The Mountain of Ice and Fire

“Bran, I can't be king, and I won't marry Daenerys. She's my aunt.” Jon emphasized the last sentence.

Having grown up in the Stark family, Jon accepted Ned's principles and standards of honor. He could never cross the line of 'incest' with a relative of the previous generation.

The traditions of the Targaryen family and the Stark family are completely different.

And Jon, who has the blood of the Targaryen family, grew up in the Stark family. Deep down, he already holds the etiquette and beliefs taught to him by the Stark family.

Bran looked at Jon, knowing he had to compromise. Jon was not someone who could be persuaded by interests; he had inherited Eddard Stark's inflexibility and rigidity.

“Jon, you don’t have to marry Daenerys, but the stability of the Seven Kingdoms and the lives of hundreds of thousands of people need your help. Winter is coming, and many commoners will freeze to death in the winter snow because of the lack of food and clothing caused by the war. The Southerners have transported a large amount of food to Winterfell to support the Northerners in fighting the White Walkers. The underground tunnels of Winterfell are filled with Southern food. And once winter comes, both the North and the South will need food. At this time, a war involving hundreds of thousands of people will be a real disaster.”

Jon was silent!

“Father will be back with guests soon. We can discuss it with Father and see what his opinion is.” Bran brought up Eddard Stark.

“Okay!” Jon agreed.

Jon's relationship with Eddard was that of a father and son, and Eddard's principles were Jon's standards for behavior and conduct. Bran saw this very clearly. As soon as he mentioned Eddard, Jon's resistance weakened.

Countless nobles tried everything to climb up, but Jon, having the opportunity, didn't have real enthusiasm. Judging from his expression, he would rather stay in the North. As for the Iron Throne in King's Landing, those people's disputes, Jon didn't care much.

However, anyone who mentioned the Southerners' support for the Northerners in the war against the White Walkers would touch Jon's heart, and also Eddard Stark's heart.

The Stark family is a rare noble family with integrity, fairness, and conscience!

*

Night. The fireplace in the North King's living room was blazing, the room was simple, but very warm.

Most Northerners lived underground. The underground space didn't feel cramped; on the contrary, it was much warmer than the ground, and it also saved a lot of coal.

In the eight thousand years of history, the Northerners have become accustomed to living underground in winter. Their underground rooms are well ventilated, lit, and drained, forming a mature building system.

In the living room were the North King Eddard Stark, Queen Catelyn Tully, Bran Stark, Jon Targaryen, and Earl Gavin Westerling.

This was a small gathering, everyone gathered after dinner, initiated by Bran Stark, who had something he wanted to say to these people.

“Father,” Bran said, “I want to talk about a few important things that everyone should care about. If there is anything inappropriate, please don’t blame me, Father and Mother.”

Eddard looked at Bran without speaking.

Catelyn Tully nodded with loving eyes. Bran had become mature, calm, wise, and visionary. The only shortcoming was that the child had lost the joy of childhood. Catelyn found that whenever she saw Bran, the child had a cold expression.

This caused a stinging pain in Catelyn Tully's heart. She didn't want Bran to become what he was now.

Bran glanced around at everyone, and seeing that everyone was listening attentively, he continued: “Father, I want to reveal Jon's background and tell Mother. Do you agree?”

Catelyn's back stiffened and her neck tightened.

The truth about Jon Snow was a thorn in her heart. She didn't want to hear any news about Jon's mother. She had never been able to convince herself to accept Jon.

Eddard glanced at Catelyn, saw her stiff expression, moved his gaze to Jon, and after a brief exchange of glances with Jon, Eddard said: “Bran, the matter of Jon's background depends on himself. If he agrees to you telling it, I have no objection.”

Jon noticed Lady Catelyn's discomfort, and he sighed in his heart. It was time to let people know that he was not an illegitimate child. He had carried this dishonorable identity for more than ten years. In these ten years, he had suffered people's ridicule and humiliation, and he had seen enough of Lady Catelyn's cold eyes.

Jon nodded to Bran.

Bran said: “Mother, Jon Snow's real name is Jon Targaryen. He is the child of Rhaegar Targaryen and Aunt Lyanna Stark.”

Catelyn Tully had already built a thick defense in her heart to resist the pain brought about by the secret of Jon's mother, but Bran's words stunned her.

This… this… this… is this true?

