Eddard Stark
Winterfell, 299AC
Nerves was something Eddard Stark rarely experienced. From the day he was sent from Winterfell to foster at the Eyrie with Robert under Jon Arryn, all the way until the fateful day Howland had dishonourably ended Ser Arthur Dayne so they could gain access to the Tower of Joy. Each time in between, every battle fought, he only ever felt melancholy and adrenaline. But this was a day he had been preparing for the past sixteen years. He thought he would have it all mapped out and would be able to just get it all out in the open with little to no feelings other than sadness over his little sister and for lying. Ned hated lying, as it took away his prized value of honour. But when it comes down to it, the only people he would lie for would be his family.
And it was not a small lie. Seven hells, he remembers the moment Lyanna told him the truth. How she had rejected Robert but he refused her doing so thinking her to be joking. To her willingly running off in the middle of the night dressed as a servant girl towards White Harbour where Rhaegar had a ship waiting. To them making their journey to the Isle of Faces so they could wed under Lyanna's gods as the Targaryen Prince did not worship any. To them willingly running off to Dorne where Lyanna found out she was with babe, to her finding out Rhaegar had been defeated brutally by Robert Baratheon himself. Ned always knew that she did not care much for Robert, she had flat out told him on numerous occasions that he was nothing but a pig-nosed whore fucker. However, the betrothal had been made many years prior, the very reason Ned was sent to the Eyrie. So, he could spend time with his sisters betrothed, get to know the boy who would become his goodbrother.
But tomorrow, the truth was coming out once and for all. Not the one that Robert had spread with the help of his allies. From having informants, the Lord knew there were still Targaryen loyalists hidden in the dark. He'd tried on numerous occasions to get in touch with Daenerys and Viserys in Essos. But it seemed that every time he did, they had just left to escape Robert's sell swords. To think that sixteen years later his friend was still trying to rid the world of Dragonspawn as he would call it. The whole time he knew Robert, he counted the man an incredibly good friend. But something changed when he had clapped Jaime Lannister on the back for stabbing Aerys in the back. And he could not forget the glee on his face when he was presented the butchered bodies of the children. Jon's older half brother and sister. Kingslaying was one thing, Kinslaying worse, but childslaying was downright barbaric. It was said Aegon had been stabbed a few times before having his head crushed against a wall, and little Rhaenys had apparently been stabbed half a hundred times.
Two children not even five name-days old. Murdered on someone he had considered best friend and was almost goodbrother's orders. He remained civil with Robert for political reasons, but he did make him aware he did not approve of said actions. Not that Robert cared, he had simply laughed and spat on the ground in a very unceremonious fashion. He didn't want the throne, he wanted Lyanna. And the only way he was going to get Lyanna was to take out Rhaegar. It failed anyway, as the shock of hearing of Rhaegar's demise is what caused her to go into labour with Jon.
But there was one person he needed to tell prior to Jon. He had to come clean to Catelyn. He will need all the support possible to follow through on his promise to his sister, and she was one of his biggest confidents. They told each other almost everything, and both did love one another deeply despite their rocky start. The entire first year of their marriage, they had spent a measly three weeks with one another. With her falling pregnant on their wedding night, and him having to leave for war a couple of days later. Then when he came back many months later with Lyanna's babe hidden as his bastard to meeting his own new-born Robb for the first time. He had no idea how she would react. Although, he was certain about one thing. Ultimately, she would support him. But it wasn't him who needed the support, it was his nephew. Because if the boy does decide to act upon his claim, the realm will be nothing short of pandemonium.
"Ser Rodrik, I need your assistance with something."
The Master-at-arms turned to his liege lord and nodded affirmatively. Soon, the Knight was in step with the Lord, casting him odd looks as he led him down into the crypts. Some people tried to sneak down here on many occasions, but the guards always stopped those who did. Only members of the family were permitted entry to them. Ser Rodrik got confused as he was led over to the statue in front of Lyanna's tomb, wondering what was going on. Ned simply revealed the hatch to reveal the chest inside.
