Riverrun 294 AC.
The Blackfish.
It didn't take him long to hate this, not more than a day after his niece and nephew had left and he was already regretting the decision he'd made, why he'd agreed to it he knew, but he also knew nothing was worth it. Having Frey's come to him, listening to them make complaints about minor issues while also trying to push brides on him, on his nephew, even on his grandnephew, as if he could tell Ned Stark who his son should marry, all of it was tiring.
Having to sit with them at dinner, to entertain them, to listen to their stupid stories, that was he had no doubt, one of the seven hells. He knew had his brother lived to see him do this, then they'd have never been able to remove the smile from Hoster's face, never been able to stop him laughing. As he struggled to act the lord he was pretending to be, as he struggled to keep a jovial outlook if not attitude, he hoped they'd be gone on the morrow, if they were not, then he may very well be.
In the end, it took them more than a week to leave and had it not been for a raven from old Walder himself, then Brynden had no doubt they'd have stayed for as long as he would have to. With that headache gone he moved onto the next ones, the first being coin, he was surprised by just how much of it they'd spent, just how much it cost to run the keep.
"These figures are right Maester?" he said asking Vyman.
"They are my lord, that's last year's expenditure."
"Why is so much higher than the year before?" he asked looking at the two figures.
"We had more problems to deal with last year my lord, some one-off events." the Maester said and he nodded, though found the answer unsatisfying.
"The store's Maester?" he said changing the subject.
"We have enough for three moons my lord." The Maester said and he looked at him stunned.
They had always kept two years worth of stores in the keep, both for the winters and should they ever find themselves besieged, so for them to have only three months was unbelievable to him.
"We must order more Maester, how come we have so little?"
"Lord Edmure felt we were spending excessively on the stocks my lord."
"Order more Maester, more flower and more grain, do it now, I want at least a years worth by the time my nephew returns."
"As you say my lord." the Maester said leaving.
He shook his head, his nephew really was an idiot, he doubted there was a keep in the Riverlands who carried less stores than Riverrun, had their bannermen known of this then they'd fall even lower in their favor. He began to look around the keep even more over the next few days, the defenses that he'd once been so proud of, that he once bragged to Yohn about, seemed to be missing, or worse in disrepair.
He watched their guard's work, watched their training and once again it was below standard, it was in fact incredibly substandard and it bothered him greatly. Hoster was a military men, he had led men, he had fought in battles, he knew how to prepare men to fight, was he really this lax?. Asking around he found the same answer he had with the stores, Hoster it seemed had passed responsibility for this to Edmure too and so Brynden resolved to fix this also.
"Ser Robin, Ser Desmond." he said offering both men a drink as they walked into the solar, once they'd sat and took their wine he looked at them "I wish to speak about the guard Sers."
After scheduling extra training sessions, after finding out that once again coin had been moved from Ser Desmond's arms and defense budget, from Ser Robin's horse's, he called for the steward to explain. Utherydes Wayn had been steward even when he was living here and Brynden liked and respected the man, but he seemed to have been lax in his duties and that needed to stop or he needed to be replaced.
"I'm very disappointed Utherydes, Riverrun is not what I expected, stores, arms, defenses, all of it is lacking."
"As I told your brother on many occasions my lord." the steward said catching him by surprise.
"You did?"
"More times than I care to remember my lord."
"And my brother didn't address it?" he asked.
"He asked Lord Edmure to do so my lord, I found mine own duties limited after."
"Limited How?"
"Maester Vyman and Lord Edmure assumed most of my duties my lord, I've been relegated to dealing with the household staff, rather than the household itself." the old steward said bitterly.
"I shall speak to my nephew upon his return Utherydes, he and the Maester have not been doing a good job." he said and the steward got up to leave before turning.
"It is good you are here my lord." the man said smiling at him as he left the room.
Was it though? Did he need this headache? Did he want this headache? Was there enough ale to get rid of this headache? Concentrating on the last of them he resolved to get very drunk that night, something which he did. Waking the next morning he was pleased to see the guards already up and sparring, to see and hear the sound of the hammer striking the anvil in the smiths. He breathed the fresh air and went to break his fast, surprised he had no hangover.
Over the next few weeks, he alternated between hearing petitions, settling disputes, and making sure the orders he gave were carried out. The defenses, the drills, the stores, all of it he was pleased to see being taken care of. Which left him then with time to finally begin to see if he could find the evidence he had actually stayed here for, to see if the snakes in his gut belonged there or not.
"Are these all of my brother's private notes?" he asked the Maester.
"They are my lord."
He read through them and found nothing, not a thing to either allay his fears or reinforce them, just simple notations, talk of bannermen, talk of potential brides for Edmure. Nothing personal, nothing to show what his brother may have had in his mind, nothing to show any link between his death and his nephew. It was at dinner that night sitting beside Utherydes, the hall for once empty of any but Riverrun people that he found out anything that could be helpful.
"Your brother kept a journal, my lord, kept it in a wall in his privy." the Steward said.
"His privy?" he asked.
"Said he did his best thinking in their my lord." the steward said and Brynden couldn't help but laugh.
"Who knew of this?" he asked.
"I don't know my lord."
