Chapter 4
Traveling to Deepwood Motte sat Eddard Stark on edge. His boy would be away from his family for too long. It was not that he did not trust Roger Banesmen, but none of Ned's pups had ever been so far away from home for so long. He was pacified by Jon's excited face and the rest of the children's endless prattle of adventure. Robb was excited for his brother, making Eddard promise to foster him somewhere for his own adventure when little Bran, his spare, was old enough to talk. Another pup that wanted to lead a life of their own. He shuddered thinking of when it was Sansa and Arya's turn to venture from the pack.
Roger, Little Rog, and Tysha rode beside him and his guards, as the children rode ahead with Jon's guards; Ned had appointed Bartium, a Battle proven guard who trained for decades with Sir Rodrick and fought by Lord Rickard in Ninepenny war, then in Roberts Rebellion, finally in the Greyjoy Rebellion. Jon would be trained well.
It was not proper for a Lord to ride beside lowborn but this was a family affair. The two families will see off their children and then ride less than a day back to Winterfell. They left before dawn broke and would be arriving at the ship by mid-morning.
Tysha seemed more rattled than anyone and her brown skin looked pale as she kept her eyes on Trina. As if someone would take the girl, throw them over the shoulder, and run. It made sense to Ned, the girl's family was killed by bandits before she came North. It was hard to let go of your babe after a horror like that. Ned knew more than most. He wanted Jon and Robb to be babes again. To toddle after him in Winterfell and sit on each knee during supper. The memories brought a sweet smile to his face.
"Lord Stark, what's got you smiling?" Roger laughed. He was the type of man that Ned wished Robert was. Loud, but not obnoxious. Charming but not clueless. You could tell his love and loyalty for Betty from a mile away.
Ned turned his smile to his peers. "Just thinking when the boys were young. They want to lead lives of their own. Seek glory and adventure. Where are the days when they sat in their cribs giggling at me? Shoving lemon cakes in their faces and playing with their blocks?"
Little Rog laughed. "Aye, the time passes too quickly." His face turned somber before shaking his head and letting a smile pass through. Ned assumed he was remembering his late wife. Trying to stay positive and let time heal the wound and loneliness.
"One moment they're hiding behind your leg, afraid of the world" Tysha laughed "The next, they're rushing off into the same world to be grown."
The adults laughed together. "Don't be too fearful. My babes are grown. Let them find their footing." Roger said. "They'll always come back to you. And you are filled with pride every time they come back." He finished looking at his son and niece, who smiled back at him.
Ned wondered if his father felt the same when he and Brandon returned from their fostering.
"Father we're here" Robb yelled out riding forward with his brother. The Merry Betty was massive. In retrospect, Ned had seen the galleon ship before, when making his Lordly rounds on the coasts of his Kingdom. It was a wooden ship that resembled the Banesmen cottage. The wood was gray with weirwood leaves painted on it. And a weirwood face carved into the side painted red. The ship's sails were white. Ned could see a small crew of men sitting at the docks waiting for them. A fire with four large fish cooking at the top. The Banesmen family's influence began to worry Ned. Where exactly did they get funding for their lifestyle?
The children climbed down their horses and ran to Roger, unloading their belongings from the wagon attached to Rogers's horse. Tysha and Little Rog walked with them, greeting the crew and boarding the ship. Ned took this opportunity to question Roger.
"I must admit Roger, I am shocked at the size of Merry Betty. I know all about how Nan got her home. I was a boy myself when Hodor was born and they added an extra room. But how did you come upon this ship?"
"This ship belonged to Theon Snow. A Manderly Bastard. The current Lord's brother. I boarded his ship when I was about Eight and Ten. Traveled all around the world with him. He died when I was Five and Twenty; we were attacked by pirates. Gave me the ship when I took control of it to take him to a healer in Bravos. When the boys were little- Betty I took them aboard and painted the Old Gods on it.
