The Rise Of A Dynasty
The Tower Of Joy – 295 A.C
One week later…
"I never thought I would find myself back here" said Lyanna regretfully as she gazed up at the holdfast from atop her horse.
The birthplace of her Daughter.
Lyarra, Oswell Whent and Arthur stopped their horses next to her.
The Tower Of Joy to her surprise looked well kept despite the fact that it remained mostly unoccupied after all of these years.
"It looks so clean… like we never left" said Oswell Whent as they dismounted their horses.
Arthur nodded.
"Mother gave it to Ser Denys… though he and his family do not stay here very often since he is the Head of our Guard at Starfall" said Arthur.
"Then who looks after the place Ser Arthur?" said Lyarra taking a few steps towards the stairs leading up to the holdfast.
"A small number of Household Staff live less than an hour away, they tend to the castle every day My Lady" said Arthur.
Lyarra nodded and stopped at the base of the steps as Lyanna walked over to her placing her arms around her shoulders.
"Do you want to go inside?" said Lyanna supportively.
Lyarra gazed up at the holdfast for several moments before shaking her head.
"No… whatever this place is now it is not my birthplace, it has not been that for some time, I just wish to look at it a little longer, then can we leave?" said Lyarra softly.
Lyanna nodded.
"Very well, just let me know when you are ready" said Lyanna.
Lyarra nodded and rested her head against Lyanna's chest.
The two stayed their for several minutes before Lyarra finally decided to leave.
As they started to ride their horses away from the Tower Of Joy Lyanna turned her head to have one last look at it.
"Now we can leave this place behind forever" thought Lyanna breathing a sigh of relief.
There was total silence between the four as they rode away from the holdfast beginning the three hour ride back to Starfall.
Horn Hill – 295 A.C
Three and a half moons later…
Jon and Ethan Forrester rode up alongside Mace Tyrell and his Sons as their convoy carried on down the dirt road towards Horn Hill.
Horn Hill was a huge castle close to the size of Highgarden situated on top of a small hill surrounded by thick green woodland.
The castle itself was built around a large courtyard with large sections housing the Tarly Family with a small village next to the castle for the staff and some of the smallfolk. The road they were on seemed to be the only road leading up to the castle with a wall surrounding the castle on top of the hill providing it with some measure of defence.
Jon snorted and turned to Garlan Tyrell.
"Why do you Southerners always seem to build castles that just look nice instead of something that can you can defend properly?" said Jon dryly.
"Why do you Northerners have such drab, broken castles, especially your legendary Moat Cailin, it is nothing but a ruin" said Garlan Tyrell sarcastically.
Jon chuckled.
"Even as a ruin Moat Cailin has never been breached by a Southern army, and many have tried to do so over the years" said Jon.
"Even so… your castles are drab and boring, White Harbour is the only one that comes close to looking nice" said Willas Tyrell sarcastically.
"Given that it is ruled by Southern Exiles, that is not surprising" said Mace Tyrell.
Jon snorted.
"The Manderly's are Northmen Lord Tyrell, not Southern exiles… and our castles might be drab to you, but we built them to survive the brutal conditions the North has given us over the years, I would love to see how long some of you Southerners would last in your castles during the harshest of winters" said Jon snarkily.
Willas Tyrell glared at him.
"You might have somehow tricked my Sister into a marriage, but that does not mean she would be happy if you insult us Stark, and we can send you back to Winterfell whenever we please" said Willas Tyrell bitterly.
Jon smirked at him.
"You must truly be a fool if you believe I tricked your Sister… or are you just mad that when you look at me you realise that Northerners are not barbarians like you Southerners believe?" said Jon.
Willas Tyrell scoffed as they rode past a small campsite.
Jon chuckled when he spotted Smalljon and Mors Umber sat outside a tent drinking ale with Eddard and Jonothor Karstark.
"Lords Umber, Lords Karstark" shouted Jon.
The four young men turned to face him as Jon gestured for them to come over with his head.
"Lord Stark" said Eddard Karstark.
"Walk with me, then we can have a drink in my chambers, assuming Lord Tarly is kind enough to give me some" said Jon jokingly.
The four boys made their way over to Jon walking next to his horse.
Smalljon Umber handed Jon his mug of ale.
Jon took a swig before handing it back to Smalljon who turned to Mors.
"Get a barrel and a few more mugs Little Brother" said Smalljon.
"Shut up" growled Mors before he walked back towards the Umber tent.
"And you say Northerners are not barbarians" snorted Willas Tyrell.
Eddard Karstark laughed.
"If you wish to meet a barbarian Tyrell… perhaps you should take a little trip North of the Wall, go and say hello to a Wildling and hope you do not wind up being his supper" said Eddard Karstark.
Willas Tyrell scoffed and turned away from him as Jon chuckled.
Mors Umber made his way back towards them with a barrel of ale on his shoulder and a few more mugs in his other hand as they carried on towards the castle.
