Ser Barristan Selmy took his seat at the Small Council. King Robert Baratheon was sitting at the head of it. Behind him, standing erect, was Ser Meryn Trant. Fury was building in him, Barristan could tell that much. A letter was crushed in his fist. When the King briefly glared at him, Ser Barristan couldn't help but shrink away. He had some unspoken accusation, but wouldn't say what it was. Ser Barristan knew it was for him. What have I done, he wondered, to earn his wrath? Ser Barristan had been loyal to Robert ever since the Trident, thirteen years ago. Does he think me of holding some loyalty for Viserys? Barristan's memories of the boy were hazy, but once the thought of him entered his head, it all became clear. He is only like this when it comes to the Targaryens. What could have happened now?
Ser Barristan turned to each of the other members of the Small Council that were currently present. Stannis was sitting next to Robert and Ser Barristan, his jaw clenched, his fists curled. He met Barristan's gaze for a moment, then his hard, steely gaze locked back on Robert. The King's middle brother was not someone Barristan took to be worried easily, yet he had concern in his eyes. Varys seemed as impassive as ever, sitting across from yet the unease that was Robert's mood even had him on edge. Ser Barristan could see the faint signs of stress and confusion in his brow and eyes. Petyr Baelish was seated next to Varys, his eyes darting around, as if searching for some assassin's dagger. On Varys's other hand was Jon Arryn, was maintaining a facade of steel, but his eyes were full of worry as he gazed at Robert. Grand Maester Pycelle was occupying the seat on Ser Barristan's right. The old man was also uncomfortable, stroking his white beard. Nobody spoke.
The door opened, and Renly Baratheon finally arrived. The master of laws had a smile on his face, which quickly disappeared when he saw Robert. Renly hastily took a seat next to Littlefinger, putting his elbows on the table as he leaned in.
With the Small Council assembled, Robert cleared his throat as he spoke. "Jon Arryn," Robert began, turning to his Hand, "read this letter out to the small council." The king slammed the letter out before his Hand. He had practically spat the words out at the mention of the letter, like so much as uttering them was an affront and a feeling of betrayal laced each word. Ser Barristan braced himself.
When Ser Barristan got a good look at the letter, he saw it was worn, with brown stains covering parts of it, and torn around the edges. As Jon Arryn moved eyes across the letter, he paled, and his mouth slowly parted. The king slammed his fist on the table, startling the Hand. "Read it!" Robert commanded, his voice that of a battlefield commander. Ser Barristan pitied the old man as he cleared his throat, and began to speak.
"For my own sake, my heroic and noble king, I must not reveal to you my identity, for if this letter should be discovered before it should reach His Grace, I would die, and you would not know this terrible truth. After years of secrecy, I can no longer commit this treason, and must speak out. Your dear friend, Lord Eddard Stark, has committed a most terrible treason. Jon Snow, his bastard, is not who you have been lead to believe. He is the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and Lyanna Stark, conceived by rape while Lyanna was forcibly married to Rhaegar. I listened as the poor girl screamed and fought, being forced to submit to the last dragon's lust and whims. In the end, she was a broken child, crying out for her one true love, His Grace Robert Baratheon. Alas, she was forced to bare the last dragon's seed, and taught through rape and beatings that if she bared this child, she would be set free. One of Rhaegar's many lies. It saddened my heart that she took joy in looking forward to the birth of the child. She even made Eddard Stark promise to protect the child, delirious and mad with a fever. I was forced to swear to keep it a secret. But the memory of her cries haunts my dreams. How I have longed for the day when that vile dragonspawn could be slain, King Robert. Only then could fair Lyanna rest in peace."
Once Jon Arryn finished, silence filled the chambers. Barristan had listened with growing shock. His eyes rested on the scrape of paper. Never, in a thousand years, would the Rhaegar he knew have done something like this. Rhaegar had loved his Lady Lyanna. She hadn't been some bed whore for his amusement. If he ever found out who had written this pack of lies...
