Chapter 16: A Lion's Bite is Worse Than His Roar

Jon.

Jon was feeling better, they had finally moved him down to his own rooms and while they weren't allowing him to leave, just being in familiar surroundings made him feel more comfortable. He lay in the bed and thought on what he'd been told, apparently he drank milk that had gone bad, it seemed strange to Jon that this would lead to him collapsing, but the maester was quite insistent that it would.

When he realized the milk had made him sick he immediately worried about Joy, while he had stopped her from drinking the milk, she had spilled it and some of it may have landed on her hands or face. He was told though that she was fine and he felt an enormous sense of relief, he would never forgive himself if she got hurt because of him.

The boredom of laying in his bed and doing nothing was incredibly annoying, he felt fine now and just wanted to get back to his routine, to train and take lessons, to spend time with Joy and serve Jaime but instead he was stuck here and would be for the next few days, luckily Tyrion had come by and left some books for him to read.

He was in the middle of reading Maester Lormas's tome on strategies and tactics for cavalry when Gerion arrived carrying Joy.

"Yon." the little girl said practically jumping from Gerion's arms.

"Joy. Missed you." Jon said as Gerion gave up the struggle and placed the girl on the bed beside him.

"Miss ooh, Yon." Joy squealed as she gave him a hug.

Jon just held the little girl and smiled while Gerion tried not laugh, he watched as Gerion pulled a chair closer to the bed and as he did so Jon made Joy comfortable, the little girl leaning against the pillow beside him.

"Yenture Yon." Joy said excitedly and grabbed his hand.

"How about a story instead." Gerion said as he shook his head.

"No papa, Yenture, horsey's Yon." Joy looked at him her eyes wide and pleading and despite being confined to his rooms Jon would have gotten up and left with the little girl, but Gerion glared at him making it clear that was not going to happen.

Jon resignedly pointed to the small book by the side of the bed, it was a book about the great castles and keeps of Westeros and was filled with some incredible drawings of Storms End, The Rock and Winterfell, Gerion handed it to Jon who pulled Joy beside him and showed her the book.

"Want to look at the pretty pictures Joy." Jon asked.

"Pwetty ikters." Joy said as she tried to grab the book from him making Gerion laugh.

Jon proceeded to spend the next hour or so showing Joy the castles and making little stories about them, when he got to the Rock though was when the girl got most interested especially when he told her that princess Joy lived there.

"This is where the princess lives Joy." he said pointing at the picture.

"Me Pwincess Yon."

"Yes you are." Jon said his smile beaming at the girl.

Unfortunately all good things had to end and after a while the Maester arrived to check up on him, not wanting Joy to get upset while he was examined he nodded to Gerion who went to pick Joy up from the bed, something the little girl was not happy about.

"NO PAPA YON."

"Jon needs sleep princess, we'll come back to see him later."

"No seep, no ni ni."

"Go with papa Joy."

"No Yon Stay, Yoy stay."

"Princess, lets go see the horseys and then we come back and see Jon."

Jon smiled as the little girl looked between her father and him and got a confused look on her face, almost as if she was weighing her options.

"After horseys we can have more stories Joy, I promise." Jon said trying to sweeten the deal."

"Horseys, Yon." Joy finally said decision obviously made.

"Ok princess say bye bye to Jon."

"Bye bye Yon." Joy said as he waved at her from the bed making her laugh.

Jon felt a little sad watching Joy and Gerion leave the room, while the visit had cheered him up it also reinforced the fact that he was stuck in this room for the next few days.

A few days later.

Jaime.

The days after his conversation with Tyrion and his uncle passed quickly, he had so much work to do and his time was split between his duties to his people and his duties to his king. Jaime had made Tyrion practically change the whole way Casterly Rock operated. They'd created basically two staffs, one for the close family members and one for everyone else, they'd moved the stores for each and limited access to the family wing to those who they felt were completely loyal.

Jaime had held a meeting with the staff who'd been chosen and had been explicit in his instructions, he felt that Cersei had used not only her position as queen to get someone to poison Jon, but her status as a Lannister, something that had been made clear when they had found the person who'd actually placed the poison in the cup.

