Dragons of Wolf and Sun
Toxicfireball
Chapter 7: The song begins
Summary:
The beginning of the main story
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Jon
"When can we expect the scorpions to arrive uncle?"
"In perhaps a moon's turn? I ordered a dozen of those from the Sealord himself. I cannot imagine Braavos would cheat us. It should be delivered to White Harbour soon, then we can transport them to Sea Dragon Point," His Uncle Benjen replied "Jon you need to come up with a name for your House and castle. Have you come up with a name?"
"I have not Uncle, I have been discussing with Princess Rhaenys. Thank you Uncle for going through all the trouble to help me," Jon replied.
"No problem Jon, you don't have to thank me." Benjen Stark replied cheerfully. "I prefer being at Sea Dragon Point than here. I cannot linger here for long. The memories of my siblings are too painful,"
Jon had heard the story of the death of his grandfather, Rickard Stark as well as his deceased uncle and aunt, Brandon and Lyanna.
"Oh, but Uncle, don't you have a family to raise? You should spend more time on your own family I am just a bastard," Jon replied.
His uncle looked at him with sad eyes and replied "Don't ever think of yourself as that Jon. You are knighted at the age of thirteen, one of the youngest person to ever be knighted! Anyway, you should get ready for your wedding! It will happen in a few moons turn!"
Jon felt himself blush, he could not imagine himself getting married. What was worse was that his wife was almost four years older than him and a princess no less. Yet he nodded his head, the day was spent mostly on lessons with Maester Luwin who was free today. Normally, Lady Stark would try and make sure he was the last in line to be taught by him though often he took lessons with Robb. Today, he had to wait for days where his half-siblings were free so that he could take lessons privately from Maester Luwin. He liked Maester Luwin as he never looked down on Jon despite his bastard status, unlike the Septa.
Today, Maester Luwin went through the more recent lords of the seven kingdoms.
"Do you know who Mace Tyrell is Jon?"
"I do, he is Lord of Highgarden and Lord of the Reach. He was a Targaryen loyalist during Robert's rebellion."
"Hmm, continue"
"He married a Hightower, and has four children. The oldest, Willas Tyrell crippled his leg during a joust against Oberyn Martell, causing great animosity between the Reach and Dorne." He replied "Oberyn told me that Willas Tyrell holds no grudge against him,"
"Indeed, what else can you tell me about him?"
"He sieged Storm's End during the rebellion, but failed to make Stannis surrender." He replied
"Yes but you must see Jon, the Reach can raise close to seventy thousand men. More than any other kingdoms in Westeros. Yet Mace Tyrell sent less than two thousand to the Trident," Maester Luwin replied, "Why do you think so?"
"He sieged Storm's End and crushed the rebel forces in the Stormlands!"
"He did indeed but those remaining rebel forces in the Stormlands merely hid in their castles as the Tyrells approached. Stannis Baratheon only had less than five hundred men inside Storm's End."
"Then why didn't he march most of his men to the Trident, a Targaryen victory would have solidified his position in the Seven Kingdoms! He could have been rewarded with some land from the Stormlands or even the Riverlands!" He replied, he could not understand why Mace Tyrell did not send forces. Twenty thousand Reachmen was only a fraction of the Reach strength but would have allowed a Targaryen victory. "It feels like the Tyrells wanted the Targaryens to lose…"
"Very observant Jon! Who is Mace Tyrell's mother?" Maester Luwin asked with a smile.
"A Redwyne if I remember correctly?" He racked his brains thinking hard "Olenna Redwyne! She married Luthor Tyrell!"
"Indeed Jon. Who was Lady Olenna Redwyne betrothed to before she married Luthor Tyrell?"
He racked his brains, trying to remember, wasn't it a Fosseway? No. It was someone else. He thought harder than he remembered. "Prince Daeron Targaryen! Son of Aegon the fifth!"
"Indeed Jon, a marriage to a Targaryen Prince was something almost every lady dreamed of back in the days. Yet Olenna Redwyne ended up marrying Luthor Tyrell." Maester Luwin replied "It is likely Lady Olenna did not like the Targaryens. It is known throughout the Reach that Lady Olenna Tyrell is the "Queen of Thorns"."
"So she convinced her son to let the Targaryens battle the rebels on their own! If the Targaryens won, she could claim that the Tyrells helped by sieging Storm's End and if they lost, little Reachmen lives would be lost!" He exclaimed "Then why didn't the Tyrells declare for the rebels?"
"The Tyrells are not stupid Jon, many of the Tyrell bannermen especially the Florents feel that the Reach should belong to them. Doing that would cause a civil war in the Reach," Maester Luwin replied. "Remember Jon, every Lord has their own schemes and ambitions, when you are a Lord make sure you know who are your foes and who are your allies."
After Maester Luwin's lesson, he headed for the practice yard. There he found Robb and Theon sparring with Ser Rodrik Cassel supervising them.
"Ah, the bastard is here! Done burying your head in history books? Maybe you will learn how to fight for once!" Theon laughed.
"Done reading how your father was smashed during the greyjoy rebellion," He replied sarcastically.
Theon's face darkened with anger and drew his tourney sword with anger. "Oh bastard so confident? Need I remind you that I am heir to the Iron Islands while all you get is a small keep next to the sea? I must admit that you get a pretty wife. A pity you would not know how to please her. Maybe I could show her what the hole between her legs can do."
