A.N. So as to get rid of confusion, I'll explain a few things. First, ages of characters here are in accordance with books. Second, I'll mostly follow the series' events, putting the books first only when there's no strong contradiction or the series left those parts completely intact. I know that it's a strange mix-up, but bear with me, please.

"No."

The male teens of the Stark household were probably expecting a different answer. Danny couldn't blame him, that was an honour not given lightly, and many stable boys of the realm would die for this opportunity. He wasn't just a stable boy, though, and he knew the price he would ultimately have to pay. He was called clueless many times, but Danny still could piece two and two together.

"No?" Asked Robb in surprise. "Why would you say this?"

Danny chuckled and leaned against a tree. "I'm truly touched, my lord. But I can't accept it. You want me to become a squire, which means what? Vowing to serve your family through thick and thin?"

"Yes, it does. And I don't understand why you are being stubborn. Are ya satisfied with cleaning horse shit?" Theon butted in.

"Hodor is the best guy around. Saves me the displeasure," Danny smiled. "We all know that I'm here only for a while. I don't give promises I can't keep. When I am gone, we'll probably never see each other again. Because I have a life out there. A family searching for me, friends looking for me...my people needing me. If I vow to protect you and your family, I will be bound to this place. I can't do that, and I hope that you understand."

Robb could appreciate the sincerity. Whoever the teen in front of him was, he was an honest and honourable man, combining two most prized qualities of his own people. Jon watched the two quietly, thinking about Robb's idea (which was evidently his much disliked rival Theon's brainchild).

It still was unorthodox. Squires were the companions of knights, most often. Usually one of Lord paramount's bannermen became a squire in all but name. A relative, a close friend. But not a complete foreigner who knew nothing of knighthood, from a land that knew nothing of servitude. Ned had talked to his son that many of the vassals wanted to be squired to lord Robb Stark when the time came. Even Theon was more qualified, and yet he had been the one to propose such thing. Perhaps he had a motive. He expected to one day return to the Iron Islands and take his place as their lord, and having such a powerful creature like Danny to owe him something was quite shrewd of a Greyjoy. To pick a wildling over the lord of the North was a serious insult to their famous pride. Not that anyone but gullible servants actually believed this.

"I see," said Robb. "Still, you are staying around for a reason. Why?"

"If I could be allowed into your library..." Danny offered casually. "I don't know shit about the world."

"A library," Robb repeated incredulously. "Very well. I'll talk to father. But can you read?"

"Since I was three," Danny flashed a smile. "I can't promise to serve you. But I can promise that when I am near, I'll do everything to protect you or your family."

"Aren't you a noble soul," Theon mumbled dryly and without enthusiasm.

"That's my job," Danny responded. "This extends to you too, Theon. So, for a while, you can sleep soundly," he saluted.

Danny prayed, however, that he wouldn't stick around long. He knew that time flowed differently in the worlds. A second passes in one, a minute in another. Or maybe he would return to the same point he left. There really was no telling with the shifting tides of the Infinite Realms. But if fate would want to screw with him once more, would he even come back as the same person? Danny pushed away such thoughts. He had learned the lessons of being trapped in his own grim emotions. He would resort to waiting and looking for an opportunity or knowledge to get back. He was not a fatalist, he was a man that thought that everything around happened for a reason. The Time Master had really been rubbing on him.

From then on, there were some changes in the boy's routine. For one, Robb urged him to join his little brother in the studies, as Danny could pick the necessary stuff. The half ghost was very thankful for this, and was starting to feel growing appreciation of the young Stark. The teen also didn't know what in the world Robb told his father, but the lord seemed to accept his son's decision.

Danny himself was a bit hesitant to learning everything, arguing that he knew a lot, and thus didn't need to learn how to write or count. But it was Bran's studies first and foremost, so he wasn't getting a choice in how the program went. Besides, when asked to demonstrate his writing skills, he stumbled into a trap. Danny chose not to argue over such a pointless thing, but he realised that the names of everyone around were the same and at the same time different. As in, the name Jon was spelled as such, instead of John. Ned was short for Eddard, not Edmund or Edward. Things like that. There were some words that made him wonder, too. It wasn't even Shakespearean English. If he were a trained linguist, Danny would have seen it as English void of many letters that were written and not spoken. There were some, especially prevalent with the names of the former rulers of the Seven Kingdoms.

