Howland Reed held the key to finding out about his mother and Jon was eager to find out anything at all. If he could get her name or what she looked like, that would satisfy him for now. He let Meera spend the evening with her father and asked Sansa to prepare a feast in Lord Reed's honor for tonight. He would take Lord Reed aside at the feast and ask him about the woman that managed to bewitch his father so much so, he would forget his loyalty to Catelyn.
Davos asked for Jon's council when he returned from questioning Ella and the kitchen staff. He learned from one of the cooks that Ella would come to the kitchen early every morning and ask for a loaf of bread. The cook never found it odd, but one day when she walked out to the Hunter's Gate to collect some herbs for the stew, she saw the young girl talking to a young man just outside the gate. Davos suspected she was placing her messages to Baelish in the bread and the boy was either delivering them or sending them by Raven.
"The young lass is full of lies, your grace. She will say or do anything to protect Lord Baelish. We will never be able to prove anything against him without her confession of his guilt. Lady Sansa was correct when she said, never to trust him," Davos waited for Jon's reply when Sansa walked in with a devious smile upon her face.
"Allow me to invite him to my wedding and I shall flush the rat out in the open. He will sell us out to the South if he thinks it will gain him the Iron Throne. He cares not for anything but power and glory. Let's take both of those away from him," Sansa sat down beside Jon as her soon to be husband walked in.
Killian gave his beloved a puzzled look. They had spent hours talking about Petyr and how he used Sansa to gain favor from the Bolton's. She was sure he had already sold her out to the Lannister's and Cersei knew she was back in Winterfell. He really didn't want Petyr Baelish anywhere around his bride or in his family home.
"As King, it is your choice, your grace... but I do not wish to have Lord Baelish in Greyfork ever again. There must be another way to stop him," Killian took Sansa's hand and kissed it tenderly before standing next to Davos.
"I - there is, but not one I know of. Sansa, if you could prove to Lord Robyn that Petyr isn't the man he thinks he is, then the East and the Eyrie would be better for it and House Arryn would once again be a true friend to House Stark," Jon looked at Sansa, hoping she didn't do something foolish.
"Very well, I won't invite him to the wedding, but I will invite Lord Robyn. Let me handle this, Jon," Sansa rose and took Killian's hand. Killian shrugged his shoulders back at Jon, feeling sure this ginger beauty was not to be tamed.
"Davos, walk with me," Jon stood and walked out the room and out to the stables. Jon was ready to be done with the spy so he could concentrate on the Wall and the Night King. He had a confidant in Winter's Town that had been loyal to the Stark's and Lord Eddard for many years. Hopefully, he could call upon him to help in this matter.
As they mounted their horses and road out to the gate, he told Davos about the man that lived not far from Winterfell that owned the largest farm and provided them with food and grain. He was once a Knight in King's Landing but gave it all up for the love a Northern woman. He and Lord Eddard were good friends, being he was a cousin to his wife, Catelyn and Ned would often go to visit to have a horn of ale.
They arrived at the farm to a hardy welcome from Ser Oscar Whent and his family. Lady Tally sent her daughters to make preparations for the King and Ser Davos, wishing she had more time to greet them properly. Jon assured her it wasn't necessary since they will only be staying a short while. Oscar joined Jon and Davos in the stable, seeing the urgency on the King's face.
Davos introduced himself and shook Oscar's hand, the two men both understanding the smell of battle and the taste of blood. Oscar had their horses watered and feed, asking them to join him in a horn of ale. They walked to his house, sitting down by the fire as his wife and children scurry about.
"It's been a long time, my lord... excuse me, your grace. If Ned could see you know," Oscar lifted his horn, toasting to Ned's memory before drinking.
"I - it has. I remember father bringing me and Robb here to go over the supplies for the town's people. He knew you depended on us as much as we depended on you. You still hold a bond with Sansa, being her mother's kin, but none to me, my lord. I come to you not as your King, but as a friend and Lord of Winterfell. I have a problem I think you may be able to help me with," Jon took a sip of ale, seeing a small boy with red hair hiding being the doorway.