They arrived in the courtyard fifteen minutes later where the Tarly's were waiting for them.
Lord Randyll Tarly was around 44 years of age and stood around 5'10 tall with a bald head and greying stubble on his cheeks and chin. He was dressed in a dark green tunic and breeches with the bronze huntsman sigil of House Tarly on his chest.
Alongside him were his Wife Melessa Tarlynee Florent who was in her late 30's with long black hair dressed in a cream and gold coloured dress and his two Sons.
One of his Sons who Jon did not recognise was around 17 years of age and around 5'11 in height. He had short dark brown hair and was quite fat compared to the rest of his family. He was dressed in a dark brown tunic and breeches.
His other Son Dickon was around 14 years of age with short lighter brown hair. He like his Father was dressed in a dark green tunic and breeches.
Jon dismounted his horse and made his way over to the Tarly's.
"Lord Tarly" said Jon slightly bowing his head.
Randyll Tarly gritted his teeth slightly.
"Lord Stark… I did not expect you to bring so many… guests with you" said Randyll Tarly bitterly as he looked at Eddard and Jonothor Karstark, Smalljon and Mors Umber with a look of distaste on his face.
Jon glanced behind him at the four.
"Yes well… they are here at my invitation Lord Tarly, and I will ask for an escort to my chambers shortly" said Jon passively.
Randyll Tarly stiffly nodded.
"Of course… my Son Samwell will take you when you are ready, if he can manage such a thing" said Randyll Tarly causing his older Son Samwell to look embarrassed while his Wife Melessa looked annoyed with him.
Jon nodded and turned back to the wheelhouse where Mace Tyrell helped Olenna Tyrell out of the wheelhouse.
Jon made his way over to the wheelhouse as Olenna Tyrell looked straight at the four Northerners with an icy look on her face.
"I did not know you were bringing guests Lord Stark… I hope they are not expecting chambers like you" said Olenna Tyrell.
"Grandmother" groaned Margaery as she prepared to climb down from the wheelhouse.
Eddard Karstark snorted.
"We would not be so foolish to expect any from the likes of you Tyrell, nor from the likes of Lord Tarly" said Eddard Karstark sarcastically as Jon helped Margaery down from the wheelhouse.
"Clearly" said Olenna Tyrell bitterly.
Jon growled slightly and turned to Margaery.
"I will see you later Margaery, I will be in my chambers enjoying a drink with the others for the next hour or two" said Jon managing a calm voice.
Margaery smiled before placing her hand on his shoulder and giving him a gentle kiss.
"Come to my chambers when you are done" said Margaery softly.
Jon smiled and turned away from her walking back to Eddard Karstark and the others.
"Ethan, have the Guards bring my stuff up to my chambers, then you can unpack in your own chambers" said Jon.
Ethan Forrester dismounted his horse and bowed his head.
"Yes My Lord" said Ethan Forrester before turning and walking towards the three Stark Guards by the wagon.
Jon nodded and walked over to the Tarly's.
"We wish to be taken to my chambers now Lord Tarly" said Jon.
Randyll Tarly nodded and turned to Samwell Tarly.
"Take Lord Stark to his chambers Samwell" said Randyll Tarly icily.
Samwell Tarly nodded nervously.
"Yes Father" said Samwell nervously.
He slowly walked towards Jon and nervously bowed his head.
"This way My Lord" said Samwell stuttering slightly.
Jon nodded.
He followed Samwell Tarly into the castle along with the others.
Samwell Tarly led them through the castle barely saying a word before he opened the door to Jon's chambers.
His chambers were fairly simple with a double bed, table and chairs, a desk and a small wash basin spread around the slightly large room.
Jon turned to Mors Umber.
"Put the barrel on that desk and pour us some drinks Mors… and pour one for Tarly as well" said Jon.
Mors Umber nodded and carried the barrel over to the desk as Samwell Tarly turned to Jon.
"I should go My Lord" said Samwell quickly.
Jon shook his head.
"Your Father is not here to order you around, drink with us, I insist" said Jon sternly.
Samwell Tarly slowly nodded.
"Okay" said Samwell warily making his way over to the table sitting down as Mors Umber filled one of the mugs with ale and placed it in front of him.
Mors Umber poured ale for the rest of them as Jon, Jonothor and Eddard Karstark sat down in the remaining seats while he and Smalljon Umber stood leaning on the desk either side of the barrel.
"So Stark… what's life like with those Southern pansies at Highgarden?" said Smalljon Umber.
Jon chuckled.
"They hate me, and they resent the fact that a barbaric Northerner will be marrying their prize rose, and the fact that she wants me" said Jon snarkily.
He noticed that Samwell looked slightly nervous and had barely drunk any of his ale as the other Northern boys laughed.
"These Southern Cunts would not know what barbarians were even if they looked one dead in the eye" said Mors Umber amusedly.
Jon laughed.
"You should have seen the look on Mace Tyrell's face when Margaery told him she was going to take me back to her chambers for a good long fuck, I thought he was going to die of shock" said said Jon amusedly as he drank his ale.
