The Greenseer Bran's feigned death and lowered presence had been so effective that Aegor had almost forgotten about him, if not for Jon Snow's sudden visit and confession today.
Now Aegor's loyal younger brother recounted the entire process of Catelyn Stark coming to Castle Black, revealing her identity, and sincerely seeking guidance from her trusted older brother, the Lord Commander.
"Lady Catelyn said it was Bran who told her this. Everyone knows that ever since my brother returned to the Gift after his trip Beyond the Wall, he became strange, and gained the ability to see things that happened in the past and things happening far away." After opening up, Jon no longer hesitated. Everything that had been weighing heavily on his heart poured forth. "If this story is true, then Queen Daenerys is my aunt by blood, my last living relative in the world. And now I do not know whether I should acknowledge her, how I should acknowledge her, or when and where."
Aegor, of course, already knew Jon's true background. He had simply not expected Jon to have learned it himself. And although Jon sincerely sought help from him, he did not realize that the matter he spoke of posed a serious threat to the cause Aegor was striving for.
After the initial shock, Aegor pretended to listen attentively to a story he already knew, feigning surprise while his mind raced through how to handle this sudden situation in a way that minimized its impact and potential damage.
The harm that the existence of Rhaegar Targaryen's son could cause to Daenerys Targaryen's line of succession and her legitimacy was something obvious to anyone. But beyond that core concern, there were other reasons, ones he could not say aloud, which made Aegor wish Jon's identity would remain buried forever.
Daenerys possessed an inexplicable deterrence and a seductive pull that stirred desire in men. These qualities did not come from her status as Queen or her famed beauty, but from something innate, radiating from her very being. Aegor had confirmed this with many people around him and ruled out that it was merely his own illusion.
Since Targaryen women exerted such an effect on men, Aegor had every reason to worry that Jon, who also carried Targaryen blood, would exert a similar effect on women. Perhaps, between two Targaryens, this effect would be even stronger, to the point that even though the plot had already changed beyond recognition, the two might still meet and fall for each other instantly.
Jon, who came seeking help, likely had not noticed that Aegor had always been carefully avoiding giving him any opportunity to meet Daenerys.
It was not only because Aegor's blueprint for Westeros had no place for a king, but also because of a man's instinct for possession and control. He did not want Jon and Daenerys, that original pairing of ice and fire, to meet and fall in love on sight, creating massive variables in his plans and possibly stealing the Queen away from him.
Until now, things had gone smoothly. But Bran the Greenseer, for reasons unknown, had actually revealed Jon's identity through Catelyn Tully.
Fortunately, Jon trusted him deeply and came directly to him instead of acting recklessly. Otherwise, the result would have been a disaster on every level.
Still, a real problem remained. As Lord Commander, he had the authority to transfer the Commander of Castle Black here or there, cleverly making sure Jon never crossed paths with the Queen. But as his friend and older brother, what justification did he have to prevent a nephew from acknowledging his long lost aunt?
After a moment of silence and thought, Aegor began to form a plan.
"Jon, let me ask you a question first." Aegor said, looking straight into his eyes. "In the distant South, there is clearly another man with the same name, surname, and father as you, fighting King Stannis with the support of the Golden Company. Why do you say Daenerys is your last relative?"
"But is that not a fake?" Jon answered instantly, clearly having thought of this long ago. "The Golden Company was driven out of Westeros by Targaryens and has resisted them for years. How could they truly support a Targaryen returning to the throne? They are obviously using him to profit from chaos."
"Exactly, he is fake. Everyone believes so, because he has no proof and cannot produce evidence." This was precisely the answer Aegor wanted. He immediately nodded and continued pressing. "So, Jon... no, Aegor, besides having a Greenseer as a witness, what difference is there between you and the Aegon in the South?"
"But what reason would Bran have to lie?"
"Bran has no reason to lie. But how many in the Seven Kingdoms know him, or would accept him as a Greenseer?" Aegor countered. "You have not grasped my point at all. I am not doubting you. I am stating a fact. Just like the little Aegon in the South, you have no evidence besides a single witness. Lady Catelyn believes it, you and I believe it, because we have seen your brother's abilities. But in truth, throughout the Seven Kingdoms, ninety nine percent of the people have never even heard of a Greenseer. If you stand up now and claim to be Rhaegar Targaryen's son, nephew to the Queen, I guarantee you she will not feel the slightest joy at discovering a lost relative. She will think, another fraud who covets my throne and wishes to take advantage of chaos."
"Not only will you become a fraud in the eyes of the world, but even the honorable Night's Watch will be dragged to the same level as the Golden Company. No one will believe that you, a bastard, are Aegon Targaryen. Nor will they believe that you alone, as Commander of Castle Black, dared to invent such a grand lie. They will assume you are the creation of my ambition, a puppet I chose to elevate so that I could seize the Seven Kingdoms."
Aegor pressed relentlessly. "If only outsiders believed this, that would be manageable. But what if the Queen also believes it? What if she suspects me of plotting to use her and her dragons only to discard her later and put you on the throne instead? Then everything collapses."
Jon's expression shifted slightly, but he did not look shocked, only disappointed. He was not simple minded. Even if he had not thought everything through as fully as Aegor, he had considered most of it. But he had come not for a lecture on consequences. He had come asking for help.