"Help me bring this to my quarters, Ser. All shall be explained in a few days."
He had to bite his lip, desperately wanting to know what his Lord was up to. But he knew Eddard Stark was a man of his word, so he would find out soon enough. What he didn't expect was the weight of the chest. What was in here? All he knew is that it was something incredibly important, and with its location he knew it had something to do with the she-wolf of Winterfell. But what? People they passed gave them all strange looks, but nobody dared to question the pair. Once it was situated in his own chambers, he instructed him to find his Lady wife and to send her over immediately. Making sure that she was alone. No one else but her was going to hear this. Not until Jon himself had been told. His nephew deserved that much. Silence surrounded him as he waited on his wife's arrival, desperately trying to think of a soft way of dropping such a bombshell on her. Every time, he came up empty handed. Frankly, there is no simple way to say what he was about to bestow upon her.
"You requested to see me, my Lord?"
Ned simply nodded before gesturing she lock the door behind her. Catelyn assumed this meant he wanted to take her to his bed, but then she spotted the troubled look on his face. She followed his gaze to the chest, trying to figure out what was wrong. He signalled her to sit down on the opposite side of the table he was occupying, so they were face-to-face. The chest at the side ready to be opened with the proof of everything.
"My love?"
"Cat, what I am about to tell you, you must keep a secret unless he acts upon it. Can you promise me that?"
She furrowed her brows as she stared at her husband, trying to decipher what he meant with his words. But if he asked her to promise, then she knew it was serious. Really serious. Eddard Stark almost never makes a promise, and it's even rarer for him to ask someone else to promise him something. Without question, she confirmed she would remain quiet. No matter how bad it is.
"What do you know of Robert's Rebellion, Cat?"
The question caught her completely off guard, not expecting such a turn in words. He rarely spoke about what happened, she had solely pieced everything together from hearsay. And hearsay isn't necessarily accurate.
"It started after Rhaegar took your sister against her will. When word got out of this, Brandon went to the Red Keep to demand her back only to be imprisoned. Then your father was summoned to answer for his son only for both to be executed. Then King Aerys demanded both yours and Robert's head. After this we found out Lyanna was being raped by Rhaegar, then it was full blown war which ended in the Targaryen's losing the throne along with the children being slaughtered-"
He cut her off there and proceeded to open the chest to pick up the annulment certificate. He slid it across so she could read it. As she did, her eyes slowly widened in surprise. Rhaegar and Elia annulled their marriage? On the grounds of joint decision? Ned let her soak everything in before handing her the marriage certificate. As Catelyn read what was on these, she felt bile build in her throat. It was all a lie. Rhaegar did not kidnap Lyanna, he had married her. She had never met the she-wolf in person, only ever saw her in passing on occasion. She was always rather spirited, and now that she thought on it, Ned always said she was like Arya. Knowing her daughter, it did not seem likely anyone could take her against her will. Which meant she went willingly.
"Rhaegar annulled his marriage with Elia to marry Lyanna? And no one was aware of this?"
Ned simply shook his head in the negative, his lips tightened in fear for how she would react to the next thing he was going to tell her. He allowed her time to digest all the information, and he contemplated just handing her the birth certificate, but she deserved to be told directly and not through words on a piece of parchment.
"Lyanna wasn't murdered, Cat. She died of birth complications. When I got there, it was already too late. Nothing could be done to save her."
There. He'd said it. Finally revealed the mystery of Lyanna's death. There were stories about what had happened of course, but he had never explicitly revealed what he had found in the Tower of Joy. Nor had Howland Reed. A secret the pair had guarded for sixteen years. Upon hearing those words, her face went white as the dots began the connect. Her heart went out to her husband, not being able to imagine what he must've felt like to walk in on his dying sister in childbirth. But what happened to the child? It took a few minutes before it finally clicked. Rage bubbled up inside of her over the fact he had allowed her to be shamed for the boy.