"The Targaryens, child," Luwin reminded patronisingly, but not exactly sternly. "Bran, could you remind your friend who they were?"

"They were the last surviving house of Old Valyria. They came to Westeros about three hundred years ago and Aegon the Conqueror took over all Seven Kingdoms. But they are gone now. Father and King Robert defeated the mad king and killed off the Targaryens."

Danny looked a bit concerned at someone so young talking about murders like that, but he guessed it was the norm. Still, he chuckled at his newfound respect for Lord Stark. They weren't so dissimilar, it appeared.

"They aren't fully gone," Luwin clarified. "Two of king Aerys's children have survived and, from what I heard, are residing in Pentos. Across the Narrow Sea," he pointed at the map.

"Bet the king isn't very happy," Danny mumbled.

"We can't know what the king thinks. The Targaryens are far away."

"There are legitimate heirs across the sea that is literally called 'Narrow'. They are closer to your capital than Lord Stark," Danny argued. "But it's not really my business, I guess," he then sighed.

Still, he felt pity towards those two. Orphaned at a young age, forced to hide in foreign lands — it was a fate he wouldn't wish for anyone. Danny wondered what would become of them in the future. He knew not the king that ruled the land and was going to come and visit his friend Ned, bringing the entire court with him. Danny didn't know how ruthless or compassionate Robert Baratheon was to try to kill the kids or refrain from it. But if anything, he promised to protect the family of a man that was the Targaryens' enemy. So compassion is probably all they would be reasonably getting from him.

And as such the remainder of the month was passing, and Danny was no closer to reaching his home. Maester Luwin allowed him to study in the humble library, and thus the half ghost hoped to find any information on the natural portals of the world. His own had a very persistent one in the form of a Bermuda Triangle. Many worlds did have one, as Clockwork had taught him. They were the reason the Infinite Realm had breathable air, even if very thin, and the cause of residual ectoplasm in the worlds the Realm clung to. Unfortunately, his search through the library proved to be a fruitless endeavour in terms of finding a way home. But it certainly helped with his studying the world around.

That's what he was doing throughout the evenings. During the mornings he trained alongside Robb, who, as his new 'patron', was willing to show him a sword trick or two. Danny's main problem was his own strength. Each weapon felt like a twig, so naturally it was bound to flay around in almost ludicrous patterns. He needed to find a proper approach, to learn how other ghost knights did this. But the trainings with Robb and other male children weren't the only thing he had to do during the day. Despite being relieved from his duties as a stable boy, he still was helping people around in his moments of free time. There was a lot of work to do in preparation to the King's arrival, so Danny agreed to help the servants set everything up.

There wasn't much to do, anyway. Medieval era was short of many entertainments.

But Theon once sought to change this. And Danny was not exactly enthusiastic.

"Don't tell me you are still a virgin," Theon laughed.

"In my home, seventeen is the age when you can't even drink," Danny argued. "Much less visit a brothel."

"How do ya people live?" Asked Greyjoy in mock sympathy. "But you've been in one."

"I didn't know it was a brothel," the halfa responded dryly. "How do you know of it?"

"Ros told me," Theon seemed to find all of this extremely amusing. "Can't really trust a brothel lady to keep your secrets, can you?"

"It's not really a secret. I didn't do anything there."

"That's the point," Theon kept grinning. "Don't be a chicken, even they fuck."

"I appreciate your definitely honest interest in my sex life, but no, thanks."

"You are just like those two," he pointed towards Robb and Jon at the distance. "What, you waiting for your true beloved?"

Danny stopped to think. "Can't say my love life is anything to write home about."

"Go on," Theon urged.

Danny sighed. "I'll only say that one of them unsuccessfully tried to kill me for several years."

His companion blinked. "What did you do to deserve a lady's ire?"

"She thought I ruined her life and that because of me her family lost their standing, money and even home."

"Was it?"

"No, I had nothing to do with it aside from being close at the worst possible time," Danny sighed. "Which didn't stop Valerie from trying to make several holes in my body. We are good now, though."

"You are good after she tried to murder you?" Theon asked incredulously. "That's so stupid. Your trust will be the death of you one day."

"A bit late for that," Danny smiled enigmatically. "I always give a second chance, Theon. Everyone deserves one."

"Even if someone kills off your entire family?"

