Chapter 4
Harrenhal, 301 AC.
Rhaegar was lost in his thoughts of Lyanna, and memories of her. The same place they had met twenty-one years earlier. Elia it seemed could read his mind when he was thinking of Lyanna.
She took his hand in hers under the table giving him a reassuring squeeze. "Aegon may have stiff competition during the Melee. A lot of people are favoring the Northern Sell Sword Snow to win. From what I heard he beat Ser Jamie quite soundly, he held his own against Ser Barristan."Viserys cut in.
"I suppose he'll be representing the North then."
"Lord Stark must be happy to have him home" Margaery made conversation as they broke their fast.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that. There seems to be some bad blood between the pair. Lord Stark approached him after he finished sparring with Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan he all but gave his father the cold shoulder"
"How do you know Muna" Viserys asked with an eyebrow raised in wonder.
"I caught the end of a sparring match. He seemed less than pleased to see Lord Stark"
"Where's Daenerys" Rhaegar noticed his baby sister was absent.
"I haven't seen her since last night Kepa. She said she wasn't feeling well and retired to bed" Rhaenys answered.
"I think our darling sister has gone to meet a 'Gentlemen' caller"
"Why's that Viserys" Rhaegar asked his only brother.
"Baelon and Jaerhaerys crawled into bed with Arianne and me last night. They couldn't find Dany after a bad dream"
"I'm sure she's fine wherever she is" Rhaella answered coyly. Rhaella knew where exactly where her daughter was, and who she was with. Her Goodson Jon Snow.
"She must have gone to see Jon"
"Jon who, Rhaenys do you know something" Rhaegar turned to his daughter.
"Not Jon Snow, Lord Stark's bastard son. The sellsword" Everyone turned their eyes to Margaery. "I can't have been the only one to notice the looks between the pair at the sparring yard yesterday"
"Why would she have gone to see him last night"
"Because he is" Rhaneys stopped speaking.
"Because he is what Rhaneys" Rhaegar prompted his daughter.
"The father of your nephews Baelon and Jaehaerys, and your goodbrother" Rhaella finished for her grandaughter getting it all out in the open.
Rhaegar was silent for a time letting the news sink in. "How long have you known, both of you"
"Dany told me before we left King's Landing," Rhaenys answered.
"Mother"
"Only since last night. If you want more details you'll have to ask Daenerys"
Harrenhal, 301 AC
Neither Dany nor I had gotten to sleep till the early hours of this morning. We had three years apart to make up for. Oh aye, we'd made up for it already. After the first round, we fucked/made love four times after that till we passed out from exhaustion.
I was half awake, still half asleep when the sound of horses grew closer to camp. "I help you gents" I heard Bronn's voice outside the tents.
"Is my brother here" Robb answered.
"Oh Aye, he's here. Sleeping Beauty still sleeping I think. Ere Taras, Bantal. Boss awake yet."
"Still sleeping him and his woman" Taras looked from sharpening his axe.
"I'll get him for yea. Hey, Boss you decent" Bronn called into the tent.
"No. I'll be out in a minute who is it" I call back as quietly as possible not to wake Daenerys.
"Your brother here with your sister's Boss."
I got out of bed somehow without waking Dany. I grabbed a clean pair of trousers, slipping them on before lacing them up. Pulling on my boots. I put my dagger in place behind my back, picking up a clean shirt. Black. It had always been my preferred color for some reason.
"What brings you to our humble camp," I say stepping out of my tent and closing the flap behind me.
"Sansa, Bran, and Rickon wanted to see you. Plus Arya wanted her sword fighting lessons. And do I need a reason to see my brother" Robb answered dismounting his horse.
"Not at all. How's Greyjoy's nose after I broke it yesterday"
"He'll live" Ghost and Shadow appeared coming into camp, after being off somewhere hunting. "When did you find your direwovles."
"I was on my way to White Harbour when I found them."I scratched Ghost behind his ears. Shadow burred his massive head under my other hand demanding pats.
"Are you headed for the sparring yards?"
"No, I'll be heading to the lists to practice. The tournament starts tomorrow. I'll need someone to tilt against. Seeing as Bronn's to chicken to"
"Oh aye. I'm chicken for wanting to live. I hate fucking tilting against you in the lists. I swear that brother of yours is more horse than man. He hits like a fucking anvil with his lance" Bronn rubbed his shoulder that had been dislocated the last time we tilted against each other.
"I couldn't convince you to join the Northern Team for the Melee tomorrow."
"Sorry Robb but it seems you'll be fighting against us as well. We've put our name down for the Grand Melee tomorrow."I answered.
"It's almost mid-morning. I never knew you to sleep so late."
