IX - Jon
It seemed like it was yesterday that they had sailed from Kingslanding rat filled port to that of dreary Dragonstone. The young boy remembered seeing the black island for the first time. Rain poured in the grey melancholic skies and wind blew softly against his face as they approached the fishing village. It was wonderful to him to feel the fresh cold air in his skin, the Red Keep was too hot for his tastes and going North cheered his spirits. When they descended he could see the Dragonmont volcano at the distance and as he stood gazing with wonder, the girl at his back took Jon's hand and squeezed saying: -'Well, we are here Lord Stark. This place looks kind of grim, han?' He looked to Meera, but said nothing. Gendry seemed to reflect her piece of mind, when he said: -'It is this Gods dammed black clouds and their wretched rain. Maybe tomorrow will be sunny'
Jon hoped not. This place looked amazing to him just as it was: grey, white and black like a reflection of his own soul. Oh, how he missed Ghost. He got down on one knee and took a rock that seemed to everywhere on the beach. It was sheer black, but as Jon turned the thing it showed shades of green, red and even purple. He looked back to his sister that was descending onto the beach with the aid of Ser Barristan Selmy and thought about giving it to her. However, she would never have accepted it. Sansa had barely spoken a word during their trip and none of those words were directed at him. He missed Arya and imagined what would his sister think now that he was her true brother. Sighing, he extended the rock to Lady Meera and won himself a kiss on the cheek. The green eyed girl said to him: -'You don't always have to look so grim also, Jon. There is no need to match the scenery.'
They followed a short chubby man named Davos Seaworth to the castle of Dragonstone, where Jon's heart was truly sold. The castle was entirely made of black Stone, though unlike the rock on the beach it seemed more solid it glittered when light hit it. The young newly made Stark smiled as he looked at the dragon shape of the castle, a black dragon. Jon always wondered how they looked like. He is pulled out of his thoughts by Ser Barristan Selmy saying: -'This castle was the original seat of the Targaryens, Raeghar lived here whilst he held the title: Prince of Dragonstone.' My father, his heart stopped as he thought about Raeghar. He would never know his father, but somehow Jon was now at his castle. He looked up at the gargoyles and dreamed of what it would be like to grow up running in between them.
For the next week time literally flied like an unleashed dragon. He and Renly had sword lessons with Ser Barristan by mornings and ran off to beach with Meera in the afternoons. Jon had never been so happy, until his Baratheon friend got sick and did not show up for two days. Being twice denied a visit to Renly, the young Stark marched up the stairs to the chamber of the painted table with determination, whilst Ser Barristan followed him begging Jon not to bother Lord Stannis. However, the Stark boy have had enough. He had got lost in the pleasure of getting to know his father home and forgot about his duty, now Gendry was sick and something was definitely wrong. As he entered the room the Lord of Dragonstone was seated in the middle high seat by the map table with that red haired crazy priestess at his side. The woman always seemed to be looking at him strangely and he deeply disliked her.
Jon had no time to waste so he said: -'My lord, my lady. I wish to stake a demand.' The face he received was one of revulsion, alas Stannis was one always grumpy old man. However, the Lord said: -'Speak quickly Jon, I have matters to attend.' I give him a slight bow and say: -'I wish to visit Gendry Baratheon. I am told that he is sick. However, me and my sister have been in Dragonstone for more than a week and it is high time we leave for Winterfell.' Stannis drums his fingers on the table as he thinks of an answer, Jon knows he is hiding something as Lady Melisandre is the one to answer: -'Gendry disease is highly contagious. K… Lord Stannis can not allow that you should suffer the same fate.' Jon refuses to look at the red haired woman and remains his focus on the Lord of Dragonstone, whilst saying: -'Is this your response Lord Stannis?'
Stannis is short as he says: -'It is. Now go, I have matters to attend.' Ser Barristan grabs Jon's arms and begins to drag him out of the room, but he takes his arm of the Knight's grasp and says: -'If it is not possible to see Gendry, I will start making the necessary arrangements to sail to White Harbor. My father's vassals are waiting for us.' The grumpy old man rises up from his chair like a storm and says firmly: -'Robert is dead. Your father is a prisoner at Kingslanding. You and your sister can not leave, it is too dangerous.' The circles on Jon's head wheeled out of control from dreadful thoughts to vengeance, but he was able to focus on the now. If Robert was dead and his father imprisoned, then the Lannister must have taken power. But Gendry should be King, it did not make sense.