Danny considered this. "Maybe even him. But he would have to take it first, wouldn't he?"

There were also the Stark girls. He couldn't say that he had a lot of contact with them, as they were stuck doing what was expected of girls at that era. So, there wasn't a lot of times Danny could interact with them. He couldn't deny that the older one (who was still six years younger than him) looked quite pretty, though. An opinion that seemed to be shared by many people around, but it wasn't the one Danny would voice. She stayed away from him as it was, being quite a meek one. That wasn't the case for the younger daughter, Arya, aged nine. Arya in general seemed to be her sister's antipode. Where her sister was timid, Arya appeared to be quite straightforward, where Sansa was ladylike, her sister was boyish and unruly, starting from her wild hair and ending with other features that made her resemble her father-northerner. It came as a no surprise that Arya was more eager to approach the strange squire.

Danny found her brief company pleasant, nosy and rude in her bluntness. Maybe it was because Arya reminded him of another girl roughly her age. He missed Danielle more than anyone, Danny was not surprised to find himself thinking. He should have been with a child he swore to bring up, instead of being stuck in a distant world. It was his duty, even if she had her grandparents and aunt to look after her. Catching himself on that thought, he doubled his efforts in scouring the books for information. Maester Luwin once caught him in the library in the middle of the night, commenting with certain amusement that his nightly reading was costing them their many candles. Still, as a maester, he commended the boy's desire to learn. Then he noticed that the candles were not letting out their normal light. But the green one. The boy's 'magic'. He thought he was being sneaky despite Ned's persisting reluctance to actually allow public displays, huh?

"Is there anything in particular you are looking for?" Asked Luwin. "The cockerels are soon going to shout and you are still up."

"I'm..." Danny leaned back in his seat, thinking what to say. "I'm looking for anything that can hint me at strange stuff."

"Strange stuff?" Luwin raised an eyebrow.

"Is there a place where people vanish all of a sudden? Without trace or explanation?"

Luwin slowly hummed and sat on the nearest chair. "Now why would you search for that?"

"My...my people believe that there are spots in the world which can take you to unbelievable places. In fact, at any time and other point in space."

Luwin looked at him with consideration. "And 'your people' tell this story because..."

"What are you getting at, old man?" Danny raised an eyebrow.

"I am simply curious as to how a wildling knows this. If he really is a wildling."

Danny did not respond, but Luwin's expression remained serious.

"You know it, don't you?" Danny finally asked.

"You are a terrible liar, lad. You can't just say you are a wildling and then perfectly solve a difficult mathematical problem. If there is an actual wildling who knows how to count, the sun will start rising in the west," Luwin huffed.

Danny dropped his head on the table with a thud.

"So you knew all this time, eh?"

"Why would you pretend being a savage when you are nothing like one?" Asked Luwin.

"It's just...easier to explain, I guess. What would I say? That I come from another world and am actually a crown prince?"

Luwin stared at him. "That's...I guess it is better to be labeled a savage than a madman."

"That depends," Danny smirked. "But one can be disproved, another not so much. You are taking it quite well."

"I don't take anything as an article of faith."

"So you don't believe me."

"I believe that you are not one of the wildlings. I'm not the only one," Luwin chuckled. "But we see that you are a good lad. You have no reason to help around every servant around, and yet you still do," he smiled.

Danny sunk. "I'm really clueless," he shook his head. "So, anyways...about that disappearance thingy..."

"This is an oddly specific legend."

"It's not a legend, it's a fact. It's the reason I'm stuck here!" Danny spoke. "And the only way for me to come back is to find such spot. I figured maybe your people have any knowledge of this."

Luwin scratched his chin. "I can think of a few places. None of them in Westeros."

Danny rubbed his eyes. "Of course. It's never that easy. Go on, please."

"Maesters collect all sorts of wild tales from far reaches of the world. I'd question their validity, as none of our order actually made it there, going only by legends. There is one...about the queen of Rhoynar, Nymeria, who wished to find home for her people. Sothoryos, the continent south of Valyria and Slaver's Bay, was thought to be the place. Down there deep south, her people found an ancient, enormous city, untouched by surrounding jungles. They settled there, set up homes. But when the boats sailed up the river, from Queen's own residence at the shore, they found the city empty once more."

"What happened to the people?" Asked Danny, invested, barely breathing.

