Chapter 6: The Honest Talk

Hello everyone, it has been awhile. The reasons for delays were various to say the least, the finishing of my studies, gaming, job hunting, writing of the new fanfic and so on. But hey I can promise you that delay will never take over ten years, I hope. Anyway, enjoy the chapter.

Ned folded his arms. "That is not a language that should be used by a young lady. Can you tell me why you didn't at least informed me that, you went to Castle Black?"

Lyanna looked defiantly at him. "I don't know, I just didn't feel like talking to someone who lied to me all my life and didn't even consider telling me the truth when I was old enough to understand it, uncle…"

Ned never heard such defiant and angry tone from Lyanna, it took him back. From what Benjen told him, he expected some kind of bad attitude from her but this was more than he anticipated. He stepped forward. "Lyanna please, listen to me. We can talk once back in Winterfell, I will tell you everything. I promise. I am going to withhold nothing back from you anymore. Just please, don't be like this.."

"Like what? Hmm, whatever."

Before Ned could say anything, Benjen stepped before Lyanna and put his hand on her shoulder. "So did you learn everything you needed from Maester Aemon?"

Lyanna nodded. "Yes, I even dare to say, I probably learned more than I bargained for."

"Oh? How so?"

"I got to learn a few things from Maester Aemon. I got the book about dragons and Valyrian steel sword but on the other hand I got to know that I might be a part of some damned prophecy and that I have a gift like Daenys the Dreamer had." Benjen gave Lyanna a questioning gaze. "Those visions I told you about uncle Benjen, it's the same gift. Only my visions were of the past, however I might have some visions again, maybe even of the future."

Benjen didn't manage to answer anything as Ned interrupted. "What? What are you talking about?"

Benjen turned to him and started explaining. "Lyanna had some dreams, the visions of the past. In some she saw Rhaegar and our sister and in another she saw a mad king for some reason."

Ned was puzzled then he heard Lyanna. "Maester told me that those visions are the dragon dreams and they sometimes happened to Targaryens. So as you see my life is about to get more interesting…"

"It was thanks to those dreams you discovered who your parents were?" Ned asked with a quiet voice.

"Well….partially, something else happened. I think I will have to show you something in Winterfell. As I would say, it's too dangerous to show it to you here in the open."

Ned didn't like this secrecy, Benjen could see in his face that he wanted to argue so he decided to prevent it. "Brother, trust me, it wouldn't be wise to discuss it here. I would recommend that now, when you have already spoken with Lord Commander and finally found Lyanna, you go back to Winterfell as soon as possible and discuss the matters there."

"Well, I am here to fetch Lyanna and here she is."

"Very good, will you allow me to escort you back to your horses?" Ned nodded and they walked to the stables

On their way Lyanna spoke to Benjen. "So now that the Lord Commander spoke with Lord Stark I don't need to tell him about the dire need of the Watch, correct?"

"I suppose. The Lord Commander didn't know my brother would come here, that's why he asked you for that favor."

"Does that mean you plan to get Lord Stark here?"

Benjen shrugged. "Of course, if I wanted to truly disappear without anyone knowing we are leaving I would take care of the guards first, besides we wouldn't want the entire North searching for you now, would we?" Lyanna looked away, like being in though. "He still loves you as a daughter, that's why he is here for you."

"Don't talk about me like I am not here Benjen." Ned spoke with a grumpy voice."

Benjen shook with his head. "I am just trying to help you out here despite my promises to not do that."

Rodrik with Ned's escort awaited them in the stables. "My lord, Lord Stark." He bowed his head. He looked at Lyanna. "I see you have your daughter, are we leaving then?"

"Yes, prepare the men and horses." Rodrik bowed again and moved towards the horses.

Lyanna came to Benjen. "Thank you for taking me here, uncle. I am grateful." She gave him a smile.

Benjen smiled back. "Well, it wasn't a completely selfless act from me as you know I used your wish to go here as an opportunity to get my brother here to speak with Lord Commander and to see the state of the Night's Watch, afterall."

Lyanna waved her hand. "Still you didn't refuse me, and you told me the truth, unlike other uncles I could name…"

Ned didn't feel well about Lyanna right now and she didn't exactly help him to shake off those feelings. "Lyanna please I told you we can talk once we are in Winterfell, for now it suffice to say that what I did was the best for you."

