Author's Note: This story was originally posted on AO3.
This story will most likely stick to book canon, but since the show screwed with the ages and made Myrcella almost twenty at the end I'm toying with the ages a bit for my own sake so Myrcella isn't five at the start. Based on Jon being born 283 AC, I've moved Joffrey's birth to 285 and Myrcella's to 287 so she's eight and Jon is about twelve when the story starts in 295 AC.
I'm intending to focus largely on what's going on with Jon and Myrcella and those around them, but I'll try to key in to other changes every so often. It's been a bit since I reread the series so I've started going through bits of it and have the wiki, but if I get something wrong let me know. Point me to proper information so I can double check and I'll try to look into it and correct anything necessary.
I may use some theories I don't necessarily believe for the series for some fun storylines. The only relationship I have set in stone is Jon and Myrcella. I don't know if I'll do the other common ones like Gendry/Arya or the like.
Chapter 1: Squire To An Ivory Knight
"Let me go to the Wall," Jon pleaded.
"No," Eddard Stark said sat in his solar, "you're too young."
"Then let me go south."
Ned blinked in surprise. "What?"
"You and Uncle Benjen say I can't go to the Wall because I don't know what I'm giving up," Jon said crossing his arms, "so let me go find out."
Ned looked at him for a moment before sighing. "I could send you to ward with one of the northern lords."
"No." Jon shook his head. "I already know the North, if I can't go to the Wall then send me south. Let me go to Dorne where it won't matter that I'm a bastard. Send me to the Reach or the Stormlands."
Ned shook his head. "No."
"Why not?" asked Jon.
"I'm not sending you south, Jon."
"Am I a prisoner?" he asked tilting his head as Ned's brow rose.
"What?"
"I can't go south, I can't go to the Wall. It's not like I'm an heir or anyone who matters." He took a breath, letting his arms fall to his sides. "I'm leaving Winterfell. If I have to pack a bag and do whatever jobs I can to make my way I will."
Ned stared at him, shocked by his declaration. "Why do you want to leave?"
"Because I don't matter here," he said louder and quick than he intended. He sighed, letting out his frustration as he shook his head. "Robb, Arya, even Bran and Rickon are like family but Sansa ignores me and Lady Stark hates me." She hated him more than Theon, who was a hostage that acted like one of them and clearly thought he could marry Sansa and make it official. As though she'd ever want anything to do with him.
"She doesn't-" Ned quieted when Jon looked to him skeptically. He sighed, pressing a hand to his forehead. "Let me look into it. I'll try to find someone good. Someone I can trust."
"Thank you, father."
Ned frowned, giving the boy a nod as he departed the room.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
After much deliberation Ned decided to ask Yohn Royce if he would take his bastard as a ward and give the boy a chance to make a name for himself, assuring him of Jon's excellent character. While Yohn sent a reply saying he would send word once he had things in order, the next letter he received was from Jon Arryn.
His wife heard of Ned's interesting in warding Jon Snow and happened to mention it to Jon Arryn while King Robert was near. Right away Robert offered to take the boy in as ward himself, ignoring the fact the boy was a bastard. When Jon Arryn reminded him of the impropriety he decided instead to secure the boy a place as squire to Barristan Selmy. He would let the boy make a name for himself and even offered to legitimize him so he could make a cadet branch of House Stark, not unlike the Karstarks.
Worst yet, Robert had already sent someone north to collect the boy, meaning it would be a grievous insult thrice over to have the men sent north do so for naught, deny Barristan his squire and Robert his favor. Ned stared at the letter wondering if he was in a nightmare.
He couldn't deny them, and yet couldn't help but think sending the boy to stay with Robert would out the truth. Somehow, Robert would look at Jon and see Lyanna, or even worse, would see Rhaegar. He would find the truth in Jon's eyes and murder the boy.
But he couldn't anger Robert, so with a sigh went to the Godswood, prayed to the Old Gods, and told Jon of the impending arrival. It almost hurt how happy Jon was to leave, though that lessened when Robb and Arya learned of it.
