Chapter 40: They Might Be Giants

Jon.

Traveling along the Kings Road was far easier than being off the beaten track, The Gift itself was amazing and so underused. Good land, fertile, there were more than enough trees to build homes and villages and the sheer amount of rivers, lakes and streams which littered the land made water a non issue. Yet the place was deserted, almost devoid of life, well people anyway, there was plenty of life to be had as Ghost had proved ever since they set off from Castle Black.

The white wolf was in his element out here, during the day he'd roam free far ahead of them, every so often Jon would use his time to warg into Ghost and each time it was the same, he'd find that door wide open and welcoming and inside he'd go. Seeing through the wolf's eyes was almost indescribable, he could see further, make things out more clearly and when added to the other senses, his own felt inadequate. Scents would rise and he found with practice he could differentiate between them, man, woman, horse, deer, rabbit, mouse, he could pinpoint each with ease.

Right now Ghost was stalking a deer which had no idea of the danger it was in so Jon broke off their connection, he had found that when Ghost ate and they were connected he too could taste the meal and he really hated the taste of blood.

"Where is he?" Jojen asked.

"He's a few miles ahead of us, he's caught a deer." Jon said.

"The connection with him is it still as easy?"

"Aye, with the others it takes a little while, with Ghost it's instant, its like he's waiting for me." Jon said smiling.

It didn't take them long to reach the evidence of Ghost's kill, the deer carcass had been stripped and laying to one side looking mightily pleased with himself was the not so white wolf, luckily they had passed a stream a mile or so back. Jon looked at the wolf who did not want to follow before he turned his horse to head to the stream, it took a moment for the reluctant wolf to move but he did and they set off.

"We shouldn't be long my lord." Jon said to Jaime as he pointed towards the stream and the wolf and Jaime nodded.

Loras rode up beside him and they and their guards set off, the ride to the stream taking them but a few moments, once they got there it took him a much longer amount of time to get the wolf to jump into the water itself. The area they were in was not far from where the Mormont's would split off from their party to head to Bear Island, something Jon wasn't looking forward to. Jaime had been happier than ever since they left Castle Black, he and Dacey closer and more free with their affections. Knowing that they were getting closer to saying goodbye to each other, even if it was temporary, had seen the moods change the last day or two.

It would be more than a moon before they saw each other again and Jon feared that Jaime's mood would change for the worst without Dacey around. Though given the next time they'd meet they'd be wed perhaps Jaime would bear it easier than Jon suspected. He was taken from his thoughts by the splashing of water and then Ghost jumping excitedly and then looked on in amazement at the large salmon Ghost had in his mouth.

"Really, a deer not enough for you?" he said to the wolf much to the amusement of Loras and the guards.

"It would seem not." Loras japed and they watched on as Ghost devoured the large fish.

Once done they hurried back to the others not wanting to fall too far behind. They caught up with them just in time it seemed as they had indeed reached the split off point. Riding up beside the others Jon and Loras dismounted and walked over to say their farewells for now to Dacey and her sisters and for a little while longer to Jorah and Lynesse.

"My lady, my lord." Jon said as he reached Jorah.

"Ah Jon, we thought we might not get the chance to bid you farewell." Jorah said.

"It's been a pleasure traveling with you my lord, my lady. I look forward to seeing you again soon." Jon said.

"Aye, you too lad, Bear Island is most grateful for what you've done for her as am I. I hope you visit one day." Jorah said.

"I shall my lord." Jon said before turning to Lynesse "My lady I wish you all the best health for you and the babe."

"I thank you Jon, for everything." Lynesse said.

Jon watched as she said her goodbyes to Loras giving her nephew a large hug and mussing his hair which made them both giggle. He said his own goodbyes then to Lyra and Jory, both of them too asking him to come visit Bear Island and saying that they'd see him in Winterfell. He saw Jaime and Dacey say their own farewells and turned away to allow them some privacy, when they were done Dacey came over to him and whispered in his ear.

"Look after him will you?"

"I will my lady, always." Jon said and she smiled at him before mounting her horse.

Jon did likewise as soon as Jaime did, he thought of going over to speak to his lord but decided not to, he knew by the look that Jaime was giving Dacey that right now he didn't wish for comfort from anyone but her. They stayed there for a few more minutes watching the Mormont's and their guards leave before turning off to head in the opposite direction. They were no more than a day away from Last Hearth according to the Smalljon so should reach it on the morrow.

