Chapter 7: Time to Truly be Brave
14 years ago, 283, The Tower of Joy:
Ned was still rather shocked, he already expected to be receiving the killing blow from Arthur Dayne by now. However, Arthur Dayne was on his knees growling in pain and Howland behind him, pulling out the blooded dagger from Ser Arthur's leg. Ned quickly took the Dawn from his reach and aimed with it at his throat.
The look Arthur Dayne gave him that moment, it said it all. "So, you are going to kill me like this Lord Stark? Ashara will hate you for it, you know? Not that you didn't gave her reason for it already. You broke her heart, when she learned you abandoned her for Catelyn Tully….. She was devastated"
"I had no choice, it wasn't something I did gladly and I am sorry, Ser Arthur." Ned kept his composure despite his feelings of guilt.
"You don't need to justify yourself to me. But to her and the child she is carried."
This revelation hit Ned hard, like mace to the head. "What?"
Arthur Dayne just shook his head. "I am sorry for my sister, Lord Stark. I would beg you to at least go to her and apologize in person and while you are at it take that sword to Starfall too. "
Howland growed impatient. "Ned. What shall we do with him? We probably shouldn't delay this. We have to find Lyanna."
"Just get on with it and kill me. The King's Guard shouldn't survive both his King and Prince."
Ned held the point of Dawn at Ser Arthur's throat, all it would take to kill him would be one move. Yet he didn't want to do that. "I will not end your life Ser Artur… I only wanted to save my sister. He look at Howland who look puzzled. Secure him." And he moved the sword away and processed in a hurry to the Tower.
He navigated tight corridors until he reached the main chambers and opened its door. What he saw shook him to the core. His sister was on the bed, covered in blood, next to her was some woman rubbing her head with the wet cloth. The woman hesitated when she saw Ned, sword in hand, also covered in blood.
Ned realized how it must look so he instantly lowered his hand with the sword. "It's alright, I am here for my sister."
"Ned? Is that you?" The voice of his sister was weak wispy, yet still recognizable.
The woman stepped aside, allowing Ned to approach and he did. But as he got next to the bed he almost didn't want to look at his sister when he saw the state she was in. "Lyanna, yes it's me and I am here. What happened to you?"
She looked at him with a sad smile. "That's a rather long story, big brother. For which I don't have enough time left, to tell…."
Ned raised the blooded blanket and looked away immediately. He felt tears coming out of his eyes. To come all this way to finally find Lyanna only to lose her again. It all seemed too unjust and cruel to him. "I will not let you die… I can't."
Lyanna reached with her hand and grasped Ned' own hand. "I don't deserve your tears Ned. I am sorry… For father and Brandon. I shall join them soon to beg them to forgive me. Their deaths are mine fault."
Ned was left baffled and confused by her words. "What do you mean? Prince Rhaegar kidnapped you. You are not responsible for our brother's and father's death."
"Oh, Ned. I wasn't taken away by Rhaegar by force. I went with him willingly."
"Wait, what?!"
"Tell me, did you really think I would marry that drunkard whoremonger? And do not deny it, you know what your best friend is."
Ned indeed didn't deny it. But he was still puzzled why his sister would choose to run with Prince Rhaegar. "But why the Crown Prince? He was already married, no?"
" I can't explain it, Ned. We met and there was a spark between us and it felt right. Rhaegar offered me escape from Robert Baratheon and I chose Prince Rhaeger out of love. He annulled his marriage to Elia with Martell's family blessings under condition his children with her will stay legitime and in the line of succession. It was a marriage out of duty and she couldn't give him more children, so Elia agreed to it too. After it was done, I married Rhaegar and we went here."
"Oh sister, why didn't you let anyone know about this? Do you know how many lives have been lost?"
"I know, I am sorry. Rhaegar wanted to keep a secret until the time was right when the bad news of our brother and father came, well we knew something went wrong. Someone must have seen us in the Riverlands and tell Brandon I was kidnapped. I don't see any other options." Suddenly Lyanna began to cough blood.
Ned immediately aided her and washed her mouth with a piece of cloth. "Easy, easy, Lyanna, It doesn't matter anymore. The war is done."
"Yes I heard that Rhaegar fell at the Trident. How did my love die, Ned?"
"He was killed in the duel with Robert. By the hammer in the chest. I am sorry, Lya."
