Jon's POV
He felt the two swords in his hands moving with such ease that they almost felt like part of his arms. The sun was hot and the air was dry but he had blocked out all sensations except the presence of the northerners with their swords drawn. He was outnumbered four to one, but he felt no fear, only a bit angry that his friend lay dead on the ground. But he was determined to avenge him as much as he was to survive.
Now it begins. He thought to himself.
He began to move blocking each of their blades, constantly moving to keep them from getting even one inch on him. He managed to maneuver himself to keep them close to him so they were all almost bumping into each other.
I'm faster than them. Keep them off balance. Keep moving!
He blocked, deflected, and evaded each sword swing until finally he saw an opening and he immediately moved in for the kill catching one of the Northerners right in the neck.
One down.
He didn't slow his assault for a moment so before one enemy hit the ground, he put pressure on the remaining three. They were beginning to realize that he was not the one on the defensive here. They were. So, once he pushed one man back by catching his sword in a block of his two crossed swords, he seized the advantage by pushing his blade back until his own swords were close enough to his neck, and then, he was finished. He pulled the two crossed swords back slicing his opponent's neck on both sides killing him.
Two down.
While one of his two remaining opponents chose to take a moment before attacking the other let his anger get the best of him and attacked wildly. The fool left himself completely exposed. One of his own blades blocked and he was able to bring the other up killing the fool with one clean thrust right through the heart.
One little wolf left.
He took position to attack but he could tell from the look in his last opponent's eyes that this man knows this won't be a fight he can win. But the man won't back down like he should, just what he'd have expected from a stubborn headed Stark. This Stark in particular was a man he wanted to kill for the offense he had given to his house. Stark wanted a fight and now he is going to get it.
Their blades clashed and while he could tell Stark was better with a sword than his dead comrades, he knew himself to be better. They fought until Stark began to fall back as if he could sense his own impending defeat. Stark used a desperate thrust and he just used his two swords to catch the blade and with one swift twist the northern lord's weapon went flying to the ground.
Now it ends Stark.
He raised his family's sword to finish off Lord Stark and suddenly he sensed someone behind him but too late before a blade split through his neck. He dropped his swords, collapsing on the ground as he was choking on his own blood unable to get a single breath. He felt his strength and life draining from him as he looked up at Stark holding his own sword.
I'm sorry sister. Forgive me Rhaegar. I failed.
Stark brought the sword down on him and he barely even felt the impact of the blade or the ground as he slammed into the dirt. He just felt the cold, dark void consume him as everything else just faded into nothing.
He awoke gasping for breath covered in sweat as he came out of the vision. He whipped his head around trying to realize where he was until he saw that it wasn't day but night and he wasn't in a desert but the woods surrounded by trees. Realization came to him as he remembered he's in the Wolfswood.
"Still little dragon, still your will." Briggle whispered.
He turned to see the child of the forest standing near the fire looking at him with an expression he often had whenever they went into the woods to train. Always the creature was studying and evaluating him and most of the time the creature looked puzzled like there was something about him it just couldn't figure out.
"The vision feels real no matter how many times I live through it." Jon said as he tried to steady his breathing. Vision training had been the most amazing and most difficult of the many things that he had experienced during his training with Briggle. Just as the creature had shown him Dany's last moments in his past life, he learned that the creature could do the same for other people too.
It explained that to show him a vision of someone's memories was difficult and dangerous. A Three-Eyed Raven could see all things of the past, present, and even possible futures, through their own powerful green sight. But to actually experience the memories of someone who was already dead was a forbidden practice that the Children of the Forrest no longer allowed among their own kind.
But when all but Briggle himself became extinct the poor creature did away with any restraints and began dabbling in old powers for anything it could find to undo what had happened to its kind.
"Little dragon still loses himself." Briggle spoke as if disappointed or irritated with him. He couldn't tell which. But he suspected it was probably both.
"I can't help it." He began, through gritted teeth. "Each time I relive Sir Arthur's death it's always the same but I'm still not sure why."
Briggle frowned at him but said nothing.
The creature had explained how experiencing these visions of others is dangerous because it could cause him to loose himself if he didn't manage to remain focused on who he is. The visions allowed him to experience someone else's memories, but not just want they had seen or heard but everything they experienced. He felt everything they felt in the moment both physically and emotionally. But such things could cause confusion with his own thoughts and emotions which could make him loose grasp of himself.
If such a thing happened his very mind could shatter completely if pushed too far. But the danger was not all on him because there was danger for Briggle too, since they were connected and Briggle had to be the medium for him. The process was tricky because the people whose memories he experienced had to be someone for whom he had a connection to. The stronger the connection they shared to him the easier for Briggle to bridge him with their memories.
But if he lost it then Briggle would be affected to and not in a good way. Plus connecting him to the memories of another taxed the creature's strength as much as it did his own. Only by keeping his focus could he maintain his own strength of mind, but also allow Briggle to push farther in their training. This particular vision of Sir Arthur Dayne's death was among the most difficult. Each time he melded too much into the vision and lost focus of the fact that the memories are not his own, but he had yet to understand why.
Briggle kept looking at him with its frowned expression, as if it knew why this vision was so difficult but it still said nothing. It had explained that because Sir Arthur was there at his birth and died protecting him that the connection was strong enough for him to experience his memories. But they were unable to see any of the knight's memories other than those of the day he died.
