AN: Hey everyone. I just want to announce that I changed chapter 12 so that Robb didn't melt down Ice, because it was causing more plot holes than I was awarre of. So nothing much has changed except Jon's blade is Valyrion steel. Other than that, enjoy!

After their reunion, Jon had had to returned to his berrics, now tired and ready to go back to sleep on his hard, lumpy bed. Arya had insisted Ghost stay with her so that no one would grow suspicious of a wolf following a random squire around the castle. She said she would let him and Nymeria out to run through the Kingswood during the day so no one notice the sudden addition to the Stark's animal companions. Plus, neither of the Stark girls had a pure white direwolf, so it would raise eyebrows from that alone, even if no one did the math.

Jon had reluctantly agreed and had seen the two pups off with Arya, who he walked back to her chambers before heading back to his own, giving her a hug goodbye before doing so. It was how he spent the next few days, meeting with Arya in the morning before heading back to his quarters and doing his chores for the day as a squire. Since he was Lord Stark's squire, one would think he would spend a lot of time around him. But that was not the case. Instead, he found himself training with the other squires in the training yard. And if he wasn't doing that, he'd be serving some lord or a knight, cleaning armor or helping put armor on. He couldn't say he minded terribly, but it did take some getting used to. It was a week later when his lord father stopped by his quarters with a package in hand and a smile on his face.

Jon got off his bed immediately, glad to see the man. He hadn't had much communication with him since the first day they'd arrived, after he'd spoken with Arya. It had been a short conversation, addressing what his role would be in King's Landing as a squire. Aside from that, he only knew of what he was doing from what Arya said.

"Fath-my Lord," he corrected himself, smiling broadly. His father smiled in return and closed the door behind him to allow them more privacy. Jon moved aside as his father sat down on the bed, looking up at Jon in an obvious sign for him to Jon him.

"It's been far too long since we last talked," he said once Jon had sat down. "I figured it was time to visit my squire." A faint smile tugged at his lips at the term. "I've brought you something, a gift." He handed Jon the wrapped parcel, which the boy took from him tentatively. "I thought you might want something for your name day."

Jon blinked, surprised. he had totally forgotten. "I'm five and ten," he thought aloud with a hint of pride. "Near a man grown."

Out of the corner of his eye he saw his father smile. "Aye, that you are." It was another moment longer before he said, "Go on, open it."

Jon nodded eagerly and open the package. He pushed away the canvas covering and untied the twine holding it in place, finally uncovering the item.

"It's beautiful," he breathed. Inside was a pendant made of bone carved into the shape of a wolf. Not the Stark direwolf sigil, but a wolf nonetheless. Small garnets sparkled for its eyes, like those of Ghost. But instead of the bone it was carved from being a bleached white or yellow like other animals, it was an iron black.

"This is dragonbone," Jon noted in realization. "Where did you find any?"

His father offered a tight smile in response. "Let's just say I came into possession of something made from it and decided it didn't need it anymore." The answer was vague at best, but judging from his father's expression, Jon decided it was best if he didn't pry.

"Well, I love it," he said honestly. "Thank you father." He grabbed it by the chain, simple steel, and put it on, letting the weight of it rest on his chest. He looked down at it, admiring the sight, before looking back up at his father.

"Arya has something for you as well," he said simply. Jon froze at the statement, eyes wide in shock and guilt. His father wasn't supposed to know he was in contact with Arya. He had promised to stay away from the girls. Another look at his lord father made him relax, if only slightly, seeing the mirth hidden in his expression.

"As close as you and your sister are, even a nine year old will slip up," he said. "Arya accidently said something about how she was getting tired of Ghost and Nymeria begging for food." Jon looked down at his boots in shame. His father gave a light chuckle at the action. "We had a discussion about it. Neither of you are in trouble," he assured. "And although I am somewhat disappointed, I can't say I'm surprised. The two of you are near inseparable."

Jon smiled softly at the comment, knowing it was true.

"I also think it would only be fair you go into the city to explore, if you so wish. I have a small bag of coin if you so wanted."

Jon's expression brightened at the statement. "I would much appreciate that, father," he said sincerely.