"Jon's not your bastard, is he? He's your nephew."
Ned simply took in a deep breath before nodding to confirm her suspicions. She was about to retort but he bet her to it.
"She made me promise, Cat. Her last words to me was her begging for me to keep him safe. She had heard what Robert had done to Aegon and Rhaenys, gods be damned was she allowing the same to happen to her son. Promise me, Ned. Promise me. I knew if I confirmed the truth he would never be safe, would be spending his entire life on the run from sell swords. Even if I'd only told a couple of people. And Lya made me promise that I would sit down and reveal everything to him on his sixteenth name-day. But I had to confide in you first. Because if he acts on his claim, he'll need all the support he can get, Cat. I failed Lya once, I will not fail her again. Even in death."
Slowly, she closed her gaping mouth, desperately trying to think on his reasoning. Tried her best to ignore the hurt that threatened to cause her to lash out. Desperately fighting back tears that wanted to spill. There was one thing she knew about her husband. When he made a promise, he made a promise. And if he was being honest and Lyanna had done so, then it made sense why he did what he did. But surely there were other ways he could've been hidden? He was with Howland, what stopped him from claiming the boy was his bastard son instead of Ned? But then everything came crashing down, the final piece falling into place. Annulment, wedding, death by childbirth...
"He- seven hells, Ned. That boy is the heir to the damn Iron Throne. He has a bigger claim than any of the Baratheon's, even bigger than the other two Targaryen's in Essos!"
That was what he meant with the 'if he acts on it'. Catelyn swore loudly as she got up from her seat and began frantically pacing in circles. Ned could do nothing but watch her. For sixteen years, she had treated a rightful Prince as nothing but scum, all because she thought her husband had slept with another woman whilst off at war. But then other words came to mind. Not at one point in her memory could she remember him outwardly saying Jon was his son. He always said he had met his mother at war and that she had died in childbirth, and he could not bring himself to leave the babe to grow up an orphan. And that was the truth. He had met Lyanna during the war, she had died birthing him, and Ned could not leave the babe. Whenever he referred to the boy, he always said 'he is my blood', which was also the truth. He had simply worded things to make it seem like he was his father, when he was his uncle.
"What else is in the chest?"
Steadily, she sat back down again, taking in the silent tears falling down his face. How hard must this have been for him? This is something he has kept a secret from everyone. From her, from the children, to castle workers, from friends, from allies, from the realm, and from the King. There was no doubt at all that Robert would stop at nothing before all Targaryen's were dead. And by denying Jon of his house name, he was safe. He simply gave a small hand gesture, giving her authority to go through everything else. Eagerly, she dug in. Diaries, letters, trinkets, Rhaegar's crown, Lyanna's maiden cloak, and a brilliant sword at the bottom. No, she never versed in weaponry other than basic defence skills, but she knew Valyrian steel when she saw it. Her husband had one of them. The pale blue ripples on the almost black blade creating a truly incredible sight.
"That's Dark Sister."
At this, her eyes bugged. That sword was as legendary as Aegon the conqueror. The very sword one of his sister-wives had wielded. Visenya Targaryen, still renowned for her ruthlessness. This very weapon had helped carve Westeros into what it was today. Thousands of lives taken with the sharp edge, and even more injured on it. Carefully, she placed it back inside, making sure she did not damage anything as Valyrian steel was incredibly sharp. Silence fell over the husband and wife as both took everything in. Ned was surprised she seemed to be taking it as well as she was, and Catelyn was surprised she was the same too. If anything, she felt stupid that she had not pieced it together. Now that she thought about it, Jon had lilac eyes- a trait that was exclusive to people who had Valyrian ancestry. Very few Valyrian's had survived the doom. Some of his facial structure was also identical to Rhaegar's. The Dragon Prince's looks were very well known, a lot of women falling over their feet. Dreams that were crushed when he had married Elia Martell.