"Nobody knows. They vanished without a trace, without a single sign of a fight. Queen Nymeria called the city of Yeen so evil that even jungles refused to enter it. Eventually, the horrors of that land forced them out, and they abandoned their own city, sailing west, until they came ashore in the sand land of Dorne."

Danny remained silent in the faint green light of the candle. "It is either what I seek...or something actually evil lies there..."

"You are not actually thinking of going there?" Luwin said with a note of concern. "You heard what I said..."

"I did," Danny said firmly and stood up. "I must go back to my family. If I get rid of that eldritch evil in the process, better for you, isn't it?"

"This. Is a legend, lad," Luwin responded sternly, but without raising his voice. "People die there. You will, too. That place is riddled with beasts and worst of all, incurable diseases. You will be fated to die for an empty goal."

Danny huffed. "Disease, death, so many tools fate has to control us. But I once spat into its face, shoved it into a soup container and defied it," he smiled. "So I'll take my chances. Any other place like it?"

Luwin didn't seem pleased by the dismissal of his warning.

"I'm afraid not," Luwin responded. "None that I can tell. If you are this enthusiastic, it shouldn't be a trouble for you to find another place to perish in."

"You do know. You are just being cranky," Danny sighed.

"You are eager to leave, despite your promise to protect the Starks."

"I am enthusiastic to see my family again. Is this something to dress me down for?"

Luwin's expression softened. "Perhaps not. But to seek death traps in hopes that they will somehow whisk you away to your home is ludicrous."

"Maybe," Danny sighed. "But unless you, in your maester wisdom, know how I can build a gate that can pierce reality itself, I will keep looking. I'll keep your story in mind," he yawned and went for the door. "Still, thank you for that titbit, at least."

"Before you go..." Luwin said. "How do you actually do this?" He pointed towards the candle emitting green light.

"Magic," Danny smirked, knowing how little belief the old man had in it. "But in reality it's just me controlling the air molecules. I use my heart, it lets out a bit of energy in the air, it sets the molecules in motion to create heat, the heat becomes so intense that the candle lights up. But because I used that energy, it stays green."

After the brief explanation, Danny left the library, content with finally learning something useful, leaving Luwin alone.

"What in the world is a molecule?"

-Linebreak-

The day of the royal arrival was spent in endless fuss. The final arrangements were made, the quarters prepared, the cooks were ready to welcome the monarch, famous for his appetites of all kinds. In the morning a member of the kingsguard — a young man in shiny white armour, invited himself in to inform that the king would be arriving by noon, and then quickly rode back to rejoin his comrades. After being told by aforementioned cooks that no, he couldn't taste test the pastry, the teen wandered about, free of duties at the moment, showing the full extent of his impatience. Traveling at such a time period was an arduous task, obviously. Eventually Danny decided to take a morning stroll through the adjacent town while he still had the time.

The smallfolk seemed to be very enthusiastic about the arrival of their monarch, trying to pretty up the otherwise unsightly place. Every tavern and guesthouse was booked in advance by some very considerate knights. Not the king, of course, they would evidently reside in the castle. Danny couldn't help but note that that would probably be the only memorable week of the locals' lives. Miserable existence, one that he was born fortunate enough to avoid. Still, they looked happy as of right now, so it rubbed off on him, too.

Upon returning back to the castle, he decided to spend his time more productively. A book labeled "Seven curiosities of Seven Kingdoms" by some random maester in his arms, Danny went to the place he had taken liking to due to privacy it granted. His way lied through the grove right within the castle walls. It was a strange place, ripe with energies familiar and yet strange. And those were all radiated from the main, lush tree with red leaves. With faces carved on it. There was something unnerving about the composition, but Danny was told it was a place of worship for the Northerners. And he noted to himself how unthoughtful it was for this grove to be exclusive to the castle dwellers.

At first Danny was intrigued by that thing, but very soon found it to be of little substance to his goals. After all, the tree did not talk, did not communicate in any other capacity. So, he eventually decided to leave it be, even though a plant was most unusual.

His refuge was located within an old, decrepit castle tower. Sure, it may not be protected from colds, but since when did he care. It was quiet and peaceful, that's what mattered. He had brought some hay to sit on, just for the sake of more comfort. It was also very simple for him to get in even without his powers — the door was never locked. Danny spent some time in his tower, reading, until his ears caught sounds nearby, outside. Curious, the halfa approached the window. Down there, he saw the second youngest Stark boy, who stared up at him with surprise.