She looked at him and her effort to stay composed was quite uncanny. "For me or for yourself?"

This hit Ned hard but he too was capable of holding his composure. "As I said, we will talk in Winterfell, go get your horse young lady."

Lyanna just frowned at him and turned back to Benjen "Thank you again and take care, if those things are beyond the wall… Let's just say it wouldn't be good for you to become one of them, I don't want a walking corpse for an uncle."

Benjen chuckled. "True I wouldn't be good if I was a corpse with brightly glowing blue eyes." Lyanna suddenly hugged him. After a few seconds he returned the hug. "Come now we are not saying a final goodbye. I can take care of myself. You should be worried and care for yourself now. Just remember, you can choose who you are."

Lyanna withdrew from the hug and answered with a quiet and sad tone. "Alas as maester Aemon told me. I can't hide from who I am, especially now."

Benjen nodded. "Hard times are ahead of you, farewell Lyanna."

Lyanna smiled again. "Farewell uncle and good luck." She turned around and began walking to her mare, Whitesong.

Ned walked to Benjen. "It seems she has a bad feeling only towards me, she doesn't seem angry with you."

"Trust me she was reserved even to me, I just talked to her and somehow managed to get through."

Ned sighed. "I never saw her so unreachable, it's rather unsettling. I am not sure how to deal with her attitude. She was difficult before but now…She is exactly like our sister, just as stubborn."

Benjen smiled and put hand on Ned's shoulder. "I would say I told you so but I told you so."

"You are not helping Benjen."

"Just be honest with her, tell her everything you know. Remind her that if it weren't for you she would probably be dead. She is not stupid, she understands what you have done for her. Do that and maybe she will come around." Benjen removed his hand.

"I can only try…" Ned looked sadly in the direction of Lyanna. "I don't want her to hate me, Benjen. Hmm, war is easier than children."

Benjen honestly laughed. "Well I admit it's indeed more simple to kill your enemy sometimes than to understand someone's feelings. Anyway I think it's time to say goodbye for now. I have an expedition to organize."

Ned stopped and thought for a minute. "Benjen, what about this King Beyond the Wall? The walking corpses are probably a problem for him too, no?"

Bejen frowned at that. "Maybe I mean most likely. Where are you going with this, Ned?"

"Well it's just a thought, before I spoke with Lord Commander today I suspected that one day I would have to call my banners and deal with this wildling king. However, now I think I should consider negotiating with him."

Benjen was skeptical. "And do you believe the Northern Lords would accept any dealings with the wildlings?"

"If we provide them with the proof that something is out there, beyond the wall then maybe. And if they refuse I would remind them they swore the oath to house Stark. They will do as I command."

"I will not lie to you, Brother. I don't like the thought of making the deals with wildlings either but I would say they would be better as allies than walking corpses, so what do you want me to do?ׅ"

"Can one of your rangers make contact with this King Beyond the Wall?"

"Probably, if the wildlings do not kill him on the first sight that is."

"Try it. If your rangers are successful, have them tell the King Beyond that the Lord of Winterfell wishes to speak with him."

"And if they or I fail?"

Ned shook his head. "I don't want you to risk your own life at least not on your own, if your men fail I will gather some of my men and we both will go to find this King and talk with him together. I am sure while we will be Beyond the Wall, we could meet some of these walking corpses and take it with us as a proof to the Lords of Westeros if possible. Besides I would bet the wildings will know much more about these walking corpses than us."

Benjen didn't like it at all, but he was willing to accept the possibility it could be a good idea. "As you wish, brother. I am going to tell about this plan of yours to the Lord Commander. Perhaps we will find a way of contacting this King Beyond the Wall without losing the lives of our men. I will also stop my plan to capture the wight at least until we decide upon this new plan of yours."

"Good, stay in touch, if you have anything new just visit Winterfell or send the raven I will be waiting."

"Will do." Both Brothers shook their hands. "Winter is coming, Ned."

"Winter is coming. And we must be careful not to die during it." They both nodded and walked their ways. Ned just hoped his brother would not do anything stupid.

XXX

Despite Ned's insistence to ride directly behind him, Lyanna chose to be defiant in this and rode behind the escort as a last rider. Her defiance persisted all five days of travel so far. She wasn't in the mood for talking and wanted to be left alone with her thoughts. It was difficult as Zyraxes began to be annoyed by her constant confinement in the traveling bag except evenings where Lyanna made her fires far enough out of sight to let her out.

