Chapter 21: Friends and Family

293 AC.

Gerion.

Gerion looked out on the walls of Castermere, in two years they'd transformed the place, the castle was still more rundown than it should be, but they'd created a large living quarters in one of the main parts of the keep and while the rest still needed work, he could now bring Joy here and have somewhere comfortable for her to stay.

Originally he was going to ignore the castle itself, building a new one would take more time perhaps but it would allow it to be planned out to his own preferences, but the more he walked around the ruins of Castermere the more he saw it's potential. When finished it would be an imposing seat and even if he didn't see the benefit of it for a long time, he wasn't building it for himself.

"My lord a raven for you." Masdon his squire said as he handed him the scroll.

"Thanks lad, why don't you go get the horse's ready, we'll take a ride over to the mines and have luncheon over there today." he smiled at the young lad.

"Of course my lord, I'll see to it at once."

When the boy left Gerion looked at the raven and shrugged, he broke the seal with no reverence whatsoever, the crowned stag just annoying him, and began to read to see what message the king was sending now. Ever since he'd been named as Lord of Castermere he'd occasionally receive a raven from the crown asking him to come to some feast or other at Kings Landing, luckily being so busy allowed him to ignore them.

Lord Gerion.

His grace invites you to the tourney of King's Landing of 293 AC,

In recognition of the ten year anniversary of his graces victory over the dragons,

We shall be pleased to accept you and your retinue and his graces bids you to come and enjoy the festivities.

Jon Arryn,

Hand of the king.

Gerion scrunched the scroll up and threw it off the battlements smiling as he saw it blow away in the air. He had no intention of going to Kings Landing anytime in the near future and certainly not at the request of a drunken king celebrating a ten year old war.

He made his way down to the courtyard to find Masdon standing by his horse with his guards, smiling at them he quickly mounted and they rode out of the gates towards the mines themselves. The ride to the mines didn't take very long and when he saw them come into view, he once again marveled at what they'd accomplished here.

Two years ago this had been abandoned and now it was a hive of activity, the barracks they had built housed almost one thousand men with two hundred of them mounted, to get to the mines you would need to take the barracks and where they'd placed it made it very unlikely you could. There was narrow valley leading to the mine entrance and Gerion had copied the design of the Bloody Gate of the Vale for his defensive position.

The walls of the Barracks were hard stone and placed on top of them were a number of large scorpions which could be fired at any attacking force, behind the walls they had a number of large trebuchets and with the mines themselves behind them had more than enough stone to fling at any enemy. One of the more curious things they had was a large multi arrowed crossbow which was attached to a bellows, and when needed the wind wheels, Gerion still wasn't sure how it worked, only that it could fire crossbow bolts the size of spears rapidly and continuously for as long as the bellows was connected to the wind wheel.

"My lord." Caron said as he reached the barracks gate.

"Good day Caron, how fares you?"

"I'm well my lord, we didn't expect you today." the tall blond man said worriedly.

"Don't worry my friend, it's just a passing fancy nothing else, Daven about?" Gerion smiled reassuringly at the man.

"Aye my lord, he's around I think he's in his office, shall I send for him?"

"No, no need, just let him know I passed through, I'll speak with him on my return."

Daven had been appointed as head of the mine forces by Gerion not long after his return from Kings Landing, the boy had changed drastically, where once he was fun loving, he had come back serious and Gerion knew the reason why. He had never spoken of it to him and when he'd offered him the chance to be captain of his guards Daven had jumped at it. His father had been pleased to see his boy given such a responsibility and Gerion had no doubts of the boys suitability for the post.

They rode past the lake on their way to the mines themselves, the village that had started as just a place for the mine workers to sleep in, had developed in two years into a small town, it had stores and a couple of taverns, a small sept and even an area where the children could play freely. The town even had a rather large brothel which probably did better business than the one in Lannisport truth be told.

Even though the workers were well paid, Gerion had insisted that food and supplies for their families would be given to them at cost, the tavern was owned by him, and the brothel though not something he cared much about was clean and the girls treated well. For a man who never sought responsibility, he found he had enjoyed it more than he thought and it was freeing to have so many people relying on him.

"All right lads, here will do." Gerion said as he dismounted his horse and walked the rest of the way.

"You want us to go with you my lord?" Masdon asked.

"No lad, have the boys set up, we'll have luncheon here, I'll just have a word with Daks and see how things are."

Every time he walked into the mines he always felt the same, what they'd done here was incredible, the veins they'd found were more than they could ever imagine and with the addition of the wind wheels allowing for the tunnels to be both aired out, and for the tools to work in conjunction with them, it allowed them to dig deeper and more quickly than they'd ever thought possible.

"Milord." Daks said as he saw him walk towards him.

"Daks how fares you?"

"I's well milord, you needs anything?"