Robert was the first to react. He slammed his fist onto the table with a resounding crash. "I'LL FUCKING CRUSH THAT RAPE CHILD'S HEAD IN!"
Ser Barristan started briefly before composing himself. He had to speak carefully if he was to get through to Robert. "My liege, how can you believe this? This could be a lie for all we know, sent by our enemies to create division and sow mistrust." And they have already succeeded. Robert sharply turned to the Lord Commander, and seemed ready to strike him on the spot. Kill him even. He began to open his mouth.
Jon Arryn stepped in, preventing his foster son from uttering a word. "Ser Barristan speaks the truth. All we have for proof is this letter. Surely Ned wouldn't keep this from you?"
Robert paused, hurt at the mention of his foster brother. He turned to Jon. "But what if it is true, damn it all! If that fucking bastard is really Rhaegar's son..."
"How can we be sure?" Petyr Baelish cut in. He seemed to be far off, gazing at some unknown place. "This is rather hard to believe."
"Perhaps Lord Stark feared for the child's life," Varys entwined "Had it been known that he is Rhaegar's trueborn son, then the only real course of action would be to take the life of newborn babe."
Robert stared at each and every man seated at the table. "So what would you have me do? I can't just let this be! I always knew Rhaegar raped her! Now I find out he got a child on her! He forced her to marry him, raped her and got her pregnant with a...a fucking dragonspawn! He treated like she was cattle! A breeding mare! I should have torn his cock off!"
Ser Barristan couldn't bare to listen to Robert slander the dead prince. Steeling himself, he almost gave voice to his thoughts. Rhaegar Targaryen was a better man than you, and would have never done something like this!
Maester Pycelle started to speak now. "These are mere rumours, your Grace! Without substance. How can you be sure that Rhaegar truly did force Lady Stark to marry him."
Robert wheeled on the maester, towering over him, glowering with rage. "RHAEGAR TARGARYEN RAPED LYANNA STARK! MY BETROTHED! MY BELOVED! WHO ARE YOU TO TELL ME OTHERWISE? HE WAS A COWARDLY, DEVIOUS BASTARD, JUST LIKE HIS FATHER!" Robert actually did move to strike him until Stannis stood up, giving Robert a hard glare.
"Control yourself Robert! You are the king! Act like it!" The two brothers locked eyes, staring each other down. Grand Maester Pycelle ponderously began to speak.
"My lords, my king, please, sit down, I beg you! Surely, this matter can be settled without the need for violence?"
Robert's glare shifted to Pycelle, sheathing with a burning and fiery passion which belonged on the Trident. "Shut your fucking mouth, old man! There is a perfectly good need for violence! You heard it yourself. Lyanna can only rest if the bastard is dead! The whole thing is right there! You all heard it!"
"But who sent the letter?" Jon Arryn asked, rising from his chair as well now. "Tell me how you came by this, Robert."
Robert didn't wait a single moment in telling them where he had gotten it. "I found it on my bed. It laying there, all proper. I didn't think of reading it until I caught a glimpse of what was written. When I did..."
"Come now, Robert," Renly intoned, "Cersei, Tyrion, some servant, anyone could have left that letter for you. Perhaps even Lord Eunuch here."
Varys raised an eyebrow at Renly. The accusation caused Robert's fury to turn on the spider. Varys quickly spoke up to defend himself. "Certainly not. If I had such an important matter for the king as this, I would have brought it directly to him, not left it lying upon the king's bed. And besides, I myself am curious as to discover who wrote it. It must be someone who harbors a grudge against both the Starks and Baratheons."
"There," Jon Arryn said, satisfied, "this is probably an attempt by someone to drive a wedge between you and Ned. A very poor lie."
"But what if it's true?" Robert's voice had grief creeping into it now. "Is Ned really caring for the rape child of his own sister? What if the boy does become another monster, like Aerys? What if he rises up against me? The bloody dragon lovers would come out of hiding to help, damn it all!"
Robert was not going to be dissuaded from this, Ser Barristan could see that much. He began to silently pray to the Seven for divine intervention.