Jaime.

Saying goodbye to Dacey had been hard and had it been for longer than the moon or so they'd be apart he didn't know if he would have been able to do it. From the moment she'd agreed to be his wife Jaime had found that he looked forward to his days just that little bit more, his company just that little bit more. If finding Jon had given him purpose then finding Dacey had brought him happiness, for the first time in his life it was as if both sides of his heart were truly beating.

The man he'd wanted to be, Kingsguard, knight, honorable, before meeting Jon he assumed that man to be long dead and buried. But buried though he was deep inside him, the man wasn't dead, he was instead waiting to be reborn and his king had made that happen. The man he never thought he could be, the one with a wife who loved him as much as he loved her, he too he had thought to be long dead, only to find that to be far from the truth.

Years earlier he had said goodbye to a woman he thought he loved, he had been the one to ride off then and at the time he had thought this is how it feels, this is what it's like to leave the other side of your heart behind. How wrong he was, saying goodbye to Cersei was nothing like this, within moments of doing so he'd forgotten about her and was thinking more of the adventure he was undertaking. Saying goodbye to Dacey though.

" It will only be a moon or so Jaime and then we'll be wed." Dacey said softly.

" What if I can't go a moon without you." Jaime said with a small smirk, though there was some truth in his words.

" Then my lord we are done for." Dacey said kissing him softly.

" I love you."

" I love you too."

He looked to his side to see Ghost had joined him which in turn had meant the Smalljon suddenly felt the need to ride elsewhere, laughing he nodded to the wolf and they continued to ride on. After riding through a forest they came to the Umber homestead, Last Hearth stood atop a small mountain which you had to ride a circular path to reach the keep itself. As he looked at it in the distance he felt it was an excellent defensive position, this keep wouldn't fall easily, and certainly not by surprise.

"My lord." Jon said riding towards him with Loras.

"Jon, Loras."

"That path looks tricky." Loras said.

"Not really." Jon said pointing to Ghost who was racing up ahead of them.

"Well we better not keep Lord Umber waiting." Jaime said and they set off towards the path.

Loras was right it was tricky, some parts were slick and while it was large enough for horses to ride four abreast, they found quickly the edges were far too dangerous and so they rode single file. Though it didn't seem to bother the Smalljon or the Umber men as they rode as normal, Ghost too had no problem with the path. When they reached the keep itself Jaime was far less impressed, while old and definitely sturdy Last Hearth was probably the least welcoming place he'd ever seen and that included Castle Black.

The walls were dark and gray and covered in snow and ice, the doors though big and imposing were made of a dark wood which only reinforced the overall darkness of the keep itself. It looked cold and seeing the three large men and the household ready to welcome them were all dressed in big furs, Jaime knew it would be. As for the Umbers themselves, the Greatjon was an absolute beast of a man, though not a lot taller than his son, in sheer size he was far bigger.

The other two men were equally as big, one was wearing an eye patch and was dressed in a white bear cloak which had as it's hood the bears head. The other man was thinner and more gaunt with a snowy white beard and dark eyes. Jaime looked to the large lord who was looking at him distrustfully and then back to Jon who in turn did not look happy about the Greatjon's expression, he smiled and dismounted and was immediately joined by Jon, Loras and Ghost who caused a stir.

"Is that, it can't be, A Direwolf." Greatjon said loudly.

"Aye father, that's Jon's wolf."

"Snow, come here lad let me look at ya." Greatjon said and Jon steeped forward.

"Aye, a Stark true and true, be welcome at Last Hearth lad." the Greatjon said a large smile on his face.

"I thank you my lord, may I introduce Lord Jaime Lannister." Jon said and Jaime moved forward.

"Lord Umber I thank you for you hospitality."

"Aye, welcome Lord Lannister." the Greatjon's greeting much less friendly.

"Lord Loras Tyrell." Jon said and the Greatjon turned to meet Loras and welcomed him little better.

"Lord Jojen and Lady Meera Reed." Jon introduced both the Reed children and they got the same welcome Jon did.

"I know your father well, a fine man." the Greatjon boomed happily.

"Thank you my lord."

A woman came out holding a tray with some bread and salt on it and Jaime smirked, well if nothing else he'd not be getting murdered here he thought as he took a piece of each.