Experiencing such a fight through Sir Arthur Dayne's memory had yielded amazing results. After he had gone through the vision once they practiced fighting with wooden swords with Briggle for practice and Jon found that he was able to do things with a blade he had never done before. He got faster, his moment's smoother, and more natural. He even was able to wield a blade in both hands which he had never been good at in his previous life.
Briggle explained that from experiencing these visions he could gain this from them. Not only the knowledge of the past but skills and talents that those they warged could be gained at least in part to Jon. That was why having a connection to Sir Arthur Dayne was so important because he was the greatest swordsman of his time. If Jon could warg through the knight's memories far enough he could gain more skill with wielding a sword than any man of this time. Such a gift would be of great benefit to him in the wars to come if he could be as great a swordsman as the famed Sword of the Morning. But being unable to get past the scene of Sir Arthur's death was keeping him from going further in his training.
Thankfully the creature hadn't been able to show him the vision of Dany's death considering that she was still alive in this time and therefore not among the dead for them to warg. Briggle claimed that even though he had never met them, any one of his blood could be warged as long as he had the force of will to maintain the vision to see. That meant he could even connect to long dead ancestors of either Stark or Targaryen bloodlines. But Briggle had refused to show him any visions of his ancestors or his parents until after he could master not losing himself while within them.
"Bright star knight and little dark dragon both have same weakness." Briggle said as it approached him. It pointed it sharp finger at his chest as it spoke but never averting its gaze from his.
"Look inside and see through him. See through his failing and ye shall not following in failure." Briggle scolded him like a disappointed parent. "Answer in front of eyes. Must look to see."
"If you know the answer, then why don't you just tell me?" Jon responded.
Shaking it's headed, "No tell, cannot tell. Must look to see. Once you see, you shall be free." Briggle said with a slight grin.
As usual this creature's speech was difficult to understand since it always seem to speak in riddles but it simply said that that was its way. He still thought of Briggle as an 'it' because he still wasn't sure if he could call Briggle a male of female considering from its appearance Briggle had no defining features to be considered either but also had some small characteristics of both genders. Everything about the creature made little sense but it was invaluable to him at the same time.
"Enough for today." Briggle snapped at him. "Back to your castle we go away."
Jon sighed at that because he hated every time they returned to Winterfell and Briggle was currently grinning at him because it knew that. Everything was a game to the creature which only fit into why people called them the Children.
The past three years had been quite a challenge since he was barely able to last the first few days before he started avoiding everyone in Winterfell. He was living with the same people he now hated most, but they were completely oblivious of how much he wanted to burn the castle to the ground with them in it. Briggle had been a huge help with getting him in and out of the castle where they would either train or hunt but sometimes with Briggle the two were often the same. He had only scratched the surface of what the power of warging could be used to accomplish, but each day they spent in the Wolfswood was a new lesson into his own power. Yet every time they left the castle all he wanted to do was just keep going to anywhere but Winterfell. He didn't want to go back, and each time, the journey only made him angrier, but having control of his emotions was also a part of his training considering how strong his anger had become.
Jon knew he needed time to grow since he was still physically a boy, but most of all he needed time to prepare. He had been using this time to plan out his strategies with his only ally, Briggle. But having a child of the forest was quite an ally to have since Briggle could do many things he could not. The creature loved to remind him how despite looking like a child Briggle was far older than any man.
Briggle's kind had spent thousands of years perfecting the art of avoiding people. A skill he learned with such determination that now he knew how to get in and out of the castle by himself, with little help required. His skills in stealth and moving quietly from place to place around the castle had even earned him a much different moniker than the Bastard of Winterfell. Now in this time he was known as the Ghost of Winterfell. The name was amusing to him, but most of the credit was due to Briggle's efforts and training.
They often met in the Godswood hiding among the trees where no one could observe them. He knew to accomplish their goals he would need many things, allies, soldiers, weapons, supplies, bases of operation and more. He had spent many months of time in the library reading books and studying maps to find what he needed. But someone would always find a way to interrupt him while he was busy doing something important. His uncle just kept having people follow and watch him because he stopped going to stupid lessons and pointless sword practice.
He didn't want to waste any time because the sooner he could start making his first moves the sooner he could leave Winterfell and the insufferable Starks. Rickon hadn't even been born yet so no problem there. Bran and Arya were still babes, so he hardly saw them which was good for Bran considering he still wondered if letting him live was the best decision.
But he kept telling himself that so long as Bran is here, he can always get him later if he ever changes his mind. Despite not seeing Bran much he still knew exactly where he was at all times. He knew where he slept, when he was fed, the guards that were on duty near the nursery. It made him feel more at ease here, knowing that he could still finish what he started if he ever felt the need to. But for now, he had more important issues to deal with.
The Lady 'Bitch Fish' Stark was actually the easiest to deal with in this time, now that he knew the truth about himself and she still didn't. In his past life he had hated the way she looked down on him, always making him feel like he was lower than dirt and in no way like he was welcome here no matter what Lord Stark said. But now he actually found it amusing when she looked at him as if he did not belong here. In truth, he actually agreed with her that he did not belong here, at least not anymore.
Sometimes it almost made him want to laugh in her face. He was half Targaryen, half Stark, and he was also the trueborn heir to the Iron Throne. If only she knew, he would love to see her bending the knee after learning the truth, but sadly he had bigger fish to fry. He knew he would deal with her in due time. Still it was a very satisfying thought to imagine all the different ways she'd react when she finally learns the truth about him.