"No just thought I'd have a look round, see how things were."

"They's good milord, found a new one t'other day a large one, keep us busy for moons methinks."

"Very good, how about you and the lads, you have everything you need?"

"Aye, we's fine milord, thanks for asking, the lads are doing well."

"Well don't let me keep you Daks, don't work the lads too hard all right?" he smiled as the other man laughed at him.

"No's fear of the milord, you won't let us."

Gerion nodded and walked back to the entrance, he'd speak to Daven on his way back to the castle, if he had nothing for him to worry about he'd think about heading back to Casterly Rock for a while, he missed everyone there and hadn't seen Joy in a couple of moons. His girl was growing fast and a part of him wondered if he should move her to Castermere or was it too soon.

Genna.

Genna smiled as her two boys swung their swords, Tion had improved incredibly well and Walder while not the strongest, had taken on some of the lessons he'd learned with Jon and was using his movements and quickness to frustrate his older brother. Off to the left Martyn and Willem watched intently no doubt keen to face the winner, while Loras looked on a little bored, she watched as Jon stared intently at her boys.

Over the years she'd become very fond of the young lad, he'd won her over like he seemed to do with most people who spent time in his company. When she had seen how he interacted with her niece she had begun to realize what Tyrion had said about the boy was right, he didn't do things for favor, he just did things because they were the right things to do.

It had hurt a little to see his expression when she had started Joy on her lessons and began to spend more time with the little girl, but he had quickly seen the benefits and while his attention to her had started to bring her out of her shell, she needed to learn what it was to be a lady and Jon couldn't teach her that.

"Wait, Tion, Walder stop." Jon said loudly forcing her to look and pay more attention to the yard.

"What do you think you're doing?, you're brothers, brothers don't act that way." she heard him chastise her sons.

She wondered what had happened, she'd been distracted just for a moment and obviously something had occurred, she turned to Alessia who was standing with Joy to her left.

"What happened?"

"Walder spun and landed a hit on Tion and he got angry my lady, began to swing his sword not to spar but to hurt Walder." Alessia said and Genna grew angry, she was about to go down to give him a piece of his mind when she heard Joy laughing.

"Tion's in trouble." the little girl said and she looked down to see Tion looking nervously while standing facing Jon, who had his sword out.

She couldn't help but smirk, Jon had a way of punishing her boys when they stepped out of line that worked better than any she had come up with, they idolized him a little she knew that, they mimicked him and his lessons with them were the ones they really looked forward to, so when they disappointed him they felt it more keenly.

"Ready Tion."

"I'm sorry Jon, I lost my temper, I'll apologize to Walder, it won't happen again."

"Fine go say sorry to your brother, then you and Walder switch and take on Martyn and Willem." Jon said as her son turned to head towards his brother "And Tion, remember they're your family too, keep it friendly."

"I will, sorry Jon."

She nodded down at the boy when he looked towards her and she Joy and Alessia headed back insider, she had work to do and Joy had her embroidery much to the little girls annoyance, as she repeatedly made clear.

"No Auntie, don't like it." Joy said when she realized where they were heading.

"Joy you must take your lessons, when they're finished, I'll allow you to ride Apples."

"With Jon and Ghost." the girl said excitedly.

"I'm sure Jon will join you."

"All right Auntie." Joy said and she gave the little girl a kiss before Alessia took her to her lesson.

Joy just like her boys was easy to get to do what you wished her too, just like them promise her some time with Jon and she'd come around. Since he'd bought Apples for her even more so, the girl loved the small little pony and despite Gernna's fears of allowing her to ride at her age, Jon had assured her the girl was ready.

Seeing her on the horse was an incredible sight, just like Jon she seemed born for horse riding and even though she'd occasionally have Genna's heart racing with how fast she rode, she had never had an accident or even come close to falling off. Genna walked down to her nephew's office, if only these two boys were as easy to manage she sighed.

Despite her best efforts she had found much to her dismay that marrying off either of her reticent nephews was a challenge too far. Jaime had shown no interest whatsoever in following through on any of the ladies she'd tried to set him up with, he'd met them and been charming and simply gone through the motions. Tyrion was another matter altogether and it pained her that her nephew had been right, no lord would agree to marry one of their daughters to a dwarf.

She knocked on the door and entered finding her two nephews laughing and joking in a manner not befitting the lords of Casterly Rock and she couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. The two men had become closer than ever in the last few years, true brothers, and along with herself and her own two brothers, the family was more united than it had ever been under Tywin.

"Aunt what brings you to our domain." Tyrion japed.

"Domain, nephew really." she said raising her eyebrow.

"Aye, impressive is it not." Tyrion said waving his hand over the desk.

"Yes more than impressive." she said dismissively before taking her seat.

"Anyway I'm here on important business." Genna looked from one to the other "I want us to go to the tourney in Kings Landing."

