The King's Squire
Chapter 2
Winterfell…
Robert smiled as his entourage entered Winterfell. He'd never been so cold before in his life but, apparently, he'd gotten used to it. He now wore layers of fur that were gifted to him on the many keeps he'd visited. He looked more northern now than when he first started his tour and for that he was glad. If he had dressed as the southerners did, he'd be a stone-cold corpse by now.
Ned smiled as his wife and the rest of Winterfell bowed to his friend.
"Winterfell is yours your Grace." Catelyn said.
"Stand and let me look at you." Robert said.
Catelyn stood up and was immediately hugged by Robert.
"My god Cat. The North has been good to you. You've certainly aged better than most of the women in the realm." Robert said.
Catelyn blushed.
"Watch it your grace. She's a married woman." Ned said causing Robert to laugh.
Robert moved next towards his namesake.
Rob was a handsome ten-year-old and clearly had the Tully look about him.
"My gods Ned. What have you been feeding this boy? He's nearly a man grown." Robert said.
This caused Ned to let out an uncharacteristic laugh and Rob to jut out his chest in a prideful way. It wasn't everyday you were complimented by a king.
"So, they say you're my namesake lad. I can tell your going to be a warrior like your father. Perhaps when you're older we can spar?"
Robb smiled.
"I'll be waiting your grace." Robb said.
Robert laughed hard at that.
Robert then moved onto Sansa. Sansa curtsied like a perfect lady.
"My you're a pretty lass. Old Ned here will have trouble keeping the suitors from you when you're older." Robert said.
Sansa smiled at the king.
Next Robert moved onto the youngest Stark child. It was a girl of six years old. She wasn't technically the youngest due to the baby inside the castle but, she was the youngest one he'd be introduced you. She had the northern look and a fierceness about her. She sort of reminded him of her aunt.
"You don't look like a demon?" The young girl said before Robert could introduce himself.
Sansa and her mother immediately shouted her name. "Arya!" " Arya!"
Robert looked to his left and saw Ned with his hand rubbing his face as if to warn off a coming headache. The whole scene had Robert in stitches.
"What? He's called the demon of the Trident, isn't he?" Arya said while gesturing to Robert himself.
Arya then looked him in the eye.
"So, are you a demon?" Arya asked.
Robert could no longer hold himself. He started laughing uproariously and so did his entourage. The only one who wasn't laughing was Lady Catelyn. Poor girl, she's so going to get punished.
When Robert finally calmed down he knelt to stare Arya in the face.
"They call me a Demon because when I'm fighting, I can't be beaten." Robert said.
Ned let out a suspicious cough but, Robert let it slide. What Arya said next had him floored.
"So, if I beat you, can I be a demon?" Arya said.
Robert stared at her and laughed.
"The wolf blood she has Ned. More than anyone I've ever seen." He said to Ned.
He then looked Arya in the eye.
"When you're older and I'm old as dirt, we'll fight. If you beat me I'll name you the Demon of the North."
Arya stuck out her arm.
"Deal."
Robert laughed again.
"Wolfblood Ned. Wolfblood. Maybe, your girl can give you some of it. She has plenty to spare." Robert said while shaking Arya's hand.
Ned only shook his head at his friend and daughter. Ned knew Arya wouldn't forget this anytime soon, or if ever. Arya had been raised on stories of him and Robert during the war. Her heroes were Nymeria, Visenya, and ser Duncan the tall. If Robert gave her a path to being a great name like her heroes, she'd take it. Unfortunately for her, his wife had other ideas for his daughter.
Ned was broken from his thoughts when Robert approached him.
"Come Ned. Lead me to her. I want to pay my respects." Robert said brokering no argument. Ned led him to the crypts and with that, Robert Baratheon officially started his stay at Winterfell.
Hours later…..
