A/N: Here's a longer one. Enjoy.
To ALLS96: It's more of how Cat initiated the talk. She told him the truth of her feelings and from what she was saying, Jon had the hint of the truth which Ned fully supplied after she had her piece. I didn't want to write it because I felt that it could've gone a thousand different ways and I still wouldn't come close so to make it easier for myself, I'll leave it as it is. Haha. I hope I cleared it up for you. Thanks for reviewing.
Disclaimer: Game of Thrones is not mine.
Summary: When Ned finally told Catelyn about Jon Snow's mother, he had not expected for things to turn out the way they did in the end. It was so unfortunate that Robert had been smarter than Ned ever thought he was.
III
They were to travel south to King's Landing for Jon to be legitimized, King Robert commanded.
It had been almost a year since he'd known the truth. Who he was, where he'd come from, who his mother was…
And who his father was.
The day after he'd been told, he had refused to see anyone and barely ate anything. The bread and meat they sent him always remained barely touched. His siblings— cousins— didn't know what to do. They had tried everything they could to break down his walls that grew as thick and cold as the Wall. Even Sansa came to try and help but to no avail. Such was the devastating effects of being told the truth and undoing the lie, Ned knew. He had even expected it. He had hoped to tell Jon when he was older. He doesn't mean to keep the secret to the grave, just until Jon understood the world of men a little better. But in hindsight, Ned thought it was ill-timed to have told the boy when he's healing. But Cat had told him it was better that he tell Jon when he's still confined within the walls of the castle where it was safe than when he could use his legs to run away and they would have a repeat of how he was injured in the first place.
Robb had then proceeded to demand what Ned and Catelyn have done to Jon that caused him to be in such a state with Arya and Bran not far behind him, their little direwolf pups growling behind them, mirroring their masters' moods. Ned told them that what had been said between the three of them was for Jon to tell now, not his. Not anymore. He felt so relieved to be rid of the secret that burdened him but consequently felt guilty that he had placed that secret upon Jon's shoulders. Eventually, Cat had put an end to their children's demands and had told them all to be patient and see if Jon would grace them the honor of sharing his secret.
Again, it was Cat who took charge and talked some sense into the boy. She'd had enough of his moping and brooding, wasting away as if he had nothing to live for. Whatever she said to him, for Ned knew not, had worked and slowly, Jon began to show signs of life— as much as he had, considering the lad's proficient at brooding— again albeit still under Cat's watchful eye. She had taken to him like a mother would to a motherless child, as it should have been from the beginning if only Ned had the sense to tell her the truth. But that was all in the past now. They were atoning for whatever and however they needed to atone.
Most of all, it was for Jon.
The son of his beloved little sister.
The son of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen.
The rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms.
Ned had shuddered at the thought of Jon being crowned king and left to fend the vipers that lurked every corner of King's Landing.
When Jon had realized this, he had looked deathly pale and had balked at the idea of being king. He had stuttered about not being qualified enough for it and that it wasn't what he wanted because all he'd ever need was right here in the North, where he belongs. Ned could not be more proud of his nephew— no, son— for he was Ned's son, no matter who sired him. He would always be Ned's son. When he'd told Jon as much, Ned was surprised that Jon's grey eyes began to brim with tears.
"And you'll always be my father." He had promised in return.
Ned shook his head and steeled himself as he saw the high towers of the Red Keep spiral up into the sky and braced himself, as he knew that he'll be enduring a glorious amount of politicking.
Jon looks like he feels the same way. Or maybe it was the smell that invaded their nostrils that had him looking sour. His wolf, Ghost, who'd grown larger in the last year since the pups had been born in the kennels, was absolutely quiet and disinterested. It was an apt name for the creature. He made no noise, not unless Ghost wanted to be heard.
