Jon's POV
He had to admit part of him was excited to get back to the Wall, but another part of him dreaded every step north. Jon knew what would follow his arrival at Castle Black. His task at the Wall was going to be most difficult for him to achieve despite his confidence that he could pull it off. The risk would be great but the rewards could be endless. These first moves in the game would either make or break him, which made success all the more crucial. If any unfortunate backfire occurred, Jon might have to resort to more desperate measures. Even the best plans can go horribly wrong, as he well knew, but all Jon could hope for was to keep moving forward.
Ever since leaving Winterfell, Jon did feel like he could breathe a little easier, despite the fact that Benjen was keeping such a close watch over him. But Jon expected that, so he wasn't worried. In truth, Benjen keeping close to him was part of his plan. Jon knew his uncle wouldn't be able to watch him the whole time once they arrived at the Wall. Benjen's duties as First Ranger would guarantee that. But even without his duties to distract him, Benjen won't know what to look for, until it's too late. The whole journey, Jon had managed to keep their talks brief and vague. He was still playing up the part of an angry boy, which wasn't hard considering it was true, just not for the reasons he'd led others to believe. Also Benjen wasn't the uncle Jon wanted to talk to right now, so when they finally arrived at their destination Jon had gone straight for the castle library.
While Benjen went to report in with Lord Commander Mormont, Jon made his way to the oldest of Jon's uncles living within the North. Seeing Maester Aemon again was one of the main reasons for him to come back to the Wall.
The Targaryens were meant to be together, it was in their blood. Jon thought as he approached Castle Black's library.
After stepping into the library Jon found his great uncle filing a few books away, lightly combing his hands along the folds of the book shelves. The old man looked just how Jon remembered him, frail on the outside yet strong enough to have reached such an old age. The man was blind and yet he seemed to be able to see more than most around him and while Aemon was very old, he was still no less sharp as the day Jon first met him.
Jon approached hesitantly and he brought with him the most important possessions of his life. He held two saddle bags over his shoulder which contained his treasures. These particular items would be the keys to his next move and Jon was most thankful he'd managed to get to them earlier in this life than he had in his last.
****Flashback****
After the battle against the Night King and his army of dead, almost all of the Winterfell crypts had been badly damaged thanks to all the occupants breaking out from the inside. Because of this, one of the first actions Queen Sansa had done was set others to restoring the crypts to better than they were before. During this process, workers discovered Lyanna's gravesite was not damaged at all. When Sansa learned of this she had Lyanna's tomb opened up, but they didn't find any bones within, only a metal trunk. Jon's mother had been burned at the tower where she died giving birth to him. Her ashes were placed in that trunk along with a few other items Lord Stark found in the tower. The new Queen Sansa didn't know what the trunk from Lyanna's crypt contained since it was sealed with an old lock. Sansa sent for Jon to come see it for himself, since she knew Lyanna was his real mother, but she didn't have the trunk opened. If she had only known what was inside, she likely would have had its contents destroyed, but thankfully for Jon, Sansa had grown arrogant in her new position as Queen in the North.
Now, her greatest mistake will be her ultimate undoing. Jon smiled at the irony of how Snasa had delivered him what may be the most critical piece to his plans. What was even more ironic, was that Sansa had learned from a man like Littlefinger, to deceive and manipulate others. Yet she never considered what this simple discovery would mean for her and the rest of the Starks. Jon could have found a way to use these treasures back in his past life, but that would not have helped him save Dany.
After Jon's arrival in this time, once he had decided not to kill Bran, just yet, Jon had discretely broken into his mother's tomb to recover the trunk without leaving any signs of tampering. Jon had to steal some tools from the castle's blacksmith in order to chisel his way into the back of the tomb. But from the front no one who walked through the crypts would be able to notice the hole in the back unless they were looking for it. He didn't bother taking the trunk itself, only what was inside mattered, so Jon busted it open, removed the contents, and placed it back inside empty.
Finally, it took him a few days, but he managed to properly seal the hole. Now, no one, not Lord Stark or anyone else would know that he had ever been there. Jon had hidden the contents of his mother's crypt within the broken tower until the day he left for the Wall. That was the main reason for relocating himself there. Distancing himself from the Starks was just a bonus. Jon was able to guard his treasures from anyone discovering them. But now the time had come to use them.