Lyanna closed her eyes, opening them again and looking straight into her brother's eyes. "I cried over his loss some time ago. I will follow him soon but first I need you to promise me something before I pass." Ned's eyes were teary and he wanted to say something to object, but he was stopped. "No, listen to me Ned, you see my state. I have lost too much blood, but it wasn't for nothing."
Lyanna gestured to the woman, who stood all this time at the cradle, with her hand. And she reached into it and brought forward the still sleeping baby wrapped in the white cloth and handed it to Ned. He beholden the child with the sad expression, unsure what he was supposed to do. "Her name is Visenya Targaryen. When Robert find out about her, he will kill her. You must protect her."
Ned was lost for words. "Lya, I."
"Ned, promise me you will protect my daughter, she is innocent in all this. And I can't do it. Promise me, Ned. Promise me."
He looked at the child one more time, this time a pair of purple eyes were watching him, somewhat curiously. "I promise you that I will do everything in my power to protect her. I saw what Tywin Lannister did to Rhaegar's children. I won't let the same happen to your daughter, Lyanna."
Lyanna smiled gratefully. And outreached her arms towards her daughter one last time. Ned complied and handed her to his sister so she could hold her. And after few moments Lyanna Stark drawed her last breath and died. Her last words being. "Rhaegar."
There was a long moment of silence for a few moment at least until a child's cry pierced the air. As on command a woman who was presented in the room when Ned arrived, took the baby Visenya and started to calm her down in her arms.
Ned looked at her and asked. "Who are you?"
"I am Wylla, Lord Stark. Servant of Lady Ashara Dayne. I was sent here by my Lady to assist Princess Lyanna."
Ned felt guilt at the mention of Ashara. "Did my sister leave anything which could reveal the truth about Rhaegar and my sister's marriage?"
"Yes, my Lord, in that chest." The woman pointed on medium sized chest under the window. "Everything is inside, but if I may. I would beset you not to destroy it, those documents are meant for this girl, including her mother's last words to her."
"And she will receive it, one day. For now I must ensure I will be able to keep the promise to my sister. Her existence as a daughter of Rhaegar Targaryen must be kept hidden, now can you help me to do a few things?"
XXX
When Ned walked out with Visenya in his arms and the Wylla behind him. Howland was just finishing bandaging Ser Arthur's leg. "I'm sorry Ser Arthur, but I couldn't let you kill Lord Stark."
"We all were doing our duty, Lord Reed. This fight maybe could have been avoided if I listened to him in the first place, nobody else had to die." Ser Arthur looked at Ned and the baby in his arms. "What happened, Lord Stark? Where is with Princess Lyanna?"
Ned didn't answer instead Wylla did. "She is dead, Ser Arthur, as I said to you before, we needed a maester, even so I am not sure if he would save her life."
"Then I failed….. What are your intentions with her daughter, Lord Stark?"
"My sister asked me to promise her I will protect her child, so that is what I am going to do, Ser Arthur. I will claim her as my bastard, she will grow up in Winterfell safe without anyone knowing who she truly is."
There was an unpleasant silence. Arthur clenched his fist in anger but stayed put. "Are you serious? You want to do such a thing to a Princess of House Targaryen? Robbed her of her identity?"
"It's the only way."
"The only way? She is my Prince, no, my friend's child, goddammit! If you want to give her that life, then give her to me instead! I will take her to Essos and raise her myself, because what you are about to do to her, is just wrong."
Ned let out the heavy sight, he knew it would not be easy and he admired the loyalty of Ser Arthur Dayne to Rhaegar but it didn't change his decision. "Lyanna entrusted this to me, Ser Arthur. Do you want another war? Haven't enough people died already? If we reveal that Rhaegar and my sister were married and that there is still a child of Rhaegar Targaryen, there will not be peace and I would be forced to fight my friend…"
Arthur gave Eddard a judgmental gaze. "There it is, the friend…. Prince Rhaegar was my friend, and Robert ended his life. Nevermind, I will not try to stop you under one condition, otherwise I will finish what I started."
Howland quickly went for his sword, Ned however stopped him with raised hand. "I am listening."
"You will tell her when she is ready, who her parents were and who she is. That's all I demand from you. I am not saying to tell her as soon as possible but when you deem it right, she must know the truth."
