Castamere 296/297 AC.
Joy.
With Jon away and her lessons being dull she was finding things at Casterly Rock boring, even Balerion wasn't able to improve her mood and so she was happy when her father came to visit. More so when he told her that he wanted her to come to Castamere with him when he returned. Later when she found out that Ashara and Cregan would be going too, she began to eagerly await leaving.
It had been just over a moon ago that she had found out that Lyarra's real name was Ashara and that she was Jon's aunt. Jon telling her that she, for now, had to hide who she was and that it was up to Joy to help her to not be discovered, telling her it was serious but also making a little game of it for her. For Joy it was easy enough to do so, she and her father had spoken and Ashara had talked to her too, so she knew how important it was that no one found out.
She was a little annoyed that her friends couldn't come with her, but her father explained that at Castamere Ashara could be herself more and if they brought her friends then she could not. When it was time to leave she said goodbye to all her friends and to her aunt and cousins. Loras, Satin, and Brienne came to wave her off and she waved back at them as they departed.
"Joy Race?" Cregan asked and she smiled, glad to have someone to have fun with on the trip.
"On three." she said and as soon as her father counted down she was off, beating him easily but losing to Dusk.
It took them a long time to get to Castamere and though she mostly rode on Apples, she did also take time to sit in the carriage with Ashara when she could. Finding that when she did Ashara would make lessons of the things they saw on their journey or tell her stories of Jon's family. She found she liked some of those stories, Jon had told her some also and she'd read some, but Ashara told her ones that even Jon didn't know.
At Castamere it was as it always was, here she was the Lady of Castamere and though some of the people who worked here would call her Joy, here most called her Lady Joy and she hated it. She knew she was to be the lady but even compared to Casterly Rock it was different, people bowing to her or asking her what she wanted, she missed Alessia who just did things and called her by her name.
"Papa, when I'm lady will I be able to have my own servants here?" she asked him as they walked around the keep to check on the work that had been.
"Have some of the servants disrespected you, princess, not done as they should?" her father asked.
"No Papa, it's just.." she sighed "I wish they were more like Alessia.".
"I don't understand?".
"Respectful but not afraid." she said and her father nodded.
"Ah, I'm sorry that's my fault. I'll talk to them and you and Ashara can begin to pick which ones you prefer." he said looking at her.
"Thank you papa." she said and he smiled down at her as they walked through the now nearly finished tower.
"I want you to be happy here Joy, when it's time for you to come and stay.".
"I will be papa." she said.
Between her, Ashara, Cregan, and the length of time she was staying this time she soon found herself with a group of servants who seemed to understand her better. None were as nice as Alessia but still, they had at least began to understand how she felt and more of them had started to become more friendly with her. Her lessons at Castamere were much different also, her father's Maester taught her about the mines and the village and how many people worked here, while Ashara continued her other lessons.
The mines and the village were her favorite part of being in Castamere though, riding to them, eating in the tavern, and talking to the men, even seeing the gold being taken from the mine itself was fascinating to her. She and Cregan would speak to people in the village or the mining barracks. They would walk around with Dusk and her guards and find the men to be funny and the children happy.
"I like it here." she said as they sat by the lake.
"It's quiet, different from the Rock or Lannisport but it's nice." Cregan said.
"Will you come to visit when I'm lady?" she asked.
"Of course I will and you know that Jon will come often, Loras, Brienne, and Satin too." he said and she smiled at that.
At night they held dinners which while they were not feasts, were even bigger than the dinners she usually had at Casterly Rock. Her father liked to have most of the people who worked here eat with them, the steward and his family, Ser Daven and his new wife, and their guards and many others. She noticed that while no one called Lyarra that here, few called her Ashara either and yet Ashara seemed far happier here than she was at the Rock.
She would sit with them at their table along with Cregan, her father, and herself. Over time she began to see that Ashara and her father would laugh and look at each other the same way Jaime and Dacey did. Cregan seemed to either ignore it or to have already seen it were for her it was new and she found herself watching them both more closely. So much so that she was eventually caught by Ashara who then whispered into her father's ear making him turn to look to her.
"Joy, can we talk?" her father said and she nodded sure she was in trouble.
She was taken to her father's room and she wondered what her punishment would be, despite the games she would play, the pranks she and Jon, or she and her friends would pull, she was rarely punished. Usually just not allowed to go for rides or to practice knives with Jon, something her aunt had argued with him about but her father had just laughed about.
Cregan too taught her when he could but Jon's teaching was better, he showed her things that Cregan wouldn't, like where to hurt someone who wished to hurt you and how to get away from someone who grabbed you. Cregan taught her like she was a girl, Jon taught her like she was who she was and she loved him even more for it.
"Joy, Joy?" her father said and she shook her head trying not to smirk at the fact she was lost in her thoughts.
"Sorry papa, I was thinking." she said softly.
"It must have been a funny thought, I can see your smirk." her father said and she found he was smirking just as she had been "Come sit with me." he said and led her to the window seat.
"Papa?" she asked having expected to be chastised in some way, only for her father to look at her oddly before he spoke.
"Ever since your mother passed I've wanted you to have someone in your life that you could think of that way." her father said and she gulped.
