Chapter Text
Her septa had taught her all about bastards' deceitful and sneaky nature. And Jon Snow certainly fit the bill of sneaky.
“Do you think I don’t know what you are doing?” Catelyn demanded, glaring at the pup who dared to look at her with the same sorrowful grey eyes his father had, instantly melting her heart. “This is blatant emotional manipulation.”
The dratted boy had the nerve to whine lowly, and then in an act of a true master manipulator, he rose to his hind legs, put his furry little paws on her shoulders, and licked her nose.
Only someone with a heart of stone could contend with such cunning and skill. With a huff, Catelyn wrapped her arms around the pup, moving him to her lap so she could stroke his soft fur.
Devious little pup, Catelyn grumbled to herself. She was never cruel to him, just put reasonable boundaries to make sure that Jon understood he could never take Robb or any other trueborn Stark’s place. Daemon Blackfyre was probably also once a cute little seven-year-old with dimples. However, thanks to his father and his mother’s actions, he grew up believing he was better suited for the throne than Daeron the Good.
The Blackfyre rebellion had been a bloody lesson that was still affecting Westeros years later, one that Catelyn needed to learn from, least history was doomed to repeat itself.
“You don’t understand,” she muttered as she ran her fingers through his fur. “I know it isn’t your fault, but….” She trailed off, unable to figure out a way to explain to the young child, why she had to be cautious.
“Jon, what are you doing!” Catelyn nearly jumped as Ned suddenly appeared in the doorway, his eyes wide and his face dark. “Turn back this instant!”
The child pressed his body against her and let out a low whine that sounded almost like a plea.
Ned’s expression did not change, his features could have been carved from marble. “Jon, we talked about this. Turn back.”
Catelyn was bewildered by her husband’s sudden hostility. He did mention that some Starks had gone full animal, losing their human parts completely, never being able to change out of their wolf form. However, he stressed that as long as their children were in control of themselves, there was no danger.
Although, now that she thought of it, Ned had seemed less concerned with Robb, Sansa, and Arya, but often went out of his way to keep an eye on Jon.
Her husband took the chair next to her, reaching over to scratch his son’s ears. “You know it is dangerous for you to stay as a wolf for too long. I spoke to Robb, I know you haven’t changed back since this morning.”
Jon let out another pitiful whine but leapt down from Catelyn’s lap and trudged out of the room, his tail between his legs.
“Ned, is something wrong?” Lady Stark questioned, reaching out to touch his arm.
He jumped as if he had not realized she was next to him. “No. It is nothing.” He averted his eyes before vacating his seat to hurry after Jon.
Catelyn pressed her lips together in frustration. Clearly something was wrong, but as usual Ned refused to tell her anything about his bastard.
Enough was enough. She was getting to the bottom of this.
Catelyn waited until their children were fast asleep before she strode into her husband’s solar, her expression determined.
“I want answers, and I am not leaving until I get them!” she proclaimed, sticking out her chin defiantly. “Tell me the truth about Jon Snow.”
“The truth,” Ned repeated, swallowing thickly. “He is my son. That is all you need to know.”
His wife glared at him, all the frustration she had for the past seven years boiling over. “There is more to that story. You refuse to name his mother, you have him grow up alongside our children, you fuss over him like he might burst into flames the minute you take your eyes off of him.”
“Cat.” The Lord of Winterfell’s manner was placating. “It is nothing you need to concern yourself with.”
“If you can trust me with our children’s secret, why can you not trust me with the boy’s secret?” Catelyn blurted out, half-wanting to stomp her foot like a child.
Ned opened his mouth, only to close it. His brows knitting together as if he were stumped by the question. “You’re right.”
Catelyn could have slapped him. How had it not occurred to him if she could be trusted to keep the secret of their children and of the Starks in general, she could also keep whatever mystery was surrounding Jon Snow.
He gestured to the chair in front of his desk. “Sit down. It is a long story.”
Catelyn did so with a tingle of anticipation, eager to understand what was going on.
“When we found my sister Lyanna in the Tower of Joy, we discovered that she had died as a wolf,” Ned explained, causing his wife to stare at him, perplexed.
“What does that have to do with Jon?” she questioned.
“She was curled around a wolf pup,” divulged Ned. “Her son.”
Catelyn gasped, putting the pieces together. “Are you telling me that Jon is Lyanna’s son?” Her eyes widened as she realized who the father had to be. “Oh gods, Rhaegar is the father, isn’t he?”
Ned averted his gaze. “That’s why I had to lie. If anyone were to find out that Jon was Rhaegar’s son, there would be a target on his back.”
His wife nodded, a mixture of emotions swirling in the pit of her stomach. Anger at Ned for lying, for allowing her to believe he had dishonored her. Fear for their family if anyone were to find out---not even Ned’s friendship with King Robert would be enough to stop the backlash. Then came the dawning horror of why Ned thought it dangerous for Jon to stay shapeshifted.
“Was he born a wolf?” she inquired.
“I don’t know,” admitted Ned. “We found him as a pup, and it took two days for me to get him to change into a baby. Now I keep worrying that if he spends too long as a wolf, he will lose his human side.”
“Does he know?” Catelyn felt a stab of guilt as everything clicked.
Jon was a perceptive child and he had picked up on the fact that she was far more affectionate to him when he was in his wolf pup form. The idea that this boy thought the only mother figure he had liked him only when he was a cute bundle of fur was bad enough. Now it was coupled with the notion that he was willing to risk being stuck as a wolf forever if it got him cuddles instead of coldness just about tore the Lady of Winterfell apart.
“No,” Ned replied, his manner uncomfortable.
Catelyn sighed. “Well maybe you should tell him.” At the very least, he should know why his father didn’t want him spending so long as a wolf.
“When he is older,” her husband insisted.
After that, there were no more words to be said. Catelyn left the solar and went straight for Jon’s room. He was sleeping soundly. However, as soon as she entered, he began to wake up.
Half-afraid he might shapeshift in a misguided attempt to please her, Catelyn rushed to him, pulling the boy in her arms.
“Jon,” she began, and it surprised her how easily his name fell off her tongue. “I want you to promise me that you will listen to your father. No more changing into a wolf for an entire day. Promise me."
“I promise,” the boy sleepily replied, snuggling into her embrace, a smile on his face.
His master plan has finally succeeded, Catelyn mused, unable to resist a soft smile in the boy’s direction as she stroked his hair.