Ned nodded. "I will, you have my word. On my honor."
"Well, the question is if you have any honor left after you abandoned my sister, Lord Stark, but hey. I don't have much of the choice than to take your word for it."
Arthur turned around to seek a horse. "What are you going to do, Ser Arthur? Won't you swear allegiance to King Robert? Ser Barristan did so." Ned called to him.
Arthur snorted contemptuously. "I will never serve that usurper, if Barristan does… I call him an oathbreaker. I am going to Starfall to give the Dawn back and then I'll go to Essos. By this day Ser Arthur Dayne is dead with the rest of the Targaryen King's Guard. Tell Robert you killed me, will you do this for me, Lord Stark?"
"Hmm, I can't just say I killed you, but I don't need to tell you are alive either. Wait for us I shall go to Starfall with you, but first I need to get my sister's body and all the possessions in that tower with me. Also we must bury our companions, could you lend us your aid with it? The faster it will be done, the faster we will be on the way."
Arthur turned around and shrugged. "Fine, Wylla, Lord Howland, do we have your oath that you will keep all this a secret?"
"I serve only to house Dayne. Ser Arthur. I swear that I will bring this truth to my grave."
Howland looked at Ned before giving his answer. "My lips will remain closed as long as Ned's will be."
"Good, well then let's get on with this, we don't have much time."
XXX
Few days later
Ned finally beheld the ancient fortress of house Dayne. When they arrived at Starfall, he was nervous and uneasy, knowing what or more precisely who was awaiting him there.
After he did his greetings and explanations to the Lord Beric Dayne, he finally got the chance to meet with Ashara, now when she stood before him, he wasn't sure what to say. "Ashara, it's been a while."
She looked pale from when he saw her last time though that was indeed a long time ago over the year and half to be precise, other than that there were no visible signs of pregnancy of which Ser Arthur told him about. But an unpleasant feeling got into his mind. No child was in the room. "Ned, have you come to explain yourself?"
Ned was embracing himself for whatever was about to happen. "I suppose….. Your brother told me you carried my child."
Ashara was visibly saddened. "I did. It was a girl, she died stillborn. I hate myself for saying this but maybe it was a blessing in disguise."
"What makes you say such a thing? It was our child after all." Ned felt immense grief and guilt, if he knew Ashara was pregnant, he would never have agreed to the marriage with Catelyn Tully. "You should have let me know."
Ashara shrugged. "Maybe I should, however when I learned you married a Tully girl I had no desire to do so, for both our sakes. Our girl would be a bastard. Granted, In Dorne it wouldn't be a huge problem, Yet, I suspected you would take the responsibility and bring the child with you to Winterfell instead. To be growing up as a stain on your honor without me."
Ned understood. "I am sorry Ashara, I didn't want any of this to happen."
"Nevertheless it did happen and we both made our choices, Ned. From what my brother told me, you are about to make another bad choice." Ashara gave him a disgusted look. "Are you really about to do that? Rhaegar's girl, bastard, a stain on your honor?"
Ned registered a strong sense of judgment from her words. He didn't particularly like it. "Ashara, I don't have a choice, should the truth be revealed about Lyanna and Rhaegar's daughter, there will be another war. Robert will not stop until she is dead and I will be forced to defend her."
"And would that be so bad? Fighting against the usurper who too gladly fed the rumor that Lyanna was kidnaped by Rhaegar? I wager that fucker knew only too well that Lyanna never loved him or wanted to marry him. Who would, anyhow? Drunkard and whoremonger. And do not try to deny, you know it's true."
Ned was taken back a little and considered Ashara's words. He knew deep inside the hard truth about his friend, yet he didn't want to admit it to himself. "The realm just went through a war. I don't want to start another."
Ashara let out a sigh of frustration and just waved her hands in a resigned gesture. "Suit yourself, let him be a king. He will ruin the Seven Kingdoms, mark my words. Nevermind, I will not be in Westeros to see it anyway."
This caught Ned's attention. "What do you mean by that?"
"I am leaving with Arthur, we came to the conclusion, it would be best for both of us if we are considered to be dead, afterall we both know who that girl, who are you about to claim as a bastard, is. And we are both Targaryen loyalists."
