Ned knew that that conversation would be coming. The member of the Night's Watch was certain to raise a question of Danny's stay at Winterfell, even if it was his younger brother who did said questioning. The older Stark could see that Benjen was at odds with the decision. How could he, one to whom the duty to their order became the meaning of life, let this slide easily? Ned managed to convince him to wait until the next morning, after the feast, and Benjen conceded, opting instead to talk about what long-separated brothers would talk about. On their lives, their families, an actual or found one, like in the younger Stark's case.

The next morning Ned actually managed to encounter the boy in question. Danny was by the stables, busy eating his breakfast comprised of a spare chicken leg that seemed charred (a sign of him trying to somehow warm it up), covered in honey and some mushy potatoes. The boy was too busy watching the passing servants to notice Ned, whose mind was consumed by doubts and wonder.

Initially, he was extremely cautious of him — a strange boy who was willing to reserve himself for low duties, an evidently foreign child that came from beyond the wall. A boy that could not be harmed without you receiving a gift in return. As time went on it was becoming extremely evident that Danny was not like a wildling, despite the place he came from. Ned chose to observe the behaviour and was more surprised. His servants had nothing but good things to tell about his willingness to help them, to help Hodor move the heavy things, to help Old Nan up the stairs even. Most of his children and Greyjoy seemed to quickly become cozy with Danny's presence. The impressions of people around him were bound to reflect on Ned's own view of his guest.

"Good morrow, Ned," a voice came from behind the lord. It was Benjen, who had a small smile on his face. "Still holding up after the last night?"

"Maester Luwin has some remedies in case I drink too much," Ned gave a small smile, which quickly vanished. "He is down there."

Benjen quickly caught onto what he meant. Glancing down, he saw the boy meeting his gaze and waving. He noticed the same thing Ned had — Danny was an ever-cheerful little scamp.

"He can't stay here," Benjen said firmly. "Not after what he did."

"He said nobody was killed."

"Yes, the ice vanished, but many of them went down with a sickness from being frozen alive. Ned, you cannot just deny what he is. And I don't even mean his wildling breed, which is its own set of issues. It is ice magic, just like in legends old Nan used to tell."

"She still does," Ned mumbled, not without fond recollection. "Maester Luwin argues that it is not magic."

"Maesters never believe in magic, even if it smacks them right in their faces. How else do you explain what he did?"

"Danny seems to have an explanation, but I am not sure I understand it. He himself doesn't seem to believe his abilities magical."

"This isn't a coin trick we are talking about. People have seen his eyes at that moment, Ned. Blue and cold like nothing we had witnessed before."

"He had plenty of chances to do harm, brother. His eyes also glow green sometimes. Does that mean that he has wildfire coursing through him as well?"

"Might as well be so. Even old Aemon doesn't know what in seven hells he is. But he is from beyond the wall so it is our duty to either kill him or force him back."

"You are talking about murdering a child, Benjen."

"He has the skin of a child, but how do we know that he is?" Benjen sighed. "I've seen things north of the wall, Ned...but I understand your feelings. It doesn't bring me any joy either."

"Not so long ago he was alone in the forest, with MY children," Ned argued. "And nothing happened to them. Is this how I repay him?"

"Repay him for not lashing out and attacking? Do you also repay your servants for not stabbing you in your sleep?"

"I repay my people by not doing this to them. This is how we all function."

"Ned," Benjen intersected, "I've dedicated my life to protecting the Realm from whatever lies beyond. We may simply not know of his true intentions."

"He wishes to be as far away from here as he can," Ned responded. "Spends most of his free time in the library searching for legends and stories of ancient abandoned sites. And he wants to go there."

"Why would he do that?"

"He seems to believe that that is where he belongs."

Benjen stared at his brother. "He escaped one barren waste just to go to another?"

"Looks like it. So I don't think he will be a threat to the Realm. Besides, you tried to detain him and it didn't work."

Benjen sighed. "Very well. I trust your judgement. I'll inform lord commander."

"About what?"

The voice surprised both brothers, and they looked back towards the stairs where Danny's ice blue eyes were curiously staring back.