The people of Winterfell were easy to deal with despite how annoying they were constantly watching him. Even though he had to admit it was good to see many of them alive he didn't fool himself to thinking he could ever trust any of them. They were Stark people and he knew that their loyalties would mean one day he would stand as an enemy to everyone here. Although that wasn't hard to deal with since most of these very people had also treated him rather poorly in his past life like Lady Stark had. That made it easier to deal with sharing this castle with them for the time being. The hardest part of all of this was the one person here he still loved.
Robb.
In his other time, he would have gladly given his life just to see Robb's face again and now in such a cruel way, he had gotten his wish. His brother, the only one here he still considered his brother was alive just like he remembered him when they were young. When he first saw Robb, he wanted nothing more than to just hug him. He hadn't felt that happy since back when Dany was still alive. The thing Jon cherished above all things was his family. In his past life he felt like that was the only thing that was truly his, despite how much some people liked to remind him otherwise. He wanted and tried to hate Robb back then, but he never could. The thought that he still loved Robb and that one day the two of them would be enemies, made him cry tears of sorrow knowing that when his war truly begins, he and Robb won't be on the same side.
At first, he had wanted to spend his time with Robb and make their time together count but Briggle had helped him realize that would only end badly. He still recalled the words Briggle spoke to him about Robb which sealed his decision on the matter.
Brother to you he might be. But also brother to the enemy of we.
He knew Robb, and Jon knew that he would fight for his family and the Starks stood among his enemies even if they didn't know it yet. Knowing that brought him great pains whenever he saw his brother's smiling face. Robb had been the main reason he moved himself into the old tower. From there he was able to watch as if he was among the people of Winterfell while still remaining apart from them.
The best he could do was stay away from Robb, even though there had been times when he found himself just watching his brother from the broken tower while he played or practiced. Part of him wanted to be down there with him but he knew that doing so might only serve to weaken his own resolve.
He stayed focused on his training and strategizing for, The Great Game, as Tyrion liked to call it. He also thought a lot about Dany, wondering where was she right now? How long would he have to wait before he was ready to see her again? He recalled the tales Dany had told him of places she had been, things she had seen, and he knew that rescuing her as soon as possible was what he wanted most.
When he first arrived here the first thing he wanted to do after he had decided against killing Bran was to run away and flee to Essos so he could find her. But he wasn't certain where she was right now. It was unlikely he would be able to find her or keep her safe even if he did. So, he decided a big part of his plans would be just making sure that no matter where she is right now, she wouldn't end up where she is headed.
He remembered her telling him of her being sold by her brother Viserys to Khal Drogo for a Dothraki horde to help invade Westeros. Fool! The Dothraki may be very capable warriors but it took someone truly exceptional like 'The Mother of Dragons', to lead them across the Narrow Sea. Then again actually having a few dragons didn't hurt either. Jon knew that he would have to deal with Viserys too at some point, but he wasn't certain on how yet. The one thing he was certain of was that he was not going to let Daenerys end up in that marriage to the Khal. Not this time.
It didn't take him long to find a place to help him start his war and it was a place he seemed bound to never escape whether in this life or the last, much like Winterfell right now.
The Wall.
The Wall had always been a strange place for him. It had been a home for him once. It was also one more prison his uncle arranged for him as well. That was how the Starks got to him. By building him a prison that he didn't want to leave until it was too late for him to realize the truth. Lord Stark and everyone else knew what the Wall was, but no one before Tyrion Lannister, of all people, told him. That was the way Lord Stark preferred to deceive people, by telling people half-truths and letting them believe what they wanted without ever clarifying the whole truth.
But not this time. He remembered how his uncle always kept him at Winterfell, but he knew now it was not out of love as he thought then, but to keep him locked up in a gilded cage rather than have him legitimized, or fostered to another house, or even sent away from the north all together.
Any of them might have offered him a better future and a chance at freedom, perhaps enough to learn the truth of his birth, or even find Dany. As unlikely as those possibilities were, the fact that he and Dany came together at all the way they did, made him often think perhaps Sir Davos' words were right. That perhaps destiny had somehow brought them together.
Regardless, Lord Stark couldn't allow that to happen, so he imprisoned him in Winterfell making him think it was out of love but in truth he was as much a hostage here as Theon Greyjoy had been. Both of them were the heirs to their houses kept under the watchful eye of the Lord Stark to make sure we wouldn't interfere in the Usurper's foolish rule.
He wasn't sure if it was ironic or tragic how he and Theon had so much in common at Winterfell and yet they were the furthest from ever being friends. Another product of Stark lies. The Ironborn could prove a useful ally in time but Theon was still a bit of an idiot and that remark Theon made about his mother had brought his blood to boil over. He had been putting up with living with the Starks and holding back any aggression towards them, but leave it to Theon to find the weak spot that made him snap.
What did Dany say her brother Visery's called his fits of anger?
Oh yes, Waking the Dragon.
Although he felt glad that the whole incident in the yard where he nearly beat Theon to death had resulted in everyone giving him the space that he needed to breathe easier. They were all scared of him and just like Dany told him, Aegon the Conqueror got a long way on fear.
But he had been thinking hard about where he would make his first move against his enemies and he realized it would all begin at the Wall, but in a much different way. He just needed to get there soon, however asking wouldn't be enough since he was still physically a boy. His other uncle had fortunately come for a visit but Benjen would be leaving soon and he needed to go with him for his true works to begin.