"So you fucked her then?" said Jonothor Karstark cheekily.
Jon choked on his ale.
"No" said Jon coughing slightly.
Smalljon Umber snorted.
"Unlucky you… if I had a bride like that I would have fucked her long ago, and every night since then" said Smalljon Umber sarcastically.
Mors Umber smirked.
"I would not pay too much attention to my Brother Lord Stark… he has not been the same since our Father found out about what he does with Walla Wull behind closed doors, especially since they are not married yet, Mother was a little mortified by the whole thing" said Mors Umber jokingly.
Smalljon Umber froze up.
"Shut up" growled Smalljon Umber.
"Oh Walla… ride me Walla, ride me hard like your horse, ride me all night Walla" said Mors Umber in mocking slightly girly voice.
Smalljon Umber grumbled as Jon and the others roared with laughter.
Jon turned to Samwell who was nervously laughing.
"What about you Samwell Tarly?" said Jon sipping his ale.
Samwell jumped slightly.
"What about me?" said Samwell quickly.
"What's the best fuck you have ever had boy?" said Jonothor Karstark bluntly.
Samwell spluttered.
"Well… um… I, you see" stuttered Samwell.
"Bloody hell… your a virgin" said Smalljon Umber not bothering to hide his amusement.
"Gods be with you boy… a virgin at your age, why… not frightened of girls are you?" said Mors Umber jokingly.
"No" said Samwell quickly.
Eddard Karstark snorted.
"Well there seems to be only one solution to this… myself and Lord Umber will take you to the nearest brothel, so you can experience the many pleasures of women" said Eddard Karstark.
Samwell turned red.
"My Father would not like it" said Samwell nervously.
Mors Umber chuckled.
"Your Father need not know… besides, your future wife will want you to know what you are doing when it comes to your wedding night, drink up, its time you buried your cock in a woman" said Mors Umber.
Samwell stuttered slightly as he drank his ale.
Jon chuckled.
"They will not force you to go with them Samwell Tarly, but take our advice and do it, its one of the many pleasures in life… all of us at one time or another have paid for a whore, there is no shame in that" said Jon passively.
In his slight shock Samwell downed his ale before shakily standing up.
"Come boy… its time to make you a man" said Eddard Karstark as he downed his ale and stood up.
He and Mors Umber led Samwell out of the room and shut the door.
Jon drank his ale and turned back to Smalljon Umber as he sat down next to Jonothor Karstark.
Jon glanced at the door before sighing.
"Fuck it, I fancy a walk" said Jon in a slightly bored tone.
The other two boys agreed with him finishing their ale and standing up.
As the three walked out of the room Jon noticed three Stark Guards making their way towards him carrying chests for his chambers.
"If you would leave the chests in my chambers, Ethan and I will sort them out later" said Jon.
"Yes My Lord" said one of the Guards bowing his head.
Jon nodded as he and the others walked past the Guards.
Meanwhile…
Margaery sat down opposite her Grandmother with a sigh.
"How long are you going to keep this up?" said Margaery with an icy tone.
Olenna Tyrell scoffed.
"Until you finally accept that you made a mistake, you could have been the greatest Queen of the Seven Kingdoms, now you will be nothing but a broodmare in a frozen wasteland, shackled to a boy who prays to trees" said Olenna Tyrell in a bitter voice.
Margaery sighed.
"Is that all you cared about Grandmother, making me a Queen… just so you could be the true power of Westeros, do my feelings or what I want mean nothing to you?" said Margaery icily.
"You wanted to be the Queen" said Olenna Tyrell curtly.
"As did most girls when they were children… but I want to be Lady Stark, why is that so hard for you to understand?" said Margaery.
Olenna Tyrell locked eyes with her for a few moments.
"You really do love him?" said Olenna Tyrell in slight realisation.
"I do… I have done for some time, was that so hard for you to believe?" said Margaery.
Olenna Tyrell sighed.
"Truthfully… yes, because you loved a boy who you had only known for so few moons, you would have made a great Queen Margaery, but perhaps I was wrong to force such things on you, to use you to give our family the power it deserves, and for that I am sorry" said Olenna Tyrell.
Margaery looked at her.
"And calling me a disappointment, was that another instance where you were wrong?" said Margaery bitterly.
Olenna Tyrell nodded.
"It was… you are no disappointment Margaery, in fact I am more proud of you than you realise" said Olenna Tyrell proudly.
Margaery looked at her in slight confusion.
"You were strong enough to fight what you wanted, stronger than your Father ever was" said Olenna Tyrell passively.
Margaery smiled.
"Thank you Grandmother" said Margaery.
Olenna Tyrell nodded.
"Good, now pour us some wine… I want you to tell me everything about your time at Winterfell, you and your Mother have so annoyingly tight lipped about it" said Olenna Tyrell.
Margaery smiled and stood up before walking over to the desk next to their table and pouring some Dornish Red for the both of them.