****End of Flashback****
Jon had been planning this moment for some time but confronting his great uncle seemed somehow daunting know that he knew the truth about their family. Even though it had been one more of Bran's manipulations, since Jon wouldn't have been able to believe anyone else besides Sam. Even the timing of that reveal, on the eve of the battle with the Night King, had also been part of Bran's scheme to use him to further tear Dany down. Jon suddenly began to feel his anger rising and took a deep breath to steady himself. He had to focus on the task at hand and right now, he could only hope Aemon would believe him.
"Good afternoon, Maester Aemon." Jon greeted as he came closer.
Aemon turned to the sound of Jon's voice.
"Good afternoon." Aemon, replied. "Whose is that? I don't recognize your voice."
"I just arrived today, my name is uh… Jon Snow." Jon replied nervously.
"Oh, so you're the one. I heard you stirred up quite the little storm in Winterfell." Aemon remarked. "Yes, I remember Benjen sent us word of what happened back in Winterfell. He also mentioned he would be bringing you with him. I must say I am saddened for you, considering the way you left Winterfell. It is never easy for a boy to leave his home and his family, especially on bad terms." Aemon had a look of longing on his face when he spoke of family.
"A gilded cage, filled with liars and betrayers can hardly be considered home or family." Jon replied.
"Oh?" Maester Aemon replied as his brows rose with curiosity.
"Strange. That sounds a lot like the home I came from. Many liars and betrayers there, but there was once family too." Aemon commented.
But not anymore.
Jon knew that's what he was thinking. Not a home anymore without the family that made it so.
"But enough about that. What can I do you for you Jon?" Aemon asked.
"Well Maester Aemon, I am here because of you. When I came to learn the truth about my parents, I also learned a secret about your family as well."
The time had come for the remaining members of House Targaryen to come together, and this time Jon was determined to make sure that they stayed together.
Aemon's POV
Aemon was curious when this boy mentioned his family, but he held his tongue and allowed Jon to continue. First Jon kindly helped him to his chair first, despite the fact Aemon knew this room along with the rest of Castle Black better than anyone else. Even as a blind man, Aemon had still been there longer than anyone else, so he needed little help to find his way anymore. But the boy seemed kind and insistent on helping, which Aemon appreciated all the same. As they took their seats he listened as something heavy was placed on the table between them. Then came a ruffling sound as Jon began placing items in front of him.
"So Jon Snow, please tell me more about this secret you learned about my family." Aemon stated curiously.
Jon didn't say a word as he approached, gently taking Aemon's wrist and moving them up to some object held in front of him. Jon had guided Aemon's own hands to what felt like a cold metal object so Aemon then begin to feel it with both his hands guiding along its smooth cold edges. It was made of metal but not rusted and thick but not too heavy. Aemon thought at first it might be the hilt or handle of a blade. So he continued to move his hands cautiously along its edges, until one hand brushed along something very small and thin. Aemon carefully examined it and determined it to be a string which made him pause in thought.
"Is this some kind of bow?" Aemon asked.
That didn't make much sense, Aemon thought, considering this thing was made of metal rather than wood and the string was much too taunt. Far too much to be used to pull back an arrow.
Aemon could almost hear the smirk in Jon's voice as he replied. "Keep looking Maester."
Aemon moved his fingers further but was surprised again when he felt a second string, then another, and another, until it dawned on him what he was holding.
"This is a harp." Aemon stated more than asked.
"It is a very special harp." Jon Snow replied.
Aemon wasn't sure what he meant until his fingers found something along the upper side. His hand roamed over the shape to which he first thought was a snake but quickly realized it was the head of a dragon. His hand traced the edges up to a second head, then a third head, and finally Aemon felt the gemstones where the eyes should be and imagined how this harp seemed like a large 'D' shaped frame with the taunt strings within. It was well made and must be quite a beauty to gaze upon. Aemon quickly sucked in breath as he realized what he was holding.
"I know of only one harp like this." Aemon explained. "It was made especially for one person."
"Prince Rhaegar." Jon said, finishing Aemon's thought for him.