"I'm sure you'll be able to write to me, and I'll write whenever anything interesting happens," Jon promised as Arya clung to him.
Ned had hoped they wouldn't be angry with Jon, but instead found both were colder toward their mother and Sansa, who they saw as driving Jon away. It didn't help that when Catelyn heard the news she gave a victorious snort in front of them all.
Jon packed all he had, which wasn't very much, and counted the days until the guards called the gates to open for a white cloaked rider from the south. Arya had run for the yard to tell Jon, interrupting his training with Robb and Theon. All three were dismissed early, rushing behind her to make way for the gate.
They found Ned already standing alongside Lady Stark with Rickon in her arms and Sansa beside her holding Bran's hand.
Jon had heard stories of Barristan Selmy, expecting to find an old ivory knight with armor and hair of white. Instead he found a man in crimson silks and gilded armor that matched his hair beneath a white cloak. His confusion gave way when he noticed the lion engraved on the armor as the man's cat-green eyes took them in. He looked as much a king as he did a knight, lacking the stoic visage Jon imagined kingsguard had.
"Ser Jaime," Ned said with a nod as the knight dismounted.
"Lord Stark," Jaime said scanning the family gathered until his eyes settled on Jon, a smirk taking his lips. "That your bastard?"
Catelyn shifted as Ned nodded. "I assume you're the one he sent to escort him?"
Jaime, clearly displeased by the assignment, gave a grunt. "I am."
Ned waved Jon over, patting the boy's shoulder once he was beside him. "This is my son, Jon Snow. Jon, this is Ser Jaime Lannister."
"It's an honor to meet you, Ser," Jon said with a quick nod, holding back his disappointment Ser Barristan hadn't been the one to get him, but then he was Lord Commander of the Kingsguard. He couldn't leave his king, let alone for a bastard boy like him, which might explain Jaime's contained displeasure. The assignment was an insult given to him by Robert.
"Your age, boy?" Jaime asked with an arched brow.
"Twelve, Ser," Jon said, quietly adding, "nearly."
Jaime chuckled, shaking his head. "Shall we be off at once?"
"Please, stay the night," Ned asked. "Give the boy a day to say his farewells."
Jaime shrugged and sighed, looking to Jon. "A knight of the kingsguard is best at the king's side. I can spare no more than a night, and when we ride we do so with haste."
"Aye, Ser," Jon nodded, standing as tall as he could. "I'll do my best."
Jaime snorted. "I'm sure you will."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Even at his last supper in Winterfell, Jon ate at the low tables. He departed shortly after Eddard stood and toasted to his well being and wished Jon luck.
Jaime found him in the training yard, beating a straw dummy with a training sword. "Your form is awful," he said standing near the rail with his arms crossed. When Jon stopped mid swing and turned to him, Jaime smirked. "Is that how all men of the North fight?"
"It's how I fight," Jon offered with a shrug.
"Then you'll surely die the moment you face someone with live steel."
Jon's jaw shifted, looking from the blunted sword to Jaime. He was spoken of with distaste as the Kingslayer but he was knighted at fifteen and there were stories of Jaime's skill with a sword. He could overlook his lack of honor if it meant a chance to gain knowledge that could help Jon. "What am I doing wrong?"
"Breathing," Jaime laughed. Seeing the boy's sullen face remain unchanged, he sighed and shook his head. "Swing like that and you'll just exhaust yourself. The sword isn't just a tool, it's not a hammer you swing. You don't need to force all of your strength into it to get what you want."
Jon frowned. "I know that. I was just…"
Jaime's brow arched as he realized the boy was venting his frustration on the straw dummy. Maybe he wasn't the mindless lap dog Jaime thought him. "Oh." With a nod he glanced back at the Great Hall where the Starks still lingered. "Then it's fine. Swing away, get it out, but for a real fight it's important to remember it's not all strength. It's easy to feel like it matters when you start off, but once you wield steel with a true edge you find how much strength you use often doesn't matter as much as where you hit."
Jon nodded, saying with a smile. "So stick 'em with the pointy end."