He was in the Godswood secretly chatting with Briggle. The last child had been good at hiding there since he could change his shape to appear as a part of the trees he hid in, which he was doing right now while they chatted. He had never heard any stories of the children being able to do such things but Briggle simply said there is much about the children men never knew.
They met and talked in the Godswood often and he was up in the branches of the Weirwood where no one would notice him if they came along. Briggle was suggesting they simply sneak out and follow Benjen to the wall which he knew wouldn't work. Lord Stark would just bring him back or Benjen would send him back.
A Targaryen alone in the world is a terrible thing
His great uncle Aemon's words rang true as ever and that was also another reason to go back to the Wall. His family was waiting for him there and the dragons were meant to be together. Uncle Aemon would not be left to die alone at the Wall. He was going to make sure his great uncle died a happy man if he had his way.
Damned Lord Stark!
If he had only told me when I first left, I would have been able to tell Aemon that he wasn't alone in the world. That he still had family and he had been right next to me but thanks to Lord Stark I never got the chance.
Just then he spotted over the walls of the godswood, the red hair of lady Catelyn going into the sept with her septa and little Sansa. His anger at Lord Stark suddenly made him imagine how Lord Stark would feel if he heard them screaming while that sept burned down on top of them. He had to look away to calm himself, but he often had such thoughts whenever any of the Starks were near, except for Robb or Uncle Benjen. Those two just made him feel sad because he knew the path he was going down would eventually make them all his enemies.
He knew he could not let his despair hinder him and hold him back from acting nor could he allow his anger to control him and make him strike before the time was right.
Let your despair remind you why you are here. Keep your anger burning inside, so that you will not wavier when the time comes to act. Use it all to push yourself, even if that means in the end being consumed by your own darkness.
But he was glad that tonight he was going to make his first move against the Starks. They were giving Benjen a little feast before he left to return to the Wall and he was going to use that to his advantage. He had already done his surveillance of the guards and he knew where they were located along with their patrols and post. He was ready to begin, he thought to himself as he watched Lady Stark, the septa, and Sansa leave the sept. He smiled knowing he was going to enjoy what came next.
Lord Stark had the sept built for his wife and most of it was made from wood so after donning what he considered his stealth closes he snuck down into the cellars while most were distracted at the main hall. Briggle had to help distract a few people nearby which gave him a window to roll of barrel of ale out and right into the sept. Once inside he started splashing the ale on the statues of the seven and all around the structure, then he poured a trail out the front door and into the courtyard. He waited for the next patrol to arrive and then ran in full view of the guards walking by, so he would be sure to get their attention. One even asked what he was doing, when he grabbed a torch off the wall and dropped it on the trail of ale which lit the whole sept on fire in a matter of seconds.
The look on the guards' faces were priceless as one ran off to get help and the other started screaming for aid as he took hold of Jon's arm to keep him from escaping. He smiled at the whole situation. As if he had any intention of escaping this. He looked at the fire consuming the sept and he felt a bit of pride and an unmistakable surge of excitement.
Just as it begins with fire, it shall end with fire.
Eddard's POV
Thankfully, no one had been hurt, but the fire caused the sept to collapse before they could put out the flames. Although that was far from the worst of it. Jon had been the one to start the fire and he had been left with no choice but to have him locked in the dungeons. He was walking to the cells now to speak with him in hopes of some explanation but with the guards in the courtyard all confirming that Jon was the one behind the fire he had no idea what he was going to do to resolve this mess.
His wife of course was so furious that after hearing Jon was in the dungeon she felt they should throw away the key and leave him there to rot. The septa was not pleased either and was calling Jon some kind of monster, and even Sansa was still crying over the sept being burnt rather than her brother being imprisoned but she was still just a child. He hoped that he would not have to banish his nephew from Winterfell because for such a crime, that was likely the best outcome short of Jon being whipped which he knew he couldn't stand to witness.
He may be the Warden of the North but that meant he had to uphold the Kings Law, especially among his own household. Ned knew something needed to be done but he had sent everyone away to let him think. He had been pacing for over an hour when a knock came to his door. The voice outside was his brother Benjen, so he let him in, in hopes he might have some advice, which he desperately needed.
"Ned, how are you doing with all this?" Benjen asked as he entered the room.
Ned ran his hand through his hair frustrated. "Well a boy I've raised as my son just burned down a part of my own castle and I'm trying to think of anything that will prevent me from having to have him whipped or banished."
Benjen went to pour them some ale. "So not so good then? I knew things with Jon had been strange, but I had no idea they were this bad."
Ned sighed as he took the glass from his brother almost gulping the whole thing which helped to settle his nerves a bit.
"What am I going to do with him now Ben?" he asked.
"Let me take him Ned." Benjen responded.
Staring at his brother, he stated. "The Wall is no place for a boy Ben, not of his age. If he were older, I would consider it but now…"
"I don't see what choice you have Ned considering what he did." Benjen cut him off. "I don't believe Jon should join the Watch, but right now he can't stay here. There is no one else who will take him in, even if you ordered them to, not after this. But maybe at the Wall I can help get him past whatever he is going through. Whatever is wrong with him is clearly only getting worse. After there has been some time for things to settle down around here, he might be able to return."
His brother made a compelling argument and he had limited options, but he still did not like it.
"I will consider it Benjen. But first I want to hear what he has to say first and this time he will explain himself before he leaves that cell." Ned stated.
"Ned, isn't that a bit…?" Benjen tried to protest. But he was having none of it. Not now.
