Northern Conqueror

Chapter 15: King of the North

Chapter 15: King of the North

On the fourth day in Winterfell Jon, Sansa and Rickon sat at the high table while lords filled the great hall. He'd hoped fighting together would unite them, but he'd forgotten about those who hadn't.

"You can't expect us to sit aside and let wildling invaders take our lands," groused Robett Glover.

"We didn't invade," Tormund said from his seat beside the window. "We were invited."

"And now we have to open up our homes to you? Raiders and murderers?"

"And should we open up our homes to you, Lord Glover?" asked Barbrey Dustin. "I'd welcome Tormund and his wildlings to Barrowton gladly. I can't say I'd do the same for those who'd rather hide in their homes then fight when it matters."

Glover shot her a glare at her until Cley Cerwyn got to his feet. "The Boltons are defeated," he said looking from Glover taking his seat to the others. "The war is over. Winter has come! If the maesters are right it'll be the coldest one in a thousand years. We should ride home and wait out the coming storms."

"The war is not over," Jon said rising from his chair. "And I promise you friend, the true enemy won't wait out the storm. He brings the storm."

Cerwyn sank back to his seat as the others started murmuring. Jon looked around the room before glancing at Sansa, who frowned and gave him a small nod. Pressing his hands into the wood, Jon turned to them.

"The Free Folk, the Northerners, and the Knights of the Vale fought bravely, fought together, and we won. None of us could have done that on our own." He took a breath, standing straight. "Eddard Stark used to say we find out true friends on the battlefield. I think it's time we all trust each other. To help that... I think it best you all know a truth. One I only learned of in White Harbor, and held because I thought if I died it wouldn't matter. But it could be of use, so I need you all to hear it."

The lords fell quiet, concerned confusion coloring their faces as they looked to Jon.

"I'm sure you've all heard the stories of Eddard Stark riding off with men to retrieve his sister from Dorne, only to return with her bones. Heard the whispers of him killing Arthur Dayne and the Kingsguard to reach her." His eyes scanned the crowd, seeing the recognition in their faces. "I've no doubt you've all heard of it, but I know none have heard all of what happened there, not from the lips of the men who survived. Promises kept them silent. Promises that ended with Eddard Stark's death."

All eyes turned to Howland Reed as Jon looked to him, answering Howland's questioning look with a nod. Rising to his feet, Howland approached the high table and turned to face the lords.

"I rode that day with Ned, Willam Dustin, Ethan Glover, Theo Wull, Mark Ryswell and Martyn Cassel. We found the Kingsguard waiting for us and I was the first to fall that day," Howland said with a sigh. "I thought I'd die slowly, watching as they carved through each man until only Ned and Arthur Dayne remained. Ned... he was well trained, but Dayne was better. He'd have killed him, but I managed to come up from behind and push a dagger through Dayne's throat."

That garnered murmurs and gasps.

"Ned picked up Dayne's sword, Dawn, and ended his suffering before heading into the Tower of Joy. I followed behind slowly and saw it was mostly abandoned. The only people there had been the kingsguard, maids and Lyanna. It was one of the maids who told us Lyanna was never stolen by Rhaegar. She ran to him a girl in love and married him without anyone knowing."

That caused a few outraged yells, but Howland continued.

"The kingsguard weren't guarding a prisoner! They were guarding their prince's wife... and their future king!"