Jon Arryn smiled triumphantly. "You answer your own question. It is Ned Stark who cares for this supposed rape child. He would never allow for a child to grow up a monster under his watch. You can trust him about this Robert. The boy will probably be encouraged to take the black. And besides, there is so little evidence that the bastard is indeed Rhaegar's child."
This seemed to actually sway Robert briefly. But that Baratheon fury was strong. "But what if this is true?"
Silence once more invaded. Jon Arryn pursed his lips as he tried to think of an answer. Varys watched the king with astute eyes, keeping them focused on him. Petyr Baelish had a hand over his mouth, deep in thought. Grand Maester Pycelle breathed out loudly. All of men present knew what would happen if this accusation turned out to be true. If there was indeed an heir to the throne who Robert believed was the product of Lyanna's rape, and was family to Lord Eddard Stark, a man known for valuing the lives of his family above those of others, then it could easily lead to something no one wanted.
War. And no power on this Earth could convince Robert otherwise.
"There is only one way to get to the bottom of this matter," Stannis Baratheon spoke in iron tones. "Lord Stark has been accused of harboring an heir to the Targaryen dynasty. We must investigate, and determine the truth."
"How?" asked Petyr Baelish. "Do we send Ser Barristan here to Winterfell, and have the boy's head cut off." Ser Barristan gave Littlefinger a hard glare. The master of coin smiled at him, a laughing twinkle in his eyes.
"No," Robert's voice was firm, and full of scorn. The unspoken reason why was blatant. Because I fought for my prince. Because Robert suspects me of being disloyal.
Stannis gave Ser Barristan a thoughtful look before turning back to Robert. The king continued to speak. "Renly, I want you to go to Winterfell. Take two knights of the Kingsguard with you, as well as a hundred men. Meet with Lord Eddard Stark, and show him," he gestured to the letter, gazing at it like it was a diseased rat, "this damned thing. Write immediately if you learn anything. Understand?"
Renly stared at his elder brother his shock for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "Of course, dear brother. I am sure I can resolve this matter, and prove it to be nothing but lies."
Robert nodded in approval, and then waved his hands to dismiss the small council. As Ser Barristan left the room, he found himself walking to the White Sword Tower. Thoughts were running through his head. Rhaegar has a living son.
Ser Barristan found the uppermost floor empty. Good. He needed some time to think. After taking a seat, he sighed, and leaned back in the chair. His thoughts were all a jumble of memories. Of seeing Rhaegar give Lyanna a crown of winter roses. Learning she had been the Knight of the Laughing Tree. Their wedding at the God's Eye...
"I thought I might find you here." The voice of Stannis Baratheon was unmistakable. Ser Barristan turned to see the man standing in the doorway. He hadn't even heard him approach.
"I've never seen Robert this bad, and over a letter of all things?" Ser Barristan told Stannis. "Who knows what he would have done to the Maester?"
Stannis waved it off as he entered. "Robert can't let some letter with no basis in truth cloud his judgement." Then he sighed. "But his judgement has always been clouded when it came to Rhaegar and Lyanna. The whole Targaryen family for that matter."
Ser Barristan nodded. "Aye. But this...this is probably the worst he's ever been."
"And all because of this damned letter," Stannis growled, clenching his fist. "Whoever concocted this tale will pay dearly. I would like to know where they got the idea that Lyanna was pregnant."
Ser Barristan hesitated. He hoped that Stannis wouldn't notice, but he did, damn him. The man narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Tell me, Ser Barristan," Stannis said slowly. "You knew Rhaegar. Did he ever tell you of Lyanna for the brief period he was still alive during the Rebellion?"
Ser Barristan sighed. "Rhaegar and Lyanna loved each other..." He paused. Stannis leaned forward, taking interest. The Lord Commander cleared his throat before continuing. "And were indeed married. And Rhaegar told me before the Trident...that when he had left Lyanna..." Ser Barristan couldn't say the rest. But Stannis's gaze bore into him. Eventually, he relented. "That Lyanna was indeed pregnant."