"Were you eavesdropping?" Ned asked sternly.

"Not voluntarily. I saw you and decided to come close," Danny shrugged. "Didn't mean to intrude. So..."

"I'll tell lord commander that you are very sorry and that you will soon be out of Westeros."

"But I am not sorry. You tried to behead me."

"You were badmouthing a man that has a very nasty temper, lad. After trespassing, for which we also execute. Think before you say something next time."

"Doesn't stop him from being a dick," Danny crossed his hands. "How many kids did he kill for this 'trespassing' business?"

Benjen approached him dangerously close. "Most wildlings are smart enough not to approach the Wall."

"Most wildlings pick their noses with their stone swords from what I've heard around here. Can't really judge, since I only met a couple. Craster's the name of one, if I remember correctly. And he does look like the sort to do that."

"That one is a special case."

"How so?"

"His keep is the only place we have to take rest in until further venture north."

Danny snorted. "Keep? Looking at the thing made me remember my childhood drawings of a house. You know, a square and a triangle on top. With a tiny rectangle for a window. Actually, this means there are wildlings you cooperate with. Is it hard to imagine one wants to live peacefully down here?"

"I already mentioned the main problem here, lad. Certainly you have overheard."

With that Benjen went down from the castle sidewalk. Danny watched him leave, before his eyes met Ned's. And the lord was not pleased.

"I was trying to speak in your favour," he said.

The halfa sighed. "You really didn't have to, sir...lord Stark," he quickly remembered the proper address. "Sorry for making it difficult, but I say what I think about their bunch."

Ned shook his head. "And that is the problem. If you want to be helped and not be chased, lad, be more considerate."

"Alright, alright. I got it. No more jokes about the crows. Noted," Danny responded. "Actually, I was meaning to ask you something."

"Go on," Ned made a tired hand gesture.

"You are going to be the Hand of the King, right?" Upon receiving a nod, he continued. "So, I've searched your library and still found nothing which can help me. And I was wondering if I could join you in the capital? You may use my assistance down there."

"And just what might you assist me with?"

"I've heard about it from others. It's a dangerous place. You may want me to cover your back."

Ned sighed. "By taking you I will feed the rumours. Everyone will know I brought a wildling to the capital."

"But lord Stark..."

"I know what Luwin told you. And I know you are not a wildling and why you are not denying it."

Danny raised an eyebrow. "So you believe EVERYTHING I told him or only select few parts?"

"Until I have the reasons to believe you, no."

"Why would I lie about such things?" Danny asked in exasperation.

"And still, others may not see it the same way we do, Danny. We understand the difference between you and the wildlings. Down south it won't matter. The last thing I need is worrying about my reputation."

"Are you going to leave me in Winterfell, then?" Danny asked. "I'm sure lady Catelyn will be thrilled."

That seemed to make Ned stop and think. His wife never was happy about the raven-haired boy being in their midst and around her children. And just as was the case with Jon, with Ned gone her tolerance for unpleasant things and people was going to be even lower.

"I will think about this. Until then, go help the servants clean up the hall."

Danny chuckled. "A prince-dishwasher. Going up in the world," he responded as he left Ned to his own musings.

-Linebreak-

"The Tales of Oldtown. A curious read."

Danny lowered the book and lowered his gaze to see the face of the man talking to him, in the middle of the Starks' library. Before him stood a person who dressed too lavishly in red and gold to be anything but Lannister. His size, not even tall enough to be Danny's equal as the half ghost was sitting, tipped him off even more. The halfa smiled in greeting, picking up his fork and snagging a piece of bacon from his plate.

"Why so, lord Tyrion?" He asked after chewing.

"Guess my dashing looks gave me away," Tyrion responded and invited himself on the nearest seat, jumping on it with surprising agility. "I just didn't take you for a person to be interested in fairy tales," the dwarf smirked.

"Why? It's the first time we talk."

"Indeed, but I've heard things about you."

"I've also heard about you. Although it was rarely anything pleasant, I admit, so..." Danny responded with a smile. "Tales can have some truth to them."

"Oh, so we have a seeker of truth here. Tell me, seeker, what do you seek?"

