Chapter 476

The Greenseer Bran's act of playing dead and lowering his presence had been so successful that, had Jon Snow not visited today with his startling revelation, Aegor might have entirely forgotten about him.

Now, though, Aegor’s loyal younger brother had come forward to recount, in full detail, how Catelyn Stark had visited Castle Black and revealed Jon’s true parentage. With unvarnished sincerity, Jon sought the advice of his trusted commander and elder brother figure.

“Lady Catelyn said it was Bran who told her this,” Jon began, now completely unreserved after opening up. “And we all know my brother—since his journey Beyond the Wall and his return to the Gift, he’s been strange, yes, but also capable of seeing things in the past and across vast distances. If this story is true, then Daenerys Targaryen is… my aunt. My last living family. But now I don’t know if I should, how I should, or when I should… reveal myself to her.”

…

Aegor knew Jon’s true parentage all too well, though he hadn’t expected Jon to learn about it himself so soon. And now, Jon was coming to him for advice, unaware that this revelation posed a serious threat to Aegor’s plans.

After his initial shock, Aegor masked his thoughts with a facade of attentive listening, wearing a suitably shocked expression as Jon recounted the tale he already knew. Behind the facade, his mind raced to find a way to handle this unexpected development and mitigate its potential fallout.

The danger Jon’s identity as Rhaegar Targaryen’s son posed to Daenerys’s claim to the throne was obvious to anyone. But beyond this core issue, there were other, more personal reasons why Aegor wished Jon’s lineage had remained a secret forever.

There was something about Daenerys—an innate aura of majesty and an almost irresistible allure, both of which were neither rooted in her title as “Queen” nor in her reputation as the most beautiful woman alive. These qualities emanated directly from her, as undeniable as they were unexplainable. Aegor had confirmed this through countless inquiries, ruling out the possibility that it was merely his own perception.

If Targaryen women carried such a unique allure, it stood to reason that Jon, as a male Targaryen, might possess a similar effect on women—possibly even magnified, especially between two individuals of the same bloodline. Even though the story had deviated far from its original path, Aegor couldn’t shake the possibility that Jon and Daenerys might meet and fall for each other just as they had in the original tale.

Jon likely hadn’t noticed, but Aegor had been meticulously ensuring that he and Daenerys never crossed paths. This wasn’t just because Aegor’s vision for Westeros left no room for a king but also because of his possessive instincts. He didn’t want Jon and Daenerys to meet, fall in love, and derail his carefully laid plans—plans that included his own aspirations for the Dragon Queen.

So far, his efforts had been successful. But now, thanks to that meddling Greenseer, who had inexplicably chosen to share Jon’s true heritage through Catelyn Stark, everything was at risk.

Fortunately, Jon had come to Aegor first, seeking his guidance instead of acting impulsively. Otherwise, this could have spiraled into a catastrophe of epic proportions, completely out of control.

Still, the problem remained: as Lord Commander, Aegor had the authority to manipulate Jon’s movements subtly, ensuring he never had the chance to meet Daenerys. But as Jon’s trusted elder brother figure, what justification did he have to prevent a nephew from reuniting with his long-lost aunt?

After a moment of genuine silence and deliberation, Aegor arrived at a plan.

…

“Jon, let me start with a question,” Aegor said, fixing his gaze on Jon. “Far to the south, there’s another man who shares your name, your father, and your claim—one supported by the Golden Company in their war against King Stannis. So why do you say that Daenerys is your last living family?”

“That Aegon is a fraud,” Jon replied without hesitation, clearly having thought about this before. “The Golden Company was driven out of Westeros by the Targaryens. After all these years of rebellion, why would they suddenly help a Targaryen reclaim the throne? It’s obvious they’re just trying to exploit the chaos for profit.”

“Exactly. He’s a fraud, as everyone believes, because he can’t prove otherwise,” Aegor said, seizing the opportunity to steer the conversation. “So here’s my question, Jon—no, Aegon. Other than Bran’s testimony, how are you any different from that southern pretender?”

“Why would Bran lie about something like this?” Jon countered.

“Bran has no reason to lie,” Aegor agreed. “But how many people in the Seven Kingdoms even know who Bran is, let alone accept him as a Greenseer? That’s not the point, Jon. I’m not doubting you; I’m pointing out a fact: just like that other Aegon, you have no evidence to prove your identity beyond someone’s word. Lady Stark believes you because she trusts Bran. You and I believe it because we’ve seen what Bran can do. But outside of us, how many people in Westeros would even believe in the existence of a Greenseer?”

Aegor leaned forward, pressing his advantage. “If you suddenly declared yourself to be Rhaegar Targaryen’s son, Daenerys’s nephew, I can guarantee her first reaction wouldn’t be joy at reuniting with family. She’d think, ‘Ah, another pretender trying to steal my throne.’”

“Not only would you be seen as a fraud,” Aegor continued relentlessly, “but the Night’s Watch itself would be dragged through the mud. No one would believe a bastard like you could be Rhaegar Targaryen’s son, nor would they think you’d dare to make such a claim without my backing. They’d see you as my puppet, a tool in my supposed scheme to take control of the Seven Kingdoms.”

“And if Daenerys herself starts to doubt me, believing that I’m using her and her dragons to secure my own power, then everything—everything—falls apart.”

Jon’s face fell, his expression tinged with disappointment and frustration. He wasn’t stupid; much of what Aegor said had already crossed his mind. But Jon had come here seeking help, not just to be told why his plan was unwise.

Aegor noted Jon’s dissatisfaction but pressed on, knowing the matter wasn’t settled.

As the master of the Gift, Aegor could easily forbid Jon from acting. But as a strategist, he understood that simply ordering Jon to stand down wouldn’t suffice. The solution lay in convincing Jon to willingly embrace a different path.

With a deliberate shift in tone, Aegor spoke again. “Jon, let’s assume for a moment that everyone believed you were truly Aegon Targaryen, Rhaegar’s son. What then? Tell me honestly—do you want to be king?”

“What? No! Absolutely not!” Jon stammered, startled by the question. “I’ve never even thought about it. I just… I just wanted to meet her. She’s my family—my last family. If I don’t tell her now, then when she takes the throne, won’t she think I’m just some opportunist making up lies for power?”

“Alright, you don’t want to be king,” Aegor said, unsurprised by the answer. “Then answer this: as a sworn brother of the Night’s Watch, do you intend to remain at the Wall for the rest of your days, as you swore when you donned the black?”

Jon hesitated. “Well… if we succeed in this expedition and destroy the White Walkers, then our mission is complete, isn’t it? With the wildlings gone and the Walkers defeated, I thought… maybe I could join you in the South, to repay the Queen’s aid. And maybe… protect her?”

Aegor allowed himself a small smile, though it didn’t reach his eyes. “A noble sentiment, but I must disappoint you again. Whether or not you want the throne, whether or not you’re a Night’s Watchman, the simple fact remains: as Rhaegar’s son, your claim supersedes Daenerys’s.”

He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a grave tone. “You’re a good man, Jon. But Daenerys Targaryen is no fragile princess waiting to be saved. She’s a queen forged in fire and blood, who survived betrayal, terror, and hardship you can scarcely imagine. She’s proud and strong, and her first instinct will always be to protect her position. Your mere existence is a threat to her, not because you want it to be, but because it simply is.”

Aegor paused for effect before delivering his final blow. “Even if she cherishes you as family, are you prepared to spend every moment of your lives together plagued by mutual suspicion? Or would you rather bury this secret, remain at the Wall, and guard the realm’s northernmost border in silent loyalty to her—your last living family?”

…