She and her father rarely spoke of her mother, both of them would usually get upset when they did so and so they almost never did. Jon though spoke to her when she brought it up, he too had lost his mother and he knew what to say to her and how to cheer her up when she got upset about it. He would even make up stories of what her mother was like for her.
"Papa, we don't…" she said her voice cracking.
"We do princess." her father said with a smile "I wanted you to have that, to know what it feels to have that person in your life, for you to feel a mother's love. I know your aunt does her best but I always wished I could give you that.".
"It's alright papa, I have you." she said reaching out and trying to cheer her father up.
"Always, you have me always, but I..I couldn't replace your mother Joy, there is no one who could and so I never tried." he looked at her with a smile "Until I met Ashara, I never even thought I'd find anyone else." he said and she wasn't sure if he was really saying what she thought he was saying.
"You want Ashara to be my mother?" she asked slightly confused.
"I want you to give her a chance to be, Joy. I love her and she loves me, I want her to be my wife and for us to be a family, is that? Would you? Is… could you.." her father said his voice shaky.
"I could." she said as she thought about it "I could papa" she said as he hugged her tightly.
Over the next few days she and Ashara talked about it, she wasn't trying to replace her mother but she would if she'd let her, be a mother to her. They began to speak about living at Castamere and it being them all, she, Cregan, her father, and Ashara. When she asked if that would mean that Ashara would be Lady of Castamere both Ashara and her father took it the wrong way, both telling her that she was and would always be the lady. Joy then having to explain that it wasn't her inheritance she was speaking of.
"No, I mean if we're here would Ashara be who they looked to as lady, who they sought to run things?" she asked.
"You mean the duties, like aunt Genna has or Dacey has?" her father asked and she nodded "She would, you'd have to play your part too Joy, but aye she would.".
"Good." she said with a smile, happy that someone else could have that responsibility and she could be herself for a little while longer.
She was sad to leave Castamere when they did, their dinners had become something different near the end of their stay there. While they'd still eat with the others in the Great Hall, they'd also have quieter dinners for just the four of them, family dinners and she found that she liked these best of all. When they arrived back at Casterly Rock she was happy to find that Jon had returned and she got to spend time with the other part of her family, Jon being very happy to see her too. She had always thought of him as a big brother and while he never called her little sister as he did Sansa, she knew he thought of her that way, and with her father soon to marry his aunt, they'd be family by blood as well as choice soon.
She had even got to ride on the dragon with him, Jon promising to take her up again when they had more time. When she found out they were to go to King's Landing for a tourney she felt excited, she'd see Sansa and Margaery and watch Jon and the others fight. As she packed she went to the drawer and took the small knife that Jon had gifted her for her last nameday, placing it near the top of the chest just in case, smiling as she remembered him giving it to her.
" You're giving me a knife?" she asked excitedly.
" You should have one and if anyone, even if they're a prince ever tries to scare you, hurt you, or grab you, you know what to do don't you?" Jon said.
" Aye, stick em with the pointy end." she said smiling.
Dorne 297 AC.
Tyrion.
Telling a long-held secret was a hard thing to do and to tell it to a man you hoped would be your goodfather was even more so. That Oberyn was sitting with them as he got ready to speak was something he was incredibly grateful for and yet his mouth was dry and his words jumbled in his head. He reached for the wine glass and took a quick sip and then looked to Doran.
"Lord Tyrion?" Doran asked.
"My mother was a beautiful woman my prince, I'm not sure if you ever met her?" he asked and Doran shook his head "The only person who could make Tywin Lannister smile they said of her. She, Queen Rhaella, and your own mother were friends did you know that?".
"I was aware of it." Doran said.
"Good friends who spent a lot of time together, I believe that's why your mother came to Casterly Rock, to seek a betrothal of either Elia or Oberyn to my brother or sister, or both even." he said and Oberyn nodded.
"Which your father refused." Doran said pointedly.
"Tywin refused aye, but let's not speak of him and instead speak of my mother. As I said the three of them were friends, good friends, with your mother in Dorne though my own spent more time with Rhaella, more time around court. With her husband being Hand and her friendship with the queen she spent more time around Aerys than most did, and Aerys too thought my mother beautiful." Tyrion said with Doran looking at him as Tyrion composed himself for the next part.
"Tyrion, if you wish?" Oberyn asked and he shook his head and smiled at his friend.
"My mother loved her husband my prince, but Aerys was a king and used to getting what he wanted and he'd not let a little thing like marriage vows stand in his way." he said as Doran gasped.
"They were lovers?" Doran asked surprised.
"If only." he said with a snarl "As I said my mother loved her husband and Aerys wanted what by rights he couldn't have, but what does a king care for rights, for vows or even for consent." he said angrily.
"He took her against her will?" Doran asked and Tyrion thought he detected a note of sympathy in his voice.
"With the Kingsguard guarding the fucking door as he did so." Tyrion said with a grimace.
"I'm sorry Lord Tyrion, truly. The man was a monster." Doran said.
"He was and he was also my father." Tyrion said and Doran looked to him and then to Oberyn and then to Tyrion again.
"But how, how could you know this?".
"Jon found out while we were in Essos. When we returned he told Tyrion and things began to make more sense." Oberyn said as Tyrion couldn't speak for himself, the emotions rising within him.
"More sense?" Doran asked.
