Chapter 40: The Crannoglord appears
300 AC
Jon
Yesterday evening, they had arrived back in Riverrun. A few hours ago, the Blackfish and the majority of his forces had made it back as well. A big victory feast was being planned for tonight to celebrate their victory together.
It was important for the men to reward victories and a night spent dancing and drinking ale was always good for the morale. The whole army command knew that it was probably the last time before the battle that the troops could enjoy themselves and had agreed this was a good idea.
If you thought about it, you realized that it would be the last feast of their lives for many of those men. Maybe that was another good reason to feast, so you didn't realize.
Robb had relieved him off his duties today. He had told him to have some fun. Well, actually he had told him to maybe go find a girl, but he wouldn't be doing that. Instead, he would go for a ride. Initially, he had planned to just go with Ghost, but Ser Wendel and Ser Donnel Locke had asked to go with him. They each brought some retainers with them, so they soon consisted of a small group.
The hills and fields around Riverrun were lovely, he needed to admit. Seeing this land, even in late autumn, was a stark contrast with their homeland. He started to understand how difficult it must have been for Lady Catelyn to come to Winterfell after being used to this. Still, that didn't excuse her for how she treated him all these years.
Ser Wendel and Ser Donnel were from neighboring houses in the south-east of the North. They spent a lot of time talking about the politics there, before switching to the war in the Vale. Both of them had family with the force sent to aid them. While Lord Wyman Manderly had sent his cousin Ser Marlon to lead the Manderly force, Lord Ondrew Locke had sent his nephew Ser Rodrik Locke. Donnel affectionally called his 'little' cousin 'Roddy', as he apparently had spent much time watching him in his youth.
From the time that he had spent with Ser Wendel, he knew a lot about the area and the houses present there. Because of that, he could easily join in on the conversations. They also talked about their families. Ser Wendel talked about his kin in the Hornwood and his nieces, Wynafryd and Wylla. All the while, Ser Donnel talked about his sister in Deepwood Motte and the loss of his brother at the Wall.
To his surprise, the whole day passed by rather quickly. When Ghost had spotted a few deer, they had even decided to try to hunt them. While they were unsuccessful due to a lack of preparation and equipment, Ghost had managed to kill two. They had given one to him so he could enjoy his spoils, while they brought the second one back for the feast tonight. Some fresh deer never hurt anyone.
After they came back, he took a bath and by then it was time to prepare for the feast. He changed himself in some new clothes that Robb had made for him. The trousers were a of a simple black color, but the quality was excellent. The tunic however was special. It was of a dark grey color and in the middle was stitched a running white direwolf. The whole tunic was the Stark coat of arms in reverse.
This was a thing often done by bastards of noble houses, although for him it felt more special due to the fact it was clearly Ghost that was stitched onto his tunic. Robb had made sure of that, as the eyes on his chest were clearly red. When he was ready to depart, he woke his companion who had been sleeping at the fire.
The direwolf noticed his tunic and looked at him weirdly, as if understanding it was him it resembled. Ghost slightly turned his head, as he sat next to the fire. Clearly checking his tunic again. Until, he suddenly waggled over to him and jumped towards him. The jump was hard enough to push him to the floor, but not enough to actually hurt him. Before he knew it, his face was being licked while he was pinned down on the floor by a few hundred pounds direwolf.
He laughed it off and cuddled up to Ghost, until after a while he pushed him off. "Glad you like the tunic, buddy." He said as he petted his head. He went back into his rooms and splashed some water on his face. After fixing his hair and making sure he looked presentable once more, he left for the door.
His direwolf huffed and his look was suspiciously close to scorn about his vanity. However, he hadn't fought in numerous battles to let himself be told what to do by an overgrown dog, even if it was his own. He opened the door and looked back at his companion who just sat there. "Are you coming? Or do you want me to change the tunic and leave you here locked up for the night?"
He huffed once again but got up and joined him in the hallway. The guard in front of his door looked at him funnily, but he didn't care. It was a good man, albeit a little simple. Nothing to see here, except a man talking to his overgrown pet.
When he finally made it into the Great Hall, he saw it was already filled to the brink. There had been a time where he would've looked for a quiet place among the lower tables, but that had long passed. Now, he confidently walked over to the head table. He immediately saw how his brother had left the place to his left empty for him and he smiled. You could always trust Robb to include him and on top of that give him a place far above his station.
The only place better than that was the one to his right, but that was of course taken by Lord Edmure Tully. After the dead of the man's father, he was the most powerful man in the kingdom's except for Robb himself. Besides that, he was of course his uncle. To Edmure's right sat the Blackfish and some important Riverland vassals, like Lord Tytos, sat further along.
He had expected the Greatjon, Harrion or even Ser Wylis to sit next to the vacant place where he would sit, but that wasn't the case. Instead a man, he hadn't seen before, was seated. As he walked closer, he noticed the man to be very short of stature, not much bigger than a child. However, there was no mistake possible that this was indeed an adult, his full-grown beard attested to that.
When he walked up to the dais, he realized the man must be a Crannogman. He knew they had helped in the recapture of Moat Cailin, but he hadn't seen any of the people of the Neck yet. This night might prove for interesting conversation after all.
He sat down and greeted his brother, thanking him for keeping his seat. After speaking about a few small points with him, he turned to the stranger next to him.
"I don't think we have had the pleasure to meet each other yet, my name is Jon Snow." He presented himself.
