A Letter to Jon Snow

AN: This could contain spoilers for anyone not familiar with Game of Thrones after the events of Season 3.

Jon,

If you are reading this, then something has happened to me. As I write this letter, King Robert is dying. He has not died as of yet, and should he, Stannis Baratheon will take the Iron Throne, until Joffrey is of age. However, I fear Cersei Lannister is conspiring to put Joffrey on the throne once Robert has died.

However, this is not the reason I am writing this letter. The last time I saw you, I said the next time we saw each other; we would talk about your mother. I fear that will never come to pass, so I will tell you in this writing. It's something I should've told you before you a long time ago.

To begin with, although I have raised you as my son since I returned to Winterfell following King Robert's rebellion, I am not your father. Rather, I am your uncle. Your mother was Lyanna Stark, the woman you believed to be your aunt. As for your real father, he was Rhaegar Targaryen, the son of the Mad King. Yes, Jon, although you are a Stark, you are also a Targaryen.

You were born in the Tower of Joy, in Dorne. As I, along with my bannerman Howland Reed, your mother was just giving birth to you. By the time I made it to her chambers, you had been born for only a few moments. Lyanna lost a lot of blood, her last words were, "Promise me, Ned." That promise was to take you to Winterfell, raise you as a Stark.

I made up the story you were my bastard son in order to save you from King Robert's wrath. Had he known you were the son of Rhaegar, he would've killed you. However, I shudder to think what might have been if he discovered Lyanna was your mother.

You may be also wondering as to why I never told Catelyn. I did not want to risk the news of your parentage. Although I trust Cat, it was too much of a risk. It is my fault she was cold to you. I should have told her, then, she would've seen you as a son, like your cousin Robb.

However, there is more to the story. Because you are the son of Rhaegar, this also makes you heir to the Iron Throne. However, you have your oath to the Night's Watch. I cannot tell you what path you should follow. I realize this sounds hypocritical, coming from a man who has killed many deserters from the Night's Watch.

I fear that very soon, Westeros will be thrown into chaos. If Joffrey does become king after Robert dies, I fear the worst. I fear he will kill me, for I know that Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen are not Robert's blood children, but the bastards of Jaime Lannister, Cersei's twin brother.

The reason I tell you about being heir to the Iron Throne is that even though Aerys was indeed a mad man, Rhaegar was the farthest thing from his father. I believe that if it had been reversed, and Rhaegar was king, I would not be writing this letter, as you would be living here, with your mother and father.

I believe it's time for someone with the true blood of a king to destroy the Iron Throne, and rule Westeros anew. Jon, I believe that king is destined to be you. I always noticed something about you. Something Robb seemed to lack. I truly believe that when all of this is said and done, it will be you on the Iron Throne, with the Seven Kingdoms bowing to you.

This letter will be sent to Howland Reed, who has been given specific instructions to give you this letter if Winterfell should fall to the Lannisters or Boltons.

Take Care,

Eddard Stark