Ser Rodrick loomed horrified at Theon's statement "Theon! Apologize! Your statement is unbecoming for the heir to the iron island!"
Jon could feel anger boiling up inside him, the bloody greyjoy fool, he thinks my Rhaenys is one of his whores! Since returning from Dorne, his skills massively improved with the sword, add on to Ser Arthur and Ser Jamie intensive training, Jon was confident he could beat both Robb and Theon. However, he let Robb beat him, fearing what others might think if he beat the heir to Winterfell. He did not want to prove Lady Stark right. He avoided Theon mostly, ignoring his jest. However, Theon's statement about Rhaenys triggered an anger inside him he never felt before.
"No need Ser Rodrick, I will defend my betrothed honor," He replied
"Ha! Come bastard!I will show you how a true ironborn fights!" Theon said in a confident tone.
He took a tourney sword from Robb who looked slightly worried at the confrontation.
He held his sword the same way Ser Arthur taught him, holding it in a defensive stance waiting for Theon to charge him. It was clear from Theon's stance he was going to be aggressive.
Theon charged at him, swinging his sword in a wide arc. Jon decided to humiliate him, he ducked down and the sword cut through thin air. Theon growled in frustration and thrust his sword towards his neck.Theon's body language telegraphed the attack and He sidestepped his attack and the sword found thin air. Theon tried a swing towards Jon's side, Jon simply angled his sword downwards, causing Theon's sword to deflect off Jon's sword. Theon withdrew and made a thrust towards his stomach.
Remember to watch your opponents eyes, their eyes always give away what they will do next. That was what Oberyn had taught him. He once again sidestepped his attack, once again, Theon's sword found nothing but air. Theon brought his sword down in a wide arc towards his head. Jon saw it coming before Theon even swung the sword and easily blocked the attack.
"Stop being a craven bastard! Fight me!" Theon yelled.
"Are you sure greyjoy?" He replied calmly.
When Theon made a swing towards his head, he blocked it effortlessly and swung his fist towards Theon's face. Punching Theon gave Jon some grim satisfaction, but it was not enough. Theon staggered back as Jon moved in for the kill, he swung his sword quickly, Theon managed to block his first strike with his sword, but Jon immediately attacked again, leaving Theon no chance to mount a proper defense, just before he hits Theon ribs, he turned his sword to hit Theon with the flat end if the sword. Despite that, the force caused Theon to yell in pain and he collapsed onto the ground screaming in pain.
"Yield!" He shouted.
Theon was groaning in pain and he yelled back in a voice filled with agony "You used a bastard trick on me! You cheated!"
There is no such thing as a fair fight, Oberyn, Ser Jamie, and Ser Arthur told him all before.
"Yield! Or I will make sure you will never bed a woman again!" He yelled. Pointing his tourney sword in between Theon's legs.
"I yield! Fuck you bastard!" Theon screamed in agony.
"That's more like it greyjoy! The next time you insult my betrothed again, I will remove some of your teeth!" He replied angrily.
He then turned around and walked off the sparring grounds. He then heard clapping, he saw Arya and Rhaenys clapping followed by Ser Jamie and Ser Arthur. As he walked of the field, Ser Arthur asked him
"Was it necessary to humiliate him that badly? You could have ended it right there," Ser Arthur said, his voice laced with amusement.
"Greyjoy deserved some humility See Arthur," Jon replied.
Arthur chucked "I am sure he does,"
Jon always appreciated Ser Arthur being around, yet often could not understand why. The former kingsguard followed him around like a bodyguard much to his confusion. Nevertheless, his presence was a source of wisdom and knowledge as he often consulted the ex-kingsguard.
"Jon! That was amazing! I never seen you fight like that before? Could you teach me?" Arya yelled as she ran over to him.
Jon laughed and said, "I definitely will, not now, however, aren't you supposed to be with Sansa?"
"But sewing lessons with Jeyne and Sansa are horrible! Can't you teach me sword fighting instead?" Arya pleaded.
Jon chuckled and said "Maybe tonight, perhaps, your mother will kill me if I take you away from sewing practice,"
Speaking of Lady Stark, Jon spotted Catelyn Stark walking towards him.
"Speaking of your mother…"
Arya turned around and her face crumpled in disappointment.
"Arya Stark! You are supposed to be at sewing lessons with Sansa! What are you doing herewith… a bastard and a disgraced knight?" Lady Stark said angrily.
Ser Arthur was to say something angry in response like he had many times before, however, Jon shook his head and Ser Arthur kept his mouth shut.
"I apologize to My Lady," Jon replied simply, once he might be afraid of Lady Stark's cold eyes and colder words, but not anymore. He then bowed his head and walked away. While he walked, he could hear Arya trying to explain it was not his fault.
Rhaenys
Rhaenys walled towards Jon's chamber. The performance in the yard had been spectacular, she had grinned when Jon had yelled to 'Defend her honor'. The fight was one of the few times she saw Jon fight, Jon rarely fought properly in the yard. He seemed to always purposely lose to his older brother and avoided Theon like he had greyscale. She only saw him fighting either early in the morning or late in the evening in the practice yard. Once, when she was praying in the godswood, she found Jon training there with Ser Arthur.
