Chapter 30: Oceans of time

Jon.

The Lion's Roar cut through the water as if it was nothing, walking on the deck you could barely feel the waves hitting the ship. They'd left three days ago and Jon found he was already missing everyone, Kings Landing was not his favorite place in the world, but he had enjoyed his time there. He and Margaery had achieved something, which made him feel a sense of pride he'd not felt for all his other so called achievements.

This was different, here they were helping those who needed it most, if he was to be a king, a good king, if he was ever to live up to what his parents would have wanted him to be, then this was how it would start. With Margaery and with Jaime and Lady Olenna's help a small idea of helping to give some food to those who needed it, had developed into regular shipments of food and other supplies. Of course inevitably thinking back on Kings Landing his thoughts turned once again to Margaery. Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the ribbon she'd given him as her favor, running it through his fingers, the smile came unbidden to his face.

"I forgot to give this back to you." Jon said holding the ribbon in his hand.

"Perhaps I don't wish it back Just Jon." Margaery said a smirk on her face.

"Then I shall carry it with me always Just Margaery."

They had said their goodbyes and Margaery had stayed to watch as the ship sailed off, he hadn't been able to go below deck until he could no longer see her standing on the dock. Hearing the footsteps from behind he turned to see Jaime walking towards him, quickly he placed the ribbon back into his pocket and hoped Jaime hadn't seen it.

"I think the Smalljon may be just about ready to throw either Ghost or himself overboard." Jaime japed as he stood beside him.

"It's his own fault, he carries meat in his pockets, I told him Ghost wouldn't leave him alone while he did."

"Aye, it's fun to see though, he still can't get his head around how quiet Ghost moves." Jaime said laughing.

The two stood there for a few moments, before Jaime pointed the island in the distance, when Jon saw it he moved quickly to the bow. They had stopped last night just so they would pass it during the day, Jaime had insisted upon it and now as he stared at it he was glad he had. Dragonstone was magnificent, the Dragonmont rose dramatically in the background, the smoke rising from the peak trailed off into the air. The volcano cut a majestic figure and Jon could feel the draw of it.

As the ship drew closer he could see the island more clearly, the small village at the base of the cliffs looked busy and full of life, he could see the people doing their daily chores, it was then he saw the castle itself. It was like a picture straight from his dreams, a picture that looked ready to spring into life in any moment. The dragons seemed to almost call to him, to will him to come release them, his own egg was locked in it's chest in his room and Jon felt foolish for not having it with him. This is where it belonged, where he belonged, he closed his eyes and he could almost see it, almost feel the life he could have lived.

" Come Jae, lets go to papa he's in Aegon's garden." the girl said her dark hair waving in the wind.

" Aye Jae he and mother Lyanna are back from their trip, come mother wishes us to welcome them home." the boy said his purple eyes staring back at his own grey ones.

He followed them both, the three of them laughing and jesting as they went, his sister holding his hand as his brother raced on ahead. When he got to the garden he saw the woman standing there.

" Rhaenys, Jaehaerys come your father wishes to speak to you and mother Lyanna has brought you both presents."

" Yes mother, come Jae."

He watched as the girl grabbed the woman's hand both of them walking into the garden, he followed looking at the flowers before he reached out to touch one.

" Jaehaerys, over here." a woman's voice called and he looked to see a silver haired man standing by a tree his arm wrapped around a dark haired woman, beside him the boy and the girl laughed as their mother handed them presents.

He stepped forward eager to go to them, to be with them.

Jaime's hand grabbed him and pulled him back, he looked up at him and saw his face panic stricken and felt the tears fall before he was grabbed and held tightly. He sobbed against Jaime's chest, it had felt so real, his sister, brother, mothers and father, all of them, they would have been happy, they could have been happy.

Jaime.

He had practically had to carry Jon to bed and ensure that one of either Jors or Alyrs stayed outside his room, with orders to come to him once he woke up. Standing on the ship he had been terrified, Jon had walked to the edge and moved to step off into the water, he'd been so caught up himself looking at Dragonstone that he nearly missed it. Afterwards his reaction had completely unnerved him, he had held a sobbing Jon for he knew not how long, until finally the boy had all but collapsed onto the deck of the ship.