"Ah, now that is a far from the truth, young Lord Snow. In fact, we have met already. Although, I don't hold it against you that you do not remember me. Last time I saw you, you were just a babe after all." The man smiled mysteriously.
He looked at the Crannogman in surprise, not having expected this. He tried to stay as polite as he could be. "You have me at a disadvantage, my lord. As you seem to know me, but I can't say the same."
The man's green eyes looked at him intently, before answering his question. "Excuse me, my name is Howland Reed."
Now his eyes almost popped out of his head. He should have known! What other Crannogman would be seated so highly by his brother than the Lord of Greywater Watch?
"I see from your reaction that you have heard of me." The man smirked, ever so mysterious.
"Of course, I have, my lord. My father counted you among his best friends. Every time we, as young boys, asked him about his fight with Aerys' legendary kingsguard the only thing he talked about was that you were the only reason that he was still alive." He answered, his former youthful admiration unintentionally slipping into his voice.
However, instead of being flattered, Lord Reed had the same sad and distant look on his face that his father always had sported when asked about his fight with the Sword of the Morning. "Aye, in a way I did, but it is not the heroic tale you might think it is." He replied.
"Would you care telling me and my brother?" He asked the man. "There were so many things that we believe our father intended to tell us when we were older, but he never got the chance to do so. You could help us with some of those." His hope skyrocketing. He missed his father dearly and had often prayed for his guidance during this war. Hearing new stories about him, and about how he survived his war when he was their age, was worth more to him than all the gold in the world.
"Aye, I could … and I will, but I don't think it's his war stories you would really want to hear from him. You lament the fact he didn't have the time to tell you other things, things about yourself, don't you?" Howland responded, as his green eyes seemed to pierce deep into his soul.
"H-how do you know?" He managed to get out, as he thought about his mother and the fact that he would never get to know who she was. Ghost quickly jumped to his feet next to him, looking intensely at his conversation partner. His confusion probably having alerted him. Lord Reed just looked at the direwolf, who was certainly bigger than he was. Without fear, he just stretched his hand to let the direwolf sniff at it. After he did, he just scratched Ghost under his chin. A thing the direwolf seemed to appreciate greatly.
"I know many things, young Jon." Lord Howland responded. "There was a time when others knew as well, but now with the loss of your father the burden rests solely on my shoulders." He continued sadly.
"I … I don't understand." Was all that he managed to respond.
"No, of course you don't, but you will. Even so, it won't be tonight. Tonight, we speak of lighter things, I will you tell stories about Lord Eddard you probably haven't heard before. We will laugh and reminisce my good old friend, while I get to know the next generation of old Lord Rickard's offspring. Tomorrow we will talk of more serious things, now is a time to celebrate I heard." The man smiled.
"Tomorrow?" He just asked.
"Aye, tomorrow." Lord Howland agreed.
"Good, my brother and I will be there." He responded, knowing full well that Robb would want to hear whatever Lord Reed had to say as well.
The Crannoglord didn't respond to that, as he just looked into his eyes. After a few seconds, his expression changed. "Now, let me tell you the story of the time when your father decided to take a bath in one of the springs not far from Fairmarket … and how he was discovered by three peasant girls during the act." Howland laughed.
They spent the next few hours exchanging stories. First, Lord Reed told many stories about his father, going from embarrassing ones to drunken brawls and war stories. In response he talked about his upbringing and the war. Later on, Howland also told him of the Neck and the many things that lived there. From time to time, Robb also joined in, eager for stories about their father.
What had seemed to him as a feast solely to uplift the morale of the troops, turned into one of the most interesting nights of his life.
(The next morning)
He walked over to his brother. "What do you think we'll hear, Robb?"
"Honestly, I don't know Jon. Lord Reed knew our father from before the Rebellion. He was there at Harrenhal and fought with him all throughout the war. He knows hundreds of stories from father we don't even know exist. Even worse, he knows a side of our father that we never got to see. Just like Arya, Bran or Rickon don't know the side of us that we had to become to fight this war, we don't know how he was back then." His brother replied.
"Aye, you're right. Whatever it is, I'm glad we finally get to hear it. He'll always be our father, no matter what. Doesn't matter what he had to do to survive."
They both looked at each other, while absently scratching their direwolves' heads. After a deep breath, they walked out of the room towards the solar where Lord Reed was waiting. They greeted the guard, called Tommard, and went inside.
"Good day, Lord Reed." Robb started off the conversation regally.
Surprised, the man immediately got up from his chair. "Your Grace, I didn't expect you here!" He seemed more perplexed by Robb's presence, than the looming figures of two adult direwolves the size of large ponies standing next to him.
"No? I thought you proposed Jon to talk about things concerning our father? As his heir, I would like to be part of that discussion as well." His brother said, clearly annoyed.
"Of course, Your Grace. You misunderstand, I'm afraid. I not only wanted to talk about your father with young Jon. You are more than welcome in the parts concerning Lord Eddard, but I would respectfully ask you for some time alone right after. There are some things Jon should hear alone." The short man explained, respectful but defiant at the same time.
"What is it that I should hear alone? Robb is my brother, king and best friend. He knows everything about me. He can hear whatever you have to say." He quickly shot back.
"Respectfully, Jon, he can't. Whatever I have to tell is for your ears and your ears only. If you wish His Grace to remain in the room, I can't tell either of you." The Crannogman replied to their astonishment.