Jon's POV
All the items from the crypt were laid out along the table in front of them and Jon wished he could give Aemon his sight back to see them. The first was a leather fold filled with unrolled leathers between his parents. Letters Lyanna kept from Rhaegar, and Jon was surprised the first time he read them that some were even from Rhaegar's first wife Elia. In his previous life these papers had been mostly degraded, but in this time, he had gotten to them much sooner, so they were better preserved along with the book that had been stored with them. That book was none other than his mother's own diary which she had written in since she was a little girl.
But Aemon wasn't ready for him to read from those yet. The other two items were more important at the moment. The first was his father's silver harp, which was explained by Rhaegar in one of his letters, that it had been made just for him as a present from Queen Rhaella. Jon knew that Aemon was familiar with Rhaegar's harp because in some of the letters between Jon's parents his father had mentioned writing about it to his uncle on the Wall. Even though Aemon had probably never seen it, Jon had hoped his father had described the harp with enough detail.
The last was an actual dragon egg, which had been a wedding present to Lyanna from Rhaegar, since its outer shell was a deep beautiful sapphire blue. In Lyanna's diary, she wrote that Rhaegar had gifted it to her because its color was the same as Lyanna's favorite flower, Winter Roses. Lyanna had cherished the gift dearly but wondered why Elia had not been given one, to which Elia had replied in one of their letters that Rhaegar had gifted her a golden egg, which she in turn said should go to their daughter Rhaenys after her birth. Jon wondered where his sister's dragon egg had gone after she was butchered, but he already had his suspicions.
Aemon had been shocked to hear Jon's story, even if he didn't show it, but Aemon remained quiet and listened intently. It was when his uncle felt the dragon egg that his words were taken very seriously but after Aemon held his father's harp up a second time, moving his fingers along the dragon heads molded into the silver, pulling the strings. Tears eventually fell from Aemon's pale eyes as he smiled listening to the heavenly sounds. His uncle placed the harp down and reached out towards Jon, placing his hands along Jon's face and then Aemon's smile returned.
"My dear boy, you have some of my brother's features. I am so glad to finally meet you." Aemon said as he continued to slowly feel along the sides of Jon's face.
Jon released a breath of relief he didn't realize he was holding.
"I never imagined I would ever see another of my family again in this life, but if I died today, I could say it would be as a happy man. Jon Snow. What is your real name?" Aemon asked.
He was happy beyond words that his uncle believed him and now neither of them would ever have to be alone anymore.
"Uncle Aemon, my name is Aegon Targaryen."
Convincing Aemon was the initial step to returning to the Wall but Jon wasn't the only one who had to do some convincing here. When Briggle finally returned from beyond the Wall Jon was glad to finally get their plans moving since he'd just been trying to keep his head down since they left Winterfell. Briggle had brought only a couple others of his clan but he hoped it was enough. They stood in front of him as Jon kneeled down while they each placed one of their clawed hands on either side of his head.
Jon suddenly felt a sharp pain in his head as a tidal wave of his own memories began flowing before his eyes. Faster and faster with every passing second, as if he was reliving them all over again and all at once. Then with each of those memories came the feelings of joy, excitement, pain, despair. Each one surging through him so fast Jon barely had time to register them before the feeling passed and the next one came.
The longer they held him, the more it was becoming too much for him to stand, then just as suddenly as the whole thing began, it stopped. Jon collapsed, he felt exhausted like he'd just run for miles, with sweat dripping down his face, and he was breathing heavy. When he looked up at the two Children, they both looked at him with utter shock and fear on their faces. They both quickly ran off into the shadows leaving him alone with Briggle. He worried for a moment that something had gone wrong. Briggle sensed his fear and quickly spoke.
"They do not wish to believe, which is why they needed to come. But they be brothers, so they come here to see. And now they believe." Briggle spoke with a grin.
"Those were your brothers?" Jon asked surprised.
"Why didn't they just do, whatever that was, to you then?" Jon asked as his breathing began to slow and he rubbed his aching temple.
Briggle smiled as if the answer was obvious.
"Thoughts of thee be simpler than those of we." Briggle answered.
Jon wondered what that meant, but said nothing on the matter.
"So what now? Why did they just leave like that?" Jon asked.
Briggle smiled again, "They return to deal with old raven."
He frowned hoping that didn't mean kill him. "How?" Jon asked.
Briggle tilted its head and cupped its hands or claws together.