In a matter of moments Ghost was on the deck beside him, Jaime stood cradling the boy while the wolf licked at Jon's hand. As he carried the boy past the northerners who'd came running after the wolf he wished he could appreciate their concern more, but his entire focus was on Jon so he moved past them quickly without explanation. Loras however didn't allow that, when he saw him carrying his friend he brushed past everyone, almost knocking the Smalljon to the floor in his haste to get to them.

"What happened? Is he all right?" Loras's voice panically asked.

"Go get Jarrod." he had said, though the ship had no Maester it did carry a healer which he was glad for now.

Thankfully the man said it was just tiredness and after Jaime had convinced Loras that Jon would be fine he now sat in the large dining room alone, though not for long as he was soon joined by some of the northerners.

"How's Jon my lord." Dacey said and Jaime tried to smile reassuringly at her.

"He's fine my lady, needs some sleep that's all, the boy overdoes it sometimes."

She looked at him for a moment almost sizing him up for something before she began to speak again.

"You really care for the lad don't you?"

"Aye, I do, he's my squire." Jaime said trying to keep the truth of how much he cared to himself.

"Aye, but it's more than that, I've seen the way you look at him, it's how my mother looks at Lyanna."

At the name his head popped up quickly and he stared at her.

"Lyanna?"

"Aye my youngest sister, she's three name days old, named for the she wolf, my mother always says."

"Did you know the lady Lyanna my lady?" Jaime asked.

"I met her once, wanted to be her, she was fierce and beautiful, everything a northern lady should be," Dacey said a small smile appearing on her face.

"Well I'm sure there are many young ladies who'd say the same of you my lady."

Jaime watched the blush appear on her face, if anything it made her even more attractive. He saw she was about to say something else when Smalljon and Ser Wendel along with the two Karstark brothers sat down.

"How's the lad my lord?" Ser Wendel asked.

"He's good Ser, just a bit tired, you know what boys are like they stay up late when they should be resting."

"Aye that's true, my father always said that about me." the younger Karstark said.

"Have you been north before Lord Jaime?" the older Karstark asked.

"Course he has Harrion or ya think he found Jon by the gates of Casterly Rock." Smalljon said with a guffaw.

"I know that, I meant the rest of the north, not just Winterfell." Harrion said shaking his head.

"No I've not, we landed at Sea Dragon Point after the rebellion and made our way to Winterfell, then when I left with Jon we traveled the Kings Road, stayed at some castle on the way to Moat Cailin."

"Cerwyn, I bet ole Medgar loved having the king there." Smalljon said.

"I'm sure he did." Jaime said sarcastically and was surprised by the smile Dacey gave him.

"Why'd you take Jon with you my lord? Dacey asked and Jaime noticed the rest of the table look to him.

"Jon's special my lady." Jaime said a small smile on his face.

"Aye my father thinks so as well." Ser Wendel said before Jaime continued.

"I saw a boy who had no future my lady, a boy who was incredibly talented and yet that talent was going to go to waste, do you think had he stayed in the north he'd have been allowed achieve what he has, allowed the freedom to do so?" Jaime said and looked around the room, noticing that Ser Jorah and Lady Lynesse had entered and walked over to the table.

"My lady. Ser Jorah." Jaime said standing up while they sat down at the table.

"Surely his father would have provided for him?" Dacey said and it was Ser Wendel who snorted and shook his head.

"A bastard be allowed do what Jon has done, my lady I think you'd be surprised to find what he'd be allowed" Ser Wendel said "Which shows the folly of that line of thinking doesn't it, considering what the boy's achieved already." he quickly added lest anyone thing he was disparaging Jon.

"Aye, this ship was his idea did you know that my lady?" Jaime said and heard the gasps from around the room except from Ser Wendel who just nodded.

"Aye that it was, you know what else, he sent the plans to my father, could have kept them for himself, but the lad's of the north and as a true northerner helping the north is what he wants to do. That's why our flagship is named after him." Ser Wendel said proudly.

"It is?" Jaime asked surprised.

"Aye, The Western Wolf." Ser Wendel said and Jaime laughed.

Smalljon grabbed an ale jug and some mugs from the table behind and filled out each of them even the lady Lynesse got one though she didn't partake in the drinking, her stomach hadn't been doing too well even on the smooth sea.

"To the Western Wolf." Smalljon said loudly and drank his ale.

"The Western wolf." the rest of them cheered.

Jaime couldn't help the pride from showing on his face, all of these people, these northerners cheering for his king, not because of who he was or who he would be, but simply because of what he'd done. He took another swallow of the ale and looked to see Dacey staring at him intently.

