Author's Note: I hope you all had a festive and fun holiday season!
The ship creaked and bobbed a hundred yards off shore. Jorah eyed it, utterly disheartened. There was nothing wrong with the ship itself; it was far more majestic than Jorah thought his situation warranted. A traitor fleeing the king usually didn't do so in such plush accommodations. Ned Stark had seen to the arrangements as Jorah healed from his bear attack wounds, though, and the bear lord could hardly send the ship away now. Its small crew moved about, unbothered by the small party gathered on the beach. House Mormont, the Starks, and Dorian had gathered to see Lynesse and Jorah off.
"This is far too much," Jorah muttered. "Should Robert-"
"Forget about Robert," Ned replied, clapping Jorah on the shoulder. "I was raised with him as a brother. If anyone can talk sense into him, it's me. Go. Enjoy your time in the sun. Think of it as a wedding gift, aye?"
Jorah mustered a nod. "Aye." The fire from his healing stomach and chest burned every hour of the day and this dreary afternoon was no different. The prospect of spending days on the sea wasn't appealing, neither was dragging Lynesse back onto a ship. She had been silent on most matters since his bear attack and it annoyed him. Her guilt served no purpose to him or to her for that matter. In regards to sailing again, she'd never said a word in opposition, but Jorah could tell by the apprehension on her face that the idea wasn't favorable.
Dacey and Jory exchanged looks before the elder stepped forward. "If Lord Stark can talk sense into the king, you don't have to leave," Dacey spat to Jorah as Dorian lifted his and Lynesse's trunks into a rowboat. "Enough," she growled, shoving him out of the way. "You cannot run away from your people. Your father did already. You cannot do it. You'll shame House Mormont." Lynesse's trunk landed in the sand with a thud and she reached for Jorah's.
"Lady Dacey, I'm ordering this of him." Ned shook his head. "Your house will keep its strong reputation and House Stark will make sure of it."
Jory was struggling to keep her face solemn. She reached out and touched Jorah's shoulder. "We'll go fight the Baratheons to keep you here, cousin. But say they word and we'll take arms. You shouldn't have to flee to exile."
"We'll do no such thing," Ned barked. "In a few months Lord Mormont will return. Robert will come to his senses. He will! This isn't forever. Only a mad king would tear apart happy marriages." He clapped Jorah on the shoulder and squeezed it. "This is not exile."
"I'll take your word," Jorah sighed. He nodded briefly to Dacey. "You're acting Lady of Bear Island in my stead."
"Bullshit," she spat. "I'm no lady."
"You are," Jorah said. "Those are my commands, as your lord."
She pursed her lips and nodded. "M'lord." Dacey turned and stormed back toward the longhouse, Jory in tow.
Jorah looked to Lynesse, who had looked guilty for the past month and a half as Jorah healed and Robert sent ravens demanding her presence in Oldtown. Her gaze remained on the sand and she didn't speak. Even the sight of her with doubt and shame in her eyes made him smile. "Are you ready to arrive somewhere warm?" he asked.
"Yes, my lord," she answered dully.
Cat grasped Lynesse's hands. "What an adventure you'll have. I've never been across the Narrow Sea. When you return, imagine the stories you'll have! Come to Winterfell and tell me everything. You can meet this new babe, and Robb and Sansa, too."
"And Jon," Ned added tiredly.
Lynesse nodded. "I'd like that. Who knew I'd be seeing so many exciting places in such a short period? How life changes."
"The ship awaits, my love," Jorah said as he helped her into the rowboat. He then turned and struck out his hand to Ned, then to Dorian, but his friend passed him and tossed another small trunk into the boat.
"You think I'm letting you set out on this adventure without me?" Dorian laughed, pushing his curly hair back from his brow. "Not a chance."
"Your place is here," Jorah said, fiercely trying to beat back his joy and replace it with his lordly displeasure. "I'll not drag my people with me into this mess."
"You're not dragging," Dorian shrugged. "I've always wanted to find me a dark-haired girl. Essos sounds like just the place." He bowed briefly to the Starks. "Lord Stark. Lady Stark. I wish you many more children and good fortune. Lady Mormont, move over, unless you're rowing." With that, he began to push the boat into the water. "Jorah, you coming or are the stories going to say I stole the lady of Bear Island right out from under her lord husband's nose?" He draped an arm around Lynesse's shoulders. "She's the furthest thing from dark haired, but I suppose she'd do just fine. After all, she can chop firewood now, I hear!"
"I think not," Jorah laughed, splashing through the water and jumping in. "The story would go that the lord of Bear Island cut down his own man for insulting the lady's honor. Come, Lynesse has much better taste than the likes of you."
Finally Lynesse was giggling again.
Perhaps a trip to Essos wouldn't be so bad after all.
Who his connection in Essos was, Jorah had no idea, but Ned had already contacted someone and set up a manse for Jorah and Lynesse.