"Your father Ned, and Brandon- "
He simply shook his head, silently asking her not to continue. He hated talking about what happened to them. How Catelyn's betrothed had stormed to the Red Keep demanding Lyanna be released and for Rhaegar to show himself. How he was imprisoned and Rickard was summoned to answer for his son. Then Rickard being imprisoned and set alight in front of Brandon who had been shackled just out of his father's reach. To ultimately strangling himself trying to free his father. It had been for nothing. Lyanna had never been in the Red Keep, she was hiding in Dorne with Rhaegar.
"All those people dead, for nothing- "
"It wasn't for nothing Cat. It ended in Aerys dying. The man was going madder by the day, it was only a matter of time before he released his wildfire caches."
Normally, Catelyn hated being cut off, but she knew as well as he that what happened was necessary. No matter how dishonourable it was. Not that Jaime Lannister's actions made him favourable by any means, hardly anyone liked him bar his family. Gosh, this was going to create so many problems further down the line.
"You're going to follow through on your promise tomorrow, aren't you?"
He didn't even need to do anything, he simply looked at her with his characteristic stern expression before she got her answer.
"Give me time to think on everything, it's not a nice thought knowing you've lied to me for almost sixteen years. However, I understand. I need to come to terms on my treatment of the boy. But I'm on your side, Ned. You're my husband. I'll support you."
With these words, the Lady left the room but making sure to close the door behind her so nobody else could see what lay inside. Biting his lip, the Lord slid the diary over towards him which documented everything. He's had a long time to think of reasons why Lyanna was not honest, and he thinks he knows why. If she confirmed she loved Rhaegar and wanted to marry him, this would've insulted Dorne, The Stormlands, and The North massively. Her homeland because of a broken betrothal, The Stormlands due to Robert's hot temper, and Dorne due to Elia being cast aside. Yes, the annulment certificate confirmed that the Dornish Princess approved the marriage, but her family would not have taken to it kindly. Especially Oberyn. Sighing deeply, he decided to call it as is and left to complete his duties.
He barely slept that night, Catelyn much the same as he. Most nights they made love, but not this night. There was too much on both of their minds to think of that. Their marriage for the first few years was rocky, but once borders were set it was mostly plain sailing. Ned had always known he would marry someone highborn, but not to someone of House Tully. He'd heard of his father talking about a betrothal between him and Ashara Dayne as he had witnessed the two together and how close they were. That would not have worked out, he remembers vividly the single punch he received from the furious woman when he confirmed he had bested her brother Arthur. Only him and Howland knew that he did not beat him, but a dishonourable slaying of someone who did not deserve their fate would've kick started another rebellion between houses, and nobody needed that. Catelyn was promised to Brandon since before they were teenagers, Ned had only married her instead of his brother after his death to honour the alliance between Houses Stark and Tully.
The morning came too soon for him. He'd managed to get a couple of hours of sleep which took some of the edge off him, but this was nothing compared to the weight now on his shoulders. He's carried this secret for so long, and not knowing how the boy or his own children will react. Cat had seemed to take it well, but she's always had a stoic expression so he couldn't confirm if this was truth or not. She may just be putting on a brave face. She had left early that morning to attend morning lessons with Sansa and Arya, having already broken her fast a couple of hours prior as she liked to be awake early unlike her Lord Husband. However, she did have the decency to leave a note confirming she had thought into it all long into the night. She said she was going to try and treat the boy like her own children, but she couldn't guarantee it. It was a start at least.
Then again, it's possible Catelyn was thinking politically. If she were to suddenly go from hating the boy to loving him, it would raise suspicions. Jon may not even act on the claim, he might just prefer to go to the Wall like he had been talking about for the past couple of years. Ned did not want to send him there. Yes, Benjen was there, but it was still filled with rapists, murderers, and thieves. A hidden Prince serving there for life? Maybe he will go but ask he not say his vows. Perhaps he will go so he can speak to his thrice grand uncle Aemon. From his little brother's letters, the eldest Targaryen had gone blind and regularly daydreamed of his brother Aegon. But the man was still family.