Jon.

When he woke up he didn't know where he was for a few moments, he felt the pressure on his chest and as he moved he heard the thump as Ghost's head hit the bed beneath him. The wolf immediately moved to him and began licking his face, his tongue wiping away any remnants of sleep from him.

"Get off me ya big furball." he said laughing but the wolf wasn't letting him alone anytime soon.

He got out of the bed and as he did so he began to feel embarrassed, not only had he cried like a baby in Jaime's arms but he'd collapsed, he didn't remember coming to his room and was now certain he hadn't made it on his own.

What had happened on the deck was unsettling to put it mildly, it was almost like something he'd experienced only a couple of times before, once when he found himself seemingly hunting in a woods though he was laying in his bed at Casterly Rock. The other time was when he'd seen his sister through the eyes of Balerion, when he'd felt as if he was not just watching as the cat, but actually was the cat, the feeling being more intense than even during the hunt.

This though had been different, this time he had been himself, he had felt as if he was actually physically there, as if what he'd seen was actually occurring, that he was in fact living it. He could feel his sisters hand in his, could reach out and touch her, he could smell the flowers in Aegon's garden. He walked over to the chest and took his egg out, holding it tightly in his arms, he could feel it, feel something was different within the egg.

Closing his eyes, visions flashed through his mind, a cradle in a room, men fighting in a tight corridor, a little girl running and hiding under a bed, a giant bursting through a door. He tried to open his eyes, tried to shut the vision out, but found he could not and he looked on as the giant started walking to the cradle. He saw a woman crying, a babe held in the giant's hand, he heard screams and felt the terror deep inside him, a voice began to pull at the back of his mind, a phrase which horrified him. Somehow he managed to push the egg from his grasp, his eyes opened as it rolled across the floor, it was then he finally heard the knocking on his door, the voices outside growing louder than the one inside his head.

"Jon, Jon are you all right, open up." Loras said loudly as he pushed against the door.

He stood there not understanding, why wasn't the door opening? before he saw Ghost leaned up against it forcing it shut, the wolf looked from him to the egg over and over again. When Jon moved towards the egg the wolf almost seemed to nod at him, before he could pick it back up though the pounding on the door grew even louder.

"Jon open up." Jaime's voice said loudly.

"I'm fine my lord, just need a few moments then I'll be out."

"Are you sure Jon?" Jaime asked.

"Aye, I'm fine my lord, truly, just please give me some time to get dressed."

He waited until the voices grew hushed outside the door, after a moment he heard the footsteps leading away, he knew that not all who'd been outside had walked away, somehow he could tell that Loras and his guards were still there. Reaching down he picked the egg up and walked back to his bed, he lay down and closed his eyes and the visions began yet again.

Dacey.

They had been on this ship for about a week and despite the incident with Jon Snow, the trip had passed by uneventfully. They were now within sight of Gulltown where they'd be stopping for the night, Dacey found she was delighted at the distraction. As comfortable as the ship was she liked the feeling of firm ground beneath her feet, she was also eager to spar again, even if only for an hour or two. This ship may be the steadiest she'd ever sailed on but sparring on it was a fool's game, something Smalljon had found out to his cost and much to her amusement.

The second day they'd been at sea the big fool had decided he wanted to spar, challenging all comers to meet him on the deck. There had been no takers until Smalljon began question Harrion Karstark's manhood. What started as good natured ribbing quickly degenerated into name calling and then the two men were picking up blunt weapons. Despite warnings from both her and Jorah, and even after Lord Jaime had tried to intercede, the two fools had decided they needed to spar to sort things out.

" Come on Umber, by the time I'm finished they'll be calling me Umberbane." Harrion said laughing.

" Har, you'll be no better match than the goats were."

Almost as soon as the two men made to attack the ship crested a wave, what should have been a simple block and parry had instead ended up with both men laying on the ground unconscious, as they'd caught each other full on their heads. It had taken her, Jorah, Wendel and Jaime to carry the Smalljon inside, Harrion woke a few minutes later but Smalljon took a good while longer, even then it had been the wolf to wake him, which had the funny effect of nearly knocking him out again.

" Get the fooker off of me." the Smalljon's panicked voice said.

" He's just playing with you, he was worried about you, weren't you Ghost." Jon Snow said .