Ser Rodrik noticed Lyanna's behavior and found it unusually in contrast to her normal attitude. "My Lord, I am afraid that there is something wrong with your daughter."

Ned looked backwards on her. "Oh, how so?"

"This is not Lyanna I know, is she angry with you for coming to Castle Black to pick her up or is there something else?"

Ned shrugged. "Maybe partially, the other reason is something more confidential which I do not wish to share, at least for the time being."

"As you wish, my Lord. Sorry for being intrusive."

"Don't worry ser Rodrik, you are not intrusive. Also don't be worried about Lyanna. I am going to talk with her once we are in Winterfell and I will see if I can do something about her attitude."

Lyanna spotted them talking and somehow felt their talk was about her and it made her somewhat frustrated. Her focus was suddenly put elsewhere "Muña, are we going to travel to that land which is called Essos?"

"We have to, darling. The question is whether we are going to flee or we will be allowed to leave in peace." The bond between her and Zyraxes has become very strong by now and Lyanna was able to feel all of her she-dragon feelings. Confusion was now the most prominent.

"Your uncle is going to stop us? Shouldn't he help you as your kin. Those of the same kin should help each other right?"

"Well they should, however as I see it, not always it is done so." Before Zyraxes could ask another question, Lyanna continued her explanation. "Before you hatched I prepared myself for leaving Winterfell to Essos for some time already. Yet when I asked my uncle, who I thought was my father at the time, for permission to do so. He denied me, and was really adamant about it."

Zyraxes seemed to understand Lyanna's explanations. "So what will we do? Escape against his will?"

Lyanna unconsciously let out a sigh. "I am going to show you to him. That should make him understand that my need to leave Winterfell is for his own good."

"And if he doesn't let you go?"

"Well, then very interesting and hasty days are ahead of us. We can't stay in Winterfell, you are already growing. We wouldn't be able to hide your existence. " Lyanna looked into the horizon, the sun was beginning to set and as a reaction Ned turned horses to the nearest suitable place for camp which happened to be an old abandoned castle in the area of New Gift. This land was completely empty and no Stark ever bothered to revitalize its population as it was the land belonging to the Night's Watch since the rule of the old king Jaehaerys Targaryen.

Lyanna found a concealed area on the courtyard, probably former stables as some wood walls covered her from curious gazes of Ned, Rodrik and Stark soldiers. She quickly made her fire and prepared some food, she also gave some meat to Zyraxes who requested it to be cooked over the fire. Lyanna wondered when she will start to breath fire of her own, so she picked up the book which she received from the maester Aemon and began to read.

She was interrupted by Zyraxes who probably was able to smell or see in the dark a person coming towards their fire. "Muña! Somebody is coming here!"

"To the bag, now." She sensed Zyraxes was annoyed but in the end she-dragon obeyed.

Lord Stark emerged from the darkness of night. "Lyanna may I have a word."

Lyanna raised her eyes from the book and looked at Ned. She recognized the urgency in his voice and she also was able to guess that he really wants to get along with her again so she just shrugged. "I suppose… I thought you wanted to talk with me after we returned to Winterfell."

Ned sat on the opposite site of her fireplace on some old log. "Yes I told you that, yet…. I can't just let you be in this state."

Lyanna put down her book and pierced her uncle with the look of suspicion. "What state would that be?"

Ned folded his arms. "You know exactly what I am talking about Lyanna, this is not you. Your anger is cold and silent but is there nevertheless. I know how you are feeling but…"

"You don't have a fucking clue how I feel!" Outburst, no matter how brief came from her, she got it under control in the end but Ned could see how she clenched her fingers and how she was breathing.

Ned was taken back a little but remained calm, he was determined to get through Lyanna's mood and make things right between them. "Then, tell me about it."

Lyanna looked Ned directly into the eyes, there was genuine interest, so she decided to be honest too. "You lied to me, all my life. Made a bastard of me and didn't even bother to tell me who my mother was. How do I feel? Betrayed, disappointed and well as you see angry." Lyanna paused and Ned wanted to answer when she cut him off. "Everytime I asked who my mother was, you evaded my question. Would you even tell me some day? Or you wanted to carry that secret to your grave? After I would be married off to some lord so my heritage would be just hidden and forgotten?" Despite her previous composure, there were hints of tears in Lyanna's eyes.