"Well come, we'll show you to your rooms and we'll feast tonight, Lord Jaime, Snow." the Greatjon said before he and all the rest of the Umbers quickly went inside.

While still not comforting the inside was far better and thankfully far warmer than the outside, they were shown to some quite decent rooms and he was glad to see his own had a fire already roaring in the hearth. Jon and Loras joined him after leaving their chests in their own rooms, they would only stay here a day or so though, all of them eager to make the journey to Winterfell.

"Not exactly friendly is he?" Loras said.

"No, this is the north Loras, they don't think highly of southerners." Jon said.

"The Mormont's weren't like that, even the Smalljon was far friendlier." Loras said and Jaime laughed.

"Aye they know us Loras, the northmen don't trust what they don't know. Isn't that right Jon?"

"It is my lord, which is why I was wondering if I should speak to the Greatjon myself?"

"Why?"

"I think the trade deal will go better coming from me, it was the same with the Manderly's my lord."

"Very well, you know the details better than I anyway." Jaime said getting a laugh.

"That's because you only like playing with your sword, my lord." Jon japed.

"Why you, who said that." Jaime said in mock outrage.

"Three guesses." Jon said.

"It was my aunt wasn't it."

"Aye my lord." Jon said and this time they all laughed a little.

"Loras had better get some rest don't you think my lord?"

"What I'm not tired." Loras said grumpily.

"Loras you're about to have to suffer through a proper northern feast, trust me you will be." Jaime said causing Jon to laugh loudly.

Jon.

Walking through the Umber keep with a large white Direwolf was Jon found out a good way to make sure you were not disturbed or bothered. The servants avoided him, the guards moved to one side and Jon was free to walk all the way to where he assumed the Greatjon's solar was. Given the shouts coming from inside the room, he had found the right place.

"What were you thinking boy?"

"I was thinking the trade deal we were being offered was too good to turn down."

"You think I care for coin."

"I think we could use the damn thing."

"Not enough to get in bed with the damn Kingslayer we can't."

"He's a good man father, he's marrying Dacey Mormont, what other southerner you think would do that."

"I don't know or care what the hell the Mormont's are thinking, though I'm sure Maege will have something to say about it, you brought the damn Kingslayer to my home boy."

Jon had enough, he moved to the door and the guard tried to stop him only for Ghost to knock him off his feet, once he did Jon pushed the door open to the shock of the men inside the room.

"Snow, what are you doing." the Greatjon shouted as he stood up.

"How dare you my lord, you speak of a man you know nothing about, a man who's done more for the north than any southerner has ever done before him, you speak of him in such a way. What of honor my lord, where is the honor of speaking of a guest in such a manner?"

"You're speaking of the Kingslayer Snow. It is not your place."

"Not my place, my lord I know the man better than any of you here. I know how much he's helped the north, how much he's done for it, he comes here to offer to help you too and your stubborn pride blinds you to old prejudice's."

"He broke his oath Snow."

"An oath to a mad king my lord, a mad king who I may remind you killed my grandfather and uncle. Your liege lord and his heir, or have you forgotten my lord?"

"I have not forgotten, I will never forget."

"Yet the man who brought justice to my family for their deaths is treated with such disrespect. I will not stand for it my lord. Myself and my companions shall take our leave, I have no desire to share a hall with you my lord, not after this."

Jon turned and walked away leaving the men in shock, he stormed back to his room and slammed the door behind him when he entered. Ghost stood beside him and brushed against him and yet even rubbing his hand in his wolf's fur could not calm the rage Jon felt. Jaime deserved not only their respect but their gratitude yet they were too closed minded to see it, men like the Greatjon weren't fit to carry Jaime's sword.

As he pushed the clothes he'd taken out of the chest back inside it, Loras entered the room, seeing his friends distress he quickly walked over to Jon who still hadn't calmed.

"Jon what's wrong?" Loras asked concernedly.

"These men, these foolish men, it's no wonder the north is thought so badly in the south, it's full of closed minded fools."

"What happened?"

"They disrespected Jaime, these fools who aren't worth even one part of him, disrespected a far better man than any of them could even dream of being." Jon said angrily.

"Jon, you knew they would, is that not why you went to speak to them yourself?"