The Smalljon a man who she knew would walk into a burning building if there was a fight to be had, was absolutely terrified of the white wolf, it unnerved him, her too to an extent. But with the Smalljon it was even more apparent. Every time he'd see the wolf he'd shudder beside her, so waking up with the wolf on his chest licking his face, his reaction should have been expected, especially when it moved in for more. Moving far more quickly than a man his size had the right to, he'd backed into a corner so fast he'd smacked the other side of his head against the wall.

Later that night when they'd been drinking she'd asked him why he was so scared of the white wolf, something she expected him to deny, but to her surprise he didn't.

" Nothing natural is that silent." he said his voice low "It doesn't make sound Dacey, not a sound."

" Aye it's a mute apparently, doesn't bark or snarl, you can barely even hear it when he breathes."

" I don't just mean that, it's footsteps, it doesn't make a sound when it moves, you've seen it, seen the size of it, we should hear it coming a mile off, yet not a damn sound, it's not right."

" At least Jon seems to be able to control it." she said.

" Aye thank the gods for that, otherwise if it wanted to that thing could kill us all and not even break a sweat."

She had thought the Smalljon to be acting foolish, but after speaking to him she began to pay more attention to the wolf, immediately she noticed things she hadn't before. He was right the wolf was absolutely silent, when it moved across the boards of the ship you couldn't hear a thing. When she herself walked she made noise even when she was deliberately trying to be quiet, she made noise the wolf did not. Then there was his connection with Jon Snow, she had thought the boy spoke commands softly and the wolf obeyed.

But watching the two together, there were little nods, little looks between them and suddenly the wolf would be on the move, almost as if they'd been speaking in their heads, she knew of wargs of course, she was of the north. But the boy never warged or at least not as the books said, he just looked and the wolf did, there was no command given, no closing of the eyes to make a connection, it was as if the connection was always on.

"Gods I can't wait to stretch me legs, the helmsman said we'll be coming in within the hour." Torren Karstark said walking to stand beside her as she stood looking out at the water.

"Aye, hopefully get a better ale too." Dacey said and Torren laughed.

"Aye, they may know a lot of things in the south, but brewing a good ale's not one of them, though don't expect much better here."

"Any better would be an improvement Torren." she said as she looked at the now uncomfortable man.

"Dacey I. I was."

"I know Torren and you're a fine man, but we wouldn't work."

She watched as he nodded sadly, she knew he'd hoped for a match ever since they'd first met, but he was too passive for her, too quiet, she needed adventure and Torren would be far too happy to live quietly in a small keep somewhere. So she'd let him down as gently as she could and for the most part he'd taken it well, besides she knew her heart lay elsewhere.

"Young Jon organized a deal for us, for my father with the Manderly's" Torren said changing the subject.

"He did?" she said surprised.

"Aye, came to me and Harrion last night, Harrion had been trying to work up the nerve to ask about it, but the boy came through, he, Wendel and Harrion are going over the details. But it's something positive to bring back to my father after the mess we made at the tourney."

"At least you didn't get beat." she japed.

"Aye only because we got too drunk to compete." he said laughing.

"He's not what I expected."

"Who Jon?"

"Aye, I thought he'd be more like his brother."

"No he's nothing like him." Dacey said emphatically watching as Jon Snow helped with the sails.

The two of them stood there silently for a few moments, looking at the sea as the ship pulled into the harbor, before Torren turned to her.

"You're too good for him you know." Torren said sadly.

She looked at him and smiled, maybe she was, though given he was the finest swordsman in Westeros and the Lord of Casterly Rock, maybe she wasn't good enough.

Loras .

Loras, Jon their guards and Ghost almost raced through the streets, it was so good to be off the ship, to be walking around streets and stalls, to see people milling around going about their daily business. The ship after a few days had nothing new to offer, nowhere to explore and while they'd only be here in Gulltown for one day and night, Loras was going to enjoy it to the fullest. Jon too seemed eager to do so, his friend buying things at almost every stall they came to.

Whether it was food for Ghost, presents for his family, or one or two presents he was sure were for his sister, Jon was spending coin like he'd not seen before. His friend rarely spent on himself other than essentials, hell most of the nicest things he owned were gifts from him, the Lannisters or even Margaery. But when it came to others, well Jon could be in Loras's view overly generous, he bought for his guards, for their families, even for one or two servants much to Loras's surprise.