"I see, well I have no right to stop you. So, I can only say farewell and good fortune in the life to come." Ned attempted for a smile, but he didn't manage to do that.
"Thank you, Lord Stark. I am sure your new wife eagerly awaits your return." Ned bowed and turned to leave but he was halted. "Before you walk away, I must offer something, otherwise I would never forgive myself." Ned looked back at her curiously. "Would you consider leaving Rhaegar's girl with me? I would raise her like she was my own daughter, something which I doubt your new wife would be able or willing to do."
It looked like a reasonable looking proposition and despite his promise Ned gave to Lyanna, he was tempted to take Ashara on that offer. However in the end he was reminded of his sister's words. "Promise me."
"I am grateful, truly. But Lyanna made me promise with her last dying words to protect her, me… I can't let anyone else do it. I hope you understand."
"I don't…. Sooner or later that secret will catch up with you. It has the potential to cause another war sooner or later. Especially if that girl decides to take vengeance upon the usurper one day. When that day comes you might regret that you didn't accept my offer." It was an ominous warning and maybe not unwarranted.
"I know." Ned agreed with a quiet voice. "However, we can't see what the future holds. For now I want to see my sister's child safe. I will not let Robert kill her like they did to her half-siblings. I can't forget such an atrocity and I won't forgive the Lannisters for committing it or Robert for letting them go with it."
Ashara's face visibly softened. "Well then. I wish you luck. You are going to need it."
"Thank you, Ashara. Once again I am sorry for how things ended up between us. Had I known you were with a child I would have chosen a different path. I… I still love you."
Ashara was silent for a few moments. After some consideration, she went to her chest and pickout a certain jewel from it. And to Ned's surprise walked to him. "To think or have regrets about what might have been, if we choose differently is the curse of life. You chose duty over love. I understand that fact, but it doesn't mean I have to like it."
Ashara handed him a silver locket which had a sigil of house Dayne, a white sword and falling star, engraved on it. Ned took with the feeling of uncertainty. He realized it's a portrait locket, so he opened it and saw Ashara's portrait inside. "Why are you giving me this?"
"A memento for you, as we most likely shall not see each other ever again, Ned. And in this way I will be with you at least in some way."
Ned noded. "I see, then goodbye, Ashara. I truly wish the thing played out differently."
She gave him a sad smile. "I know. Goodbye, quiet wolf."
XXX
Back in present day
Lyanna wasn't sure what to say, there were so many new facts. The sheer knowledge of it all felt overwhelming. The most shocking for her was the fact that Ser Arthur Dayne was possibly still alive somewhere.
"So, this is why I did what I did. Making you my bastard daughter was the best solution. I promised your mother, I will protect you. And as I pointed out before, Robert would have tried to kill you if he knew the truth about you…" Ned paused before he added. "And I would have waged war to stop him."
These words came as a surprise to Lyanna. "Really? I mean you made me your bastard to prevent such an eventuality, no?"
True, the realm just went through one war. What's more, there were and I suspect still are, the lords who are considering Robert to be an usurper. If the secret about you, the last living child of Prince Rhaegar Targaryen got discovered, it could serve them as a rallying cry. And when it comes to Robert… He hated your father and at the thought of Lyanna Stark, never truly loving him and even had a child with the Prince he hated…. It would sprang him into action and he would stop at nothing just to see you dead. In such an event I would have no other choice than to fight him. Even if the odds were not in my favor" Ned looked into the flames with a grim expression, as the thought of fighting his old friend clearly didn't sit well with him.
Then Ned redirected his gaze back on Lyanna who seemed to be lost in thoughts as well. "Therefore, I must urge you, to keep the truth about your parentage and true identity hidden, from everyone. Even your cousins, including Robb and Arya. And be certain to keep your temper around Lady Stark." He noticed a slight hint of disgust passed on Lyanna's face. "I am aware you don't like each other very much, yet you kept your temper together around her relatively well so far."
Lyanna snorted. "Relatively speaking. Don't get me wrong. I am trying to keep out of her way, unfortunately Lady Stark and her bitch of the septa are not doing the same when it comes to me. In their world where the Seven rules, bastards are vile and treacherous people. In short, your wife, Lady Stark, is afraid I will corrupt yours and her children, which is rather ironic when she is the one who is trying to poison their mind with her faith nonsense."
