Jon Arryn died, and Lord Eddard felt deep sorrow. He walked silently towards the Godswood, with Robb, Jon Snow, and Theon following quietly behind.
Eddard knelt before the weirwood heart tree, praying for Jon Arryn. In a daze, Eddard felt that the human face on the weirwood looked exactly like Jon Arryn.
Years ago, Mad King Aerys had murdered Eddard's brother Brandon and father Lord Rickard in King's Landing, while Prince Rhaegar had abducted Eddard's sister Lyanna and disappeared without a trace. Mad King Aerys believed that Lyanna's fiancé Robert Baratheon and Eddard would eventually raise an army against the iron throne.
At that time, Eddard and Robert were together in The Eyrie, both serving as Jon Arryn's Squire and foster sons. Mad King Aerys sent a letter to The Eyrie, demanding that Jon Arryn immediately hand over his foster sons, Eddard and Robert.
At that time, Robert's father, Lord Steffon, and Eddard's father, Lord Rickard, had both passed away, leaving House Stark and House Baratheon to be led by the young men Eddard and Robert.
Jon Arryn knew that if he did not hand over Eddard and Robert, not only would his own life be in danger, but House Arryn and the Vale would also face utter destruction. Yet, Jon Arryn still chose to raise an army against the iron throne. Jon Arryn rallied the nobles, and many lords under The Eyrie rose in response, but many vassals still chose to support the royal family. For a time, the Vale was engulfed in conflict.
Eddard clearly remembered that he and Robert were too young back then. Therefore, in the early stages of the war, Jon Arryn became the absolute leader of the rebel army. Jon Arryn sent Eddard to the Three Sisters to smuggle his way back to the North, while he and Robert led the main army to attack Seagard, forcing Lord Grafton of Seagard to submit. Afterwards, Robert sailed back to Storm's End to recruit soldiers.
Robert and Eddard grew rapidly on the battlefield, while Jon Arryn recruited allies for his foster sons off the battlefield. Jon Arryn's wisest decision was to marry Lord Hoster Tully's two daughters, along with Eddard. This move won the support of House Tully, the liege lords of The Riverlands, for the rebel army, accelerating the downfall of Mad King Aerys. Subsequent decisive battles such as the Battle of the Bells and the Battle of the Trident all took place in The Riverlands.
The weirwood in the Godswood extended its wooden fingers, scratching at each other, and blood-red leaves trembled on the bone-white branches. Several ravens landed on the weirwood heart tree. Lord Eddard finished his prayer and slowly opened his eyes.
"King Robert sits on the iron throne, and I am surrounded by my children in Winterfell. All of this is thanks to Jon Arryn. Now, he has passed away. King Robert's letter didn't even say how Jon Arryn died."
Robb shrugged, "Jon Arryn was too old. He was twenty years older than my grandfather. I guess he must have died of old age."
Eddard looked at Jon Snow, "Jon, you dreamed of Jon Arryn's death. How exactly did he die?"
As a transmigrator, Jon Snow knew that the tragic fate of House Stark began with Jon Arryn's death. The true culprits behind Jon Arryn's murder were his wife, Lysa Tully, and Lysa's lover, the Master of Coin, Littlefinger.
However, the true culprits were thousands of miles away. If Jon Snow explained it through dreams, Lord Eddard would not only disbelieve him, but Jon Snow might also offend Lady Catelyn.
After all, Lady Catelyn had always seen Jon Snow as a thorn in her side, and Lady Lysa was Lady Catelyn's biological sister. Littlefinger had been a foster son in Riverrun back then, and he had always admired Catelyn. Even if Catelyn didn't fall for Littlefinger, she at least enjoyed his pursuit.
Jon Snow calmly said, "I only dreamed that the King broke his right hand, and a falcon fell under the new moon. As for how Jon Arryn truly died, I don't know. Perhaps the old gods will show me the cause of Jon Arryn's death in a dream in the future. King Robert will arrive in Winterfell soon, and then we will know the cause of Jon Arryn's death."
Lord Eddard placed a hand on Jon Snow's shoulder, "Jon, your prophecies are very accurate. Foresight is a magical ability, and you must grasp it well. It will be of great benefit to you personally and to Winterfell."
Relying on his miraculous prophecies, Jon Snow's family status began to gradually rise. As a bastard, Jon's surname was Snow, not Stark. Now Lord Eddard valued Jon greatly and constantly encouraged him. Theon, beside him, looked at Jon with jealous eyes.
