Nine Years Later:

"Your pacing again" Cregan mumbled.

I chewed on my nails nervously but stopped once he spoke. "Are you having those dreams again?" he asked. "No" i said. I was lying. These dreams always came when i was carrying a babe. Dreams of dragons at war, towns burning... And i did not like it one bit.

But when all said and done, Winterfell has been peaceful these past few years. There's been less and less complaints from the Northerner's and less Wildlings.

The children have grown faster than both Cregan and i would have liked. But they have grown to be strong and loving so i can not complain. They have also grown close with Rhaenyras children and my sisters which i am thankful for.

We try and visit Dragonstone as often as they can whilst they visit the North often. During the past few years we've had three more children.

Shortly after the Driftmark incident, i gave birth to our youngest daughter, Eddwyn. Fortunately for me she was our only child who was not born a twin... And then two years ago we had two more boys, Bennard and Brandon. And i swore i would not have anymore children...

But unfortunately, i did not keep that oath. Cregan made his way over to and knelt down to my stomach. I saw the concerning look in his eyes as he flexed his hand. I knew something was troubling him.

"I'm not the only one who's troubled today... Am i?" i questioned. Cregan sighed before kissing my stomach gently. "I am fine" he said. "You've been quiet since last night... What is wrong?"

"I'm taking the boys today" he said. My smile faded. "You know Ned does not like to go to the beheadings" i said. "I know... But one day it will be his job. He needs to get used to it" he said. "It does not need to be his job."

"You must stop treating him like this" he said. "Treating him like what?" i questioned. "Like... Like he's different to the other boys" he mumbled. "He is different to the other boys and you know it" i said in frustration. "He must come today, Alysanne!" Cregan exclaimed.

I hated that he used my full name... He never used my full name. I scoffed as he rose his voice. "Alright" i mumbled turning my back to him. I heard Cregan sigh loudly as he crept up behind me.

He kissed my neck gently as he laid his head on shoulder. "I am sorry... I... I just need them to come with me today. I don't like these beheadings either you know." "Is that all that is wrong? You seem more tense than usual" i said. Cregan forced a smile on his face.

"Nothing is wrong."

I knew this was not true, but i would find out why he was not telling me the truth. "Fine" i mumbled. "What are you doing today?" he asked. "I will probably go see Lillie. Her son is thinking of joining the Nights Watch. She's furious with him" i said. "Joining the Nights Watch is an honourable thing. Probably the most honourable thing a man can do."

"I suppose... But if one of our sons tried to join the Nights Watch i'd have them imprisoned" i said. He laughed softly. "I wouldn't put it passed you. I'll come find you when we return" he said. I kissed his lips gently. "You better."

"I can't cross stitch! I've told you many times!" Lyarra exclaimed. "But it's easy. Just let me teach you!" Serena exclaimed back. "Bite me, Serena" Lyarra snapped as Serena rolled her eyes. Eddwyn was sat in the corner of the room with her brothers as she laughed at them both.

"You did not come riding with me this morning" Rickon said trying to start a conversation with his idle brother. "I did not" Ned said. "But you love riding... Naga seems bored in the dragon pit" he said. "I just don't feel like it" Ned said.

"How about tomorrow?" Rickon asked. "Maybe" Ned said with a weak smile. The truth was, Alysanne was not the only one cursed by dreams. Except Alys we're only in the night and rare. Ned's we're every minute of everyday. They only grew stronger since the incident at Driftmark.

Every night the same dream. A dragon falling from Stormsend, towns burning, peoples screams and a woman. The weeping woman with no face.

He could never escape the weeping woman. The man with a black hood slices her head clean off as everyone cheered. And these dreams always end the same. With the echoing voice saying "The end of house Targaryen."

Ned shook of the memories of his dreams as the drawing room door flew open. "Rickon, Ned. Your coming today" Cregan said. Lyarra mouth fell open with disgust. "But Ned does not even want to go! I do!" she exclaimed.

"Lyarra, you know i would if i could. But this is just for future lords" he said. Lyarra rolled her eyes as she slumped in her seat. Rickon punched his brothers shoulder playfully trying to get him excited. It did not work.

"What do we do whilst you're gone, father?" Eddwyn asked. "What do you want to do?" he asked bending down to her height. She looked around hoping her siblings would not hear. "I want to work on my archery" she whispered.

Cregan ruffled up the young girls hair. "Then do that. And Lyarra, no trouble whilst i'm gone" he said sternly. "Of course, father" Lyarra said with a fake smile. The three men left the room as Lyarra shot up from her seat.

"What are you doing?" Eddwyn asked. "I'm going. If father does not let me go, then i'll go without him knowing" Lyarra said. She gathered up her dagger and satchel as she froze.