The female servant Tyrion had suspected had turned out to be innocent, she hadn't actually left their service but instead had needed to return home when her mother got sick. Instead it had been a man who'd served them for a number of years who was the culprit. When they caught up with the man he was drunk in a tavern in Lannisport, it had actually been Gerion who noticed the man was missing, remembering seeing the man a few times when Jon and Joy were on their adventures.

After asking around they found out he had disappeared not long after Jaime had changed the guard's routines. Jaime had allowed Gerion to deal with the man after his uncle had said he shouldn't be anywhere near the situation, but while Jaime allowed Gerion to deal with it, he had made sure to see justice was done.

" What do you have to say for yourself," Gerion angrily said as the man cowered in front of him

" Nothing my lord, the queen's man tole me to do it, he pays me the gold my lord, I's sorry, I needs the coin." Harys said the tears falling freely from his eyes.

" Which man?" Gerion asked as he punched the man in the stomach.

" Don't know his name my lord, he was one of them white cloaks, the one that Lord Jaime punched my lord, he tole me the queen would be happy to see the bastard dead my lord." Harys said as he tried to catch his breath.

" Please my lord, mercy, I's sorry, I, please my lord."

" Mercy, mercy's a swift death and that's all I'm going to give you." Gerion grabbed his knife and within seconds had thrust it through the man's throat, the gurgles of his last breaths the only sound in the room.

Jaime hadn't shed a tear for the man or felt the slightest bit of sympathy for him, he had almost killed his king, could have killed his cousin, all for a pouch of gold. If the man had struggled for coin and needed it for a valid reason then perhaps Jaime may think differently, but he was drinking and whoring with the money, he had almost killed Jon so he could get drunk and whore, it made Jaime furious.

His uncles fury was even worse though, Jaime hadn't been surprised like Tyrion was, his uncle may seem like an easy going man but he had a steeliness about him, an inferno that he kept inside and gods help anyone who was in his way should that inferno be released. Gerion had taken to Jon like a son and they had tried to kill him, they had almost succeeded, they had also put his daughter in danger and his uncle would not allow that to go unpunished.

As he made his way to his uncle's rooms to bid him his farewells Jaime could think of no man better to send the message to his sister, Gerion would deliver it far better than even he could and his sister would do well to heed not only his warning but Gerion's own warning as well.

Tyrion.

Tyrion stood beside Jon as they waited to say their farewells to Gerion and the men who'd be making the trip with him, the ship was ready and he watched as Jon showed Joy the birds that landed near the docks.

"Look Joy Birdy's."

"Birdys Yon, pweety birdys."

Tyrion just smiled at the two of them, it was so good to see them back to normal given what had nearly happened. Finally it was time and Gerion made his way over, Jon let go of Joy's hand so she could run and give her father a hug.

"Hello princess." Gerion said as he knelt down to greet her.

"Papa." the little girl said excitedly as she hugged her father tightly.

Jon walked over and took a knee beside them before Joy noticed him and hugged him too, the fact she'd only done so a little earlier having no bearing on the child whatsoever, Tyrion was sorely tempted to go over so he could have a hug also, but in the end managed to restrain himself, thankfully though Gerion decided to walk to him.

"Is everything set uncle."

"Aye, all set Tyrion, I should be gone for a couple of moons or so, I trust you'll manage without me." his uncle said with a smirk.

"You wound me uncle, how would I ever manage without you." Tyrion said over exaggerating the sigh that followed.

Both of them looked at each other before breaking out in laughter, only stopping when Jon came over with carrying Joy on his back as she squealed happily at her new horsey.

"You stay safe Jon." Gerion said as he rubbed the top of Joy's head making her laugh.

"I will Gerion, I'll make sure this one is kept well entertained as well." Jon said as he bounced making Joy laugh loudly.

"Aye, I know you will."

"Bye Bye Princess." Gerion said as he leaned in and placed a kiss on his daughters cheek.

"Bye Bye papa." Joy said happily, not understanding that her father would not be back for more than two moons.

The three of them stood there watching as Gerion made his way up the gangplank of the ship, Jon had lowered Joy to the ground much to the little girls annoyance, but now he lifted her up and pointed to her father and she forgave the interruption to her game of horsey.