"Going somewhere?" Danny smirked.

"I, ehm...don't tell mother, please," the small boy asked sheepishly, still holding onto a protruding brick.

The halfa outstretched his hand, which Bran hesitantly took with one of his. Bran yelped in surprise when with one pull Danny got him inside the room.

"Wow...you are strong," Bran commented, looking at the half ghost.

"I drink milk," Danny nudged him lightly with a smile, before leaning against the wall. "It's makes your bones harder. What are you doing climbing a wall?"

"I like climbing, it's fun! And I want to see the king when he arrives. You are not going to tell mother, are you?"

"It will be a cold day in hell when Lady Katelyn looks at me with anything but distrust," Danny chuckled. "Don't worry, my lips are shut. It's quite impressive."

Bran smiled at the praise. He may have been initially afraid of the wildling boy, but Danny was fine. And he knew magic, which was amazing in the boy's eyes.

"Race you to the top," Danny challenged Bran and pointed to the ceiling.

With a grin, the little auburn-haired boy ran to the window and with extreme agility began climbing further, surprising the half ghost even further. But if raising a child of his own ever taught him anything is that little kids liked and needed little challenges, winning and losing them from time to time. Danny didn't feel like flaunting in front of Bran, so he let the boy win, as he floated through the ceiling after giving a large head-start. But as the two of them got to the roof of the tower, Bran looked amazed at how the half ghost went through the bricks, but it was soon replaced by a bit of frustration.

"Hey, you were slow on purpose!"

Danny ruffled Bran's hair. "Don't know what you are talking about. I need time to cast spells," he lied in good spirits. "So, which way are they going to come from?"

"Well, they are using the Kingsroad, so..." Bran looked around. "There! I can see them!" He spoke with excitement.

Danny looked where Bran was pointing, and the royal entourage was right before his ice-blue eyes, riding out of the southern forests. It was a stream of bannermen, carriages, knights in shiny armours, multiple elaborate carriages. And of course, there were huge golden banners with black stag — the royal standard.

"You should go back," Danny said. "Your parents have a whole welcoming committee down there, so they will be searching for you."

"Aren't you coming?"

"I'm a stable boy," Danny smirked and crossed his hands. "They can do without me."

"No you are not, not anymore," Bran argued, pulling on the end of Danny's sleeve. "Come on! You don't see the king every day."

He did that each time he looked in a mirror, actually. Sighing, Danny shook his head.

"Fine. Let me get my most dashing clothes," he responded sarcastically. "I'll catch up."

Nodding enthusiastically, Bran began his descent. Clicking his tongue, Danny retreated to his abode to do just that. He was mostly joking previously, as he did have an interest in what the king was here for, wondering if he could somehow make it to the capital and the royal castle in particular. Dressing up, the halfa jumped from the tower, landed and strolled towards the main courtyard. Obviously he got there before the entourage arrived. It only appeared close from a high tower. Still, the fuss became so profound that nobody paid him attention at all as he stood by the stables and waited.

And eventually, with everyone gathered in the yard, the entourage finally made it. There wasn't any fanfare or cheers, but rather everyone was watching the people there. Danny lightly tapped on Jon's shoulder, with the latter standing by, just as him, away from the main family.

"So...who is who?" He asked.

"I've never seen them in person, but look over there. The blonde in the kingsguard armour. That's probably Jaime Lannister, the Queen's brother. All Lannisters have blonde hair, I've heard. You can spot the king, I think."

"Hard not to," Danny responded with amusement, looking at a bearded, crowned giant of a man, both tall and wide. "Reminds of my father, actually. Although he never wore a beard."

"Careful not to say it into the king's face," Jon mumbled grimly, earning a snort from the half-ghost. Although, Danny did have some Baratheon traits, which was one uncomfortable thought brought forth by Jon's own status. He quickly dismissed the thought.

Jon continued to present people he could guess by a look. The golden-haired young prince Joffrey, who, Jon noted, looked more like a girl, an unsightly Sandor Clegane, the boy's personal bodyguard and the rest. Eventually the procession finally came to a halt. The king wasted no time vaulting off the horse and approaching the awaiting lord of the North, enveloping him immediately in a tight hug.

"Ned! Ah, but it is good to see that frozen face of yours." The king looked him over and laughed. "You have not changed at all."