"Lady Joanna was murdered brother, murdered by the Maester at Casterly Rock. At first we thought it was to push Tywin down a particular path but we've soon found out it was for another reason, the same reason they went after Rhaella's babes." Oberyn said as he looked to him.
"To stop a Targaryen being born." Doran said and Tyrion saw Oberyn nod.
"I was born Tyrion Lannister. My family are lions just as Jon's are wolves but I'm a dragon, Prince Doran, a Targaryen and uncle to a future king." Tyrion said when he felt able to speak.
"This changes things Doran, he's not Tywin's son." Oberyn said.
"What proof do we have of this Oberyn? Forgive me my lord but while I believe you, believe Jon and my brother, what proof do we have of you being Aerys son?" Doran asked.
"We have my nephew's word my prince, Jon sees me as his uncle, as his kin, he's who named me as such and his word carries more than enough weight on this. When he sits the throne I'll be known to all as a prince of the blood, Prince Tyrion of House Targaryen." Tyrion said looking at the prince.
"He'll legitimize you?" Doran asked.
"You think he would not brother, a boy raised as a bastard you think he'd leave is family to be known as such?" Oberyn asked.
"No, I don't but this isn't just about Lord Tyrion, it's about Arianne, she may wish this match but she's a princess of Dorne and it's my job to ensure there are no questions asked. There are some who may say that this is just a way for us to join our houses, that it's a mummery." Doran said.
"Even after they see me ride a dragon?" Tyrion said and Doran gasped loudly.
"You… you can ride a dragon?" Doran asked.
"Lygaron is my dragon, just as Rhaenix is Jon's." he said proudly.
"I need some time, forgive me, Lord Tyrion but I need some time to work through this, we'll eat tonight and we'll speak more on the morrow." Doran said as he nodded to Areo and a moment later a man came in to wheel him away from them.
He reached out and took the glass of wine drinking it down in one gulp before he looked to Oberyn. His friend was looking concernedly at him and Tyrion's poor attempt at a smile didn't do much to make that concern go away.
"I know how hard that was for you my friend, but my niece is worth it no?" Oberyn said and Tyrion found himself chuckling.
"She is. Do you think?" he asked nervously.
"I do, come the Water Gardens have much to offer and my girls wish to see you." Oberyn said and Tyrion followed him as he led him to the pools.
Ellaria was swimming with some young children, the two youngest of Oberyn's Daughters, Dorea and Loreza swam close to their mother while the older ones just rested their toes in the water. When they saw their father though all four girls ran to him, Ellaria unable to keep even the youngest from him, the little girl yelling excitedly.
"Papa, Papa.".
"My sweet girls, did you miss me?" Oberyn asked and each of them nodded.
Tyrion watched as the prince played with them, as he and Ellaria doted over them and the girls each vied for their father's attention. He was introduced to them and the older ones took great delight in them being his size, bigger in the case of Elia. Within a few moments of being with them, he felt better, the emotions of what he'd said to Doran soon fading away.
Dinner that night was the same, Doran was quiet and seemed to be watching him, Oberyn was his usual self and Ellaria and the girls were who he spoke to mostly. Each of the girls seemed fascinated by him, Ellaria saying it wasn't his height but his newness, a new face in this place being a rarity. He slept that night with the smell of perfume on his body, little droplets that he put there from the bottle Arianne had given him.
" So you think of me when you're alone in your bed." she said handing him the bottle.
" I always think of you when I'm alone in bed." he said back getting a smile from her in return.
" But now you'll think of my scent, my taste, and when your fingers travel you'll know that mine are doing the exact same thing." she said huskily.
Laying in the bed he almost laughed when his fingers began to wander, shaking his head and trying to figure out if anyone had ever made him feel this way. Even here without her, she was all that was on his mind, as his hand moved lower he closed his eyes and pictured her doing the same thing.
Waking the next morning he broke his fast with Oberyn, Ellaria, and the children. Doran was not one who enjoyed big meals first thing, instead, he was someone who preferred quiet when he broke his fast. They were standing by the pools when the servant came and asked them to follow her, Tyrion and Oberyn soon being led into Doran's solar. The prince was sitting there waiting for them, his face was unreadable to him though Oberyn smiled, and when he saw that Tyrion began to hope.
"My daughter's happiness is very important to me, however, it alone cannot be the reason why a Princess of Dorne marries. Alliances, a suitable and worthy match, improving Dorne's prospects, all of this must be at the forefront of every decision I make." Doran said.
"Indeed my prince." Tyrion said.
"Were you a Lannister my lord I'd have continued in my refusal, the actions of Lord Tywin would leave me with no choice. While Aerys was just as terrible a man as he, to my people he is perceived far better and so you have my permission to wed my daughter." Doran said and Tyrion felt almost ready to cheer out loud such was his joy.
"I thank you, my prince, truly." he said happily.
"I do have conditions, my lord." Doran said.
"My prince?".
"I cannot allow the wedding to occur while you're a Lannister, so once you're named officially as Tyrion Targaryen then and only then can you and Arianne be joined.".
"That is your only condition?" he asked.
"Oh, there will be trading considerations, a pact between Dorne and the West, other such simple things, but that's the crux of it yes." Doran said.
"Then I gladly accept." Tyrion said looking to Oberyn who was smiling broadly.