"Wave papa bye bye Joy." Jon said.

"Bye Bye papa." Joy sang happily as she waved him off.

They stood there and watched the ship depart before making their way to a tavern for some refreshments, with all the precautions they now took with their food and drink Tyrion was happy that there were still places they could go that were safe.

This tavern was such a place, the owner and the serving staff were all people Tyrion could trust implicitly considering he'd bought the place and filled it with his own workers, he and Jon both missed the tavern they used to go to, but needs must and until Gerion returned they could take no chances. The rest of the day passed quickly and before long they were back at the rock, Jon putting Joy to bed and Tyrion sitting down with a glass of Dornish red.

Howland Reed.

Howland looked over the raven scrolls, Harken and Karl had made it to White Harbor without any problems and were about to head to Eastwatch, but the one from Winterfell confused him, Robb Stark's name day celebrations was not something he'd been asked to attend before, he hadn't even set foot in Winterfell more than once since the rebellion, what was Ned thinking he wondered.

He let his mind wander and tried to make sense of things, during the Greyjoy rebellion Ned had called his banners and Howland had as always responded, however he himself had not made the journey to Winterfell, his wound from the fight with Ser Arthur though cleared up didn't allow him to travel more than short distances.

Instead he had given command to Jaygen's father Jorgen who had told him that Lord Stark understood and wished him well and was happy to see the crannogmen, even if he had missed their lord. For him now to send a raven asking him to attend a name day celebration was most odd and he wondered what was behind it, could Ned have forgotten about his injuries, no surely not, it must be something else.

Before he could think on it more though he was interrupted, Larods his steward knocked on the door of his small room, wheras most lords had a big solar, Howland preferred solitude. So the room was small, it's only furniture a table and a chair, most meetings took place in the grand hall, here though was where Howland came to think. He got up and unlocked the door and allowed Larods to enter.

"My lord, Jaygen Fenn has arrived." Larods said and Howland smiled at him.

"Good, did you show him to the hall, Larods?"

"I did my Lord, he awaits you there."

Howland quickly made his way to the grand hall, a silly name he thought to describe a rather basic big room, well basic compared to the other keeps he had visited he supposed, to those in the neck where the rooms like the people were much smaller, it probably seemed an apt name and so it had stuck.

He saw young Jaygen standing and he gave the young man a large smile, the boy had showed the rest of Westeros just how good crannogmen could be and had won the archery and a purse that would set his family up for life was his prize. He nodded to the man who bowed before Larod's entered carrying a tray with two jugs of ale and some bread and cheese.

"Sit Jaygen, have some refreshments, you deserve it lad." Howland said as the man sat down at the table.

"Thank you my lord."

"You did us all proud Jaygen, when your father heard he was overjoyed, I think the feast he threw went on for a week." Howland japed while the younger man laughed, in truth they had gotten drunk and it was back to the normal the next day, though the pride in Jorgen's eyes was true.

"I got lucky my lord." Jaygen said humbly.

"Nonsense lad, you won because you were the best and let no one say otherwise." Howland said patting him on his back.

The two sat there for a few moments, drinking the ale and taking small bites from the bread and cheese.

"So did you see the lad?" Howland asked.

"I did my lord."

"And?"

"He's a good lad my lord, seems very happy and the Lannister's are treating him well, very well. He holds himself differently than I expected him to though."

"How do you mean, Jaygen?"

"Well my lord, he, I'd heard he was a shy lad, quiet like."

"Aye, that he was from what I'd been told."

"Well he's not like that my lord, he's confident, he bought the lads a drink when he arrived, spoke to Ser Wylis like an equal, I even heard he called him out during some meeting or other."

"Called him out?" Howland asked confused.

"Aye, my lord, apparently they were discussing some trade between the Lannister's and the Manderly's and Ser Wylis wasn't keen, when suddenly young Snow pointed some things out to him, after that the deal was done was what I heard." Jaygen said.

"Anything else, Jaygen?"

"Aye, my lord, there was a squire's duel as part of the tourney."

"A squire's duel?" Howland asked confusedly.

"I'd never heard of it either my lord, but it was the last event, squires and pages of twelve name days and under took part in a series of duels."

"What's this got to do with Jon Snow?" Howland asked.