"Why would we do that?" Jaime asked.

"I think it's about time we made our presence felt in the realm and I'm sure both your squires would no doubt like to test the jousting skills that they work so much on".

She watched as Jaime considered it for a moment, he looked to Tyrion who just shrugged, she knew the idea of a visit to Kings Landing was nothing he would be interested in. No matter how many times she'd suggested it or how many ravens he received from his sister, he wouldn't leave the rock to go there and had only traveled through the west in the last four years.

"Fine I'll consider it aunt, who would go?" Jaime asked and she breathed a sigh of relief.

"I think we all should."

"Even me?" Tyrion asked his voice a little eager.

"Yes nephew even you, Ser Addam can step in as Castellan while we're away and Gerion would place Daven in charge of Castermere, Kevan would no doubt allow Harys to take over his duties." Genna said.

"What of the children?" Jaime asked.

"We can take them with us, surely there's enough room on those monstrosities you've built?"

"You mean for us to sail?" Tyrion asked.

"It would be quicker and more comfortable." Jaime said.

"Very well aunt I'll give you an answer later for certain, but I think it's a good idea." Jaime said.

"Good, now would you two actually do some work."

"No." they both said together making them all laugh.

She shook her head and got up to leave, it had been years since she'd been in Kings Landing and the idea had just hit her. She knew her sons would love to see a tourney and despite not wishing to travel on those huge ships that Tyrion had Kevan build, she knew from what Kevan had told her how fast they sailed, a moons long journey by land could be done in a couple of sennights, now what ladies would be at this tourney she wondered.

Jon.

Riding Winter was still an absolute pleasure to him no matter how many times he did it, whether it was fun, for travel or riding in the jousting practices against Loras, he could never tire of the feeling of being on board his mare. In the last few years he had been given the added bonus of Ghost growing large enough to run beside them and though Winter was faster than any other horse he'd seen thus far, Ghost could manage to keep up with them.

As for the white wolf well he was incredible, he had outgrown most hounds and dogs over a year ago and when he reached the size of a full grown wolf Jon had assumed that would be it. But the wolf had just kept growing, he was almost the size of a small horse and when Joy rode Apples, if she wished she wouldn't need to bend down to pat Ghost's head if he was beside her, which right now he was.

"Ghost Faster." the little girl laughed as she and Apples sped up, the wolf running close beside them.

"Careful Joy." he shouted after her.

"Come Jon faster, catch me." she shrieked as she pushed on.

He heard Alyrs and Jors laugh behind him while Loras snorted, he kicked Winter into gear and raced after the excitable little girl. Catching up to her a few moments later he couldn't help but smile at the look on her face, they slowed down near some trees and a small stream and waited for the others to catch up.

After he dismounted and carefully took Joy off Apples, he allowed Jors to lead the horse to get something to drink and took his pack off Winter to make sure Joy had her midday meal. Getting the girl to eat without others around had always seemed to be harder to Jon, if she saw you eat though then suddenly she was hungry.

"Come on Joy, time for pie." he said and watched as the girl looked to the spread he was laying out.

"No Jon, you no pie." the girl said shaking her head.

Jon took out the peach pie that he'd had made earlier and watched her eyes light up, he placed it close beside him and took some meat and cooked vegetables and placed them on a plate for Joy to eat.

"No Jon Pie." the girl said crossing her arms together and shaking her head.

"Joy, you need to eat some of this first, then I'll give you some pie, I promise."

"Promise."

"Aye princess, I promise."

He smiled as Joy began to eat the meat and vegetables, he laid out some more for Alyrs and Jors and for Franklyn and Garth who were Loras's guards, Loras having already helped himself as soon as he sat down. When Joy was finished eating he poured her some milk into a cup and watched as she drank it quickly before belching loudly much to his and everyone's amusement.

"Pie Jon." Joy said determinedly.

"All right princess." he said as he handed her a piece which she wolfed down covering herself in pie crumbs and bits of peach.

"Joy made mess." she said and laughed.

He reached over to grab something to clean the girl only for a flash of white to dart past his eye.

"No Ghost, stop." he heard her say while she laughed loudly, the white wolf licking the peach and crumbs from her face and clothes.

"That's one way to keep her clean." Loras japed.

He just shook his head and whooshed the wolf away, Ghost looked at him and cocked his head before something grabbed his attention and before Jon knew it the wolf was on the rest of the pie, Joy just kept laughing and Jon was forced to join her when he tried to discipline the wolf.

"Bad Ghost." he said as he reached over only for Ghost to look at him with a look that Jon swore said, I'm not sorry at all.

"You did bring two of those right?" Loras asked giggling.

"Aye, didn't think I'd need one this quick though."