Serena stayed sitting still working on the embroidery for her new dress. "You won't tell... Will you?" she asked nervously. "Why would i? I didn't see anything" Serena said. Lyarras face lit up. "Your not so intolerable sometimes, do you know that?"

Serena rolled her eyes. "Go! Or i will tell!" she exclaimed. Lyarra ruffled up Eddwyns hair before running out of the room. Everyone knew Wyn hated when they did this, but that is why they did it anyway.

"Something is troubling him. He has been quiet since last night" i said. Lillie had one of the twin boys, Brandon, in her arms as she rocked him back and forth. "Are you sure? Did you ask him?" she questioned.

"Of course i asked him... Maybe it's just the beheading... But it feels like more than that" i said. "Everything has been off recently... The air is rotten" she said. "When the air is rotten, it means war is coming. That's what my mother always told me."

"Don't say that. I'll be even more worried" i said. Lillie laughed as she grabbed my hands. "You need to calm yourself. If Cregan says nothing is wrong, nothing is wrong. Why would he lie?"

I nodded weakly. She was right. He would have told me if something was wrong. "Is your son still adamant of joining the Nights Watch?" i asked trying to change the subject. Lillie rolled her eyes. "Yes... But i told him to wait until Winter. Let him feel the real cold and then hopefully he will not want to go" she said.

As she spoke, the door opened and Lillies son walked inside. "Lady Stark" he said. "Brenn" i said with a small nod. "Mother" he said cowardly knowing she was still angry with him. She ignored him as she focused on the babe.

He sat down beside me as Lillie left the room. "What should i do? How do i make her stop being angry with me?" he asked. "Maybe... Just a thought... Don't join the Nights Watch?" i teased.

"But it is what i want. I could do it, i know i could" he said. "I'm sure you could... But you would never see your mother again. You would never fall in love nor have children. She will be upset about that. Just make sure you truly think about all of this before you make any harsh decisions."

He stayed quiet. "What would you do if your son tried to join the Nights Watch? Would you be as angry as her?" he asked. I looked down at my baby boy, Bennard, imaging what i would do if he tried to leave forever.

"I'd have to lock him up until my death. It's the only solution" i said. Brenn laughed softly. "Then thank the gods my mother does not have the power to do that."

After my short chat with Lillie, i decided it was time to put the babes down for a nap. I walked to their chambers and laid them both down. I began to sing to them softly as they both drifted off. They were surprisingly both much more content then any other babes i've had.

Once they were asleep, i crept out of the room and shut the door slowly. "Lady Stark" a voice said from behind me. I turned around to see maester Kevan. "Maester" i said with a small smile.

"You have some ravens, lady. Shall i read them out to you?" he asked. "Please" i said. Maester Kevan read out the usual ravens i would receive. He read out news from Runestone, updates from Sarah from Essos and a letter from lady Jeyne Arryn.

I have basically forced lady Jeyne to be my pen pal. But when maester Kevan got to the last letter, he scrunched it up and tried to hide it. I gave him a confused look. "What was that letter?" i questioned.

"Oh it was nothing, lady. I've been instructed not to read it to you. Your husband does not want to bother you with such nonsense." My smile faded. "Give me the letter, maester" i said sternly. "Lady, i-"

"I shall not repeat myself, maester" i said putting my hand out. Maester Kevan coward away as he slowly handed me the crumpled up paper. I straightened it out and read it quickly. I felt my heart drop as i did.

"Dear Alysanne,
Weirwood tree.
-Your cousin, Helaena Targaryen."

It has been nine years since i even heard from Helaena and now she sends me this. I told her to send me this letter only when she was in true danger. I gripped onto my stomach tightly trying to catch my breath.

"My husband told you not to give this to me?" i questioned angrily. The maester nodded slowly. "Tell my children to pack their things. We're going to Kingslanding as soon as possible."

"And your husband, lady?" he asked. "If he did not feel the need to give me this, then he does not need to come with me" i snapped. I stormed into my chambers and shoved all my belongings into a bag.

If i saw Cregan in this moment, then i swear to whatever gods watch over us, i would strangle him to death.

"In the name of Viserys of the house Targaryen, the first of his name, king of the Andals and the Rhoynar and the First Men, lord of the Seven Kingdoms and protector of the realm, by the word of Cregan of the house Stark, lord of Winterfell and warden of the North, i do sentence you to die."

Cregan lifted the great sword high above the weeping man's head. Rickons eyes drifted to Ned as he noticed his head hung. "Don't look away. Father will know" Rickon whispered. Ned took a deep breath as he looked at the scene.

Cregan took the man's head with one swing of the sword. The only thing that could be heard was the birds flying away. But Ned heard much more. Before the man died, he mumbled prayers under his breath which echoed in Neds ear.