"Aye it is, but Loras." Jon said as he sat down resignedly.

"How did you leave it?" Loras asked.

"I told them we were leaving." Jon said.

"Jon we can't it's getting on, it'll be dark soon, we have to stay."

"I know, I know." Jon said shaking his head.

"Wait here." Loras said and Jon nodded while he left the room.

Jon sat on the bed and felt himself grow embarrassed, had he overreacted? Did he go too far? He had felt such rage, such anger when he heard them speak of Jaime that way, but was he right to? Would it not have been better to show a different side, to stay calm and persuade? He wasn't sure what was the right thing to do, standing up for Jaime was though, of that he was certain, but perhaps he should have done it differently.

Loras came back a few minutes later with Jaime and Jon couldn't look him in the eye, he had let him down, he felt it keenly as Jaime sat down on the bed beside him, not a word spoken and just an arm placed around his shoulder. He closed his eyes to stop the onset of tears, not wanting to cry in front of Loras and Jaime, not for this, not now.

"You know I'm supposed to be the impulsive one with a temper right?" Jaime said and he laughed.

"Aye, well I did learn from you after all." Jon said to more laughter.

"You think we should leave?" Jaime asked.

"No Loras was right, we have to stay, we can leave on the morrow."

"Fine, I'll go talk to the Greatjon."

"My lord?" Jon asked.

"It's fine Jon, leave it to me, Loras" Jaime said and he nodded.

He watched as Loras and Jaime left the room and then went to lay down on the bed, he was supposed to be the one who smoothed things over in the north and instead he'd made things worse. Now Jaime and Loras would have to go and apologize for his behavior and hope the Greatjon allowed them to stay. Everything he'd said to the Greatjon had been right, he'd been right to say it and yet he'd been a fool too for not thinking more clearly about the consequences of the simple loss of control he'd had.

Loras.

Seeing how angry Jon was had been a surprise to Loras, he'd not seen his friend that way before, but it was no surprise it had been because of Lord Jaime that he'd lost his temper. Jon and he were a lot alike in certain respects and especially when it came to people they cared about, he also knew that Lord Jaime's relationship with Jon was even closer than his own with the lord. He had wondered if they were doing the best thing to leave him alone in his room but Jaime had reassured him and so now they were walking to meet Lord Umber.

He didn't know what to expect from the lord of Last Hearth when they arrived today, all Jon had told him was the Greatjon was a typical Northman, when he'd asked Jojen and Meera what that meant, they said loud, proud and prone to anger. When they reached the solar they found two guards who looked at them both oddly before checking behind them and then a moment later they were brought in to see Lord Umber.

"My lord." Jaime said.

"Lord Jaime." the Greatjon replied.

"I believe I owe you an apology my lord." Jaime said.

"My lord?" the Greatjon looked at them both before looking to his son and the other thinner man with the beard they'd met earlier, Hothar he thought his name was.

"For my squires behavior." Jaime said.

"No my lord you do not, young Snow spoke truly and harsh though it was he was right to do so." the Greatjon said to both Jaime and his surprise."

"My lord I don't understand." Jaime said.

"I spoke out of turn Lord Jaime, the lad corrected me, fiercely I may add." Greatjon said a smile now on his face. "According to my son, his wolf's just as fierce." he laughed loudly.

"Aye, that is true my lord." Jaime said with a snigger.

"I congratulate you my lord on your upcoming wedding, Lady Dacey's a fine woman."

"That she is my lord." Jaime said smiling which made the Greatjon smile too.

"We shall feast tonight my lord to your upcoming wedding and to our new trade deal."

"We shall my lord." Jaime said and the Greatjon nodded to a guard who sent a woman in carrying some ale.

"To the Lannisters and the Umbers." the Greatjon said grabbing a mug.

"The Umbers and the Lannisters." Jaime said and the Greatjon laughed while both men did their best to empty the mugs quickly, something which they managed within a moment of each other.

Leaving the room after Jaime and the Greatjon had another mug of ale and laughed about a tourney that Jaime had won, he and Jaime headed down the corridor and walked back towards their own. Loras walked silently beside Jaime who was at times shaking his head and at times laughing a little, when they got to Jon's room and checked in on him he was asleep. So he and Jaime walked back to Jaime's room and once inside Loras could bear it no more.

"What just happened my lord?" Loras asked.