"Your Grace. Winterfell is yours," Ned responded, concisely and formally.

Then followed the boring introductions Danny and Jon evidently took no part in. And either of them was happy for that. Still, the half ghost came to learn of the Queen and her three children, so that was something to boost his knowledge of the world.

"Take me down to your crypt, Eddard," spoke the king. "I would pay my respects."

Ned's eyes fell on the nearest sort of servant. "Danny, fetch me the lantern."

The half ghost snapped out of observations and walked to the stables, where the first lantern he spotted was. The Queen had some choice words to say about the idea, however.

"Robert, we've been riding knee-deep in snow since dawn," she said. "Maybe we should refresh first. The dead can wait."

Robert rewarded her with an angry look and needed to say no more. The Queen's brother Jaime took her arm and prevented an argument those close to the royal household were accustomed to. Danny noticed that interaction, and couldn't help but wonder what this was all about. Still, he handed the lantern to Ned, who nodded to him, probably thankful that the boy opted to act properly in that moment. And as the two men went in an unknown direction, it was up to the remaining people to arrange everything. What a considerate king.

-Linebreak-

"You are pulling my leg," Jon cackled.

"No joke, pal," Danny smirked and drank from the cup full of water. "I actually had to take care of a flour bag."

"What even is the point of this?"

"Something about parenting stuff," Danny shrugged. "I dunno. I fluked the thing, but not because I would make a terrible parent... But I mean, a flour bag doesn't eat, doesn't drink..."

"Doesn't shit," Jon added and smiled.

"Yeah, that too."

The welcoming party was taking place as they spoke. However, there were reasons neither Jon nor Danny were there. With the former being a bastard and the latter being 'asked' by Catelyn not to gallivant around raising unnecessary questions, the two teens were outside. It was not something Danny wanted per say, as he actually wanted to seize the opportunity and get closer to the royals. Unfortunately, he himself didn't know how, so it was probably for the best for now. The king would not be leaving for a couple more days, anyhow. Danny had still snatched some treats from the inside, so the two could enjoy the food to an extent as well. He still abstained from wine, however, despite Jon's naive assurance that that one was especially good.

"Why are you here, Danny?" Jon suddenly asked.

"Because I was told by your not-mother not to bother the guests," Danny shrugged.

"She never told you to stay out," the human teen noted.

"True, but let's just say that such feasts are not really my thing. Each time there was one nobody invited me, except for one time my sister managed to snag me an invite. And I still walked out because that was the moral of a story. Stick with people that actually care aboutcha, Jon Snow."

Jon smiled once more and nodded. "That's a good moral. Does another outlandish story come with it?"

Danny grinned deviously. "After getting an invite, it all began with me deciding to sell my father's old stuff to buy new clothes..."

He would have gone on further, but through the gates rode a horse and a man atop of it. A man with sharp features and extremely gaunt. He was dressed in the black armour befitting someone from his order. While Danny didn't pay him much mind, Jon brightened up significantly.

"Uncle Benjen!" He said and went to greet the man.

The newest visitor laughed and hugged his nephew. "Hello, Jon. Why are you out here?" He asked.

"Lady Catelyn thought it would be an affront to the royal family if a bastard shared a table with them," Jon responded matter-of-factly, seemingly accepting of the fact. He was, to be honest. Here he was free to drink as much as he wanted with Danny only giving a couple of warnings about liver. There were no judgemental gazes or anything of the sort, either.

"Well, we don't judge bastards on the Wall," he said, instantly ringing alarms within Danny's head. "Who is your friend?" Asked Benjen.

Apparently, he wasn't there when the entire show went down. It was probably better not to cause a scene, Danny decided. Before Jon could speak, he butted in.

"Just a stable boy, don't you worry, milord," he lightly nodded.

"I am not anyone's lord, lad. Something must have changed because I don't recall them being dressed this well."

"I am also sort of a squire...only I'm not. It's a bit complicated."

"Robb offered him to become a squire, but he refused," added Jon. "He still promised to serve him on the condition that he gets to leave whenever he wants."

Benjen hummed. "What a strange arrangement. But very well. What's your name, lad?"

"It's Danny, uncle Benjen."

Danny was ready to slap himself on the face. Jon was smart, but at the moment he knew not of the implication. None of the Stark kids did. The Watch knew his name. One in the whole of that world.