"The wildest stories of this world. The more nonsensical, the better," Danny huffed.

"Well, one wild story definitely comes to mind. A story of a young boy who commands fire, for one."

Danny raised an eyebrow, before realisation crossed his features. "You saw me, huh? Think nothing of that."

"That's very hard, since the last time I've heard, such tricks are not something you see every day."

"I never saw a dwarf. I didn't bother you, lord Tyrion," Danny rebutted. "It really will spare us both time and effort if you ignore it like many here chose to."

"Ignorance is a bliss, but not when the thing flashes before your eyes. I won't tell anyone if that's what you are worried about."

"I don't make a secret out of my powers," Danny flipped a page. "It may attract some big fish, but it is enough to keep the small fries away, you know?"

"The classic scare tactic. I suppose you could use that, given how non-threatening you look. What's with the comely face of yours."

"Co...comely?" Danny asked in surprise, before letting out a laugh. "But I guess you are right. None of my enemies actually fear me. If they did, they wouldn't try and kill me every other day."

Tyrion raised an eyebrow of pale-blond hair. "Are there any around here? I'd like to know before they attempt the same with me for associating," he jested.

"Don't worry, they don't even know I am here."

"Are you running from someone?"

"I never run, lord Tyrion. I am just very unlucky sometimes," Danny shrugged and closed the book.

"Well, you were lucky that the Starks took you in. That's what happened, I assume."

"Yes, I was lucky that the Starks didn't burn me on spike."

"That's not their method. Neither it is mine, much as I am a black sheep of our blonde flock."

"And just what is your method?" Asked the half ghost.

"I have a soft spot for freakish oddities. Otherwise I would squirm each time I look in the mirror."

Danny smirked. "I suppose we are more and the same in this regard, lord Tyrion," he pulled back his messy raven hair. "But yeah. It was a bit rocky at first, but we are more or less friends now."

"And why would lord Stark have you around?"

"Because I don't ask for much. People don't like when you do. I asked for little, while showing that I am capable of just taking it."

"I like your approach. But..."

"It could have gone terribly, though. A bit less bravery from lord Stark and I would have been chased out. It's not like I marched into his castle. He caught me, so I either run off or try to make the best of things."

"And Stark suddenly agreed to get himself a court magician?"

"I am not a magician, much less a court one."

"You are at his court, however," Tyrion argued. "You eat his food, you enjoy his children's company, his servants take your shit..."

"That part I do myself, thank you very much," Danny grimaced. "Without any conflict out there, I am basically freeloading. So I try not to be a burden."

Tyrion huffed. "You are, though. Your food is not made out of selfless intent."

Danny's lips thinned. "Then consider this as an investment. There is a reason I am here. In all senses of the word."

"Didn't take you for someone believing in divine providence."

"No, the closest thing to divine providence I've seen is being a shit by refusing to take me back home," Danny shrugged. "I mean why the Starks let me stay. That reason. It's nice to be friends with someone who can win their battles."

"I guess we are lucky you are jobless. The realm is in peace, and the king and lord Stark seem chummy with each other. Much to my dear sister's annoyance."

"Then I guess I actually AM freeloading," Danny huffed, his thoughts reaffirmed.

"What a waste of talent," Tyrion offered his condolence. "I'm actually surprised nobody else is making a deal out of it."

"You only saw a little torch ignition. That's the most an average servant around here sees. They never saw me freeze an entire city for a while, never saw me survive beheading. Because lord Stark doesn't let me show off. And because there haven't been many chances."

Tyrion stared at him. "I'd like to believe it when I see it."

Danny clicked his tongue. "Sorry, you were late for the presentation. Ask the squidling if you want."

"The..." Tyrion repeated before letting a laugh. "Alright, but why the Greyjoy?"

"Because he can't keep his mouth shut," Danny smirked. "I showed what I can do to him as well, and by two days time every prostitute in town knew it all."

"And what the ladies know, everyone else soon does," Tyrion finished. "You can't blame a man for untied tongue after sex."

"Now that is actual magic," Danny responded dryly. "Nevertheless, I got quite a stern talking to from lord Stark about the conditions of my stay."