He found to his dismay it was gone when he looked, the wall where it'd had been placed in had been rebuilt very recently, as if someone had been looking for it before him. Shaking his head, he continued to look and finally found some notes hidden under a board, reading through them he was surprised at what they suggested. Letter's, drafts, asking Ned Stark to allow young Brandon ward with them, suggesting a future for the lad, an important one.
When Edmure returned alone he was surprised, he had expected Cat to join him, when his nephew told him of Sansa's betrothal he shook his head, surely they couldn't so without Ned's permission. But being called to his nephew's solar the next morning he had put those thoughts out of his head, instead wondering what this was all about, he wouldn't have long to wait to find out.
A few days later.
"Would you like another drink Ser?" the woman asked as he sat in the Crossroads in more than a week later.
"Aye." he said his mood still not improved.
After finishing his ale, breaking his fast, he left and mounted his horse, ready to ride home to go back to people who actually respected him, people who valued him. He looked at the road in front of him, east to the Eyrie, less than a week and he'd be home and yet it was North he faced and North he rode. It was time he met his grandnephew, perhaps there was still some family worth his time, Brynden thought hopefully.
The North 294 AC.
Ned Stark.
He had looked forward to being home for days, ever since the weather turned, ever since the rains had started, sheltering in the woods with his men in the wet was not something he enjoyed. He wished to see his children, to eat in his hall, enjoy one of Gage's pies, a warm bath, and some ice-cooled ale. Seeing the walls in front of him he smiled, they had made it before dark, the old gods had blessed him once again.
He looked down at Lya seeing her almost look as eager to be home as he was no doubt, reaching down he rubbed his hand on her neck, barely having to lean down from his horse to do so. "Come on girl, let's go home." he said as they rode to through the gates. Once inside Lya immediately took off to see her pups, while he dismounted when he saw his steward and some of his men waiting to speak to him.
"My lord, it's good to see you well." Vayon said and Ned was happy to see his steward, though he wondered where Ser Rodrik was.
"Ser Rodrik?" he asked given voice to the thought.
"Is organizing the men for the next search party?"
"Search party?" he asked confused.
"Theon Greyjoy my lord, he escaped, we've been looking for him for days."
"What?" he said "Where is Ser Rodrik?" he was directed to the guard's hall and found the knight speaking to some of his guards, seeing him though Ser Rodrik began to speak to him instead.
"My lord, I didn't expect you back today." Rodrik said and he waved it off more eager to know what had happened, to find out how Theon Greyjoy had managed to escape.
When he got told the details he was furious, not at his guards, he knew Ser Rodrik would deal with them, but more himself, he should have been more stringent, more guards, two, what was he thinking?. He looked at the sky seeing it grow darker, there was no point in doing anything until the morrow at the earliest so instead, he walked into the keep to speak to his children.
Arya, Bran, and Jonelle were sitting at the table, he'd arrived after dinner it seemed, looking at them welcoming Lya home, watching on as she rolled around the ground with Nymeria and Summer he felt almost content. It took a few moments for them to realize, it seemed, that he was home too, but when they did both his children looked up as Jonelle pointed him out.
"Father." Arya said running her smiling face a welcome sight.
"Father." Bran said even more excitedly as he ran behind his sister.
Grabbing his daughter in his arms and swinging her around, he felt Bran grab his legs and so leaned down to lift him up to do the same, both children's laughter sounding out around the hall. He walked, carrying them both to the table, seeing Jonelle smile at him he put them down on the seats and took a seat himself.
"Lord Stark it's good to see you home safe and well." Jonelle said and he nodded.
"Aye, it's good to be home Jonelle and it's Ned, these two give you much trouble." he said mussing Bran's hair when Arya dodged his hand.
"No Ned, they both behaved well, both have been diligent in their lessons too." she said smiling and Arya looked to him.
"I've got even better with my bow father, I've been hitting the targets even more, haven't I Elle." Arya said smiling when the woman agreed with her.
"And you Bran?"
"I'm trying father." Bran said and he mussed his hair making him laugh once again.
He decided to eat now and take his bath later, not wishing to miss out on this time with his children, especially given he'd be leaving again on the morrow. Arya never stopped talking, telling him of Jonelle, Elle she called her, should he? he wondered. Listening on as Arya began telling him of how Elle showed her how the old gods saw them through the Weirwood's, how they listened when she spoke, of how the eyes on the tree were always watching.
Ned was grateful the children were learning of such things, grateful that like him they learned the tales of the true North, Elle it seemed was a natural storyteller and his children enjoyed listening to her. After finishing his meal he helped them to bed, then before he went to take his bath he spoke to Elle to tell her he'd need to leave on the morrow.
"Do you have to go Ned?" she asked and he appreciated the concern in her voice.
"Aye, he's a hostage Elle." he said and noticed her smile when he called her that "If I don't find him I need to tell the crown he's escaped, I must find him."
"The children, when will you leave?" she asked.
"Early on the morrow."
"Break your fast with them, Ned, they'll wish to speak to you and should you be gone when they rise they'll be hurt by it."
He nodded at her, bid her goodnight and went to take his bath, feeling the sheer relief the hot water gave his weary bones. His sleep that night was tormented, at first by the thoughts that Theon Greyjoy had escaped, that he had lost a hostage, the dishonor of it, the embarrassment of it causing him distress. Then his dreams changed into thoughts of his wife, of the letters he'd read, and then of seeing him leave the children alone as he rode off.