Ser Jamie had attested to Jon's skill, saying that he had more potential than anyone at that age. When she asked him today if she could beat her future husband, Jaime smirked and asked "Why don't you find out for yourself?"
Which is exactly what I am doing now.
She knocked on Jon's chambers door and when he opened she told him."Jon! Amazing performance at the training yard today," She congratulated as she entered the room.
"Princess," Jon stammered "I did not expect you here.."
She walked over to find out that Jon was looking through plans of war galleys.
"Are we building a fleet at Sea Dragon Point?"
"Yes we are Princess Rhaenys—"
"Stop calling me Princess, Jon, I don't call you Ser Jon Snow, so stop calling me Princess, anyway I will not be a Princess for much longer, so call me Rhaenys," She replied.
"Of course Prin—, Rhaenys, we are building a small fleet of war galleys and longships to guard our shores and merchant ships," Jon replied.
"The North doesn't have a fleet since Brandon the burner, maybe it's time we give the North a fleet,"
"White Harbour has a very small naval force mostly for coastal defense, they could theoretically assemble a naval force of about thirty longships within a few years. Though it will not be able to contend with the Redwyne fleet or Stannis Baratheon's royal fleet" Her betrothed replied, "The North has not many coastal defenses facing the west, so I thought building a small fleet for defense and trade will help a lot,"
"Lord Stark approved?"
"He did indeed," Jon replied enthusiastically, "I must thank your mother and her family too, they have agreed to trade with us! Also at Sea Dragon Point, my uncle found the remains of the Northern fleet that was once based there? They found the remains of shipyards and naval bases which are relatively close to where they are raising the castle!"
"Don't need to thank my mother, you saved her life, it's the least Dorne can do, anyway, aren't I a proper Northerner now? I follow the Old gods though I never really followed the seven in the first place. Oh dear, I nearly forgot why I came here. Would you like to spar with me?"
"What?"
"I said, would you like to spar with me, Jon?"
Jon hesitated for a while and then replied "I certainly would Rhaenys, could you let me get changed, are you going to spar in that?" He asked, pointing to her dress.
"No, I have my own clothing,"
Jon nodded and said "I will see you in the godswood's hot springs,I will bring two tourney swords"
She left his room and went back to change into a leather breeches. She threw a fur cloak that Lord Stark had given her two years ago over her and grabbed a blunt spear Oberyn had sent over for her sixteen name day.
She walked towards the godswood as the sky darkened. Finally, she reached the hot springs at the godswood.
There, she found Jon waiting for her, with two tourney swords. He smiled when she arrived and raised an eyebrow at her spear.
She shrugged off her fur cloak leaving her shoulders bare and grabbed her spear. Jon seemed to stare at her for a short while before asking.
"Your uncle taught you to use the spear? I thought you used the sword?"
"I can use both, I just want to use the spear against you,"
Jon chuckled and replied, "First to three?"
She nodded her head and then got into position. Jon picked up one of his tourney blades and got into a defensive stance.
"I would not go easy on you Jon," She told him cheekily.
Jon laughed and replied "I hope not Rhaenys"
"I try not to hit what's in between your legs though, I need them," She answered back with a smile on his face. Jon's face turned red and she laughed, Has he ever bedded a woman?
She moved it to attack first, using the long spear to her advantage, harassing Jon. Jon however, took a defensive stance and did not make any offensive moves. Is he afraid of attacking me? She continued attacking him. Rushing forward while Jon retreated in the face of her attacks, Jon dodged some of her attacks and blocked others, a few, however, got through and she landed small hits on him. That, however, seemed to make Jon go more aggressive, he began to attack her, trying to close the gap between them to neutralize her advantage. She now had to retreat as Jon advanced onto her, she used her spear to constantly try and slow down his attack. Jon was hard to read as an opponent and was unpredictable.
She changed tactics and then began to move swiftly away from her the same way Oberyn had taught her. This allowed her to regain some distance and she attacked Jon with her spear, Jon retreated, as she gave him no chance to counterattack, she thrust her spear and when he attempted to counter attack, she feigned a trust which caused Jon to move his sword back but when she moved to hit his right leg which looked unprotected, Jon countered and used his sword to hit her spear hard. This caused her spear to be out of position.
She expected Jon to hit her like he did with Theon but instead, he hesitated and tried to bring his sword back up, she reached quickly and ducked under his sword and shoved him. Jon stumbled backward and then she used that opening and then thrust her spear at his chest. Jon fell and she held her spear over Jon's throat.
"Yield"
Jon looked surprised and then replied "I yield"
When he got up, she asked him.
"Why didn't you hit me when my spear was out of position?" She asked
"I did not want to hit you Rhaenys," He replied, slightly abashed
She poked him with her spear "You fool! I said I won't go easy! This means you also don't go easy! The next time you can hit me! Hit me! I am not some delicate flower!" She replied angrily.
"I am sorry, Rhaenys" Jon murmured "Shall we again?"
She nodded and they spared once more. They spared for a very long time until the sky turned black and then they headed back to the main keep. On the way back, she suggested that they continue sparring at the main training yard. When Jon protested that they could be caught, Rhaenys laughed and said.