"I guess even magic is not enough to make you appear threatening. Enough for him not to scold you like a child you are."

"I either accept this or he kicks me out. Out there I will have to use my power. I don't do force, lord Tyrion. Or..." Danny closed his mouth.

"Or what?" Tyrion curiously pressed.

"Or they end up right about the vile creature masquerading as a decent human being," Danny finished bitterly. "It took me years to make people change their minds after several big screw-ups. I am trying to be considerate of how I use it. A scare is a maybe, but you don't go far with that alone. Especially since I won't stick around for long enough to fix everything."

"So what do you want to appear as?" He asked.

"Like?"

"Well, look at me. Revel at the sight of the handsomest dwarf in the Seven Kingdoms and the Riverlands. It's pointless to deny my abnormality. It's pointless to ask them to see past that. So fuck them, it is who Tyrion Lannister is. I instead choose to wear it with pride."

Danny smiled. "Yep, we don't need to hide what we are. I feared it initially, that my parents would hate me for what I am, a freak with creepy and destructive power, but they and everyone else eventually came around. I'd say that people can see past their prejudice when you have a chance to shine. To show that you are more that makes you different. That's probably what you should do."

Tyrion stared at the naive boy in front of him with a mixture of curiosity and certain admiration for that gullible optimism.

"It is different, lad," he argued. "You are a boy with unassuming looks, with power which can be used to do different things. Good and evil. People are pleased that you do the former in their eyes. You can act the way they want, which is exactly why you don't just get what you want like some dim-witted Ironborn. Me, on the other hand, I can't present my dwarf self any differently. I certainly try. I'm older than you, I spent more time being like this, and where is that adoration I'm supposed to be receiving right now?" Tyrion raised an eyebrow.

Danny did not respond to this initially. The question did catch him off-guard and made him wonder. Still, he didn't have much time to ponder, as Tyrion was still there, waiting for an answer.

"Then again, living to my fullest and suiting expectations do not exactly coincide," Tyrion kindly provided a response himself, after Danny remained quiet. "You are young, naive and forgiving. I'm ready to bet that the people 'accepting you' were ready to plunge daggers into your heart at some point."

"What do you think I should have done?" Asked Danny. "Killed my own parents for that?"

"They did try to murder YOU. I wouldn't have forgiven that."

"They...didn't know. It's hard to explain. They hated another person. The Public enemy number one. They didn't know that the one who supposedly kidnapped a city head, robbed various expensive stores, was their son. Both stories are just a misunderstanding. Once it became clear who that 'Phantom' actually was, they...apologised. My mother fell to her knees and broke into tears, the same woman who basically held a knife at my throat at certain points, one who can break a man's spine with bare hands. How could I not forgive?" Danny asked quietly. "Has nobody apologised to you?"

Tyrion gave him an amused smile. "Sure. They licked my boots and kissed my backside. What do you wager?"

"Given how critical you are, not many times," Danny sighed. "Then I guess we are different."

"You almost sound like you want to be like me."

The half-ghost snorted. "It takes some strength to be like you, lord Tyrion of the richest house around. That's what you Lannisters are, if Luwin taught me correctly. Your position is not as horrible as you say it is. You could be a son of a drunken shoemaker AND a dwarf."

"Those would be some terrible shoes," responded Tyrion. "I sense disregard for my hardships in your words, lad."

"Every suffering needs help. But I'm saying that it could be worse. It can always be worse."

"It certainly can. And until that happens, I'll enjoy it as much as I can, eager to spend my dear father's wealth in the most esteemed establishments of King's Landing."

Danny's expression brightened as the realisation struck him. "You are the queen's brother."

"Took you a while to realise."

"And you are probably allowed into the castle what's-its-name."

"I am not always a welcomed guest in the Red Keep, as Cercei would rather keep me away, but yes. I do come along occasionally. Why do you ask?"

"Maester Luwin is not being cooperative. He hides the information from me and I can swear that some books are not where they used to be."

"Does he want to keep you tied to this place?"

"I'd rather think that he cares for my survival. Because I already set my sights for one lovely hellhole."

