Two
I know the truth of Jon Snow's parentage. Agree to the marriage alliance of Elia Devenny and Jon Snow and I won't say a word.
Prince Doran Martell
Ned Stark held the letter in his hand knowing that the decision had once again been made for him. He doubted that Doran Martell would actually tell Robert the truth but at the same time he could not take the chance. The game was a tricky one and the time had come for Jon to learn the truth especially if he was to be prepared to be married to this girl.
"It is time Lyanna I just hope he forgives me," he whispered to the wind praying to his sister.
~Pawns of the Game~
Jon entered his father's study wondering why he had been sent for. He looked into the eyes of his father, eyes he had inherited or so he had been told by many and saw something in them that made him pause. His father was looking at him gravely like the Seven Kingdoms was on his shoulders and he waited with baited breath.
"Father you sent for me," Jon greeted.
"Yes Jon there is something I must tell you of grave importance," Ned started trying to find the strength to tell him the truth.
"What is it father?" he asked worried.
"You have always known that Lady Stark is not your mother but I kept the full truth from you for your own protection. It is time I tell you who your parents truly are," Ned revealed.
"Who are they?" he asked wide eyes filled with confusion.
"My sister Lyanna Stark is your mother and Prince Rhaegar Targaryen is your father. Robert decided to believe that my sister had been kidnapped but that was not the truth. She committed but one act and that was falling in love with a married man. I found her being guarded in the tower holding you in her arms. She knew that she was dying and all she wanted was for you to be protected. I made her promise that I have kept and will continue to keep till the day I die. She loved you with her dying breath," he finished softly feeling sad at the thought of his sister.
Jon didn't say anything feeling as though the world was closing in around him. He had known that Lady Catelyn was not his mother but she treated him kindly despite the shame he brought to the family and now the man that he had looked up to for so long was not his father. He turned running and not stopping until he had reached the woods letting the tears fall trying to face the few simple truths that had been revealed.
He was a Targaryen.
He was Rhaegar Targaryen's son.
Lyanna Stark was his mother.
He was still a bastard.
He wanted to tell someone but the thought of telling Robb had made him pause not because he did not trust him but because of King Robert. Jon remembered the way his father had warned him of the hatred that Robert held towards the Targaryen line. He swallowed knowing that he had to keep this secret if only to protect not only himself but his family as well. He felt truly alone for the first time in his life and there was nothing that could change that.
~Pawns of the Game~
Jon walked back into his father's study feeling tired and ashamed. Ned Stark was honorable and despite having every reason to tell the truth he lied to keep him safe. He did not hide the truth from Jon out of spite but hid it out of love and concern for his safety. He still considered the man to be his father and nothing would change that.
"I came to apologize for earlier father," he said softly a small smile on his face.
"You have no reason to apologize," Ned told the boy loving him like a son hoping that Lyanna was proud of him.
"If Rhaegar did not kidnap my mother or rape her then why did Robert still kill him?" Jon asked.
"The truth wouldn't have changed anything in his eyes. He would have killed Rhaegar anyway just for the simple truth that Lyanna was no longer his. My only comfort was that your mother did not live to learn the truth about what happened to Rhaegar, Elia, Rhaenys, and Aegon. She would not have forgiven herself," he said sadly a sigh escaping him.
"Why tell me now?" Jon asked knowing there had to be a reason.
"Prince Doran Martell has sent me a letter telling me that he knows the truth about you Jon and the only way he will keep quiet is if I agree to the marriage alliance between you and Elia Devenny of Snow Rock," Ned revealed.
Jon sighed closing his eyes knowing that they must agree to it. Robert would have his head if he learned the truth. It seemed that despite everything Jon was just another pawn in the game of life, the game of thrones and he would be lucky if it did not destroy him irrevocably.
~Pawns of the Game~
Doran sighed knowing that after so long it was time to tell his brother the truth. He knew that unlike him the Red Viper was slightly more volatile about information but he was in no way stupid. Oberyn could be a deadly opponent and Doran was no fool in thinking that once his brother learned the truth he would be facing the wraith of the Red Viper as well as that of his nieces. He looked up as his brother walked in giving him a glare for interrupting him to which he just smirked.
"I have news dear brother," Doran started by way of greeting.
"What news is so important that you had to send guards after me?" Oberyn asked curious and a little angry but he kept himself in check.
"We finally have the chance to set in motion a plan for revenge," Doran revealed.
Oberyn tilted his head wanting to hear more but the more his brother spoke the more he wanted to reach out and strangle Doran. He was furious, livid and if not for the fact that he refused to be a kinslayer his brother would be dead right now. He shook his head in disgust knowing that even if he left for Winterfell now he would not make it in time to stop the events his brother put into motion but a Martell always remembered.