"So what? No one would mind! If lady Stark says anything, I challenge her with a duel. That ought to shut her up,"
So they continued to spar for hours at Winterfell. Jon soon figured out how to beat her when she used a spear. She quickly switched over to a sword. Jon was stronger but she was quicker. Nevertheless, she won only slightly more than Jon who began to adapt to her and began beating her more often as time went by. They were halfway sparring when someone shouted.
"Princess!" Ser Rodrik Cassel shouted as he walked towards them "Lord Stark wants to meet you"
"Oh! Could you inform Lord Stark that I would meet him soon? I have to get changed" Rhaenys replied sheepishly.
"Of course, now Jon Snow, I suggest you go back to your chambers lest Lady Stark catch you and find and excuse to make you clean the stables," Ser Rodrick Cassel told Jon
"Thank you Ser," Rhaenys said while Jon nodded his head and put back the tourney swords.
"It was a pleasure sparing with you Jon," She told Jon as she left the training yard.
"Likewise to Rhaenys" Jon replied.
She returned to her chambers, full of sweat and some bruises. She removed her breeches and tunic and wiped herself with a damp cloth to get rid of the sweat. She grabbed a simple brown dress and put it on, she then walked towards Lord Stark's study.
She knocked on the door and Lord Stark replied for her to come in.
"Princess Rhaenys, Ser Rodrick was telling me that you were sparring with Jon," Lord Stark said with a small smile on his face "I hope you are getting along"
"We are Lord Stark" She replied, then Lord Stark frowned, noticing the bruises on her.
"What happened? Why is there—" Lord Stark asked in a concerned tone but she cut him off.
"It's fine Lord Stark, I am pretty sure Jon has twice the number of bruises than I have," She replied cheekily.
Lord Stark chuckled slightly and said "I am sure, you remind me of my sister Lyanna sometime" The woman who my father kidnapped "She was like you too, I remember she once dressed up as a stableboy so as to spar with Benjen. She had left him on the ground forcing him to yield! My father was red-faced with anger as he thought that his own son was beaten by a stableboy!" Lord Stark smiled wistfully and he said that.
"I am sorry to what happened to your sister, Lord Stark, On behalf of House Targaryen—"
"Don't apologize, Princess, I do not judge the child for their father's sins." Lord Stark paused before continuing "I need to ask you, have you decided on your House name and House Sigil?"
"No Lord Stark, we are close to deciding," She replied
"I understand that such a decision is important Princess, but I have to send a raven to the King soon or I fear I cannot legitimize Jon as a Lord by his sixteen birthday," Lord Stark said.
"I understand Lord Stark, I will discuss it with him later on" She replied.
"Hopefully not too late," Lord Stark said, "I don't want rumors spreading…"
She felt herself blush and she replied "Don't worry Lord Stark,"
"Call me Ned Princess, I am happy you are happy together. Your marriage was arranged and I feared you would hate Jon," Lord Stark replied.
She nodded her head and said "If I have your leave, I will go to Jon's chambers to finalize our House name,"
Ned nodded but before she left she asked Ned something she always wanted to know
"Lord Stark, If I might be so bold may I ask who Jon's mother is. If you want I will not tell Jon but I need to know the mother of my husband."
Ned Stark stiffened and she could see a small amount of tears fill his eyes. He looked away so as to not meet her eye for a moment before he looked back at her and was silent for a while before he said in a shaky voice
"I am very sorry Princess,I cannot tell you. The knowledge is too dangerous and has too much sorrow. I cannot tell you, Princess. One day, when the time is right, I will tell Jon. All you need to know is that his mother was not Ashara unlike what so many claim,though it is safer that way..."
She could tell in his voice he would not budge and so she nodded her head and left Ned Stark's study.
Lord Stark must have loved Jon's mother dearly but yet Ned Stark only loved Ashara and Catelyn Stark. Who else could be Jon's mother?
Jon looked far more Stark than any of his siblings with the exception of Arya who looked rather like him. Whoever Jon's mother was, it left little of her in Jon.
She knocked on Jon's door and opened it, to find Jon half-naked. Oops!
"Oh, I am sorry!" She said immediately shutting the door and then yelling "I will wait outside!"
A few minutes later, Jon opened the door, his face flushed red. Is he so modest or embarrassed around women?
"I am sorry Princess, you should not have seen such an unsightly sight," Jon apologized red-faced as he ushered her in.
Unsightly? Well, his body was well-muscled and good looking, I could have stared at it for quite some time. She then realized what she was thinking and then forced her thoughts away/.
"It's alright Jon, I should have knocked. You don't have to apologize," She replied "Plus we are to be husband and wife, it's only a matter of time,"
Jon seemed to flush red even more and he lowered his head slightly and asked "May I ask why you are here? Surely not to ask me to spar again"
"We need to choose a House name and sigil," She said "Your father needs to send a letter to the King so as to make you lord in time for your name day,"
"Oh yes! I forgot, I am sorry Rhaenys. I have been too focused on Sea Dragon Point." Jon replied "Where were we with the discussion last time? House Firestark?"
"We were discussing how to combine our heritage for the House name, you are Stark blooded and I Targaryen." She replied.
"Yes, hmmm, maybe combine both houses' names, maybe House Stargaryen?" He asked
"Stargaryen? That's a bit unoriginal, maybe the colors of the House, the Starks are white and grey and the Targaryens are black and red," She replied
"We could take inspiration from the cadet branches from both houses, the Starks have the Greystarks and the Karstark, the Targaryens have the Blackfyres and the Bittersteels though both are infamous, the Velaryons aren't the Targaryens through both look extremely similar," Jon replied.