"Bound he be to the tree. But his power be free. One brother go to protect me and thee. Other brother go to retrieve a need. So shall it be to bind old raven, this you shall see." Briggle explained.
Jon liked the sound of that.
"Will he be able to use his power to hinder us?" Jon asked.
Briggle's head shook, "Only see from the tree, once bound we be free." Briggle answered.
Jon looked at the creature wondering how they might be dealing with the other three-eyed raven or how they hoped to bind the old raven so he couldn't interfere with them.
"How long will we have to wait until the old raven is dealt with?" Jon asked.
Briggle smiled gleefully while jumping around like a kid with sweets. "Soon! Soon!" Briggle squealed at him as if it was celebrating. "Once brothers get weapon, you'll see. Old and new ravens be threat no more, and then…" Briggle paused suddenly pointing at Jon with a grin as it spoke.
"Then, then…Dark Dragon shall soar." Briggle said almost in a whisper.
"Very well, I trust you and I'll proceed forward with my next move. Time for a new game to begin." Jon responded. Briggle only answered with a toothy smile.
The past few weeks that Jon had spent at the Wall had been the best he'd felt since he arrived back in this time. Serving as aid to his great uncle had given the two of them lots of time to catch up together. Time that had once been robbed from them both, but no longer. He had read Aemon his parents' letters which brought a smile to both of their faces. Aemon told Jon much about his life in Kings Landing, before his coming to the Wall, as well as all that he remembered of their family.
Most of what Aemon had to say could not be found in any books. They discussed some about their ancestors, their fathers, even Jon's grandfather, the Mad King. Jon came to realize from those conversations that all Targaryens have their good and bad traits. The Targaryens were a mix of saviors and monsters, rulers and tyrants, each one internally battling with themselves and the rest of the world over which path they will take.
Aemon chose long ago to be a simple savior by taking up the maester's chain so he could be a scholar and healer. But Jon knew what his own choice would be regardless of what he once wanted, because as far as he was concerned, this world didn't deserve a savior. That's what Daenerys at least tried to be and then Westeros tore that chance away from her. Jon's choice was already made. Westeros didn't want a savior from her, so now they would get a monster from him.
Jon's duties tending to his uncle and the library were so simple and comforting to him and it left plenty of time for him to either talk with Aemon reminiscing the past or straining over books and maps plotting their new future. Benjen had been surprised when Aemon made the request of the Lord Commander for Jon to assist him but he didn't say anything against it.
Even though Jon already had a good plan in his mind, he knew from experience that there were always conflicts to deal with or improvements to be made. He saw Briggle less, since it had gone back further north to return to its clan. The creature was attempting to reach other Children of the Forest to show them the truth about the current three eyed raven and his future successor. Jon understood the creature was eager to reunite to its own family too.
Jon was fine with that since he'd been enjoying his leisure time. He realized that even though no one much cared for him here, he was still happier than ever before. His previous life had always had something missing. That is until he met Daenerys. He hadn't known what it was even then but it was still there. Being with Aemon made him feel closer to her even though she was still so far from him right now.
Family was what Jon needed above all else in order to be whole. It was the same for Dany, which is why she always sought Westeros despite not fully knowing why herself, because her true home was actually Jon himself. That's how Brandon destroyed her, by taking Jon away from her, as soon as she'd found him. Family is their true home and without that the Targaryens are all lost.
A Targaryen, alone in the world, is a terrible thing.
Reluctantly Jon admitted to himself that was the one similarity the Starks and Targaryen shared. Which is also why Bran knew how to use that against them. Jon had to hold such thoughts back because all they would do for him now would cause his rage to boil over.
She's alive and I will see her again. Jon reminded himself.
But first he was going to build an army unlike any the world had ever seen. He hated the game of thrones but Jon understood that once you were in the game, whether you wanted to be or not, you had no choice but to play. The only way out of the game was death and the only way to survive the game was to win. When the first Aegon began his conquest, he managed to change the rules, and now, Jon will too.
Benjen's POV
Benjen had been trying to figure out if his brother's worries about Jon were true since they left Winterfell. Jon's behavior had been so strange and completely unlike the boy he knew. Jon had always been a bit sullen but now he was totally withdrawn. Jon's explanation of why he burned the sept was shocking to say the least. Their house had always kept to the Old Gods but none of them were fanatics. The faith of the North was old and strong but it was simple and didn't usual require such actions. Part of him wondered if Jon had only done it to spurn Cat, which was a bit drastic in his opinion, but it would have been easier to understand. She had never liked Jon, and even though Ned assured him that she wasn't cruel to the lad, Benjen was certain she never treated him well.