Ned was about to scold Lyanna for such a statement, yet before he did, he remembered what she told him before, about Catelyn the septa attitude and comments towards Lyanna. And he also vividly recalled how his wife criticized the worship of the Old Gods, so instead he got curious. "Lyanna…. I hope you know this is some serious accusation from you, she is my wife and won't tolerate such a claim. However, I had some arguments concerning the faith with her just before I left Winterfell. So, tell me what do you mean when you claim she is trying to poison their minds with it?"
"Well, I mean, isn't that fact clear to you?" Lyanna said with a puzzled tone. Ned raised an eyebrow and stayed silent expecting further explanation. Lyanna let out a sigh of frustration, but decided to oblige her uncle's need for an answer. "Surely you noticed that I get along well with all my siblings…..ehm cousins except one, Sansa. She accepted the worship of the seven per her mother and that septa Mordaine teachings. She also accepted the fact I am a bastard and began imitating her mother in everything, including despising me and thinking I am someone not worthy of attention or sisterly love. Despite the fact I cared and sang to her when she was little…." Ned noticed that Lyanna was hurt by Sansa's attitude, yet she never told him this. "Fortunately, Robb, Brandon and Arya are still resistant to the teachings of the Seven and they didn't turn on me, as Lady Stark really wanted."
Ned rubbed his temples. "I guess that most of my bannermen were correct when they advised me not to allow Catelyn to spread the Faith of the Seven in Winterfell. Furthermore it would seem that she really dishonored our deal under which conditions she was to be allowed to teach my children about the Seven, only if she will respect The Old Gods and never put the Seven before them." He told it more to himself than to Lyanna who just shrugged and added some more wood to the fire.
"Thank you for bringing this to my attention, Lyanna. I will have to speak with Lady Stark about septa Mordaine and her forcing the Seven to my children. Anyway, what about you? Will you promise me that you will keep the truth behind your true parentage hidden? I don't really want to force you into it but it's important."
Lyanna shook her head with an ironic smile. "Yea, right. I would probably be inclined to do so, but I think it will be impossible to hide my true identity before long."
"I understand why you don't want to but…." Ned didn't finish as Lyanna interrupted him.
"It's not what you think. Something happened, the reason I found out who I am and it's also a cause of why I will not be able to hide who I am in the nearest future. Seven hells, I would prefer to be hidden for now, but it's simply not possible in the long run."
Ned was left puzzled but also curious. "What do you mean by that? What happened?"
Lyanna looked at the bag her Zyraxes kept hiding. "Ah, to hell with it. I am going to show you…but beware. You might be up for a shocking surprise so, promise me you will stay calm and collected when I show you, no matter what. And I mean it. No calling of guards or loud shouting. And definitely no weapons drawing"
"Alright….." Ned was left really puzzled and confused. Nevertheless it was all just a silence before the storm, as he was about to discover soon.
Lyanna rose up and went for her bag and took it back to the fire. "Come out, darling. It seems I have to show you to my other uncle sooner than I originally anticipated."
Zyraxes was on one side excited to get out yet on the other side she felt hesitancy from Lyanna which was partially transfering on her. "Are you sure, muña?"
"No, but what other choice is there? He needs to know, to understand my reasoning. Come out, please." Lyanna opened the bag and Zyraxes slowly poked out with her head looking at Ned, who froze and couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Lyanna had to grant him, at least he reacted more calmly than Benjen. Ned slowly opened his mouth to talk. "That's a dragon…A living dragon." Ned rubbed his temples while complementing that fact he was looking at the creature which was last seen over a hundred years ago. "How is that even possible?"
Lyanna put the bag next to her on the ground while Zyraxes jumped out on her shoulder. "She represents the reason I began to question who I am. You see, I have found the dragon egg hidden in a secret stash, heated by the steam from hot springs behind the tomb of Sarra Snow. I suspect it was a gift from Prince Jacaerys Velaryon. In any event as the Maester Aemon told me, the dragon Egg can't naturally hatch in Westeros other than on Dragonstone or in the presence of its future rider who possesses the blood of the dragon. In my case, Targaryen blood."
Ned couldn't believe that something like the Dragon egg was hidden in his own family crypt all this time and that it was Lyanna who found it. "Well, I must say you didn't over exaggerated when you warned me about the shock and surprise. It seems we are living in very strange times with the rumors of what is happening beyond the wall and now a dragon. The question is what are we going to do about it?" Ned pointed his finger at the little white she-dragon.