She handed one of the glasses to her Grandmother before placing the pitcher on the table and taking her seat opposite her.
Fifteen minutes later…
Arthur Dayne walked through the open gates into the courtyard of Horn Hill followed by his Mother Ellaria Dayne who was holding onto Edric Daynes arm allowing him to lead her through the gate.
He managed an approving smile when he spotted Jon at the other end of the courtyard along with Jonothor Karstark and Smalljon Umber.
The three were currently putting Ethan Forrester through his daily training by having him fight against Willas Tyrells young Squire.
Arthur, Ellaria and Edric Dayne walked towards them.
"Good lad, keep that shield up" said Jon sternly as Ethan Forrester used a shield to block a strike from the squire before returning one of his own.
"I see you are taking the boys training very seriously" said Arthur sternly.
Jon turned to face them and smiled.
"Uncle" said Jon walking over to him and giving him a one armed hug.
Arthur smiled and let go of Jon allowing him to move over to Ellaria.
"You look very beautiful Grandmother" said Jon softly.
Ellaria smiled and wrapped him in a hug giving him a kiss on the cheek.
"Look at you… you are fast becoming a man" said Ellaria.
Jon smiled and let go of her.
"What are you doing here?" said Jon as he clapped his hand on Edric's shoulder.
"Your Mother told us you were planning to visit Starfall before you returned to Winterfell, and that you would be attending this tournament, so we decided to join you here and ask that you come to Starfall at the end of this tournament" said Ellaria.
Jon smiled and nodded.
"We will Grandmother" said Jon.
Ellaria nodded.
"Now where is this girl of yours, I must meet her" said Ellaria.
"With her family, you will meet her at the feast I promise" said Jon.
Ellaria looked at him and nodded.
"Very well… walk with me, we have barely spoke for years, it is high time we had a little catch up" said Ellaria.
Jon smiled and turned to the others.
"Keep practising with Lord Karstark and Lord Umber Ethan… I will see you when I return" said Jon.
Ethan Forrester nodded to him.
"Yes My Lord" said Ethan Forrester.
Jon nodded and turned back to Ellaria offering his arm.
She took it and allowed him to lead her back out of the gates followed closely by Arthur and Edric.
Later that night…
Jon knocked on the door to Margaery's chambers.
"Come in" said the voice of Margaery.
Jon opened the door and walked inside.
He spotted Margaery standing next to the table with a goblet of wine in her hand.
She smiled at him.
"I have been waiting for you" said Margaery softly.
Jon crossed the room and slowly kissed her before pouring himself a glass of wine.
"I bet you have, and you look very beautiful… but there is something we need to discuss before we go down to the feast" said Jon.
Margaery kissed him before locking eyes with him.
"And what do we have to discuss?" said Margaery.
Jon smiled and sipped his wine.
"We have been invited to travel to Starfall after the tourney ends, and I was hoping you would agree with me that we should do so" said Jon.
Margaery stroked his arm.
"Then perhaps we should… I have not met any of your Mother's family except for two of your Cousins, and I would love to see Starfall, to see its beauty with my own eyes" said Margaery softly.
Jon stroked her leg tenderly.
"Grandmother wants us to stay for at least two or three moons, since I have not seen any of them for some time" said Jon.
Margaery looked at him in deep thought for a few moments before nodding.
"Okay… if we stay there for that long, I want you to stay here for a while before you go back to Winterfell" said Margaery.
Jon smiled and kissed her before chinking glasses with her.
"We have a deal… I know Mother will be wanting me to return in six moons at most, and Grandmother wishes to come with me, but I do know that I will not be able to return here for some time, maybe not until we are to be wed, since my Father wishes for me to continue learning how to rule the North, says I am to put my sword down for once" said Jon solemnly.
Margaery frowned slightly.
"I guess that will take up a lot of your time" said Margaery sadly.
Jon sighed and nodded.
"It will… but I will come here should I get the chance, or maybe you could come to Winterfell" said Jon.
Margaery frowned slightly.
"Maybe" said Margaery in a disappointed voice.
Jon placed his hand on the back of his neck and kissed her.
He broke the kiss and locked eyes with her.
"I know it is not easy to hear… that we might not see each other for some time, but I will write to you, as often as I can, I promise" said Jon.
Margaery nodded and pressed herself into him.
"I know you will… as will I… but there is one thing you will do when we get to Starfall" said Margaery kissing him tenderly.
Jon smirked.
"You will speak to your Aunt and Uncle, or your Grandmother if needs be… and make sure we are sharing chambers at Starfall, and I shall do the same when we return to Highgarden" said Margaery cheekily.
Jon chuckled.
"I hope this is not another one of your little plots to lie with me, the last one might have worked in another lifetime" said Jon teasingly.
Margaery smirked.
"Is it hard to believe that I might simply wish to be with you at night… that I like sharing a bed with you" said Margaery cheekily.
Jon chuckled.