Cregan and the two boys began making their way back to Winterfell. They were riding through the woods in silence. "See, it wasn't that bad" Cregan said to his two sons. "I just don't understand why he had to die" Rickon said.

"He was a bad man, Rickon. He raped many women in the town he was in" his father answered. Rickon nodded. "Then he deserved it" he said. "He did. But trust me, i don't like to do this."

Cregan was lying. He had great satisfaction with the man's death. Suddenly, they all heard a noise come from behind the bushes. "What was that?" Rickon asked. They all looked around as Ned spotted his sister, Lyarra, riding off quickly.

He chuckled under his breath. "We'll go see" Cregan said about to turn his horse around. "No!" Ned exclaimed. Rickon and Cregan gave him a confused look. "It... It was just a wolf... I saw it."

"Alright" Cregan said knowing he was lying. They continued riding through the heavy snow, Cregan noticed Neds silence. "Rickon, ride on with Myke" he said. "Yes father" Rickon answered as he rode away from them.

"Are you alright?" Cregan asked. "I'm fine" the boy answered. "You don't seem fine" Cregan said. Ned stayed quiet. "Are you afraid of the white walkers? You know what your grandmother always says. 'The ice men will return one day, and they will return for blood'."

Ned laughed under his breath. "See! There's my boy. If you wish to speak with me about something, do. I prefer you with that smile" he said. "I will tell you if something is wrong, father... But nothing is."

Cregan gave him a weak smile. Ned was just as much of a bad liar as his mother. "Alright" Cregan said ruffling up the boy hair. "Let's go home. My balls are freezing off."

They men rode through the Winterfell walls as maester Kevan ran towards them. "Lord! Lord! There is a new raven for you" he said with with a wheeze. Cregan rolled his eyes at him. "Give it here then." Cregan ripped open the letter as he read it quickly. He felt his heart drop as he did.

"Dear Alysanne and Cregan,
I am at Driftmark with my grandmother. We have received a visit from Vaemond Velaryon. He wishes to call in to question Luke's legitimacy and contest his claim to the Driftmark throne. I hope you will be there to defend him and i hope to see you, sister.
-Baela Targaryen."

It has been years since anyone questioned Rhaenyras children's legitimacy. "Shit" he mumbled under his breath. Maybe this is what Helaena had written about. "Is something wrong, father?" Ned asked. "Go get your sisters and your mother. We're leaving as soon as possible."

"I believe mother is already leaving" Rickon said. Cregan lifted his head as he saw Alysanne and their daughters putting all their luggage into a carriage. Cregan jumped from him horse and ran towards them. "You have heard the news then?" Cregan asked clueless to what his wife knew.

I turned to him with a scowl across my face. "I am leaving with the children. You shall stay here" i spat through gritted teeth. Cregans face faltered. "What?" he questioned. "You heard me. You can stay here with Brandon and Bennard. I am going to help my family."

"What are you talking about?" he whispered so no one would hear. But i did not care. I wanted people to hear me. "My cousin, Helaena, is in trouble. As you already know but did not care enough to tell me. I must return to see her immediately, she will need me."

Cregan sighed putting his head in his hands. "I will accompany you" he mumbled. "This is a family matter" i said harshly. All the children froze as they heard us. Cregan tried to hold his tongue at my words. "It is a family matter... Our family. Just because you are angry with me does not mean our house will have to suffer."

I gulped angrily. "And you are almost due. The babe could be here any day now. I shall not let you out of my sight until it does" he said. I scoffed as i turned to one of the servants. "Please arrange my husband a separate carriage. I believe this carriage is full" i said stepping inside and slamming the door on him.

The staff stayed quiet. "Will you require a separate carriage, my lord?" one of them asked. "Yes... Thank you" he said through gritted teeth.

I straightened out my dress trying to calm myself as all the children stared. "What?" i questioned. "Nothing" they all said simultaneously. I heard a small knock on the carriage door as i saw Cregans mother.

I forced a smile as i opened it. "I'll stay with the babes, Aly... But Cregan wanted me to give you this" she said handing me a letter. "Thank you, Gilliane" i said taking the letter from her. She gave me a soft smile as she shut the door.

The carriage began to ride off as i read the letter. "Shit" i mumbled under my breath. "What is it, mother?" Lyarra asked. "Vaemond Velaryon has contested your cousins right to Driftmark" i said. The children went quiet. They all had become close in recent years so i knew they were saddened by this news.

"We are going to Driftmark?" Ned asked nervously. "No, sweet boy" i said grabbing his hand. "We're going to Kingslanding."

(Authors note: okay there will be no more children after this one😭)