Seeing the unwillingness in Jon's eyes, Aegor knew the matter was far from resolved.
As Lord Commander, he could easily order Jon not to stir trouble. But he also had to consider Bran. Whether the boy part of Bran had spoken out of emotion, or the Greenseer part with deeper designs, was unclear. He had to assume the latter.
Guarding against the Greenseer? Years ago, in that ill fated encounter in Winterfell, he had tried to stop young Bran from falling, only to end up disrupting the previous Greenseer's plan and repeatedly causing bizarre twists in fate. That feeling of being defeated without knowing how was unbearable. He never wished to relive it. And the later incident, when the Nightfort garrison stopped Bran and Jojen, and Commander Mormont had to intervene only to die afterward, was enough to send chills down anyone's spine.
The Greenseer was not a benevolent being. Or rather, an existence with such experiences and knowledge could not possibly share mortal morality. His ruthlessness and disregard for consequences were likely far beyond human measure.
Aegor seemed invincible in the Gift because everyone around him was a novice in schemes. But if that gave him the illusion of being unbeatable, that would be foolish arrogance. Against the Greenseer, who could see through all things and even shape people's subconscious, Aegor felt no confidence in victory.
If trickery would not work, what about force? In theory, elimination was the safest way to deal with a threat. Aegor had already used this approach before and found it effective. He could not help considering it now. Bran was currently recovering in Crown Town. If he gave the command... but no, sending men would only lead to unpredictable and inexplicable failures, as before. The only chance of success would be for Aegor to take a sword himself, storm in with men, and cut Bran down in a single strike.
He had no idea whether the Greenseer could strike back.
This was a dangerous thought. Aegor quickly abandoned it.
He did not understand the nature of this supernatural entity enough to know whether killing Bran would truly eliminate the Greenseer. And he could not explain his reasoning to the people of the Gift, who mostly worshipped the Old Gods. Even if Bran could be killed cleanly, the consequences were dire. Killing a blameless child, a hero who had fought White Walkers, without reason or explanation, would make countless soldiers and residents believe he had gone mad.
Who would follow a madman, no matter how capable he was?
His thoughts spun rapidly, but in the end, Aegor returned to the starting point. Simply forbidding Jon was not enough. Jon had to be guided into understanding for himself that it was better not to act.
Aegor sighed inwardly. He had thought he was past the point where he needed to mislead this person or that person... but reality proved otherwise.
"One problem considered. Now let us consider the next." With a resigned calm, Aegor resumed his role. "Let us assume everyone believes you are truly Aegon Targaryen, son of Rhaegar. What would follow? Jon, do you want to be king?"
"What? No, I do not." Jon looked startled, then panicked, shaking his head repeatedly. "I have never thought about that. I only feel that she is my only remaining family, and if I do not acknowledge her now, but wait until after she ascends the Iron Throne, she may think I invented this to cling to power and wealth."
"All right, you do not want to be king." This answer surprised no one. Aegor continued pressing. "Next question. Do you know that your place in the line of succession, Aegon Targaryen's place, is ahead of Daenerys Targaryen's?"
"I am a man of the Night's Watch. How could I have any right of succession?"
Aegor nodded. "Correct. So tell me this. After acknowledging the Queen, do you intend to remain at the Wall, upholding the vows you swore?"
"Well... if we find and destroy the White Walkers on this expedition, that should complete my duty, right?" Jon answered hesitantly. "The Free Folk are gone, and the Walkers will not rise again soon. So I think going south with you to repay the Queen's aid can also be considered fulfilling my Night's Watch vows. And that way I can... protect her up close?"
"A good thought. But I must pour cold water on it again. Whether you want to be king or not, whether you are Night's Watch or not, does not change one fact. Aegon's claim is stronger than Daenerys'. Your aunt did not spend her youth hidden safely in a castle with her identity concealed. Her identity and whereabouts were almost public since childhood. This had one advantage. When she finally grew strong enough to return, no one could doubt who she was. But the disadvantage was severe. The dangers and hardships she endured were countless, far beyond the mockery you faced as a bastard. Your aunt emerged from blood and fire. She fled, feared, was betrayed, was deceived, yet survived and became the Dragon Queen."
"She is strong and proud, not a gentle princess in need of a knight's protection. She is not as warm or eager for family affection as you imagine." Aegor emphasized this heavily. "After hearing of your existence, she might be happy for a moment. But soon she will consider the threat you pose to her rule. And threat is not about whether you want to, but whether you can. As long as you exist, Aegon Targaryen, no matter how much you love her, no matter how little you desire power, every moment you live, every breath you take, threatens her position and the stability of the realm she wishes to build."
This threat could be dispelled if the two united, but Aegor would never mention that option. Given Jon's Night's Watch vows, concealing this possibility was not particularly difficult.
"Even if she does not harm you because she values kinship, do you wish to spend the rest of your life with her while both of you remain wary, suspicious, unable to trust..." Aegor delivered the final blow, then immediately followed with a gentle way out. "Or will you bury this secret deep within your heart, remain at the Wall, guarding the northernmost edge of her kingdom, and silently protect your last living relative for the rest of your life?"
(To be continued.)
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