Chapter 124 – Brothers

[300 AC]

Drawing closer and closer to the dark-haired dragonrider, the Young Wolf saw the exquisitely crafted, grey leather armor with a blood-red Targaryen crest on the front, which caused a small frown to appear between his brows.

The dragonriders were even more of a mystery than the personal guard of the Red God in some sense. Some Feathers had appeared amongst the Lords in King's Landing and stories and myths about them existed.

It was different for the dragonriders, as nobody knew who they were or even how many of them existed in the Red Temple. There were stories of dragons helping the forces of the temple conquer Qarth and eradicating the Dothraki, but nobody even knew if these manifestations of fire and magic had names.

Seeing the Targaryen crest worn by a dragonrider of the Red Temple, not only gave the King of the North quite a shock but also caused a great sense of danger to echo in his mind.

The moment Robb's gaze focused on the rider's face though, those thoughts were somewhat forgotten as a strange sense of familiarity started to well up inside his heart. As if in a daze, the Young Wolf walked in front of the dragonrider, his thoughts a whirl of memories as he was unable to explain the closeness he sensed towards the warrior before him.

Finally arriving before the dark-haired, sharp-gazed dragonrider, the Young Wolf had no time to react when suddenly the young man gave off a slight smile and addressed him.

…

"Long time no see, brother.", Jaehaerys called out with a smile, as he watched the boy he had grown up with, arrive in front of him, "I hope you don't want me to address you as King, or I may have to challenge you for another race around Winterfell to put you in your place, Robb."

The young dragonrider had never forgotten his brother and it made him joyful to finally have the chance to reunite with him, especially at a time when Robb needed his help and he had the strength to provide such.

Jaehaerys could practically see the gears in Robb's head turning, before a look of realization and deep shock appeared in the latter's eyes.

"J-Jon?!", the Young Wolf questioned in disbelief.

His father had never told him where his brother had gone, just that he had joined an order of warrior priests in Essos. Robb had of course speculated that he may have joined the Red Temple, though he thought it more likely that his father had sent him to Norvos to be trained by the bearded priests.

Seeing that his brother had not only joined the Red Temple but had also become one of the elusive dragonriders, nearly made him collapse in shock, especially when he realized that it had been Jon that had single-handedly laid waste to the Twins and practically eradicated House Frey.

"So, you do remember.", Jaehaerys replied, the smile on his face only widening, before the Young King grabbed his long-lost brother in a hearty embrace, while suppressing the joyful tears that threatened to fall.

"How?", Robb asked after finally parting with his brother, still looking at Jaehaerys with great surprise and glancing at the Targaryen crest with a pointed look.

"Well, the most important thing for you to know is probably that I am not the bastard son of Eddard Stark.", the young dragonrider replied.

"I am the legitimate son of Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen, born as Jaehaerys Targaryen. Your father, my uncle, just took me in as his bastard and named me Jon to hide the truth from the rest of Westeros and especially from his friend and King, Robert Baratheon."

Shocked by this revelation, Robb realized that this was indeed something his father would do. Willingly sacrificing his own honor and causing great strife in his marriage for the sole purpose of protecting the son of his beloved sister.

Still, the fact that his 'brother' was basically Targaryen royalty and also the legitimate heir of the Seven Kingdoms sent a tremor of shock through his heart. His men had declared him the King of the North and the King of the Trident, but Jon in fact was a true descendent of royalty and the heir of the Iron Throne.

Jon was also the first dragonrider Westeros had seen for centuries, which somehow reminded Robb of Aegon the Conquerer.

"Are you here to claim the Iron Throne? Is that why you are here, Jon?", the Young Wolf asked, with a pensive look, hoping that he would not be forced into a conflict with his brother.

Shaking his head in denial, Jaehaerys replied with an intense look: "I am a dragonrider of the Red Temple and member of House Targaryen. I am not a King or Conquerer like my ancestors."

"The reason why I am here though is to offer you the Red Temple's help, Robb."

"What are you talking about Jon?", Robb questioned, his expression turning somewhat defensive.

Sighing lightly, Jaehaerys grabbed a small leather sack from his belt and passed it to his brother before answering: "House Frey and House Bolton colluded with the Lannisters in an attempt to betray and kill you and your wife. Inside are the many messages they had exchanged in preparations for that."

"It's part of the reason why I came to the Twins and destroyed House Frey.", Jaehaerys ended.

Colour draining from his face, Robb was deeply disturbed by these words. Reading a few of the messages inside the leather pouch, the young King realized the truthfulness of Jaehaerys' words.

"Though that's not the whole message I came here with, Robb.", the young dragonrider added, knowing that his brother's shock would probably not wear off for a long time.

"Your war with the Lannisters is over. The Red Temple has already destroyed Tywin Lannister and his forces near the Crownlands when they tried to aid King's Landing in fending off Renly Baratheon."

"King's Landing has also fallen under the temple's rule after the Southern King and his forces had breached the walls and the Red God turned them to ashes in retribution for what they were doing to the smallfolk and his believers."

"Not to mention the temple's fleet which is currently sailing towards the Iron Islands or the armies invading the Reach and the Stormlands. The Vale is also only a single visit from me or another dragonrider away from falling under the temple's rule."

"What about Arya and Sansa?", the young King asked somewhat anxiously, the joy of reuniting with his brother banished by the reality and shock of his situation.

"They are alive and well, protected by the High Priest of the Red Temple in King's Landing. The Lord has even sent his men to free Winterfell from the Greyjoys and ensure that your little brothers are safe and well.", Jaehaerys explained.

"Why? Why do all this?", the Young Wold questioned quietly, his gaze resting on his brother's face intently.

Robb knew that the Red Temple would not just show such goodwill and assist him and his family in such a way because of Jon or because he had married Talisa, a priestess of the Red Temple, there had to be more reasons to do so for the Red God.

"He wants your allegiance.", Jaehaerys stated quietly and the look in his eyes spoke of immeasurable respect and gratitude.