"You do realize that I am your king?" Robb riposted. It was clear that he had difficulty trying to stay calm.
"I do, Your Grace. As such, I have always followed your orders concerning the ironborn at Moat Cailin. Now, myself and a hundred and fifty of my best men are here to join your army and fight with you if you will have us. I am, and forever will be, a loyal vassal to House Stark. No matter in what capacity, either as kings or just lords of Winterfell."
"Yet, you still won't tell me?" His brother asked, somewhat calmed by the staunch loyalty the man in front of him showed to their family.
"No, Your Grace. I promised Lord Eddard to never tell a soul. I would have done that gladly and taken this knowledge to my death. Sadly, circumstances force me to do otherwise. Your father forced me to swear on the Old Gods to never tell anyone, on the condition he had to tell the news to Jon himself. Now, your father is dead and I'm the only man left that knows. It is my duty to tell Jon, instead of your father. Despite that, I am still bound by my oath to Ned and I can't tell anyone else, not even his son and heir." The Crannogman responded and he couldn't shake the fact that the man didn't look happy about it either.
Robb, respecting an oath given to father, finally relented. "Good, tell me some of the stories about father and after that I will excuse myself, so you have time alone with Jon."
The next two hours were spent talking about their father. How a silent second born son, that had lived away from the North for half his life, had become the Lord Eddard they had known growing up. Lord Reed parted with a lot of wisdom he and his father had learned about ruling and war, about loyalty and trust and about justice and revenge.
Lord Reed clearly had their best interest at hearth and tried to educate them about different subjects to the best of his abilities. In return he listened to what they already knew, clearly surprised at their maturity and their skill when it came to leading men.
After these hours, Lord Howland reminded Robb of his promise to leave. He could see in his brother's eyes that he had gained a lot of respect for the Craggonlord, but that he still wanted to stay. Instead, he agreed to leave but there was something in those bright blue eyes that made him pause. His brother had a plan.
He turned towards him. "Jon, I'll leave Grey here with you. I have work to do anyway and he'll appreciate Ghost's company." He said with a wink and it dawned on him. Robb would try to follow the conversation from Grey's eyes.
Just as he walked over to the door, Lord Howland interrupted him. "That won't be necessary, Your Grace. As I already said, this story is not for your ears. That includes warging, I'm afraid."
Robb immediately let go of the door handle and abruptly turned around. "You know?" He almost shrieked.
"Of course, I do. I've known from the moment I saw the two of you walk into the hall yesterday evening. I had my suspicions before, especially as I heard more and more details about your clash against the Tyrells, but it was then I knew for sure." Lord Reed responded.
"How did you know about warging? We thought it nothing more than a children's tale. We denied it for months, until we started to talk about it together. We noticed we remembered the same dreams, saw the same things. We could tell where our wolves were without looking, … How do you know all of this?" He asked in shock.
"Ah, the old histories are very much alive in the Neck. Where many of the old things were forgotten in most of the North in the last thousand years, we, among other remote places, remembered. Few skinchangers live in the Neck, but some do. Other old powers also remain, like the greensight. Yet, we have known for a long time that our neighbors and our overlords the Starks have forgotten. In fear of becoming even more ostracized, we stayed silent and thought it to our own children." The Crannoglord responded.
"The last thousand years? I thought the mythical wars against the Warg King and Gaven Greywolf were much earlier." Robb joined in.
"Aye, they were, but they weren't the end of the wargs or other skinchangers. Legend has it that most of the Kings of Winter were wargs themselves. There is a reason direwolves are your coat of arms and that Starks are buried with stone direwolves at their feet. No, it only really started to change with the influence of the Andals. For thousands of years, your ancestors fought them off, often with the help of mine at Moat Cailin. It was only after the Manderlys came north, and their influence slowly spread, that the old powers of the Old Gods were no longer looked upon with awe. After that, several smaller houses also took to the Seven, but due to intermarriage their ways slowly crept north until Manderly queens and the descendants of Manderly ladies started to change the kingdom in a more Andal fashion." Lord Howland started to explain.
"The Starks and most other houses never forgot their First Men roots, nor the Old Gods. However, they did forget much and more that was associated with these roots. Great gifts given by the Gods became history. History became legend. Legend became myth and finally myth became a spook story for children. Now, it seems the members of House Stark have finally remembered their roots. It is no coincidence yours are the first direwolves back on this side of the Wall in centuries." Lord Reed finished.
"So, why can we do it? Can you?" Robb asked.
"To first answer your second question, no I cannot. However, my son Jojen has the greensight. He can see the future sometimes, although cryptically. It is very hard to decipher greendreams and a dangerous undertaking to try. To why you can do it? Simple, it's in your blood." The Crannogman shrugged.
"In our blood? How so?" He asked.
"Well, you both share the blood of the Kings of Winter. You know the stories of the Warg King and the Marsh Kings?"
"Aye", they both responded in unison.
"Well, then you may know that in both cases the Kings of Winter killed these kings and their sons. Their daughters they didn't kill, they married them either to themselves or their sons, there the sources diverge. Not that it matters too much, they married the magical bloodlines into their own. They did it before too, but those are the better known ones. It gave them both a stronger bloodline and a greater legitimacy over the parts of the North they conquered. As for the example of the Marsh King, the Neck followed the Starks ever after as their descendants." Lord Howland told them.