"Northmen Loras, they're a different breed, don't ever forget that."

"Aye my lord, I know, but I don't understand."

"Jon in standing up to the Greatjon actually impressed the man, he made him think, almost as if the man was waiting for him to do so." Jaime said.

"You're right my lord, northmen are odd." Loras said and Jaime laughed loudly.

"Now go get some rest, Jon was right earlier, a northern feast is much different."

Loras did as he was told and went back to his room though he wasn't tired in the least, instead he lay down on his bed and just waited, eventually though he did doze off for an hour or two and was woken up by knocking on his door. Getting up and walking to it he found a serving girl carrying some water in a jug and some towels at the door when he opened it. He quickly took the things and washed himself to get ready for the upcoming feast, it was while doing so that Jon knocked before entering.

"Are you all right? Loras asked.

"Aye Loras, I am, Jaime told me what happened with the Greatjon."

"Aye."

"I got lucky." Jon said.

"Well sometimes it's good to be lucky is it not." Loras smirked as he finished readying himself.

"Come on we'll need to find a nice Umber lass for you to dance with." Jon japed and Loras shook his head.

"You're the dancer Jon, I'll sit and watch."

Finishing up they left the room and headed to meet up with Meera, Jojen and Jaime, finding the two Reeds already ready and waiting, but having to wait a little longer for Jaime. When he did appear all five of them followed a servant down to the main hall to find the feast had already begun. It seemed the Umbers didn't care too much for ceremony which actually Loras found he really liked, as the introductions to these things usually went on for as long as the feasts themselves.

They were escorted to different tables, the Umber high table for Jaime and the one directly below it for Jon, himself and the Reeds, sitting at the table were a couple of younger boys and one girl of around Meera's age. As they took their seats the feast both began in earnest and the introductions were made first by the Greatjon and then to each other around the table.

"QUIET." the Greatjon's voice boomed out "That's better, now if I may introduce our guests for this feast, Lord Jaime Lannister, the Warden of the West and a friend of the Umbers." the Greatjon shouted loudly and Loras heard mugs banged on table and saw Jon looking surprised.

"Jon Snow, son of our liege lord and friend of the Umbers." the Greatjon added and motioned for Jon to stand up.

"Lord Loras Tyrell, friend of the Umbers., Lord Jojen Reed, Lady Meera Reed friend of the Umbers." the Greatjon continued and the banging grew louder.

"I bid you all welcome to Last Hearth and offer you meat and mead and a warm place to stay should ever the need arise. My lords. My lady, The Umbers wish you well." the Greatjon finished to loud cheers.

Jon looked almost as shocked as he himself was feeling, he knew they'd smoothed things over with the man earlier but Loras hadn't expected such a warm welcome as this and couldn't help but smile at the look on Jon's face. Though the smile was soon wiped from his own when the girl sitting to his right began making the introductions.

"May I introduce my brothers and myself, I am Lyarra Umber, my brothers Hoarfrost and Brandon." the large girl said with a smile which Loras did his best to return.

Her two brothers looked to be even younger then Jon and he and yet were already of a size with them while Lyarra was a good half a head taller than he was and was heavier built than either he or Jon. He did find though that her company was far different than the southern ladies and while he danced with her eventually, it was actually fun as she seemed to have no interest in him whatsoever. Instead it was Jojen who received most of her real attention much to Meera's glee.

Jaime.

If meeting with Lord Umber earlier didn't show the man liked his ale then sitting at a feasting table with him certainly did, Jaime had barely finished one while the man had emptied at least three. As he was going for the fourth though his son stood up and called Jon over.

"Jon come here." the Smalljon shouted and stayed standing when Jon came over.

"My lord?" Jon said as he arrived at the table a look of apprehension on his face.

"These fools don't believe me about the ice Jon." the Smalljon sniggered.

"Aye, a foolish idea Snow, who'd want ice and why?" Mors said his eye patch now gone and replace with what looked to be a shiny black rock.

"Can you get me some ice my lord?" Jon said looking to a curious Greatjon.

"Aye, ice we have plenty of, Snow." the man replied sending a servant to grab a chunk of ice.

While around them the feast was still going on, Jaime noticed a fair few eyes were looking up at the high table, Jon stood there and waited and within a few moments the servant came back carrying a large chunk of ice which he placed on the table.

