Bringing the Dawn

II.

Eddard Stark

Winterfell, 299AC

Nerves was something Eddard Stark rarely experienced. From the day he was sent from Winterfell to foster at the Eyrie with Robert under Jon Arryn, all the way until the fateful day Howland had dishonourably ended Ser Arthur Dayne so they could gain access to the Tower of Joy. Each time in between, every battle fought, he only ever felt melancholy and adrenaline. But this was a day he had been preparing for the past sixteen years. He thought he would have it all mapped out and would be able to just get it all out in the open with little to no feelings other than sadness over his little sister and for lying. Ned hated lying, as it took away his prized value of honour. But when it comes down to it, the only people he would lie for would be his family.

And it was not a small lie. Seven hells, he remembers the moment Lyanna told him the truth. How she had rejected Robert but he refused her doing so thinking her to be joking. To her willingly running off in the middle of the night dressed as a servant girl towards White Harbour where Rhaegar had a ship waiting. To them making their journey to the Isle of Faces so they could wed under Lyanna's gods as the Targaryen Prince did not worship any. To them willingly running off to Dorne where Lyanna found out she was with babe, to her finding out Rhaegar had been defeated brutally by Robert Baratheon himself. Ned always knew that she did not care much for Robert, she had flat out told him on numerous occasions that he was nothing but a pig-nosed whore fucker. However, the betrothal had been made many years prior, the very reason Ned was sent to the Eyrie. So, he could spend time with his sisters betrothed, get to know the boy who would become his goodbrother.

But tomorrow, the truth was coming out once and for all. Not the one that Robert had spread with the help of his allies. From having informants, the Lord knew there were still Targaryen loyalists hidden in the dark. He'd tried on numerous occasions to get in touch with Daenerys and Viserys in Essos. But it seemed that every time he did, they had just left to escape Robert's sell swords. To think that sixteen years later his friend was still trying to rid the world of Dragonspawn as he would call it. The whole time he knew Robert, he counted the man an incredibly good friend. But something changed when he had clapped Jaime Lannister on the back for stabbing Aerys in the back. And he could not forget the glee on his face when he was presented the butchered bodies of the children. Jon's older half brother and sister. Kingslaying was one thing, Kinslaying worse, but childslaying was downright barbaric. It was said Aegon had been stabbed a few times before having his head crushed against a wall, and little Rhaenys had apparently been stabbed half a hundred times.

Two children not even five name-days old. Murdered on someone he had considered best friend and was almost goodbrother's orders. He remained civil with Robert for political reasons, but he did make him aware he did not approve of said actions. Not that Robert cared, he had simply laughed and spat on the ground in a very unceremonious fashion. He didn't want the throne, he wanted Lyanna. And the only way he was going to get Lyanna was to take out Rhaegar. It failed anyway, as the shock of hearing of Rhaegar's demise is what caused her to go into labour with Jon.

But there was one person he needed to tell prior to Jon. He had to come clean to Catelyn. He will need all the support possible to follow through on his promise to his sister, and she was one of his biggest confidents. They told each other almost everything, and both did love one another deeply despite their rocky start. The entire first year of their marriage, they had spent a measly three weeks with one another. With her falling pregnant on their wedding night, and him having to leave for war a couple of days later. Then when he came back many months later with Lyanna's babe hidden as his bastard to meeting his own new-born Robb for the first time. He had no idea how she would react. Although, he was certain about one thing. Ultimately, she would support him. But it wasn't him who needed the support, it was his nephew. Because if the boy does decide to act upon his claim, the realm will be nothing short of pandemonium.