Chapter 8 Reunited
Ned Stark read the letter with a smile and a tear in his eye, his youngest daughter was in love. Lady Catelyn Stark entered the room and took one look at his face "You've heard from Sansa?" He nodded "Are they both well?" He nodded again
"Aye, they are well, it seems our youngest daughter is in love."
"Can I read the letter, husband?"
Ned sat Catelyn on his lap and listened while she read the letter with joy.
"Dear Father, Arya is in love with a man from Braavos, she would like you to sail here within the fortnight to approve this match. Sandor and I are living together with Arya to make sure she is safe and happy. Father, Sandor has asked me to marry him under the heart tree in the godswood. He would like to ask your permission and blessing. I am ready for love, father. Please come and visit, I would be overjoyed if you bring Mother and Rickon and Bran. With all our love and respect."
Catelyn let out a sigh. "I guess we are sailing to Braavos then" Ned narrowed his eyes. "What happened to 'there must always be a stark in winterfell' mmmm"
"I thought Jon was a Stark" Ned went silent and held Catelyn's hand as he told the truth to his wife
"He is..on my sister's side" Ned whispered. Catelyn's eyes widened as Ned told her the story of Jon's birth. Rhaegar Targaryen never kidnapped his sister Lyanna Stark. They had eloped and Ned found the babe cradled in his sister's arms as she lay dying, bleeding out from childbirth. The babe was a Targaryen. Robert would have killed him if he had known. But Robert had mellowed throughout the years.
"Some part of me knew" Catelyn whispered "I am so sorry, all these years I have spurned the boy and he was your nephew by blood. Doesn't that make the late Rhaegar your brother by law." Catelyn knelt down by Ned's side "You must tell him the truth" Ned looked into her eyes "I know" he breathed. "But how when I have lied to him all these years?"
Bran was listening at the door and crept away to his bed in tears.
"He will always be my brother" he whispered to himself.