"This is where he grew up." Jon whispered to Ghost, unbeknownst to him that Ned was within earshot. Ned didn't need to ask to know who he was. After the initial shock and feelings of betrayal had passed, Jon began to be curious enough of his birth parents to ask about them. He even went as far as the Wall to speak with one of his last living relatives with Robb at his side under the guise of checking fortifications, the men, and the wildling reports and sightings. Robb did the actual work whilst his brother was given the opportunity to speak with the maester.
Accidentally, that was also when they'd discover the wights, another thing for Ned to worry about. They attacked during the night and Jon had saved the Lord Commander's life by chugging fire at the wight, destroying it and burning himself in the process. In thanks, Commander Mormont gave him his family's ancestral sword as a gift with a white wolf for a pommel. Jon had tried to refuse, saying that it belonged to his heir but with the Commander's eldest son shamed and banished, he would be more than happy to see that the person who'll wield it would be as honorable as the Liege Lord of the North. Jon accepted and thanked him, letting the beautiful Valyrian steel sword named Longclaw shine in the light for all to see.
Later, back in Winterfell, Jon confided to Ned and Robb how he was secretly pleased about the pain where the flames licked his skin. He wasn't too much like the dragons after all. Robb laughed really hard at that.
When Jon told his cousins of his real identity, Ned had been unsurprised and proud of his children when they declared that it matters not who Jon's father or mother was. They were a pack and a pack that stays together could survive any winter. Even Sansa had declared the same albeit as awkward as her mother had and like before, Jon had forgiven and accepted his sister's tentative approach.
He shook his head of the memories and climbed down the ramp with Jon at his heels.
Two Kingsguard and Lannister guards waited for them at the harbor which had Ned confused. True, he was the king's friend and he is the Liege Lord of the North but it didn't merit a full guard as an escort. Ned couldn't help but feel a bad feeling about this.
When they were brought before the Iron Throne, only the king, the queen, the crown prince, and the Small Council were present. They were only here to greet the king and his family after all. The legitimization was not until tomorrow. He noticed that the queen's smile was a tad bit malicious but Ned expected nothing less. She was a Lannister through and through with a pride as loud as a lion's roar.
Ned brought himself onto one knee and Jon did the same behind him. Ned thought he heard Robert suck in a breath.
"Rise, Lord Stark." The voice was cold and Ned internally frowned at the tone. When he saw his old friend, he barely recognized him. Fat and red as if he'd been drinking before he sat on his throne, Robert glared mightily at them. It was how Robert had looked long ago when they went to war albeit he was younger and slimmer then.
"Rise, Jon Snow." The king growled and this time, Ned outwardly frowned. Jon rose and stood with his hands twitching on his sides, his face unreadable. Ned knew that look. It was the look of someone preparing for a fight.
Ned cleared his throat. "Your Grace, I—"
"Shut up, Ned!" Robert snapped. Ned was so taken aback that he only gaped at the king in return. "So, this is him. The bastard."
Ned could hear Jon's leather gloves creak as he balled his fingers into fists. Even Ghost bared his teeth silently. Meanwhile, Ned was utterly affronted. "Your Grace, that is uncalled for!"
"Is it, Ned? Is it really?" Robert roared. "Is it uncalled for when all this time you've been lying to me! Your king! You defied me the day you let this dragonspawn live!"
Ned's heart stuttered in his chest and grew absolutely pale. How could he know? How did he find out? Then his eyes shifted to Varys. The Spider. He should've known. How could he be so stupid? So careless? The Spider's web was vast and wide, even a whisper is not without his hearing. This was the reason he lied to Cat. Why he lied to all of them. Now, his family will pay for his weakness. They were all in danger.
"Robert, listen to me—"
"I've had it with your lies! Throw these traitors in a cell!"
Ned had tried to struggle as Lannister guards and Kingsguards alike took hold of him and Jon.
"Father!" Jon screamed and Ned couldn't see what they were doing. All he knew was the darkness creeping in and pain sprouting from the back of his head.
He tumbled to the floor.