Benjen Stark knew his own limits. The fact that Eddard became the Lord of Winterfell was already out of the ordinary, especially while Brandon was alive. Usually, death led to such outcomes. But he was happy that it wasn't death.
Yet, there was indeed death.
Lyanna, his sister. He terribly missed her presence. Being just a year apart, he never felt in his life that she was older than him. Their mentality matched, and she sparred with him so often, especially after she started to get better at it after getting her ass kicked by Wylis.
He remembered those memories so fondly. Lyanna was more than a sister; she made Winterfell bearable. She made life in the North fun. And without her, all he could think of was joining the Night's Watch, hoping to find meaning in this new life.
The last thing he expected was for Brandon to appear out of nowhere and drag him away. He wasn't that close to Brandon, nor did he have many memories with him. He did know Brandon loved him and the Stark family fondly, however.
He didn't understand why Brandon was so adamant about taking him along. At first, he vehemently refused him; his decision to join the Night's Watch was firm. But when Brandon threatened to have him hogtied and dragged, he relented.
Brandon was crazy enough to do that. He knew that much. And the Night's Watch wasn't going anywhere. The least he could do was visit Wylis once, at least. He knew how close Lyanna was to him and… he suspected there was more to it. He believed it must have been devastating for Wylis.
"This… is Wylis' castle?"
"Lord Wylis."
When Brandon corrected him, he noticed a hint of pride in his elder brother's eyes. It seemed he truly cherished and looked up to Wylis.
Before long, they entered the castle. However, they weren't allowed beyond the outer courtyard. Lord Wylis's squire even clashed with Brandon to halt their entry. It confused him, as he didn't understand why such a level of security existed. Wylis was just a lesser lord. Hell, the massive moat and the walls around that moat exceed what many castles of great houses had.
Eventually, the squire left them there and went inside to get permission from Wylis. Moments later, the tall squire returned and cautiously guided them through the many halls.
"The hell's gotten into you, Chett?"
He stared ahead intently as Brandon asked that. He was just as curious.
"You don't know? One of the Kingsguards tried to rape Lady Ros. I was fortunate enough to kill the rotten bastard."
"Huh?!"
Brandon exclaimed. Benjen did the same but silently. He didn't know that, but now that he did, it made sense why any guest was seen with a suspicious gaze. If even a famed Kingsguard was up to no good, what else was left?
"Should've knocked Robert on his arse on the road. Heard the bastard crow he fought Wylis to a standstill," Brandon said. "I'll drill the lads to watch the castle. Not letting that happen again."
"Lord Wylis says the same. Now, Lord Wylis is not alone in there, Brandon. She is inside, so be wary. He looked none too easy about it, but he did it for her."
Benjen frowned, noticing how they spoke in riddles. Who was this 'she' inside? And seeing Brandon nod seriously, he reckoned it must be someone important.
Finally, after climbing the spiral staircases of the tower, they arrived at the top floor. Chett stood in front of the door first, like a guard. Then the squire knocked, peeked inside, and informed of their arrival.
Only after that did the squire open the door. He followed Brandon into it, his eyes glancing around to find this woman. But other than open windows, a broad table, and walls filled with book cabinets, there was nothing.
Creak!
The door closed behind them and only then…
"Benjen."
Benjen's jaw tightened. How could he ever forget that voice? He spun on his toes like he'd stepped on a snake. His breath froze in his throat, his heart turned to stone, and his eyes widened in speechless shock. There she was, Lyanna, standing beside the door he'd walked into.
She looked… the same, almost, if not slightly fuller. Her face was the same, her hair was the same, her eyes, and her height. And her expressions told him this really was who he thought she was.
"L-Lyanna? W—"
Before he could finish, he found himself embraced by her as she nearly leapt into him. He instinctively hugged her back, arms around her, squeezing her as if scared this was just an illusion. A fond dream he was having.
But when he heard her sniffles, he knew this was real. He felt her nails dig into his back; he knew this was real. He felt the scent of her hair, and he knew this was real.