"How do you know all of this?" Robb blurted out.
"Well, this particular story because it is also my own. A fact that is little known outside of the Neck is that the Marsh King had two daughters. The elder one, the heir, married into the Starks. The younger one married my ancestor and forever gave House Reed legitimacy among the Crannogfolk. Since then, the descendants of the younger branch, the Reeds, have ruled the area in name of the older branch, the Starks."
Both were silent for a while. It made so much sense it actually hurt. Still, one big question remained. "Can you teach us?" He asked aloud.
"If you mean how to warg, no I can't. If you mean the theories and old histories surrounding it, yes and it would be my pleasure to do so with the both of you. The other pups too when we get back north." The small lord loyally declared.
"The other pups?" Robb asked.
"Aye, your siblings are probably wargs too from what I've heard. Especially Arya and Sansa if you can believe the stories, but I'd we willing to wager Brandon and even young Rickon too. The blood is strong this generation it seems." Lord Reed mused.
"Wait, but if it's in the blood then why don't the other houses have it too? The Starks have intermarried almost all of the big northern houses and their descendants have married the smaller ones too. In the last hundred years and fifty years, Starks have married into the Umbers and Cerwyns and even now lesser branches still remain. Why aren't they all wargs too?" Robb asked.
"Well, that's a more difficult question. First of all, some of those might well have some abilities because of it, be it warging or something else. Secondly not all members who carry the blood will show any of the abilities. You have to remember it has been centuries since the Starks have warged into direwolves, yet you both still carry it. Thirdly, it seems that sometimes the blood gets too muddied and the abilities aren't passed on anymore to future generations. This was long thought to have happened to the Starks, although this clearly wasn't the case." Lord Howland explained.
"So, there are others out there?" He asked.
"Of course! Why do you think my house displays a lizard-lion? Or the Mormonts a bear? Or House Hornwood a bullmoose? Their early ancestors probably skinchanged into those animals and took it as their coat of arms. Much the same as you have done recently, young Jon." The Crannoglord spoke.
He nodded, remembering yesterday's tunic that had Ghost stitched on it.
"Any more pranging questions about skinchanging? I'll promise to teach you more, but that is not for today."
They both told him no. "Then I would like to talk with Jon now, Your Grace. Could you ask the guards to remove themselves from the door? I think Ghost here is more than enough protection if needed."
"Very well." His brother replied and he left, but not before throwing him a supportive look. Grey Wind quickly followed after him.
"So, what is this all about?" He asked when they were all alone.
"Your mother, Jon. This is about your mother."
"My … my mother?" He responded in complete and utter shock.
"Yes … There was a time when only Ned and I knew. After that, I'm pretty sure he told your uncle Benjen. I believe it to be the reason he joined the Night's Watch in the first place. Now, Ned is dead and Benjen is presumed to be so as well. I am the only one left who knows." Lord Howland explained, as he turned sad and serious.
"What do you know of my mother? Do you know who she is? Do you know what kind of person she is? Do you know where she lives?" He blurted out. A small hope was quickly rising in his chest. Maybe he could have a mother.
"Aye, I know who she was. I counted her as one of my best friends. Your mother was a formidable woman, Jon." Lord Reed replied to his questions.
"Was … you said was. Is she … ?" He asked, suddenly fearful.
"Yes, sadly she is. She died giving birth to you in the Mountains of Dorne." The reply came, raw sadness and sorrow audible in those two sentences.
"Oh … who, who was she?" He asked, as fear gripped his hearth. Maybe she had a family, like Robb had the Tully's. She could have brothers or uncles for him to bond with and tell stories about her.
The Crannoglord in front of him sighed heavily as he looked down, before looking straight into his eyes. "Her name was Lyanna Stark."
After those five words, his whole life came crashing down. "How, who, what, why, how …" he said in repeating order.
"Your mother was Lyanna Stark, daughter of Lord Rickard Stark and one of the fiercest women I've ever met. She died in the Mountains of Dorne giving birth to you. Ned and I found her as she was dying." Lord Howland continued.
"My, … my father?" He whispered in shock, as he didn't know what to think. His thoughts going from incest to his father not being his father and back.
"Lord Eddard Stark was actually your uncle, not your father. However, on her deathbed your mother made him swear on the Old Gods that he would protect you. Many conversations I had with your uncle, as we tried to decide what to do and how to best keep you safe. Finally, it was decided that he would claim you as his own bastard. That way you would be hidden and safe, while still being with family." The answer to the question hit him like nothing ever had. His father, his one true constant in this world, was once again ripped from him. First his death, leaving him with only memories. Now all memories were taken from him too, as they turned out to be nothing more than lies.
Lord Reed saw the shock and disgust over the lies in his face. He looked at him sharply. "Ned loved you, Jon. On our way home to the North, he cared for you like few fathers would for their own children. Every night he rocked you to sleep in his arms. He cared for you both as a son and as the last remnant of his beloved sister."
"He let Lady Catelyn threat me as dirt. She hates me because she thinks that I pose a threat to Robb. If I'm his nephew, I never posed a threat at all. If he told the Northern lords, none would ever follow me. Lady Catelyn would have let me be." He said in anger.
"He couldn't tell anyone, ever. Your life would have been in danger." The Crannoglord responded.
"How? I'm just the nobody bastard of a lady of a Great House. I just accidently look like my uncle. Those bastards are a dime a dozen in Westeros." He shouted back, as he started pacing throughout the room.