"The lad won it my lord."

"He did what?" the shock clear in Howland's voice.

"He won it my lord, beat them all, the last fight in the final I'd never seen the likes of it, the lad won so quickly the crowd was stunned my lord."

Howland couldn't stop the smile on his face no matter how hard he tried, Lyanna's boy was proving to be the best of both his parents, his mother's fierceness and his father's skill with a sword. But what made him even happier than that was the boy seemed to be coming out of his shell, he was growing and for Howland that was even more important.

He had wanted the boy to have the chance to grow into the man he should, if Ned had allowed it then it would have happened at Greywater Watch but it was not to be, but now with Jaime Lannister of all people it seemed that it was happening and Howland was incredibly happy because of it. Once his men got back to White Harbor the lad would be getting something very soon that would ensure he grew stronger still.

Genna

Genna had moved back to the rock two moons ago and things had quickly developed from there, she had taken Tyrion's advice and began to watch the bastard more closely and found just like they had, that there was more to him than just being the bastard son of a lord. Jon Snow had something about him, a presence Tyrion had called it and the more she observed the boy the more she saw it.

At first she saw it in his interactions with her niece, she had never seen the little girl as happy as she did when she saw her with Jon Snow. He paid her attention, played with her, took her on walks as Tyrion had told her but it was more than that, there was genuine affectation there and it surprised her. Even after Tyrion had told her he spent time with her niece a part of her assumed it was to curry favor, nothing could be further from the truth it seemed.

The boy genuinely liked to spend time with Joy and it warmed her heart to see it, so much so that she began to reevaluate her opinion on her own two younger boys spending time with the boy, although she still had as of yet allowed it. With Gerion away on some business or other she had heard the boy had asked if he could forgo some of his lessons so he could spend more time with the girl and to her surprise Jaime had agreed.

What was even more surprising though was that while the boy didn't attend his lessons directly with the Maester or one of the many tutors Jaime had hired during this time, he still managed to fit in the lessons themselves, asking instead for some sort of written questions to ponder while on his own. She had assumed that perhaps he was using Gerion's absence as an excuse to dodge his lessons as was a boy's wont, but that was not the case here apparently.

"Aunt Genna, how are you this fine morn." Jaime said taking her from her thoughts.

"I was just thinking about your squire." Genna said and looked at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Jon, what about him."

"I may have been a little premature about the boy." she said surprising her nephew.

"He's a good lad aunt, you should give him a chance." Jaime said.

"Perhaps your right nephew, I take it he's with Joy again." she said smiling.

"Aye, he's actually sparring though, Joy's with Alessia watching him, listening to her shout bang and whoosh every time he lands a hit is incredibly funny." Jaime said and began to laugh.

"I'll bet it is, so where is my brother off to Jaime?" Genna said serious now.

"Gerion's away on business Aunt he should be back within the next moon."

"What business Jaime?"

"Important business, now if you'll excuse me Aunt." Jaime said as he kissed her cheek and left the hall.

She'd get to the bottom of what Gerion was up to when he returned, for now though she got up and walked to the courtyard, hearing a little girl shout bang was something she very much wished to be a part of.

Kings Landing 1 moon ago.

This city smelled worse than the last time he'd been here and Gerion almost cursed Jaime for sending him, however once he found out what had happened he would've demanded to go if Jaime had not already asked him to. For now though he had things he needed to do and so he would spend more time in this terrible city than he would like, but needs must and he needs must protect his family.

He and his guards made their way to the red keep, he'd have to announce himself before the court although by now he was sure the spider would already know he was here, who was with him and which of them was not wearing underclothes, which of course was him he thought as he smirked. The guards at the red keep wore bored expressions as they stopped them, actually asking who they were, as if the red cloaks and the lion sigils didn't give the game away already.

Apparently the clever guards were elsewhere today he thought as they finally allowed them pass, he followed the two guard escort into the throne room where Lord Arryn was holding court, Robert no doubt drunk or buried in a bosom somewhere, as he entered he saw a small slender man with a dark hair starting to streak grey and a pointed beard stare at him intently, he nodded to the man who smiled a mirthless smile back at him.