Once he had broken his fast on bountiful amounts of blood sausage, bacon, bread, and cheese, he made his way out to the training yard. It was normally around midday that Ser Rodrik took the eldest boys out to spar. He's heard that Jon had bested the Master at arms yesterday, a feat that was incredibly impressive. Only five people to Ned's knowledge had managed to do so. One was Ser Jaime, another Ser Arthur, Brandon had done so once but never managed it again, and he forgets the rest now as it was so long ago. It was incredibly impressive that a boy of sixteen name-days had managed to best someone who had served in Winterfell for more than double that.
Once he made it to his usual spot, he looked down at the boys with a fond smile on his face. Jon at first glance did not look like a Targaryen at all. With his curly black hair, sullen and long face, and general attitude. It would only be obvious to people who had spent a lot of time around the dragon Prince. How his eyes often shifted from characteristic Stark grey to Targaryen purple. The high cheekbones on his face jutting out to give a very chiselled look that a lot of people wished they had. Then the expressions. Ned had hardly known Rhaegar, had only met him a few times, but Jon's expressions matched his father's almost exactly.
There was no denying the amount of skill the slightly younger had. He took to a blade like a duckling takes to water. He tried numerous types of weaponry, but he was never as good with them as he was with a sword. Luckily, the swords that were used in training were blunted so at most there would be a nasty bruise left over, but nothing more than this. Because if either boy was using live steel, he shuddered at the mess there would be on the grounds of the courtyard. Robb was very talented as well, as he held his own very well and had bested himself on a few occasions whenever the Lord had some time to himself. But he never did so with Jon, knowing it would upset his lady wife. Then again, he would make a mockery of himself because there was no doubt in his mind that he would best him. A boy of sixteen name-days besting a lord of thirty-four? It wasn't a surprise that Robb's sword came flying out his hands not long after this thought, both boys breathing heavily and Jon clutching his ribs hard meaning his eldest had landed a hit there. A hard one at that.
"Good bout boys."
Both teenagers looked up to face him but Jon had the grace to look away not long after. He walked down the stairs to meet them and he noticed that Jon was clearly holding in a wince. He eyed his eldest with a raised eyebrow now, waiting on him to speak.
"I chanced an upward strike like Ser Rodrik does on occasion, didn't get the correct position though."
Jon shoved him a little to the side in jest before continuing.
"What he means to say is that he tried to knock me off balance but in doing so lost his own balance and didn't land a hit where he meant it too."
Both joked back and forth a little and Ned found it unsettling at the faces Jon was making. As he was getting older, his Targaryen features were becoming more prominent.
"Robb, you'd best get to your lessons for the day. Jon, come with me. We need to talk."
Robb turned to his cousin with an odd look. It was rare the Lord of Winterfell requested he speak to one of them alone unless they were in a lot of trouble. This fact was not lost on the slightly younger either as he gulped loudly before walking over to Ned. He turned on his heel and began walking through the castle, servants looking to the pair oddly and some going so far as to snigger under their breaths. Being a bastard meant he was basically little more than a nobody, and the castle workers certainly joyed in the fact. It was no secret there was a massive segregation between the Lords of Westeros and the smallfolk. Highborn kept to themselves, and lowborn kept to themselves. That was how it had run for over a hundred years. The entire time, Jon did not look up, knowing he was likely in trouble. What had Sansa or Theon told their mother about him now? Did she find out he had bested Ser Rodrik the day prior? Or was he finally being sent to his fate at the Wall?
"Take a seat, kid."
He did so obediently, still refusing to look up at his Lord father fearing the worst.