They sat around by the trees for a little while, Joy content to chase Ghost and try to grab him and the wolf always seeming to be close enough for her to try, but not close enough for her to succeed. Eventually they mounted back up and headed back to the Rock, Jon could see Joy was starting to feel a bit tired so they stopped and he nodded to Alyrs to take Apples while he placed her in front of him on Winter, and raced home much to her delight.

The rest of the day passed by quickly once they arrived back at the rock, he and Loras headed to their lessons and when finished had their own spar, the one earlier having been spent mainly teaching the younger boys. Loras had improved since he'd arrived two years ago, after he realized he couldn't beat Jon he'd asked for advice and both he and Jaime had been keen to give him some. Now though he still wasn't as good as him, Jon felt there were not many better than him around.

He had read Joy her story and bid Loras goodnight and made his way his rooms earlier than normal that night feeling a little bit more tired than usual. Ghost hadn't returned from his hunt having taken to prowling in the nearby woods most evenings, before sloping in when he felt like it. So Jon curled up in his bed and was asleep not long after his head hit the pillow.

The woods were dark and the sounds were louder than they should be, but he silently moved towards his prey. His eyes could see every single detail, every mark, every trail, was to him as clear as the roads on a map. He heard the hooting of the owl louder and more intense than he knew it should be, the snapping of a branch was like the slamming of a door, loud and obtrusive. Yet he made not a sound, as he made it to the clearance he saw it, the small deer unaware of his presence, he moved swifter than anything of his size had the right to and within seconds was upon his prey. The deer struggled but it was over in minutes, the warmth of the blood pooling in his mouth.

Jon woke up with a start, the taste in his mouth coppery and fluid, he leaned over and quickly washed it away with the water in the jug on his small table. He looked down to see Ghost laying on the floor asleep, the wolf's fur streaked with red.. The dreams had been happening more and more regularly and he had tried to find anything about them in the books in the library, but so far had not been lucky.

Sometimes he'd dream of different things, of a tower in the desert, of a woman crying, a man on a horse wearing black armour, or a straggly haired man shouting Burn Them All. In some he'd see faces or shapes and others only voices. Promise Me and Ice and Fire, the two he heard most often. He worried he was going mad as occasionally he'd see things that weren't there and drift off when doing something, only to come back with ideas he knew not from whence they came.

He got up and dressed himself and found Ghost had woken so took him to the baths to be washed, whatever these dreams were about, he'd worry on them later, he had work to do and it was time to meet up with Jaime for his morning spar.

Loras.

The last two years had been some of the best of his life, learning from Jaime had improved him no end and sparring daily with both him and Jon had allowed him to refine his swordsmanship, He'd had time to work out the errors he had and especially with Jon's help see the flaws he continually fell prey to. Jon was a far better swordsman than he, he could see that now and he was grateful that he got to spar with him.

When they faced off against each other with normal sparring swords he stood a chance, he'd get some hits in and would come close occasionally to winning, but when Jon used the small thin sword he was far too good for him. Loras had tried it himself but it didn't seem to have the same effect on him that it did on Jon, with it Loras was clumsy and awkward, while Jon was like an artist with it in his hands, his movements much too fast for Loras to counter.

Thankfully when they jousted things were much more even, Jon was a better horseman but Loras wielded the lance better, they shared wins there and it did a lot for Loras's confidence to find that he was equal to his friend in some disciplines. Over the two years that he'd been here they'd become the closest of friends, he felt he could tell Jon anything and the two boys always seemed able to cheer the other up when they felt a bit down, he couldn't thank his grandmother enough for sending him here.

" Loras, Grandmother wishes to see you." Margaery said.

" What about Marge?"

" I think she wants to discuss your squiring."

" So who in King's Landing am I to squire for?"

" Not King's Landing, Casterly Rock Loras, grandmother intends for you to squire for Lord Jaime."

" But Jon's Lord Jaime's squire, is he all right, has something happened?"

" No he's fine, I think grandmother intends for you to squire with Jon."

Loras looked at her confusedly, two squires wasn't unheard of but he hadn't heard Lord Jaime was looking for another one, he'd jump at the chance to do so though, to learn from Jaime Lannister would be incredible and to squire alongside Jon, they got on well together, they'd surely be friends.

He followed Margaery down to the garden to where their grandmother was speaking to his father, he could hear his grandmother's angry voice and when they arrived had been told it was decided.

Within two moons he had been standing in the courtyard of Casterly Rock and was welcomed by both Jaime and Jon, from the very first day he'd known this was the best thing that had happened to him, he and Jon just naturally got on, there was no pretense, no having to be a Tyrell, here he was Loras and Jon was Jon.

Loras made his way to break his fast, they had received the news that they would all be going to Kings Landing for the Kings Tourney in a couple of moons time and he was excited both for himself and his friend, Jon having missed the last tourney in Highgarden due to an illness. He loved competing in the events, had even rode against a knight last time and was unlucky to fall. While his father hadn't had a squires duel much to his annoyance, the king would certainly have one and he looked forward to facing Jon in competition.

