couldn't be sure which, causing blood to spray from his mouth. "Fools," he hissed, "you know nothing."

Howland ignored the dying man and continued tending to his own wound, wrapping his shirt around his torso and tying it snuggly. But Dayne would not die so quickly.

"How can you, a yellow-bellied backstabber, protect the prince?" Dayne rasped, coughing up more blood. "Help me, and I will help you."

"Your prince is dead. You are dead. Close your eyes and say your last prayers to your Gods," Howland replied as he lifted himself painfully to a standing position. He wanted desperately to follow Ned and see Lyanna again after all this time and worry. Ascending all the stairs against the tower would not be an easy task in his condition, but he would just have to force himself. He leaned on his sword, using it like a cane and limped a few feet. He glanced at the suffering man on the ground and at all the men no longer suffering all around them. It had been bloody business.

"The least you could do is finish me," Dayne rasped in defeat.

Howland hesitated. It could be a trick to take Howland down if he got too near. His guilt over stabbing the man in the back, however, might be slightly mollified by putting him out of his obvious misery. He hobbled closer, hesitating slightly. It seemed that Dayne was too gravely injured to make any sort of efforts. Howland made his way to Dayne's head and planted his sword against his throat.

"Stop," a voice commanded.

Howland looked toward the tower, raising his sword away from the dying knight. On the stairs stood Ned Stark, cradling a bundle in his arms. His face was drawn and pale, as if great sorrow had befallen him. Howland's heart clenched in his chest.

"My Lord? The Lady Lyanna…?" Howland dared to ask.

Ned finished descending the stairs and approached them. "She is gone."

Howland leaned heavily on his sword again, his sorrow weighing heavily. Lyanna had been his friend, his confidant. All this time he cared not about Robert and his rebellion. He had only cared about getting Lyanna back from the clutches of the Targaryen prince who had kidnapped her. His eyes watered and he had to look away. Brave, kind and honorable Lyanna Stark had left this world all too soon.

"Let me see the prince before I die," Sir Arthur spoke, his voice rattling with effort. Bloody fingers lifted toward Ned.

Howland believed Sir Arthur was hallucinating until Ned kneeled next to him and revealed a baby in the cloth bundle he had been holding. Howland sucked in his breath, "My Lord?"

Ned nodded. "He is Lyanna's son."

"And Rhaegar's," Dayne whispered. "He is the crown prince. You must protect him."

"She made me promise, with her last breath, to protect him. And I shall."

Sir Arthur seemed to sigh with relief. "Then I can die in peace."

"There has been enough death today. Howland, take the babe." Howland knelt next to Ned and took the child in his arms, astonished and confused as Lord Stark began removing the knights armor, preparing to tend his wound. He tore off the sleeve of Dayne's tunic and folded it for a dressing and pushing on the wound. Then he stood and said, "I'm going to fetch the women upstairs to come tend to your wound."

"I don't understand," Howland spoke.

"We were wrong," Ned replied. "We were very wrong."

OOOOOOO

It was a strange procession – two wagons, one carrying a feverish knight asleep in the back, and driven by Ned Stark. The other carrying five women and one man, the remainder of servants from the Tower of Joy, all happy to be returning home to Starfall. The journey would take three days, as frequent stops had to be made to tend to both the baby and the injured man.

Ned thought of Ashara Dayne, the girl he had loved and wanted to make his wife before he had been obliged to marry Catelyn after Brandon's death. They had met and fell in love at the Tourney of Harrenhal, sneaking away to steal kisses whenever they could. It was such a happy time, a brief slice of joy that had been too soon overshadowed by the terrible horrors his family suffered.

And now he was bringing Ashara's brother home to her, hopefully still alive, after believing he was part of the grand conspiracy to start a war by aiding in the abduction of Lyanna. But it was all a lie. And Ned could now see he was all too ready to believe that Rhaegar had nefarious purposes, even though he thought he knew his sister. He knew she did not love Robert and did not want to marry him. But had he been so blind as to not see her love for Rhaegar?