"You are free to believe what you will. And since you can't get the information here, you plan to enter one of the main libraries of Westeros," Tyrion smirked. "As it happens, I know my way around it. You want me to get you in, don't you?"

"That would be for the best. Although I can go through walls and also do this," he flickered from sight and soon reappeared, to Tyrion's surprise. "I don't feel like stealing or doing it all in secrecy, you know?"

"I am suddenly fearful for my intimacy," Tyrion joked, but he was in actuality growing concerned. That child really was dangerous and didn't even seem to realise how much. It was probably for the best that he was so law-abiding.

"Don't worry. I don't need your intimacy," Danny smirked. "So...you are going to help me."

"There is a problem, however. I am not changing my plans. I first go further north. I want to see the Wall for myself."

"Why do you people want to go there?" Danny moaned quietly.

"I'll just take a look. But logically, I won't be in King's Landing to help you for quite sometime. But I like you, so I may ask my brother while I am still here."

"You mean the one in the Kingsguard?"

"One and only. Yes, Jaime may not be the go-to person, but this is a small thing to ask."

"Why not just ask the king?"

Tyrion stared at him. "Come now, boy, you've been smart enough not to try it yet. He is not accepting petitioners."

"Thought as much," Danny sighed. "Still, any help you can give is welcome."

"You could also ask lord Stark. Should have been your first call."

"He said he will 'consider'," Danny rolled his eyes. "And I don't know how to interpret it. I want to be sure. Knowing my luck he will say no."

"So you prepare some extra paths for you to use," Tyrion realised.

"Not really...I'm just asking the people who can in theory do that," Danny sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well, it is a good way. If lord Stark is afraid of possible consequences of bringing you there, make it someone else's problem."

The half ghost picked up another unopened book and went for the door. "I didn't think about it that way...you know your way around, huh?"

"Well, Jaime can cut away all his problems, Cersei can..." he moved his fingers apart to emulate the spreading of legs. "And me? I try to think up a solution."

Danny smiled. "See you later, lord Tyrion. I hope our little plan works out."

With the book in hand the halfa was going to his favourite spot around. It wasn't as much as to read the contents, more to put it off for later read. He had had enough of it to last him a lifetime, if he was being honest. He never was an avid reader. Back in the day he would dedicate his free time to some NASA publications, but his English grades were not very high to begin with. They certainly grew worse once he became a half-ghost, forced to spend so much time fighting. Only recently had his mentor Clockwork had him study more, bending time itself to fit more material into the limited space of his teenage cranium. For others it may have been an hour, for him, a week with no actual consequences for his body. But his mind was enriched with certain knowledge.

His mind involuntarily drifted away from the tedious studying and endless searching for scraps of information. Instead it focused on his position in that new world. He was certainly more well-off now, connections-wise, temporarily having the ear of an actual lord and some future ones, like Tyrion or Robb. He had heard that the former's older brother was in the Kingsguard, and that they were essentially stripped of inheritance, so that made Tyrion the heir. Danny had also heard that Tyrion was a scheming and conniving 'Imp'. Phantom knew firsthand how deceiving the rumours could be, but still believed he should be cautious. His was a castle built out of sand. The young prince was dependant on others and it was him who had put himself in that spot.

Danny was perhaps dramatic to an extent, but some things were not his musings but a fact. He had little money of his own, for one. His grandiose plan of visiting various corners of the world was doable thanks to his ability to fly, but he needed to live off of something while he was out there. Even with flight it wouldn't be a one day trip. He had heard that riding to the capital across half of the continent would take them a month, so by his estimations the distant continent would be quite a flight. Not to mention other places that could be of interest, if, unfortunately, he finds nothing. And he wasn't a complete corpse yet, so he needed that food and a temporary roof above his head.

Maybe there could be treasures on the way, he thought optimistically. Even if no portals would be found, he would come back a rich man, able to pursue his goals in peace. Until then, Danny would stick with the powerful people of that world.