"Morning my lord." Alessia said to him the pretty girl blushing as he smiled at her.

"Morning Alessia, I see Jon and Joy are up early again." he said pointing to the table where they were both eating and feeding Ghost.

"They are my lord, can I get you anything?" Alessia said.

"No it's fine, I'll grab something myself, you go enjoy your own meal." he smiled at the girl and grabbed a plate, watching as the white wolf stared at the extra bacon he placed on it.

He walked to the table and sat down, nodding to Jon who was engaged in trying to keep his last sausage from Joy's grasping hand, the little girl no doubt eager to feed the wolf some more.

"Jon give me, Ghost is hungry." Joy said.

"Ghost has had enough, haven't you boy?" Jon asked the wolf who shook his head making Loras snort.

"Oh look Joy, Loras has lots of food for Ghost." Jon said smirking at him before moving Joy closer to his plate.

Loras shook his head before smiling, he had brought extra bacon and even if he hadn't the little girls pleading look was always too hard to resist. He watched as she grabbed a slice of bacon and dropped it into Ghost's waiting mouth.

"Say thank you to Loras, Joy."

"Thanks you Loras." she smiled before grabbing some more.

The broke their fast in that fashion for a while, Jon eventually grabbing Joy to bring her to her lesson while Loras went down to organize his horse for their jousting practice, they had decided to get some practice in on both the joust and spar and would do an hour of riding against each other. Just hitting the shields without trying to knock each other from the horses, before a good hour of full on sparring, their other lessons would be later this morn.

He sat on his horse and lined up for the tilt, Jon already positioned at the other end, after a moment they set off and when they met in the middle he aimed his lance at Jon's shield, annoyed to find that he'd missed. Jon's strike catching him square, he turned and rode back to start again and yet again he missed his strike while Jon landed his. All in all they rode against each other seven times and he managed just one hit while Jon landed all his.

By the time they had put the horse away and got ready for their spar Loras was in a bad mood, he knew during the sparring he would lose when he saw Jon take his thin sword and after the jousting he was feeling frustrated. The sparring went exactly how he thought it would, Jon showing just how much quicker and cleaner his strikes were with the small sword.

"Better luck next time Loras." Jon said with a smile "You just had an off day today."

"Lets do one more." Loras asked determined to beat his friend.

"I don't think so Loras, lets leave it until tomorrow."

"I said I want to do another one, what's wrong bastard scared I'll beat you." as soon as the words left his mouth he realized what he'd said. he had never spoken like that to Jon before, never even considered him a bastard.

"Jon, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it." he said apologetically but he could see that Jon was in no humor to accept his apology.

He watched as Jon walked away, sure he'd seen tears in the other boys eyes and for the first time ever he felt ashamed of himself. He tried to follow after him but Ghost suddenly appeared and snarled silently at him, the wolf's teeth were exposed scaring Loras into staying where he was, after a moment the wolf ran after Jon but not before turning his head to look at Loras, almost as if to warn him not to follow them.

Jaime.

Jon hadn't turned up for training the last two mornings complaining of feeling ill, Jaime had asked Creylen to check on him and found to his consternation that the Maester could find nothing wrong with him and that perhaps Jon was just tired. Even when Joy visited him Jon seemed to go through the motions according to Genna and only seemed to be pretending to be happy for the girls sake.

Jaime had spoken to Tyrion to see if anything had happened but it was when he spoke to Loras that he found out the reason behind Jon's sudden reluctance to take part in things, the boy wasn't sick, he was upset and Jaime's first instinct when he heard Loras explain what had happened, had been to pack the boy back off to Highgarden.

" You said what?"

" I'm sorry my lord, I don't know why I said it, it just came out."

" Oh it just came out did it, you called your friend a bastard because he beat you and now you claim it just came out."

" My lord I didn't mean it, I swear it, I would never… I never thought of Jon like that, I was just mad at being beaten and I didn't think."

" Your damn right you didn't, you hurt your friend because you were jealous, damn it Loras, just go to your room, I'll deal with you later."

" But… if I could just talk to him."

" Talk, after what you said, I think talking is the last thing I'll allow you to do."

Jaime knew he'd been cruel to the boy, but he also knew how Jon would feel, it was bad enough for someone else to think of him like that, Jaime and his family had managed to make him if not care, then at least ignore those who thought him a bastard. Between their words and acts and Jon's own achievements, in the west at least most people saw Jon as what he was, a very special young man.

But when it came from those Jon cared about, when it was related to those he loved, then nothing anyone could say to the boy made him feel better. After their trip to the wedding in Oldtown Jaime had put it off, he had comforted the boy as well as he could, without telling him the truth. He used the excuse of making them more ready, of ensuring as much as he could that should the worst happen, he could protect Jon.