"He was up half the night with lady friend" Bronn shut up when I sent him a hard glare.
"Lady Friend."
"Princess Daenerys" I looked over my shoulder as Dany came out of my tent.
"Sansa, why would Jon have been spending the night with Princess Daen…..Princess I…"It was rare for Robb to be at a loss for words, Sansa, Arya. Bran and Rickon's mouths hung open in shock
"It's quite normal for a man and his bride to spend the night together Robb, Surely you know where babes come from by now" I teased as Dany came to stand beside me. I wrapped my arms around her kissing the top of her head.
"You're married to" Robb was still in shock at the news of me and Dany being married
"Princess Daenerery, the King's sister yes Robb."
"You got married and none of us were invited" Arya was the first to speak.
"Little sister I would have loved nothing more than to have you all there. It was only a small ceremony. Bronn, Ser Jaime, Gendry, Taras, and Bantal were the only ones there. We got married in Volantis. Three years ago. You'll be at the next one. We were married in the Lord of the Light. We weren't married by the Old Gods or New."
"I don't have to wear a dress do I" Arya hated wearing dresses when we were young it seemed that hadn't changed.
"No you don't have to wear a dress if you don't want to" I laughed.
"Jon perhaps some introductions"
"Sorry. Dany this is my brothers Robb, Bran, and Rickon the baby of the family. This is my sisters Sansa and Ayra. Robb, Sansa, Bran, Rickon, Ayra this is my wife Daenerys 'Dany'Targaryen." I introduced
Northern Encampment, Harrenhal 301 AC
Catelyn Stark gritted her teeth as she heard endless talk of the Bastard. The Spawn of Seven Hells Jon Snow. Her husband's bastard son. He had returned and was here at the tournament at Harrenhal.
She had rejoiced when he left Winterfell. Catelyn had hoped he'd died over in the Essos never to return. He was a threat to her family. He was like all bastards a greedy sinful thing.
"Lady Stark. Lady Stark. Sansa and Ayra did not attend their lessons this morning. I have a good mind where'd they be."Septa Mordane came running to her. Yes with that bastard Jon Snow no doubt corrupting them.
"Thank you, Sepa. I will spend Jory to fetch them."
"Send Jory to fetch who my Lady" Her husband of twenty and one years Eddard appeared in front of them.
"Sansa and Arya. There with that bastard again"
"By bastard you mean Jon. Who is also their brother Catelyn? They haven't seen him for six years. Robb went with them."Catelyn gritted her teeth.
"Theon prepare my jousting practice armour would you please" Robb called to Theon as he rode into camp with the rest of his siblings minus Jon.
"What do I look like Stark"
"Do as Lord Robb asked Theon. Prepare his jousting practice armor" Ser Rodrik cuffed Theon on the back of the head.
"Yes my Lord" Theon grumbled.
"The lists who are you tilting against son. You're not entered in the joust" Ned asked.
"Jon he wanted someone to tilt against in the lists before the tournament starts tomorrow" Robb answered.
The Lists, Harrnehal 301 AC.
Knights and those competing in the Jousting later in the Tournament were getting in last-minute practice in the lists before the tournament began tomorrow. The Crown Prince Aegon was still favored to win the Joust.
The Melee was a bit tougher competition for the Crown Prince to possibly win. Everyone had heard of the Northern Sell Sword. Jon Snow, Leader of the Bloodied Wolf Company. The White Wolf they called him. The man's reputation with a sword was quickly proved to be correct.
The Man who had killed the Khal of Khals had easily beaten one King's Guard and had almost beaten the other but it had been close. The Bloodied Wolf Company who had entered a team in the Grand Melee were quickly becoming favorites to win.
Those watching from the stands were not surprised to see the King or any members of the Royal family watching the lists.
Rhaegar watched with a keen eye as Robb Stark was in the lists to tilt against his brother Jon Snow, Rhaegar's good brother and father of his nephews.
The horse Snow rode was massive, black as night. It was the Black Dread reborn in horse form. The Black Dread pawed at the ground with his massive black hoof as someone handed Snow his practice lance.
Whoever had made Snow's armor was a true craftsman. The armor was blackened steel inlaced with gold. A snarling direwolf was pressed into the metal, with two ruby eyes. The sigil of the Bloodied Wolf Company. A bloodied howling wolf was pained onto his shield. Red and Black.
The two horses charged toward each other. The Snow Boy was a born horseman. He and his horse were as one as they charged down the lists towards Robb Stark. Stark's lance broke against Snow's shield.
Snow never shifted in his seat. His own lance hit true, in the middle of Stark's breastplate. The force of the lance breaking on his breastplate. Sent Stark from the saddle. Crashing onto the ground.
