August 26, 2018

In which Ned Stark teaches a young Jon Snow about his history.

EXT. WINTERFELL COURTYARD - DAY

LITTLE ROBB STARK and LITTLE JON SNOW are practicing archery. They're about nine or ten years old now.

[N.B.: a similar age to Bran in Season 1.]

Most of their arrows are pretty far from the mark, with a couple stuck into the ground and in nearby barrels.

Robb lands a shot on one of the targets and lets out a victory hoot.

LITTLE ROBB

Best one of the day!

Jon eyes Robb's arrow.

LITTLE JON

The day isn't over yet.

LITTLE ROBB

Even so. Best of the day.

Robb gives Jon a challenging look. Jon looks back at him, puts on a determined face, nocks and draws. He takes a slow, deep, focusing breath.

NED (O.S.)

(from behind him)

Jon.

Jon starts in surprise and his arrow goes wide. Robb bursts out laughing. NED STARK puts a hand on Jon's shoulder.

LITTLE JON

(annoyed)

It doesn't count, Robb.

NED

(to Jon)

Maester Luwin says you've been shirking your lessons.

Jon looks up at him, then down at his feet with a guilty expression.

NED

A lord's education is a great privilege, Jon.

LITTLE JON

I'm not going to be lord of anything. What does it matter?

2.

NED

It matters. It's important that we all know our history.

Jon looks doubtfully up at him.

NED

Come now, we'll do a lesson together.

Jon looks back out at the archery targets.

LITTLE JON

I'm practicing.

NED

(patient)

No history, no archery. Come now.

LITTLE JON

Father...

Ned holds out his hand for the bow. Jon reluctantly hands it over. Robb gives him a smug look, and Jon glowers back at him as Ned ushers him away.

INT. JON'S CHAMBER - DAY

Ned and Jon sit at a table. Spread out upon it is a map of Westeros dotted with unlabeled castles. Ned points at a castle on the western coast.

LITTLE JON

Casterly Rock. House Lannister.

Jon is slumped with his cheek resting against one hand. Now and then the sound of an arrow's thunk punctuates the lesson and his eyes shift longingly toward the window.

NED

Sigil?

LITTLE JON

A golden lion.

NED

Words?

LITTLE JON

A Lannister always pays his debts.

3.

NED

(patient)

No.

LITTLE JON

...ours is the fury?

NED

No.

A beat.

NED

(prodding)

What does a lion do?

LITTLE JON

(perking up)

Hear me roar.

NED

Good.

Ned points to a castle on an island in a bay.

LITTLE JON

Dragonstone.

NED

Held by...?

LITTLE JON

House Targaryen.

NED

Not anymore.

Jon furrows his brow, thinking.

LITTLE JON

House... Baratheon?

Ned smiles and nods encouragingly.

NED

Sigil?

LITTLE JON

A stag.

NED

A crowned stag now. Words?

Jon frowns.

4.

LITTLE JON

I don't know.

NED

You already said it.

LITTLE JON

(lighting up)

Ours is the fury.

NED

Good! And what about the Targaryens?

LITTLE JON

(immediate)

Three-headed dragon. Fire and blood!

Ned laughs at Jon's enthusiasm.

NED

And why is it a three-headed dragon?

LITTLE JON

Because of Aegon and Visenya and Rhaenys. And their dragons Balerion and Vhagar and Meraxes.

NED

I see you do know some history.

Jon smiles. Then gets thoughtful.

LITTLE JON

Have you ever seen a dragon, father?

Ned looks at Jon.

NED

The last dragon died before you were born, Jon.

LITTLE JON

(sad)

There are no more dragons?

Ned regards him.

NED

None that men know of.