"Do you think Joy would like this?" Jon said holding up a small mirror.

"Really don't you think she's a bit young to have her looking in a mirror all day." Loras japed.

"What, you jealous, I could buy two you know, I wouldn't leave you out, we all know you like looking at yourself too." Jon said nudging his shoulder and throwing his arm around him.

"Get off. " Loras said laughing.

It was good to jape like this, he was glad to see Jon feeling better, it had been bad enough when Jaime had carried him to his room. But even when Jon finally came to see them, he'd noticed his friend seemed more upset than usual. Jon had waved it off and told him he was embarrassed that he'd basically feinted, but Loras knew it was more. Every so often Jon would seem as if he was about to say something, only to stop himself and stay silent.

But here, now in fact ever since they'd left the ship Jon had seemed more like himself, now after buying what to Loras was far too much, they'd walked back to the ship and Jon had rushed on board to leave the presents in his room. Jon came back down to the dock a few moments later carrying a couple of sparring swords which made Loras smile, it had felt like an age since they'd sparred. They headed back to the tavern where Jaime and the others were, the promise of a spar hastening their journey.

Loras had wanted to have cloaks made while they were in Gulltown, the seamstresses according to his aunt were of an excellent quality. But the northmen and his aunt surprisingly scoffed when he told them, saying the only true northern cloaks were the ones made in the north. So unfortunately he was forced to bear the drop in temperature with only his normal cloak, they would only have new ones made once they reached White Harbor.

"I told you to wear an extra undershirt." Jon said noticing him shiver.

"I'm fine."

"Loras, look there's a store, lets go in buy some warmer clothes, you can wear them under your other ones so no one will notice." Jon said and Loras stubbornly shook his head.

"I'm fine Jon."

"Jors, how many undershirts are you wearing?"

"Two Jon."

"Alyrs?"

"The same Jon, two."

"You see there's no shame in it." Jon said softly.

"You're only wearing one." Loras said.

"Aye, but I'm from somewhere even colder than here."

"Colder." Loras said and shuddered before nodding in agreement with Jon's idea.

With that it was settled, though before they could enter the shop they passed a stall selling crabs and Loras smirked at the look Ghost gave Jon. In the end it took three full large crabs before the wolf would move. When they entered the store Loras was stunned by the quality of the fabrics on offer, the materials were of a very fine quality and when he saw Jon go straight to the Myrish lace he knew the lady was going to be making a lot of coin.

"Can I help you my lord." a small young girl asked.

"Aye, I was looking for some undershirts." he said as the girl motioned to the back.

"Mama, we have some customers." the girl said.

"Very well Mara."

It didn't take him long to purchase a number of undershirts, the lady took his measurements and when he said they'd be leaving tomorrow she shook her head saying it was impossible, luckily the extra coin changed her mind. He took one which though a bit big for him would help for now and put it on, the others she'd have ready for him on the morrow. To no one's surprise Jon bought some fine lace, a beautiful white and a pale blue piece of the fabric, but it was the green piece his friend held reverently which made Loras smirk.

Leaving the shop they passed by the crab stall again and Loras giggled as Ghost looked on thinking he was getting more, when Jon told him he wasn't the wolf actually stormed off in a huff much to Jon's consternation. They walked for a while no sign of Ghost and thankfully no sounds of trouble before finally reaching the tavern. He was hungry himself now, though thankfully because of the extra undershirt not as cold. Though he did fear just what the north would be like if this was still considered warm.

Lynesse.

Lynesse didn't consider herself someone who butted in on other peoples problems, she was far more content to let them work it out themselves, only stepping in when she had no choice. Something which had endeared her to her new family on Bear Island, she had found during her time there that Maege and her daughters had come to appreciate the way she handled herself. Her experiences in life had been vastly different than their own, yet in some ways they were the same, like for most women in Westeros garnering respect was harder than it should be.

So she had bided her time and eventually Maege and the girls had began to come to her for advice and she to them, she was now as close with Maege's girls as she was with her own sisters, with Dacey especially so. Which was why sitting in the tavern watching the girl make moon eyes at Jaime Lannister while he did the same in return, she had decided it was time to butt in. If these two couldn't see the benefits of a match where people actually felt something for the other person, then she'd ensure they'd learn it by the time this trip was over.

"Finally where did you two get to?" Jaime said as Jon and Loras entered.