"If I can be of service to you, I shall try. My family has serviced King's before, some not as noble as you and others mad and cruel. My Uncle fought for the Mad King and died for him, something I hope to never repeat. I lost my House and my title the day I left the Riverlands and the service of the capital. Ned was a good man, a man of honor and I would have loved to see him and Catelyn once more. As for Lady Sansa, Tully blood runs through both of our veins, a bond that is hard to break. It is the bond of friendship and the oath to your father that binds me to you, your grace. You did not call upon me when you took back Winterfell, but I would have gladly taken up a sword for you," Oscar waved for his youngest to come to him, seeing the boy admiring the King and the sword upon his hip.
The boy ran to this father, his red hair and blue eyes reminding Jon of his sweet Careen. He wondered if they would have a boy with her eyes and hair that was as fierce as Tormund, as loyal as Davos and as regal as Sansa. Jon smiled at the boy and pulled Longclaw from his hip. The boy reached out, but his father stopped him.
Lady Tally came to collect her child, scolding him for bothering his father and the King. "Come, Leon. I'm sorry, your grace, he's a curious child."
"No harm done, my lady. How old is the boy?" Jon asked, wondering if Oscar taught his children to use weapons. He placed Longclaw back the sheath and winked at the young boy.
"Seven, your grace. My wife can't give me more children, so Leon is special to her. I have three daughters and two sons. My eldest son is out in the pasture now and my eldest daughter is recently married. You were recently married... to Lord Finn's only daughter. Seamus was a good man; too bad his son Liam wasn't. His son, Killian, I hear, is living at Winterfell now. I hear he likes his ale and his solitude," Oscar chuckled, recalling the gossip that his wife would chatter on about.
"Lady Careen is a rare beauty. I am lucky to have her as my bride and my Queen. Killian and Sansa are to marry soon. You'll have to come to Greyfork for the wedding. Now back to the problem I have," Jon finished off his horn of ale and scooted the horn aside.
Oscar sent his wife and children out of the room, not wanting them to be involved in the King's business. Jon and Davos took turns telling Oscar about the events with Lord Baelish and the spy he planted there. He took it all in, listening intently as he stroked his long graying beard. He knew that the town's people keep their eyes and ears open all the time, most of them trading in gossip at the brothel or market.
He sent for his eldest son, Pip, knowing the boy kept his late night visits to the brothel from his mother. Pip joined them, a tall, lanky boy with dark hair and blue eyes with just the skim of a beard about his cheeks. He sat down beside his father as Oscar asked him if he'd seen any strangers in town or a young man with a message to send by Raven.
"I, I have father. A boy comes to the brothel and has Daisy send messages for him. He comes at dusk every night, helps clean up the brothel and spends the night... usually with Daisy," Pip looked over his shoulder several times, making sure his mother wasn't close enough to hear.
Davos looked at Jon as if he put the pieces of the puzzle together. "Where exactly did this girl, Daisy come from? Is she of the North or the South?"
"South, my lord. She worked for Lord Baelish in King's Landing before the Faith Militant made it illegal," Pip answered him and Davos began to work a plan together.
Jon could feel his blood being to boil. He'd been taken for a fool, but Petyr was going to see that the North is harder, stronger and more loyal than the South. It was obvious to Jon and Davos that Petyr was not only playing his game of deceit with Sansa and the North but with Cersei and the South, making promises to all of them. He needed to get a message to Ryder, to make sure the allies they have in the South remain allies. When the Targaryen Queen landed in Westeros, he was sure the South would look to the North for aid and he was determined to tell Queen Cersei he and the North served no Queen of the South.
The King jumped to his feet, letting the anger he was feeling roll over into his words. "I've had enough. I will talk to this whore myself. This ends tonight."
Pip and Oscar rose up, each one seeing the fire of a great King with Jon Snow. "Allow Pip to go in and talk to the girl. I will bring her to you outside the brothel. When a King or Lord enters a brothel, tongues wag and rumors start."
