What if Ned Stark Told Catelyn the TRUTH About Jon Snow? Let’s explore the depths of it in the video.
Catelyn looks at the bundle in her new husband's arms and takes a deep breath, trying to remain calm as he instructs her. It is a challenge, but she allows him to speak and explain.
Catelyn: You are my husband. I understand that this marriage was far from ideal, but I had expected the honorable Ned Stark to maintain his honor for this union.
Ned: Catelyn, things are not as they seem. I admit I had misgivings about our marriage, but you must understand that this boy is not mine. However, as far as the realm is concerned, does he live with us?
Catelyn: Shocked. You would have the world know of your infidelity? Parade it openly?
Ned: I will, because when that happens, there will be no further questions about his true identity. This boy is the last son of Rhaegar Targaryen and the only child of my sister.
Whatever remark Catelyn has dies in her throat. Her eyes widen and she looks at Ned, listening as he recounts what happened in the Tower of Joy. His words are solemn and sad, by the end she cannot bring herself to speak.
When she looks up at him, his face grimaces, pained from having to recount that tale. But Catelyn feels a rush of warmth at the trust he has in her. Finding her voice, Catelyn offers a nod.
Catelyn: Very well, as far as anyone shall know, he's simply a mistake made in war.
True to her word, no one gets any clue of Jon’s true parentage. Lady Stark proves to be excellent at masking her emotions, presenting a mask of disdain as she regards the boy as expected from any highborn lady.
However, privately their relationship is completely different. With this knowledge that Ned never truly betrayed her, she regards Jon in a different light. Rather than a simple bastard, he becomes another son to her.
Catelyn cares for the boy, treating him with the same compassion as any other child. Each time she looks at him, she sees much of Ned in him. The same grim, but compassionate expression, his dedication to duty, and his loyalty.
This allows Jon to grow up in a house where he is respected by his family. Robb regards him as a brother and he is even closer with Arya. Even Sansa holds him in high regard after seeing the way his mother treats him.
However, while his family life is peaceful, they cannot ever show this. It would be unbecoming for bastards to be held in such high regard, so Jon still finds himself shunned during formal events, relegated to the lower seats while his family dines with the lords and ladies. He must listen to the whispers of the gathered nobility who never fail to make their opinions known.
Rather than foster distrust between them, Catelyn encourages Robb to lean on Jon. Should he ever become Lord of Winterfell, Jon should be the person he trusts most to handle the most difficult tasks.
Unfortunately, this is soon put to the test as Ned must leave for King’s Landing after being offered a position as Hand of the King from Robert. Catelyn encourages Jon to remain with them in Winterfell to advise Robb and help him run the North.
But if they were hoping for a quiet time while their father was away, they are sorely mistaken. If Bran’s fall wasn’t bad enough, a catspaw tries to finish the job, leaving no illusion that this was no accident.
Their only clue is a dagger. This leaves Catelyn resolving to travel south to determine the truth. There she arrests Tyrion Lannister, the suspected killer, but this leads to a chain of events that brings them ever closer to war as Ned continues his investigation regarding Robert and his children.
This leads him to the horrifying realization that Joffrey and his siblings are not Robert’s children, but bastards born of incest. However, as he tries to confront Cersei and arrest her, he is captured and his household slaughtered to cover up this slander.
Hearing this, Robb Stark begins calling his banners and commands that Lord Stark be released. At the same time, Tywin begins gathering his forces to strengthen their position in King’s Landing.
As these armies both prepare to march out, Jon is not anywhere near them. With Ned in captivity, Robb must lead these forces personally. This leaves Jon in charge of Winterfell and to keep Bran and Rickon safe.
Although not a Stark, both Robb and Catelyn have complete faith in him.
Meanwhile, the Riverlands burn. Tywin arrives with an army numbering fifteen thousand. However, the Riverlords were able to amass their forces and prepare for their arrival. While many were unable to form a large host, their independent armies proved troublesome, like a swarm of mosquitoes, biting at the Lannister army at every turn.
This makes conquering the Riverlords more difficult as each river crossing and village is guarded by men. Though they are crushed piecemeal, it is time-consuming rooting them out.
#gameofthrones #nedstark #jonsnow #gameofthroneswhatif