"Would have made it sooner my lord, but you know Jon and stalls." Loras japed and Jaime laughed loudly.

"Aye I do, come sit down, you both should be eating something anyway." Jaime said motioning to the serving girl.

It was obvious she would need to get Jon on her side, the boy was the key, anyone with half a brain could see that. The way Jaime Lannister looked at him, the way he would check every so often to make sure he was all right, the boy was practically his son at this point. The feeling was mutual too, they way he'd look back at Jaime, would almost puff up when Jaime said something good about him. Her nephew was not left out of Jaime's praises and he too was happy to receive them, but with Jon it was more, it was fatherly.

At Winterfell she'd been given a glimpse into how things may have been for the boy, Catelyn Tully left no one in doubt how she felt about him and the story Ser Wylis and then later Ser Wendel told confirmed it. Given how her brother had acted both at the feast and then afterward, she'd obviously passed it on to him. Jorah had been absolutely livid with Edmure's actions, when Jon had suggested an honor joust her bear had wanted to champion the lad.

Not that the boy had needed it, though she did feel the pride in her bear when he was about to make the offer. Seeing Jon bring Edmure down had been a highlight, beside her Jorah had grabbed his seat when he saw Jon's shield fall, had jumped to his feet and cheered when the boy was victorious. She too had cheered enthusiastically, Jon had helped them out greatly, but even despite that there was something inherently likeable about him.

"How much did you actually buy Jon." Jaime said and she smiled as he held up a number of wrapped packages.

"Not that much my lord." Jon said and her nephew snorted beside him.

"This is only what he bought after he'd left the rest on the ship" Loras said laughing loudly.

She watched as Jaime grabbed the boy and rubbed his head mussing up his hair, before doing the same to her nephew. She looked over to see the small smile appear on Dacey's face and smirked, yes she would definitely need to get Jon on side.

Jaime.

It took Jon over a week to talk to him and fully explain what had happened on the ship and hearing it made Jaime more nervous than he'd been in a long time. If what Jon was telling him was true, and he had no doubt it was, then they were dealing with things far outside his experience. Jon's explanation of his vision of Rhaenys was one thing, seeing through the eyes of her cat though strange had made sense once he'd spoken to Tyrion about it.

" Tyrion, have you ever heard of someone seeing through the eyes of an animal?.

" Aye Jaime, it's called warging, a myth most of the Citadel believe, but there are tales of it being something the first men engaged in, why do you ask?"

" No reason brother, just something I overheard the northerners talk about on their last delivery."

So despite his own disbelief, he had asked and Tyrion had found and given a book on it hard though it was to read, he had found it did explain some things. Such as Jon's connection with Ghost, with Winter and perhaps that's how he was able to see through Balerion's eyes. Though it still didn't explain seeing Rhaenys, but this what he said he had seen as they passed Dragonstone, this was much harder to comprehend.

To see his family, to see them grown up, to be able to touch his sister's hand, that was worrying because surely that wasn't possible. So Jaime had tried to play it off as best he could, to explain it away as simply passing the island had brought up the feelings in Jon's heart, had made him picture his family, surely that was all this was right?. But still it gave him pause and made him worry, so he'd watched Jon even more closely and little by little the boy had returned to normal, the events seemingly forgotten and he had breathed a huge sigh of relief.

When they reached the wall he would need to speak to Maester Aemon himself, there were things he knew of the Targaryen's and things he did not. He'd heard the tale of Daenys the dreamer but he'd also heard of Aerion Brightflame. He'd known Rhaeger but had also served Aerys, the thoughts of Jon going that route filled him with dread and worry. But as he watched both he and Loras jape around on deck such thoughts seemed ridiculous to him, whatever it was Jon was going through it wasn't that.

"Come on Loras I said I was sorry." Jon said dodging the damp cloth that Loras threw at him.

"That went right down my back."

"I know but well you deserved it for the salt last night."

"I put a little extra salt on you meat, just a little."

"Loras even Ghost coughed and he'll eat anything, won't ya you big furball,"

Jaime watched as Ghost knocked Jon to the ground giving Loras the chance to pick up the cloth and drop it on Jon's face.

"Those two get on well my lord." lady Lynesse said as she joined him on deck.

"Aye they do my lady."

"I want to thank you my lord, on my nephew's behalf, he's a different lad than I remember."

