Eddard
Chapter 9
It wasn't going to be easy to talk to my children and ward Theon Greyjoy, but it had to be done the truth would crush Arya the most my wolfblooded daughter, who was Lyanna reborn with here steadfast attitude to not been a lady I prayed she would not suffer the same fate.
It went off worse than i had imagined Arya storming off screaming "That it wasn't fair Jon was her brother and we were all liars " Sansa was all joy stating that she knew Jon was special, no doubt dreaming of songs and knights. Theon japed and soured towards Rob the moment he realized he had known all along, Bran and Rickon were the calmest no doubt not understanding what had changed.
It took nearly 2O minutes to bring my children back together and enter the hall as one Arya was still sour barely speaking and frowning at Rob the entire time.I called the attention of my banner man as the food was placed on my table informing them of the announcement that would come once our fast was broken. No doubt once the words were finally out i would lose something from each of them and their opinions of me would be forever aldureted as i tested the vows that swore them to house Stark all those years ago.
Jon
It was a long walk to the rookery due to the stare's of the castle people slowly wearing down my resolve to stand tall, was i not the bastard of Winterfell still, Lord Stark greatest stain. A few words couldn't change every instinct i had to bow my head they way i had countless times over the years due to the shame a bastard created in the presence of others. Persephone's strong hold and unwavering strength beside me pushed me to stay straight and proud the way a son of a Prince and Lady should be.
I swore Maester Luwin walking towards us, forever in the slow way of a Maester, i nod my head "Good mornIng Luwin ."
"Good morning you grace's" he responds "May i ask what brings you to the rookery so early?"
"You may" Persephone responds before smiling and walking ahead towards the cages filled with squawking ravens
I smile towards Luwin, who now dons a look of pure confusion after Persephone response i decide to take pity on my friend "You may ask and she may not tell you"
He laughs once in a wheezing way no doubt not used to emitting such sounds he shake his head along to his response "The Gods help the man who ends up tied to her, she more than most would be prepared for"
i frown slightly a Luwin words Persephone will be no one's but mine as i will be hers, i smile passively towards Luwin before responding in an no argumentative tone "such a thing will not be necessary Maester she will marry who she choose as will i"
He looks worried as speaks softly"Jon you must know alliances are forged through marriage"
"I in times of peace" i responded back once more in a iron tone trying to make him see i will never be moved on such a thing.
"No in times of war Jon, we need the allegiance of the great houses of Westeros" he shake his head in worry "you will win or lose this war due to such things and the best way to achieve this is through marriage"
Persephone own iron tone stops my own response as she walks towards my side once more "Perhaps that would be true if me and Daenerys were nothing more than cattle Maester Luwin" she lifts her head and stared straight into his soul before continuing " But i am and never will be anything less than a warrior first i am this before i am a women, lady, queen or princess and as such i will marry who i choose, perhaps you should share such plans with Lord Stark, for i do not wish to quarrel.
He looks down in acceptance at her words, now properly schooled on the way we will rule our country "I will your grace"
Persephone smile's purely trying to lighten the mood once more with her beauty and calm voice "Good , oh Jon i forgot, i had to write to Daenerys and inform her i'm coming to collect her, stupid of me in my excitement to see her to forget she needs time to prepare."
I respond to her cheerfulness with my own passive tone "Oh of course" as i turn back towards her room " i guess we'll just be very late to the morning meal"
Luwins voice joins ours once more "Actually your graces i was looking for you earlier to inform you of Lord Stark plans" he pause i raise my hand to gesture for him to continue
"Lord Stark planned to inform your siblings or cousins now of your parentage and the war that must be fought because of it, due to this upsetting news he asked for you to break your fast in my solar with Persephone, from there i will collect you shortly before the announcement to the banner men of why he called them and their armies to Winterfell, after that you may say your own peace"
I nod back taking in the moment and collecting myself before speaking "Thank You Luwin, i sure food will be sent up?" he nods back in response "good will go there now Sep" i raise my arm for her to take
Luwin voice stops us before we turn "Actually before you go, there is parchment and a quill resting in the rookery"
"Really i didn't know you kept it up here" Persephone says
"Only in times of war, it safer this way just in case a raven must be sent in haste"
"That very wise thank you again Luwin we will see you again shortly" i respond in a dismissive tone which he seems to take happily as he scurries away faster than i thought possible. Sep walks quickly to the rookery pulling out the parchment and quill in one quick motion and scribbling down a few words before attaching it to another raven and sending it away once more.
"What did you say?" i ask
"Not much, just that war has happened and i'm coming to collect her, prepare and quickly i arrive 3 days hence"
"Good it doesn't feel right doing this without her"
She laugh "We have barely planned thanks to your brooding" she smiles at me
"I can't help my nature" i loop her arm once more pulling her back to Luwins solar "And beside you wanted to count the gold we took from Valyria" she frowns "And our own money from the trading ships before plotting to much"
She nods beside me "I am aware of that, we must plan now at any rate before the Lords of the North push their wills on us." I frown slightly at her and speak softer so the eyes and ears of the castle don't hear us, i nod towards a maid in greeting before responding
"I i known, it not like words are ever needed much between us," she smiles toward another passing maid, in response to my waring " anyway no doubt you know which sell swords i think we should purchase?" i ask
" Of course The Golden company, The Second Sons, The Gallant men, The Long Lances and the Stormcrows" she responds in a quick progresses of the names learned from her fluent knowledge of the cities across the sea. " I also thought perhaps the Company of the Rose will fight for you"
I shake my head "Not likely the forsaked Westeros and it politics 300 years ago, and they hate us more than most"
she shrugs " They were northmen once they may side with the Stark in you ? and if not for honour then gold, all men count, in any case so there no harm asking ?"
I sigh taking in her suggestion " You're right, like always" she smiles and pulls me closer " I was thinking the same mostly but, if any say no the unsullied may have to be bought"
Her head snaps to me, before responding in a iron voice "No Jon"
I let out a breath trying to think of an argument to sway her "Sep i don't like it either, slavery it the lowest thing a person can do" she huffs in rage "But, at least we would grant them their freedom the moment they reach our shore, few would ever do the same"
Her frown only deeps at my words as do her huffs and under breath muttering before turn slightly to me "Fine i will do as you command"
she pull her arm free from my grasp before pushing past me and into the Luwins solar scratching the chair loudly as she sit and begins to eat.
I take a calming breath as i speak softly "Sep i'm not ordering,you to do anything, you known i never could you" She raise her eyebrow "we are discussing the possible outcome should we fail in our recruitment of the company's"
She looks aways from my gaze, softening before speaking in accepting tone "I know i'm simply angry at the fate of slaves not you, no matter which path we take they may suffer," she shake her head
"Making it a order rest easier with me that is all." i nod in understanding before joining her at the table and eating my meal
"What will you say to the lords? She asks
I look up from my plate and back down in contemplation "i don't known planing would make it seem hollow i think, i will say what i feel in the moment, that way it will ease any worries and questions they have in an honest manner"
Ah " My Jon you surely will be a great king with such a manner about" she smiles and i can't help but smile back
"Good king Jon kind and brave" i laugh fully at the pictures she paint we continue our meal in comfortable conversation after waiting for the moment i'm called to meet my fate.
