Chapter 6 - The Tourney Begins
Jon Snow POV:
"Armor secure?" "Aye" "Saddle secure?" "Aye" "Cock Small?" "A--Nice Try Asher" I said with a smile as we were walking my Horse towards the Tourney grounds outside Winterfell. I looked towards the once barren field, to see the changes Father had made for the Tourney. Stands were built to fit a few thousand people to sit and watch the middle of the field. I could see my Father, Robb, Sansa, Arya, Bran, Rickon and Lady Stark already seated in the main Booth. I had just entered my tent to grab my helmet when I noticed Elaena standing in the middle of the tent. "Elaena? What are you doing here, I thought you would be in the stands." I asked. "I wanted to give you something before you go out there." She said as she told me to close my eyes. I felt her tie something around my wrist. "Now open them". I opened my eyes and looked to my wrist and see she had tide a black colored cloth with a Frozen Weirwood stitched onto it. "Thank you, Elaena" I told her as I promised myself to win and place a crown of winter roses on her head. "I have to get back to my father before the tourney starts, Good luck" she said as she left the tent. Asher entered the tent with a small smirk. "Why is it that the ladies absolutely adore you?" he asked me. "Its got to be the hair." I heard Smalljon say as he entered the tent to look me over and check the armor to see if it was secure. I wore a freshly forged plate armor with leather reinforced for the cold. I looked to see Smalljon placing a tabard over my armor and as I looked down on my chest, I saw a blood red direwolf head howling with the rest of the tabard being completely black. "I told Lady Sansa that you would give her all of your Lemon Cakes for the rest of the month if she made you it" Smalljon said with a smile as he admired the tabard. "I have to say that I am impressed with it. I like the wolf bit." I said as I admired it looking down on my chest. "Alright, here is your helmet" Asher said as he handed me a Wolf Shaped Helmet. I put it on and went outside towards my horse. I hopped on and looked at my wrist to see the piece of cloth that Elaena had tide on was still there. "Now we just wait for your name to be called." Smalljon said as he and Asher put their 'squire' uniforms on.
Ned Stark POV:
"And Lastly my fellow Northmen! I present to you, THE BLOODY WOLF OF THE NORTH!" I heard the announcer yell as the crowd rose in clapping their hands and cheering. I looked to the Gates that led to the rider's tents to see Jon ride through them, He was followed by 2 squires that both hid their faces with closed helmets. I smiled as I knew who Jon's 'squires' were. I wondered where Asher Forrester and Smalljon Umber had wondered off to. I looked to my left to see Arya and Bran cheering Jon's name trying to get his attention but to no avail as the crowd was louder. I looked to see Jon wearing a Tabard with what appeared to be a Blood Red Direwolf Head. 'Intimidating, clever and powerful at the same time' I thought to myself as I looked to see that there were at least 5 Dozen riders ready to Joust. I looked to see Jon searching the crowd. 'Perhaps he is searching for Lady Elaena' I thought. After Jon had returned from Bear Island almost 2 years ago, I had received a raven from Lady Mormont telling me of how Jon and Lyra Bedded one another. When I discovered that he was even able to charm a Mormont girl into his bed, I decided to keep a much closer eye on Jon. Although he does seem to treat Lady Elaena differently then he does other ladies that he has met. My thoughts were broken when I heard the announcer listing off who would ride against who when finally I heard. "Jon 'The Bloody Wolf' Against Benfred Tallhart!". I looked to see Helman Tallhart, The Lord of Torrhen's Square and Head of House Tallhart in his booth smiling. His smile dropped as soon as he realized who his eldest son was set to Joust. I looked to see the other Riders who's names had not been listed by the announcer, They seemed to have relaxed a bit. 'Jon has very much indeed made a name for himself in the North' I thought as the announcer continued listing off the names of who would ride against who.
It has been six hours since the first Joust started and Jon was one of the last 6 riders remaining. Jon was a natural Ride, 'Just like Brandon and Lyanna' I thought. "Our Final 6 Riders Are, Harrion Karstark! Torrhen Karstark! Jory Cassel! Jon Snow! Daryn Hornwood! And Wendel Manderly!" The tourney announcer yelled. "The Tourney will continue after a 2 hour recess!" He yelled. I exited the main booth and began to walk down to the Riders Tents to congratulate Jon on making it as far as he has. I reached the tent entrance and saw Jon's 'squires' guarding the entrance. "Asher Forrester and Smalljon Umber." I said with a smile. They stiffened but relaxed a little when I assured them that they were not in trouble. "Apologies, Lord Stark but our Father's think that Smalljon and myself are at the training yard, getting ready for the melee tomorrow." Asher Forrester said as he and Smalljon removed their helmets. "No need to Apologize. you were helping a friend. and they already know about this, they met with me halfway through the Joust to tell me how they recognized Jon's 'squires'." I told them. I proceeded to enter Jon's Tent and saw that he had already removed his Armor and was beginning to dress into his leather jerkin. "You preformed well out there" I said noticing that he had a piece of black cloth tide on his wrist with House Frostwood's Frozen Weirwood stitched on it. "Thank you father." He said with a smile. "I was wondering if you had an idea as to who you would crown 'Queen of Love and Beauty' if you win" I said already knowing who he would name. "I completely forgot about that father." He responded trying his best not to smile. "Oh, so I suppose we should let someone else win and crown Lady Elaena Frostwood as the 'Queen of Love and Beauty'?" I said with a small smirk. I watched as Jon blushed after I named the girl. 'I can not believe it, Jon might actually be in love' I thought as I could not remember Jon ever blushing over a girl. "Alright you caught me." He caved with a sigh. I chuckled, but stopped when I saw his eyes fill with a bit of sorrow. "She is not like the other Northern Girl's I have met. She is the only girl who I have seen besides Arya that does what she want's. She has Wit, Charm, Beauty and she makes me smile when I think of her. But the only thing keeping me from her is my fucking name." He said with a hint of sadness in his voice. "You never know Jon, You may just one day find yourself with that what you want most." I said trying not to spoil the surprise I have planned for after the Tourney.