"Good, now I'm sorry to cut the celebrations short but I take it you've not heard the news from King's Landing?" Doran asked.
"No." Oberyn said.
"Viserys is dead, killed by Robert's own hand." Doran said and Tyron found himself shaken from the little daydream he had been having of how he and Arianne would celebrate this news.
"But how? He was in Essos?" he asked.
"The magister handed him to the crown personally, Robert executed him, taking the sword from Ser Ilyn to do so." Doran said.
"Jon?" Oberyn said softly.
"Will no doubt know by now, Apparently Robert wishes to throw a tourney to celebrate." Doran said.
"Of all the things." Oberyn said angrily.
"I need to send a raven to my nephew." Tyrion said.
"I'll see it done." Doran said.
Tyrion knew the news should be affecting him, hurting him and making him feel something that he wasn't feeling right now. The problem was that not only did he not know Viserys and so not feel much for him, he was feeling better then he could ever remember both his head and heart were in a much happier place. She would be his wife, they would be wed, he Tyrion Lannister, no Tyrion Targaryen, would be getting a princess for a wife. That alone would be more than he could ever have dared to hope, that the princess in question was Arianne, it was more than he had ever dared to dream.
Wintertown/Flea Bottom 297 AC.
Bethany.
Three moons she'd been here and each day she woke up knowing that she and her family were safe and that they would eat. Compared to the life she had on Lord Bolton's lands it was night and day. There some days they'd go without and ever since her husband had passed it was more and more of them. Even working in the dirty tavern didn't earn her much coin or keep food on the table, but she had done her best for her two girls.
When she heard the men speak of the offer in the tavern she couldn't believe it, they were leaving and she did her best to get them to take her and her children with them. She soon found herself walking behind a cart, Daryl and his wife agreeing to let her girls ride with their own children, but not having the room for her. It took them some time to make it to the Kingsroad and from there to Winterfell. It was a long walk and she wondered what she'd find when she got there.
Now three moons later she set the table and Berena and Branda her girls sat down to eat the warm porridge, both girls looking happier and healthier than they ever had. Sitting down beside them she looked around her new home, she'd only moved in a few weeks earlier and it put the hovel they had lived in before to shame. The girls had a warm room and her own was almost as big as their whole house had been.
"You girls looking forward to your first day?" she asked.
"Aye mama, Lara said we'd learn to read." Branda said excitedly.
"So I've heard, you're to go to Sara's house after you understand?" she said.
"Aye mama we will." Berena said.
Once the girls had eaten and she had cleaned up, Bethany walked with them to the large building she'd be leaving them in. They and a group of other children would be the first to learn to read here, Lady Elle having sent men to each of their houses to see who wished to learn. As soon as they had reached Bethany she had asked for her girls to be given the chance, being able to read and write a boon she'd never expected for them.
"Now be good and I'll see you later." she said smiling as they met up with Sara's girls and walked into the building.
She then walked to the tavern to begin her day's works, cooking, cleaning, and listening, the coin she earned more than she had thought possible. The tavern was as always busy and the pies and soup were wolfed down by the men and women who were there. Bethany carrying them out and serving them herself, when she wasn't preparing the next batch to be cooked.
She listened out for the little bits of information that may prove useful, travelers being the best source and though none of it meant much to her, he always paid well and she'd never had to make something up. It was dark when she finished her work and walked back to her house, stopping off at Sara's to collect the girls. Once they'd eaten and told her of their day she put them to bed, both girls were tired and so were asleep when he came, Bethany in the middle of her own meal when he knocked at the door.
"Any news for me?" he asked.
"Only that the lord and lady are soon to be wed." she said and the man nodded "That the new ship carries even more men and women this time and that Lord Bolton has put an end to anyone leaving his lands, too many having left already.".
"Is the lord planning to speak to Lord Stark of it?" he asked.
"I don't know, it's not something anyone has said.".
"Very well, I'll see you next week." he said as he placed the coins on the table and left.
She finished her meal and locked up, grabbing the coins and walking up the stairs. After checking in on the girls she entered her own room, the fire soon burning away in the corner as she pulled out the small chest from the hole in the wall. Inside it was her most valuable things, a handkerchief that had belonged to her husband and a bag full of coins which she added the others to.
After placing it back she went to her bed, she had earned more since she came here than she had ever had previously, enough to eat and live well and enough so her girls would have something when they were older. Closing her eyes she rolled over to fall asleep, a small little smile on her face. Though it was Lord Stark and the Lady who were making Wintertown what it was becoming, among the older people they spoke of how it had not been his idea to do so.
They spoke of how the Lord had not done anything with Wintertown for many years and it was not until his son had come back that he'd even begun to do so. She heard tales of how he had helped the North, tales from people of how he'd helped those in the South who came on the ships. It was the older residents of Wintertown though that seemed to have the truth of it as far as she was concerned. Jon Snow had brought the wolves back to Winterfell, the White Wolf had come to save them all.
Jacelyn Waters.
Even since the tourney life had been better, they ate actual food and not whatever they could fill a bowl of brown with. Being three and ten he was almost the same age as the lady and young lord and so he looked at them differently than his mother or others did. He like that others had heard of how he'd put a fish in his place and won the tourney, even if it was for boys of their age and not men. That he also turned out to be a bastard meant more to him as he too was one himself.