"Wait, I got it, Whitefyre ! White is snow, which represents the North and the fyre comes from Blackfyre, this shows we are the opposite of the Blackfyres!" She said enthusiastically.
"Whitefyre? That has a nice ring to it, House Whitefyre, Lords and Ladies of Sea Dragon Point and the Stony shore, that's a great suggestion!"
"Glad to be of use," She replied
Jon laughed bitterly and said "Glad to be of use? You are the reason I am here! If not for you I likely would have joined the Night's Watch! You have been so kind to me, I don't feel I deserve it sometimes. I am just a bastard yet I get a huge castle, the western shore of the North, and you! You are so beautiful, smart, skilled, and kind!"
She kept silent after Jon finished, before laughing. He obviously thinks he is worth nothing because he is a bastard! She laughed for quite a while Jon stared at her concerned that she had gone mad like her grandfather.
"Rhaenys are you okay?" Jon asked with concern.
She managed to stop herself from laughing and she started talking "Oh you fool! You saved my mother, was knighted at thirteen, and helped massively in the construction of Sea Dragon Point. You are not arrogant nor proud! If you call yourself a bastard one more time! I will make sure that I will hit you so hard that you will scream so loud that my mother can hear you from Sunspear! Do you understand Jon?"
Jon was silent for a while before he stared at her in surprise before asking "Did you just say all that about me?"
"I did, now do you understand?"
"I do"
"Good, now we have discussed the name, we can discuss the House Sigil and words,"
And so they did, they spent hours discussing the House Words and sigil. In the end, Rhaenys had passed out after finalizing the House words and had fallen asleep on Jon's bed.
Eddard
He threw the high narrow windows of his chamber open, letting the cold morning air enter his chamber. He headed to his wardrobe and began dressing for the day, as he did, he heard his wife stir.
"Good morning Catelyn,"
"Good morning Ned," He replied simply as he shrugged on his heavy fur cloak.
"You did not sleep well last night, what is it that troubles you?" Broken promises
"I am fine Catelyn, perhaps it was dinner yesterday?" He lied, he hated lying but he could not tell his wife the truth.
Catelyn nodded and then got out of bed, as she walked towards her wardrobe and began dressing for the day.
"Have you been considering the offer from Lord Dustin?" She asked "To give Sansa's hand to Andrew Dustin?"
"To be honest Catelyn, there have been to many things on my mind, I have not thought about it," He said as he laced his breeches
"What happened Ned? You seem more worried than usual," She asked, her face twisting in concern.
Damn the Targaryen girl for bringing back those memories yesterday.
"Domeric Bolton, he appeared to have died a suspicious death. I suspect Roose's bastard, Ramsay" He lied again hating himself for it.
"How is that troubling you so much, Ned? You are strangely distant, I have rarely seen you like this." Not since Oberyn Martell offered to take Jon as a squire. Though he knew both of them wanted to forget that incident. "You are often eager to take part in lovemaking dear, but yesterday you went to bed in clothes,"
He blushed slightly and shook his head,
"I apologize to my lady wife if i did not please her last night," He responded jovially to try and make her forget her concerns.
Catelyn blushed a lovely shade of red. "We should head to the great hall. I am sure our children are up,"
He and his wife headed down to the great hall where breakfast was served for the Stark.Benjen was away at Sea Dragon Point and Moat Cailin. His children were with his wife, Dacey at bear island. When they entered the hall, they found all their children present. Robb, Bran, Sansa, Arya and Rickon who was being tended to by a maid. Theon was also present, talking with Robb. They were the last to arrive, no doubt because Ned could not sleep last night.
Catelyn rushed over to take care of their infant son. Rickon was like Arya as a babe, he was often noisy and wild but even more so than Arya. While he sat down, he noticed Jon and Rhaenys were missing. Perhaps they were discussing their house name till late.
They had ate their breakfast, Sansa asked endlessly if Ned could get a singer to Winterfell. He felt slightly sad as this, Sansa loved songs but the North was cold and hard. Few singers ventured North and fewer as far north as Winterfell. Bran asked Catelyn when he could become a squire like Jon.
Catelyn pursed her lips at Jon's name and simply said that she was looking. Ned sighed inwardly, he hated to lie to his wife but he could not tell her the truth. Even after fifteen years of marriage, he dared not tell her the truth of Jon. It was too risky.
After breakfast of hard-boiled eggs, carrot soup and ale. Robb and Theon headed off to his lessons with the Maester. The girls went for lessons with the Septa while Bran went to the practice yard. Yet, Jon and Rhaenys had yet to make an appearance. They could not have… laid together? Jon and Rhaenys were often the earliest to come to breakfast. He always found Jon waking up extremely early to train with Ser Arthur or Ser Jamie, yet he was strangely absent along with Rhaenys who would wake up early to practice archery and avoid the disapproving looks of Catelyn and Septa Mondane.
After breakfast, Catelyn excused herself and Ned headed towards Jon's chambers. He wondered to himself what he would do if he found they had laid together. The princess could be hot-blooded at times, but Jon was rather prudish. While Theon visited brothels and dragged Robb along, which Ned had been extremely angry at, Jon had refused to go.
