Maege Mormont nursed a cup of ale in her hands contemplating the state of her house while she sat alone in Lord Stark's study. When her brother Jeor Mormont left for the Wall he hoped that his son Jorah would be a capable lord that would lead Bear Islands with honour and dignity. For a time even Maege was satisfied with how things were going under Jorah. When the Greyjoy rebellion started Jorah had served honourable and fought by the side of House Stark to cast out their hated enemies from Iron Islands. He was even present in the Northern army when the Battle of Trident was fought. He was even knighted by King Robert after the victory over Ironborn. But it all went to hell when her nephew married that Hightower woman after the tourney in Westerlands.
The once strong and mighty bear was reduced to a puppy by that uppity Andal woman who was accustomed to a lavish and expensive lifestyle which started to create resentment in Jorah's wife for the isolated Bear Islands. That greedy woman had her nephew dancing to her tune driving House Mormont to paupers by her insane demands that Jorah scrambled to fulfil. The blind devotion that Jorah had to his wife led him to sell poachers to slavers for a price to ensure his precious wife had a luxurious life. In the end, everyone found out about Jorah and House Mormont was shamed. As if that was not enough her nephew and his Hightower wife turned tail and ran rather than face justice. Jorah could have taken the black and soared house Mormont further shame but instead, he ran bringing more shame to House Mormont.
The crimes of Jorah could have spelt doom for house Mormont. They could all have faced execution considering the taboo of slavery was a sever crime for the First Men and in Westeros. Thankfully, Lord Eddard was merciful and never insisted on any punishment because of the loyal service House Mormont has always provided ever since Theon Stark reigned as King in the North. Lord Stark even helped her house financially to regain their footing. That doesn't mean everything was fine for House Mormont. Many Northern Houses refused to get involved with her house simply because of all that has happened. This was very much evident to Maege when she visited Last Hearth.
The Umbers and Mormonts have always kept warm relations even before the Hungry Wolf united the Northern houses under his banner. Both the Bear Islands and Last Hearth faced the threat of Wildlings and this built up a sense of comradeship between the two houses that spent millennials fighting against a common enemy. Their houses have also intermarried a lot in the years past so they even have blood relations with the Umbers. Even with all that the Umbers flat out rejected her proposal for her Dacey. If the Umbers rejected them then so will the Karstarks and other Northern houses. She didn't date to even consider the Boltons. It would be a real hot day in the North that she would even consider her daughter marry some Bolton. She was not that desperate after all she did have other magical means to continue House Mormont. It's just that it would have been better if a second or third son of a Northern house married into House Mormont.
It was with a heavy heart that she resumed her journey to Winterfell from Last Hearth. On the way as luck would have it their company was attacked by bandits. It was there she met the infamous bastard of Winterfell. As far as she could see the boy was a gifted fighter although she could see that it was the first time that the boy took the life of someone. As far as rumours go this Jon Snow was hailed as a gifted swordsman which further inflames the rumours of his parentage. She had heard rumours of Ashara Dayne being the mother of Jon Snow. Not that she cared who the boy's mother was the Stark blood running through his veins was enough for her to contemplate a possible union.
Maege knew that she was asking a lot from the Starks but she is a mother and lady of Bear Islands. She has to think of her house and what's good for her people in the long run. That was why she asked Lord Stark for a possible betrothal between Jon Snow and her daughter. She had expected a flat out dismissal but Lord Stark asked for a few minutes to discuss this with the Maester and since then she has been sitting in Lord Eddard's study waiting for the Lord of Winterfell to return.
She heard the door creak open as Lord Eddard walled into the room followed by the Maester.
"Lady Mormont, I have discussed your proposal with Maester Luwin and I have to say that I would be happy to go with this proposal. However, there is a slight problem." Eddard exchanged an uneasy glance with the Maester
"If this is about the dowry or the cost of the wedding then I am sure House Mormont can pay up." Maege assured them thinking about the Valyrian Steel sword that was in possession of her brother. Thank the Old Gods that Jorah was honourable enough to leave the sword with the family rather than sell it off.
"It is not about that Lady Mormont. Jon is adamant about leaving the North and living in Braavos and I have tried to talk him out of this but he is very stubborn. I don't know whether I will be able to convince him to stay even if I want to."
Maege let out a laugh that confused Eddard as well as Maester Luwin.
"Oh, don't you worry about that Lord Stark. When I was at his age I also thought of wandering the world. This is just a phase that will pass in time. Your own brother had the same disposition of wandering around. It's just that it was within the North. My daughter can tame that Wolf blood in your son within a year and will drag him back to the North where he belongs."
"So, what are you suggesting Lady Mormont?" Eddard looked at her perplexed
"Just let Dacey travel with Jon and I assure you she will bring him back to the North safe and sound." said Maege with a shrug
Eddard threw a questioning look at Maester Luwin.