Lyanna folded her arms and gave Ned a very judgmental look. "Well firstly it's a she, not it. I named her Zyraxes and secondly, if you are thinking about doing something to my dragon then forget it. I won't let anything happen to her." Zyraxes demonstratively growled, though it sounded more like the cat hissing.
"Lyanna, you can't just have a dragon in Winterfell, if someone sees it…. Can't you order it to fly away?"
"We are bonded, for life. So, no I can't just order her to leave me, even if I wanted to, which I don't."
"You are putting me in a very difficult situation, Lyanna. Do you know that?"
"Yes I am aware of that, but I have an easy solution to remedy it, well, easy is relative statement in this case, but still easy."
It was Ned who now folded his arms. "Well, I hope you share it, because I am currently a little lost."
"Alright. The way I see it, there are three options. First, you force me to stay in Winterfell and sooner or later someone discovers I have a dragon. The word will get out and King Robert will try to kill me and you will have to wage war as you say you would and that can end in many ways, bad is most likely."
"Second, You may try to kill my dragon which is something I will never forgive you and if you do it, you might kill me as well."
"Third, we will go back to Winterfell. I will hide Zyraxes for a little longer, while I prepare to leave and when time is right, you will let me go to Essos as I originally wanted and asked you about. Personally I would prefer this last option, because it is for the best and you know it."
Ned thought about it, he knew if Robert got wind that his supposedly bastard daughter has a hatchling dragon, he would get suspicions and it will only be a matter of time before he marches on in the North with the army, probably accompanied by Tywin Lannister. "I can't deny your logic behind such a choice, Lyanna, but you ask me to break my promise, I gave to your mother. I just can't let you go somewhere where I can't protect you, or somewhere you might not return from."
Lyanna sighted, frustrated. "Look, uncle. I am not exactly happy about all of this either. Yet me leaving is the best cause of action now. Zyraxes will grow and sooner or later the word get out about her and when it does I must be out of Westeros." Lyanna rose up and went to sit next to Ned while Zyraxes was still clinging to her shoulder.
She looked straight into the eyes of slightly surprised Ned. "You said you made a promise to protect me and you already did. If I stay you will have no choice but to wage war to protect me. Wasn't avoiding another war one of your reasons for keeping my identity hidden?"
"Yes I did but….."
"Then why don't you want to see that I am protecting you by leaving? And not only you but also Robb, Arya, Bran and Rickon, hells even Sansa and Lady Stark." Lyanna paused and looked away for a few seconds before turning back to Ned. "You told me about what they did to Rhaenys and Aegon Targaryen. What do you think the king will try to do to me? Or worse, your own family if he had learned you harbored me, a Targaryen, for all these years?" Lyanna finished and stared at Ned intently, waiting for his answer.
"He would stop at nothing to see you dead. Our friendship would be at its end. And he would try to take vengeance on me and my family too." Ned really didn't like that idea, to be forced to fight his old friend and shuddered just thinking about it. "Still the thought of your passage, somewhere I can't protect you…." Ned paused, letting his last words, unspoken.
Lyanna felt somewhat guilty for putting the man who raised her in such a situation, yet she also knew that it was time to press on. So she gave him no respite and decided to be straightforward. "Will you let me go without making a fuss about it, or not?"
Ned remained in silence, he didn't want to believe it, or see it, yet there it was. The truth is that if Lyanna and her dragon had stayed in Winterfell, there would be blood. And there was another feeling, something much more painful. "Do you hate me so much? For not telling you the truth?"
Lyanna hesitated. "I tried…." She averted her gaze to the ground. "Without success. You might not be my real father, but you are the only father I know. And As much as I detest the fact you made me into your bastard…You saved my life and gave me a home for which I am grateful."
Ned was relieved and had an urge to wrap his hand around her. Before he could act on it, Lyanna rose up and went to sit back to her side of the fireplace. So instead, Ned just asked. "Are you really sure you want to leave?"