"Just stay close to the keep so you don't get lost," he advised. "I don't want to have to send Jory out to search for you."

"I promise I won't stray too far, father," Jon said.

His father smiled and ruffled his hair. "Good lad. But now, I must be off to attend to matters of State." He stood up and walked to the door, preparing to open it, but turned back to Jon before doing so. "Happy name day, Jon." And with that, he left the room.

A short while later found Jon outside of Arya's chambers in the Tower of the Hand. He knocked to announce his presence. A "come in" sounded from behind the door, and he let himself in.

"Jon!" Arya cried, running to him as he opened the door. She launched into his arms immediately, forcing him to catch her in a hug. She pulled away quickly with a large smile on her face. "I have something for you," she said brightly. "I made it myself."

Jon set her down, allowing her to scamper off to a table to grab whatever it was she'd made. She snatched it up quickly and hurried back over to him, holding it behind her back. "I hope you like it," she said, motioning him to hold out his hands. he complied without hesitation.

"Here." She pulled it out and set it in his outstretched hands, smiling that large, gap-toothed grin of hers.

Jon looked down and his own smile appeared on his face. It was a wooden knight, or so Jon assumed. It looked like a knight at any rate. It was roughly carved and painted with imprecise hands. But he could make out the sigil on the armor, identifying it as Aemon the Dragon knight; his favorite knight as a child. Arya must have put a lot of thought into the gift; Jon realized. The knowledge of it only making his smile broaden. "Thank you little sisters," he said, ruffling her hair, "It's amazing."

"I know you don't play with toys anymore," she said. "But whenever you and Robb played knights, you'd play Aemon."

"Aemon was a great knight," Jon said in his defense. "Any man should aspire to be like him."

Arya just rolled her eyes at him, having heard the same from him for years. "Anyways," she said, changing the topic. "Father said because it was your name day, you should go out and see King's Landing. As long as you stuck close to the keep. Are you going to?"

"Aye, father told me," Jon confirmed. "Hey left me a small bag of gold as well. Do you have anything you need to do today?" He asked.

Arya shook her head. "I'm sure Septa Mordane won't be pleased. But I don't care what she thinks."

'Of course not,' Jon thought to himself with an inward smile. "Would you care to join me? I might even get you something."

Arya's face lit up like a candle. "Would you?" Jon nodded. "Then please, I'm tired of this castle."

"We would have to take a guard with us to appease father. If he says yes that is," Jon noted.

Arya scoffed. "Of course he will. Even if he doesn't, it's easy to get out of the castle unseen."

Jon opened his mouth to ask how she knew, but decided to close it at the last minute, knowing that of course his wild sister would find a tunnel or an alley that would lead into the city. It would be just like her anyway.

"Alright," he agreed. "Let's go ask father. I'm sure he's not in the small council room just yet."

And with that, they headed out of the Tower of the Hand in search for lord Stark.

Surprisingly, their father had said yes, and unsurprisingly, he'd made them take a guard. He had chosen to Jory go with them, the old knight vaguely surprised to see Jon, but not overly. Jon hadn't seen the man since he left Winterfell with the other Stark men. He knew his father had explained that Jon had joined them, but he hadn't crossed paths with him till now.

Bidding farewell to their father, the two and Jory were off to the city. Once there, they were surrounded by the smells, sights, and sounds of the capital of Westeros. Arya immediately dragged Jon off to the merchant district where they looked at silks, jewelry, trinkets, and more from all over the world. They heard one merchant shouting about wines from places Jon didn't think he'd ever heard of. But it must have been good seeing as his business was doing rather well.

Jon eventually decided to stop by one of the jewelers and buy a trinket for Sansa, knowing she loved pretty things. His relationship with her wasn't great. She was polite to him, but they didn't have the bond that Jon had with his other siblings. Still, if he was buying Arya something, he should buy Sansa something as well. He would have Arya give it to her though, as she wouldn't understand why it was coming from him when she thought he was still up in Winterfell. He settled on a brooch in the shape of a flower carved from a black glass set in gold that the man selling it to him claimed was dragonglass. Jon had never heard of such a thing, but it looked pretty, so he was sure Sansa would appreciate it.