"You're not in trouble. There's something you need to know, something big. It's going to change things massively. But I made a promise."
The younger frowned at this before finally looking up to stare him in the eye. The only times where Lord Stark asked for any of his children was only if they were in trouble apart from Robb who got extra training as he would be Lord of Winterfell after him.
"It's about your mother, Jon."
His breath hitched in his throat at hearing these words. Never in his entire sixteen name-days had Lord Stark ever spoke about who Jon's mother was. People assumed it was a woman named Wylla, and others assumed it was even Ashara Dayne. But he had never confirmed either rumour, always remaining tight-lipped. One thing was certain- Lord Stark loved his mother deeply.
"Is she alive? Does she know about me? Does she know where I am?"
Those three questions fell from his mouth rapidly. Once he had started, he couldn't stop. Many years of pent up questions desperate to be answered. All his life he had wanted to know who his mother was. And now, it seems like he was finally finding out.
"Unfortunately, she did not make it past birth with you. I'm so sorry. She held you, and she named you, but she did not survive much longer."
Right then, he felt his heart shatter into millions of pieces. All hope he had ever had of meeting the woman who had birthed him destroyed like the way steel destroys ice.
"Why did you not tell me?"
"Because if people knew then you would've been assassinated."
Now, confusion took over him. What did he mean with that? Was his mother highborn? If so, was there something she had done that she shouldn't have done? Why would his life have been in danger? Babes were innocent. Even from their parents. Not all children are like their parents after all. It's unfair to punish a child for their parent's sins. And since Lord Stark only had one sin on his cloak which was siring him, it meant his mother was the one who had more sins on her.
"Your mother was betrothed from a young age to someone she despised. However, her betrothed loved her fiercely and did not take kindly to her not harbouring feelings for him back. One summer, she fell in love, and ran off to be with this person. Her betrothed could not comprehend that she did not want to marry him, so he spun a story of how she was kidnapped and murdered. Everyone thought this was the case. Until I found her. In her birthing bed, covered in blood, cradling you tight to her chest not wanting to let you go but knowing she needed to."
At hearing the words fall from his lips, he became aware of the incredible levels of tension there now were in the room. Jon looked at everything, not really taking anything in as he absorbed the words. Why had Lord Stark answered in such a way? If what he said was true, the big sin was a broken betrothal- but this was not uncommon. Numerous betrothals fall through for one reason or another. But denial and a broken betrothal- this could be deadly. If people knew about his mother, he would've been assassinated. Which meant she must've been highborn. Which meant her betrothed must've been highborn as well. Why had his father lay with a woman who would've had a public betrothal?
But then the pieces began to click. The betrothed to someone she despised wasn't the key to it. Most political marriages are like this. Heck, everyone knew Queen Cersei and King Robert despised one another. The same with Lysa and Jon Arryn. It was possible his mother's betrothed was heavily insulted by her not wanting to go through with the marriage and ran off with someone else. Lying about this to cover their backs- then the penny dropped. Ned watched intently as he saw so many emotions cross the youngers face, unable to comprehend what he was currently feeling.
"She made me promise I would keep you safe. As you're the only piece I have left of her, I wanted to keep you close by. This was the only way I could think of."
Jon's mind was racing at a pace he didn't know was possible. He was still a bastard, but not Eddard Stark's. All his life he's called him father when he was his uncle. He took the shame of siring a bastard onto his shoulders so Robert Baratheon would not kill him due to who his father was. Gods, he was the Mad King's grandson. If people did know even if Robert wasn't around, dozens would still want him dead. Why had Rhaegar run off with Lyanna when he was married and had two children?! That was unheard of. To have a mistress fair enough, but to set aside one's wife and kids for another woman?
"It wasn't like that, Jon, and there's proof. Open the chest."