"So you attached yourself to another claimed bastard?" Ned asked suspiciously. Though he knew of Roger's plans and ambitions. He was being petty- trying to find an out to keep Jon home. He had questioned the guard, Neville, repeatedly about his experience with the Banesmen. And the family loved Jon. They wanted him to be great because he was a good boy and they knew one day Trina would want him.
"AYE!" Roger laughed. "I have been lucky in my life. When I was a lad, I accidentally rubbed shoulders with the right people. Much like Trina meeting your Jon. I have no bad intentions with the lad. My children have no great ambition. And my grandchildren's ambition is to take over my trade. With the way you look at the boy, I assume you want him close. "
Ned listened and paled. Was his caution with Jon that obvious? He looked at Roger and saw a good-hearted twinkle in his eyes. The man was not being malicious. He was merely stating his observation.
"If we play our cards right, Lord Stark, we'll share a grandchild one day. And like the Cassels, we will be another trusted family to serve as Stewards, merchants, or ladies in waiting. I spent my childhood running from one place to another. No work for my father here, or too much crime there. Smallfolk being uprooted from our homes when you nobles have your senseless wars. Through Jon, I can have something solid for my family. Long after I am gone." Roger said unloading his own things off the wagon before walking to greet his crew.
"Father!" Jon said bursting with excitement. "Come aboard! It is magnificent! It has enough space to hold our horses and room all of us! Come look at my room!" Ned was pulled aboard the ship and down under the main level.
Neville and Bartirum were already in one small room across from Jon's. His son's room was small as well. Though it had a small desk and a window to look out. It was a hammock bed instead of a regular bed that made Ned bark out a laugh.
"A hammock? I pity you, lad. Your first few weeks aboard will be tiresome." Ned chuckled slapping Jon's shoulder. Ned walked across to view the Guard's room. Two cots, a window, and a desk. No doubt the choice of rooming was on Roger's strategy. The guards would have easy access to Jon's room and the cotts made it easier for them to rise during an emergency. Again Ned felt his parental anxiety ease.
Ned continued his tour of the ship. Trina and Tammy would have their rooms close to Jon. The crew's rooms were close to the entrance to the deck of the ship while the children were farther down the hall. Below were empty rooms that were meant for the product. Some of the rooms had lumber to sell south. Other rooms had the gowns and toys that the Banesmen family made to sell. On the lowest level were the livestock and food.
Ned climbed to the main deck. He saw Robb chatting with the crew. As he grew closer he realized his heir was interrogating them more than chatting. He felt a swell of pride. His son was protective of his brother and wanted to make sure he was safe. The crew answered their little Lord's questions bemusedly, none of them seemed agitated by Robbs's distrust.
"Robb, go spend time with your brother. We will not see him for some time." Robb nodded while Ned got acquainted with the crew and toured the main deck.
A total of twelve men all seemed happy and content to teach their captain's brood the ways of the sea and merchant travel. And two of them, Eden and Gallert, had their sons aboard to learn, James and Erin. Ned now understood why Roger was so pressed on having Jon aboard. If these men had their sons who could take over the Merry Betty, Roger's legacy would die. An interesting perspective, smallfolk having their own ambitions and legacies.
Ned inspected the deck. There was a three-part stable for the horses. A table with many stools to feed the passengers. He climbed the stairs where the captain sat. It was a wooden desk with a glass covering, holding his navigation tools, maps, and sums. Ned felt another swell of pride. Lyanna's son would learn all of this and help command the ship when it when old enough. Jon would have a purpose away from the Iron Throne or the Wall.
Eden and Gellart were not shy lads but in the presence of Lord Stark, they seemed to pale. Ned spoke to both boys and assessed their character. They weren't leaders it seemed, but more so their fathers were pushing them toward a trade to learn when older. Another advantage for Jon and the Banesmen girls; a loyal crew of their own.
"Foods Ready!" a crewman said from the docks. Ned watched as they brought it up from the docks and onto the main deck, carrying it to the table. The crewman sat at the table along with Little Rog and Tysha. The children sat on the floor waiting to be served. Tysha beckoned Ned over to a seat next to Rog. He chuckled when he saw Jon pulling Robb down to sit beside him. His heir never had to sit away from any table. But this was Roger's ship. And today Robb would be another boy.
