ʙʀᴏᴛʜᴇʀꜱ ʙʏ ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ

07

Jon IV

"It all started 20 years ago at the Tourney at Harrenhal." Lord Reed began. "It was the largest event in years. Not since Aerys' coronation had all the kingdoms of Westeros been together in one place. During the tournament, many great deeds happened. There was the mysterious Knight of the Laughing Tree, Jaime Lannister was named to the Kingsguard, and Bronze Yohn won the melee." Howland explained, his mind flashing back to the great tournament. "But the most celebrated event, naturally, was the joust. Prince Rhaegar Targaryen defeated Ser Barristan Selmy in the final joust and was allowed to name a Queen of Love and Beauty." Howland's wistful look now died. "Ned once said that it was the moment all smiles died. Rhaegar, in place of his own wife Elia Martell, named Lyanna Stark the Queen of Love and Beauty."

Jon nodded seriously. "But my aunt was betrothed to Robert Baratheon," he pointed out. He knew the story of Robert's Rebellion, as it was a common story amongst northerners.

Howland's face shifted for just a moment before it reset. The man seemed to be tortured by something Jon said, but he didn't have time to wonder why before the man continued his story.

"She was," he answered. "For most of us there, we realized the repercussions that might come from the Crown Prince's actions. But for the months following, nothing happened and everything went back to normal. Ned and Robert went back to the Vale with Jon Arryn. Brandon, Benjen, and Lyanna went back North. And Rhaegar Targaryen went back to the King's Landing." he sighed. "A few months of peace before Westeros became bathed in blood."

"Robert's Rebellion," Sam said quietly.

Howland nodded. "Rhaegar and Lyanna went off together, and Brandon Stark went to King's Landing demanding his sister back and challenging Rhaegar to face him. He and his companions were captured and their fathers were called to the capitol to answer for their son's crimes. Rickard Stark, Ned's father, went south to defend his son. When he was put on trial by the Mad King, he demanded a trial by combat. Aerys Targaryen named fire as his champion and had Rickard Stark hung from the rafters and roasted alive in his armor in front of the entire court."

The blood from Jon's and Sam's drained as they listened to the Lord of Greywater Watch. They had heard of how the rebellion had started, how the Mad King had murdered Rickard and Brandon Stark, but they did not know the gruesome details that they were now hearing.

"What else?" Jon asked, steeling himself.

"Brandon Stark was brought in and garroted by a strangling device. A sword was placed just outside of his reach. He was told that if he reached the sword and freed himself then he could save his father. He died trying to reach the sword." Howland explained grimly. "Aerys then demanded the heads of Ned and Robert. Jon Arryn raised his banners in revolt to protect his wards. As you know, Robert's Rebellion happened. Ned and Jon Arryn married the Tully sisters for the Riverlands while Dorne and the Reach allied themselves to the Targaryens. After nearly a year of fighting, Robert Baratheon caved in Rhaegar's chest in the Trident, ending all hope for the loyalists. Then Tywin Lannister sacked King's Landing, the Kingslayer put his sword through the Mad King's back. The Mountain and his men murdered Elia and her children, and Tywin presented the bodies of the poor woman and her children as acts of fealty to the new king."

"What happened after that?" Sam asked, both he and Jon now fully invested in the story.

"The deaths of Elia Martell and her children caused a rift between Ned and Robert. Ned then went south, relieved the Tyrell siege of Storm's End, and continued towards Dorne with a group of companions, I among them." Howland then abruptly stopped, as if reluctant to continue with the story. "We found Lyanna at a place called the 'Tower of Joy'. A flowery name for a dismal place. Lyanna was guarded by three Kingsguard, one of which was the most dangerous swordsman in all of Westeros. Ser Oswell Whent, the Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower, and the Sword of the Morning Ser Arthur Dayne stood between Ned and his sister. All three died, along with all of Ned's companions except myself," the wiry lord sighed. "We found Lyanna covered in blood and barely alive. I have little medical knowledge, but it wasn't hard to know that she had only moments to live. She gave her last words to her brother and passed on. Ned and I buried the bodies there in the shadow of the tower, returned Dawn to the Daynes, and returned to the North with the remains of Lyanna Stark to be put to rest in the crypts of Winterfell," he explained. "Most of this is common knowledge to most noble families throughout the realm, but there are bits of this terrible tale that could cause a war worse than the rebellion. I am one of two people alive who know the truth, and now I must pass them on to you, Jon. It's the truth of your birth."