He opened Jon's chambers door to find Jon sleeping with his head on the table, while he sat on a chair. Rhaenys sprawled on his bed. Both were asleep. They must have passed out last night. He noticed Jon's table was filled with stacks of papers filled with drawings of flying wolves, Ice dragons, and fire breathing wolves. Drawings of their House sigil? Jon seemed to stir at his presence and lifted his head from the table and then noticed him.
"Lord Stark, I am so sorry, I..."
"You don't have to apologize, Jon, it seems both of you fell asleep while discussing your House Sigil." He glanced at Rhaenys who also seemed to stir at their words.
"We were Lord Stark, I also discussed with my betrothed our House name and words." Jon replied.
"Have you decided?"
"House Whitefyre, Lord Stark" Rhaenys said as she got off Jon's bed rubbing her eyes. "Oh Jon, I am so sorry, I didn't mean to take up the whole bed. You could have woke me up or moved me."
"I see, Whitefyre" He paused, "Let me guess, to denote you are the opposite of the blackfyres?"
"Yes Lord Stark" Jon replied.
"Jon, call me father, Catelyn isn't here," He replied.
"Of course Lo—father," Jon said "Our house sigil is a blue two-headed dragon that is unleashing ice on a white backdrop,"
Two-headed dragon?Robert would love that.
"I see, the house words?" He queried.
"Through the storm, we persevere," Rhaenys replied confidently. "The storm represents the war we were shaped by and we persevere is to show that despite all the stigma attached to our name, we will persevere,"
"Good names," He said, "Are you certain of your choices?" When both Jon and Rhaenys nodded he continued "I have a letter to draft, you two should go to the kitchens and eat your breakfast. You need to start on sewing your sigil."
He left Jon's chambers and headed to his study and began drafting a letter.
To: King Robert Baratheon, First of his name, King of The Andals, The Rhoynar and the First men. Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm.
Fifteen years ago, you betrothed my bastard Jon Snow to Rhaenys Targaryen. You commanded me to raise a keep and give them some lands. I have given them the peninsula of Sea Dragon Point and the Stony shores. These lands are enough to please Targaryen loyalists still left in the seven kingdoms. The land size is very small in the vastness of the north and well isolated from Targaryen Loyalists. You have no need to fear.
My son, Jon Snow and Rhaenys Targaryen have decided to form a new house so as to wash away the stain of House Targaryen. The new house will be called House Whitefyre and will be Lords of Sea Dragon Point and the Stony Shore. They will be sworn directly to House Stark of Winterfell. You do not have to worry, I have made sure my son is loyal.
Now, I request a decree from your grace, legitimizing House Whitefyre and legitimizing my son, Jon Snow as Jon Whitefyre.
Sincerely,
Lord Eddard Stark
Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North.
He had spent hours trying to draft the letter to make sure it had not even a hint of Targaryen loyalty. The last time he had seen Robert was at Pyke. The Royal fleet under Stannis had smashed to castles the ironborn held dear. Ned had advised Balon Greyjoy to be sent to the wall, his son sent to the King's Landing and the iron islands be sworn to House Baratheon of Dragonstone. Robert had ignored him. Pardoning Balon Greyjoy and giving Theon to him. This was viewed as a great insult to the Northern Lords who had an even poorer opinion of Robert after the Greyjoy rebellion. Though Robert was not angry at him as he was after the rebellion, it was clear to Ned, Robert was no longer the same.
He passed the letter to Maester Luwin who sent it on his best raven to King's Landing. Now all he needed to do was wait. He began sending Ravens to the different Houses that would attend the wedding. Ravens were sent to the bannermen of House Stark, the Martells were also invited.
Soon, he began receiving letters back, the Umbers, Glovers, Rsywell, Dustins, Karstarks, Manderlys and many others accepted. The Boltons declined, Roose Bolton had gone quiet of late. Especially after the death of his son, Domeric Bolton. Howland Reed had declined and wrote"I rather not glimpse Jon's face, less it reminds me too much of Lyanna or make me tempted" to tell the truth.
Finally, after almost two weeks, a raven from king's landing arrived. He broke open the seal of House Baratheon of King's Landing in anticipation and found a royal decree legitimizing Jon as Jon Whitefyre and the decree of House Whitefyre's lands. Inside was a letter with the falcon seal of Jon Arryn.
Dear Ned,
It's been a long time since I saw you. I have heard many good things about you even in King's Landing. I am happy that your Son is getting legitimized, I am sure you are proud of him. In King's Landing, high words are being spoken of you. I am very proud of you Ned, you have been a great lord. I am sure your father is proud of you.
Robert misses you, Ned. He constantly tells me that he wishes you were here just like the "good old days". I know that things between you and him are no longer as it was back in the days you lived in the Eyrie but I hope that you will be able to reconcile with him. You two were once as close as brothers, I hope that you two will be able to reconcile one more. Perhaps you could drop by King's Landing. I would do a lot to see you two together again.
Yours sincerely
Jon Arryn
Hand of the King to King Robert Baratheon, Lord of the Eyrie and Defender of the Vale.