"He's a good lad my lady, he and Jon both, I'd be lost without them"

"Why did you accept another squire my lord?"

"Honestly my lady, for Jon. It does him good to have another boy his age around and as you can see the two are close."

"That I can, ah my love I was looking for you." Lynesse said as Ser Jorah walked from the back of the ship with Ser Wendel."

"Lord Jaime." Ser Jorah said before kissing his wife on the cheek "We were looking at the fingers my love."

Jaime said his hellos to both Ser Wendel and Ser Jorah, all four of them watching on as Jon and Loras chased each other. Jon carrying the damp cloth while trying to get a reluctant Ghost to help him catch the other boy. It was fun to see them like this, see them just be boys, they'd need to grow up soon enough, some time spent being boys was something none of them would begrudge them.

He watched as suddenly Jon stopped and for a moment he almost panicked before the boy turned to Loras.

"Come on Loras enough for now, a truce?"

"Aye a truce." Loras said.

"Good because it's about to rain."

He watched as Loras looked up at the sky, something he did himself, he turned to see Lynesse and Jorah looking confused, though Wendel was smiling. Before he had a moment to ask it began, slow at first and then it got heavier, he looked over to Ghost who was laying on his back and rolling around as the drops hit him.

"Come on ya big furball." Jon shouted and the wolf raced in beating both Jon and Loras to the doors.

The rain continued for the next couple of days forcing them to spend time cooped up below decks, as well designed as they ships were, being stuck unable to walk the deck made it seem like they'd been sailing forever. He and Jon had at least had things to keep them occupied, visiting Honor and Winter broke up their daily routine. As bad as it was for them the horses had it worse, though since it was just the two of them they did have room to be walked around the hold, something he and Jon did at least once a day.

He listened as Jon spoke to his mare, telling her of the north and his family, he was surprised that even here in private Jon still referred to them as his brothers and sisters. He spoke of his uncle's at the wall both of them, though in Aemon's case he seemed more reserved. He knew it wasn't because he thought him any less his uncle, but rather he didn't know the man, so unlike his Stark uncle he didn't have a point of reference.

Ned Stark he didn't mention at all which Jaime was unsurprised at, his own feelings for the man were mixed he could only imagine what Jon's were. But it was when he spoke of his other family that Jaime felt like an intruder, each time he had begun Jaime had left and each time he'd seen Jon wipe his eyes when he'd come up from the hold.

"My Lord." he heard Jon call after him as he tried to leave again.

"Aye, Jon"

"Can you stay my lord?"

"Aye, if you wish."

"What was she like?"

"Who?"

"Rhaenys." he said softly.

"She was a little like Joy actually." Jaime said and sat down facing Jon, noticing the smile appear and brighten his face.

"How so?"

"She was inquisitive, always interested in what you were doing, always trying to make you smile, being a Kingsguard can at times be incredibly boring, you're standing around a lot just watching and waiting.

With Rhaenys around though, she didn't like to see us with glum faces, so it became her mission to make us laugh." Jaime said a soft smile on his face.

"Did it work?"

"Aye Jon, Even with Arthur." Jaime said laughing fully now.

"Lewyn was easy, he'd smile as soon as he saw her, being her great uncle and all. Barristan was a great big softy whenever the princess was around." Jaime said and Jon laughed loudly.

"I can't picture the Bold laughing too much."

"Aye he's a serious one, though I've seen him smile a lot more lately," Jaime said looking at Jon.

"Now Whent, well the batman was sarcastic a bit of a japer, but he could keep a straight face better than most, so the princess would spend her time using Balerion to make him laugh. You ever see a cat do tricks Jon?"

"No my lord."

"Well you should see it sometime, Rhaenys had that cat so well trained it would stun you, with Whent she'd have him run through his legs, over his feet, anything to make him move, all the while she'd be watching from a doorway, her little head popping out to check what's going on, before hiding again. Then eventually when she felt it was enough, she'd come out and chastise the cat for making poor Oswell's feet messy, or for nibbling on his cloak."

Jaime watched as Jon closed his eyes, almost as if he was picturing the scene, before Jon began laughing as he opened them again.

"Whent would be powerless then, the way she'd be all serous while speaking to the cat while at the same time her eyes would keep looking at Whent, well you can imagine. Once she'd succeeded that was it, off to the next one.