They rode off for the brothel, when Pip spotted the boy just outside the gates of the house. Pip raced off, running after the boy and tackling to the ground. They fought as Pip wrestling the boy into a choke hold, making him scream out in pain. Jon took the boy by the nape of the neck, feeling his heart sink when he realized it was the stable boy, Allan.
"Why!" Jon shouted and Allan began to beg for his life. Davos took the boy from Jon, shoving him down on his ass as he towered over him.
"Your King asked you a question, boy," Davos stared at Allan, watching the tears stream down his face. The boy was scared and shaking, almost to the point of wetting his pants.
"To buy my sister's freedom. She works in the brothel and is owned by Lord Baelish. I only send what Ella gives me and nothing more. My mother doesn't know, your grace... please don't tell her. She's poor in health and the news would surely kill her," Allan lay on the ground crying, pleading with his King to spare him.
"Rise boy. Do for me what you do for Baelish and all will be forgiven. Oscar, can you take in his sister and keep her here until I have dispatched with the new Lord of the Vale?" Jon pulled Allan up and tucked his arm around the young boy's neck.
"The brothel keeper owes me favor or two," Oscar and his son continued on to the brothel. Jon put Allan up on his horse and rode back to Winterfell. Allan had no idea what the messages said nor did his sister, but Ella did. They had found the spies and would be vigilant to make sure no more spies of the South or East found their way inside.
~.~
Careen found herself at the Heart Tree, her own heart heavy with the secret she had to keep. She touched the tree, trying to find some solace from the power within the wierwood, but nothing happened. On her knees, she prayed to the Old Gods to show her what to do. The snow began to fall harder as she sat there, the cool air making her cheeks a rosy red.
She lifted her head when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Howland Reed standing there, his face as kind as that of her father's.
"You looked troubled, my lady," Howland sat on the stump beside the tree, offering his hand to Careen. She took it and sat beside him. He looked at her the way her father used to when she'd been crying.
"What do you know of Jon's mother?" she asked, hoping Ned kept the truth of what happened in the tower from his friend.
"Don't ask me that, my lady. There are things I shall take to my grave with me and that is one of them," Howland looked away from her as if in pain. The memories of that day still ached as did the scar he bore across his chest.
"You were with Lord Eddard that day... at the Tower of Joy. You were with him when he came back down those steps carrying a small babe with grief in his heart from the loss of his sweet Lyanna. You were there, my lord," she spoke softly to him, telling him the things he thought no other person could possibly know.
Howland lowered his eyes, his face falling as he ran his large hand through his hair. "How do you know that, my lady?"
"I'm Divine, my lord. With gifts given to me by the Old Gods, I saw what Bran showed me. Did Meera tell you what Jojen could do? She told me it was his gift that lead them to Bran and to the land beyond the Wall. Bran has the gift of sight and with it he showed me that Jon is the son of the Wolf and the Dragon," her voice stayed low as she turned to Howland, trying her best to convince him he could trust her.
He took her hand, pulling her behind the Heart Tree. Howland's eyes were wide as he scanned around to make sure they were in the Godswood alone.
"My Queen, what you know could get you killed... could get the King killed. Ned was more honorable than anyone in the North will ever know. He let his wife think he had lain with another and dishonored his vows to her just to keep his little sister secret. Robert was a good man, but a vengeful man. Jon would have been placed on the pyre to burn like all the other Targaryen's. I keep Ned's secret now, knowing it was for Lyanna. He always planned on telling Jon, after Robert's rule had ended, but he his secret died with him. I will tell Jon if you wish me too, but I beg of you to wait. With Daenerys Targaryen crossing the narrow sea, she will fight to take the Iron Throne. She may take Jon as a threat to the throne," the fear in his voice was so noticeable it made Careen's heart pound.
She wasn't sure what she should do. Was telling Jon the truth something that could come back to haunt them or could she lose her husband by keeping this from him? She would rather have her heart pulled from her chest than lose his love.
"I will keep the secret for now, but you must tell me all you know. I need the truth, all of it," Careen sat down on the snowy ground and Howland joined her.