Jaime chuckled, his hair falling about his face as it fell forward before he nodded and brushed it back. "The sides work as well, but the pointy end is usually the best to end it quick."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
When morning came the Starks gathered to see Jon off.
He ruffled Bran's hair and hugged the boy. "You have to go?" he asked when Jon backed away.
"Don't worry," Jon said with an assuring smile. "I'll keep an eye for knights who might want you for a squire, and if I don't find any then you can be mine."
Bran's eyes widened. "Really?"
"I promise," Jon nodded.
When he moved to Arya she nearly knocked him over with a hug. "I'll write as much as I can."
"And I'll do the same," he promised.
When he came to Sansa she offered a slight curtsy. "Farewell, Jon."
"Farewell, Sansa," he nodded solemnly.
Robb pulled him into a hug the moment he could, the boys patting each other's backs before separating, holding their shoulders. "I imagine next time we meet I'll be calling you Ser."
Jon laughed, but that died as he moved to Catelyn and gave her a quick nod. "Lady Stark." He flashed Rickon a smile and moved to Ned, who hugged him. "Thank you," Jon told him before they separated.
Failing to hide his concern completely, Eddard looked him over and nodded. "I've no doubt you'll prove more than worthy."
Mounting the spare horse gifted to him, Jon looked back to his family a final time before following Jaime Lannister to the kingsroad.
At first the journey had been quiet, but with time Jaime sighed and glanced over at Jon. "So what made him send you away?"
"I asked to leave," Jon said glancing at the kingsguard.
"That so?" Jaime nodded. Thinking back he arched his brow. "Because of Lady Stark?" Seeing the boy look down and remain quiet, Jaime snickered. "Ah, so she's a cunt."
Jon looked at him shocked, but saw Jaime smirk at him. Shaking his head Jon looked ahead. "She made it clear what I am."
"And what's that?" asked Jaime.
"The shame of House Stark."
Jaime glanced at him for a moment and thought of other bastards. Seeing the misery and shame on the boy's face, he felt something stir inside him, thankful his bastards had a shroud over them thanks to the king's stupidity. It wouldn't be hard to sneak much past the drunken lout, but at least his children would never suffer for his love of Cersei. If even a bastard born to the Warden of the North and raised in his home as one of his children was made to feel like this, what would become of his children if the truth came out?
"Fuck that old trout cunt," Jaime said with a scoff, flashing Jon a smile when he looked at him. "Make sure you remember her face when you go back a knight while she's still a miserly crone."
Jaime couldn't help but notice Jon smile a bit at that, both from Jaime's apparent confidence he would become a knight and the idea of proving he was more than the shame of her husband.
When they settled for the knight Jaime took the horses and waved Jon off. "Go find wood for a fire." Seeing Jon's surprise, Jaime shrugged. "Consider it preparation for squirely duties."
"Of course," Jon nodded, rushing off to gather wood and rocks.
Jaime watched Jon prepare their fire and raise their tents before settling in and taking the preserves Jaime offered him. He found himself not entirely bored by the boy's presence. Though sullen looking and slow to open up, once he started talking Jaime found him easy to speak with.
"That little one with the brown hair was Arya, right?" he asked after Jon told him of how Catelyn once berated him for letting her hold his training sword.
"Yeah, that's her," Jon nodded, looking at the fire for a moment before his smile grew sly. "I think once I can return I'd like to buy a sword for her and offer to train her."
Jaime grinned. "That'll really stick it to the trout."
Jon tilted his head in reluctant agreement. Looking to Jaime he asked. "What is Ser Barristan like? Should I know anything before meeting him?"
"Barristan is a good man," Jaime said with a nod. "Old enough that most would be brittle and crazed, but the man's still as sharp as valyrian steel." He seemed to examine Jon for a moment before deciding to continue. "It's every man who wishes they could have your place as his squire you'll need to look out for. And do your best to steer clear of the other white cloaks."
Jon arched his brow. "I'll try not to bother you or your brothers."
"Brothers?" Jaime scoffed. "I have one brother and he wields a sword about as well as the King curtsies."
