Chapter 4: Reunion and Revelation (288 AC)
The flames in the hearth crackled and danced, providing the sole source of warmth in Winterfell's lord's solar. Ned Stark sat at his desk, a stack of reports detailing Ironborn skirmishes and their presence on the western coast of the North scattered before him.
The past few weeks had been marked by tension within Winterfell. The discord between Catelyn and him regarding Jon had not lessened, casting a shadow over the once-united family. Robb, still too young to grasp the complexities of the situation, sought solace in the training yard with his wooden sword.
As the lord of Winterfell contemplated the uncertain future of his family and the North in the year 288 AC, a raven's caw echoed in the raven tower. Maester Luwin received the message and promptly entered the room to inform Lord Stark.
"Lord Stark," Maester Luwin began, his voice tinged with concern. "A raven has arrived from Castle Black. It bears news from your brother, Benjen."
Ned's heart quickened as he took the letter and read the words penned by his younger brother. Benjen had been absent from Winterfell for years, having joined the Night's Watch after the turmoil of Robert's Rebellion.
The letter detailed Benjen's return to Winterfell, along with Lord Commander Qorgyle and a retinue of Night's Watch brothers. They had come to discuss grave matters concerning the Night's Watch.
Ned's thoughts immediately turned to the declining state of the Night's Watch. He recalled the stories of honor and sacrifice that had surrounded the brotherhood when he was a child. Now, it appeared that their struggles were being overlooked by the realm.
He called for Maester Luwin and instructed him to prepare for the arrival of Benjen and the Night's Watch delegation. The matter was of utmost importance, and Ned knew that they needed to address it promptly.
As the Night's Watch party entered the Winterfell courtyard, a wave of relief washed over Ned Stark at the sight of his last living sibling, Benjen. He couldn't help but notice how the harsh conditions beyond the Wall had shaped Benjen into a man of undeniable worth.
Benjen scanned the area, spotting his brother Ned Stark, his wife Catelyn Stark, nee Tully, their son Robb Stark, and their two-year-old daughter, Sansa Stark.
He searched for Jon Snow, who stood in the second row behind his brother. Dismounting from his horse, the Lord Commander approached his brother and said, "Thank you, Lord Stark, for receiving us."
Ned Stark replied, "The Night's Watch is always welcomed in the halls of Winterfell," and offered bread and salt, following tradition. Benjen embraced Ned warmly and inquired, "How are you faring, brother?"
Ned Stark's gaze softened, and he responded, "I am well. How have you been, Benjen?"
With pleasantries exchanged, Benjen turned his attention to his sister-in-law, Catelyn Stark. He jestingly asked, "How are you faring, Cat? Is my dour-faced brother causing you any trouble?"
Catelyn Stark managed a hesitant smile, her unease subtly revealing the lingering tension between her and Ned. Benjen, with his knack for lightening the mood, continued with a hearty tone, "Now, where are my favorite nephews and nieces?"
Robb eagerly rushed toward Benjen Stark, offering an enthusiastic embrace, while Jon, initially reserved, couldn't contain his joy and greeted his uncle with a heartfelt, "Uncle!"
Benjen's attention then shifted to the petite figure of Sansa Stark, their youngest niece. With impeccable courtesy, she announced, "My lord, I am your only niece."
Amused and curious, Benjen playfully questioned, "Oh, is that so? Let's see," as he attempted to scoop up Sansa. However, Sansa, asserting her newfound sense of decorum, gently protested, "It isn't proper for a lady to be hugged like that."
Undeterred, Benjen responded with a twinkle in his eye, "Well, who might you be, then? And what have you done with her?" Sansa, her indignation giving way to laughter, asserted proudly, "I am your niece!" Benjen, ever the jester, swept Sansa into his arms and began to tickle her while repeating his query, "Who is my niece?" Sansa's laughter rang out in response, "Me!"
After the initial embraces and greetings, the group retired to the lord's chamber. Benjen and Lord Commander Qorgyle explained the dire state of the Night's Watch, the desolation of the Gift lands, and the lack of support from the other kingdoms and the Iron Throne. The Gift lands, once fertile and vital to the Watch's survival, had become a barren wasteland. The other kingdoms had grown indifferent to the plight of the Night's Watch, and the Iron Throne had turned a blind eye to their struggles.