Waking the next morning he dressed and broke his fast early, the children upset by the fact he was leaving yet again, though Arya happy he was going to capture the squid as she called Theon. As he bid them all farewell and rode out the gate, he looked back to see Elle holding his children's hands, to see that though they were upset he was leaving they were not being left alone. He was happy at that, though a part of his mind wouldn't let him forget that it was their mother who should be with them.
"Come my lord, we have a squid to catch." Jory Cassell said and Ned looked down to Lya.
"Find him for me girl." he said and the wolf raced off ahead of them.
For almost a moon they searched, riding east towards the Stony Shore as that was the direction Lya brought them in. Jory told him he'd gone south as far as Cerywn and the Barrowlands and found nothing, while others had gone West towards Hornwood, all with no sign. A week into their search they'd found some abandoned clothing and Frost led them to a horse trail.
But since then not a sign, now seeing the sea in front of them he wondered if they'd missed him, had he managed to escape? Had he made it to the sea and tried to sail home? Was he that much on an idiot? The truth was Ned wasn't sure he was not, wasn't sure it wouldn't be the idea an Iron Born may come up with, head for the sea and sail, even though you knew not what you were doing.
"My lord, look." Jory said and he pointed at Lya racing ahead of them.
"Let's follow, she looks like she's got the scent of something." he said and he and his men rode forward.
They found an old shack, a horse outside and inside an old man bruised and battered but recovering from his wounds. Lya stood on the seashore looking out at the water, before turning to look back at him as if to say, there, he went there. Which it turned out may very well be the truth, the man had been attacked most likely by Theon and he had his small boat stolen. After given him a few coins, Ned called the search off and headed home, it was no use Theon was gone.
Arriving home a moon later he was surprised to see a group of carts arriving at Wintertown, even more so to see Luwin directing them to a building, looking at the Maester he called him over.
"My lord you have returned."
"Aye, who are they?"
"Some men and women from Lord Bolton's land's, they picked up some more from Hornwood, they heard what we're planning here and so moved their belongings to stay here permanently rather than just for Winter." Luwin said proudly as their plans were bearing fruit.
"Is there anything else I should know?"
"Some ravens arrived for you my lord, I placed them on your desk, I'll come back with you."
"No, help them settle in, we'll speak later Maester."
"As you say, my lord." Luwin said as he turned to show more people to the large building they used.
Riding home Ned wondered as much about the raven's which had arrived as the one he would soon have to send to Robert. Having to tell the king that he'd lost the hostage he'd been ordered to keep was something he wasn't looking forward to, he knew Robert would rant and rave over it. But as he rode through the gates, as he saw Elle and his children standing there waiting for him their two wolves by their side, he found he didn't really care.
Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Jaime.
Jon fought like a demon moving faster and faster than he had ever seen him, almost as if he was putting every single ounce of concentration into the fight, almost as if he was trying to fight something unseen. That and the lack of banter, the lack of talk, the fact that he had asked both Arthur and Walder to stay away, all of it was making the hairs on his neck rise.
He dodged a blow that had far more power in it that Jon's usually did, before moving back and blocking one just as powerful. While his speed and his power were both at levels he'd not expected, his technique was suffering, his blows not as precise as they should be. The swordsman in Jaime wanted nothing more than to hone this, to incorporate this into Jon's style, with this speed, with this power available he'd be a far bigger threat.
But the man in him, the one who cared about Jon, not his king, not the swordsman he'd become, but Jon, worried for him, there was something wrong and fighting wasn't clearing it up. So he allowed Jon to move forward and then he in two moves disarmed him much to Jon's shock, seeing him bend down to pick the sword up to begin again he shook his head.
"No Jon."
"I want to go again." Jon said.
"No, whatever it is in your head, whatever it is that's bothering you, this isn't helping." he said and noticed how Jon looked at him, his eyes glancing at his and then quickly looking back down again.
"Aye, it won't." Jon said a moment later and the look on his face almost crushed him, he looked lost.
"Jon, what is it, talk to me, please." he said his voice almost pleading.
"I… I..Jaime can we go for a ride?"
"Will you talk to me then?" he asked and Jon nodded.
Once again he was surprised when Jon asked Arthur and Walder to stay back, though this time Arthur was having none of it, the Sword of the Morning refusing to allow his king ride out without him. Not even having Ghost with him was enough to persuade Arthur and Jon arguing with him had no effect whatsoever. So finally after Arthur agreed that he and Walder would give them space when they asked, they set off.
Jaime recognized the route, Jon had shown him this place, told him Joy had found it and Jaime had brought Dacey there one evening to watch the sun fall and see the gold change color. Casterly Rock taking on a red hue rather than the golden one it usually did as the sun shined on it. When they reached the hill, Jon had Arthur and Walder wait with the horses, Walder's destrier making their own look like ponies beside him.
"Here Jaime." Jon said as he sat down and had he been less worried about what was on his king's mind he'd have noticed he hadn't called him lord once.
They sat there in silence, Jaime given Jon as much time as he could to gather his thoughts, each moment stretching on and on, before finally, Jon began to speak.