Theon forced a smile, "my lord, Jon Snow's prophecies can't all come true every time. He's just lucky."
Lord Eddard said, "The Night's Watch deserter, the Direwolf, the Hand's death—Jon successfully prophesied three times in one day. This is no longer a coincidence, but magic."
Night enveloped Winterfell. Whether it was the guards patrolling the city walls, the washerwomen by the well, the cooks and kitchen helpers in the kitchen, or the Stable Hand in the stables, everyone was talking about Jon Snow's prophecies and the Direwolf.
Maester Luwin solemnly called Jon Snow to the Maester's Tower.
"Jon, actually, I don't believe in prophecies at all."
Maester Luwin stroked his chain, his fingers pinching a link, showing it to Jon.
"This link is forged from valyrian steel. In The Citadel, valyrian steel represents mysticism and magic. Archmaester Marwyn is the most authoritative master in this field, but he is an anomaly within the Conclave of The Citadel."
"I completed the relevant courses in mysticism and earned a link. In my youth, I also fantasized about giants, Others, and the Children of the Forest, Greenseers, Wargs, and so on. However, as time went on, I gradually lost my enthusiasm for magic."
"Until today, you have once again shown me the power of prophecy. You not only successfully prophesied the Night's Watch deserter and the Direwolf, but you also foresaw the message brought by the raven about Jon Arryn's death. I've lived most of my life, and this is truly the first time I've encountered something so miraculous."
"Jon Snow, tell me your dreams. I must record them. Many years from now, perhaps when historians write your biography, you might become a figure as miraculous as Daenys the Dreamwalker."
Outside the Kitchen Keep, Sansa, Arya, and little Rickon were playing with the Direwolves.
Sansa was tall and beautiful, inheriting her mother Catelyn's auburn hair and blue eyes. She wore a pink linen gown and held her Direwolf. Sansa had already named this Direwolf Lady.
Lady had grey fur and golden eyes, gentle and lovely.
Arya was completely different from Sansa. Arya had the typical Stark family appearance: a long face, brown hair, and grey eyes. The moment Arya saw Jon, she immediately darted into his arms. Among her siblings, Jon had always been closest to Arya.
"Jon, I've decided, my Direwolf will be called..."
"I already guessed it. It must be Nymeria, right? You named your Direwolf after the Rhoynar queen who crossed the seas with ten thousand ships."
Arya was stunned, "How did you know beforehand?"
Jon stroked Arya's cheek, "Because we've always had a telepathic connection!"
Sansa politely said, "My half-brother, thank you. Robb said it was you who led them to find the Direwolves."
Ever since she understood the meaning of 'bastard,' Sansa had always referred to Jon as her "half-brother." She was very polite, yet her inherent arrogance was evident. Sansa was madly in love with the white knights and princes of the songs.
Arya took out a lemon cake and handed it to Jon. Whether in Winterfell or Mole's Town, Arya's popularity was higher than her sister Sansa's, because Arya often liked to make friends with butchers, servants, and Stable Hands. Sometimes she would even bring food from the kitchen to share with poor Mercenary Knights and common children.
"Jon, this is the lemon cake Gared just made. Have some!"
"Arya, you're so kind." Jon took a bite, and the taste of lemon instantly exploded in his mouth. Jon smiled and looked up.
He met Catelyn's stingy gaze.
In Winterfell, Catelyn was deeply loved by servants, soldiers, and commoners; she was kind to everyone except Jon. In Catelyn's eyes, this bastard Jon made her unable to hold her head high in the castle.
Catelyn could understand Eddard having a bastard outside, as it was common among nobles. Since the bastard was born, even if he was a baseborn, Catelyn hoped the child could at least have enough to eat and wear. But Eddard raised the bastard in his own castle, dined with her at the same table, and received instruction from maesters and master-at-arms alongside her children.
Catelyn had repeatedly hoped that Eddard would send the bastard away, but she only received Eddard's cold response. Catelyn genuinely detested Jon.
Every time Jon performed better than Robb in arithmetic, swordsmanship, archery, or riding, Catelyn would cast a stingy, reproachful look at Jon, as if this bastard Jon could truly threaten Robb's inheritance. And with every bite Jon took, Catelyn's gaze was like a knife, falling upon him.
Now, seeing Jon eat the lemon cake, he once again felt Catelyn's cat-like gaze. Jon almost choked.
Catelyn watched Jon for a while, saying nothing. Jon swallowed the lemon cake, turned, and left, feeling Catelyn's sharp, knife-like gaze on him.