"See worthless." the Greatjon said while both he and the Smalljon smirked.

Jon took out a small knife and began to chip away at the ice knocking small pieces off of it, when he was satisfied he reached out for an empty mug and placed the ice inside before asking for and receiving a jug of ale which he poured over the ice.

"My lord, drink slowly." Jon said and the room erupted in laughter as the Greatjon's own boomed out.

"It's a hard task you're setting me lad, but I'll try." the Greatjon said to even more laughter.

Jaime watched as the Greatjon took a small unsure sip of the ale, before taking a larger one, he looked on as the smile appeared on the mans face and watched as he held the mug almost reverently in his hand.

"You need to try this." he said loudly while Jon chipped more ice and placed it in more mugs.

Soon more and more people were looking for ice to be added to their drinks, the servants were sent scurrying off to find some more and people began chipping the ice themselves and adding it, it was a few minutes later when the Greatjon shouted loudly.

"My head, my head it hurts." he shouted as the Smalljon doubled over in laughter.

"He told you to drink slowly father." Smalljon said to loud cheers.

After the pain in the man's head had gone away Jon was asked to explain more about the ice trade and what it could do for the north. He could see the Greatjon's eyes light up when Jon said he'd figured out how to move it, something he had shown him while they were in Castle Black. After that the rest of the night passed pretty much without incident until Ghost showed up. Where the wolf had been he didn't know nor how it made it into the hall without being seen. But hearing the almost womanlike scream from the Greatjon when the wolf's head appeared out of nowhere from behind him, just to help himself to a leg of chicken from his plate was something he'd smile about for a long time.

Jon came and grabbed the wolf away, though the leg of chicken much to the Greatjon's annoyance it seemed was the price of the wolf's compliance. With Jon bidding his good nights, soon Loras and the Reeds did likewise and if Jaime had been a fool he'd have expected that to signal the winding down of the feast. However that was certainly not the case in the north. Instead it ramped it up, the Greatjon actually sang and Jaime was stunned to learn the man had a pretty good voice particularly if the song was a sad one it seemed.

His last memory of the night was when at some point an argument between the Greatjon and his son had broken out over something or other, it led to the two men stripping off their shirts and wrestling in the middle of the floor. Who won Jaime would never know as when he woke up half dressed laying on his bed the next morning he could barely remember much of the evening after that point. He dressed, washed and staggered to the hall to break his fast to find some others in the same condition as he was, though the Greatjon was as loud and boisterous as ever.

"Ah good of you to join us Lord Jaime."

"Good morning my lord."

The morning's conversation passed him by truth be told, he heard Jon speak of shipping the ice and thought he heard something about the Bay of Seals, but beyond that not very much at all. After eating they quickly began their preparations to leave, Winterfell was at least two weeks away and they wished to have full days of travel to make it as quickly as they could. It didn't take too long for them to be ready to set off, without the extra supplies and the carts they were able to travel a lot faster, though they still stopped regularly to rest up.

"I bid you all a safe travel, my lord I wish I could come with you to Winterfell but I have things I must do here, however I shall do my best so that either I or my son arrive in time to see you wed." the Greatjon said as they lined up to say their goodbyes.

"I thank you Lord Umber for your welcome and hospitality, I look forward to our business together." Jaime replied.

"I too my lord."

"Jon Snow, it was good to meet you lad, though I dare not say the same about the White Wolf." both the Greatjon and the Smalljon looked warily at Ghost who basically ignored them.

"I thank you my lord and I apologize for my words." Jon said and the Greatjon just smiled.

"You're a wolf Jon, wolves don't apologize." the Greatjon said slapping him hard on the back.

"Now be off with you all. You should make it to the Kings Road before the snows hit."

As it turned out they barely did and once back on the Kings Road they quickly found a shaded place to make camp for the night, not really wanting to have to do so during a snow storm. The storm itself lasted for two days keeping them where they'd made camp and they were thankful that they had done so close to a stream.

Jon.

Daily travel along the road was dull and boring he thought, they had settled into a routine, up early to break their fast, travel until luncheon and stop off for an uncooked meal before settling for a place to make camp each night. Some days they were lucky and found a place for their campsite early, when they did they'd stop their travel for the day, others though they hadn't found a suitable place and traveled much further to do so. Jon hated those days, when they'd eventually find somewhere it'd be near dark and setting up tents and preparing meals always seemed rushed and even the sleep those nights didn't refresh them.