When he and his mother had stood and watched them and heard what they said he had not believed them. Why would they help? What did they care?. Even when they got the first package of food he had thought that would be that, they'd eat well for a day or two and then it'd be back to normal. The packages kept coming though and over time he began to believe that maybe things would stay this way, maybe they were different than the rest of them.
He had almost lost that belief a year or so later when his mother fell ill, they had no money for the healer and he had no way to earn it. It was when he was collecting his package that the man asked was he well and Jacelyn had broken down and cried, telling him his problems. The man had made him follow him and taken him to a large warehouse where he'd talked to another man.
"Wait here." he said and Jacelyn almost ran away but something made him stay, some voice in his head making him wish to wait and see.
"Where do you live lad?" an older man said after he'd been waiting for a while.
"My mother and I have a room Ser." he said looking to the man.
"I'm no Ser, name's Artos, come let's go see your mother." Artos said.
"Why?" he asked looking at the man suspiciously.
"I hear she's ill, I'm going to take a look and see what I can do for her lad." Artos said.
"I've no coin." he said sadly.
"You won't need any, come the longer we stay here the less time I have helping your mother.".
"Jacelyn couldn't believe it, the idea that someone would come to help without the offer of coin was beyond him. He walked hurriedly with Artos back to his house and when they got there he found his mother trying to clean up, coughing as she did so.
"Ma, you need to sit, to rest." he said trying to make her sit down.
"I'm good, I need to work, who are you?" his mother said when she saw Artos.
"I'm here to help, you're ill. I'm here to have a look and try to make you well again." Artos said.
"Jace?" his mother asked.
"Please ma." he said and she nodded, Jacelyn helping Artos bring her to her bed.
He waited a long time and when Artos came back he didn't look happy, Jacelyn immediately fearing the worst.
"Your mother needs to rest, to stay in bed, I'll have one of the men bring you your packages but you need to stay with her.".
"Will she get better?" he asked worriedly.
"She needs to take this every day, give it to her in her soup." Artos said holding up a small jar "Just a pinch." he said taking an amount in his hand to show him.
"Every day?" he asked and Artos nodded.
"Every day, I'll be back in a couple of days to check her again. Do this, keep her in bed and she'll be as right as rain in a few weeks." Artos said.
The man was true to his word, he came back and checked Jacelyn's mother four times over the next two weeks, the food packages were delivered to their door and contained extra fruit which he made his mother eat. When talking to Artos before he left, each time Jacelyn learned more about him. He'd left the Maester's and now worked for the lord and lady. Jon Snow and Margaery Tyrell's coin paying his wage and for the packages he ate, and when his mother got better Jacelyn thanked the gods for them both.
Over time he grew bigger and stronger and when he heard of the offer of a new life in the North he couldn't wait to tell his mother. It took them some time for their place on the list to come up but when it did they didn't have long to wait to leave. Standing on the docks he wondered what the North was like? How cold it truly was? and would he really have a better life there? he also knew that his mother worried even more than he.
"Are you sure about this Jace?" she asked him when they had gotten to the docks.
"I am ma, Jon and Margaery pay for this ship, just like our food and the healers. The North is where he's from and they're bringing people there for a better life." he said.
"How do you know?".
"Artos told me I should do this, he saved you Ma. When you were sick he saved you, because of them he was able to, because of them we've got a chance to live better." he said and she nodded.
He held his mother's hand as he walked up the gangplank, around him a crowd of people all looking for the same thing he was and all wearing the same expressions on their face, all of them full of hope for the future.
Casterly Rock 297 AC (fourth moon).
Jaehaerys Targaryen.
The dragons were gone, flying somewhere that Rhaenix refused to tell him about, Lygaron too staying silent for now. He had tried to warg into her to see where it was she was going, into Lygaron too but they refused to allow him, Rhaenix only telling him that it was something they needed to do. Given that he was leaving to go to King's Landing it was probably for the best, it also allowed Sarella to come with them which he was happy about.
Still it had only been one night and he missed them both, finding that he already wished it was over and he could be with them again. He had spent his nameday night with his sister and son, laying against them as he contemplated what it meant and what he would soon be doing. Rhaenix too speaking her thoughts aloud in his head, bringing up comparisons he'd not wished to think of.
" Father should have named you Daeron." Rhaenix said.
" I'm happy with my name." he replied.
" You'd be the young dragon reborn, conquering a land at four and ten and coming to your throne." she said.
" You think it'd be that easy?".
" I think you were born to be king little brother and king you will be, and anyone who stands in your way will fall." she said and he smiled.
" I'm glad you're with me Rhae.".
" Of course you are, it'll be easier with a dragon." she said with a laugh.
" No, I'm glad you're with me Rhae, you, my sister.".
" I'm always with you Jae." she said.
He packed the candles away, alongside his gifts, Joy had gotten him another book this one perhaps more apt given that it covered Daeron's conquest of Dorne. Jaime had gotten him a wardrobe of clothing, the three-headed dragon, and his family's colors clear. His friends had joined together and had a new saddle and shield made for the tourney and Genna had gifted him his armor, from her, her brothers, and Tyrion too.