Catelyn Tully felt her mind buzzing. What was Bran saying? Jon was the child of Rhaegar and Lyanna, not Eddard's illegitimate child with another woman?

What Catelyn was concerned about was that Eddard had another woman outside. As long as she thought of this, her heart would ache.

“Jon is not an illegitimate child, Catelyn.” Eddard looked at his wife apologetically. Catelyn had endured eighteen years of torment to keep Jon's background a secret.

Eddard's hand wrapped around Catelyn's trembling shoulders, revealing an apologetic tenderness in the North man's icy roughness.

“What are you talking about?” Catelyn heard her voice with a hint of annoyance, but more was confusion and doubt.

“Mother.” Bran's voice was calm and unwavering, “In 281 AC, at the Tourney of Harrenhal, Prince Rhaegar won the jousting competition, and he placed the crown of purple roses, symbolizing love and beauty, on the head of Aunt Lyanna Stark, which caused an uproar among the nobles of the Seven Kingdoms. At that time, Rhaegar's wife, Princess Elia Martell, was sitting next to Aunt Lyanna. This incident was the spark that led to the War of the Usurper.”

Everyone was silent. Earl Gavin and Duke Eddard were both nobles present at the time and witnessed the tournament. Lord Eddard's brother, Brandon the Wild Wolf, stood up on the spot to question Rhaegar, believing that Rhaegar had humiliated the honor of the Stark family.

Jon Targaryen was hearing about the past of his father and mother for the first time. He listened attentively, wanting to learn as much as possible about the story of his father and mother.

Bran paused for a moment: “Mother, in fact, before Rhaegar placed the crown on Aunt Lyanna Stark's head, Prince Rhaegar and Princess Elia had secretly divorced, but due to the political marriage of the two major families, Rhaegar and Elia still maintained a superficial marriage.”

Earl Gavin, Duke Eddard, and Lady Catelyn were all stunned.

They didn't know about this.

Eddard didn't know about this either. He was completely unaware of Rhaegar and Elia's divorce. The only ones who were very clear about this were the Mountain and Bran. Currently, Jeyne is also one of the people who knows the inside story best. The Mountain told her all the secrets. Jeyne told all the secrets to Arya Stark.

“Rhaegar fell in love with Aunt Lyanna at first sight at the tournament, and Aunt Lyanna also fell in love with Prince Rhaegar. A year later, the two eloped, triggering the outbreak of the War of the Usurper. Rhaegar and Lyanna came to the Tower of Joy in Dorne, where Rhaegar found the High Septon of Oldtown to preside over a simple wedding for them. Their marriage was legal and valid. Those who witnessed their marriage were Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning, and Ser Gerold Hightower, the Lord Commander of the Kingsguard.”

“Bran, is everything you said true?” Catelyn heard her own voice say. She felt like she was dreaming.

“Mother, every word I said is true. The library of the Starry Sept in Oldtown still preserves the documents of Rhaegar and Aunt Lyanna's marriage. The High Septon of Oldtown who presided over the wedding for Prince Rhaegar and Aunt Lyanna is still alive.”

The room became unusually quiet!

Catelyn Tully looked at Jon in disbelief. The child she had hated for eighteen years was not an illegitimate child. The heart disease that had been stuck in her heart for eighteen years was all fake. Eddard Stark had never betrayed her. As people praised, Eddard valued his honor above life, and he had never betrayed his family or marriage.

Catelyn Tully felt sour in her stomach. Her hand touched Eddard's hand, and the corners of her eyes turned slightly red…

“Madam, I am very sorry…” Eddard said in a low voice.

“Ned, it’s my fault. I should have completely trusted you…”

“No, Catelyn, don’t blame yourself.”

“Ned… I know you have to protect Jon's safety. King Robert hates the Targaryens the most. He vowed to kill all the Targaryens and eliminate them completely. Only by admitting that Jon is your illegitimate child can the child live safely.” Catelyn looked at Jon with a complicated look. Her lips moved and her voice became thin. “Jon, I…”

“Your Grace, you have not made any mistakes.”

“Call me aunt, child.” Catelyn Tully was a kind-hearted noblewoman, but she couldn't overcome her inner jealousy and prejudice. When she learned that Jon was not Eddard's illegitimate child, all the negative heart problems stuck in her heart disappeared. Her heart was happy and emotional, and it was clear.