Time passed and Ned got to know the family and crewman more. The Merry Betty indeed. The crewman caught up with Rog on their time apart and Ned listened and chimed in when appropriate. He would turn ever so often to see the children talking to each other, smiles on their faces. Though Robb seemed to now be interrogating Eden and Gellert. Tysha spoke and laughed along with the rest but she could not take her eyes off of Trina. There was a look in her eyes that Ned knew too well. He saw the look in the mirror and now on Cat's face when she saw Jon. As if someone would come hurt him or take him away.
It made Ned worry about the secrets that the common family could be keeping.
The travel back to Winterfell was not as jolly as it was on the way. The parents were contemplative and somber. All praying to the same Gods that their children would return to them safely. Robb was somber but he tried to keep a positive mind. Which the parents appreciated. He went on about how Jon and the girls would have great fun and bring back gifts for him and his sisters. How he will make Jon proud of his hunting skills and swordsmanship. And he will be responsible and not let Theon cause too much trouble.
Their farewells were unbearable. Little Rog not so much. He picked both girls up and spun them. Told them not to stress out Roger and to not get Jon into too much trouble. He hugged Jon and told him much of the same before telling them to make the late Katie prouder than she already was of them. It brought the departing children to happy tears.
Ned hugged Jon so tightly the boy started coughing. Ned felt his eyes stinging when he looked into Jon's eyes which were so like his sisters. Robb came and hugged him too. His sons could not stop their tears and rushed to wipe them. This would be their first time apart since they met as babes in Riverrun. His heart ached for them but this would be good. They needed to become men of their own and share their triumphs.
But then came the true gut-wrenching moment. Tysha hugged Tammy and Jon, kissed their heads, and told them to be safe. The woman turned to Trina and lost her resolve. Cried endlessly and made her promise to return. Kissed every part of her face and hugged her tightly. It did not stop until her Uncle and Cousin pulled her away, whispering. Ned strained to hear and only got 'he can't hurt her' and 'won't let him'. Tammy hugged her Aunt tight and promised to keep Trina away from trouble. The crew was silent. They looked at each other as if they knew what had caused Tysha to act so out of character. A shared secret amongst these men and the family.
The Merry Betty then sailed away with Jon, Tammy, and Trina waving excitedly. The families watched until they sailed the afternoon horizon.
It was not until they reached Winterfell, in the early hours of the evening that Ned broached the subject with Tysha. The gates opened and the cousins bowed to their Lord and his heir before they started to move along. Ned stopped them and asked them to join him in the Godswood to pray for their children together, telling Robb to greet his mother and tell him his whereabouts.
They walked to the Godswood silently.
Ned stopped before the Weirwood face and said a silent prayer. He felt the Banesmen cousins stand beside him and pray as well.
They stood there for some time before anyone moved. The cousins went bow before Ned stopped them.
"I must admit that I brought you here for other reasons. While I am grateful to your family for being kind to Jon. And for bringing fortune to Winterfell, and by extension, the North. I am a bit confused by Tysha's behavior when saying our farewells. You have known of this trip for moons, possibly years. Yet, you broke down as if you were selling her to a brothel." Ned said softly.
Tysha paused before glancing at her cousin who eyed Lord Stark warily. He played with Roger as a lad but it seemed at this moment, Ned was an enemy and not a childhood friend.
"It is merely a mother's heart, milord." Tysha began "My daughter bein-"
"Tysha please," Ned interrupted "I mean you no harm but I ask you to trust me. I have put my trust in your family for three years with my son. I have hired you, sat you at my table, and even done business with you. I have allowed my son to go off to travel the world with Roger. As a father, I am feeling anxious. As if I have made a mistake. That maybe I should have listened to my wife's warning of your influence."
Tysha and Little Roger glanced at each other. Tysha's cousin nodded to her, encouraging her to tell her tale. Ned listened and almost wretched the fish they had eaten earlier.