He awaited his turn to be presented and was joined by Ser Addam and Captain Vylarr who was to personally take over Cersei's household guards under Jaime's direct orders. After he and Tyrion had talked Jaime out of removing the household guards from the capital, the three of them had come up with the alternative of replacing them with men loyal to Jaime, Vylarr being the obvious choice to lead them as the man was loyal to the rock above all else.

"Ser Addam, Captain." Gerion said as the two men nodded to him.

"Lord Gerion, by the seven you can still smell the shit even here." Addam said grimacing.

"Aye, unfortunately that's one thing about this city that never improves, not that much does." Gerion replied.

"I suppose we both have it better than Damon here, at least both of us are only here for a short time." Addam said laughing as Vylarr shrugged.

The three men stood there as Lord Arryn dealt with various disputes or problems before finally Gerion was called, He made his way towards the ugly throne and bowed in front of the hand, as did his companions.

"Lord Arryn a pleasure." Gerion said as he looked at the older man.

"Lord Gerion, I'm surprised to see you here." Jon Arryn said looking at him intently.

"Aye, my lord, some business for Lord Jaime and a visit to see my niece and grandnephew."

"I'm afraid the queen is indisposed today my lord, her pregnancy has taken a toll." Jon Arryn said shaking his head.

"I'm sorry my Lord, we were unaware of the queens condition." Gerion said his surprise genuine.

"It was a surprise to us all." Jon said a note of suspicion in his voice that Gerion picked up on.

"Well my lord, I look forward to speaking to my niece when she's feeling better, perhaps I could be informed when it's appropriate."

"Of course my lord, I'm sure the king will be glad to see your in the capital."

"I very much look forward to seeing his grace." Gerion said the fake smile on his face practiced enough to fool better men than the hand.

He bowed and made his way out of the throne room, while he could if he wished stay in the keep and he knew both Jon Arryn and the king would probably prefer it. For Gerion nothing could be worse than staying under the same roof as his niece, he had come here to deliver a message and that was the limits of the time he'd spend anywhere near that woman.

It took them almost two weeks before he got to meet with Cersei, two weeks where he had to endure Robert's idiocy, as soon as the man found out he was in Kings Landing he was immediately summoned to the kings side. Gerion wasn't sure when Robert got the idea they were friends, or was it that the man was so desperate for them that he'd made it up in his own head.

But Robert had been overjoyed to see him and feasts and drinking had ensued, Gerion wasn't a fan of the former and though not over enthused about the latter he found time spent in Robert's company was easier spent drunk than sober. Finally though he had received news from Addam that he had an audience with the queen.

He made his way to the keep and was escorted to her rooms, he had to hold himself in check when he saw Meryn Trant guarding her doors, now was not the time he thought to himself as he walked towards the disgrace of a knight.

"Ser Meryn." he said with a smirk.

"Lord Gerion, her grace is expecting you." Trant replied the disrespect clear in his voice, what an idiot he thought as he entered the rooms.

"Uncle, an unexpected pleasure." Cersei said her smile full of false pretenses and courtesy.

"Your grace, the pleasures all mine." Gerion said with a bow noticing her green eyes glimmer.

"And may I congratulate you on your good news, you and the father must be overjoyed." he added the glimmer now replaces by a look of pure disdain.

"His grace was most pleased." Cersei's false smile returned.

"I'm sure he was, children are so precious, I'm sure his grace can't wait to hold his child in his arms." Gerion's smirk this time was real.

"So uncle what brings you to Kings Landing, as delighted as I am to see you, I assume I was not the reason for your journey."

"Oh but your wrong your grace, your entirely the reason for my journey." Gerion said as she glowered at him.

"Why is that uncle?"

"Lord Jaime asked me to deliver a message."

"Really and what does my beloved brother wish to say to me." her eyes lit up in excitement.

"That it stops now."

"Whatever could my brother mean, uncle." she fluttered her eyelids coquettishly.

"The attempt on Jon Snow's life failed Cersei." Gerion said noticing her expression shift quickly to annoyed before once again the innocent smile was back.