The discussion continued late into the night, but eventually, they agreed to take a break and reconvene the next morning. A member of the Night's Watch, a seasoned ranger who had seen his share of adventures beyond the Wall, decided to take a stroll around the castle to stretch his legs.
The next morning, as the first light of dawn touched Winterfell's walls, Robb Stark and Jon Snow could be found in the courtyard, piling snow on the castle gates. Their mischievous plan was to prank any unsuspecting arrivals who would pass through those gates.
As they busied themselves with their snowy endeavor, the Night's Watch member, clad in his black cloak, approached them. He watched with amusement as the two boys worked diligently, unaware of his presence.
Once they were discovered, Robb, in a childish imitation of his father's authority, commanded the Night's Watch member to keep their activities a secret from Lord Stark. But the ranger, with a twinkle in his eye, engaged the two children in playful banter.
He soon learned that Jon Snow was the supposed bastard of Lord Stark. Robb, fiercely protective of his half-brother, bristled at the mention, fearing an insult. However, the Night's Watch member put any such concerns to rest.
"I was born north of the Wall," he revealed with a grin, "but I was raised by the Night's Watch. In our brotherhood, such traditions and distinctions matter little."
Both Robb and Jon looked intrigued, their curiosity piqued by the ranger's background. Jon, in particular, found himself drawn to the man's words.
"What's your name? and how did you become a member of the Night's Watch?" Jon asked.
The man, now known as Mance Ryder, replied, "My name is Mance Ryder, and I was found as a newborn north of the Wall. A member of the Night's Watch discovered me and brought me to the Wall, where I was raised among the brothers."
Robb and Jon exchanged glances, realizing they were in the presence of a man who had experienced a life unlike any they had known in Winterfell. Mance's wisdom and perspective had already left an impression on Jon, who was struggling with his own sense of identity as a bastard.
Mance turned to Jon and spoke with a knowing look, "Remember, lad, the worth of a man should not be decided by how he is born but by how he lives." Jon nodded, the words resonating with him in a profound way. It was a lesson he would carry with him throughout his life, shaping his sense of honor and purpose.
As the day continued and the sun rose higher in the sky, Robb, Jon, and Mance Ryder continued to chat, sharing stories and laughter in the snowy courtyard of Winterfell. It was a meeting that would have a lasting impact on young Jon Snow, reinforcing his ongoing journey of self-discovery and understanding.
Jon couldn't help but notice a harp slung over Mance Ryder's shoulder, its strings glinting in the sunlight. Intrigued, he turned to Mance and asked, "Can you play us a song?"
Mance, with a smile, nodded and began to pluck the strings of the harp. The haunting melody of "The Mountain and the Bear" filled the courtyard, weaving a tale of courage and camaraderie. Jon was captivated by the music, his gaze fixed on Mance's skilled fingers as they danced over the strings.
Inspired by the music, Jon couldn't resist asking, "Mance, could you teach me how to play the harp? I've always been curious about it."
Mance considered Jon's request, then nodded. "Of course, lad. It's a skill worth learning, and I'd be happy to show you the basics."
Robb, not to be left out, chimed in with enthusiasm. "And while Jon's learning the harp, can you show us some cool moves with a sword? We've just started our training, and I bet you have some tricks up your sleeve."
Mance Ryder's eyes twinkled with amusement as he agreed to share his knowledge. The snowy courtyard of Winterfell was transformed into a place of learning and laughter, as Jon Snow's journey of self-discovery and understanding continued, spurred by the unique perspective of a man born beyond the Wall and raised by the Night's Watch.
While the jovial conversation unfolded in the snowy courtyard of Winterfell, Benjen Stark couldn't help but notice the underlying tension between his elder brother Ned Stark and Ned's wife, Catelyn Stark. He had seen the strain on their faces, the unspoken words that lingered in the air.
As the evening wore on, Benjen found himself drawn to the crypts of Winterfell, seeking solace and a moment of reflection. In the dimly lit depths of the crypts, where the statues of their ancestors stood sentinel, he approached the statues of his father, his elder brother, and of Lyanna Stark, his elder sister.
With a sense of reverence, Benjen placed a blue winter rose at the base of Lyanna's statue. The blue winter rose had always been Lyanna's favorite, and it held a special place in their shared memories. Lyanna had been more than just a sister to him; she had been like a mother, a friend, and a playmate during their younger days. Her absence still left a void that could never be filled, and Benjen's heart ached with the memories of their time together.