"You are not a bastard, Jon. That's why. Your mother married your father under the face of a weirwood tree near the God's Eye. Afterwards, a septon also married them for the Seven. I have all the marriage documents with me, here." Lord Howland said, as he pointed to a bag that was set near the desk.
He looked anxiously at it, until it dawned on him. His father … if Lord Stark wasn't his father who was? Suddenly he thought back about the stories he knew off aunt Lyanna, how she had been kidnapped by Prince Rhaegar.
"You, you can't seriously mean that, that my father is …" He blurted out.
"That your father is Prince Rhaegar Targaryen? Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. Now you understand why Ned couldn't reveal anything about your birth to anyone. You would have been in severe danger. Robert Baratheon would have never allowed you to live, let alone Tywin Lannister." The small lord replied and rarely had he seen a man talk with this severity in his eyes. Even though, he still didn't understand.
"Why would they want to kill me? I was just a babe nothing more." He asked.
"Jon, think. After the deaths of Prince Rhaegar, Aegon and Rhaenys and King Aerys. Who would be the Targaryen heir to the throne?"
"You, you can't be serious? You mean me? King of the Seven Kingdoms?" He shouted in disbelief. As he heard himself, he finally realized why Lord Reed had asked for the guards to be removed from the door.
"Of course, I am serious Jon. Why do you think Ned and I had to fight the Kingsguard? Why do you think we lost five good friends that day? It's because they wouldn't allow Ned to see your mother and you. They were protecting their new king. Arthur Dayne almost killed your uncle, I only managed to stop him because I stabbed him in the back with a poisonous blade. Rhaegar left the best of the Kingsguard with his unborn child, with you." Lord Howland retorted.
He had to sit down from that. He had always wondered why his father had fought the Sword of the Morning. It was because of him. They had been shielding him away. His father had fought for him and his mother. "No, not your father, your uncle!", a small voice in the back of his mind told him.
"Your father gave you a new name and claimed him as your own. The mistreatment Lady Catelyn gave you served as the best armor he could ever give you. No one could accuse the honorable Lord Eddard Stark from lying to his wife and hiding the Targaryen claimant to the throne." Lord Reed continued.
He had to compartmentalize all that information. First things first. "A new name?"
"Yes, your mother called you Jaehaerys Targaryen. After the Conciliator, arguably the best Targaryen king there ever was. Although it needs to be said that some Northern houses, like the Umbers, would likely disagree with that assessment. He made them lose a lot of lands to the New Gift. Anyway, she hoped you would be able to conciliate both of your families in the future. Her ideas came too late. By the time your uncle knew, most of your father's family was already dead. Ned chose a logical name for you, as befitting the mummery. There was both a precedent of a King of Winter named Jon Stark, as well as calling you after his former foster father Jon Arryn. Nobody batted an eye about it, both Lord Arryn and King Robert even sent congratulations for your birth. Those were not public of course, due to bastard status."
"Why have Lady Catelyn mistreat me like that? Why not give into her and sent me away?" He asked the Crannoglord.
"First of all, because he loved you. You had won over your uncle, long before we ever reached the Neck. He first came to love you for the sister he lost and after that he loved you like his own son. Ned had lost much in the war. His father, brother and sister had all died, while his younger brother couldn't live with his guilt and soon left for the Wall. He was all alone in Winterfell, except for you and Robb. He never wanted any of you to leave."
"But we all left in the end? Robb went to Karhold and I to White Harbor? Even Bran went here in Riverrun!" He interjected.
"Yes, but that was much later and is a different story. Your father held you and the other pups too close and the Northern lords started complaining. That's why you were fostered later on. In truth, there were other possibilities for your upbringing from the start. I myself proposed to raise you in Greywater Watch, but Ned refused. You should be raised with your kin and would know your family, that was a thing that he wouldn't budge on. He all but ignored your Targaryen ancestry and said you were a descendant of House Stark, just like Robb, and that you would be raised as such. He even risked his own marriage for it." Lord Howland told him.
That gave him pause. It was true, when he was younger, he had often seen Lady Catelyn's fury. Nonetheless, it didn't matter what she said or did. Lord Stark never sent me away. Even with the foster offer from Ser Wendel, he had been hesitant and had asked for his opinion. He would've been allowed to stay if that was what he had wanted at the time, he was sure of it.
Still, his whole world was upside down. He felt dizzy and his mouth was dry. He both wanted to cry and kill something at the same time. As he thought about that, Ghost came close to him. He started hugging and licking him, as if to make him feel better. "Thank you, boy." He whispered.
"So, I am actually a Targaryen?" He asked, only half believing it himself.
"You are not just a Targaryen. You are the last male Targaryen left alive. You are the heir to their legacy and if you want it, their throne. King Jaehaerys, the third of your name, Ser Arthur Dayne called you." Lord Reed responded.
"The Iron Throne? But … I have been fighting for over a year now, to help the North secede from it. How could I ever rule that? Why would I want it?" He questioned.
"Those are problems you need to solve for yourself. I cannot give you the right answers, as I do not have them." His conversation partner admitted.
He had to swallow hard on that on. Hadn't he always wanted the attention Robb had been given when he was younger? It could be his now, but did he still want it? Besides, what would Robb say? Would he support him?
He put those questions aside from now. He had many others that could be answered. "You said my parents had married? I thought Rhaegar had kidnapped Lyanna?"
