Riding with Jon Stark Targaryen was different from riding with Robert. Jon was quiet, simply riding, sometimes speaking a few words with Amarantha or Rickard or even himself, and Jaime was struck by how the peace settled him. Amarantha perked up when she noticed a huge, gnarled tree, she shouted to Jon "Race you!" and she urged her palfrey to go faster. Jon grinned as he nudged his massive destrier to a gallop.
Cantering into the Stonehome courtyard, Lannister was greeted by Lord Dayan's castellan, Daerk
Stormheart, a cousin of Daren and his siblings. "Well, I must say, I did not expect the Lion of Lannister to visit alongside dear Antha and her betrothed." The laconic statement ironically settled Jaime, who dismounted and followed Jon with his mount.
Rickard, Jon and Antha took him to a parlour where Ser Arthur Dayne nodded at him, lounging beside a Lyanna Stark who seemed to be frozen in time. Brandon Stark was seated with Lady Mara Stormheart, whose laughing eyes froze over to watch him. Jaime chose his words carefully. "My lord, ladies, Ser Arthur, Jon and Lady Amarantha, as well as Lord Rickard told me I must seek an audience with you." Jaime couldn't keep the stiffness out of his tone. He cringed inside, wondering if Brandon would be angry, if Lyanna would lash out.
Arthur studied him, quiet, intense and ready to judge him. He bristled at the idea the Sword of the Morning might find him lacking. Brandon leaned forward to whisper something in his goodbrother's ear. Dayne frowned, but nodded, and leaned back, ready to make judgement of the famed Kingslaying Lion of Lannister. "You have fathered three children on your sister." The steel in Dayne's tone made Jaime's eyes widen, and he nodded meekly. Sighing, Mara ran her hand through her shoulder length black hair. "We have to protect the youngest two, Myrcella and Tommen. Joffrey has already exhibited the tendencies of Robert." Brand frowned. "We could present Jon as the Targaryen heir, and declare that either Robert and Cersei bend the knee, with the condition that Jaime raise his 'niece' and 'nephews'." Lyanna scowled and said "Antha has said before that although he would be a good King, Jon would prefer to be a Prince, travelling around Westeros, riding his courser with Ghost at his side." Jaime cleared his throat.
"If I may?" He dared ask these legends made flesh. Arthur nodded, and Jaime began "Viserys and Daenerys Targaryen are living in Essos. They are Targaeryen, and Rhaegar's siblings. As the heir, Jon could accede the Throne to an heir of Dragonblood of his choosing. He could travel to Essos with a few guards and be his own envoy to his aunt and uncle." Mara blinked. "That could work." Arthur stated "I do not like that Robert is taking Ned's girls south. If not for the Stormhearts, Lyanna, Brandon and Rickard would all be dead." Mara answered "So we manipulate Robert into taking a Stormheart delegation." Lyanna smirked. "And I know how. Jon sent me a raven, warning me that Robert had almost gone crazy, wanting to see my likeness. He still thinks himself in love with me. My reappearence will throw him and everyone else off balance." Mara agreed. "It needs tuning, but it might well work, goodsister mine."
Later that day, Rickard, flanked by Jon and Jaime, swept through the gates of Winterfell. Brand, Mara and their sons, followed by Lyanna and Arthur and their children, cantered into the courtyard. Antha, onboard her silvery white palfrey, trotted to Jon and Rickard.
Ned and all his family and guests were stunned to see Brandon Stark himself dismount from a massive charger, and dismount, turning to assist the long disappeared Lady Amarantha the Fifth down from her own horse. Bael and Baren, hoods raised, gathered mounts and under Jon's guidance, took the coursers and palfreys to the stable. Lyanna and Alysa were helped to the ground by Arthur and Ash. Lyanna's hood fell back as she laughed and threw her arms around Arthur. Ash groaned "Grandda, do they have to do that?"
A/N: Apologies for the short chapter. Originally, I was going to finish Jon in a few chapters and post the completed fic. However, Life has gotten in the way. I will post again, sometime soon. But I don't promise unless it's a sure thing.