The trio continued on after Jon purchased the brooch and explored more of the city. Arya found a booth selling rare pelts from Essos that deeply intrigued her. There was one that had white and black stripes and another with orange and black. Jon couldn't imagine any animal having such a vibrant pelt, but there they were.

Another merchant was selling fabrics so sheer that they looked transparent, but felt like a rose petal when you touched them. And another that tried to push his shoes onto them. They were fine quality, but Jon felt he had no need for velvet lined slippers. This went on until the sun was beginning to sink in the sky, telling Jon it was past high noon. His stomach was telling him the same thing, and he suggested to Arya and Jory they find somewhere to eat. The knight eagerly agreed, as did Arya, and they went off in search of something they might like.

They decided on honey glazed pheasant. At first Jon wasn't sure about the meat, but after trying it, he decided he loved it. The glaze was sweet and sticky, and Arya somehow got herself covered with it. That made Jon take her out to wash it off, leaving the girl dripping water from her hair onto her dress. But she didn't mind in the least, as her smile told him she was having loads of fun.

It wasn't long after that Jory suggested they go to the Street of Steel, where all the smiths were located. Jon eagerly agreed, and followed Jory's directions until they found what they were looking for.

The street was a bustle of activity. On display were swords, daggers, chainmaille, helms, plate armor, and anything else one could need. Jon couldn't help but gape at the detail in some of the pieces. Some of the armor was enameled with designs Jon couldn't begin to imagine would be able to be on armor. The closer they got to the thick of everything, they more detailed and extravagant everything was, until Jon was sure only a high lord would be able to afford it.

"You lookin' for something for the tourney?" He heard someone ask. Jon turned to see who was talking to him, and found a boy around Sansa's age with coal smears on his face leaning against a post. He was standing in one of the larger forges that Jon was sure milked men of their coin.

"Tourney?" Jon asked in confusion.

"Aye, the tourney for the new Hand," the boy said. "It's all the talk around here."

"Lord Stark did mention something about that if I recall," Jory muttered behind them, just loud enough for Jon and Arya to hear.

"Sansa's been gushing about it whenever she's not swooning over Joffrey," Arya announced. "But father doesn't sound too pleased about it. he says King Robert is wasting money at his expense."

"Your father?" The boy questioned, looking at the trio. "Are you some lord's daughter?" He asked, looking them over and finally noticing their finer clothing.

"Lord Stark is my father," Arya announced with a hint of pride.

"Oh, milady!" The boy attempted a quick bow, but only stumbled awkwardly and righted himself immediately after, flushing in embarrassment as he heard Jon let out a choked laugh. "'M sorry," he mumbled.

"It's alright," Jon reassured him. "This is Arya Stark, youngest daughter of Lord Eddard Stark," he gestured to Arya, who smiled up at the boy. "And this is Jory, captain of the guard." The boy offered them both strained smiles, still embarrassed by his flub. "And my names Jon. I'm Lord Stark's squire."

"Gendry," he offered. "Gendry Waters. I work here for Tobho Mott." He gestured to the forge behind him.

"You're a bastard," Arya stated. Gendry nodded stiffly in response. "So is Jon." She gestured up to him. "But his last name is 'Snow'." Gendry's blue eyes lit up and he met Jon's grey ones in wonder.

"You're a bastard AND Lord Stark's squire?" He asked in bewilderment, eyes widening comically. The sight made Arya chuckle beside him.

Jon shrugged. "Bastards can rise high in the world," he said, reciting something he'd heard once.

"That they can," Gendry agreed in wistful tone. Suddenly, someone shouted from the forge, causing Gendry to jump. "I'm sorry, but I must get back to work. It was nice to meet you though," he said, hurrying off back inside.

"You as well," Jon called back. He saw the boy smile briefly back at them before disappearing from view. The trio stood there for a few more moments before Arya piped up.

"He was cute."

Jon raised his eyebrows in surprise and looked down at her.

"In an objective, sort of way," she hurried, blushing fiercely. Jon let out a laugh, but didn't tease her for it.

"Come on," he said, ushering them along the street. "Let's find something else to do before we need to go back."

Arya nodded quickly and hurried to follow him with Jory just behind, and they walked back into the city to look for more to do.