It could be useful in the long perspective, he had been told by his advisors. If a threat threatened to spill from his own domain onto others, he would need local allies to put an end to it as swiftly and painlessly as possible. That was in part his duty as a prince, a duty he so far was neglecting. But should he really turn that stranding in a foreign land into a job? Everything up until his sudden departure had been nothing but work. A futile attempt to balance heroics, peacekeeping and college. In the end, there was little time for much else. The sudden emergence of a single little girl eroded what little was left of his hours off, even if he was more than eager to let her consume that time. His girlfriend lamented his constant absence. And it did not bode well.

Now he was there. In a world that was so different from his. Away from all of his duties. Sure, he was going back. But until then, Danny decided not to bother himself with all the business that appeared as a non-issue at the time. Instead, he would dump that stupid book in his cozy tower and probably take a relaxing trip to the bathhouse. He had gone a while without it, given how it wasn't an easily available commodity there.

On his way Danny witnessed a familiar scene. It was Bran, who had once again sneaked out of everyone's sight. He really thought he was unnoticeable, having hidden behind the trees of the sacred grove. The halfa chuckled to himself.

"You don't have to hide from me, lord-climber," he called, making Bran peek from his cover behind the weirwood.

"How did you find me?" He demanded to know as he approached, his dog following its master.

"It's near autumn," Danny explained. "Leaves fall. They dry up. And you stepping on them makes that crunching noise," he said and ruffled the boy's hair, much to his dismay.

Perhaps it was an attitude of extreme familiarity for someone who had arrived not so long ago. But he liked the little kid, and seemed to be accepted by the boy in return. So, the way he usually treated his own kid translated into Danny's treatment of another child, nearly her coeval. He saw nothing wrong with it. Eventually his eyes fell on Bran's direwolf.

"Still haven't thought up a name?" Danny asked with amusement.

"No," Bran shook his head. "There's just so many...Did you have a pet, Danny?"

"I've heard that direwolves are not just pets, though," the halfa chuckled and sat on the white root of the ugly weirwood tree. "I have one back home. He is a pup, but if he senses danger, he can grow to the size of a carriage."

"You are lying," Bran responded with finality.

"I am not," Danny said with sincerity in his voice. "But he is still a puppy, so imagine how it feels when that giant beast acts like one."

"Well, how did you choose a name for him then? The others did it so easily," the little boy complained.

"I didn't get to choose. He was already named Cujo. It was a name of a rabid man-eating hound from one old story."

"Oh, can you tell it to me?"

"I never said I read it myself," Danny smirked. Bran had shown interest in scary stories before, so it wasn't all that surprising to see him interested in another one. And to observe how displeased Bran was with his decision. "Besides, I need to drop off this thing," he raised the book in his hands. "I don't think I can give an advice on naming things or direwolves, as that is just what my family doesn't do all that well. My nickname is the one I picked myself, and honestly, Phantom is hardly an original one. But it rhymed with my last name, so I thought why not. Everyone in the end was too smart to point out how dumb it was. But you really should choose, little lord. One can't live without a name."

Bran nodded languidly. "I know."

Danny kept smiling as he got up. At that moment Bran noticed how similar in that regard their strange wildling guest was to Theon. Both seemed to find the surrounding world amusing. Bran was yet to see the half ghost without the lively gleam in his eyes. But there was a difference, as Danny's didn't seem to have any malice hidden underneath. And of course, unlike Theon, Danny also had awesome magic tricks, something that Bran was all too eager to witness, like many little boys in his place would.

"You were going to my lovely tower, weren't you?" Danny asked.

"It's not YOUR tower," Bran pointed out. "It's my father's. Like the rest of the castle."

"Details, my young lord, details," the halfa waved off the remark. "So?"

"I was bored. Robb left and I can't find Jon."

"There are still girls. Arya, for one."

"They are girls," Bran followed the older boy to the tower, making Danny huff.

"Believe me, there will come time when you will want a girl's company," the teen responded. "Still, your sister is interested in the same things. Spend some time with her, she isn't getting along with Sansa, after all. So show her some brotherly care."

"Do you have siblings?"

"Yep. An older sister. Bookish, nosy, best sister I can wish for," Danny smiled. "Although we weren't close until a couple of years ago. So it may take a while for you, too, but I think you guys can hit it off quicker. You aren't as dissimilar as me and Jazz are."

