chapter 177 part 2
He sighed and slowly began to speak. "I am leaving soon. Before I go, I want to tell Jon about his identity..."
As he spoke, his gray eyes looked at Greene. He continued, "Jon will become your squire. I feel I cannot hide this matter from you."
Jon couldn't hide the excitement on his face; he stared at Lord Eddard without blinking. Greene, however, nodded with a grave expression.
After this ordeal, Lord Eddard had experienced a great awakening, or rather, an enlightenment.
A trace of bitterness appeared on Lord Eddard's face... His self-righteous concealment had often hurt the innocent.
"Jon, I am not your father. You are my sister's... Lyanna's child."
Jon's face was a mask of shock. He had heard an answer he could never have dreamed of.
He murmured, "How is this possible..."
Lord Eddard did not understand gradual progression. He continued, "Your father is Rhaegar Targaryen."
As Lord Eddard's words fell, it was as if the very air had frozen.
After a long while, Greene's voice broke the silence. "The False Spring?"
Lord Eddard's face was filled with sorrow as he gave a slight nod.
Greene sighed softly. "No wonder you've been hiding it all this time..."
Lord Glynn was already playing his part... To protect his sister's child, Lord Eddard had sacrificed his honor, which he held as dear as his own life.
"I have actually always been very curious. With your character, how could you have a Bastard? It turns out you did it to protect Jon."
Lord Eddard's large hand patted Jon, whose eyes were turning red. "Lyanna loved you very much."
***
His sister, lying in bed, whispered to him: *Eddard... promise me...*
Lord Eddard looked down at his own palm... Hearing him agree to her request, the fear in Lyanna's eyes vanished completely. She smiled, her fingers clutching his tightly, until her life faded away.
Lord Eddard concealed his inner grief and said again, "She loved flowers very much. Her favorites were winter roses."
Jon turned his head away, wiping at the ceaseless hot tears with the back of his hand.
***
With red and swollen eyes, Jon's voice was filled with determination. "Lord Stark, I don't want to go to Crackclaw Point. I want to leave Westeros."
"Jon..."
"I want to go out and see the world."
"You are still young..."
Jon once again interrupted Lord Eddard's counsel. "No, I have grown up. And this isn't an impulse."
Greene watched the Stark stubbornness in silence. He could see that Jon had made up his mind.
Seeing that the two were no longer speaking, Greene looked at Jon. "Jon, you don't have to worry about implicating others or anything of that sort. Crackclaw Point is strong enough to shelter..."
Lord Eddard held up a hand to stop Greene's words. Greene spread his hands and said no more.
Lord Eddard gave a slight nod to Greene, then looked at the resolute Jon. His gaze held a hint of reluctance. "Jon, I believe you have grown up. I will respect your choice."
Jon lowered his face, his breathing somewhat uneven. He seemed to be trying hard to control his emotions. "Thank you."
Lord Eddard patted Jon's shoulder, a gratified smile on his face.
"My boy, Winterfell will always be your home."
***
That night, on a secluded shore in King's Landing, Greene was bidding farewell to the Stark family.
Arya, standing to Lord Eddard's left, was the first to speak. "Lord Glynn, I will miss you."
Greene said gently, "Arya, I will miss you too."
"Don't forget our promise!"
"Yes, I won't forget."
Sansa, standing to Lord Eddard's right, lifted her skirts with both hands and performed a very beautiful curtsy.
"Lord Glynn, I am very sorry. I misunderstood your good intentions."
Greene shook his head slightly. "Lady Sansa, you are very strong. I am happy for you."
Sansa's smile was very sweet. "Ser Glyn, I will forever remember your kindness."
Joffrey's deception seemed to have made the innocent little girl grow up suddenly. But the Sansa who spoke gently with a sweet smile... the Sansa who loved beautiful clothes, moving songs, heroic deeds, and handsome knights... she had not completely disappeared.
Greene smiled and nodded.
Lord Eddard patted Greene. "Thank you, my boy."
Greene smiled and said, "Lord Eddard, House Clyburn never forgets."
A smile appeared on Lord Eddard's solemn face. He handed the reclaimed greatsword, Ice, to Greene. "Take it, my boy. May the friendship between House Clyburn and House Stark be eternal."
Greene extended both hands and solemnly accepted the greatsword, Ice, from Lord Eddard's hands.
"Lord Eddard, may the friendship between House Clyburn and House Stark be eternal."
"Winter is Coming."
"Our Fortress is Unity."
***
***
That night, the wind was calm and the sea quiet. After Lord Eddard's party left the shore in a small boat, they approached the waiting sea vessel, "The Black Pearl."
The Black Pearl would take them directly to White Harbor in The North.
On the deck of The Black Pearl, Roselle Steward bowed and said, "Good evening, Lord Stark. I am Roselle Steward of the Cleber Merchant House. This time, I will be escorting you under the guise of procurement. I, Roselle, await your orders."
"Thank you for your trouble."
Arya's voice was a little excited. "Father, this ship is so big! Can I go fishing?"
Lord Eddard smiled helplessly. "Of course you can, but you must be careful."
Syrio Forel adjusted his clothes, grinning. "Little girl, fishing is also part of your sword lessons."
Arya made a face and ran off. Syrio followed her with a sigh of resignation.
"Lord Stark?"
Lord Eddard turned to look in the direction of the voice. He said in surprise, "Gendry?"
Lord Eddard strode over. After confirming that it was Robert's son, his surprise immediately turned into delight.
"My boy, what are you doing here?"
Facing Lord Eddard's concern, the sturdily built Gendry Waters scratched his head shyly.
"The City Watch in King's Landing suddenly tried to arrest me. Lord Glynn helped me escape... He said the Lannisters wanted to kill me and told me to leave King's Landing with you."
Lord Eddard's large hand clapped Gendry's solid shoulder. "My boy, I will take care of you."
Gendry hesitated for a moment, then said, "My lord, forgive my presumption, but could you tell me... why are you all so good to me?"
(end of chapter)