"Oh, someone tried to kill the young man, my that's terrible, I do hope you found the culprit uncle?" her inquisitiveness at the latter giving her away

"Oh I found him all right, and I dealt with him personally, you see not only did he try to kill Jon but in trying to do so he almost killed my daughter." Gerion said angrily watching as his niece barely changed her expression.

"I know you were behind it, as does Jaime and it stops now Cersei or you'll pay the consequences mark my words girl."

"How Dare you, I am your queen, I should have your head for speaking to me this way."

"You forget yourself Cersei, you think a crown protects you, you could have killed my child, almost killed Jon, there's not a damn thing in this world that'll protect you from me should you try it again, do you hear me." Gerion said moving towards her.

"Ser Meryn." she shouted.

"Careful Cersei, we've yet to discuss Tygett." Gerion said enjoying the shocked expression on her face.

The knight rushed in sword raised and Gerion smiled at her as if to say go on, do something, the silence stretched on for a few moments before Cersei turned to the knight.

"Your Grace?" Trant asked before Cersei looked to Gerion's smiling face and back to the knight.

"It's fine Ser Meryn,"

"Are you sure your grace?"

"Yes."

Gerion watched as the knight left the room before he turned back to look at his nieces face, he could see her discomfort and he relished it, what he was about to do now was something he relished even more.

"I don't know what you mean uncle." she said smiling at him as if she hadn't called a knight to kill him a few moments earlier.

"I know your son's a bastard born of incest." Gerion said before adding. "What a hypocritical bitch you really are, looking down on my daughter and on Jon, wanting them to be removed from your presence when all the time your precious Joffrey was a bastard."

"My son is not a bastard." She screamed at him.

"Sure he's not and nor is the babe your carrying either, but if you ever try anything like that again, I'll make sure the world knows they are."

"I could have you killed." Cersei said angrily.

"Go ahead, should anything happen to me then your husband will find out the truth, what do you think he'll call them, Lionspawn perhaps." Gerion said as he turned to leave.

"Please uncle, you can't tell anyone, please I'll do anything." Cersei grabbed him turning him around, her hand slowly moving down towards his groin as she smiled at him.

"Anything at all." she said in what he assumed she thought was a seductive voice, her hand sliding down his stomach before he grabbed it and pushed her away.

"As I said, try anything like this again and Robert finds out, if so much as a hair on Jon Snow's head is harmed, if my daughter gets a nosebleed because of you, then he finds out. Kill me and your brother will ensure that the next bodies to fall will be you and your son's, don't test me on this Cersei, have I made myself clear."

"Fine the bastard is safe from me,"

"Good, then you're safe from me and to ensure that safety your brother asked me to inform you that Captain Vylarr will be taken over command of the household guard."

He could hear the sound of glasses breaking as he left the rooms and as he looked at Trant he smirked, a nice meal with some fine wine would go down well he thought as he began to whistle.

Ser Barristan

Barristan had been surprised to see Gerion Lannister arrive in the capital so soon after the visit to Casterly Rock, but had not had a chance to catch up and talk to the man. He found himself eager to know of his king even though it had only been two moons since he'd saw him. The last two moons though had been enough to convince him that he had made the right choice, spending time with the king or queen was bad enough, but guarding the crown prince was starting to become a chore.

The boy though only four name days old was already self absorbed, inconsiderate and entitled, all of which rather than being curbed by his parent's were actually being encouraged. Not that the king actually spent anytime with the prince, he instead left that to the boy's mother, much preferring to drink and whore his way into an early grave.

The queen though overindulged the boy, she made sure his every whim was catered to and the boy took advantage of this and sent servants scurrying on meaningless tasks just to see them follow his orders. Those who failed were treated most harshly and though the boy had never had any of them beaten, he instead seemed to relish making them beg to keep their positions and would randomly fire them if they hadn't begged to his satisfaction.

Barristan shuddered as he walked through the streets of Kings Landing, his destination getting nearer every moment, the note he'd been passed by the new captain of the Lannister guards had said they were to meet at Tobho Motts shop and as he finally made it to the street of steel he felt excitement rise in his chest. When he reached the Qohorik's smithy he was surprised to see Ser Addam Marbrand waiting just inside the door.

"Ah, Ser Barristan, come to spend some coin on some fine armor." Ser Addam said as he reached his hand out be shaken.