All the signs had been there, in front of everyone's eyes. The songs, the glances, the crowning of Lyanna with the blue winter roses. Yet, Ned and everyone else turned a blind eye and didn't want to believe that Lyanna would not do her duty and marry Robert. And when she disappeared that day, they had all thought it was a Targaryen plot ordered by mad King Aerys.

Why did she not leave a letter? So much pain and death could have been avoided. Ned had not had time to question her during her last precious moments. It would not change anything now anyway. It was done. Their father and Brandon were dead, and Robert was going to claim the throne. Ned was now Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, married to Catelyn Tully. His mother was ill from grief when he left her behind at Riverrun, her last words urging him to find his sister. The Starks had lost too many in such a short amount of time. It would be up to him and Benjen to rebuild their numbers.

He knew he wouldn't be able to linger long at Starfall. He only wanted to deliver Sir Arthur Dayne home to his sister. Even if the knight died, Ned would have to bring the Sword of the Morning back to their family home… to Ashara. And he had to have her assurance that the servants Ashara had loaned to aid Lyanna during childbirth would be kept silent about the birth. It could never be allowed to get back to Robert's ears that a Targaryen heir was alive.

OOOOO

They finally entered the gates near noon the following day, the guards recognizing their servants and their ailing master in the wagons. They looked warily at Ned, not quite knowing who he was, until the lady of the castle came hurrying out.

Ashara Dayne, only sixteen years old and already burdened with the responsibility of the castle, held her hands to her chest, deep concern on her face when she saw the state her elder brother was in. "Hurry, call the maesters. Take him carefully up to his chambers," she ordered the servants. Her eyes met Ned's. "Ned," she said, breathlessly, "what has happened? Who is this?" She indicated the body wrapped carefully in linen in the other wagon.

"It is my sister," Ned replied, his eyes pained. He didn't realize how difficult it would be to see Ashara again, and how much his heart still longed for her. But it was impossible now. His eyes watered at the sympathetic look on Ashara's face and he stiffened a bit when she threw her arms around him.

"Oh Ned, I'm so sorry. The child…?"

Ned stepped gently from her arms and called the wet nurse over. She was holding the baby, asleep in her arms. Ashara pulled the blanket away from his face with one finger. "A boy?"

Ned nodded.

"He is lovely," she stated. "My brother's injuries, how bad are they?"

"They are grave," Ned replied.

Ashara's face paled. Ned knew so much tragedy had fallen on the Dayne family as well, leaving a sixteen-year-old girl in charge of her family's castle. They had both been handed responsibilities they had never thought to have before. "I must go to him. Please, stay as our guest and rest. You can inquire about merchant vessels sailing toward your home in the morning."

Ned nodded in gratitude and watched her hurry away toward the castle. The Dayne's had supported the Targaryens in the war, yet here he was accepting their hospitality. But he knew it was only his history with Ashara that made this possible. The guards did not look at him kindly, but even they would respect their Lady's wishes.

OOOOO

Two days had passed before Ned would see Ashara again. She had been at her brother's side, helping the maesters tend to him. Surprisingly, the knight seemed to be holding onto life. Ned had spent the time at the harbor, asking for news and securing passage. He finally found a vessel that would be leaving in three days for King's Landing. He knew that he'd have to bring Lyanna's body to Robert so that he could say his last farewell. Then he would take his sister to Winterfell where she belonged.

The babe seemed to be thriving and Ned began to call him Jon. He couldn't call him Aegon, as his sister had named him, for that would surely give him away as a Targaryen. Jon spent most of his time at the bosom of the wet nurse, and Ned intended to ask Ashara if he could take the woman with them to Winterfell. Catelyn would need a wet nurse too, if the Gods were kind.

On the third day, Ashara came to the hall for breakfast, seating Ned to her right and announcing that Sir Arthur's fever had broke and he was on the mend. There was cheering at the glad tidings.

Ashara put a hand on Ned's arm. "Thank you for bringing him home," she said. "The war is over. Let us be friends once again."

It was heartbreaking to see the look in her eyes, the look that was only for Ned. He knew that she must have loved him as much as he had loved her. But the dream they once shared could no longer be.

"I would like that," Ned replied. "Thank you for your hospitality as well, my Lady. I am weary with grief and hope now that all conflict has ended. It is time for peace."