Both Robb and Wyman had been just as practical, a northern cloak from Lord Wyman and his family and a wolf pendant from his brother. As for Margaery, he had asked and she had agreed nor to gift him anything, to instead hold it for when they met and so he could gift her too. They had met once since his last visit, a few days after news had come from King's Landing he had begun to feel strange, heading back to his room he lay down and found himself walking through the woods.
" Jae?" he heard her call out.
" Margaery?" he shouted back and when he saw her he ran towards her lifting her up and holding her in his arms, standing there looking at her as she began to speak.
" I, it wouldn't work Jae, I tried but for some reason it wouldn't work." she said as he brushed her hair from her face.
" I don't understand, I thought it would, did you do anything different this time?" he asked and she shook her head.
" No, I just, after what happened, I didn't want you to be alone, I wanted no I needed to see you." she said and he kissed her closing his eyes and enjoying the feel of her lips on his.
" Maybe that's it, maybe it's times of crisis or worry, or something else, will you bring it with you?" he asked and she nodded as he led her to sit against the tree.
She sat between his legs, her back against his front, leaning back against his chest as he wrapped his arms around her holding her close.
" This is it Marge, the last time he takes anything from me, I'm ready." he said as he stroked her hand with his own.
" Are the dragons truly ready Jae?" she asked worriedly.
" They are, I'm going to beat him Marge, I promise you I'm going to beat him." he said.
" So we can be wed soon, be married for true?" she asked.
" We are married for true, but aye we can be wed in the light of the seven soon, be together, share the future together." he said kissing her cheek.
" Together." she said kissing him back.
They lay and talked, telling each other the things they'd done since last they met, speaking of how much they missed each other and how happy they were to be meeting soon. Neither of them really wanting to leave and yet knowing it was time to do so, he kissed her again and watched as she walked through the woods and then turned to walk away, not seeing the raven as it watched from a distant tree.
He had woken with a headache, finding that he'd slept all through the night and since then he wondered if she had done so again. If she had tried to meet him or if she had decided to wait until they met in King's Landing once more. He carried his chests from his room, Walder, and Jors helping him while Arthur readied the horses with Richard. They'd be taking two ships to King's landing, Genna and Kevan in one and he, Jaime and Gerion in the other.
They said their goodbyes on the docks, The Lion's Mane carrying Genna and the others while they would go on The Lady Joanna. Lancel and Wylla were a little upset to be parted and Wyman's refusal to allow his granddaughter to travel with him did not go down well with the girl. He helped load the horses with Joy, Arthur, and Loras, all of them bringing their own mounts to the tourney this time.
"Want to stand on deck Joy?" he asked once they'd settled Winter, Star, Apples, and Bluebell.
"Watch the birdies Jon?" Joy said smirking.
"And the fishies." he said looking back.
"As long as there is no trout, I hate trout." Joy said making a face and then she winked at him and he almost fell over he was laughing so hard.
"Come, let's see if we can make a bird dance like last time." he said and she walked with him up the stairs and out onto the deck.
They were soon joined by the others, Arthur and Walder standing behind him with Jors. Loras, Brienne, and Cregan a little further back. He looked back at Lannisport as they sailed away and closed his eyes, the birds flying high in the sky the doors open wide and ready for him to enter. He reached out to more and he saw them all, Casterly Rock, Deep Den, the Goldroad and the Stoney Sept, and then he was over King's Landing itself, the pigeon welcoming him in.
He flew over the Red Keep and then looked North soon leaving the pigeon behind, he had no need to see what rested on the pike ad he'd already seen it more than once. No, he needed something different, something to clear his troubled mind. Soon he was over Rosby and then Antlers, before he saw them flying over the Isle of Faces, a voice calling him and speaking to him as he soared and moved from door to door.
" The End is the Beginning." it said and he felt himself being flung forward all doors shut to him except one.
The bat shouldn't be awake, it was daylight and it lived for the night and yet while it's brethren slept it could not. What was worse though was it was not itself and it had no control as it flew, no idea of its destination and no reason as to why it could see changes in light and shapes. All it knew was it must fly and fly it did, over dark walls and broken towers, over the melted stone and disused rooms. It flew and it watched as below it what was once empty was soon full.
Banners fluttered in the wind, the Grey Wolf and the Black Stag, the Blue Falcon and the Golden Rose, and above them all the Three-Headed Dragon. It flew down and close, past a maiden with long dark hair beating three men with a wooden sword, past a large man drinking and laughing loudly while a quiet man sat beside him, on it flew and landed by a tree where it roosted and watched. A silver-haired man spoke to men wearing white cloaks, men who listened to every word, and then the bat saw no more.
"Jon?" Joy said from beside him and he opened his eyes looking to see as Lannisport finally went from view.
"What Sorry, I was supposed to make the birds dance wasn't I." he said and she nodded as he reached out for the nearest gull.
Highgarden 297 AC.
Olenna.
She knew as soon as the raven came that things had changed, events forcing them to move much more quickly. Mace scrambling trying to make sense of what it said and trying to once again convince her of why they needed to be joined to the Baratheon's. Willas and Alerie doing the work of settling her idiot of a son down and explaining without explaining, why that was a terrible idea.