"You'll find Ser Addam that no matter how much you buy, you always need more." Barristan replied as he saw the letter Addam was hiding in his hand.

He shook the younger man's hand and took the letter, quickly placing it in his cloak before the smith himself appeared carrying an impressive grey helm with an orange burning tree emblazoned upon it.

"Fine work, Master Mott, fine work indeed." Ser Addam said as he took the helm and handed over a pouch filled with coin.

"Master Mott, Ser Barristan." Addam said as he nodded to them both before leaving.

"Ser Barristan, a pleasure as always, how may I help you this fine day." Mott said his smile predatory.

After ordering some new pauldrons Barristan bid the man farewell and quickly left, eager to get back to White Sword Tower so he could read the letter Ser Addam had given him. It seemed to take an age to hurry through the streets but perhaps that was down more to the letter he was carrying than to the actual amount of time it took, finally though he made it to the tower and rushed to his room to sit down and read the letter.

Barristan,

I hope this letter finds you well,

As you can see I've arranged a way for us to communicate,

that should allow for us to be able to speak freely,

and as frequently as needed.

I wish this letter carried better news.

An attempt was made on the kings life,

Worry not as he is completely fine and suffered no real harm,

However who made the attempt and how it's to be handled is what's important.

The queen was behind it, however not for the reasons you may think,

Jon's true identity remains unknown to her.

My sister is a spiteful hateful woman and in her mind Jon showed her up,

So she decided to have him poisoned, luckily it failed.

I've taken steps to ensure she will not try again,

What these steps are is of no import, suffice to say,

I believe she will not try again.

However it may be prudent for you to keep your eye on her,

Should she not fall into line, more extreme steps will need to be taken,

The kings life is of paramount import and while I feel the threat is contained,

If I find out I'm wrong then I shall do whatever it takes.

I expect you shall do the same.

Should you need to contact me, then Captain Vylarr will ensure that I receive you message,

as he will that you receive any of mine.

Your brother

Jaime.

Barristan was stunned, the queen had tried to kill Jon, all because he irked her, because she felt put out by a bastard her response was to try and poison a child, what kind of a woman was she, he took the letter and held it against the candle flame watching as it burnt. He breathed a sigh of relief that the king hadn't been harmed but the thoughts that he could be filled him with trepidation.

The queen would need to be watched more carefully, if he even got a hint that she may do something to harm his king then he would stop it, he would stop her, even if he had to become a Queenslayer in the process.

The wall

Benjen was surprised to be called into the Lord Commanders quarters, his last ranging had been over two moons ago and since then he had been reduced to helping around Castle Black where he could. Although his injured leg was well healed, he had not been among the last group to go out and assumed that Jeor was giving him some more time to fully recover from the wilding ambush. As he made his way up the rickety stairs he noticed some men wearing the merman sigil unloading supplies.

He nodded to one of his brothers as the man helped unload the supplies, a smile on his face when he saw the ale casks, if nothing else we'll have something better than the piss the night's watch calls ale to drink for a while he thought as he reached the door. He knocked and was bid to enter, as he did so he saw the two crannogmen sitting facing the Lord Commander.

"Have a seat Stark, it seems these two men have a message for you." Jeor said and Benjen sat down.

"Lord Stark." the taller of the two men not that either were tall, said as he looked at him.

"No lords here, just brother's of the watch, it's just Benjen." Benjen said as Jeor smiled at him.

"Benjen, we were asked to deliver a letter to you from our lord." Karl said as he took the letter from his cloak.

"Howland, sent me a letter, why?" Benjen asked confusedly.

"I don't know my lord." Harken said.

Benjen took the letter and broke the seal.

Benjen.

What I'm about to ask you to do may seem strange,

But it's of great import to your nephew Jon,

You must go beyond the wall to the weirwood where you swore you vows.

What you find there must be brought back and given to my men,

They will make sure that Jon receives it,

The old gods will protect you,

Howland.

Benjen read and reread the note, Howland had always been strange but this seemed crazy even for him, he had half a mind to just burn the note and send the men back to Howland to tell him he wanted no part of what this was. But the thoughts of his nephew stayed his hand, he had been wroth with his brother for allowing Jon go to the Lannister's of all people, but no matter what he had said Ned had refused to change his mind.