While Benjen Stark stood in the crypts of Winterfell, paying his respects to his departed family members, especially Lyanna Stark, he sensed the approaching presence of his elder brother, Ned Stark. As he stood before the statue of Lyanna, Benjen couldn't help but wonder about the tension that he had noticed between Ned and Catelyn and how Jon was taking meals at the lower table reserved for stewards and captains of the guard.
Turning to face his brother, Benjen's expression was one of inquiry. He knew that something was amiss, and the crypts, with their hallowed silence, seemed an appropriate place for such a discussion. Benjen cleared his throat, breaking the solemn silence of the crypts. "Ned," he began, "I couldn't help but notice the tension between you and Catelyn. And Jon... there's something different about the way he's treated."
Ned continued to explain, his pride in Jon's resourcefulness evident. "It happened a few weeks ago. Some of the cattle had fallen ill due to an unknown disease. Most of them were able to recover, but a few were deteriorating rapidly. You know how important cattle are to the people in the North, Benjen. Losing even a few can be a heavy burden on the smallfolk."
"Jon proposed a solution," Ned continued. "He mentioned reading about certain herbs in the Winterfell library that could aid in treating the cattle. He separated the diseased ones, administered the herbs, and, miraculously, the cattle began to improve. They recovered, and Jon didn't stop there."
Benjen listened in astonishment. "What else did he do?"
"He started teaching the farmers how to selectively breed their cattle to create stronger stock," Ned replied. "He even suggested changes in their feeding regimen to raise healthier livestock. It's remarkable, Benjen. The yield from our cattle has risen significantly in the last few moons. The farmers have shown their gratitude and loyalty to Jon. It's undeniable that he has a special gift."
Benjen listened in astonishment, his eyes wide with disbelief. "Jon is just five namedays old, and he did all of this?" Benjen shook his head in disbelief. "I've always known Jon to be bright and resourceful, but this surpasses all expectations. It's as if he has an innate understanding of these matters."
Ned nodded, his eyes reflecting his admiration for his young son. "Indeed, it's a gift. But it's also the source of Catelyn's fears. She's concerned that Jon's abilities might make him a rival to Robb and that he will usurp Robb's position as heir of Winterfell."
Benjen furrowed his brow in thought. "I can understand her disapproval of the notion of a bastard, especially since she was raised in the New Gods' faith. However, I cannot fathom why she believes Jon will usurp Robb, especially considering he is just a five-nameday-old boy."
Ned looked up at the face of his beloved sister, Lyanna Stark, whose gaze momentarily appeared both affectionate and judgmental. He spoke, "Catelyn thinks that the unknown mother of Jon still holds my heart, and that one day I will declare Jon as the heir."
Benjen glanced at his brother and then at the face of Lyanna's statue. He said, "I never asked about Jon's mother, and I won't ask now. But I know that the most honorable Ned Stark will stand by his word, a promise made to her. Otherwise, she will haunt him in the afterlife."
Ned Stark's expression transitioned from anger to a bittersweet blend of amusement and melancholy. The mere suggestion that he might renege on his promise to Jon's mother, haunting him even in the afterlife, remained a burdensome weight on his conscience after five long years. The echo of her words, "Promise me, Ned, Promise me, Ned," reverberated in his soul.
"Benjen, I will honor my promise until my last breath. My concern lies in the potential rift it may create between Robb and Jon. Though they are but children now, I cannot envision how Robb will come to terms with it as they grow. I also cannot permit Northern lords to view Jon as an alternative heir. It bodes ill for our family and the North as a whole. I must find a resolution for this," Ned confided, his worry etched across his face.
Benjen responded with reassurance, "You will find a solution, brother."
"Now, let us discuss the Gift lands. They have been abondended by the Night's Watch due to their dwindling numbers,becsause they are ubanble defend these lands from wildlings attacks. How did the Night's Watch manage these lands in days of old? They are among the most fertile lands in the North, and their absence still reverberates throughout our lands," Ned inquired.
Benjen, caught off guard by the abrupt shift in topic, replied with a touch of playfulness, "Who's to say? In the past, the Night's Watch appointed lords to govern these lands. Perhaps you could petition your old friend, King Robert Baratheon, to return them to the North, enabling House Stark to overrule them once more. This way, you could appoint new lords to preside over these territories." With that, he exited the crypts, leaving Ned Stark with his last words resonating in the solemn chamber.
Author notes:
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