Jon's did appear excited about being at the Wall and that alone gave him hope. He felt certain that Ned was wrong in thinking that Jon may have the Targaryen madness within him. His brother was especially demanding that Benjen find out how Jon came to know about Dorne and who might have told him. Besides himself, Ned and Howland, were the only ones alive who knew of the truth about Jon. They had all thought that Jon was better off if he didn't know the truth for the time being. He was still a boy and none of them wanted to risk Jon's life or another war. Ben and Ned had both had their fill of war and death. Jon brightened at the Wall and had seemed quite eager to work in the library with Maester Aemon, much to his own surprise, he thought Jon would have preferred working with Rangers.
It was amazing to see how quickly those two seem to find each other. Benjen felt it was good for Jon to be around family even if he didn't know Aemon was related to him. Benjen was also preparing for the next ranging Thorne had requested. It was a strange request coming from Thorne of all people, to help bring some of their supplies to old man Craster. He never liked the vile old man, but he understood Craster's use to the Watch and his Rangers.
But Thorne utterly despised Benjen and never wanted to go anywhere since he became master at arms, so this request struck him as odd. In fact several brother had volunteered to come despite some of them not being a part of the Rangers. But he figured that the more help they had the better. Jon had also asked to go along so he could see beyond the Wall. Benjen didn't want Jon near a man like Thorne, Craster, or even some of the brothers who were coming. He reluctantly agreed as a way to see how the outing might further improve Jon's mood.
Their journey to Craster's had been uneventful, yet Jon didn't seem withdrawn as they made their way north. He seemed distracted over something, but about what, Benjen couldn't imagine. However the expression on Jon's face was clear to see. Jon hadn't spoken much and several of the brothers who had volunteered to come on this trip appeared distracted as well about something other than keeping watch for wildlings. Benjen could feel something was off and he wondered what might be going on but nothing out of the ordinary had happened so far.
After they arrived at Craster's Keep everyone seemed nervous and he noticed Alliser kept glancing at Jon. Benjen wondered if the brothers were worried Jon might try something, considering they had all heard about him burning the sept back in Winterfell, before that spectacle of a trial. His thoughts were interrupted as Jon approached him.
"Can we speak Uncle?" Jon simply asked.
"Of course Jon." Ben replied.
Jon turned to walk away towards the woods and Ben assumed he wanted to speak privately so he followed. After they had walked a good distance, Jon suddenly turned and asked,
"Were you ever going to tell me the truth about my mother, Lyanna?"
Jon's POV
He looked at Benjen's shocked face as he waited for him to respond, even though Jon was already sure of what Benjen had to say. His mother's diary had revealed much to him, like when she was a child Benjen was essentially Lyanna's partner in crime around Winterfell and her young confidant. Their relationship had not been that different from his own with Arya back in his previous life. That is until his little sister finally found a place among the Starks. Sansa and Bran won her over and she chose to abandon him to the Wall and never came to see him, just like the other Starks. But his attention was returned to his uncle, Jon knew from his mother's diary, Benjen knew everything about Lyanna's feeling for Rhaegar Targaryen and her disgust of Robert Baratheon. She even revealed to Benjen the secret behind why she truly ran off with Rhaegar, other than love.
****Flashback****
Jon had spent every waking hour he had reading over his parents' letters and Lyanna's diary. He read about how they met at Harrenhal during the tournament and the incident of the masked Knight of the Laughing Tree. Lyanna's words, described how she donned the guise of the masked knight herself and unhorsed a group of squires for attacking a young Howland Reed. However when the king demanded she reveal herself, she refused and fled with Prince Rhaegar sent to retrieve her.
Prince Rhaegar and Sir Arthur had caught her as she attempted to hide, but they chose instead to protect her from the wrath of King Aerys. Her receiving the crown of winter roses was a result of that meeting. Lyanna wrote how she had been just as surprised as everyone was from Rhaegar's actions. The diary went on to describe how she secretly tried to return the crown to Rhaegar but instead found herself face to face with Princess Elia. Elia forced Lyanna to stay and explain everything, which Lyanna did.