"You can be a little tease sometimes Margaery… but I will see to it that we share chambers at Starfall" said Jon.
Margaery kissed him pushing her tongue into his mouth.
Jon brought his hand up to her head and deepened the kiss for several moments before breaking away.
"Come… we are expected in the hall" said Jon.
Margaery finished her wine placing her goblet on the table before taking his arm.
"Then finish your wine" said Margaery.
Jon smirked and downed it placing it on the table.
The two left Margaery's chambers and walked down to the great hall where the rest of the Guests had already assembled.
When they entered Jon spotted his Grandmother, Ethan Forrester, Arthur and Edric sat at one of the tables with the Karstarks and the Umbers including Walla Wull, Jeyne Flint of Widows Watch who was betrothed to Torrhen Karstark, Harrion Karstark and his 21 year old, black haired Wife Roslyn Karstark nee Locke.
They also spotted the Tyrells sat at the head table with the Tarlys but there was only one empty seat.
Margaery sighed.
"I knew Lord Tarly would do this… he never liked the fact that my Grandmother refused to betroth me to his Son Dickon, and upon hearing that we are betrothed will have angered him even further" whispered Margaery in annoyance.
Olenna Tyrell locked eyes with her from across the hall sending a clear silent message ordering her to join them.
Margaery sighed.
"Come… let us sit with your Grandmother" said Margaery guiding Jon towards the table where Ellaria and the others were seated.
Jon leaned into her ear.
"Sit with your family, I do not mind" said Jon softly.
Margaery smiled.
"I would gladly sit with them… if there was a chair for you as well" said Margaery.
Jon smiled and gave her a quick kiss.
"Come" said Jon as he led her over to the table sitting down between Ellaria and Arthur.
As he poured some wine for himself and Margaery, Ellaria looked at her with a questioning look.
"So… Lady Tyrell, tell me about yourself, my Grandson of course has told me plenty" said Ellaria in a questioning tone.
Jon sighed slightly as Margaery smiled.
"I am not sure what I can tell you other than what Jon has already told you" said Margaery sweetly.
Ellaria nodded.
"I have heard many things about you Lady Tyrell… about how the Queen Of Thorns raised you to be Queen, and I had thought you would have wanted that" said Ellaria sternly.
Jon rolled his eyes.
"Grandmother" said Jon in a slightly frustrated voice.
Margaery squeezed his hand in support before smiling at Ellaria.
"Things change as one grows older, especially what we do or do not want" said Margaery.
Ellaria nodded.
"I would like to hear more" said Ellaria locking eyes with her.
Jon watched the two continue their conversation during the feast for the next hour before Lord Tarly announced that the music and dancing would begin.
Jon stood up and led Margaery onto the dance floor below the head table as the bards started to play some fast Southern music.
Jon locked eyes with Margaery and pulled her closer to him.
"So… do you think Lord Tarly will make sure there is a place for me at the head table tomorrow night?" said Jon.
Margaery smirked.
"Of course, Grandmother will insist, and despite his less than friendly nature, he respects my Grandmother more than anything, more than my Father actually" said Margaery.
Jon looked at her curiously.
Margaery smirked and kissed him.
"Ah yes, I forgot to tell you… I spoke with my Grandmother earlier, she has finally accepted the truth" said Margaery.
Jon smiled.
"What truth?" said Jon testily.
"That I love you… and that we will be happy together" said Margaery softly.
Jon held her close to him as they continued dancing.
"I love you too" said Jon softly.
Margaery rested her head against his chest.
"Your Grandmother is a lovely woman, and quite beautiful for her age" said Margaery softly.
"She always used to tell me I was her favourite Grandchild… her second Grandson" said Jon as the music got slower.
Margaery chuckled.
"I bet that is something you do not tell your siblings" said Maragery teasingly.
"Maybe, maybe not" said Jon cheekily.
The two carried on dancing for the rest of the song before Dickon Tarly made his way over to Margaery.
"May I have this dance My Lady?" said Dickon Tarly.
Margaery kissed Jon.
"Be right back" said Margaery.
"Take your time" said Jon.
Margaery smiled and turned to face Dickon Tarly before taking his hand.
Jon watched Dickon Tarly lead her away before turning around and walking back towards his table.
As he approached the table he felt someone bump into him from the side.
"Sorry My Lord" said a familiar nervous voice.
Jon turned to face the person discovering it was a very nervous Samwell Tarly.
Jon nodded to him.
"Its fine, no harm done" said Jon.
Samwell nervously nodded before looking around the hall.
"I will not keep you My Lord, I am sure you have other places to be" said Samwell nervously.
"Nonsense, join me for a drink" said Jon clapping his hand on his shoulder guiding him to one of the empty tables.
Jon poured some wine for them as they sat down.
"So how was it?" said Jon amusedly.
"How was what?" said Samwell looking at him curiously.
Jon rolled his eyes.
"You know what I mean Samwell Tarly, how was your first time?" said Jon amusedly.
Samwell looked embarrassed.