Stannis should be waving the boy around gaining support to overthrow the Lannister, yet he was hiding the boy. Jon frowned and restricted his words: -'This is dire news. Why were they kept from me, my Lord? I should write to my brother at once, to find means to free my father.' The Baratheon lord walked towards the Stark boy and said: -'I like you, Jon. You are a brave young man, that is why I did not bring you this news. There is nothing you can do now. Your brother Robb has raised alliances and now marches south against the impostor bastard King that is Joffrey. You are second heir to Winterfell, you will have to wait.' Jon felt fiery rage inside his body and in his head he imagined strangling Stannis' neck, but in reality he just nodded and said: -'Very well, I must consort with my sister then, so that she will keep our father in her prayers. Jon bows and leaves with stomping on the floor, he draws his swords and hits the wall as he distances himself from the Stone Drum.
Right before he enters Sansa's room, Ser Barristan puts a hand on his shoulder and says: - 'You know, Jon. King Aerys had fits of rage, we all do. Learning to control them is the only way to keep those we love safe. Prince Raeghar learned control through music.' Jon stared at the old Knight with doubt, he had noticed that Ser Barristan always told him things about Targaryens and told Gendry about Baratheons. So he had begun to wonder, if the kingsguard knew about his bloodline. Nevertheless, Jon understood, knocked on the door and said: -'I am trying.' However, before he entered his sister's bedchamber, Ser Davos approached them saying: -'I hear you looking for Gendry.' Jon sighed and said: -'Not in here. Let's go in.' Inside his sister sat in the bed talking with Meera, they were startled by their entrance and Sansa said: -'Who told you, you could come into my room?'
Jon was tired of his sister behavior, yet he did not complain but said: -'I am afraid I have dire news. King Robert is dead and the Lannisters put our father into prison. As we speak, Robb is marching with an army to the capital to free him.' An open-mouthed Sansa got up from the bed abruptly and demanded: -'This can not be true. Tell me Ser Barristan is this true? Or does my brother mock me?' The old knight shakes his head negatively whilst he says: -'I am afraid it is the truth, my lady.' To Jon's surprise Ser Davos adds more dire news: - 'And it is not only that. Renly has proclaimed himself King and Lord Stannis means to fight him for the title. He has imprisoned Renly and the red witch wishes to execute him.' The only answer Jon can give is: -'We have to free him and leave for White Harbor at once.'
He watches his sister walk in silence towards the window, it is unusual for her not to speak her mind against him. Perhaps she is also tired of their fights, Jon thinks as Ser Barristan says: -'It is too dangerous to leave, Jon. Your brother will probably align with Stannis. You and Sansa will be safe here.' At the window, Sansa whispers: -'How can one week change so many things?' Jon sighs and says: -'Ser Davos, you will show me where Gendry is. I will free him and you need not to take part. Sansa, you may stay if you want, but I will leave in one hour at most.' He is astonished to her his sister response: -'I am not staying. Father said wolves must stick together.' As Jon bows to his sister and turns to leave, Ser Barristan says: -'I will go fetch your father guards and prepare a ship, my lord. Ser Davos will release Gendry and meet us at the back beach. It is not raining I think it is a nice day for you and your sister to take a walk near the sea.'
Jon grasped the old knights meaning, they would not be in danger of getting caught. As Ser Davos leaves the room, he puts a piece of paper in my hand and says: -'You have to pardon Lord Stannis his own brother has turned against him and that woman is messing with his mind.' The young stark does not answer him, but turns to his sister and Meera and begins to read the letter: - 'The king is dead. The Lannister have imprisoned me. Renly declared himself king, despite Stannis being older. Robb is on the march. Jon and Sansa, you must go back to Winterfell to take care of your siblings. Tell your lady mother I love her, tell her the truth Jon. Honor me, son.' Tears almost escaped his eyes, but he managed to stop them by crushing the letter in his hand and throwing it to the fire.
Sansa was on the window crying in Meera's shoulder, when he said: -'Shall we go for a walk then ladies, we can pick some obsidian glass on the beach'. They had to repeat the story four times on their way to the coast. Stannis men were watching them and he felt stupid not to have noticed it before. Jon had thought he had learned not to thrust people back at Kingslanding, but it seemed he had much to learn. He is glad to have Ser Barristan as his teacher he thinks and then he puts a piece of dragon glass in his pocket.