Robert exited the great hall for a break. The feast was lively and the dancing had begun. He had danced with Catelyn and a couple Mormonts and it had tired him out. He loved the way the Northerners feasted. It always started the same, no matter which household was hosting it. First, the northerners observed proper etiquette but, after the mead started flowing, they became more carefree. When northerners celebrated, they made sure it was unforgettable. In fact, he'd almost gotten into a fight at Last Hearth when the Umbers hosted him. If only Ned and Selmy would take a night off, maybe then gods forbid they'd have a little fun.
Robert took a lungful of air. Gods he'd miss the Northern air when he was back at King's Landing. The air up here smelled of pine and earth while King's Landing smelled of piss and shit. He turned around when he heard the rhythmic thwacking of a practice sword. He and Selmy made their way towards the noise, wondering who'd choose the practice yard instead of a feast.
When Robert saw the lad swinging a practice sword at a straw dummy his heart stopped. He was transported in time back to when he was at the Eyrie.
"Ned." Robert said in a whisper.
The lad heard him and turned around. He was shocked that he was facing the King.
"Ya , ya, Your grace." Jon said in a stutter before bowing.
Robert shook his head. This couldn't be Ned. He was in the Great Hall and his ugly mug never looked this handsome.
"Stand boy and let me look at you." Robert said.
Jon stood to his full height and looked at his king.
"You look a lot like your father." Robert said.
Jon nodded.
"What's your name boy."
"Jon Snow your grace."
"Ahh, you're Ned's bastard." Robert said.
Jon growled.
"I am your grace." He said through gritted teeth.
Selmy was about to say something when Robert cut him off.
"Word of advice son. Don't show your anger to those who'd use it against you. You are a bastard and people will use your anger at being a bastard to take advantage of you."
Jon slumped his shoulders and took his advice.
"Besides Jon, I've been called worse. I don't even want to tell you what they call me in Dorne." Robert said.
It was apparently the right thing to say because Jon's lips twitched upwards. His maester had apparently educated him about Robert's rebellion.
Jon then tilted his head to the side. Apparently, he was a curious lad.
"What do they call you?" Jon asked.
Robert shook his head.
"Can't tell you boy. Ned would box my ears in if he thought I was corrupting his children."
Jon laughed. The thought of his father boxing in the King's ear had him in stitches.
Robert laughed as well. Ned's son brought him back to simpler times.
"Tell me Jon. Why are you out here? Why aren't you at the feast?" Robert asked.
Robert saw Jon's visage shift instantly. He went from laughing child to brooding one in moments.
"Lady Catelyn." Jon said.
He only said two words but, those two words were enough. He'd seen the disdain Cersei had for lowborns and bastards. It didn't take much to see that his wife and lady Catelyn were similar in that regard.
"I see."
Jon and Robert sat in the yard in a comfortable silence.
"Tell me Jon. Where do you see yourself in five years?" Robert asked.
"I don't know your grace. Hopefully, I'll still be here in Winterfell but, if I'm not, I'll probably be at the wall with my uncle Benjen." Jon said in a small voice.
Robert looked at him and was shocked.
"I don't think your father would send you to the wall. Where did you get that notion?" Robert said.
Jon looked down as if debating whether to answer or not.
Jon sighed.
"I've heard them. My father and lady Catelyn. She's been starting to suggest that I be sent to the wall when I'm older."
Jon looked at Robert.
"Father always says no but, she's his wife and the lady of Winterfell."
Jon paused.
"I love my father but, even I know he can't say no forever."
Robert looked at Jon. He knew that eventually Ned would give in to Catelyn and this boy would be sent to the wall. He looked so much like a young Ned that he couldn't bear the thought. Robert took a moment and made a decision.
"Don't worry boy. I promise, by the time I leave Winterfell, going to the wall will be the last of your options."
Robert didn't know if he made the right decision but, the look of hope in Jon's eyes made him think that whatever happened, it would be worth it.
Okay, I went with an innocent Jon and a cheery Robert. Don't go crazy, this is an AU. Read and review.