He also found that those nights he dreamt less, he didn't get to visit Rhaenys and they added to his bad moods when he woke of a morning. It would take him a number of hours to feel better when he didn't see or speak to his sister, he also found he couldn't warg as easily, as if his mind was troubled more those days. After the nights he did dream of Rhaenys he found himself waking far happier, far more refreshed, his warging seemed to not only occur easier but he found he could do more with it.

A day ago he and Jojen had practiced with a bird, he had spent the night before walking around the caves below the Dragonmont with Rhaenys, exploring the island of their ancestors even more. When Jojen suggested they warg into birds Jon hadn't been interested but what Jojen said next really intrigued him.

" Why don't we try and reach out Jon, picture a place and see if we can find a bird near there."

" How will we see them if they're so far away?" he asked.

" We reach out Jon, the book said it can be done, we don't need to see it with anything other than our third eye."

" Our what?"

" Our mind Jon." Jojen said as Loras laughed.

Despite his skepticism he did as Jojen suggested, it took him longer than usual but he found a gull and after a while he was inside it's mind. He had pictured the volcano in his head and next thing he knew he could see them in the air, lots of them, picking one out he reached out and it welcomed him. The connection felt different though, looser, almost like a fishing line resting in the water, he felt if he pulled on it he'd lose it so he let it stay the same.

Flying over and seeing the castle itself he found what he saw was both just like it had been in his dreams with Rhaenys and not the same, it seemed darker, more foreboding and as he looked at the banners and flags he could see why. The Stag didn't belong here, he looked down on men walking his families towers, his families parapets and without even thinking it he felt the gull release it's bowels and watched on as the contents landed directly on a stag banner.

" Jon?" Jojen asked as he opened his eyes.

" It worked," Jon said smiling."

" Jon your nose." Loras said handing him a piece of cloth to wipe the blood.

" Are you all right?"

" Aye, I feel fine, it worked Loras, Jojen it worked,"

" It did, where did you go?" Jojen asked.

" Dragonstone."

For the rest of the day he had a terrible headache and he had wondered if it was his age, his strength or did he need more practice to allow him to do so without being hurt, Or was this the price for going beyond what he should, he waited another couple of days to warg again and once again tried the same thing, which led to another discovery.

" Are you sure Jon?" Loras asked.

" It'll be fine, besides if it does hurt again I'll know won't I."

" All right, just be careful." Loras said and he smiled at his friends concern.

Reaching out he found himself once again over Dragonstone and as he looked above for gulls to warg into he noticed something strange, one gull seemed different, almost brighter than the others. Jon reached for it and prepared to have the conversation to allow him enter only he found the door open. When he entered he found the reason why, this was a place he'd been before, this was the same gull. This time the bond was even tighter, still not as tight as one with an animal closer but tighter all the same.

So excited was he by the discovery that he found himself staying longer within the gull and when he landed on some rock it was only then he broke the connection. Coming back to the others he opened his eyes and found Loras looking worriedly at him. Though this time to his relief there was no blood coming from his nose, he explained what he'd found to Jojen and they tried to make sense of it but couldn't, later that day he found though he had a headache it was far lesser than the one previous.

It was a little over a week and a half into their journey that they were joined by a company of Stark men, Jon recognized Jory, Alyn and Wyl amongst them and was happy to see them. Though surprised they had come to meet them, as they drew closer though he saw the relief in the men's eyes and wondered if something had happened. Of course that was when Ghost decided to make his appearance and after the horses calmed down and the men realized the wolf was with him, the questions began.

"Is that a Direwolf." Alyn asked.

"Aye, its Ghost he's harmless aren't you fella." Jon said and ignored the sniggers behind him.

"Yeah harmless." Loras snorted.

"Lord Jaime, Lord Stark sent us to escort you to Winterfell, we expected you earlier?" Jory said.

"We stopped of in Last Hearth for a day and got caught up in a storm so stopped traveling."

"No other problems my lord?" Jory asked.

"No, it was uneventful." Jaime answered.

"Snow good to see ya lad." Jory said then smiling at him.

"You too Jory, you're faring well?"

"I am, you look well too lad." Jory said and Jon nodded in agreement.