With the additional income from Castermere, they'd begun building the fleet. While not fully ready, it would take many years for that, the fleet he now had at his disposal, which was made up of purchased older ships, new ones built by both their own people and the Manderly's and four of the new design Jon had come up with was impressive. He knew they would be hard to beat even if Robert managed to combine the entirety of the fleets in the realm.

The army his father had built was still intact and if anything, more ready than any other force in Westeros, he could probably if need be take the capital, holding it would be a problem, but crowning Jon and beating Robert then calling for a council, could perhaps work. It wouldn't be ideal but it was possible, of course he'd prefer a lot more time, but it could be done. He sighed, he knew what he had to do, it was time to tell Jon the truth and he hoped the boy would take it well.

Jaime got up from his desk and walked to the false wall his father had built in the solar, he took out the chest and closed the door back up, before calling to his guards to help him carry it to Jon's room.

"Garath, Jarvis, can you come in here for a moment please." he called out to the guards.

"My lord, you need something?" Garath asked.

"Aye, I need you to carry this to Jon's room and wait for me, I'll be there in a moment."

"Very well my lord." Garath said as he and Jarvis picked the chest up and headed to Jon's room.

He quickly filled a glass with wine and drank it down in one swallow, steadying himself he left and walked to speak to Jon. When he got there he knocked and found Jon laying in the bed awake but facing the wall, Ghost curled up beside him, he motioned to his guards to bring in the box and placed it down on the ground beside the bed.

"That's fine lads, I want you to call Alyrs and Jors and place them on either end of the corridor, no one's allowed to come this way until I tell you otherwise, you two are to stand with them understood?"

"Aye my lord." Jarvis said confusedly.

"That mean no one, no one at all, not even Tyrion, you got that."

"Aye my lord." Garath said and the two guards headed to fulfill their orders, when they were gone he turned to see Jon looking at him intently.

"Jon I need you to do something for me."

"What my lord?" Jon asked.

"I need you to have Ghost guard the door, no one can come in Jon, no one."

"Why my lord?" Jon looked at him worriedly.

"I need you to trust me on this Jon."

Jon nodded and looked to the wolf who immediately stood up, every time he saw it the wolf seemed bigger, right now it was up to Jaime's hip and was far bigger than any wolf he'd ever seen. He watched on as Jon and the wolf had a silent conversation before Ghost moved towards the door, their connection baffled him, but he got up and opened the door and the wolf walked outside and took up position. Jaime locked the door and walked over to pull a chair and sit by the bed.

"What's going on my lord?" Jon asked, sitting up on the bed and facing him now.

"I heard what happened with Loras." Jaime said noticing the way Jon stiffened slightly.

"It was nothing my lord."

"No Jon it wasn't, I know he hurt you, he didn't mean to, I know that, but he hurt you all the same."

"I.. it doesn't matter." Jon said his lip shaking.

"It does Jon, it's my fault, I wanted to tell you earlier, but I, we, had to be ready, I couldn't risk it."

"Risk what my lord?"

"That the truth would get out, that people would know who you really are."

He took a deep breath as Jon looked at him in confusion, it was now or never he thought.

"Jon your not a bastard." Jaime said to silence. "Your father is not Ned Stark."

"What, your lying, of course he's my father, why are you lying to me." Jon said angrily.

"Jon please, I need you to listen, what I'm telling you is the truth, I swear it."

"No, no it can't be, your lying to me, I don't understand, why would you, I. why..would you." Jon said as the tears fell from his face.

Jaime jumped from his seat and grabbed the boy, Jon struggled against him but he held him tightly, his own eyes beginning to water, he felt him push against him, trying to break free, the sobs growing louder and louder. He heard the scratching at the door and knew Ghost was trying to get inside, then he could hear the banging as the wolf beat against the door.

"Jon, please, I can explain, you need to calm Ghost down." he said as he looked at him.

It took a few moments before finally the wolf at the door stopped, he could see the bowing of it from where he sat on the bed beside Jon, another few moments and the wolf would have broken it down and he could only imagine what it looked like from outside. He got up from the bed and walked to the door, unlocking it before walking outside, as soon as he opened it the wolf streaked past him into the room. Jaime looked down the corridor to see his two guards looking on concernedly.

"It's all right lads, everything's fine." he said trying to reassure them.

"Are you sure my lord?" Jarvis asked.

"Aye lad's I am."

He turned back and walked into the room, locking the door behind him as he did so, there was no way he'd get Ghost to leave now and he saw the wolf was laying on the bed beside Jon looking at him warily. He moved over to the chair and sat back down.

"Jon I'm going to tell you the truth now, after you can ask me any questions you wish all right?"

"Are you my father?" Jon asked looking him in the eye.