"I have had enough of his silences Ben!" Lord Stark said, raising his voice.
Lord Stark began to walk toward the door. "Jon will answer for what he has done one way or another."
Jon was too young to go to the Wall, but he knew he had to do something. He left his solar and went to the cell Jon was being kept in. As he walked over to see him dismissing the guard so they could be alone. Jon did not seem afraid about being punished, or in any way regretful for setting that fire.
Instead he was quietly sitting with his back up against the wall just staring at him. It was dark but he made out a slight grin on Jon's face and Ned could have sworn that Jon looked pleased with himself.
"Jon", he began trying to remain calm despite how angry he was right now, "you know what you did was wrong and as Lord I cannot allow such a crime to go without punishment."
Jon interrupted him but was still smirking at him, "Are you planning to kill me Lord Stark?" he asked.
Ned was immediately taken aback by those words. The very idea was ridiculous, as if he could ever do such a thing.
"Of course not, you're my son." Ned almost wanted to shout at him.
Jon stopped grinning at him, and his expression turned more serious. He felt at least the boy wasn't taking this like it was in any way a joke now.
"I certainly don't want to have you locked up in here. But you set that fire Jon, and someone could have been hurt or killed. I want an explanation and this time you will answer me, or you will stay here until you do." Ned stated firmly.
Jon didn't even flinch at that. This was not the son he had raised. The boy he knew would never do such a thing, let alone act proud of it.
"Very well Lord Stark. I will explain why I set that fire and I will offer my apologies, but I will not do that here in this cell. I will do so in the main hall in front of everyone so they may all hear me speak. Give me that and I will give you what you ask." Jon responded calmly.
The request surprised Ned since Jon has always been so quiet and reserved, especially these past years, he has barely said a few words, or shown his face around anyone. Now he wanted to explain publicly, but perhaps it will be for the best, if the people hear it from him directly.
"Alright Jon, at mid-day tomorrow you will have your chance to speak and afterwards, depending on what you have to say, I will decide an adequate punishment." Ned replied.
Jon just nodded to him as Lord Stark made his way to the doors. Truthfully, he worried about allowing this to happen, but he also knew that if Jon speaks well and apologizes in earnest then perhaps the boy's punishment may not have to be so severe. Of course, if the worst were to happen then he may have no choice in the matter. He knew he wouldn't sleep soundly tonight so he went to the Godswood to pray.
Jon's POV
So far things were going quite well, all things considered. Burning the sept was exactly what he needed and Briggle had been staying close by Lord Stark after the fact. The creature listened in on his two uncles' discussion and later told him in his cell only moments before Lord Stark had arrived. Briggle had crawled along the ceiling and hung hidden there as he spoke with Lord Stark. Now that he is going to be given the chance to speak in front of everyone, he was going to make it a moment the whole of the North will not soon forget.
The next morning, he heard the guards approaching and he noticed the smiles on their faces as they unlocked the cell. He realized neither one of them was afraid of him, which he found to be odd. He remembered only a few weeks ago sneaking past these very same guards while they were patrolling near the glass garden. He had overheard them talking about him like he was a foul spirit lurking around the castle that could be behind any shadow or kill someone in their own bed. He found that amusing as he listened since that was almost exactly what he had done the first night he got here. Now these very same guards didn't look worried by him at all.
"Come along bastard, it's time for your little trial." One of the guards said smiling. Jon didn't say anything or move, just tilted his head to the side as he eyed the guards with curiosity.
They aren't scared of me anymore.
"Well move it along now, everyone is eager to see the little 'Ghost of Winterfell' finally get his due." The other guard spoke. Jon watched as he spoke to his companion.
"Lord Stark should've just thrown him in here a long time ago. After all he certainly didn't manage to find his way out of iron bars." The guards' smiles widened at that remark.
So that's it. They aren't afraid of me because they see me as weak.
He wondered who they will all see as weak by the end of this day, as he got up to be escorted into the main hall. As he arrived, he saw most of the castle was in attendance and he also noticed quite a few smug faces like the guards who brought him. Half the people in the room had Lady Stark's hateful and disapproving expression, but he was well used to that now. He approached the high table where his Uncle sat with his usual cold demeanor.
Lord Stark stood as he began to speak. "We're all here today, in regards to the burning of the sept last night. The one responsible, my son Jon, wishes to offer words of apology for his actions. Afterwards I will pass my judgement based upon both his actions then and his words now." Lord Stark gestured for Jon to begin as he took his seat.
Jon stood there in silence as he looked around the hall with all those eyes on him and he felt a since of nostalgia coming over him. He remembered being in this very hall the day Lyanna Mormont declared him King in the North and all the other Lords followed her lead. He had been shocked beyond belief. That was the proudest moment of his life, having all the leaders of the North chanting their praise for him. That was the moment he truly felt like he had achieved his dream of being accepted as more than just Ned Starks bastard.
Now just like little Lyanna, he was about to speak in this hall with all eyes upon him. Only this time it was filled with those who now despised him even more than they had in his previous life.
Hope my words are as good as Lyanna's were. Because if I'm right I'll be the only one leaving this hall with any since of pride.
Jon spoke loudly so all could hear him, yet his eyes kept coming back to Lord Stark. "You want to know why I burned down the sept? The answer is quite simple. I burned it down because no one else here would."