Lyanna had decided to trust the Princess with the truth since Rhaegar had helped her. Afterwards Elia asked her to stay longer and the two ended up talking for hours from one subject to the next. Princess Elia had been very impressed by Lyanna's actions and her honesty, despite risking Aerys' anger. Lyanna seemed to care little for her own life and her only request for Elia's discretion was made for the sake of her family. Her actions were done out of her desire to defend Howland Reed's honor from the squires that attacked him and out of her own pride as a northerner. As a proud Dornish woman herself, Elia admired such qualities, so she accepted Lyanna's words and kept her secret.
Lyanna had never shown much interest for others outside her family before, but after Harrenhal, she held the Prince and Princess with the highest of respects. Much to Lyanna's surprise, letters from both Rhaegar and Elia soon followed the tournament, and from them the love between Rhaegar and Lyanna grew along with an equally powerful friendship from Princess Elia. Lyanna trusted them both so much that she revealed a terrible secret about her family, which is what led to the sudden marriage between her and Rhaegar as well as the rebellion.
****End of Flashback****
His uncle was looking at him as if he'd grown second head.
"How...? How did you...?" Benjen stammered.
"Oh how did I know who my mother was, or that you and my other uncle lied to me my entire life?" Jon finished for him.
His uncle gulped at his words and seemed to finally find his voice.
"We were only trying to protect you. If the King, the Lannisters, anyone, knew about you, your life would be forfeit." Benjen defended.
Jon rolled his eyes at that statement. He had heard that argument before. Once he even believed it himself, but now he knew it to be just one more, Stark lie!
"You Starks. You claim to be so honorable and true, but deep down, you are the greatest liars of them all. You tell such lies, you even believe them yourselves." Jon said venomously at Benjen.
Benjen frowned at those words.
"That's not a lie Jon, your mother made Ned swear on her deathbed to protect you, and he did so the best way that he could." Benjen responded.
Jon had heard that one before to and he was done with the Starks and their hollow promises.
"No, he didn't." Jon said flatly.
Before Benjen could respond Jon pressed further.
"I know uncle. I know everything. I know how Rhaegar felt about my mother and why they married in secret. I know how they did it because of your father and brother's plan to start a war against the Targaryens." Jon revealed.
Benjen eyes widened in shock.
"I know it was so they could achieve Northern independence from the south. Your father sought allies along the northern border, like the Vale, the Riverlands, and even further south to the Stormlands in order to secure his campaign. All of it was so the Starks of Winterfell could call themselves Kings in the North again." Jon, practically yelled at Benjen.
Benjen attempted to speak but Jon kept cutting him off as he continued.
"My mother knew because her arranged marriage to Robert Baratheon was part of that plan just like Brandon's betrothal to the Tullys, and why Eddard was sent to foster with the Arryns. But my mother didn't want any of it, the war that would follow, or to be tided to Robert, so she chose the side of the Targaryens instead. She admired them and she loved them. My parents loved each other and with their marriage, they sought to achieve peace before your father and brother could start their war." Jon explained.
He watched Benjen's face change from shock to recognition. Benjen knew what he was saying was true and he couldn't refuse it.
"How could you know this?" Benjen asked.
Jon stepped closer as he spoke,
"Didn't you ever wonder what became of her diary, or the letters she kept from my father and his other wife? I know she shared them with you because she wrote about it. How she told you about Elia's plan to have her marry Rhaegar to achieve peace.
Princess Elia was no fool. She knew my parents loved each other and she was willing to step aside not just for their happiness but also to avert the Northern rebellion. She feared because of her poor health that she wouldn't live to raise her children after my brother was born, so she made my mother promise to care for my siblings as her own, if the day came when she couldn't.
But then you revealed this to Brandon, after she was reported missing. So in response, the Starks sought to further provoke their war by claiming that my father kidnapped and raped Lyanna." Jon finished.
Benjen's face fell as he looked away staring off into the night.
"She was always writing in that thing." Benjen said softly.
"I guess Ned was right about someone telling you about Dorne. Neither of us imagined it could have been Lya herself. I never did know what Ned did with her things." Benjen said but then looked up at Jon curiously.