That was when Benjen's eyes went wide as he approached the half ghost.

"You'd better tell me the rest of the story."

"The Starks know where I'm from, sir," Danny responded calmly. "And they also know that all of this is just a misunderstanding. You should ask your brother for that matter."

Benjen eyed him suspiciously, before huffing. "I certainly will. You came from that side of the Wall. What is there to misunderstand?"

"That I am not actually from out there. Well. Not born or raised. But it is a long story none of you bothered to listen."

"You are really lucky we have no men to spare to look for you..."

"You need more men?" Asked Jon.

Benjen sighed. "We are, admittedly, in need of recruits. Probably that's why he managed to get past," Benjen nodded towards Danny.

"Then you can take me with you!" Said Jon with enthusiasm. "You can talk to father, he'll listen!"

Benjen's attention was once again focused on his nephew.

"You don't know what you're asking, Jon. The Night's Watch is a sworn brotherhood. We have no families. None of us will ever father sons. Our wife is duty. Our mistress is honor."

"Huh. That explains the sausage party up there," Danny commented quietly, earning a scolding look.

"I don't care about that!" Jon rebutted his uncle's words.

"You might, if you knew what it meant," Benjen said and sighed. "We'll talk later. I need to save your father from the Lannisters in there," he jested. "And you," he pointed at Danny. "Don't think that this is over."

"Never had the hope," Danny smiled. "I'm not going anywhere. That's what you get for not trying to behead me, you know?"

"I'll keep that in mind," Said Benjen and walked inside the hall. Danny sighed and looked at Jon.

"Sorry for ruining the reunion," he apologised.

"It's...alright."

Danny stared at him, his mind full of pondering. "He is right, though."

Jon glanced at his companion. "You think I am not ready, too?"

"Not in a way that you can't fight. You can easily skewer me in a sword clash. If I don't do sneaky. No, I mean it in a way that you jump headfirst into a duty for life...I was exactly your age when I had responsibilities dumped onto me. Without as much as warning, I was thrown into the endless, viscous cycle of fighting or being ended. It's been three years, I pride myself in what I did, but...sometimes I already regret accepting it all. Hell, I once renounced it all. And they never even made me accept those ludicrous oaths."

"You were doing a noble thing. I wish to do that, too."

"I guess it is noble to cast aside everything that makes us humans. Question is, what remains?"

"Duty. Honour."

"But no family," Danny snorted a laugh, "Don't let lady Catelyn hear you butcher her house motto."

He saw Snow's displeased expression, so he opted to continue immediately.

"What I'm saying, Jon, is that these things you say are pointless in the end. You think some sense of duty kept me going all this time?" Danny tilted his head as he often did. "No, it was always the thought that if I stopped, my parents, my sister and friends...may die. So I sucked it up and fought. And these people just renounce all of it. Something that drives most people to do things at all."

"But by joining the Watch, I can protect my family. The family I already have, just like you."

"The family you will have to abandon," Danny responded with teenage totality. "And who will protect them while you are up there freezing your butt?"

"Uncle Benjen seems to be doing fine."

"He didn't come here for family chat alone, I'd bet," Danny rolled his eyes. "And look now, he definitely has a reason to stick around for longer with me entering the picture."

"I know that you have bad blood with them, but this isn't about you," Jon scolded him.

"My half-kin holds a grudge like nobody else," Danny seemed to agree. "And the crows did give me one cold shoulder. But as I say, everyone gets a second chance. It is your decision in the end. I am, admittedly, just a know-it-all stranger. Maybe you will get glory before you hit whatever age you people consider being an adult. Perhaps you will get old and die there in obscurity without even having a child to bring you a glass of water."

An awkward silence settled in between them.

"Well, I guess I'll just go back to my tower," Danny mumbled and then strolled forward. "After all, fate gifted me with a vacation against all my wishes. Gotta spend it in the most productive way possible."

"What are you going to do?"

"Read," Danny turned around. "I still hold hopes that I find what I search for in those books, since Luwin decided to stop me from acting most rationally. Have fun, baby crow," he laughed at Jon's mock glare.

He took an unlit torch and pointed a finger towards it. A small beam hit it and ignited the piece of rags in an emerald, ice-cold blaze. With a smirk, Danny walked off, not noticing the shocked, mismatched eyes of the dwarf trailing him.