Snow threw his lance to the ground pulling his visor up and glancing over his shoulder before turning his war horse to check on his brother.
"You alright brother," I asked stopping Balerion to check on Robb.
"Fine, just winded me. Seven fucking hell Bronn wasn't lying when he said you hit like a fucking anvil. I pity any poor bastard matched against you in the lists."Robb sat up pulling his helmet off.
"You must be out of practice Robb. You were always besting me at jousting when we were kids."
"Aye, that was then. You've certainly got better in the years since" Robb was winded as he got to his feet with the help of Bran and Ayra.
"You want another tilt. You might just unseat me this time."
"Aye," Robb got back onto his horse.
Rhaegar watched as the pair traded lance for lance, time and time again. Stark was unseated a few times. Snow was almost unseated just as much. The boy no man was damn good with a lance. Not quite as good as was with a sword. But He'd go far in the Joust. Depending on how he drew and how things went.
Something was unsettling Rhaegar as he watched his good brother. The way he rode and tilted his lance. It was so familiar. It was possible that he had taken after Lyanna being half horse and good with a lance.
Snow and Stark had finished tilting against each other. Still, Rhaegar stayed and watched the pair. Snow removed his helmet smiling as he talked with his brother. It was then that it hit him. That smile.
A smile he'd know and loved as had Elia. Lyanna's smile. He looked closer at Jon. It was then it hit him like a lightning strike. He could see himself and his son Aegon in Jon Snow. He may have his mother's coloring.
But there is still Targaryen in him. He had his Nose and chin. He took mostly after Lyanna, but there is still a lot of Rhaegar in him. If he was indeed his son. Anger began to boil inside. Eddard fucking Stark had stolen his son from him.
Was there ever a babe that died? Or was that just a story to steal their son? For what reason?
"Kepa are you alright" Rhaenys had noticed her father's mood quickly change to one of anger.
"I'm Rhae. I just need some air" Rhaegar stood as he was flanked by Arthur and Oswell.
"I want to be alone, not to be disturbed no matter what Arthur" Rhaegar ordered.
"Oh course your Grace"
Why the fuck had Eddard taken him. Rhaegar played that day Eddard returned with Lyanna's body over in his mind. He played every moment. How the fuck had they missed it. They had been so consumed by grief at the news of Lyanna's passing and that of 'baby' Visenya.
That fucking bastard had stolen their son. Rhaegar had missed out on watching his son grow up. Fucking hell. Dany was his daughter-in-law/slash sister. His nephews were possibly his grandsons how the fuck did that work.
It was only after he calmed down a little that he noticed what a mess he made.
There was a knock at the door of their chambers "Rhaegar my love may I come in"
"Yes come in Eli" Rhaeger unlocked the door
"Rhaegar what is wrong, what in gods name happened here"
"I got a bit angry," Rhaegar replied sheepishly
"A bit what made you so angry.
"Jon Snow. I was watching him earlier in the lists. I don't know how to say this I don't have any proof to back my theory. I think Jon Snow is Lyanna and my son."Rhaegar told Elia.
"Why would Lord Stark steal him"
"Your guess is as good as mine Eli. He won't get away with this" Rhaegar knew if he took Ned Stark's head without provocation regardless of any treason he had committed taking their son and raising him as a bastard. "It makes me wonder if Visenya ever existed or if it was just a ruse to throw us off the scent"
"It's possible that Lyanna had two babes the day Visenya and Jacaery. You thought it was a girl. Lya and I thought it was a boy. What if we were all right."
"Stark will pay for what he has done Elia."
"You have to be smart about this Rhaegar. If you aren't the Northern Lords may rebel" Elia cautioned
"I won't do anything rash. We'll deal with him after the tournament."Eddard Stark will pay. He will be lucky to leave with his head, if I have any say in it either that or send him to spend the rest of his miserable days at the wall. Either way, Eddard would pay. No one steals his son and gets away with it.
Harrenhal 301 AC
"But why can't we come, Muna we'll be good right, Jae"Baelon looked at his younger twin brother to back him up.
"Yes Muna we'll be on our best behavior" Jaehaerys tried the puppy dog eyes
"You can try all you like with puppy dog eyes. You are not coming to the feast. But there is someone here to see you. Kepa"
"Kepa. But isn't he off fighting" Baelon questioned.
"Yes he was but war is over"
"Is he home for good" Jae this time asked.
"He is," I say walking into the room.
"Kepa."Both boys ran straight into my arms. I had missed out on the first two and half years of their life. But I was here now.
"I love you both and I'm not going anywhere no without you or your Muna."This was a promise I intended to keep. I would give children a much better childhood than I ever had. I would never treat them as I was treated growing up.