"It was… it was… okay I guess" said Samwell nervously.
Jon chuckled.
"It was okay?" said Jon with a hint of amusement.
Samwell quickly glanced around them making sure no one was listening before turning back to Jon.
"Please do not laugh" said Samwell nervously.
Jon nodded.
Samwell took a deep breath.
"It did not last very long" said Samwell sounding embarrassed.
Jon chuckled slightly causing Samwell to look worried.
"If its any consolation… my first time was pretty much the same, you get better at such things as time goes on" said Jon.
Samwell let out a small smile.
"My Father would kill me if he knew what I had done" said Samwell.
Jon sighed feeling unsure of what to say.
"Not that it would make much difference to how he looks at me anyway" mumbled Samwell quietly.
"Why is that?" said Jon sounding a little concerned.
Samwell's eyes went slightly wide before he looked down at the table.
He downed his wine and took a deep breath.
"My Father looks at me as a disappointment… because I love to read and I cannot fight, he tells me I will never amount to anything" said Samwell with a hint of bitterness in his voice.
Jon felt shocked in that moment and sighed.
"Forgive me but your Father sounds like a cunt… what does it matter if you prefer to read than fight, men like that usually become Maester's, not every boy is born to swing a sword" said Jon.
Samwell looked at him with a slightly bitter look on his face as if he was about to shout at him for insulting Randyll Tarly but he managed a small smile.
"I always wanted to become a Maester… but Father never let me do so, said no Son of his would be a lowly Maester, sometimes I think it is only due to my Mother that he has not disinherited me and sent me away, my Brother Dickon is the Son he wanted not me" said Samwell sadly.
Jon sighed and rubbed his shoulder.
"Should your Father ever do such a thing… you would be welcome at Winterfell Samwell Tarly" said Jon letting go of his shoulder.
Samwell smiled.
"Thank you, My Lord" said Samwell.
Jon nodded and finished his wine before pouring some more for them.
The next day…
Jon took his helm from Ethan Forrester and put it on.
"Wait here for me to return… you may watch from the entrance of the tent" said Jon.
"Yes My Lord" said Ethan Forrester bowing his head.
Jon nodded and walked out of the tent heading to the arena.
As he entered the large circular arena which was surrounded by seats on multiple platforms.
He spotted a few familiar faces in the arena in Eddard Karstark holding onto his bastard sword as well as Garlan Tyrell, Loras Tyrell, Dickon Tarly and Mors Umber who was wielding a slightly larger longsword and a large House Umber circular shield with ease.
Jon drew his longsword as he walked towards them.
As he approached them Lord Randyll Tarly stood up from his seat in the stands.
He announced a prize of 3000 Gold Dragons for the winner before signalling for melee to start.
Once one of the servants sounded the horn Jon twirled his sword and smirked as he chose to wait until one of the other contestants sought him out.
Barely a few seconds passed before Dickon Tarly stalked towards him.
Jon smirked and dodged his strike before moving behind him and kicking him in the back.
Dickon Tarly stumbled as he turned around before Jon quickly manoeuvred his sword under the side part of Dickon Tarlys hilt pulling the sword from his hand and sending it flying across the ground.
Jon swiftly brought his sword up pointing it at Dickon Tarlys chest causing the Tarly boy to scowl and step away from him in defeat.
Jon turned and moved towards one of the Reach Knights engaging him swiftly as Mors Umber knocked the young Artos Hightower to his knees beating him before turning to Garlan Tyrell.
As Jon knocked Loras Tyrells sword from his hands defeating the young boy he noticed Garlan Tyrell defeat Eddard Karstark leaving the two as the final combatants.
Jon locked eyes with the confident Garlan Tyrell twirling his sword trying to entice the older boy into attacking him.
Seeing that this tactic was not working Jon quickly stepped towards Garlan Tyrell going on the offensive.
The two traded blows for several minutes trying to gain the upper hand on the other.
"Fuck… is there any way past this guy" thought Jon as he sidestepped a downwards strike from Garlan Tyrell.
The battle between the two raged on for over five minutes before Jon spotted a small weakness in Garlan Tyrells attacks.
He kept on exposing the weaker armour on his arms with each attack.
Jon parried his latest strike before quickly slashing Garlan Tyrells sword arm just below the elbow.
Garlan Tyrell gasped as he dropped his sword and clutched his bleeding arm.
Jon brought his longsword up to Garlan Tyrells chest.
"I yield" said Garlan Tyrell bitterly.
He spat on the ground in front of Jon's feet as Randyll Tarly slowly got to his feet and announced Jon as the winner with a clearly false congratulatory tone of voice.
Nearly all of the crowd remained silent as their eyes were locked on Garlan Tyrell who was still clutching his bleeding arm.
Jon growled slightly before turning around and walking back towards the tent.
He barely said two words to Ethan Forrester as he removed his armour and made his way back into the stands to watch the beginning of the joust.
Ethan Forrester followed him as Jon took one of the empty seats next to Margaery who had a slightly frosty look on her face.