"You are bookish too."

Danny barked a laugh, "Compared to her? No, I am a hairy barbarian. But hey, everyone is free to enjoy what they like. You are going to be a knight, too, aren't you?"

Bran nodded with excitement. "Yes! Father is taking me to the capital, he said I can be friends with prince Tommen."

"He seems like a sweet kid. Wish I could say the same for his brother."

"Prince Joffrey looked really angry this morning. He says that someone splashed him with cold water."

"Wonder who could have got in and out unnoticed," Danny said slowly, before looking at Bran and putting a finger to his mouth, making the boy grin.

They finally made it to the tower. Danny put his hands together to boost the boy's climb, removing the need to climb the nearest trees. But then he heard something. Bran immediately noticed how Danny's face flushed as the realisation struck him.

"You are not going up," he said firmly.

"What? Why?"

Danny's lips twitched as he was trying to make up an answer to a seven year old kid.

"There's someone up there," he was intentionally vague about the moans and clapping his ears caught. "Can't let them see you break lady Catelyn's ban of climbing."

"Why would someone come to an empty tower?" Bran asked.

Oh, Danny had a very good idea as to why someone would seek privacy.

"I don't know. I'll go and check. I am not carrying this for the rest of the day," he raised the book and entered the tower.

He was mildly annoyed by someone obviously having sex IN HIS ROOM. As he went up the spiral staircase, the sounds of passionate lovemaking were becoming even louder. Standing outside his own door, the halfa unceremoniously barged in.

The first thing he was greeted by was a scream of surprise. Ears caught on quicker than eyes. And once the latter realised what was happening in front of his eyes, Danny uncomfortably coughed at the sight of the barely clothed queen and her equally as well dressed brother. Of all the people to find...

"Sorry to interrupt," Danny said, trying to keep his cool.

Queen Cersei pushed her brother away, shrieked and pointed at him. 'He saw us!' she shrieked, as Jaime quickly got to his feet. With surprising agility he approached the intruder and shut the door behind Danny.

"What are you doing here, kid?" The knight asked as he pulled back his underwear.

"Why are you talking to him?" The queen asked in panic, making Danny wonder what she wanted instead.

"Next time when you decide to do your...family matter..." he dropped the book on the nearest chair. "Don't do it in my room, would you?"

"Jaime..." Cersei kept urging.

"Alright, alright," the blonde handsome knight responded in a tired voice. "Women, right?" He smiled charmingly. "Always need something."

"And just what does her grace need?" Danny raised an eyebrow, crossing his hands.

He then stepped away from the door and strolled towards the window, peeking outside, looking down.

"You were loud enough for me to hear from down there," he commented. And once he turned around, there was a dagger pointed towards his neck. "So...I guess that's what you want," Danny glanced at the queen, her expression still panicked. Of course, a dead man was the second last thing she need. But the very last one was people learning of what was just transpiring.

"The things I do for love," Jaime dejectedly said and slashed his weapon.

Only that it went through without leaving a scratch. Before the surprised knight could process what just happened, he noticed a brief green flash, felt burning in his chest, as the inexplicable force made him take several steps back, reeling in shock as he saw a minor burn under a scorched hole in his shirt.

"Nice try," Danny said, before his eyes gained a tint of anger.

"What in the..." Jaime wondered for a moment, before deciding to come at the boy again.

Another missed slash, but the knight then slammed the boy and pushed the surprised teen out of the window. Jaime let out a breath and turned to his sister.

"We should get out of here," the queen said as both reached for their discarded clothes and pieces of armour, until a voice seeping with feigned astonishment interrupted them once more.

In the meantime, Danny remained invisible, floating right under the window. It wasn't very smart of Jaime not to look for the corpse below, but both Lannisters were hurrying to get away from the scene of their crime. The halfa was still processing what had just transpired. Not only was the queen doing that with her brother, they were willing to murder someone over it! Danny grimaced in disgust and jumped down, still unseen. As he landed, still unseen, the halfa started thinking hard on what he should do. The second those two learned of his survival, they would bring down their wrath not only on him, but probably everyone he could share that dangerous knowledge with.