"No Jon I'm not, but your more a son to me than any I could ever have." Jaime said smiling at the boy.

Jon nodded and Jaime reached over to grab the mug from the table, he filled one with water and handed it to Jon who drank it down quickly, he refilled it and took the other one for himself and got ready to tell his king the greatest secret in Westeros.

Jon.

Ever since Jaime had spoken to him and showed him what was in the chest Jon had been lost in a whirlwind of emotions. He was trueborn, his father and mother married, raised as a bastard to protect him from a wrathful king, all of it sounded like the stuff of the great tales he read in books. But his life was not a tale and like with everything else there were parts he couldn't grasp.

Why would his uncle not tell him?

Would he have ever told him the truth?

Was he to have spent his whole life as a bastard?

The questions rattled around in his head, some he could answer, he was far too young for his uncle to tell him, for others he just didn't know and would need to speak to his uncle to be sure.

What do I do now?

What does this mean?

Am I a king or a bastard?

These questions were much harder to answer, he knew what Jaime wanted and he had to admit he wanted it too, he knew Robert was not a good king and Cersei was certainly a terrible queen, but his father and mother had started a war with their actions, his birth was only possible because so many gave their lives, was he now to ask more to risk themselves, just so he could sit a throne.

It is you birthright

Your destiny

You are the prince that was promised, the song of ice and fire.

He shook his head and tried to clear the voices, they had begun the moment he had touched the dragon egg that Jaime removed from the chest, as soon as he had touched it he had begun to hear them and one other that was constant and louder.

Wake me

Wake me

He had placed the egg in the fire grate when Jaime had left, almost as if he wasn't in control of himself, he had walked over and put the egg down among the kindling before walking to his table and taking the small paring knife he kept there. Taking the knife he had cut himself across his left palm and walked back to the egg, letting the blood drop against its white and blue jagged surface, he watched in awe as the blood disappeared, the egg seeming to swallow every drop.

When he had finished, he picked up a piece of cloth and covered the small wound on his hand and then walked back to the fire and set the kindling alight. He moved his chair and sat there for he knew not how long just staring into the fire, adding more and more wood to ensure it did not go out. The voice still resonating in his head.

Wake me

Wake me

After a while he stocked the fire with as much wood as he could and climbed into his bed, Ghost was off hunting and wouldn't be back for a few more hours so he turned and went to sleep, trying not to think too much of the events of the previous days. His sleep as it had been for the last two nights though was fitful and full of dreams, the same one playing out over and over.

The men stood facing each other beside a river, one of them huge and wearing an antler helm, the other more slight and wearing the most beautiful black armor adorned with rubies. The large man swung a massive war hammer narrowly missing the other man, who stepped aside quickly, his sword glistened in the light and he moved it quickly and precisely forcing the other man to move backwards.

On and on it went the two men seemingly evenly matched, strength versus speed, power against precision,. Finally the man with the sword caught the other man in the shoulder forcing the man to his knee, he took off his helm to reveal silver hair that shined as bright as the sun behind him, his eyes a deep indigo, he looked at the fallen man and sighed sadly.

" Robert it's over, give up cousin, accept it, she never loved you, you know this to be true."

" No she was mine and you stole her from me, damn you dragonspawn, damn you to all the hells."

He watched as the man raised his sword, could see the reticence in the act, but then the large man had something in his hand and threw it at the other, stones and dirt hit the other man in the face, he took a moment to recover, but by then it was over, the large man raised his hammer and swung with all his might. The rubies flying from the mans chest he fell into the river.

" Lyanna." he said as his eyes closed.

Jon woke with tears in his eyes as he did each morning he'd had the dream, he looked to see Ghost looking at him with worry and tried to remember letting the wolf into the room. He shook his head as he couldn't and got up from the bed, the fire was almost out and as he moved towards it the voices began yet again.

Wake me

Wake me

He reached over to the table and took the knife again, removing the cloth from his hand he cut along the still unhealed cut and as the blood began to flow he held his hand over the egg, when he was done he put the last remaining pieces of wood on the fire and watched as it quickly caught. He quickly dressed and walked to the door, when he opened it he found Alyrs outside, the man smiled at him nervously, so Jon gave him a full one back seeming to reassure the man somewhat.

"Alyrs, can you have someone bring me more wood for the fire?"

"Aye of course, are you feeling all right Jon?" Alyrs asked and Jon was heartened by the concern in his voice.

"Aye, I'm good, thanks."

He turned and walked back into the room, walking to the chest he opened it and looked inside, the sword was just as magnificent as he imagined it would be, he could see it clearly now why Jaime had made him train with the thin sword, while nowhere near Dark Sister, the thin sword he'd used did have the dimensions correct and Jon knew just by looking at the Valyrian blade that wielding it would be a joy.