She and the rest of the Tyrells minus Willas Tyrell were sat in a private viewing section of the stands.
"You hurt him" said Margaery flatly.
"Such things can happen in melee's, going into the arena with sharp weapons can do damage much worse than small cuts, even blunted weapons can do damage to a person" said Jon.
"It was more than a small cut Lord Stark, blood was pouring out of his arm" said Alerie Tyrell frostily.
"You Northerners might believe it to be normal for you to do serious damage to each other in the North, but we do things differently here in the South" said Mace Tyrell in a snobbish voice.
Jon snorted.
"If you complain about a little bit of blood during a melee… then many would think you are not as tough as you believe yourselves to be, I bet you have suffered far worse wounds in battle, or maybe you have not" said Jon snarkily.
"Enough Jon" said Margaery quickly as she grasped his arm.
Jon smirked as Mace Tyrell spluttered.
"Lord Stark has a fair point you oaf… even if his views are primitive and barbaric, you act like a weak fool because of a little bit of blood, a Son of House Tyrell should not complain about such small wounds, I doubt your Son will be complaining for much longer" said Olenna Tyrell snarkily.
Jon chuckled as Mace Tyrell looked embarrassed.
"My Lady" said Jon bowing his head towards her before he turned to watch the start of the joust as Arthur rode out into the arena atop his Dornish Sand Steed.
Jon smirked as Arthur easily unseated Ser Martynn Hightower in his first run.
They spent the rest of the afternoon watching the first four rounds of the joust before making their way back up to the castle.
Three days later…
Jon walked out of the main keep into the castle courtyard as Arthur, Edric and Jon's Guards finished preparing their small convoy for the journey to Starfall.
As he strapped his longsword to his horse he saw Margaery walking towards him.
Jon turned away from her before she wrapped her arms around his waist and pressed her head into his shoulder and neck.
"I bet you are glad to be leaving here" said Margaery softly.
Jon smiled.
"Quite glad… Starfall is far more welcoming and homely than Horn Hill, and the people are far nicer" said Jon amusedly as he turned around to face her.
"That is because you are a Northerner… many Reach Men died fighting against your Father in Robert's Rebellion" said Margaery.
Jon chuckled.
"That may or may not be true… but it is more likely that they look at me and think to themselves… how can an untrained barbarian beat our far superior warriors?" said Jon sarcastically.
Margaery playfully slapped his chest.
"Be nice, they are my Father's Vassal Lords" said Margaery cheekily.
Jon smirked and quickly kissed her.
"That and it is partially because of you" said Jon.
Margaery raised her eyebrow at him.
"Do tell" said Margaery cheekily.
Jon chuckled.
"They resent the fact that the crown jewel of the Reach has been betrothed to a barbarian who worships trees… instead of one of their own Sons or even the Crown Prince, they probably think to themselves about how their crown jewel will be used like a broodmare to create more barbarians, the mere thought of that is enough to drive any Reach Man or Woman insane" said Jon huskily.
Margaery smirked and kissed him.
"Is that what I am… your broodmare, will you open my legs every night just to satisfy your barbaric urges and use me to birth your barbarian children?" said Margaery teasingly.
Jon smirked.
"Oh you will open your legs for me every night, and you will do so willingly, as my Wife" said Jon huskily.
Margaery smirked.
"You presume a lot… and how long will it take us to reach Starfall?" said Margaery.
Jon glanced up at the sunny sky.
"If the weather holds up, we should be there in a week or two, a bit longer if the weather turns" said Jon.
Margaery pressed herself into his chest with a smirk on her face.
"Perhaps I should have a few Dornish dresses made, what do you think?" said Margaery innocently.
Jon chuckled and kissed her.
"Are you sure… they can be rather revealing, so much skin on show, skin that will turn slightly brown under the heat of the Dornish sun" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery winked at him.
"I bet you would like to see me in one of those dresses" said Margaery.
Jon smirked.
Margaery smiled.
"Well… I shall have some made then, I hope Starfall has an excellent seamstress" said Margaery.
Jon let go of her.
"You best ask my Grandmother about that, she is the head of the Family and the castle after all" said Jon.
Margaery kissed him before gently pulling away from him.
"Now we will part ways for a little while, I expect your Grandmother is waiting for me" said Margaery.
Jon chuckled.
"Aye she will be" said Jon.
Margaery smiled before turning around walking over to the wheelhouse where Ellaria Dayne was waiting for her.
Jon watched Margaery enter the wheelhouse before mounting his horse and slowly riding towards Arthur.
Starfall – 295 A.C
Two weeks later…
"Wow… it looks more beautiful than I remember" thought Jon as the majestic sight of Starfall came into view.
Arthur and Edric were riding alongside him as they led their convoy towards Starfall.
They rode along the road, over the bridge and through the gates into Starfall.