He frowned a little before noticing the wood beside his leg. Still, the boy did not look at the Lord as he opened it. A move that Ned felt and desperately tried to ignore the rejected feeling in his stomach from it. If the roles were reversed, he had no idea if he would've reacted the same as his nephew. All he can hope for, is that he takes the news well. Once the chest was opened, he was met with what appeared to be letters and certificates. He picked them up and placed them on the table before reaching down, but Ned gently placed a hand over his own and looked to them. A move that said to read these first before anything else. Steadily, he untied the ribbon enclosing them together before beginning to read.
Due to numerous individual reasons, my husband and I have decided to annul our marriage. We were never a good match for one another, even in a political sense. I have already sent ravens to my father and brothers to alert them of the news and am awaiting a response. If they receive it that is. Something is going to happen, and Rhaegar can sense it too. We're in danger, along with the kids. My husband is considering sending his mad father off before he orders his new Hand to release his numerous wildfire caches. For my health, for Rhaegar's health, for our children's health, we both know this is the best decision for us at this moment in time. We shall be heading to meet with the High Septon to make the arrangements within the week.
Elia Martell.
Princess of the Seven Kingdoms and Princess of Dorne.
Letters. Multiple of them. This one itself was damning. With trembling hands, he placed it down and moved on to the next one. Hesitantly, Ned reached over to pick it up, him never reading these himself. Jon had to be the first to see these. As he read on, his eyes widened. Yes, Lyanna had confirmed they had wed, but he had no idea that Rhaegar had agreed to an annulment with Elia. Also, with the something coming part- she couldn't have been more correct. Not many people gave the Dornish Princess much attention outside the fact she was married to the Crowned Prince. Whether this was due to her heritage or due to her being notoriously sickly- nobody really knew. But she wasn't stupid. Her brothers were Oberyn and Doran after all.
One month after we came to the agreement, we annulled our marriage. However, due to Aerys' increasing madness, we have decided to not have it be public knowledge. He still wants to be there for the children, and he has already promised with a decree that they will remain his heirs. We will continue to put on a united front in public because if it got out- I dread what will happen. My brothers will not be pleased with it, but they will respect the decision. I suspect Queen Rhaella will also understand as she knows we never loved one another as a husband and wife should. No, it was King Aerys and Tywin Lannister I feared. There was no doubt that Aerys would likely release his wildfire caches on Sunspear in revenge for my "betrayal", and it was common knowledge that my prompt marriage to Rhaegar was done to spite the Hand.
In two weeks, we will begin travels to Harrenhal for the next tourney. I don't like fighting in a real sense, but I've always loved a tourney. Due to my illnesses, I couldn't go to many. But I was determined to go to this one. Especially as my previous husband would be taking part himself. Rhaegar is incredibly talented when it comes to fighting even though he despises doing so. If he had his way he would win wars with his harp and singing voice. Once again, we will be putting on a front of husband and wife whilst keeping our secret to ourselves.
Elia Martell.
Princess of Dorne.
There were three piles of letters in total, all bound together by ropes of differing colours. One in a blood-red to signify Targaryen. Another in a mahogany-red to signify Martell. And the last was a pale grey to signify Stark. Jon continued to stare at this letter, trying to read in between the lines for any hidden agenda. But no matter how hard he tried; he could not do so. His mind was still reeling at the revelation.
The next few letters detailed the famed tourney. Much to his surprise, there was an entire paragraph of praise over Lyanna. Which meant Elia was aware of the budding relationship between Rhaegar and her. None of it seemed passive-aggressive, there didn't seem to be any messages hidden either. Meaning she was all for it, and likely gave consent. However, there was one thing that troubled him greatly and it did Ned too once the letters were passed to him after being read by the younger. In them, there was talk of communications being sent to confirm everything. Although, not at once to avoid something huge. Both wracked their brains but always came up empty handed, there was no knowledge of said communications. This meant one of two things. They were either intercepted and not passed on, or the recipients did not care.