"I know I've been acting odd these last few days, I've seen how everyone looks at me and I understand their concern, but I've had a lot on my mind, a lot to work through and it's taken me time to realize that as much as I'd like to keep this to myself, I cannot."
Jaime looked to him and saw he was crying, he wanted to say something but before he could Jon continued speaking.
"If there was any way I could hide it, a way I could deny it I would, I want you to know that, I….I need you to know that. But when Tyrion gets back it's going to be clear, questions are going to be asked and I can't…..I can't sit there knowing the truth and lie, not to him, and not to you, never to you."
"Jon, what it is?" he said as Jon wiped his eyes.
"Lygaron, I found out who his rider is, it's Tyrion." Jon said softly.
Tyrion, Tyrion, that made no sense, how could Tyrion ride a dragon, only Targaryen's could ride dragons, he looked to Jon, saw the concern in his eyes and it took him some time to realize it, some time to gather his thoughts and see what Jon was so concerned about.
"I saw it Jaime, I saw it myself, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."
Jaime jumped to his feet, dislodging Jon's arm from his shoulder, he began to walk up and down, shaking his head. It couldn't be, it can't be, he was his brother, he was his brother, it couldn't be true.
"How?" he asked the one question clear in his head.
"Aerys, he..he…."
God's no, no, it couldn't be, it couldn't be, he fell to his knees, the roar he let out could probably be heard in Casterly Rock, the pain in his heart unlike any he could ever remember. He saw her face, her hair, her smile, then he saw him, the scabs on his arms, the long nails scratching and picking at them, he heard the screams, the sounds from the room.
Leaning forward he threw up, his stomach empty, he dry heaved again and again and shook his head repeatedly, he didn't feel Jon's hand on his back, nor see Arthur and Walder run up the hill only to be waved away. Instead, he saw a broken queen, saw the looks she gave him, the pleading looks, he saw his brothers, saw them denying him the chance to do what needed to be done. Looking back to the queen he saw her face change, her silver hair turning to gold, her indigo eyes turning to green and he jumped to his feet.
"I should have made him suffer, I should have killed him slowly, I should have killed him the first time I saw him." he shouted his own tears falling now.
"I'm sorry Jaime, I'm so sorry." Jon said standing to one side, looking at him but almost afraid to come close.
"Tyrion, you can't, you can't tell him, he can't know this, Jon, he can't know this." he said and Jon looked at him.
"He has to Jaime, he has to." Jon said and he looked at him angrily, almost disgustedly before walking away from him
Jaime stormed down the hill, when Arthur moved to stop him, to ask him if he was alright, all Jaime saw was a white cloak, the punch he caught him with sent his former brother rolling down the hill. Walder moved forward and Jaime readied another before the giant stood out of his way, walking down he quickly mounted Honor and rode off.
How long he rode for he couldn't tell, where he was he wasn't sure, the stream was in front of him and he led Honor to it, dismounting he began drinking and throwing water on his face. His reflection in the water changed, from his to his mothers, to his brother, to finally Aerys laughing, laughing like the mad man he was, Jaime began to punch the water, only stopping when the white wolf dragged him away.
He found them waiting for him a mile or so way, Jon almost slumped as badly as he was in the saddle, Arthur with a bruise on his cheekbone and Walder behind his king. He didn't speak, he barely looked at any of them other than Jon, before turning to ride back to Casterly Rock. Once there he took the lift alone, leaving them to deal with Honor, he headed straight to his room, seeing his wife there he grabbed her in his arms and began to sob.
The North 294 AC.
Ser Richard Lonmouth.
He had met Bronn and sent him on his way, the man keen to go to the West even though he knew he would need to stay there for some time. He had been paid well, but he had no doubt his king and others would see to it that he got better rewarded, though it would take a lot more service for him to get the reward he truly wished for.
" Do you think they'll give me a castle?" Bronn asked.
" For what?"
" Because I'd like one." Bronn chuckled.
" I meant why would they give you a castle?" Richard said.
" I'm doing them a service am I not?"
" You're doing me a service, a service you've been well paid for, twice I believe."
" Third time's a charm, Richard." Bronn said laughing.
" Aye it is, but no I don' think this will get you a castle, though I'm sure if you hang around and make yourself useful there will be opportunities for you."
" I like opportunities, heard Lannisport has a good brothel too, never had a Westerlands girl, at least not that I know of." Bronn said and Richard shook his head and laughed.
" Make sure you give the note to Ser Daeron you understand."
" Aye, I do, you sure about this, that Littlefinger is an influential man, Master of Coin trumps Warden of the West."
" Not when the Master has no coin and the Warden has it all Bronn." Richard said and this time Bronn laughed loudest.
" Aye, right you are, until we meet again old friend, be safe."
" You too Bronn."
Standing now at the boat he was glad he'd sent the message on ahead, Bronn could be rash and aggravating, should he annoy Arthur before he knew the truth, should he look at Jon wrong, well he did like the man after all. He shivered though as they sailed through The Bite, they'd arrive at White Harbor in the next couple of days and he looked forward to dealing with Lord Wyman.
" Speak to Wyman, Richard, discuss your plans, set up communications, he's a good man."