Howland sat there under the Heart Tree telling Careen about the battle against Ser Arthur Dayne and how he saved Ned by stabbing him in the back of the neck. He was left to tend to his wounds while Ned raced up the stairs to save Lyanna. When Ned returned with tears in his eyes and a baby in his arms, he knew then the truth of what had happened. They traveled to Starfall to return the Sword of the Morning back to House Dayne. He felt a bit ashamed to have taken a great man's life in such a dishonorable way, and Ned shared that with him. He went on to tell her about promising Ned to never tell the truth of Jon's parentage.
They traveled back to King's Landing with a baby that was soon to be claimed as a bastard and the body of his beloved sister and Robert's betrothed. Ned was known as a man of his word and his honor unquestioned, Howland knew if the story of the bastard child wasn't believable, the babe would not live.
Howland came up with the story of the wet nurse, Wylla, that served with House Dayne and nursed Jon while they were there. If anyone was to ever ask, Wylla nursed Ned back to health after he was injured in battle and had a moment of weakness, during a night when his fever clouded his mind. He recovered and journey on to Dorne. After they battle Ser Arthur Dayne, he traveled to Starfall to return the great sword and the Knight's body to find Wylla had given birth to their child but did not survive.
It was the only way to keep Jon alive and keep Lyanna's promise. Howland remembered how loving and kind Lyanna was and how sweet she could be. Her brother's loved her and treated her like their queen. After Brandon and their father were murdered by the Mad King, Ned couldn't let his sister be taken from them. This was his way of keeping her memory alive and keeping Robert's wrath from visiting his family.
Howland returned home his wife, Jyana where he kept the secret even from her. They had Meera the year after he returned and he went about his life at Greywater Watch, teaching his daughter to hunt and trap. When Jojen was born, he allowed himself to put the war behind him. He saw less and less of Ned Stark, but always stayed loyal to the oath he vowed to his friend and Lord.
When Jojen's visions began, he was afraid the Old Gods would out his secret through his son. He lost his Jyana and his will to carry on, allowing old age and memories of days gone by take him over. Not until Jon was crowned King in the North did he find the will to break the chains of his long slumber. There was a debt he owed, an oath he had to keep to the bastard son that had rose up become King and Lord of Winterfell.
Careen listened to each word as if her life depended on it. When Howland told her about a visit from Benjen Stark before he left for the Night's Watch, she felt her heart nearly stop. Benjen wanted confirmation from Howland that Jon wasn't Ned's son.
"Benjen looked at me as if he knew, as if he could see it written on my face. I didn't have to say anything. I closed my eyes and nodded my head. Benjen told me that day that he could see Lyanna in Jon's eyes and that was all proof he would ever need. He wasn't sure if Benjen ever talked to Ned about it, but he was sure only a Stark that knew and loved Lyanna could have ever seen the truth," Howland finished his story as tears filled his eyes. The loss of his friends and family rested heavy in his heart and heavy on his mind.
Sansa called out for Careen and she looked from behind the tree to see Meera there with her. "There you are. Have you seen Lord Reed?"
"He's here with me telling me stories of my husband and your father," Careen patted Howland's arm, giving him a quick smile before rising to her feet. Before she could join them, Howland stopped her and whispered something in her ear.
"A child and heir to the crown would be better suited with the name Targaryen," he gave her a slow nodded and walked over to his daughter. Sansa took Careen's hand, tucking in the bend of her elbow. They talked about the feast on their way back, even giggling at the request from Lyanna Mormont to have Ella sent to The Wall.
There was a lightness in her heart as she joined her new family in the Great Hall. She was sure the Old Gods had answered her with Howland's words. When their son was born, she would tell Jon the truth, but first she had to tell Bran her plan.
Sorry it has taken me so long to update. I've not been well as of lately, but I'm back and hopefully will be posting more regularly. I thank you for your continued support and your reviews are the fuel that feeds my writing. I hope you continue to read and enjoy.
*The Finn/Stark wedding is next and a surprise or two.