That statement got everyone's attention as a wave of murmurs went through the hall. Lady Stark looked red with anger and the septa gasped in shock. Lord Stark's brow narrowed in confusion as he raised his hand to quiet them all.
"Silence everyone." Lord Stark declared. "Jon what is the meaning of this?!"
"It is as I have said Lord Stark. I did it because no one here would do it themselves. As you say, 'the one who passes the sentence should swing the sword', so I passed the sentence, and then I lit the torch." Jon stated confidently. He could tell Lord Stark was about to interrupt him so he continued before he could.
"In truth that sept should never have been built in the first place. For here in the North, our way is the old way, just as you taught us Lord Stark, which is why here we keep to the Old Gods. Yet for a Stark, a Lord of Winterfell no less, to build a sept for worshiping the Seven of the South is nothing short of a disgrace." He saw shock and anger on everyone's faces, but the only ones looking at him with pure hate in their eyes were sitting at the head table next to one very distraught looking Lord.
"How dare you, you insolent bastard!" Lady Stark shouted. "Guards take him back to the dungeon this instant!"
Lord Starks face was rested in his hand in defeat. Jon knew Stark expected him to bend, in order to appease Lady Stark. They all expected him to beg for mercy but he wasn't about to beg for anything, he wasn't done just yet.
"Just like in Dorne, eh Lord Stark?" Jon quickly shouted before the guards could pull him away.
"Wait!" Lord Stark said as he quickly stood up. "What did you say?" Ned asked. The Lord Stark's eyes were intently focused on Jon.
I knew that would strike a nerve.
Jon stood silent for a second as Lord Stark waved off the guards. Lord Stark's eyes hadn't left him, and he could tell what was behind those eyes.
Fear.
He had been worried Stark might try to have him taken away to discuss things privately, but he knew Lord Starks fear was clouding his judgement right now. He has forgotten about all the others in the room and now his only focus is on whether or not I know his secrets.
"Well it's not like building that sept was the first disgraceful thing you did as a Lord, considering your actions in Dorne during the Rebellion." Jon said.
"That is enough!" Lady Stark interrupted him. "I will tolerate no more of your vile words and lies!"
"Aye!" Sir Rodrik decided to voice his opinion. "The Lady has the right of it my Lord."
Maester Luwin was quietly whispering to end this display now while Rodrik was motioning the guards to remove Jon from the room. Now he would strike them all where he knew it will hurt the most, their pride.
"Have the Northerners become so weak that we are afraid of mere words now?!" Jon raised his voice and turned around looking at everyone in the hall. Everyone had their eyes on him, but they were all frozen where they were. Even the guards were looking between him and Lord Stark, uncertain of what actions they should take. They were all wary of offending their Lord, but he could tell they were curious now about what he had to say.
Northerners are stubborn and proud people not much different from the Free Folk. One of the biggest differences between the Northerners living south of the Wall and those living beyond it was the ones on this side had southern influences to deal with. While, not including the threat of the White Walkers, the free folk only really had themselves. All he had to do was tug on that thread.
"If any of my words are false then let Lord Stark refute them." Jon challenged him.
All eyes were now on Lord Stark and Jon could see the wheels turning in his uncle's mind.
"We are here to discuss your actions Jon, not my own." Ned responded.
Nice move Lord Stark. You always avoid the path you don't want to take without letting yourself be seen as a coward for why you don't want to take it.
"The Lord of Winterfell does not answer to anyone here. Least of all to you." Lady Stark hissed.
For the first time in this life or the last he almost wanted to kiss the Lady Stark. He could tell by the way Lord Stark was harshly looking at his wife, he knew she just made a mistake. She just let her anger get the better of her by putting the topic back on Lord Stark.
"The Lord of Winterfell answers to all Northerners." Jon began. "Not that I would expect a southerner to understand, but in the North the Starks answer to all in their realm, even the lowliest bastard. Isn't that right Lord Stark?"
Catelynn was about to continue until Ned silenced her with a cold look that held only one meaning, silence. As Jon observed this exchange, he realized one strength he could not fault his uncle for, his commanding presence. One that did not require words for him to command. Of course, what else would one expect from a man known as the Quiet Wolf?
"That's correct." Lord Stark said. "As Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, all here are mine to protect, and as such, I answer to you all. But tell me son, what wrong have I done besides building a sept for my wife?"
Plenty Lord Stark. But we will get to the rest in time. Jon thought to himself.
"In building a sept to appease your wife you insulted every Northerner walking this realm and all those buried beneath these very grounds." Jon stated firmly. "You have spoken to me about honesty and honor my entire life while at the same time lying to me and everyone else around you. Shall I tell them all the truth that you will not Lord Stark?"
Eddard's POV
Lord Stark could hear his own heart racing in his chest as Jon continued to speak with such spite towards him. When this day started, he wasn't expecting things to go this way at all. He was so hopeful that if Jon apologized and showed some remorse that he could at least show him some leniency but after his disrespectful response he was certain that sending him away with Benjen was his only option now. He couldn't even look at him as they were about to take him away until he heard Jon mention Dorne. The moment he heard that his heart skipped a beat and he could feel himself sweating, which in the North was rare even during summer.
Now he found himself staring down his nephew as Jon tip toed around his own remarks and openly challenged him to call Jon a liar which he knew he wasn't. As Lord he could easily put an end to this, but he knew to do so publicly would be a mistake regardless of the fact he was being accused by a boy for being a dishonorable Lord. The reason he hadn't just ended this was because Jon was talking now more than he had in the past few years and he had to know if Jon knew the truth of his mother.