The king's words still fresh in his mind, still clear, he would do as he said, as he always did. Leaving the deck he walked down to the room, the cabin was far too small for him and his lips, but it was the best they could do with no Pinnacle ship available. The three he was bringing with him would control his network here, the North not really a place where he had many lips to begin with.
"We nearly there Alayn?" Marao asked and he shook his head watching the man shudder, the sickness of the sea had taken him bad.
Beside him on the other bed sat Para and Walys, a sister and brother he'd known for years, more used to the slums of Kings Landing than the cold of the North, he'd have to have warmer clothing made for them, though Wyman could perhaps help. These three would organize it, set it up, make him a network and he knew he could count on each of them.
When White Harbor itself came into view a day and a half later he was impressed, the city was unlike what he'd expected of the North. Not that he'd ever been North or anything, but he like most of the south expected it to be drab, grey and cold, White Harbor was only one of these things. They headed for the nearest tavern, he ordered rooms, hot baths, hot meals and after settling in they spent the night drinking and listening to what local gossip they could.
"I tell ya, that wolf of the young lords, he's a scary fucker."
"Aye, but at he makes noise, not like the Ghost."
"Don't fucking talk to me about that fucker, half a dozen crabs I lost to him, half a dozen, never even heard him sneak up on, me, just turned me head and there he was, damn near shat meself."
"Wouldn't be the first time you did that you dirty fucker."
Richard laughed along with the rest of the people at the nearby tables, the ale was good, the food hearty and the company, not the worst he'd known, he may actually grow to like it here. Waking the next morning he gave Para coin to have clothes made for her brother and Marao and then he headed to the New Castle to speak to the Lord of White Harbor.
"I'd like to see Lord Wyman." he said to the guard who looked at him suspiciously.
"And who are you?"
"Alayn Mooton a trader from the Riverlands, I've come with a proposal for Lord Wyman." he said and the man looked at him again, before judging him worthy he supposed.
Richard followed him through the keep, the decorations surprising him, men of the North were supposedly frugal, liked things to be functional rather than desperate, but no one had told this to the Manderly's it seemed. The walls were covered in banners and broken shields, rusted swords, and everywhere were images of mermen and women, and creatures of the sea.
The Merman's Court was even more elaborate, entering the hall he saw the Lord of White Harbor sitting in the high chair beside him a young lad with auburn hair and blue eyes speaking to a young girl. It was the wolf though which drew his eye, larger than a hound it could only be a Direwolf, yet compared to Ghost this one was a mere pup. But it and the coloring at least identified the man for him, Jon's cousin, or brother, they lad was Robb Stark no doubt.
"My lord, a trader come to speak to you." the guard said and he stood in the middle of the floor looking at the lord.
"A trader you say, what is your name Ser and your business here in the Merman's Court." Wyman asked.
"No Ser my lord, a simple trader Alayn Mooton a friend of mine told me if I wished to trade in the North I should speak to you, my lord."
"Your friend's name?" Wyman asked looking at him more studiously now.
"Jon Snow my lord." he said and heard the whispers and saw the smile on Wyman and the boy's face.
"Jon Snow is a friend of mine own Alayn, a friend of the North, come sit, have some refreshments we will speak of trade and of our mutual friend."
As he walked to the table he saw the way the lord looked at him, mentioning Jon's name had bought him some goodwill, but he'd need to do a lot more before Wyman considered him a friend too. After eating, drinking, telling enough that it was clear he actually knew Jon and not that he'd just mentioned him for access, after speaking to his brother on meeting Jon, he was then brought to Wyman's solar.
"Now Alayn, what's your real name?" Wyman said as he took a seat and Richard smiled, it seems the lord was far smarter than how he presented himself to be.
"Ser Richard Lonmouth, Lord Wyman, our king sends his regards."
Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Gerion.
He found his travels taking him back to Casterly Rock more and more now, Joy was growing and she knew better of his departures, she understood them better. While this was helpful in one way, it was not in another as she now seemed to hide her upset, more than show it when he left. He knew his sister had sent out to organize some fostering at the Rock, both for her boys and for Joy and for that he was grateful.
Tion would be heading off soon on his own fostering and Genna wished to have someone there for Walder to grow with, Martyn too was being sent to squire and foster for Ser Addam, leaving Willem alone. For Joy, he knew how much she had enjoyed having Sansa and Margaery with her, and while having Jon and the boys was good for her she needed girls around her.
He also knew that Joy had taken to Ashara too as well as her son, something he found himself most happy about. To say Ashara was beautiful would be an understatement, to see her teach his daughter, to see them get on, Gerion had found himself thinking things he should not. But then spending time with her, himself, speaking to her, he began to think perhaps he should. Arriving at the Rock he knew it wasn't only his daughter he would be happy to see.
"My lord, we did not expect you back so soon." the guard said.
"Nor I Edwyn, Nor I."
Taking the lift he looked forward to seeing Joy, to seeing Jon and his family, he smiled thinking of purple eyes though and laughed thinking of annoying Ser Arthur. As he left the lift though he instead stepped straight into the path of his sister and the fact Genna was waiting on him, was worrying.