Ned turned his gaze to burning fire. "I did it to protect you. I admit maybe there could be more ways to do it, yet I made a promise to your mother that I will protect you, this seemed the best way to do it." Lyanna wanted to say something but was cut off. "When I arrived to the Red Keep at the end of the rebellion and later when Robert arrived, Tywin Lannister presented us with the bodies of Rhaegar's children, Aegon and Rhaenys."

Lyanna quietly listened. "I insisted on punishing Tywin and his dogs who butchered those children. I told Robert that killing children isn't something acceptable, yet he didn't care and told me something that made me really doubt his honor and I, for the first time in my life, began to think he is not as good a man as I had originally believed. Later when I discovered your existence I knew immediately that if you ever got into the hands of Robert you would meet the same fate as you half-siblings. "

"What did he say?" Lyanna asked slowly.

"I do not see any children here, only dragonspawn." Ned paused for a minute before continuing. "I didn't stay in the Red Keep after that and moved to break the siege of Storm's End. While there I received a letter from Ashara Dayne that my sister is in the Tower of Joy in Dorne, so I went there with several trusted companions. I have found the three knights of the King's Guard in my way. Lord Commander Gerold Hightower, Ser Oswell Whent and of course Ser Arthur Dayne. I had no idea why the king's guard stayed there instead of protecting their Prince or King, later I understood they were protecting my sister. And you, her daughter, the last surviving child of Prince Rhaegar, the heir to the throne."

Lyanna tried to ignore the last part about the throne and spoke. "Yes, I heard the stories about you and that fight. Is it true you really killed Arthur Dayne in single combat?"

Ned shrugged. "I have never said to anyone I killed or defeated him, yet everyone assumes I did. Truth be told, if it was not for Howland Reed I wouldn't be talking to you right now."

Lyanna got curious. "I see, so… What happened there, really?"

"Well, I wanted to get to my sister and they stood in the way. Before the fight broke out, I tried to reason with them. That I just want to see and help my sister, yet they insisted I was about to bring her to Robert and they will stop me…"

"And would you? I mean bring my mother to Robert Baratheon?"

" I didn't know what was really happening. I still believed she was kidnapped and that she was just being held in the tower against her will. So yes, just there without any further knowledge I was prepared to bring my sister to Robert. As I said I didn't know what was going on."

"Hmm." Lyanna added a few wooden pieces to the fire. "I gathered the fight wasn't easy. You said you would be dead without Lord Reed. Did he perhaps save you from Ser Arthur Dayne?"

Ned noded. "Aye, The fight as you guessed wasn't easy. You might say it was the most difficult fight of my life, even if we outnumbered the king's guard and managed to kill two of them. In the end it was only me and Ser Arthur standing."

"I held my own for a few moments, however I was no match for the famed Sword of the Morning, he disarmed me and when he was about to end me. The wounded Lord Reed stabbed Ser Arthur in the back of his leg. The thin dagger was able to pierce through the gap in his plate armor. And my life was saved."

This came as a surprise to Lyanna. "Lord Reed stabbed him in the back of his leg? Wait.. does this mean he wasn't killed?"

Ned was quiet for a while…. Then he looked at Lyanna intently and whispered like he was afraid someone might overhear them. "The truth of what I am about to tell you is only known to very few people, Benjen and Lord Reed included and when I tell you I would like you to keep it a secret. Can you promise me that?"

"Well it's not like you can now keep anything from me do you? As I recalled, you promised me not to withhold anything back from me anymore."

Ned Rubbed his temples before continuing. "I did indeed but you have to promise me that you will keep it to yourself. For someone It can be a matter of life and death. And I mean it."

"Alright, alright." Lyanna made a gesture of resignation. "I promise I will not tell a living soul about it, at least for the near future."

"Lyanna…."

She shrugged. "Don't expect anything more from me, uncle. If you don't wanna talk with me. I can always go back to my book."

Being called uncle by her was more unpleasant than he dared to admit. "I suppose that is the best I can hope for from you right now. After Howland Reed saved my life, I..

This chapter is really short in comparison to the previous, I know but I already have the next one prepared, almost. I just need to make a few adjustments and I will release it shortly. Afterall, I too hate when a chapter ends on a cliffhanger.