"Lyanna… you're alive." He whispered into the embrace, being easily a head above her. It was her face that had smothered on his chest. "Does Ned know?"
"No, he doesn't," Brandon said from the side, leaning on the table, arms crossed. "Only Wylis, me, Chett, and a chosen few know."
Benjen nodded and let go of Lyanna, taking a better look at her face. He wiped the tears away from her eyes, his chest tightening. "Why? Why hide like this?"
"Because of who sits on the Iron throne," Lord Wylis spoke, filling his seat like a keep tower. "Should Robert catch wind of it, what fate awaits Lyanna?"
"She…"
"Benjen, I'm wed to Wylis," Lyanna said. "I love him. I have loved him since before Robert was forced upon me. Wylis beat Ser Arthur, Ser Oswell, and Ser Gerold to pull me from the Tower of Joy. I already carried Wylis' child then, yet Rhaegar still meant to claim me for his twisted prophecy. I… If not for Wylis, I might have perished out there. I was so frightened, but he came for me. I'm alive, and I'm happy, brother. Happier than I ever thought I could be."
Silence fell in the room.
"And Ned?" Benjen asked.
"You know the man, same as me. He's Robert's drinking mate, more his friend than our brother some days." Brandon said. "Blood runs thick, but his damned honor runs thicker, and all the rest is shit. We couldn't risk him feeling guilty for Robert and blurting it all to him. So long as Lyanna stays here, she'll be safe with Queen Rhaella, Princess Elia, and the others."
"..."
"W-What? What?! Queen who?"
To that, Lyanna grabbed his hand and led him to the seat. She made him drink a cup of water first and then proceeded to explain everything.
Benjen stared at Lord Wylis from time to time when he was mentioned. Finding out that the man had children with multiple women, and even made the ex-queen pregnant, and that Lyanna was fine with it all, shook him.
Nothing Lyanna said made it easy to digest. There was nothing that could make him understand their 'situation.' Saying that Wylis wanted a brood wasn't an excuse. Yet somehow, even Brandon didn't give a damn about it, saying that Wylis loved Lyanna the most and would go to war for her, and that was enough.
How could that even be enough? This was insanity. Pure degeneracy.
"It is your choice to understand it or not. I leave the matter to you. The facts stand before you. Lyanna yet breathes, and she is dearer to me than life. But this I offer, Benjen Stark. You may remain here in Ramsgate, take a strong hand in my growing rule, the city, the army, and the fleet, and what follows.
"Or take the road north and don the Black. I won't hold you, so long as you swear by your blood that you will speak of Lyanna and the others to no living soul." Lord Wylis's firm, serious voice was enough to keep him on his toes.
Somehow, Lord Wylis had grown into an even more imposing man. Before, it was only physically imposing, but now it was the air surrounding him that echoed strength and confidence.
"May I have some time to decide?" Benjen said, his eyes on Lyanna rather than Wylis. He wished to speak with her longer and learn what had happened. "I'll give you my answer come morning."
At last, Lord Wylis rose from his seat, a big, friendly smile on his face that he was used to. He didn't flinch or move back when the tall lord came over and pulled him in a brotherly embrace. He was close with Wylis, closer than he was to Brandon or Eddard, thanks to Lyanna being the bridge that mended the gap.
"Welcome to Ramsgate, Benjen. Have a look about the castle. There's a hot spring out back, see you make use of it. And do speak with the ladies, Rhaella and Elia most of all. Both of them are as great a secret in this castle as is Lyanna."
Benjen nodded to that. In fact, he believed Queen Rhaella and Princess Elia's existence was an even greater secret as their life threatened the Crown.
And that begged the question.
"Will you… Are you aiming for the crown?"
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Advance chapters on [PATREON] are in long-form format. I have 12 long chapters of this story on P@treon. That's equal to 45-50 Webnovel chapters.
Check out Wylis X Lyanna Stark NSFW Art & Solo Dacey Mormont Art, and advance chapters at [email protected]/MrPlotThickens Or Subscribestar.adult/mrplotthickens
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