"I agree, my Lord. My brother and I would like to have a word with you before you depart."

"He is well enough to speak?"

"He is stubborn enough to speak," she smiled. "And there are important matters to discuss."

OOOOOO

Sir Arthur Dayne lay propped up on pillows, yet awake as Ned walked into his chamber. Ashara ordered everyone out of the chamber except for herself and Ned. Then she shut the door and motioned for Ned to sit next to the bed. She took a seat as well.

"Your sister told you, didn't she, about the marriage?" Sir Arthur began.

"She didn't have to. She told me the child's name was Aegon Targaryen, not Aegon Sand."

"And you know they were in love? That she was not kidnapped?"

Ned nodded. "Yes, I realize that now. Is there proof of this wedding?"

Sir Arthur nodded. "It was a private ceremony, but the maester who performed it took the secret missive with him to the citadel. He is not to reveal it to anyone."

"He also annulled the marriage of Rhaegar and Elia before the ceremony. Lyanna was his lawful wife," Ashara added.

Ned nodded, another mystery solved in his mind. He knew the Targaryens had a history of multiple wives at times, but most of Westeros viewed second or third wives as mistresses. He felt a bit relieved that his sister meant more to Rhaegar than that.

"The news is that Robert Baratheon has taken the throne by right of conquest," Sir Arthur continued, his frown deepening. "Dorne will never accept him after what he has done to Elia and her children. But they will follow a Targaryen prince."

Ned stood. "No! He is yet a babe! No one can know who he is. No one can know of his Targaryen blood. Do you wish for everlasting war? Robert would not stop until he was dead."

Ashara reached out and held Ned's hand. "Ned, please sit."

Ned's blood was pounding in his ears, but he reluctantly sat.

"What do you plan to do with the child?" she asked.

"I have thought much on this," he answered. "I will say he is my bastard. That I strayed one night after having too much drink. I would not be the first man to do so."

Sir Arthur laughed and then winced in pain at the effort. "No one would believe the honorable Ned Stark strayed on his wife. We all know that there is no hungrier man than a Stark on his wedding night."

Ashara cast her eyes down and Ned wanted to lash out at Sir Arthur for his crass words, but he didn't want to make her more hurt than she already was.

Ned's face grew tight and his words clipped. "My promise to my sister is more important than what people may think of me. I will protect that child and raise him like my own."

Sir Arthur studied him for a moment and nodded. "I believe it, but my sister and I would like to propose another option."

"Ned," Ashara began, "your lady wife may not like you bringing home another woman's child. A bastard in the North would not be treated as well as a bastard in Dorne. Let me raise him as my child, here at Starfall."

Ned mouth practically fell open. "But Ashara, what of your reputation?"

"My dear Ned," she smiled squeezing his hand, "you've forgotten the Dornish do not hold such harsh beliefs. Women take lovers before they've wed, and some have children. Here, their value is not diminished for such things."

"You see, Lord Stark, my sister speaks true. As her son, he would have all the respect and privileges of a high born. And, when he is older, I shall begin his training as well as protect him as I have sworn my life to do. I made my vow to protect my king, and to me he is my king."

Ned shook his head. "He cannot be treated as a king. No one must know who he is. Do you not understand Robert's hatred of Targaryens? Already he sends ships to hunt down the remaining children of Aerys at Dragonstone."

"No one would know," Ashara assured him. "He will be Jon Sand, my son, with a doting uncle at his side. We will protect him and love him, Ned. And your promise to Lyanna will be kept. Robert will not find out about her son. You will not have to bring home a bastard to your Lady wife and have to dishonor yourself in her eyes."

It was a strong argument, Ned would have to admit. He had already witnessed Dayne's commitment to protecting the child. He had no doubt he would give his life again. And Ashara, for the love she felt for what they had and what they would have had if circumstances had been different, would gladly help him as he would her.

"Let me think on it," Ned replied, feeling conflicted. "I will give you my answer tomorrow."

OOOOO

A/N Let me know if you'd like to have more of this plotline. If there is interest, I'll gladly continue. Thank you.