With Viserys dead Robert would think he'd won, true he'd know that Daenerys still lived but he'd not fear a girl with Viserys gone, instead, he'd do as he had just announced, he'd celebrate it. But it wasn't Robert she was thinking of, nor was it Viserys or even Daenerys, it was a Targaryen who was much closer and what he would make of this news that Olenna tried to concentrate on.
Giving what he had lost, how much of his family had been taken from him, Olenna knew that he'd not handle this well, she didn't need Margaery to tell her, though her granddaughter did anyway. She didn't need the raven that came from Jon or the one that came from Jaime Lannister. Even when Margaery came to her with talk of a strange tale of seeing Jon and speaking to him, Olenna didn't need to listen to what she said.
She'd known what this had meant the moment Robert took Viserys's head from his body and so she got ready to play her part. Organizing most of the Reach Lords to travel on this trip to King's Landing wasn't hard, both the king's request and having Mace send out his own ravens would see to that. She sat at her desk her fingers pressed against her cheeks and waited until her grandson came in, each moment she waited raising her annoyance until he finally entered.
"Forgive my tardiness grandmother, father wished to speak to me." Willas said as he came and sat down in front of her.
"Your father should know better as should you, but I'm in no mood to chastise either of you right now." she said with a sigh "Preparations are made for us to leave?".
"They are, do you really wish to travel by road grandmother?" Willas asked.
"I do, I wish to meet with the others before we arrive and it's better to do so over time, the longer I spend with them the more I will come to know their minds." she said and her grandson nodded "I wish you to come with us also." she said surprising him.
"Grandmother?".
"You're wasted here, I wish you to be in King's Landing, to be by mine and Margaery's side and to be with me when I speak to your father.".
"You're telling him?" Willas asked surprised.
"I believe I will be on our return, as soon as we've left King's Landing." she said.
"You truly believe we're that close?".
"After what Robert did to Viserys, I'm almost surprised to find that the Red Keep still stands, Willas." she said with a snort.
"Jon wouldn't, would he?".
"He hasn't and that's a good sign, but I guarantee it crossed his mind, that boy has lost far too much family as it is, we're very lucky he considers us part of his now." she said with a small smirk.
"When grandmother, when do you think?" he asked and she didn't need him to say any more than that.
"We'll be at war before the year is finished Willas, I doubt he'll wait longer than that.".
"I'll make my arrangements, Garlan will stay." he said and she nodded.
She drummed her fingers on the table when he'd gone, thoughts fleeting as she played things over in her mind. The tourney would be dangerous ground and all she could do was try to figure out where their bannermen's minds were. Nothing could be said to them without Jon's approval and even with it, she may need him with them to speak to them himself.
Tarly, Rowan, Ashford and Redwyne, Hightower, and Fossoway, all would need to be brought on board and it would take a dragon to do so. Paxter though she needed to bring his children back, to take Hobber and Horas from King's Landing, and to keep them close. They would need the fleet to be free and not be able to be used against them, even if the Lannisters controlled the seas, their ships would need to be ready to be brought to bear.
She got up and walked from the room, strolling through the halls and out to the gardens, Sansa, Margaery, Mina, and the little hens were all speaking excitedly about the upcoming tourney. For Olenna though it filled her with trepidation, memories of Harrenhal loomed fresh in her mind, and with it thoughts of the future they had come so close to. While Jon wasn't his father, even though he had dragons and had done most of the work already, she still found herself worried as she looked to her granddaughter.
"Margaery, a moment child." she called out and watched as her granddaughter walked towards her.
"Yes, grandmother?".
"Walk with me sweetling." she said and Margaery took her arm as they walked along the path in the opposite direction from the others.
They did so silently at first, Olenna wanting to make sure they were far enough from where they could be overheard before she spoke. Once she was she directed her granddaughter to the summer seat and had Left and Right stand back and make sure they were not disturbed.
"We must be careful in King's Landing, Margaery. I know you're looking forward to seeing Jon again and may wish to be as affectionate as you would like, but you must not my child, you must act properly, now more than ever." she said.
"I understand grandmother, I will." Margaery said.
"If I had my way I'd not go to this tourney, instead I'd call our banners and ready for war." she said hearing the little gasp come from Margaery.
"But Jon." Margaery said.
"I understand and I hope it's not the folly of youth, but it's one thing to think of what Robert has done, another to have to witness him celebrate it. Even his best friend couldn't bring himself to do so many years before, for Jon, I fear it will be even worse." Olenna said as she reached out to touch Margaery's face "He'll need you and you'll wish to be with him, you cannot Margaery, not there.".
"I can wait, grandmother, I've waited this long, soon this will be over and we'll be together, I can wait until then." Margaery said determinedly.
"Good, be who they expect you to be Margaery, not who you truly are." she said and saw her granddaughter's smirk.
She sent a raven to Paxter asking him to come to the tourney and to Baelor, her family she could trust and she knew she could not hold back with them much longer. At dinner that night she was quiet and contemplative, Willas and Margaery also not saying much, while Mace spoke loudly about the tourney. Her son looking forward to seeing Loras compete and to travel to King's Landing and meet the king. Olenna despite her worry feeling likewise, even if they were thinking of different people.