"Good, come Gerion we must speak." he hesitated for a moment at the abruptness in her voice "Now." she said a moment later and he followed her down to her room "Emmon, go somewhere else, go I said." she said as Emmon walked towards them a smile on his face at seeing him which quickly disappeared at his wife's tone.
He had always gotten along with Emmon, he was a Frey, a dullard and a coward, but for some reason Gerion liked the man, or maybe he just felt sorry at how his sister treated him. Genna was never cruel or mean, but she also didn't suffer fools easily and by the gods, if his Goodbrother wasn't a fool. So Gerion had resolved to be friendly with the man, that it also annoyed Genna and Tywin was a boon.
"We need to speak on our nephew and on Jon."
"What's wrong?" he asked looking at the concerned look she was given him.
"Something happened, Jon has been quiet for days, then a couple of days ago he and Jaime rode off and now Jaime is the same, he barely speaks to me Gerion, he or Jon."
"Have they had a fallen out?" he asked and she shook her head.
"Them." she said and he shook his own in agreement.
"Then what?"
"I don't know Gerion, I can't get through to Jaime, Dacey won't tell me and as for Jon, I need you to speak to him, he's closer to you anyway."
"He's close to you too Genna."
"Aye, I know, but he may speak to you, will you go see him?"
"I will, is he sparring or in his room?."
"The Vaults Gerion, he moved to the Vaults." she said and he almost hit himself for not remembering.
"Is he down there now?"
"Aye."
"Joy at her lessons?"
"Aye."
He got up walked over and placed his hand on her shoulder, touching it as reassuringly as he could, before leaving and heading back to the lift. Meeting Emmon on the way, he told him to give her some time before heading back and took the lift to the Vaults.
Walder stood guard at the door, letting him in and he walked to Jon's room. They had done an incredible job down here, despite doing it all by themselves and it was far brighter than it had been.
"Is he inside?" he asked Jors who stood at the door and the man nodded before knocking, Jon opening the door a moment later.
"Gerion." he said surprised to see him and then invited him in, once he was inside Jon asked Sarella to give him a moment and the girl left heading back to her room.
"I take it Genna spoke to you?" Jon said and he nodded "I can't tell you Gerion, I can't, I want to but I need to know it's alright from Jaime first."
"What is it Jon, is it bad?" he asked and before Jon answered both dragons began to chirp.
Lygaron being the nosier of the two surprisingly as it was usually Jon's sister who spoke more. Just looking at the two dragons though he could see soon Jon's sister wouldn't be able to be in this room at all, she was almost as large as Ghost now, Lygaron smaller but not by much. In the last moon both had almost doubled in size, if this was how they would grow from now on, within a year of so they'd be impossible to hide, even down here.
"No, I told you, I'll speak to Jaime first, I know they should know, but no, I've made my choice." Jon said arguing with Lygaron.
It worried him hearing it, this was far more concerning than he had thought, looking at Jon at the dragons, he wondered why they were the ones, why Lygaron more specifically was the one arguing the point.
"I'm sorry Gerion, I'll try and speak to Jaime tonight, can you give me until then?"
"Of course Jon." he said his hand reaching out to touch his shoulder, before he pulled it back "Of course."
He spent the rest of the day with Joy, collecting her from Ashara's lesson he came so close to asking if she'd join them for dinner, but felt it best to eat with Genna that night. While they were eating Jon came and took Joy for her story, Jaime, however, ate in his room and both he and Genna found that worrisome, though she relaxed when he told her of speaking to Jon.
It was the next morning when Jon came to speak to him, asking him to get Genna he brought them to his old room and told them he'd speak on what it was that had been on his mind, and was now apparently causing Jaime so much distress. It didn't take him long to find out and by the gods he wished he didn't know, Genna took it even worse, storming from the room and heading to speak to her nephew, Gerion knowing even Dacey wouldn't stop her now.
"I'm sorry." Jon said and he could see how hard it had been on him knowing, telling them, telling Jaime.
But Gerion didn't, or perhaps more accurately couldn't comfort the boy, he didn't have it in him, not then, not knowing what his grandfather did, instead he did the best he could he patted Jon's shoulder and left. For the rest of the day he walked around in a daze, he barely spoke to anyone, he couldn't bring himself to go to Genna or Jaime, he was just numb.
He didn't dare even begin to think how Tyrion would react, how it would affect him, he even felt sympathy for Tywin for the first time since Joanna died. His brother loved his wife and she him, he could understand why she'd not tell him, why she'd have hidden it. Tywin would have burned the world and everything in it to get to Aerys had he known, he'd have spent every single piece of gold he had to bring him down.
"Are you well?" he heard a voice and turned to see Ashara standing there.
"What. I.."
"Gerion are you well?" she said a little firmer.
"I, no… no I'm not."
She took his hand and he couldn't even register she had done so, all he knew was she brought him to Joy's room, seeing her there, seeing his little girl, laying in bed, a small smile on her face as she slept. Gerion fell to his knees and wept, he actually sobbed, for Joanna, for Tywin, for Briony and for Tyrion most of all, he sobbed and was glad of the comfort Ashara provided simply by being there with him as he did so.
Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Ser Arthur.
Given everything that was going on around him, he was glad to concentrate on the training, glad he could get the others and more importantly Jon to focus on it. Watching his king ride his horse he couldn't help compare him to his mother, he was a natural just as she had been, both so in tune with the animal beneath them, it made others seem awkward when compared to them.