When Ned had built the sept for his wife there were a few who voiced opinions against it, but the opposition had been so small it was hardly noticeable. But hearing it from his nephew made him wonder because even though his actions had not been intended to offend anyone, he wondered from the looks around the hall if his people saw it that way or not.
He couldn't imagine how Jon could possibly know anything about Lyanna, but hearing him mentioning Dorne gave him pause. He needed to find out now than risk the chance of later. If Jon knew the truth, then that meant others could know and they could all be in real danger because he would have no idea who they were and whether or not he could contain the information before it made its way to others.
"We are here for the truth so let it be heard." Ned stated. He squeezed his fist tight nervously as he hopes he was wrong, and that Jon isn't about to say what he thinks he is.
"During the rebellion you travelled to Dorne to rescue your sister Lord Stark and there you faced the famed Sir Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning along with his Kingsguard brother, Sir Oswell Whent." Jon said.
"Yes, yes, we all know this story Snow." Sir Rodrik interrupted waving his hand dismissively. "Our lord fought and bested Dayne after he refused to give up Lady Lyanna, even after her captor and his mad father were both dead." Rodrik spoke of him with such pride and many people shouted in acknowledgment and encouragement of him even while he lowered his head. He had once wanted nothing more than to face a swordsman like Sir Arthur in his youth which is why he had looked for him on the Trident, but now the deed only left a bad taste in his mouth knowing he'd killed such a man.
"So, then you know how the Lord Stark killed the Sword of the Morning, the best swordsman of his time, with his own great sword Dawn after Sir Arthur was down on his knees choking on his own blood." Jon stated loud enough for everyone to hear but Jon's eyes stayed locked on Lord Stark as he spoke. He looked around as suddenly Sir Rodrik's narrowed his eyes in confusion and the hall went silent with many eyes now looking between himself and Jon. He himself was shocked as well for no one save Howland knew about that detail, not even the wet nurse who helped deliver Jon.
"I suppose you also know how the great Lord Stark was disarmed of his sword and about to be gutted by Sir Arthur before Lord Howland Reed snuck up behind Sir Arthur and stabbed him in the back." Jon stated venomously.
"I have certainly heard enough of your bile." Catelynn said as she stood up next to him and reached up to take his arm. "Tell them all the truth of this boy's ridiculous tales and send him away already." She said, looking at me with such assurance that Jon was telling lies.
"Yes, Lord Stark, tell me I'm lying." Jon said smugly smirking at him.
There was a pause of silence before he spoke as if everyone was holding their breath.
"No, you are not lying Jon. That is exactly how Sir Arthur died I am ashamed to say." He proclaimed for all to hear and several gasps were heard around the hall and his own wife whipped around to stare at him shocked.
He never imagined this day would turn out like this, because now it felt like he was the one on trial and Jon was the one here to do the accusing with all of Winterfell to bear witness …
Wait! Had Jon somehow planned this to happen?
"But that wasn't the worst of it now, was its Lord Stark?" Jon asked as if prompting him to say what came next after that battle. But he knew he could not bring himself to say the words.
He was almost certain Jon knew the truth of his birth now and his breath had practically been drawn out of him with the realization. But if Jon knew there was no point in hiding it any longer, plus he needed to know who else might know so that if the secret was coming out he could perhaps contain it here in Winterfell long enough to figure out how he might deal with Robert. He couldn't even imagine what Jon Arryn and the Lannister's reactions might be but one thing at a time.
"The worst part was how you broke my mother's heart and drove her to kill herself!" Jon shouted in anger.
When Ned heard those words he was once again caught off guard and confused because Lyanna had died from the birth. She didn't kill herself. She even said how she didn't want to die. What was Jon talking about?
Jon continued to speak while Ned stayed silent trying to figure out what was going on now.
"You met my mother and sired me upon her because she thought you loved her and that you were going to marry her. But instead you lied to her and married your brothers betrothed when the rebellion broke out. You went to Dorne to visit my mother where you lied to her yet again to find your sister because she was one of the few people who knew where Sir Arthur was guarding her. Then after dishonorably killing her brother, you returned to give her the bloody sword you used to do so." Jon explained.
Suddenly it came to him and Ned quickly realized.
Ashara! He thinks his mother is Ashara, which means he doesn't know the truth after all.
Jon's POV
He had to admit he was tempted to reveal the truth of who he was right there in front of everyone but he knew that would only be a death sentence. Although he had to admit that seeing his uncle squirm with terror was quite satisfying, along with all the looks on everyone's faces. They were all seeing now that the honorable Ned Stark was not such a perfect Lord many of them thought he was. Every man has flaws and if you build someone up high enough one small crack is all it takes to bring them crashing down.
All his time spent sneaking around the castle spying on everyone had helped him learn quite of few things like the most popular story of who Jon's mother could be. The tragic tale of the Lady Ashara Dayne. He and Briggle had done their own investigating and they had found out about the two meeting in Harrenhal and even about Ashara's stillborn daughter by Lord Stark. That child had actually been what gave Lord Stark the idea to name Jon as his bastard in the first place.
Lord Stark had used that to sculpt the lie that was Jon Snow and now Jon was going to use his own lies against him. He knew that having the people of the North see him as nothing more that some shut in bastard that lurked around the castle like some ghost was not the best reputation for him to have even though he did enjoy the fear it created. He wanted to build himself up in the minds of the northerners and tear down Lord Stark both at the same time.
