Part 6
Ned felt exhausted as he bid good night to the last ones of his guests. Catelyn had already retired and Ned knew that he wasn't welcome to their bedchamber. Once again he felt a burden on his shoulders. The secret he had kept from his wife for all these years… He felt guilty, but he also knew that he had done the right thing. He had no doubt saved his sister's son. Ned had adored Lyanna and he still missed her. He had tried his best to raise her son, just like he had promised. He loved Jon just as much as he would love his own son.
Hopefully he was now doing the right thing by agreeing to this marriage. He wanted Jon to have a good life, but of course he would have liked to give him the opportunity to choose his own wife. However defying Robert's order would have raised many questions, especially when this marriage was so beneficial for Jon. A bastard marrying the king's niece… Only a fool would have refused.
Still Ned was struggling to decide what to do. He would have happily given Jon his name like Stannis had demanded, but he knew that Catelyn had meant what she had said, she would never forgive him. Ned loved his wife dearly and the last thing he would have wanted was to cause her grief. He could never forget the look in her eyes when he had brought Jon home and told her that the child was his. He had broken Catelyn's heart that day.
Somehow she had managed to forgive him, but she was a proud woman and he knew that she has had enough. She wouldn't tolerate any more humiliation. He needed to find some other solution. Then there was even more difficult question. Should he tell Jon the truth about his parents? It was clear that no one else could know, Jon's life would be in danger.
Even after all these years, Ned knew that Robert wouldn't hesitate to kill Jon if he would know who his real parents were. Ned had promised Lyanna that he would protect her son, but he didn't have much chance to protect him from the king. Of course he could only tell Jon, but should he? Would that really change anything? Would he take away Jon's chance for a happy life?
He would have to keep a secret from his wife, just like Ned had done for all these years. Should he really make Jon live with that burden? Ned really wasn't sure what to do. Tiredly he walked across the hallway, planning to go to his study and have a drink before asking a servant to prepare a guestroom for him. He stopped as he suddenly noticed Robb and Jon.
"Come on, tell me," Robb said. "What did you two talk about?"
"All kinds of things," Jon replied.
"And?"
Jon smiled.
"She's wonderful."
Robb smiled too and tapped Jon's shoulder.
"I'm happy for you. She seems very sweet and I think she will be a good wife for you."
"Yes, I just hope that I can be a good husband."
"Of course you can."
"I don't know, I…"
Jon didn't continue when he noticed Ned.
"Father."
Ned smiled at both of his sons.
"What are you boys doing?"
"We were just going to bed," Robb replied.
"I see. Jon, can I have a word with you first?"
"Yes, of course, father. Good night, Robb."
"Good night," Robb replied.
Ned waited until he and Jon were in the study before he spoke.
"I know you must be tired, but I wanted to ask what you thought about Lady Shireen."
"I like her," Jon replied. "She's kind and sweet."
"Yes, she is."
Ned paused, trying to choose his words right.
"Do you feel that she is…suitable for you?"
Jon seemed confused.
"Suitable?"
"Yes. It was never my intention to force you into marriage or choose your wife for you. I would like you to tell me honestly, do you want to marry her?"
Jon frowned.
"Why are you asking that, I thought that this was King Robert's order…"
"Yes, this was, but I would like to know how you feel. Do you think that you could be happy with her?"
Jon looked at him for a moment before nodding.
"Yes, I do."
Ned was relieved; the last thing he wanted was Jon to be miserable for the rest of his life. Arranged marriages were normal for noble families and Ned's own marriage had been arranged, but he had been lucky enough to have a wife like Catelyn. He loved her and he had been happy with her. Ned wasn't the kind of man who thought that appearance meant everything, but he was aware that Lady Shireen's scars would have bothered many men. He was more than proud to notice that Jon didn't seem to be one of those men. Lady Shireen had many good qualities; Ned had no doubt that she would be a good wife.
"I'm very happy to hear that," he said and put his hand on Jon's shoulder. "Is there anything I can help you with? Do you have some questions?"
Jon bit his bottom lip and hesitated for a moment before replying.
"Actually yes. Could you tell me how I should court her?"
Ned was surprised.
"What? You two are already engaged…"
"Yes, but I would like to get to know her. I… I want her to like me before the wedding. What is the appropriate way to court a lady like her?"
Ned couldn't help but smile, he truly was proud of Jon.
"Well… I would suggest some small but thoughtful gift. Something personal. Talking and especially listening to a woman is always a good thing. You can invite her to take a walk with you. Compliment her appearance, dress or maybe hair, and wear a cloak. That way you can offer it to her if she is cold."
"Great ideas, thank you father," Jon said. "You must know a lot about women."
"Not nearly enough, trust me," Ned chuckled. "Women are one of the greatest mysteries in the world; no man can ever understand them completely."
Jon smiled.
"It's a good thing then that I like challenges."