"That was Robert's version of it. He couldn't understand that Lyanna would never love him. She chose Rhaegar over him and he wouldn't see it. Your parents met at the Tourney of Harrenhall. I may have been the reason they first met, it's a story I will tell you later. Over the course of the tourney, they slipped out to talk to each other a few times. Your mother was often helped by Benjen so she could sneak out. There they fell in love." Lord Howland started to explain.
"Later on, when she was in the Riverlands again for Brandon's wedding, she decided to take off with him so she wouldn't have to marry Robert. Once again Benjen had helped her to see the prince, although he didn't know she planned to marry him before the weirwood tree. Your uncle could never forgive himself that and thought it was his fault that the war commenced. He blamed himself for the death of Lord Rickard, Brandon and Lya and joined the Night's Watch to repent for it ever after, even against the insistence of Ned." He continued.
"In truth your mother loved Rhaegar very much. Of his feelings I'm less certain. It was quite clear that he took a liking to your mother, but he was also obsessed with prophecy and the old Pact of Ice and Fire. An old pact for a marriage between House Targaryen and House Stark. Prophecy proclaimed their descendants would do great things. So, can I say that your father really loved your mother? No, but it is very possible. However, your mother was completely in love with Rhaegar and she went with him willingly. Knowing your mother, it might even have been her idea. She was never kidnapped." The Crannoglord finished.
"Why wasn't none of this made public?" He asked in shock.
"Because when the time came that Ned knew, your grandfather and uncle Brandon were already dead. Ned only knew when he came back North to gather his forces and talked to Benjen and I. Aerys had already demanded his and Robert's head by that time. In response, Jon Arryn had risen in rebellion and was already attacking Gulltown while Robert had called on the Stormlords to rally. It was far too late by that point and war could never have been avoided anymore. Besides, Robert would have never listened anyway. So, the 'Silent Wolf' won the war in an extreme bid to get his sister back. He failed in that regard, but he got you in return." Lord Reed responded, compassion and sadness all over his face.
"So Rhaeger was not a kidnapping raping lunatic?" He asked, trying to match what he knew with the stories he had heard.
"Well, at least not the first things. He was neither a kidnapper nor a rapist. Maybe he was mad, it's difficult to say. He was a very handsome, eloquent and intelligent prince, but he was also obsessed with prophecy. So, he might have been mad. We don't know. Your grandfather Aerys was though and your uncle Viserys too apparently, if what I heard from over the Narrow Sea is true."
"Aerys … is my grandfather." He whispered and gulped. The tears almost streaming in his eyes. "My grandfather killed my other grandfather and uncle. My father left my mother to die alone, as he fell in battle to Robert Baratheon. My brother … and sister were brutally murdered by the Lannisters." He continued whispering. His eyes were so wide open in shock that it hurt, but he couldn't close them. The panic started to raise inside him. Who am I? Will I become such a monster too? Will Robb still want to look at me? Will my friends?
Lord Reed closed the distance immediately and grabbed his shoulders. He had to look down at the much older lord as his green eyes pierced into his own. "Look Jon, you are nothing like those men. You are a combination of all the strength, loyalty and compassion of your mother and the brooding intelligence of your father. I have watched you the whole night yesterday, fearful of any signs. You have nothing in common with Aerys, nothing. You are the best of both of your parents."
"But … but I'm one of them. I could still turn mad, just like Viserys did …" He mumbled.
"No, you can't. You know why?" Lord Reed asked him.
He shook his head. "Because you are not just a Targaryen, you are a Stark too. Look at Ghost next to you. A magnificent beast like that can only be controlled by a person wherein the blood of the Kings of Winter flows strongly. You are just as much of wolf as you are dragon, if not more. If you weren't, Ghost would have never chosen you."
He looked up at those words. He turned to his companion. Ghost nodded towards him and licked his cheek softly, as if he understood what was being said. Maybe he does. He thought, as he looked into those far too intelligent red eyes.
"So, what now?" He finally said, after a long silence.
"Now you will have to decide what you want to do. I will remain here at your side for the entire time. I will answer all the questions you have about your parents and tell you all of their stories that I know, but in the end, you will have to decide who you tell and who you want to be." The Crannoglord said, as one of his hand stayed on his shoulder in support. He looked into his eyes and saw that he meant it. This calmed him a little for some reason.
"I need some time to think." He decided.
"Of course, I will let you alone. I will leave the documents here with you. So, you can verify all you want." Lord Reed respectfully said, as he pointed towards his bag.
He nodded absently and the Crannogman left the room. He sat down and stared out of the window for a long time. He absently stared to no point in particular in the distant hills. After a long while, he picked up the bag and sat it on the desk.
In there he found a marriage contract, signed by both of his parents. Three witnesses signed it too, a Septon Gerard, Ser Oswell Whent and Ser Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning.
In the bag there was a flag of House Targaryen bundled together. When he opened the bundle, he found a golden ring in the form of a dragon wrapping around your finger and biting its own tail. Next to it was a simple, yet beautiful, silver necklace with a silver running direwolf on it. There were a few dozen golden dragons spread around as well. Wrapped in the necklace, there was a small paper, folded a few times. When he opened it, he let out his breath in shock. It was a letter addressed to him, by his mother.
