Chapter Text
“I know he’s not your bastard Lord Stark.” Maege Mormont said sternly.
When the Aunt of the Lord of Bear Island, requested a private audience with him, Eddard Stark had expected some mundane matter, not a blunt accusation.
“Come again. Lady Mormont?” Ned said as he took a swig of ale and looked up from his papers.
“I know this Jon Snow isn’t your bastard. He’s too young to be Brandon’s either. He doesn’t look Dornish either. So there’s only one option to whose he is.”
Ned’s eyes narrowed.
“Don’t insult my intelligence or make me spell it out for you.” Maege Mormont said.
Ned bristled and set his quill aside.
“The babe has done-
“You think I intend to murder a babe because of who his father was? I come with an offer. One I wished I could have made, She-Bear to She-Wolf. ”
“And what offer is that?” Ned Stark asked.
“Let me take the boy back with me to Bear Island, what place would there be for him in Winterfell? Your wife will not love him, and Bear Island is far from the Lions and Spiders and Vipers of King’s Landing.”
“As is Winterfell.” Ned replied, his face hard as the mountains that made up the bosom of The North itself.
Maege felt a flash of pity, The boy had never expected to be in his position, never expected to marry his brother's wife. He had lost so much and gained little but a son and a bastard nephew in return . No one but Tywin Lannister had won “Robert’s Rebellion.” Everyone else was dead or had just been lucky to survive.
Maege breathed out. “The boy will grow up bitter and sullen in Winterfell.. Especially if his siblings do not love him. Your Tully wife, will think of Daemon Blackfyre and Bittersteel, every time she looks at him, the boy may go down the same path as them , even if he doesn't want a crown and a throne.”
“He could grow up to be Daeron the Drunkard for all I care. I promised to keep him safe.” Lord Stark sad in a mix of a hiss and growl, his eyes full of a terrible anger, his voice laden with the chill of winter.
Ned drained his horn of ale and for a moment her looked older than Maege’s crabby brother Jeor.
“On Bear Island, he can learn to fish, and to hunt. He’d learn to respect women and i’d teach him how to fight myself.”
“Why are you so insistent on having Jon foster with you Lady Mormont?” he asked
“The boy needs a mother, he needs a family and home, not a destiny, not a crown. What plans do you have for him Lord Stark? Knighthood? Legitimization as a Stark? Use him to gain the Iron Throne? Or do you intend for him the take the black and forget about him the second he comes of age?”
Ned Stark regarded her with a murderous glare. For a second Maege thought Lord Stark would take up Ice and try to lop her head off. The thought of such a thing amused and frightened her in equal measure.
“Knighthood, yes, perhaps a holdfast to rule in Robb’s name, Moat Cailn even. I will not dissuade him from joining the Watch if that is his wish.” Ned sighed and refilled his horn of ale with a white-knuckled grip.
“House Mormont has kept faith with mine own house for a thousand generations, some of those generations included ties of kinship. “ Ned said as he took another swig of ale.
“I will think on your offer Lady Mormont, for it is one that is deeply.... appreciated. As would be your silence on the issue of Jon’s parentage.”
“Either foster him with me, Lord Wull, The Greatjon, or Howland Reed, the babe’s a strong one with cute pinch able cheeks.” Maege demanded.
Ned let the ghost of a smile flicker over his lips. "You're dismissed Lady Mormont."
Maege bowed her head. and walked out out of the tent, unable to hide her smile.