He had learned from Lyanna Mormont that even a child's words can move an entire court to think differently if they are the right words.
"So Lord Stark, am I lying that you sired a baseborn child upon the Lady Ashara Dayne of Dorne? You abandoned your vow to marry her. You used her to find your sister and killed her brother with his own sword in a dishonorable manner, and then you let everyone believe you had bested him." He shouted for all to hear as his eyes remained on Lord Stark.
He knew that all his words were true. He wasn't claiming Ashara as his mother but by referring to her child everyone here will assume he means himself including Lord Stark.
"Call me a liar Lord Stark!" He demanded.
He knew his uncle was as relieved by his words as he was shocked by them. He had seen his uncle holding his breathe the whole time until he finally realized he wasn't talking about his real mother Lyanna. The Lady Ashara was another person his uncle destroyed by making her believe he loved her only to leave her with nothing but her own suffering. A suffering she killed herself over, but Ashara Dayne had also been best friends with Princess Elia of House Martell. Giving the Dornish a little bit of justice will help him later on.
Lord Stark was looking down at the table with his hands holding him up as he stood, he looked like he might fall over at any minute. His uncle looked so defeated in this moment.
"Ned?" Lady Stark whispered. Urging Lord Stark to raise his head.
"No, you are not lying. To my shame everything you have just said is true." Ned said.
The shocked looks on everyone's faces made him smile, especially the look on Lady Stark's face.
"I did love the Lady Ashara Dayne once and when the Rebellion happened, I had no choice but to do my duty to the North. Unfortunately, she became one of many tragic deaths that resulted from that war." Lord Stark explained.
He noticed a few sympathetic looks and he wasn't going to let anyone speak up in Lord Stark's defense just yet, because this was his moment to speak.
"Her death and that of her brother were your own doing. I found the truth and since then I could not stand to be around you or your lies anymore. Now I see you for what you are. You have always been weak bending to the will of others like the southerners and you deceive your own people to cover for your own failures. But no longer Lord Stark." Jon spoke.
Before Lord Stark could respond he turned to his other uncle. "I have been invited to go with my uncle Benjen back to the Wall and I wish to accept. I will also gladly accept being banished from Winterfell for burning that disgraceful sept despite the fact the North should be thanking me. I will say my farewells to the true gods in the Godswood and then I will prepare to leave." Jon announced to everyone and turned to leave the hall.
As he neared to doors the guards looked confused as to whether they should stop him or not. But Lord Stark stated for them to let him pass which brought a smile to his face. As he traversed the halls toward the Godswood to give Briggle the good news he felt such pride in his actions.
He just showed up the great and honorable Lord Eddard Stark in is his own castle in front of all his own people and at the end, he walked away like he was master of this castle with his head held high and his uncle looking like a whipped dog rather than the proud wolf he usually was. A tiny victory, but only the first of many. But the best part of all this was he was now free of Winterfell and the Starks.
He could have just let them banish him but that would have made him look weaker in the eyes of the North. Now thanks to his little deception it is Lord Stark who is weak and he appears all the stronger. They all held on to his words as he spoke and they were stunned into silence by him several times, all of which made him feel like he was King of the North all over again.
"Well done little dragon. Well done. But did you look? Did you see?" Briggle appeared as he entered the Godswood.
"See what?" He replied.
"Failure of bright knight, could be little dragon's blight." Briggle continued.
He remembered Briggle pestering him about the weakness it thought he and Sir Arthur shared. He had spent his time in the cell last night thinking hard about it and he believed after his little trial he now had the answer.
"We were both distracted by Lord Stark." Jon spoke and Briggle quickly grinned.
"I could feel how Sir Arthur wanted to kill Lord Stark about as much as I do." Jon explained as Briggle listened intently. "But he let that blind him from noticing that Lord Reed wasn't dead. That mistake got him killed just as it could get me killed."
"Back in there I wanted so much to tell everyone the truth about myself rather than the lie you and I invented because I knew how afraid he was of that truth coming to life." Jon continued. "But even though the truth would have hurt Lord Stark it would have been my death just like it was Sir Arthur's. For now it is better everyone live by our lies rather than we live by theirs, at least until we are ready for the truth to come out. On our terms and to our advantage."
Briggle was nodding its head quickly with a big grin on his face as Jon spoke.
"Always focus on your true ways and none shall slip from your gaze." Briggle practically hopped up and down with glee.
"I know what my priority is here and I promise you my friend that nothing will make me wavier from my path. Nor will anything draw my attention from accomplishing my goals. Lord Stark's time will come as will they all in time." Jon declared with determined resolve.
"Then little dragon may be ready to see further than before. There awaits, much much more." Briggle spoke with a mischievous grin.
Jon toke that as a sign he was ready to advance in his training and finally leave this place.
The people here may still be afraid of him, or they may not, but now they believed they knew where his anger for Lord Stark came from and none of them could deny he was justified. While Lord Stark appeared to be nothing but deceiving and dishonorable. A man's reputation could take a lifetime to build but only a moment to destroy. A man's reputation was like a shadow that was cast over all who knew of him.
Tyrion had told him about a conversation with Varys, how power is a trick, a shadow on the wall. But even the smallest man can cast a very large shadow. He had just begun, but already his shadow is being cast over Winterfell. Soon his shadow will spread from the Wall to Dorne and beyond, until the whole of Westeros is eclipsed under him.