Once they joined them they continued traveling for the rest of the day, they were no more than three days out and when they camped that night, Jory brought him up to date on what he'd missed while he'd been away. He told him of his new brother and of Arya and Sansa, when pressed on Robb he wouldn't say much though Jon noticed the look which appeared on his and Alyn's face.

"You'll be looking forward to seeing your father again no doubt." Jory said and Jon nodded while Loras and Jaime looked uncomfortable and Meera and Jojen smiled at him reassuringly.

"Aye, I'm looking forward to seeing them all Jory." Jon said smiling and received a warm smile from the man in return.

Going to bed that night Jon felt a little worried about how things would go once he did get back to Winterfell, How would his uncle react? How his wife would? He looked forward to seeing his siblings again though. As he took the egg out of the chest and lay back in the bed he hoped he'd get along with them as much as he did with Rhaenys, he thought of his sister as he fell asleep hoping to meet her in his dreams again.

He found her today walking by some water pools in a bright garden, she beckoned him to join her as she sat down and placed her feet in the water. His sister had grown into a poised and beautiful young lady, her hair was long and dark and it rested on her bare shoulders, her dark skin contrasting with it perfectly. Her purple eyes were dark and mysterious he thought but to him they were always welcoming, friendly and they sparkled when she saw him.

As he sat beside her he could see the contented smile on her face, she looked at peace, she looked happy and he was grateful for it. When he had found her again she told him he had left her alone, left her with no one to speak to, mother and father and Egg were gone she said, it was only her and then he had left her too. He had promised never to leave her alone again and so far had been able to live up to that promise.

" Where are we Rhae?"

" The Water Gardens, mother and father brought me here once, Balerion and I played over there in the water, though he didn't like being splashed." Rhaenys said laughing.

" We could have come here often then?" Jae asked.

"We could Jae, you, me Egg, Dany, Vis, all of us playing with my uncle's children."

" Do you, do you think they'd have liked me, your uncles?" Jae asked.

" I like you, so they would had to or else I wouldn't like them Jae." Rhaenys said and Jae nodded.

They stayed there for a while, laughing and joking, at one point Jae had jumped into the water and pulled Rhaenys in after him, her retribution had been swift and merciless as she had splashed him repeatedly until he could barely breathe, before finally giving him respite.

" Now see what happens." she said looking sternly at him before breaking into laughter.

He loved these parts of the dreams but as he saw the dark clouds gather he feared the next part, as always though she was there right beside him, her hand in his and they waited for the sky to darken completely and the visions to begin.

He saw a large dog protect a baby dragon while all around it people tried to poke it with pointed sticks, he saw a beast with the body of a lion and a scorpion's tail being caught in a net while blinded by a shining star, he saw a snake lie crumbled and broken under a large rock and a wolf break free from the chains that held it down. He saw his sister look at him and smile while above them a dragon flew free in the sky, he felt the hand that held him fade away and as he looked to see Rhaenys he found himself alone but for a white wolf, until the dragon landed and looked at him with dark purple eyes.

He woke up in a cold sweat and tried to make sense of what he'd seen, he took out the small book he used for notes and quickly wrote down what he'd dreamt, marking the where and when of it all. The book had other dreams, one from the wall, and another from Last Hearth, it had a couple he'd had on the road, some he'd been able to figure out, some not yet. But he knew from his talks with Jojen that these were important, Rhaenys had told him that too, though he knew not why they were so.

He dressed quickly and broke his fast with the others, Jory sent Alyn and Wyl on to Winterfell to announce they'd arrive on the morrow and they quickly set off for the day. He looked forward to being in a room again, to be somewhere safe and warm, he wished to read his father's letters and had not done so but briefly when his uncle had given them to him. The thoughts of the letters being damaged or lost had led him to leave them tied and locked up tight at the bottom of his chest, they were far too precious to him and so he wouldn't risk them during travel.

"I can't wait to spar again." Loras said taking him out of his thoughts.

"Aye me too." Jon said as they readied themselves for the final part of their journey.

The rest of the day and the night itself passed quickly, they rode and Ghost looked out longingly at the Wolfswood and Jon told him he'd be allowed there soon, which seemed to keep him happy enough for now. It was on the following day that he saw it for the first time in years, they crested a hill and there in the distance it stood.

"Winterfell." Jon said softly.