Loras was better technically, Brienne better strength-wise, with both Cregan and Satin being beginners at best, but for sheer horsemanship Jon had them beat and so it put him and Loras on a much leveler playing field. Loras probably still had the edge, but if Jon improved his lance work a little, then he'd take it if they were matched, as it was Loras won more than he lost.
"Hold the lance higher Jon." he shouted as the boy raced down the yard.
"No Loras, tighter, tighter in your saddle."
Brienne watched on eagerly, if there was one thing she had learned since she was here it was that watching was just as important as doing, it wasn't a lesson he had taught her. Satin too stood there doing the same, almost matching Loras's movements as if he too was carrying a lance, he smiled at that, both of them had been taught the benefits by his king, and that made him a little prouder of the boy too.
"Ser Daeron, there's a man at the gate to see you." a guard said and he looked at him confusedly.
"Me, are you sure?"
"I am Ser, asked for you by name, said something about lips and skulls." the guard said and he wondered why Richard had sent the man to him and not Jon or Jaime.
Though given what was occurring at the Rock these last few days, maybe that was a good thing, as the Lannister's and Jon too were still trying to come to terms with what Jon had learned.
" Are you sure Jon?"
" I am Arthur, he is my uncle."
" I didn't know Jon, I don't think anyone did, the Kingsguard you saw, can you describe them.
" One was a younger man, tall and muscular, he had an insignia, three lances on red, the other was a much older man, older than Barristan is now, a black sleeping lion sigil on his armor."
" Ser Gwayne Gaunt and Old Ser Harlan Grandison." he said.
" So even then the Kingsguard stood by." Jon said and he was about to say something only to see it wasn't an accusation, though it would have been a true one "This is why the order must be changed, Arthur, this is why it will be."
"Walder, you have this?" he said to his fellow Kingsguard, shaking the thoughts from his head.
"Aye. Daeron, go find out what it is you need to know."
He made his way to the lift and taking it to the base he found the man, he was tall and thin, black-haired and eyed, and was unshaved, his stubble acting almost like a beard. He was clearly more than a courier, more than a spy, just looking at him Arthur could tell this man was a fighter and not a clean one.
"You asked to see me?"
"If you're Ser Daeron than aye I did. Have a letter for you, and some instructions which need to be followed."
"Who sent you?" he asked though he already knew.
"A friend, long thought dead, but risen once again, a man of skulls and kisses Ser." he said and Arthur nodded.
"What's your name?" he said motioning for the man to follow.
"Bronn."
"Bronn what?"
"Just Bronn." he said a small smile on his face.
"You hungry, thirsty."
"A drink would be welcome, though I'm eager to get this done, the girls of Lannisport await."
As they took the lift Arthur opened the letter, shocked by what he found.
Daeron,
Bronn here is a good man, you can trust him, he was hired by Littlefinger under Lady Catelyn's instructions to kill Jon. Luckily for us Bronn is in my employ and has been for some time, this along with what I found in the Riverlands confirms for me it was the Tully's who ordered the attack by the Trident.
I think it best to allow the attack to happen, to make a show Daeron, make it seem like Bronn was foiled and killed, as I said he's a good man, he'll help protect Jon, teach him some things you may not. Pay him well and don't listen to him when he asks for a damn castle.
Your friend.
Alayn.
Arthur was stunned, did they really hate him that much? Did her hatred run that deep that she'd order the death of a boy? He was torn what to do, should he listen to Richard? Should he trust this man? Should he tell Jon? Or should he just burn this letter, could he? He knew the truth of the last one and because of that the others too, he couldn't, Jon needed to know this.
"Did you read this?" he said turning to Bronn.
"Can't read."
"So if I were to tell you that this letter said I was to kill you?" he asked curiously.
"Then I'd wish you luck and call you a damn liar." Bronn said and Arthur smirked.
"You ready to stay here for a while then?"
"As long as the pay is good and I get to visit the ladies when I want, aye."
Casterly Rock 294 AC.
Jon.
Dacey had come to him the first night, or to be more accurate sent for him, Jaime was laying in their bed in their room while she sat in the solar waiting for him. She was furious with him and only that she was so close to birthing the babe, he thought she may have struck him her anger was so apparent. Though perhaps that was more wishful thinking on his part, knowing that a part of him felt like he deserved to be struck.
" Why did you tell him Jon?"
" I had to, he needed to know."
" He's his brother Jon and you've taken that from him."
" He's still his brother, he'll always be his brother."
" You know what I mean, what am I do to Jon, he's broken."
" I don't know, I don't know." he said shaking his head.
Being ignored by both Gerion and Genna was something he expected, seeing the looks she directed at him when they passed, the stilted greetings, the lack of concern for his lessons too were something he expected. Apart from Joy, he was almost a stranger to the Lannisters, if it wasn't for the fact that he had in someway taken on some of Jaime's duties, he'd not exist to all three of them.
It hurt, but he deserved it, he had stolen something from them, he had hurt them, it would take time for those wounds to heal, he understood, but it didn't make things better. What did was Joy, it was Loras and Satin, it was Brienne and Cregan, it was sparring, it was practicing with a spear, with an axe, it was jousting.