With Jonathor and I again it was pretty simple, once Jonathor told her he was a Kingsguard and only an order from a princess could make him laugh. So she stood there hands on hips and ordered him to do so, which of course he did, so she ordered me too, her face all serious until I laughed. Which brings me to Arthur."

Jaime saw Jon sit up straighter and move his back against the wall, his eyes fully focused on him.

"Arthur was the best of us Jon, speak to Barristan and he'll tell you the same, the best sword, the best knight, the most dutiful, the most devoted. Not only was he your father's closest friend but he loved your family more than any of us, Elia, Aegon were as important as Rhaeger was, but Rhaenys, well she was special to him. For Arthur there was no higher calling then protecting the royal family, not honor, not family, not love, this was his life's meaning.

So because of that he was not a jovial man while on duty, On duty Arthur was the epitome of a Kingsguard, always alert, always ready, there was no time for fun or japing, I've only seen him laugh twice, guess who made him laugh?"

"Rhaenys." Jon said softly.

"Aye, the first time it took her almost an hour, he played with her, he guarded her, yet in all that time he was as serious as if he was standing in the throne room. Don't get me wrong Jon he was not by nature a serious man and when not on duty he could make anyone laugh, even your father. But on duty it was like a different man took over.

Anyway I watched as Rhaenys got more and more annoyed that nothing she could do was making him laugh, before she pointed to the sky as it got dark.

Look Arty it no longer morning she said giggling, now you can laugh.

I had no idea what she was talking about but all of a sudden Arthur laughed and laughed, I don't mean a giggle I mean a full on almost a full minute of laughter."

"I don't understand what was so funny my lord?"

"When our shift ended I asked him, apparently he had told her that he was her guard and he couldn't laugh because of it, so she had asked him if that was why he was the morning sword."

Jon's laughter was infectious and he too joined in, a simple misunderstood name and what it meant had almost brought Arthur to tears he'd laughed that much, but then Jaime had too when Arthur told him. Of course if it was dark he didn't need to be the Sword of the Morning anymore, so Arthur was freed from his vows as far as the princess was concerned.

"The other time my lord?"

"Another story for another day Jon."

"Do you think she'd have liked me?" Jon's voice was barely a whisper.

"Aye, I told you Jon she was just like Joy." Jaime said his smile large as he watched Jon smile back at him.

Jon.

After speaking to Jaime he'd slept well that night, ever since he'd had the visions he'd kept the egg in it's chest, each time he'd opened it and touched the egg, he'd feel a pain in his head, almost as if the egg was pushing him away. He'd tried to put it in the fire but the pain had gotten worse, a couple of nights later he'd cut his hand and allowed the blood to fall on it. But nothing had happened and he'd had to wipe the blood clean.

So instead he'd left it in the chest and the pain in his head went away, he could feel the dragon inside, feel it stronger now, almost as if it was getting more powerful, but he couldn't explain what he was feeling. He had wondered if he'd done something wrong, if the dragon inside was rejecting him, if he wasn't worthy and the thoughts had lingered. It had even made him question whether the vision he'd seen of his family was simply nothing more than a child's hopeful dream.

He questioned that had they survived, had they been alive, would he have been accepted or rejected? was he too much of a wolf to be a dragon or to much a dragon to be a wolf? He had tried to bury it deep down inside him, had found comfort in japing with Loras or speaking to the Smalljon. He'd organized the Karstarks to join with the Manderly's in a trading agreement, had spent time speaking to Ser Wendel about his family.

But it was talking to Jaime and then coming back to his room to find Ghost waiting, rooting around his stuff that began to make him feel better. He had gone to the wolf to see what had been agitating him and saw it then, his mother's letter. He had read it again and again, poured over it word by word, until finally he was satisfied, he was wanted, he was loved, he would have been accepted, so whatever was going on with the dragon it wasn't that.

"Jon you awake." he heard Loras voice before he heard the knock on the door.

"Aye, come in."

"We're almost at White Harbor Jon, are you coming out to see?"

"Aye, why not."

He looked back at the chest as he left the room, he needed answers and was now closer to them, his uncle would know whatever it was that was going on, his uncle would know he hoped. He'd be able to make sense of it, he'd know of the visions of the dreams and most importantly he'd be able to tell him what it meant. Why after the vision of his family had his egg called out to him? why it had repeated a phrase which caused him so much pain? what did the egg mean when it said?.

Only death can pay for life.