Should he leave, for a second the boy thought. They were still thinking he was dead. But no, Danny was not a coward, he had faced several world-ending demigods and won, he would never run from two humans. But...who was to say that he couldn't enjoy it while he was still at it?

-Linebreak-

Hours from the moment of their crime, Queen Cersei was still reeling from the act. Hardly feeling a pang of consciousness, she was more concerned about the consequences. The boy should have died falling from a tower, and the truth was to die with him, but the sheer fact of servant boy's death was bound to make rumours. None of them could point towards her, she reasoned, and thus she had to stay composed and unfazed. Cersei wished Jaime was there with her, but he had to rejoin the hunting party from which he had separated to stay with his sister, alone. It had been such a difficulty to do so during the entire journey to that accursed land, without a single moment of privacy.

While trying to hatch a course of action, she had retreated to her chamber, if it even could be called that. To her, that small, cramped and cold (no matter how warmer it was compared to the rest of the place) was an affront she was concealing well. However, Cersei could not remain in there forever. She had to at least attend dinner. Lady Stark was still around, and she was bound to wonder and babble about her absence the whole day. Cersei left the room and set towards the dining hall.

After several days spent in Winterfell, Cersei had approximately learned the layout of the castle. It was hardly anything to look at, an ugly thing, one to which that her husband had decided to bring her along. Winterfell couldn't compare to the Red Keep or her ancestral home of Casterly Rock. And it was most certainly cold and damp in those lands, much to the Queen's dismay. Eventually she made her way to the destination.

While not as bustling and noisy as during the king's presence, it was still filled with many people of the royal entourage. Her own young children Tommen and Myrcella were also there, two spots of gold and crimson in the sea of Northerners and the rest crowding the hall. Joffrey had gone with the king for a hunt. Cersei had been opposed to the idea, but Robert seldom listened to what she wanted.

Just like her eldest son did.

"Your Grace," Lady Catelyn approached and greted Cersei, bowing her head. "We're glad you decided to join us for dinner."

"I have been doing so for the last few days, haven't I?" The queen lightly smiled and went to her seat at the head table.

"Do you have any special requests, Your Grace? I'll ask the servants."

She didn't really mean it, Cersei knew that. Neither Tullys nor Starks had any love for her family. And the feeling was certainly mutual. Still, she was the Queen and Catelyn was the Lady of Winterfell. Cersei outranked her and thus demanded proper respect.

"No, thank you. But if you would serve me the same wine I had during the noon, it will be appreciated."

"Of course, Your Grace. I'll have them bring it to you."

The Queen nodded and finally sat at her seat. The servants fussed and brought her trays of delectable foods, but they hardly brought her appetite at the moment. Cersei's eyes drifted to Lady Catelyn, who was talking to a servant. She then saw how Catelyn's little son Bran approached his mother and, since they weren't very far, could overhear the conversation.

"Mother, have you seen Danny anywhere?" He asked.

Frustration emerged on the Lady's face.

"Bran, I thought I told you to stay away from that boy," she sternly told her son.

"He lives here, mother," Bran responded.

"Hopefully not much longer," she sighed. "I haven't seen him since the morning. Maybe he is in that tower he had moved in."

Cersei listened attentively and the remark about the tower erased all doubts about who that person was. The very boy they had pushed off the tower. But if even the body wasn't found, then where...

"Sorry for my absence, my lord."

Cersei's green eyes bolted towards the source of the voice. There he was, that accursed boy, somehow, for gods' known reason, still alive. The smiling boy bowed his head lightly to the lady and her rejoiced son.

"I was practicing the whole day."

"Practicing?" Catelyn asked not without actual diregard.

"Indeed. Unless I do, my skills will kill me just as easily as that boar I brought to the cook."

"You hunted a boar?" Inquired Bran with enthusiasm.

"That's right," Danny leaned forward to the boy's eye level. "A single hit on the head and boom! Dead. I needed a breath of fresh sir, anyways, hit my head pretty hard today," he smiled sheepishly.

And then turned to meet the Queen's eyes.

His ticket to the capital was right in front of him.