Lyanna bit her lip while looking uncertain into a fire.. "I don't see any other good option. Maester Aemon mentioned that within two years Zyraxes will grow enough for me to ride on her back, if he is correct and I believe he is then I can assume she will grow relatively fast. And if the tales about the dragon sizes are anything to go by… Well let's just say it would be impossible to hide Zyraxes existence sooner or later."
"Hmmm, I still don't like it. Have you considered that if your dragon is seen in Essos with you, the word about her will get to Robert eventually? I fear when he learns your name and where you come from, he will try to exact vengeance on me and the North despite you being out of his reach."
Lyanna nodded while taking protesting Zyraxes off her shoulder and putting her on the ground closer to fire. "A good point, which would be relevant if I used my bastard name, however I am not going to. Afterall, I must be certain to prevent everyone from connecting me with the North and you. What better way is there other than to take up my real name?"
Ned rubbed his chin. "I see, well and wouldn't it be better to take up a different name, the new one?"
Lyanna's disgusted expression said it all. "I don't want to live with another false name, even if I was inclined to do it, the dragon would instantly connect me with Targaryens or worse Blackfyres. No." She resolutely shook her head. "Maester Aemon advised me to accept who I am and that is what I am going to do. When I arrive in Essos, it will be as Visenya Targaryen."
"Well I see you have decided already, however using your real name will be dangerous. The name Targaryen will inevitably attract attention. Are you prepared to face that?"
"Honestly, I am not sure, yet I somehow feel it's a good call. Besides, my life became dangerous the moment I found the dragon egg in the crypts beneath Winterfell." A small smile appeared on Lyanna's face when she petted Zyraxes on the head. "Not everything is bad of course, having the dragon is a rather interesting prospect."
"Well, I suppose…." Ned eased a bit despite the fact he was still very much afraid for Lyanna's life. After a while his gaze averted from her, to a golden pommel of the swords sticking out of the red silk next to the bag on the ground.
It didn't escape Lyanna's attention who reached down for it and handed it to him. "Maester Aemon gave it to me, it's a Targaryen heirloom which was left with him by former Lord Commander Brynder Rivers. According to what he said to me, Prince Rhaegar was planning to go to the Wall to claim it, obviously he didn't manage it."
Ned drawed the blade and inspected it. "Valyrian steel." He moved it in his hand and tested its balance. "Seems like a very good weapon. I am curious where it comes from. As if I am not mistaken the both Valyrian steel swords of house Targaryen were lost." He remarked while putting it back into its scabbard and handing it back to Lyanna.
"Well that is one of those lost swords, the Dark Sister, sword of queen Visenya, sister wife to the conqueror. I dare to say that being very good is a requirement for such a weapon." Through Lyanna's mind went the names of others, she read about and who wielded this blade. Prince Baelon Targaryen also known as the brave, his famous or infamous son, Prince Daemon Targaryen called the Rogue Prince. Third wielder, Prince Aemon the Dragonknight and lastly Ser Brynden Rivers the Bloodraven. Possessing this blade was a great honor and somewhat dream come true even so, now when it was in Lyanna's hands she wasn't sure whether she was worthy of such a legendary sword.
To Ned it came as a little shock that Lyanna got her hands on the sword that was practically considered to be lost, then he came to the conclusion it's rather fitting. "Are you feeling unworthy of it?"
"Maybe, I mean until recently I thought I was just a bastard without any prospects. Now, I know I am Princess of House Targaryen. I have a dragon and in my hands is the sword which played a part in many important historic events and was carried by the greatest warriors of their respective times. It's all sudden and I am still feeling unsure if I want all of it, even if I am determined to do what must be done. I… am honestly afraid of what comes next."
Ned put on a serious face. "That is only natural, Lyanna. I would be surprised if you weren't afraid. You are aware of the danger which lies ahead of you. But only in these kinds of situations can you discover true courage."
She looked at him skeptically. "How can I be brave when I am afraid?"
"That is the only time you can truly be brave." Ned paused and took a deep breath. "I am sorry I kept your heritage hidden. I thought it would be best if it stay that way for few more years. Benjen warned me you would be angry if you ever find out. I was a fool who ignored it." Ned looked away from Lyanna. And a long pause followed before he continued. "I would understand if you can't forgive me and things between us will probably not mend easily but….."
Lyanna couldn't help but chuckle a bit, which stopped her uncle who now was gazing at her with raised eyebrows. Lyanna just shook her head with the cheeky grin on her face and spoke "Don't look at me like that… You are the one who told Robb and me that everything spoken before the word but is horse shit."