The cloak was beautiful, the grey wolf incredibly intricate and the pose it was captured in invoked in Jon a vision of a fierce she wolf ready to protect her pup, as he touched the material he could feel the tears begin to fall, he pulled it close to him and held it tightly, his mother had worn this. It and Jon were all that remained to show she had lived, that she had existed, everything else was just memories and most of those were lies, he thought back to what Jaime had told him.

" it all began at the tourney of Harrenhal, I'm not certain of the why or how I was not there during and only returned later, I know it had something to do with a bannerman of your grandfathers, a Lord Reed. But whatever it was, your mother took it upon herself to ride in the lists. The knight of the laughing tree, she challenged and beat three knights and demanded they teach their squires honor.

Aerys demanded the knight be beat when the lists begun the next day, but your mother never turned up. Aerys seeing treason and treachery everywhere convinced himself the knight was out for him, so he ordered everyone to find the knight, but no one did, or so we thought, when your father brought back only the shield.

Finally the day of the final jousts came about, your father rode against Ser Arthur in the semi final and Ser Barristan in the final, you should have seen it Jon, seeing your father ride against the two greatest knights in the realm, Arthur and he rode a great tilt.

But the match against Ser Barristan was incredible, when your father won the cheers of the crowd were deafening, he picked up the crown, blue winter roses, and rode past his wife the princess Elia and laid the wreath in your mother's lap, the day the smiles died, they called it."

Jon folded the cloak and placed it reverently back in the chest, he wiped his eyes and took out the letters. The first was a marriage certificate, the second an annulment, the other two were letters, one addressed to Doran and Oberyn Martell and the other to Jaehaerys. He had spent the last two days looking at the letter without opening it, fearful of what it may contain, Jaime's tale had shaken him to his core, made him question everything and he knew some of the answers were in that letter, but he was scared to open it.

" I don't know what happened after the tourney Jon, only that Robert was wroth and people assumed Elia was humiliated, if she was I do not know, but seeing those letters I feel there was more to it than people knew. A year later your mother disappeared, your uncle Brandon rode to the Red Keep and demanded Rhaegar come out and die, believing you mother to be kidnapped.

Aerys had him arrested and your grandfather was ordered to come to Kings Landing. You know what happened next Jon and I won't speak on it, not now, not ever, other than to say Aerys was a mad man, no one could have predicted what he'd do."

Jon opened the letter.

My dearest son, I wish I could hold you in my arms and tell you how much I love you.

But my time is near and I know now I'll never have the chance to watch you grow,

To see your smile and wipe your tears, soothe your hurts or teach you to ride.

There is so much I wish I could tell you my precious boy,

So much I long to see before I go, but I go to your father.

And while it pains me to leave you, I shall see my love again and for that I'm grateful.

You were the one thing we did right, the one thing in this world that I feel nothing but pride for.

My son you are the best of us, the best of both of us, your father called you the song of ice and fire,

In this he is right, for no greater song has been sung than yours will surely be,

I'm sorry we can't be there with you, to see you become the man you were born to be.

I tried my son, I sent letters, I trusted people to deliver them to my father and I know not why they never reached him.

We caused this, though it was not our intent, we caused this and though I know it's a heavy burden to bear,

Only you can set things right. The truth must be told my son, Robert knew and kept it to himself, he knew how I felt and that I left with Rhaegar willingly, yet lied to further his own ends.

Both he and Jon Arryn and others had planned to depose your family for years, I know not if my father was a willing or unwilling participant, I fear the truth my son that he was willing.

I left letters with Lysa and why she did not deliver them I know not, I sent ravens to Winterfell and why they were not answered is beyond my thinking.

I loved your father from the moment I met him, he loved me too. Elia had her reasons but she knew of us long before your father gave me that accursed crown, we thought it would work out and as I lay here now I still know not how it went so wrong.

When your ready these things will prove you birthright, go see you great uncle at the wall, Aemon is a good man and knows more than any of the burdens you now carry.

You are the prince that was promised to us my son.

Fulfill that promise, be the man you were born to be, the king the realm needs.

I shall watch over you my sweet boy, for now and forever, know that I love you with all my heart.

Your loving mother

Lyanna Targaryen.

Jon allowed the tears to fall freely as he read the letter, all his life he wished to learn of his mother, he held the letter in his hand and looked into the chest, the gold of the harp he longed to play but had not touched, the letters, the beautiful cloak, he looked to the sword and to the egg that rested in the fire, his mother had held these things for him. His birthright Jaime had called it, this was who he was, who he had been born to be, a king raised as a bastard, as he laid the letter down, Ghost came over to him.

He rubbed his hand against the wolfs fur and felt the sadness in his heart lift just a little, he stood up and walked to the egg, looking down on it as Ghost followed behind him, he was a wolf and a dragon, but from now on no longer could he be a bastard, from now on Jon knew he could only be a king.