"Tywin Lannister is truly a monster. That much I already know. The bodies of Elia Martell and her children haunt me to this day. And you say Trina knows? This revelation did not deter her from the trip?" Ned asked worriedly. Trina was a good girl and he did not wish for any harm to come to her. His plans aligned perfectly with the Banesmen. If any more tragedy fell on the common family, then Jon would look toward the Wall in grief, or worse the Iron Throne in revenge.
"My little Lioness has decided she will not let her life be led with fear or paranoia," Trina said with a sorrowful smile. "I have instructed her to be careful in Lannisport. That while she is in the West or the Crownlands, she is not to wander. It is silly. My village is too far inland for anyone to recognize my look on her. There won't be any festivals for the next few moons. And I heard from a maid, who heard from your good brother, Lord Edmure, that The Hound is the sworn shield of the Crown Prince. That is one less person in the West to recognize her. Lord Tywin never travels to Lannisport. "
"Knowing Trina, She will not listen," Sighed Little Rog. Ned nodded in agreement absentmindedly. He could not fault them. He had not told anyone of Jon's Identity, save his wife. Anyone close to him would be killed, including Trina. Unknowingly they had both put the other's children in a dangerous predicament. He could work with this. He almost rolled his eyes thinking of his wife's reaction to this news.
"The children will make it home safe. I can understand your secrecy. I would do the same in your situation."
"Aye, you would Ned." Little Rog said with a knowing look. Ned turned steel eyes to him. His childhood companion refused to back down.
"Tysha, if you can allow a moment alone." She looked between them before walking back towards the entrance, not before stealing a curious glance.
"You think we wouldn't know, Ned?" Little Rog asked in a whisper. "I had known her since she was a babe. He was born in Dorne. She hated Robert. She raged about it every morning and night. When you brought him back from the South we knew. But we will not say anything, not even my father knows and Katie, bless her, did not know. My mother knows that you wish to use Trina to cover the Dragons scales."
"Our secrets have made a mess of things. A Dragon and a Lioness, hiding from the Lannisters and Baratheons." Ned shakily laughed. "Am I wrong Rog? To bring him here? To want him to be safe and happy? To want him to have a family and pups of his own? To be free as his mother wished?"
Little Rog shook his head. "You are correcting the mistakes that you made with Lyanna. You wanted the King to be your true brother and you sacrificed her happiness. She should've been married to one of your Bannermen. In the North, where she could be free. Where men are raised with Honor and Loyalty."
"Lyanna did not love Rhaegar either," Ned whispered. "She spoke of a vision of the Long Night. That Jon was the Song of Ice and Fire. That he would bring the Dawn."
"What?!" Little Rog hissed. He glanced back at Tysha and saw that she watched them worried but did not move towards them.
"I know. She was speaking madness." Ned said shaking his head.
"You have heard the stories. Nan speaks of it all the time." said Little Rog. "The long Night will return."
"Children's tales." scoffed Ned.
"You are not a fool. Yoren spoke of strange things beyond the Wall. As did Benjin the last I saw him. Lyanna saw something. She caused a war for it. It must be true." Little Rog whispered in a panic.
"Don't be dramatic Rog. It will not happen. The walkers have not been seen in eight thousand years. Lyanna must have had a fever or ate something that caused dreams." said Ned patting Little Rog's shoulder.
"I hope you are right. Jon will be safe as a Banesman. But tell me... I have been curious. And this conversation will not leave this Godswood. If Tysha was to know, Jon would never see Trina again and all our plans would be ruined." Little Rog sighed.
Ned nodded feeling the weight of another secret conversation that would probably come back to bite him in the arse. "What do you want to know?"
"What is his true name?" He asked
"Jaehaerys Targaryen." Ned whispered.
"Would that make Trina his Good Queen Alyssane?" Little Rog laughed.
Ned laughed along. "As long as I live, Jon will be safe away from the Iron Throne. Trina would never agree to be Queen."
Thanks for reading. Tell me what you think.