Ned just rubbed his temples. "I should have never pass that piece of wisdom on you two, now I will never hear the end of it."
"Well it's an appropriate piece of wisdom I think and do not worry. Well, I am still angry at you, yet despite it. I understand why you did what you did and I will not hold that against you. I might not be able to call you a father ever again, yet I would say calling you uncle is proper enough."
Ned nodded. "I understand and I thank you for listening to me and…. Not peeling me with that new sword of yours."
Lyanna recognized it was meant as a light joke, but still her face turned serious. "I could never do that to you." She let out a heavy sight. "I have a favor to ask, uncle"
"Yes? What favor?"
"Among the things you have found in the Tower of Joy. Was there some sort of document which could prove my real parentage?"
Ned searched his memory before he answered. "There was and still is a document of your parents' marriage which took place in Dorne. It's signed by them, Prince Doran Martell and the High Septon plus there was also a document of annulment between Elia Martell and your father, signed and confirmed by the High Septon. And one more document guaranteeing legitimacy and succession of Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys which is now irrelevant for obvious reasons." Last words were spoken in a clearly regretful tone.
"Will you give me those documents?"
"Of course I will, they are yours by right, when we return to Winterfell I am going to give you what's left behind in Tower of Joy from your parents, though I doubt you will ever need those documents because my word and dragon you hatched should be proof enough about your heritage."
"That may be so, but I don't think the Iron Bank is going to just use those as a proof to claim mine rightful inheritance. I need those documents"
"I am sorry, what are you talking about? What inheritance? I hope you are not planning anything like borrowing gold to wage a war for the Iron Throne or something like that." Ned asked almost too quickly."
"Ehmm…. How did you even… Nevermind." Lyanna shook her head in disbelief. "I have just told you I want to leave for Essos to avoid an eventuality such as war. So, no. I just need to get access to the gold my father deposited in the Iron Bank." Before Ned could ask on that subject further. Lyanna picked a document she received from Maester Aemon and handed it to her now puzzled uncle.
"That's a lot of gold. I just wonder why nobody has claimed it by now. I mean the exiled Targaryens could use that gold." Ned said while handing the document back to Lyanna.
"Other Targaryens, you mean those who were transported from Westeros at the end of the rebellion?"
"Yes, Queen Rhaella's last children. I don't know where they are and what happened to them but I am certain if there were some gold deposited in the Iron Bank, they would try to use it."
"Well, Maester Aemon told me that my father deposited this gold in secret, and he sent this document about it to the Wall to keep it that way."
"A wise course of action, given the fact his father was mad and paranoid. From what I heard their relations were not on the best of terms. Anyway I think it's enough talking for me today and it's time for me to get some sleep." Ned rose and went away.ׅ'' He stopped walking for a second and turned to Lyanna. "If there is anything else you want to know, then ask. Sleep well, Lyanna." With that the Lord of Winterfell smiled and left the hidden Targaryen Princess with her thoughts.
So there we have it. Little heart to heart conversation and little look into the past. I am a believer that something might have been between Ashara and Ned because why else would he bother to go to Starfall, just to return the sword? Rumors are that Ashara had stillborn daughter and then after Ned show up committed suicide, with her body conveniently never found, I mean that is pretty suspicious. When it comes to Arthur he was probably indeed killed in the canon but still we never explicitly hear he was killed, only that Ned would be dead if not for Howland.
Anyway I also got that Lyanna or Visenya very soon, is not very likable character at least for some but I am trying to give her some character development, afterall she is just 14 years of age, like Jon was at the start of the books and I am sure once she got out to the world, her personality and attitude will progress somewhere, for the better I hope… For the next few chapters we will probably see winterfell with more events unfolding before the events of the books starts because Baelish is still a scheming cunt in this fic. Furthermore Ned will discuss with Visenya her plans and preparations for the journey to Essos. And yes Essos is the direction where the young Targaryen Princess is heading though I think she will find out that a dragon will attract attention no matter where she will go. I Also had some plans for Benjen and the business at the Wall but that should be a somewhat secondary storyline for now, suffice to say things will be a little different now that Ned got an echo of what might be happening beyond it. Have a nice day.