Benjen had stormed from Winterfell the next day and had in his haste to leave forgotten to even say goodbye to his nephew, something which shamed him to this day. He had even offered to switch with Yoren for a time, hoping that perhaps he could visit the west to see Jon while at the same time help recruit for the nights watch but he had been refused,.

So as he finished the note for the second time he resolved no matter how strange and cryptic Reed was he would do as he asked, if It could help Jon then he'd do whatever he could. He handed the note to the Lord Commander and asked the two crannogmen for some privacy to talk to Jeor, when they left he turned to see what the old bear's reaction would be.

"Jon, he's your brother's bastard isn't he?" Jeor asked.

"Aye, he's squiring for Jaime Lannister."

"The Kingslayer?" Jeor said shocked.

"Aye, I don't know what its about but Ned allowed it."

"You really think there's something beyond the wall that can help him?"

"I don't know Lord Commander, but Howland's different he knows things, it can't hurt to see if there's truth in what he says,"

"Very well, you have my permission then, but you'll be on your own, I won't spare any brothers for a boy who's not part of the watch."

Benjen nodded and stood up before he left the room to prepare, the ride itself would only take a few hours but you never knew if the weather would turn or what you may face. It took Benjen almost an hour to get ready, as he rode out he wondered what it was that he'd find.

The weirwood itself was magnificent, even more impressive than the one in Winterfell's godswood, when he reached it he could see nothing though, there was nothing at the base of it, nothing around it, he checked again and again and was about to give up when he heard the sound of twigs breaking. He quickly turned around to find himself face to face with the largest wolf he'd ever seen, no not a wolf, a dire wolf.

He drew his sword but he knew it was pointless, the wolf was too big, he moved back trying to get around the tree, as he did so he noticed the wolf was carrying something in it's jaws, he tried to look but as he backed away he fell hard on the ice, his sword falling from his hand and sliding away from him, he tried to back up but he was too late, the wolf was there and he closed his eyes and prepared for his fate.

Something fell onto his chest, something that was moving, he opened his eyes and looked up to see the large wolf was staring at him, it's eyes white as the snow, when he looked to his chest he saw a wolf pup crawling to his face, it's white fur a stark contrast to the black of Benjen's clothing.

The large grey wolf looked at him one last time before turning and moving away leaving Benjen alone with the small wolf pup, he looked down at it's face and noticed it's red eyes seemed to be staring straight into his soul.

Kings Landing one week ago.

He watched as the man strolled through the street, he had watched him for the past week, when he had found out what the man was looking for he had been disgusted. When he found that people were willing to provide him with it he had been repulsed and angry, as he watched him now he only felt a sense of purpose.

He followed him down the side streets and quickly cut through the alleyway to get in front of him, he had picked the perfect place for what needed to be done and as he rushed towards it he readied himself. It took a few more moments for the man to arrive and as he did so he began to stumble towards him, acting as if he was just another drunk, he bumped into the man.

"Watch where you're going you fool." the man snapped at him.

"I's so sorry Ser," he said his voice garbled.

"You will be if you don't watch it." the man said grabbing him by the hood he wore.

As the hood fell down and realization dawned on the mans face he struck, his forehead catching the man and breaking his nose, he raised his knee and caught the man in his groin before he quickly smashed his elbow into the side of his jaw, feeling the bone crack as he did so. When the man fell to his knees he reached into his cloak and pulled the knife, what was to come would not be pretty.

"Why?" Meryn Trant said his words barely intelligible.

"For my daughter, for Jon." Gerion replied.

The knife was quick and his hands were steady as he stabbed the man in the chest a number of times, then he pulled it out he wiped it on his cloak and before walking behind Trant and holding him by the hair, he could hear the gurgles and the pathetic whines of the man and he had enough, taking the knife he quickly ran it across Trant's throat and as he let go of his hair he keeled forward.

Gerion looked down at the corpse of the man who had tried to kill Jon, the man who could have killed Joy and he smiled before he spat on him, as he turned and began to walk away he began to sing softly.

And who are you, the proud lord said

That I must bow so low,

Only a cat of a different coat,

That's all the truth I know .