Ned massaged his temples, Robert likely would have gone crazy in King's Landing. From what Ashara had told him the place was a viper's nest, filled with schermers and every kind of scum. It was likely that Robert would love his presence. Robert had likely not forgotten his defense of Rhaenys and the Northern lords were grumbling at Robert's decision to send Theon to Winterfell as well as Rhaenys betrothal not to mention the murder of Aegon Targaryen and that he forgave the attempted rape of Elia Martell.
He could not go south, every time a Stark went south, something went wrong. His father and Brandon ended up dead, strangled to death and burned by wildfire. Lyanna went south and was seduced by the crown prince, leading to war and her death. He went south and lost his best friend and found a dying sister in his arms. Starks do not fare well south.
With the exception of Cregan Stark, who marched an army of thirty thousand down during the dance of the dragons in support of Queen Rhaenys. The pact of ice and fire had been a promise the Targaryens never kept, nevertheless, he had to admit to the Starks prospered under Targaryen rule. Aegon the fifth sent the north thousands of grain during the harsh winters, effectively saving tens of thousands of northerners.
Yet, Rhaegar and Aerys had doomed the Targaryens with their madness. He had high hopes for Rhaegar, the gleaming silver prince was the perfect prince to every in the seven kingdoms. Yet, in his stupidity and madness for a prophecy, he sent the near three hundred year long Targaryen dynasty to an end. A fool and an idiot Elia Martell had told him.
The Targaryens were gone now, Viserys and Daenerys were across the narrow sea and were unlikely to find any support. Jon and Rhaenys were to become Whitefyres though they will have the Targaryen blood in them. Aemon Targaryen, brother to Aegon the fifth was at the wall, was extremely old and would soon pass on. The Baratheons were now in charge, for the better he supposed. Better Robert than Aerys or Rhaegar. both were mad in their own way.
He brushed the thoughts away and began focusing on planning the wedding. Oh I wish you were here to see your son get married Lyanna, he has grown to be a good man. Winterfell was more than capable of accommodating the Northern lords and the Martells. The Northern houses have few feuds. Thank the old gods for that, the northern lords are prickly enough. . The Northerners had nothing against the Martells and no special arrangement would be needed. He needed to put the Martells in the great keep where the hot water from the springs would be the warmest, Dorne was scorching hot to him and the North would be far colder than any of the Dornishmen would experience. The Martells were of equal or even higher status than the Starks and had to be treated as such. The Northern lords would grumble about being put behind foreigners but they would comply and likely forget about their complaints.
Someone knocked on the door.
"Who is there?"
"Your brother, can I come in?"
He opened the door for Benjen who entered his study.
"I thought you were at Sea Dragon Point?" Benjen laughed and poured himself a cup of ale.
"Sea Dragon Point is finished, the Keep and its outer walls have been completed. There are more and more smallfolk coming to settle at the villages near it. At this rate, the small fishing village once outside the castle might become as large as Wintertown,"
"I thought Sea Dragon Point keep would not be completed until another year?" He replied, Benjen had said last year he still needed two years
"I managed to speed up the construction process, Lyanna would not forgive me if the castle was not done by Jon's wedding, speaking of which, how has things been with Jon and his sister" Sister, not sisters. He remembered that the marriage would be an incestuous union yet none of them knew it. It was unfair to both of them yet he could not tell them the truth. Too many lies…
"Benjen, follow me to the crypts," Benjen raised an eyebrow but nodded. Even in Winterfell's great keep, he feared to discuss such things out loud. He feared a servant might accidentally hear something. The last thing he needed was Robery knowing and an army would be arriving at the North doorsteps.
Both of them walked towards the crypts of Winterfell which was located near the old keep. Both of them talked about trivial matters. Along the way, they say Jon sparring with Ser Arthur in a corner, Arya and Rhaenys were practicing archery, while Robb and Theon watched.
Finally, they arrived in Winterfell's crypts entrance, the crypts of Winterfell was a cold quiet place, with the tombs of dead Starks. Their footsteps echoed throughout the crypt as they descended down the steps, both were silent as Ned lighted a lantern. The walked pass stone thrones in between pillars, statues of the different lords of Winterfell with iron longswords at their laps.
They walked to a corner of the crypts where Brandon, his father, and Lyanna were. The three tombs were side by side, Rickard Stark, with his long,stern face. Brandon, with his handsome face that had half the women he met swooning for him and Lyanna. Lyanna had been a wild beauty, Robert and Rhaegar had claimed to love her and both caused her death. He thought sadly.
"I wish Lyanna was here to see her own son get married." Benjen sighed deeply, his voice breaking "Gods, I miss her. She played with my swords and rode better than anyone in the castle. She used to tell me she never wanted to get married but I know she would have loved her son more than anything in the world,"
"I promised her," Ned said, his voice full of sorrow "I promised her to tell Jon she loved him more than anything in the world. But I can't tell him that.I hate this pretense I have to keep up. I keep lying to everyone, the whole North, my own wife. There are so many people I lie to,"
"The things we do for love," Benjen said quietly "Its been fifteen years, yet the wounds are still as fresh as they have always been,"
"The war changed us all," Ned replied "I suppose there is naught to do but continue with our lives,"
"That's what we have been doing haven't we?" Benjen had decided to change the topic "How are the wedding plans?"
"I have invited the Northern lords and House Martell" He replied "That is about all I invited,"
"Who accepted?"