"Ther is no harm in making an effort my Lord." the old Maester shrugged his shoulder giving a partial agreement
Eddard sat there contemplating the idea and sighed tiredly.
"Looks like we have to send a raven to Bear Islands as well."
Jon let out a sigh of relief as he walked out of the Lord Commander's solar. Thankfully the Old-bear has not decided to throw him out for sounding like a complete lunatic. Instead, the Lord Commander merely waved him out of his solar to Maester Aemon's study. He could hear Shack and Nester whispering in the background about his insanity but Jon decided to just ignore their conversations altogether.
After walking around the castle led by a brother of the Night's Watch they finally arrived at the study of the old maester.
"He should be ready to receive ya. Just don't stay long. The old man needs his sleep." said the brother of the Night's Watch as he left them in front of a door
"Please stay back. Let me talk with him in private." Jon said to his two companions
Shack and Nester nodded and they stepped back to a side leaving Jon alone at the door. After knocking on the wooden door he slowly pushed it open and entered carefully. His eyes traced the oil lamps that were illuminating a modest bookshelf filled with books and at the far end of the room. There was a bed to his immediate right and there an old man in black robes was sitting with support on a nearby table.
"Do come on in my child. At my age, the cold of the Northern nights is likely to bring me to the hallowed halls of the Stranger." Maester Aemon wheezed out
"Sorry!" Jon blushed and stepped into the room closing the door to shield from the cold draft
"I am told you wished to talk to me. Do go on my child."
"I don't wish to speak to Maester Aemon of Castle Black. I wish to speak to Aemon Targaryen the last remaining family member of my father's house on this side of the Narrow sea." said Jon who watched the confused expression on the old Targaryen's face change to a blossoming smile. It was not just a smile but rather the old maester was crying.
"Come closer…" Aemon raised his hands and Jon walked closer and placed his face into the old maester's hand kneeling by the former prince's bedside
"Aegg…" Aemon whispered throatily
"I am not Aegon Targaryen, granduncle. I am Jaehaerys Targaryen son of Rhaegar Targaryen." Jon softly whispered in pity as he understood that the old Targaryen must have mistaken him as his brother
"Son of Rhaegar…? Who is your mother?" Maester Aemon asked in a sudden bout of clarity
"I was born to Lyanna Stark towards the end of the rebellion. My uncle has been hiding me in Winterfell disguising me as his own bastard to protect me from the usurper." Jon explained as he rubbed the shrivelled hands of the maester hoping to give him some comfort
"He did it! Rhaegar did it! Yours is the Song of Ice and Fire as it has been foretold. Finally, the children of Fire and Ice have united as it was meant to be." Maester Aemon smiled a watery smile as he petted Jon on his head affectionately
"You knew what my father was doing? He wrote to you!" Jon suddenly recovered from the Maester's answer
"Oh yes. Rhaegar wrote to me many times. A curious but brave scholar, unlike anyone that I have ever seen. His words contained wisdom far beyond his age. He would have made a great king, one that Aegg would have been proud of." Said Aemon who was smiling as if he was reliving a memory
"Please tell me more." Jon requested and Maester Aemon began recounting his relationship with Rhaegar. About how the Last Dragon would write him letters asking for advice and discussing legends surrounding the prophecy. It was this discussion that led to Rhaegar finding out that the Starks were a potential family that could help to fulfil the prophecy.
"So he didn't love my mother. He just used her as a means to an end." Jon asked feeling disappointed
"Do you think that is true?" Jon asked fishing for more information
"I don't know my boy. This is what your father beloved in and he thought that your existence was worth fighting a war over. Despite how it looks Rhaegar cared deeply for the people in the realm and he was more than willing to sacrifice himself and his family if it means that the common people have a chance to survive the Long Night. He considered it a necessary sacrifice although I believe he expected to win at the Trident. But as you can see the gods rarely agree with the plans concocted by even the greatest of men."
Jon was silent for a while processing everything that was revealed to him. For a long time, he had regarded Rhaegar as a man driven insane and obsessed by the prophecy. But speaking with Maester Aemon has shown him that perhaps Rhaegar has been the greatest of them all. The Last Dragon surely knew the risks that he would be taking and the danger that it would cast on his family but he was willing to take the chance because he prioritised the life of his subjects and the fate of the world more than that of his own and that of his family. While Rhaegar's methods were dubious Jon could see that the Prince was working with what he had under the circumstances. This may not shift the blame on Rhaegar for being the catalyst of a large scale war that took the lives of many but Jon could now understand Rhaegar and his motivations better.
"I need to know everything that you know about the prophecy and the legends of the first Long Night. The Northerners have their own version but I would like to hear from you and understand how my father came to his conclusions."
As Maester Aemon started to narrate the story as he knew it Jon listened carefully.
Later that night Jon and his two companions found adequate lodgings for the three of them to spend the rest of the night. Jon hoped that in the morning he would be able to convince the Lord Commander to let him range out to the other side of the Wall.