"Ned, I didn't see your bastard today!" King Robert exclaimed, holding a jug of wine in one hand and pinching a maidservant's neck with the other. The people inside the room drank and chatted loudly as the King and his host sat down at the main table.
"Jon has been fulfilling his duty. Especially these last few moons, with the wildling raids. Many have already died thanks to Jon's protection in the New Don," Ned replied earnestly, though a hint of pride was evident in his words about Jon.
"Though if you wish to see him, you could do so soon. According to a letter he sent a few days ago, he was traveling here."
"That brat of yours is too much like you," Robert grinned before taking a sip of wine and belching. "The last time I saw him, he came up with some good ideas." "And according to Jon Arryn before his death, the Wall has improved, according to what you've written."
"Yes... I receive letters from Lord Commander Mormont every now and then. Thanks to the supplies Jon distributes, the recruits can keep going with full stomachs, even though the wildlings keep hitting harder and harder."
"Do you think he wants to fight?"
"Fight? Jon?" Ned asked, perplexed.
"Of course! Kingslayer came here as a guard; perhaps they could put on a show."
Ned was silent for a moment. That was a rather complicated request, especially with the queen nearby. Even in the North, people knew about the care Tywin Lannister took with his son. If he somehow ended up losing and being wounded, then things would get a bit complicated, even more so since Jon was considered a bastard in everyone's eyes.
"I don't think it's a good idea, thank you." He knows Jon is a bastard, and whatever the outcome, it wouldn't end well."
"Bah..." Robert muttered, dissatisfied, but he could also understand what his old friend was saying. He could already hear his wife and queen's screams if Jaime Lannister were to be hurt.
Ned let out a small sigh before returning to his meal. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see his brother standing there, sipping some wine. He longed to get up and chat with him, but his duty was to keep the King company while he engaged in some conversation. Luckily for him, Robert was entertaining himself, which was a relief given his somewhat troubled mind after the requests Robert had made of him throughout the day.
First, the King wanted him to be his Hand in the capital. Since Jon Arryn had ended up dead, Robert wanted someone loyal and trustworthy. Second, there was the betrothal between his daughter Sansa and Robert's son, Joffrey. Ned had some time to think, and although Sansa didn't seem to dislike the idea; it was something she had to think about carefully.
Benjen, feeling a gaze, turned his head and smiled at his brother's weary expression. He knew it was a little cruel to find amusement in his brother's current predicament, but he couldn't help it seeing his expression. He shook his head before leaving and getting some fresh air.
Once outside, he walked toward the stables, breathing slowly, feeling the cool night air, which also helped him relax a little. The air was colder at the Wall than here, so being outside didn't really bother him too much.
"Wasn't it fun inside?" Benjen looked in the direction of the voice. There, sitting on a crate, was Tyrion Lannister, the Imp.
"I'm used to quieter places."
"Ah, the Wall. That enormous chunk of ice," Tyrion nodded before taking a sip of wine from a jug on top of another box.
"I heard you were interested in visiting. Just out of curiosity? Or…?"
"It's just curiosity. I have no intention of joining the Night's Watch. It would be too much for me. I prefer books and knowledge," Tyrion replied with a smile that was more of a grimace.
Benjen looked at him, about to say something, but the sound of a gallop caught both his and Tyrion's attention. A horse and rider trotted toward the stables. The rider stopped and smiled at Benjen.
"Uncle Benjen!"
"Jon!" Benjen immediately went over when he saw Jon appear so suddenly. Tyrion looked curiously at the bastard who had caused quite a stir in the south, especially regarding Jon Arryn. From what he'd heard, Jon Snow had transformed the fortress of the New Don into a pristine city, thus increasing its resources and providing the Wall with ample food supplies.
What he saw was more than he expected. Jon Snow didn't look like a simple, clever, and resourceful teenager. He had the bearing of an adult, with broad shoulders and a well-built physique. He wore a dark blue upper garment and brown trousers. His legs were protected by silver greaves, as was a pauldron on his left shoulder, and part of his chest was also covered with light silver armor.
But what caught his attention most were the eyes. Two bright eyes that were almost silver.
"How have you been?" Benjen asked, giving Jon a hug.
"Quite busy, especially with the wildling raids. And you? How's the Watch been?"
"Mm..." Benjen nodded, taking a step back and saying, "It's pretty much the same. The wildlings have been traveling much closer to the Wall and causing problems for it."
"Although, thanks to you, we've been able to relax a bit more with the men you send every month along with the food, drink, and spices."
"It's the least I can do. The Wall is also part of protecting the city."
"Did you travel with gifts?" Benjen asked, noticing some bags on the horse. Jon turned his head and smiled.
"Yes, Arya would complain if I didn't bring anything with me," Jon smiled at his answer.
"By the way, Ned's inside."
"No..." Jon said, shaking his head. "The King is probably celebrating. It's best to greet him tomorrow, when things are calmer."
"That's smart. The King would end up cursing you if you interrupted his moment of enjoyment," Tyrion commented from the side.
"The King would end up cursing you if you interrupted his moment of fun," "Are you?" Jon asked, suspecting Tyrion's identity, but it was better to ask based on his own opinion.
"Tyrion Lannister is my name. I've heard things about you: Jon Snow, the bastard who transformed the New Don into a paradise."
Jon raised an eyebrow.
"I don't know what they'll say in the South, but I certainly haven't created any paradise."
"Perhaps. I just hope to see that city on my journey to the Wall."
"Will you visit?"
Tyrion nodded and said,
"I'm very curious about the Wall. And since the New Don city is on the way, I'll definitely want to see it."
"Then I hope you like it, though you'll have to forgo any brothels."
Tyrion blinked, slightly surprised.
"No brothels?" the imp said, almost with a disappointed voice.
"We don't need them, so there aren't any." Jon simply smirked at him before looking at Benjen, who snorted a little, noticing that Jon was teasing Tyrion. The two Stark men walked inside together, leaving a curious Tyrion alone.
"What can you tell me about the King's visit?" Jon asked quietly as the two walked slowly through the corridors of Winterfell.
Benjen shook his head before saying,
"Your father's in a bit of trouble with the King's requests. He was asked to be the Hand of the King, but also about a betrothal between Sansa and the prince."
"No matter which one it is, accepting would be the foolish thing Father could do."
"Is it that bad? I mean, the South has never been a good place for people from the North, but we're talking about a very important job and an engagement that could unite the two houses."
"The problem isn't the marriage and the job. Uncle, you should know what most people in the capital are like, or at least those close to the King. And if you add the houses with ambitions, then accepting would be foolish."
"That..." Benjen frowned, unsure what to say. It was true that people in high places in the South were ambitious and cunning. History taught that some didn't even hesitate to plot against their own family members.
"Do you plan to talk to Ned?"
"No. At least not when he came back from his trip. But now that I know this, I'll try to make him think things through a bit. You know Father can be very stubborn too."
"That may be true, but when his family is in danger, he might be capable of making decisions without batting an eye."
Jon just nodded, thinking that he hoped that would be the case this time.
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