When Jon chuckled, Jaime flashed him a questioning look and Jon shook his head. "I won't say a word."
"Good man," Jaime nodded, downing the last of his food.
Jaime told him of King's Landing and Casterly Rock, even of his brother and the royal family. Jon listened well, seeming thankful for all he said, and yet laughed or shook his head whenever Jaime threw in something ridiculous to test his attention. He wasn't putting up a front of being polite. His honest interest and sincerity when he spoke surprised Jaime.
It was on their third night that he'd barely tied the horses to a tree when he heard the ruffle of grass and turned to see Jon dodging the dagger of a man if ragged clothes. Three others armed with daggers rushed them, two charging toward Jaime while the third helped the other with Jon.
In a flash of silver and crimson Jaime's sword was drawn and cut through the arm of one man, dropping his dagger while Jaime stepped forward and slashed through his throat. That same motion let Jaime deflect the strike of the next man before quickly thrusting his sword through the bandit's throat and pulling up through his jaw as he withdrew.
Turning his attention to the other two he found one had his arm around Jon with his dagger pointed at the boy's face while the other turned to aim his dagger at Jaime. Seeing his friends killed seemed to matter little. "Give us yur purse," he ordered.
Jaime found himself smiling, wishing he wore his white cloak under the travel cloak he wore just to see them piss themselves. Oh well.
"I'd suggest you let the boy go and leave now," Jaime said aiming his sword toward the one holding Jon.
"Fuck off, pretty boy," said the one aiming at Jaime.
Jaime's brow arched before rising as he watched Jon grab the arm of the man aiming his dagger at him and slip beneath his loose arm while pushing it forward, driving the man's own dagger into his chest.
With a laugh Jaime dashed forward, stabbing the bandit's wrist and slashing up before tearing the tip of his sword from the man's bicep and thrusting it through his eye as the other gasped and tore the dagger from his chest. He turned in shock to look at the boy that made him stab himself and found Jon's fist slamming into his eye, making him stumble back wincing. When he finally opened his eyes he did so just as Jaime thrust his sword through his heart and kicked him off the blade.
Once all the bandits lay dead around them he tore the cleanest sleeve off one and used it to wipe the blood from his blade. Jaime sheathed his cleaned sword before turning to pat Jon's shoulder. "Good work getting out of that."
Jon stared at the man who held him before nodding and looking to Jaime. "I'm sorry I got caught."
Jaime shrugged. "You're unarmed and outnumbered. Fair enough for a boy who never had a real fight."
Looking over the men Jaime found the one with the best maintained dagger and removed the man's belt, thrusting the dagger into it's scabbard before handing it to Jon. "Take it," he ordered. "They won't be much use to these fools, and you'll need it if this happens again."
Jon glanced at him before nodding and securing the belt around waist. Though that was the last time they had to fend off bandits, Jon found the dagger useful along their journey south for completing the little tasks Jaime gave him, calling each practice for squirely duties. However the dagger was cheaply made so by the time they reached the Crownlands the blade was chipped and near useless.
Though it stunk and seemed louder than even Winterfell, as Jon rode through the gates of King's Landing with Jaime Lannister at his side he couldn't help but smile and feel like this was meant to be. Maybe Winterfell wasn't the home he thought it had been, maybe he could make a life for himself here. The kind of life he deserved.
A/N:
Things might move a bit quicker in the story to try and keep the pace going, but I'm hoping to start the next chapter right after this one end. After that I imagine I'll jump around a bit more. Myrcella will definitely be in the next chapter as well, but the romance will likely be slow since she's still only around eight here. Gotta build to it.
Originally I considered having Barristan show up at Winterfell or even Tyrion but I like Jon and Jaime's potential dynamics so went with him. I figure Robert would send Jaime as a kind of petty fuck you to mess with him since surely most would see it as an insult to travel all that way to pick up a bastard boy who is going to be a squire. The other two will have more time with Jon later.
I had some fun writing Jaime as noticing little things he liked about Jon and opening up to him more because of it.