No other thing could compare to the joy brought by this news! Her beloved husband had not betrayed her!

Jon stood up as expected, respectfully called Catelyn aunt, and solemnly called Eddard uncle.

Earl Gavin was dumbfounded and unable to speak.

He never expected that Jon Snow, this illegitimate child, was not Eddard's illegitimate child, but the legitimate son of Rhaegar and Lyanna. This child with black hair and an honest expression was actually a descendant of the Mad King Aerys and the son of Rhaegar.

He was a Targaryen!

This matter had changed too much. Would this Targaryen have any ideas about the Iron Throne? According to the tradition of the Targaryen family, Jon suddenly became the legitimate heir to the Targaryen family's Iron Throne.

Revealing Jon's true identity was not Bran's real purpose. His purpose was to persuade the North to support Jon in taking the Iron Throne.

“Father, Mother, Earl Gavin, I have another very important thing to tell you. The Mountain, who rode the dragon back to the Mountains of the Moon, his dragon is not dead. All the injuries caused by the Night King's ice spear have completely recovered.”

This was very important news, and Earl Gavin's eyes lit up immediately, like gemstones.

Ecstasy appeared on the corners of his mouth, showing together with the corners of his eyes and eyebrows.

After being stunned, Eddard and Catelyn were both surprised and delighted. Eddard widened his eyes: “Bran, did your Three-Eyed Raven see the Mountain's dragon?”

“Yes, I saw it.”

“The Sheepstealer has really fully recovered his health?” Catelyn also asked eagerly.

“Yes, Mother, the Sheepstealer has fully recovered his health.”

“It must be because he returned to the warm climate of the South.” Catelyn found a sufficient reason to explain why the Mountain's dragon regained his health.

“It's not because of the warm climate, Mother,” Bran said.

“Oh, what is the reason?”

“Lady Daenerys Quntina is a blood witch, and the magical power of blood witches is the most remarkable for healing injuries. The Mountain was able to ride the dragon back to the Mountains of the Moon, and he also brought Prince Arianne Martell along the way, which already shows that the Sheepstealer's injuries can be cured.”

“Are you saying that the Mountain deliberately told us that his dragon was beyond saving?” Eddard said.

“Yes, Father, this is the Mountain's tactic. He wants Daenerys Targaryen to believe that his dragon will definitely die. Daenerys and Tyrion Lannister really led their troops to attack King's Landing with confidence. They have now occupied Dragonstone and controlled all the waterways outside Dragonstone's waters and Blackwater Bay's port. Daenerys can launch a land and sea attack at any time, but although her army is all in place, she has not yet ordered an attack on King's Landing.”

Earl Gavin was worried about the safety of his beloved daughter Jeyne in King's Landing, and he hurriedly asked: “Bran, why hasn't Daenerys ordered an attack on King's Landing yet?”

“Because of the dragons, her three dragons were taken away by the Mountain's dragon, the Sheepstealer. The three dragons were taken to the deepest part of the Mountains of the Moon by the Sheepstealer. In the Sheepstealer's territory, the three young dragons were kept by the Mountain's dragon language and grilled goat.”

Jon, Eddard, Gavin, and Catelyn were all dumbfounded!

“Bran, do you mean that the Mountain suddenly has four dragons?” Earl Gavin asked in disbelief.

Jon, Eddard, and Catelyn were equally shocked.

“The Mountain hopes to use Daenerys's three dragons to breed dragon eggs and then hatch them. He wants to recreate the spectacle of dragons flying everywhere in the sky.” More than 170 years ago, on Dragonstone Mountain on Dragonstone Island, there were six wild dragons alone. The Sheepstealer was one of those six wild dragons.”

“It will take more than a year or two to breed and hatch dragons.” Earl Gavin murmured.

“Yes, breeding and hatching will take at least a year and a half. And before winter comes, Daenerys and the Mountain will have a large-scale bloody battle because of the Iron Throne. Daenerys came to reclaim the Iron Throne for her family, and the Mountain and his vassals, as well as the nobles in the territories of the other six countries, will not recognize Daenerys as queen, because the army brought by Daenerys is mainly composed of foreigners. Those people are not Westerosi. They are here to plunder the Westeros continent and make a fortune. Father, once the war starts, the North will also be involved and cannot be spared.”