Chapter 4 Weird things in Winterfell

289 AC Winterfell (Jon 6)

Eddard Stark  pov

For the past few moons some strange things are happening in winterfell , some people heard singing in godswood in night, they say it's beautiful song but they didn't find anyone there 

Some servant are even saying that ghost roam the there singing their sad songs, some maids even go there at night to hear those songs 

He didn't believe in ghost so he posted guards to catch the person who sings in the godswoods but no one has been able to find anything so he finally gave up 

Some even say that it's the old gods letting them know they are here through songs, as songs are in old tongue ,he is not one to have blind faith but no one has been able to find a single a clue who's singing, maybe the old gods are really there letting them know all is going to be alright 

Nothing has been stolen so it's not hurting anyone , maybe it's some fanatic singing songs for the old gods or something else

The other thing that is bugging him was Jon ,the boy was always shy since he found out what it meant to be a bastard but nowadays its was impossible to see the boy anywhere beside meals and lessons 

The boy could disappear in thin air  if you take your eyes off him , but he had heard he spends a lot of time in the library 

He had heard tales about Rheagar being a bookish boy until he suddenly started training , it would seem that the Jon might have the stark look but his mannerisms are like Rheagar 

He tried to pay attention to Jon but it's hard ,even while meals he sees the boy , Jon acted like Rheagar but his eyes were all Lyanna , those beautiful grey eyes that hide the steel underneath

One look and it was like Lyanna was standing in front of him , judging him on treating her only son like a bastard , but he has to for Jon and for everyone , if word got out nothing good will come out of it , the realm has bled enough 

Today was a surprise for me because Jon asked to talk with him ,it was hard enough to see the boy these days so it was a welcome surprise 

Knock knock 

"Come in Jon"

As Jon came in I noticed how tall he had grown, a year ago Jon and Robb were about the same height but last few moons jon shot up like a tree 

Even though he was just about 6 namedays but he looked like a 9-10 nameday old boy,cat is upset seeing Jon grow taller than Robb , he had heard that bastards grow up quickly but he didn't think it was  true in literal sense 

Jon came in sat in front of him , for a while he didn't say anything and just looked at me, those grey eyes were still haunting but today he didn't remind him of Lyanna but his mother Lyarra stark 

He remembers seeing his mother when he was  a child, her eyes looked like nothing could get to her even in face of death she stood proud and unaffected 

Seeing those eyes in such a young boy, made him question was he really doing the right thing, was he really protecting Jon 

"Who was my mother lord stark ?" Jon asked while I was caught in my own head, even his voice didn't portray anything 

"You can call me father Jon " I said but before I could go on , "I prefer Lord Stark " Jon replied and his tone leaving no room for discussion 

"We will talk about your mother when you old enough to understand Jon " 

"What about my future Lord Stark ? What have you planned for me ? " 

"It's too early to think about such things Jon , but you can join the Night's Watch if you want  it's an honorable calling ,Starks have manned the wall for generations" 

"It's good to see where you stand Lord Stark " he said ,in the entire conversation he has calm and as If he had expected everything from the beginning 

"That will never happen Lord Stark, I want Moat Cailin "

"Moat Cailin is great keep Jon even in ruins , with lot of lands I can't give it to you just because you are my son " 

"No you would rather throw me to the wall to toil and die , I am not asking Lord Stark I am ordering you as you king "

Then everything just stopped , how did Jon know, was all I could think about 

Jon was still the same from start to finish calm and collected 

"How?" Was all I could say " it doesn't  matter how Lord Stark , it matters that I do , I will have Moat Cailin it's least you could do for me , my mother would be so proud on how you sent her only son to the wall with rapists and thieves " 

"I can't do that Jon "

" Yes you can , if you don't I will send a letter to your friend Robert about how you saved a Targaryen by claiming him as your bastard ,if you want to stop me better put your sword through my heart right now "

My mind was blank at that moment, I look at Jon to see if this was some sick joke but he was serious, he was determined to die here today 

A choice between killing my own blood and something was no choice at all 

Ok I said defeated , Jon nodded " Issue a decree declaring me the Lord of Moat Cailin and uncle Benjen will be regent until I come of age "

"Benjen wants to take the Black he stayed till now just because I asked him to stay " 

" He will if I ask him , restore the keep until it's livable if you don't have the gold take a loan from the Manderlys I will pay it back "

" Its OK while I don't have enough to completely restore it but the three towers and the keep is manageable " 

" This is the last thing I will ask of  you Lord Stark , I will leave winterfell as soon as the keep is ready " Jon stood up and left