"Dear Jaehaerys,
If you're reading this, it means I am not here anymore. In that case, I wanted you to know a few things. News just came of your grandfather's death and that my brother is marching on Storm's End. I fear I don't have long anymore and you need to know the truth before Robert's lies define your life.
First of all, your father never kidnapped me. I loved him and he loved me, I think. I went willingly with him and we wedded under a weirwood tree at the God's Eye. Later on, we married with a Septon, but that didn't matter to me. We conceived you that night, under the weirwood on the banks of the lake and I will forever be grateful for that.
Secondly, we never wanted this war. Rhaegar and I ran away, foolishly. By the time news reached us of the events from Lord Gerold, it was too late. Rhaegar's father had already ruined everything and killed my father and Brandon. If we could undo it, we would, but we can't.
Thirdly and most importantly, we love you. I love you. You are my son and you look so alike me. I loved you from the moment I felt your first kick in my belly, and I will love you till the moment my hearts stops beating. I don't know where you will be when you read this. In my dreams I hope for you to grow up with Ned and Benjen in Winterfell like I did, but most of all I hope you will be safe.
You can be whoever you want to be. You can be a dragon or a wolf, a king or a noble. Whatever you decide, know that I will be proud of you. To me, you will always be special my son.
Your mother, Lyanna Targaryen"
He read the letter at least five times and he started crying uncontrollably. He sat there for a long while, with his hands in front of his face covering his tears. Ghost trying to comfort him on his lap.
After a while, he got up and put everything back into the bag. He walked to the door and left. He went to his room and put it in his chest with valuables, locking it with a key only he had.
He went outside and walked to the outer walls. He sat on the battlements in a corner and just stared at nature, trying to get a hold of his thoughts. He didn't know how long he sat there, but by the time his brother found him the sun was starting to set. When he turned around to look at Robb, he noticed how the whole courtyard seemed to be running around and preparing for something. The army in front of the walls was prepping for something too. How had he missed that?
"Jon, I've been looking for you for hours. What are you doing here?" Robb called out, as he walked over to him.
"Just thinking, that's all." He replied absently.
Apparently, his gaze made even his brother pause. "What is it, Jon? What did Lord Reed tell you?"
Suddenly, fear gripped his heart. What if his brother (no, cousin) would reject him? What if he would only see him as dragonspawn? "I'll tell you another time." He meekly responded out of fear.
Robb looked at him critically, until he finally nodded. "Well, you missed a lot. News has come in. Tywin has taken both Pinkmaiden and Wayfarer's Rest and has rejoined his forces. He is marching on Atranta as we speak. At the same time, Lord Tarly's force has taken Darry and Harroway's Town. He is now marching on Lychester with twenty thousand men. If we don't do something now, they'll unite and attack us here where we're vulnerable."
The news of the war hit him like a herd of aurochs. He had almost forgotten the war, it seemed so meaningless in comparison to the news he had just gotten. Still, he noticed that his brother needed him.
"What is your plan?" He responded.
"We can't let them unite. Together they could still field some fifty-five thousand men and I don't think we can beat that if Lord Tarly leads them. We need to strike now, and we need to strike hard. I have sent out some light cavalry to harry Lord Tarly's force and supply lines. That should give us enough time to march on Atranta and do battle there with Lord Tywin, before Tarly shows up. If we beat him, Lord Tarly will think twice about attacking us. Maybe we could even break the Lannister/Tyrell alliance if we capture the Old Lion and destroy his force." Robb responded.
"When do we leave?" He asked, knowing his brother (no, cousin) well enough to know that things were already in motion.
"We leave on the morrow, at first light. We should arrive at Atlanta before Tywin, which would allow us to put up some defenses. Maybe we can even surprise him, as I don't think he'll expect this." Robb explained.
"I wouldn't be so sure of that after our stunt against Lord Tyrell. He will be alert and won't let it happen a second time. Still, adequate defenses would give us an advantage." He responded, thinking about the plan.
"Exactly! Can I count on you to be ready tomorrow? You ride with me in the vanguard. I want you and your council close." His brother (no, cousin) told him and it warmed his heart. The thing was, would he still think that of me when he knows the truth? Or would he banish me and want nothing to do with me anymore?
"Of course, I'll be ready." He responded dutifully. Whatever Robb decided, he would do his duty. That is what Lord Stark would have wanted him to do.
This is it for this chapter!
A lot has happened here. There is a kind of small lull in the war. We get to meet Lord Howland Reed and he has a lot of interesting news to tell Robb and Jon.
First of all, they learn a lot more about Ned. About how he was as a young man and how he dealt with war and decisions. This will not only sooth their pain of losing him, some of it will also help Robb in command and rule. Who to trust, how to react etc. It will equally help Jon, but he can only advise Robb with his newfound knowledge now.
Secondly, he tells them a lot about the histories of the old Kings of Winter. I hope you enjoyed some of the backstory I wove in there. I stuck as close to canon as possible but filled in some of the many blanks with my own imagination. Some of those will be further explored in between chapters. The old stories will also help them control and understand their warging better. They also realize that the other Stark children might be wargs too. I am really enjoying the interactions between them and their direwolves now that their is more control and they will continue to be visible during the story.
Thirdly and most importantly, Jon learns of the secret of his birth. He is hurt, confused, insecure and doesn't know what to do. He wants to tell Robb but is scared of his reaction He has to figure out who he is and what he wants to do in live. Howland was scared of Robb's reaction too and especially of the reactions of the Northern lords. That's why he didn't want Robb there when he told Jon.