Once he had gotten to the end of his mother's letters, trying to wipe a tear from his eye, he began pulling out what else was in the chest. A maiden cloak, a binding cloth, his fathers famed harp, some jewellery and trinkets. However, at the bottom lay three pieces of parchment and a sword. Carefully, he reached down to pick up the sword, the no-weight feel confirming it was Valyrian steel. A material that was incredibly rare and that a very select few people knew how to work. How it was made was lost in the Doom, but how it could be manipulated and reshaped was not. He eyed the markings on it and took in the black leather hilt with large ruby imbedded into it, flame pommel, and ripple decoration. Slowly, he slid it out to see it in its glory, and the second he did, he felt his breath hitch in his throat. Surely not? It couldn't be, could it?
"Dark Sister. Wielded by Daemon Blackfyre and Visenya Targaryen."
A look of complete awe came over him as he studied it in more detail. This very sword he held in his hands was used to bring the Seven Kingdoms together. Yet now, they were on the brink of separation again. Carefully, he placed it down on the table after sheathing it before picking up the pieces of parchment. The one on the top was the proof of annulment, the second being proof of marriage between Lyanna and Rhaegar, and lastly was the proof of his birth. Jaeron Targaryen.
"I understand this is a lot to take in. I completely understand if you decide not to do anything and continue as you are. But if you do decide to do anything- I'm with you. My wife is the same, I told her last night. Nobody else knows yet other than Howland Reed as he was with me the day we found her in the tower."
Slowly, the younger let out a breath he did not even realise he was holding in. He felt an ache begin to form near the centre of his temples and he hastily massaged them to try and bring down some of the tension. Deep down, he felt rage build up that this was always kept a secret for him. Was this the famed feeling of 'waking the dragon'? Perhaps it was, or perhaps it was something else entirely. On the final letter from his mother, it was confirmed that she knew there was a high chance she was not going to survive. She also stated that she did not want it to be common knowledge to prolong the war as she had already received the news of his fathers and sibling's deaths.
Guilt washed over him now. All his life he has wanted to have a name and to have a mother. Yet secretly, he always had a name, but he would never have a mother. She had taken her last breath minutes after birthing him. He'd always wanted to be considered a sibling to the other Stark's. Even Sansa, despite her disliking him for being a bastard. He had two siblings. Siblings he had shared names with, and siblings who were murdered for their name. It was said that Princess Rhaenys was stabbed half a hundred times and had been dragged crying and kicking from under her father's bed before facing her fate. It was said Elia was bound up in ropes and forced to watch as Gregor Clegane threw the infant Aegon against a wall and crushing his skull open. And Elia...
It was common knowledge there wasn't a bond stronger than a mother and child. So, for a mother to witness her child being murdered in such a brutal way, then being raped beside the body, and finally being killed herself was unfathomable to imagine. And this was carried out as Tywin Lannister sacked the city on his orders.
"Are you going to tell the others? Now I know, I doubt I will be able to keep it secret."
Ned nodded quietly. He had agreed with Catelyn the night prior that they would tell Robb and Sansa everything, and tell Arya and Bran a simplified version. Rickon was still too young to know the repercussions of the truth.
A weight lifted from him at this, now knowing he did not need to tell it himself. Everything had been a lie. Lyanna did not love Robert like he claimed, and she was not kidnapped and raped by Rhaegar. She hadn't been murdered by him either. The man was known to have a massive distaste for the Targaryen's, despite his grandmother being one. It was common knowledge he had been sending assassins after Daenerys and Viserys since they had fled to secure his place. One being a newborn, and the other being seven. He would've come after him too if he had known. This meant that Robert did usurp the throne, even if Aerys deserved to die for his mad ways. But it should've been Rhaegar who was King after, but the Baratheon Lord made sure this was not the case. Stealing his right along with it.
"I'm the rightful heir to the Iron Throne, gods!"
As the realisation sunk in, he stood up and began pacing around the room. Ned could do nothing but sit and watch.