"To my surprise, almost all of them, with the exception of the Reeds and the Boltons and their bannermen." Benjen nodded, knowing exactly why Howland rather not come, however, the Boltons not coming could raise some eyebrows. He continued "The Martells have accepted. Princess Elia, Prince Oberyn, and the heiress to Dorne, Princess Arianne Martell is coming. Along with a small contingent of dornishmen."
"We need to prepare the warmest quarters for them,"
"We certainly do, thank goodness it is summer or they could be in deep trouble," He replied with a slight chuckle.
"What House name have they chosen? The last time I asked it was Whiteflame or Stargaryen" Benjen asked
"Whitefyre, they chose Whitefyre. They showed me their banner design a week ago. A blue two-headed dragon with red eyes unleashing ice on a white backdrop" He replied. When he saw the design, he had to admit it was rather impressive.
"House words?"
"Through the storms, we persevere '' He replied, while he personally liked those words, he feared it would sound a little too rebellious if one interpreted it wrongly. Apparently his brother thought the same thing as he raised his eyebrows.
"That could be a little…rebellious if one interpreted it wrongly." Benjen replied
"So could many other house words, the words do make sense. Through the storm representing the war that changed their lives and we persevere signifies that they will stand strong. I don't think the Lannisters will make a big fuss out of it." If they do I hope Robert still trusts me.
Benjen nodded and then asked "Their wedding, what will be your gift to them? I was thinking maybe a sword, but Jon already has a castle forged sword from Dorne. Perhaps armor? And for his sister, I am not sure, maybe a horse or a bow? I hear she loves Archery."
It was then Ned remembered something that he had found in the crypts all those years ago. He gestured for Benjen to follow him as he walked towards and down the stairwell. Deeper and deeper they went down to the very bottom of Winterfell's crypts, where he produced a key he had found in his father's study when he had returned to Winterfell after the rebellion.
The door was locked but the key opened the door with ease. He pushed open the heavy iron doors.
"I never knew this place existed!" Benjen exclaimed before looking at the key with awe "Is that?"
"Valyrian steel." He confirmed. He had found it in his father's study all those years ago. He had no idea what it was, his father had never mentioned it before, a Valyrian steel key? He had spent a long time finding the lock but had eventually found it in the crypts. He walked into the room, the room was rather cool.
"We must be deep underground now," Benjen said while squinting at his surroundings "How many areas like these are there in Winterfell? The old kings of winter must have been amazing builders!"
He nodded and then walked into the room. He lit up two of the candles that were on the wall, he then gestured for Benjen to follow him, eventually coming across the two dragon eggs.
"Is that? Two dragon eggs?!" Benjen gasped in shock, that had been Ned's reaction too when he had found the eggs.
He nodded, the two eggs were given by Jacaerys Velaryon when he visited Winterfell during the dance of the dragons. The two eggs had turned to stone but nevertheless were a beauty to behold. It was meant as a gift to Cregan Stark and would remind the North of the Pact of Ice and Fire. The eggs had been hidden in the crypts of Winterfell ever since as the knowledge of it was passed from heir to heir until Father and Brandon. I found them myself, what other Stark secrets do I not know?
"They were given by Jaceerys Velaryon when he visited Winterfell during the dance of the dragons. The eggs have been turned to stone when they were given to Cregan Stark but nevertheless were extremely precious. I suppose they were given to help persuade the north and as a reminder to the Pact of Ice and Fire." Ned said as he inspected the eggs.
"Dragon eggs...In Winterfell! They are beautiful," Indeed they are. The first egg was blood red in color with Amber and gold streaks across it. The second was a silvery blue in color with purple and amber swirls. They were undeniably beautiful.
"Which dragon laid those eggs?" Benjen asked, his voice filled with awe and wonder.
"I do not know, perhaps the first dragons that came to Westeros? Or the once born after the conquest. I could not find the answer to it," He replied.
"Is this your wedding gift to them?" Benjen asked, "You do realize that would scream of treason."
"I do" Ned replied "I am not a fool, I will pass them the eggs secretly. The Targaryens are gone, they are the last Targaryens excluding Queen Rhaella's children in Essos. The eggs will not hatch, they were given as stone, fossilized eggs. The time in the north would only have made it even less likely to hatch."
Benjen nodded while continuing to stare at the eggs in awe. He could not blame him, when he first found the eggs, he had stared at it for hours, in sheer disbelief. The irony of the Starks having more dragons eggs than the Targaryens. The last dragon eggs were locked away in dragonstone supposedly but Stannis had searched the castle from one end to the other and came up empty.
When he finally reached the great keep, Maester Luwin came over to him. A raven had been dispatched from Sunspear, the Martells were on their way.
After dinner, he retreated to his study and asked for his wife. He had tried to take charge of the wedding's preparation in order to try and not let his wife do anything.
"Ned, you called for me?" Catelyn as she walked into his study.
"I did, Cat, you know that Jon and Rhaenys wedding will take place soon. I tried to do it myself but I cannot do it myself, could you help?" Cately pursed her lips in anger at Jon's name. I cannot blame her for that .
Catelyn simply nodded and left. Ned sighed and got back to planning for the wedding.
Notes:
Here is the next chapter, I hope you enjoy the interaction between Jon and Rhaenys. I will post the next chapter next week. I would love it if you leave comments and feedback.