It took three days for them to gather all their supplies and get ready to set off and in that time she'd found some of her worries fade away. They would go and play a role and be loyal subjects of the crown and she would watch everyone with a keen eye. Their next steps would define her family's future, secure it or end it, and though there was risk, the reward made it all worthwhile, so that was what she concentrated on as she climbed into the wheelhouse.
"Well, are we just going to sit here all day or are we setting off." she said grumpily before the wheelhouse set off, the smile on her face though showing her true feelings.
The Lady Joanna 297 AC.
Jaime.
Joanna slept comfortably beside Dacey, his daughter not caring that they were on a ship, Dacey's worries proving unfounded. Instead, he had listened as Joy and Jon told her about the adventure she was going on and the big city she would soon see. They had then helped to wear her out by playing with her while he and Dacey ate. By the time they'd come back to the cabin she was ready to sleep and as Dacey lay down beside her, soon she was sleeping too.
Over the course of the journey he, Wyman, Richard, Arthur, and Jon had spoken of what to expect when they got there, Jon surprising them by saying that he'd already seen Viserys's body. Then surprising them, even more, when he spoke about Harrenhal and how he needed to see it for himself, asking them questions of their time there.
"I need to know what each of you saw, what you know of my mother and father's movements and of Robert and Jon Arryn's." Jon said to them as Arthur looked to him.
"Are you sure of this Jon?" he asked.
"Aye, I've to see it, it's time for me to know more about it." Jon said and Jaime looked at him trying to figure out why now.
"I didn't see much of Jon Arryn, Jon, Robert was just as you expect but I saw him with your mother only twice. Once sitting at the table during the feast when your father sang and once when we had just arrived." Wyman said "As for your father, apart from the feast it was only during the tilts themselves.".
"I saw more of your father then your mother, I mean knowingly of your mother. It was only when we searched for the knight that I realized the truth Jae. But your father and I spent time together, we drank and laughed and I was with him almost every day." Richard said.
"You know of my own time Jon." Jaime said and Jon nodded and gave him a quick smile before he looked to Arthur.
Arthur was more concise than any of them, telling Jon which days he spent with Rhaegar and which he was with him when he was with Lyanna. Saying that if he wasn't with Rhaegar then Barristan or Oswell was.
"Is that enough?" Arthur asked and all eyes looked to Jon who nodded.
"I believe so, I needed guidance thank you." Jon said.
Over the next few days, he watched as the bandage never left Jon's hand, Arthur telling him and Richard that he was bleeding himself each night, storing the blood up for when he used the candles. While this concerned him, Walder, Jors, Arthur, and even Richard said he shouldn't be worried and Jon constantly tried to reassure him.
"What I'm attempting my lord requires a lot of magic, a lot of blood. I need it there and ready and I can't take the risk that there won't be enough." Jon said.
"Is it not hurting you, making you weaker?" he asked.
"No, I feel good, I'm well, and Sarella tells me as long as I eat and drink enough, rest when I feel tired, then I can do this more often."
"You really think you need this much?" he said picking up the jar which was nearly full.
"For what I want, Aye I do.".
"Why is it so important to you Jon? You know pretty much what happened, why do you need to see it?" he asked still not sure of the reason.
"They want me to see it." Jon said looking at him "The old gods, they wish me to see it, there's something there Jaime, I don't know what it is, but whatever it is they wish me to know of it.".
"When?" he asked.
"I think I'll be ready when we arrive at King's Landing." Jon said with a smile he knew was to reassure him but he wasn't sure if it really did.
He tried to put it out of his mind, ding his best to concentrate on other things such as the tourney itself. Dacey wishing to compete and he not wanting to. Loras, Brienne, Robb, and Cregan speaking of the melee and Jon sitting quietly saying nothing of his plans. He knew that both Jon and Loras were competing in the joust and he held no worry for them there, the melee though he did worry about.
None of them had competed in one truly, Brienne had in Highgarden but there was something about a tourney in King's Landing that made it different. Be it Robert's own excitement, the size of the prizes, or the fact that more people would be in attendance, the tourneys were more dangerous there than anywhere else. Over the years men had died in jousts and on the field, though he wasn't entirely sure if that was why he was nervous or not.
"You're pensive." he heard the voice from behind him as he stood on the deck, the city coming into view.
"Aye Jon I am.".
"I am too, the tourney and knowing what will come after, we'd be fools not to worry and yet we'd be wrong not to be excited too, my lord.".
"War is nothing to be excited about Jon.".
"I'm not excited about the war Jaime, it's what we'll do when it'd done. My father's letters, the words he wrote, the things he planned to do once he was king, what was it he said to you before he left?" Jon asked.
"When this battle's done I mean to call a council. Changes will be made. I meant to do it long ago, but… well, it does no good to speak of roads not taken. We shall talk when I return." Jaime said repeating the words for the first time in their entirety.
"Changes will be made, the rest doesn't matter Jaime, only that. Together we will bring those changes to Westeros. Together we will fulfill the promise that my father would have brought." Jon said
"Together my king." he said as Jon touched his back and walked away.
Once he had gone Jaime dropped to a knee and closed his eyes, the prayers he said were to any god who'd listen, the seven who are one, the Red God or the old gods, to each of them he called and begged.
"If someone has to fall take me, I beg of you take me and let him live, take the father and not the son, the sinner and not the sinned against." his words whispered and lost to the wind.