Keep in mind that most of these views are through other peoples eyes. Lyanna was a teenage girl in love that suddenly found herself pregnant and in a war, her view is biased to say the least. All the while, Lord Reed wants to protect her memory and help Jon. Lyanna will always downplay Rhaegar's possible madness, while Lord Reed won't delve into it because it could harm Jon.
Ps. Did you catch the Lotr reference I put in there?
Thank you for the support.
Fannic
Reviews:
- KingOfSummer 245: For now, they are in too deep. Still, they already lost a good portion of their strength AND their lord and second son. With multiple cousins also being captured and more importantly Paxter Redwyne dying. He is both Olenna's nephew and son-in-law. That is also a huge hit to the family. I know the Plantagenet and Capet history, thank you!
- Kingmaneana: Thank you so much
- Force Smuggler: He was … you will see in the next chapters.
- Kuman: Not really, I envision it somewhere in the morning. All men are armed, but only in light armor consisting of leather and chainmail. They wouldn't be assaulting anyone that day and there is no real enemy nearby so they wouldn't put on full plate for nothing.
Due to the surprise, almost none of them get to do so. The chaos in the camp severely disrupts the units from getting on their armor or organizing battle lines. Think of Aragorn's armor in Lotr instead of their full Gondorian plate. Spears, swords and horse hooves can break that.
I looked into the sword carrying. I think it is possible to strap a six feet sword sideways along your shoulder/back. The tip just dangles next to your leg.
- George Chistian810: Thank you! Yeah, Tywin might give that a try, but I agree with your assessment. Euron will never accept. It is cannon that there is something wrong with the Lannister finances, although not specified in the books just what. Maybe not all mines have run dry, but more and more are and they are getting scared of it? However, that doesn't mean new veins can't be found in the future, but for now there is no gold mining as in canon. Besides, the Lannisters will have rooms full of gold chests laying around Casterly Rock for now. They won't run out just yet.
- Jaimerey7000: I know exactly who Ser Garse Goodbrook is. He will play a role. I know the lore about the Butterwells as well, I spend more hours reading lore than writing, just to make sure everything works. Besides, the Butterwell lands will have been given to other houses (for example the Whents) for 90 years now. Robb can't just give them away.
- Javi30: Thank you so much! I wish the same to you and yours.
- Wolf's Pizza: Thank you! Your support means a lot.
Yes, it is. The biggest difference will be the change in leadership in Houses Tyrell and Redwyne. House Tyrell for the better, Redwyne maybe for the worse.
Yes, you're right. That's why they split in three here in the first place. However, the Blackfish is being pulled back here. His harrying of supply lines will stop for now, but it has accomplished its task in weakening and splitting up the enemy army. Even then, supplying the whole force is near on impossible, so Tywin/Rowan will have a lot of difficulty linking up with Tarly.
Yeah, she might try that. However, Willas is way smarter than Mace and he might just put her in her place.
Yes, it would be, but I don't think Robb would accept. It takes months for his army to gather in the North. Which means that if the Lannisters betray him and attack 3 years later, they can overrun the Riverlands once more and all starts anew. Robb would probably demand hostages and a huge war indemnity for the destruction in the Riverlands. A thing the Lannisters/Tyrells would never (be able to) accept.
(F)Aegon's friends in the Reach are already damaged and there is pseudo civil war going on there as well with the Florents and their allies. This will be explored later on. So, he might get some, but it won't be an army of 20k or something like that.
A massive Vale update (the biggest yet) will be given after the clash between Robb/Tywin. I won't say more about that just yet.
- Sammy-1000: Thank you! That is a great battle, however, in contrast to the Romans in Cannae, Robb is outnumbered cavalry wise. His biggest asset is the fact that the enemy armies are split.
- Wolflord456: Paxter is a huge loss. However, there are still other Redwynes. Both his sons and his cousin may lead the fleet quite successfully together.
- Angeluszuko-z: You're right. However, Loras was already rash, now he'll be even worse.
- Iacopo Passerini: Willas is crippled yes, but he is 10x smarter than his father. He will also have the support of his two, very powerful, remaining grandparents: Lady Olenna Tyrell and Lord Leyton Hightower. Besides that, Ser Garlan is already dead in King's Landing. So, only Willas and Loras remain and the latter will indeed need to be watched.
True, but Doran Martell has his own plans. They will be shown later on.
- Maritza92: There are more of Robert's bastards alive than just Gendry, most notably Edric Storm and Mya Stone. There will be a chapter describing Shireen/Gendry/Edric's lives after the death of Stannis, but it is still a long way off. You'll have to wait a bit for that. Does this chapter answer part of your warging questions? If Jon survives and they win, he will be rewarded. These are big ifs though, ...
- Guest1: Yes, but Willas is 10x as smart as Mace. So, he won't just let himself be caught in some plot. Willas will make plots of his own.
- Guest2: Yeah, that was Ned's biggest mistake in my opinion. Isolating his kids from the other houses was really dumb …
- Guest3: Thank you! In canon Paxter Redwyne is in King's Landing when they discuss the spoils of war before the fleet ever set out. This means that he either came with the army or came after and that the fleet sailed around Westeros under one of his commanders. Here it is the same and Paxter died in battle together with his cousin/brother-in-law Mace Tyrell. I'll probably have his sons or his cousin Desmond Redwyne control the fleet now.