"If you know the true then what was all that nonsense back in Winterfell about Ashara?" Benjen asked.
"I wanted to show everyone the kind of man Lord Eddard Stark is without having to reveal exactly who I am. Do you dare deny my words?" Jon asked
"It was Brandon's idea to claim Rhaegar a rapist. He knew it would anger Robert due to his infatuation." Benjen began.
Their eyes met as Benjen continued.
"Brandon was reckless though, he didn't think the King would do what he did despite knowing he was a madman. We thought he hated his son because of Rhaegar's popularity, just like he had been with Tywin."
Benjen stopped to take a breath, as if saying the very words were causing him pain.
"But the Mad King killed Brandon and father both, and unknowingly gave them their war, with their own deaths to spark it. Lyanna died too and Ned didn't care about being a king so he supported Robert. But I just couldn't face what we did so I left to join the watch. You know the rest." Benjen confessed.
Finally, he thought to himself.
A Stark revealing the truth. They were just as deceitful, greedy, and scheming as all the others playing the game of thrones.
Benjen's POV
He had always known deep down he'd have to face the sins of his past, but he never thought it would happen so soon. Benjen felt a great shame flow over him as his nephew looked at him with his sister's eyes as if Jon could see right through him. Another part of him felt glad that Jon knew everything. He'd always had mixed feelings about keeping him in the dark. Then he felt the fear of the uncertain future. He and Ned had both shared the fear of what would happen once Jon knew the truth.
Before Ben could say another word though, he heard another walking through the snow towards them.
It was Alliser Thorne!
He must have heard them. This was bad.
Alliser has hated him and shown no concern for Jon at all since they arrived at the Wall.
This was very bad, if Jon's secret gets out.
"You fucking bastard!" Alliser shouted.
Benjen grasped his sword as he stepped in front of Jon.
"Alliser you stay away from him." Benjen said.
"I was talking to you!" Alliser snapped, staring at Benjen, the man's face was red with anger.
"I didn't believe it when he came to us, but it is true, all of it! You fucking traitorous Starks!" Alliser continued to shout.
Benjen drew his sword pointing it at Alliser ready for a fight.
"Wait, what do you mean, us?" Benjen asked.
As he spoke the words, other brothers stepped out of from the trees. A couple lit torches as they approached. He knew then that they had been there the whole time, this was a setup. Just as he was about to engage them he felt a sharp pain strike his leg. He wondered how someone could have gotten that close to him. No one was near him except... Jon. He looked down at his leg but froze upon seeing his nephew holding a bloody dagger.
"Why?" Benjen asked as Jon stepped back, his face was colder than the snow at their feet. He held his gaze not flinching as he spoke.
"For the Targaryens." Jon answered.
Then he felt another knife hit him from behind stabbing into his lower back.
"For the Targaryens."
That time Benjen heard Alliser's voice at his ear before the blade was pulled.
Benjen tried to swing his sword at Alliser but his arm was caught by another brother who stabbed him through his forearm as he said, "For the Targaryens."
Benjen's sword fell and he began to sway as he felt the blood leaving him. His injured leg made it impossible to run. He barely took a step away from his last attacker when another stabbed him in the stomach.
"For the Targaryens."
One after the other, each saying those same words over and over, until he couldn't stand anymore. Benjen didn't know how many times he was wounded, but he finally fell to his hands and knees, spitting out blood as he coughed.
The feeling of the cold was probably the only reason he hadn't passed out from the loss of blood. His vision was blurry but he managed to see Jon approach from the group of black brothers. Jon stepped in front of him while the others stood back. Jon was still holding a bloody dagger in his hand. Once he stopped in front of Benjen, Jon closed his eyes as if he couldn't look at him.
"Jon." Benjen tried to say.
Jon immediately opened his eyes, glaring down at Benjen as his face suddenly shifted from cold as ice, to pure rage. His eyes looked dark as night yet they held a spark of fury within them.
"My name is AEGON!" Jon yelled out as he swiftly lunged forward.
Jon drove his dagger straight into Benjen's chest with nothing but anger in his eyes. It happened so fast Benjen barely even felt the blade as it entered his heart. All he could see were Jon's eyes. All he felt was the cold, and as he began to fall, his last thoughts were filled dread and despair.
We failed Ned. We failed them both.
