"Why were the two of them together? During that False Spring?" Jon asked.
"Your father Rhaegar was a superstitious man. Handsome, superstitious, artistic, and even possessed of a little inborn melancholy. Your mother was beautiful and willful. And Robert, my friend, was always absorbed in worldly pleasures, fond of women and laughter.
I told your mother Lyanna about Robert's bastard daughter. Lyanna said Robert loved her, but he would never change his nature. Robert would never be content with one woman," Eddard said. "Rhaegar believed in many other things. The three-headed dragon, the prince of prophecy, A Song of Ice and Fire. Perhaps he thought you were... or perhaps you could have been some sort of sacrificial offering. I think that is evil..."
"Their love was a mistake." Jon stood where he was, feeling colder now than he had in the North.
Eddard remained silent. Yes, a False Spring, a mistaken love.
Prince Rhaegar had fallen in love with Lady Lyanna, and thousands upon thousands of innocent people had died for it.
"Child, I have told you the truth. What choice do you want to make? What name will you choose, what life..." Eddard asked Jon.
"But I must tell you, some people loved Rhaegar, but more hated him. The Dornish hated him for betraying his marriage. The people of the North and the Vale hated him for the heirs who died because of him."
Eddard wanted to hear Jon's choice. Both sides caused him pain. One was the child of his good friend Robert, the other his sister's son.
"I am a Targaryen's son. I am Lyanna's son... no, no, no. I am only your child. I am a child of Winterfell. I am a Stark of Winterfell." After a long while, Jon finally answered firmly.
"Very well." Eddard