The words hung in the air. Stannis had his mouth open in shock. He shook his head as he spoke. "By all the gods man," he said quietly, "and you did not think to tell anyone this for thirteen years?"
"For thirteen years, only Robert felt that Rhaegar had raped Lyanna. But hearing the contents of that scrap of paper...the accusations...I can no longer hold my tongue. I thought perhaps the child had died with Lyanna, but I have often wondered-"
Stannis slammed his hand onto the table. He stared down at Ser Barristan with anger. "Wonder no more. The mystery has been solved, damn you!" Ser Barristan meet Stannis's gaze with determination. He had come to the same conclusion he knew Stannis had arrived at. All the pieces fit together so clearly. Lyanna's pregnancy, Ned Stark's bastard, the letter...
Jon Snow was could very well be Rhaegar's trueborn son.
Ser Barristan put a hand on his sword. Stannis darted his eyes to it, and then looked back at Ser Barristan. The tension between the two was like Balerion the Black Dread had come again. The Lord of Dragonstone and the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard stared each down. Can I trust you? Those were his thoughts for Robert's stern and loyal younger brother.
Stannis breathed out, hoarse and irritated. "Do not fear, I'll keep this a secret. If Robert learns of Lyanna's pregnancy, and now of all times, after...Ned Stark wouldn't give the boy up easily. Not without a fight."
Ser Barristan was surprised when he let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding in. He hadn't been sure of what the middle Baratheon brother would do if Barristan had told him this secret.
"I'll send one of my men with Renly to Winterfell, to keep an eye on things. He'll report back to me about this. Now, I shall have to give the man a message for Lord Stark. Let us hope he'll will listen to common sense."
"He has been for thirteen years," Ser Barristan said hopefully. That Lord Stark had taken the boy as his bastard and raised him with his own trueborn children was proof of that. Yet, part of him still worried. The boy was most likely Rhaegar's son. Ser Barristan could not allow for another of Rhaegar's children to die. Not again.
Stannis just grimly stared ahead at some unknown point. "Aye," He said firmly. The man sighed heavily, and turned to leave. He stopped. "Ser Barristan," he said slowly, "thank you for your time." Stannis kept his back to him. For Ser Barristan, it was a sign he had lost the man's trust. He had always been seen as a paragon of honor and virtue, everything a knight should be, but having kept a secret such as this from the Usurper, how could he blame Stannis?
"What shall happen to the boy?" Ser Barristan asked. Stannis turned back to him. He regarded him wearily still.
"He'll have to take the black, Ser Barristan. Any birthright he may have had is irrelevant. My brother is king," he paused, like he had more to say, but closed his mouth. Something was troubling him, and it wasn't the letter. Barristan had an idea of what it could be.
Ser Barristan knew who the real father of Cersei's children was. He had seen how Jaime Lannister was around them and his sister, the queen. Already, Joffrey reminded Ser Barristan of Aerys. The Kingslayer dishonored his cloak beyond simple oath breaking. He wondered if that might be what was troubling Stannis.
"What should happen if word of this spreads beyond the capital?" Ser Barristan asked.
Stannis scoffed. "We'll keep this quiet for now. Doubtless, there will be rumors, but they can be dismissed as rumors."
Without another word, Stannis Baratheon left the White Sword Tower, leaving Ser Barristan to himself. The white knight stood up, and searched for the ancient tome of the Kingsguard. Once he got it, he started to read. He tried to read the entries of Corlys Velaryon, Robin Darklyn, Ser Duncan the Tall. But in the end, he couldn't stop reading about Criston Cole.
AN: So, this a little fanfic idea I had. I wanted to do a plausible story where Robert learns of R+L=Jon Snow, and how this affects Westeros as a whole.
I have chosen just about when Stannis first got suspicious of Cersei and her kids as the starting point for this little AU. I imagine that Prince Rhaegar told Ser Barristan of Lyanna's pregnancy, but Ser Barristan probably ended up not knowing if the child lived or died. Until now, that is.
I have left out some important events which have occurred concurrently, but some of you here can probably guess at what I am referring to.