It was spending time with his dragons, practicing with the glass candles, he still couldn't see the past, nor the future when he looked, but he could see the present at will now. Though it was still not fully controlled, he saw Tyrion and Oberyn in a large square, the sun shining down on them and the image forced him to leave the candles for a while.
But he saw other things too, his brother sailing on a ship, his uncle riding beside Ghost's mother, he saw Sansa walking through beautiful gardens and Margaery laughing at some jape. So the days stretched on and when Arthur came to him with a man he didn't know he knew something was wrong, seeing Arthur's face, seeing how slowly he walked.
"Ghost to me." he said and the wolf was by his side in a moment, his friends looking at him worriedly as he shook his head to tell them all was well.
"Jon, can you come with me and Bronn for a moment."
"Aye." he said as he warily looked at the man Arthur called Bronn as the man looked ever more warily at Ghost.
"Is that thing fucking real?" Bronn asked and Jon looked to Ghost who moved closer to the man.
"Aye, he is."
Arthur brought them up rather than down and as they left the lift and walked up the stairs, Jon found himself on the parapet, there were surprisingly no guards around and he knew Arthur must have sent them away. He looked at him inquisitively and handed him the note, reading it he felt his anger rise, his rage threatening to boil over, reaching down he stroked Ghost's fur, feeling it recede, the fire replaced by ice, quickly.
"What's your plan?" he said a moment later surprising both Arthur and Bronn.
"We make it look like a failed attempt, we need to control it, I'll disguise myself, we make it public, Lannisport would be best, you have other guards?" Bronn said looking to him.
"Aye."
"Good, we use them, and that wolf of yours, can he be controlled."
Jon said nothing and a moment later Ghost had taken Bronn down, his paws forcing the man's hands to the ground giving him no chance to move for his knives. A moment later Ghost allowed him back up from the ground, Bronn looked at him, shook his head, and laughed.
"A simply aye would have done you fucker."
"Well now you know for certain don't you." Jon said and the man laughed again.
"We can use the wolf, he'll be best, I'll try and attack, make it look real, your guards protect you, I run a little, then the wolf takes me out, your guards take my body and that's it."
"You failing won't it just have them send more?" Arthur asked but Jon shook his head.
"Not for a while it won't, they'll be too scared, too worried they've been found out, it'll take time for them to be brave enough again." Jon said and Bronn looked at him.
"You really are as clever as they say, aye, the boy has the right of it, maybe we have it be clear I didn't die, that I'm still alive, that'll worry the fuckers even more."
"Aye." Jon said and turned to walk away.
"Jon?" Arthur said.
"I need to speak to my sister, make sure Bronn has a place to stay, he'll be with us for a while."
He felt it again as he stood in the lift, Arthur and Bronn had followed and Arthur insisted they stop off and that he get Walder to go with him, so he did. But he felt the fire, the inferno threatening to ignite, she hated him that much, she hated him, not because he was a bastard, but because he was her husband's bastard. That was it, that was why she not only wished him dead, but had tried to have him killed, not just once, but twice.
It was Edmure who perhaps organized it given the attack came in the Riverlands, and now between the three of them they'd sent Bronn, but it was her, he knew it was her. Jon at Genna's persuasion had started to learn of the seven, the Septon of Casterly Rock only too happy to teach him, he had spent time with the Septa's too, even asked the Septon of Castamere about bastards once.
" Why do the seven hate bastards Septon?"
" The seven don't hate bastard Jon, all children are innocent in the eyes of the mother."
" But I thought?"
" No, it's not a religion thing, oh there are those with prejudices and here in the south bastards are thought much less of, but when it comes to the faith, well sometimes the messenger may speak the wrong message."
Stepping off the lift, he walked through the vaults, eager to speak to his sister, his son, eager to see if the fire he felt inside was something that should be unleashed, or was it something he needed to stoke, to keep burning, to keep alight, until the right time. They were flying when he got there, his room empty, Sarella had taken them to the beach, and he smiled seeing them feeling the inferno cool some.
" Sister we need to speak, you too my son." he said softly in his mind and the dragons flew to him.
Turing to Walder he asked him to give him some space, some time alone with his dragons, Sarella too, and as Rhaenix and Lygaron flew and landed beside him, Ghost sat down in front. He sat there for some time, not speaking, just stroking each of them alternately, looking at the water, allowing the peace to calm him, to comfort him.
"I need your help, I need to make a choice and I can't do this on my own, you, all three of you, I need you to help me with it."
"Jae what is it?" Rhaenix asked as he began to tell them.
His sister's reaction was exactly how he expected it to be, Ghost's too, but it was Lygaron who surprised him. The bronze dragon flew off and Jae watched as his flames burned against the sand, Rhaenix, flying to match him a moment later, he could feel them both in his head, both of them making their feelings clear.
"Burn them Jae."
"Burn them Father."
"Burn Them All."
Ghost moved to him, moved close to him, his eyes looking deep into his own, red meeting grey, he could feel the wolf's breath on his face, could feel the judgement in those eyes and then he laughed when Ghost licked his face, he hugged the wolf, holding him close.
"Aye, you're right boy, I'm a wolf too."