As they entered the courtyard they spotted Arron and Lysanne Dayne waiting for them along with Princess Arianne Martell, Rhaenys, Vorian, his Wife Deria Dayne and their children all of whom Jon had yet to meet.
Jon locked eyes with Rhaenys and smiled at her before dismounting his horse.
"Alayne" said Jon softly walking over to her before she wrapped him in a hug and kissed his cheek.
"Jon" said Rhaenys softly before she glanced at Arianne who was looking at Jon with a curious look on her face.
Rhaenys turned back to Jon.
"Cousin… meet Princess Arianne of the House Martell" said Rhaenys.
Jon turned to Arianne and smiled.
"Princess" said Jon bowing his head to her and giving her a kiss to the knuckles.
Arianne smirked and gave him a small curtsy.
"My Lord" said Arianne in a tone Jon could not place as she glanced him up and down.
Jon nodded before turning around walking back to the wheelhouse.
He helped Margaery down from the wheelhouse giving her a quick kiss before leading her over to Arron and Lysanne Dayne.
"Aunt Lysanne, Uncle Arron… this is Margaery Tyrell, my betrothed" said Jon.
Lysanne smiled and placed her hands on Margaery's shoulders greeting her with a kiss on each cheek.
"Welcome to Starfall My Lady" said Lysanne before letting go of Margaery.
Margaery smiled and curtsied to her.
"Thank you Lady Dayne, this is a very beautiful castle" said Margaery sweetly.
Lysanne smiled as Arron took Margaery's hand kissing her knuckles.
"Welcome to Starfall Lady Margaery" said Arron as Lysanne wrapped Jon in a hug and kissed him on the cheek.
Margaery smiled and bowed her head to him.
"Thank you for inviting me here Lord Dayne" said Margaery softly.
Arron nodded and let go of her so he could greet Jon with a one armed hug.
Jon let go of his Uncle before moving towards his Cousin and his family.
He shook hands with Vorian before kissing Deria's knuckles and turning to the three children beside her.
"And who are these lovely young people?" said Jon fondly as Clarisse and Ulrick moved close to their Mother.
Deria smiled.
"This is our eldest Clarisse, she is three Lord Stark" said Deria affectionately rubbing the shoulder of her Daughter.
Jon smiled at the young girl.
"Hello" said Jon softly.
"Hi" squeaked Clarisse nervously.
"And this is our Son Ulrick, he just turned two a moon ago" said Deria.
Jon smiled as Ulrick pressed himself into his Mother before turning to Daeron.
"And what about this strapping young lad?" said Jon causing Deria to manage a sad smile.
Vorian straightened up.
"This is my Son Daeron, seven years old now believe it or not" said Vorian fondly.
Jon nodded and sent a small smile at the young boy before turning back towards Margaery.
As Jon made his way back over to Margaery, Arron turned to Rhaenys.
"Show Jon and Lady Margaery to their chambers" said Arron.
Rhaenys smiled and bowed her head to him.
"At once Father… if you would follow me" said said Rhaenys politely.
She linked arms with Jon and Margaery as they approached her before leading them into the castle.
As they approached Jon's chambers Rhaenys turned to Jon.
"Father expects you in the hall in five hours for a small feast to welcome you back to Starfall" said Rhaenys.
Jon nodded.
"Tell my Uncle we will be there… but ask him if he could draw a bath very soon" said Jon.
Rhaenys raised her eyebrow at him.
"Just one bath?" said Rhaenys sternly.
"Only one bath is needed Alayne" said Jon chuckling slightly as Margaery blushed slightly.
Rhaenys glanced at Margaery and smirked.
"Since you asked for one bath… I take it one bed will suffice as well" said Rhaenys cheekily.
Jon rolled his eyes.
"It will" said Jon as he opened the door to his chambers.
Rhaenys chuckled as Jon led Margaery inside his chambers.
"Servants will be along with your bath soon… and I will be sure someone sends Lady Margaery's belongings here" said Rhaenys teasingly.
"Yeah you do that Alayne" said Jon passively.
Rhaenys smirked.
"I will see the two of you later" said Rhaenys.
She turned around and walked back down the hallway.
Jon walked over to the door and shut it before turning around to face Margaery as she walked around the bed tracing her hands on the sheets.
"Volantis Silk… feels incredible does it not?" said Jon softly.
Margaery nodded.
"It does… and I get to lie in it every night" said Margaery as she sat down on the bed.
"You do" said Jon walking over to her sitting down on the bed next to her.
Margaery smirked and turned to face him as he traced his hand up her arm.
"One bath is enough then?" said Margaery cheekily.
Jon smirked and kissed her.
"Well that depends… on whether we will enjoying it together, or if we will use it one at a time" said Jon huskily.
Margaery smirked.
"You want to see me naked?" said Margaery teasingly.
Jon kissed her.
"I already have" said Jon huskily.
Margaery chuckled and kissed his neck.
"You want to see me tonight?" said Margaery.
Jon pushed her back until he was on top of her on the bed.
"Very much… I would like for us to bathe together once again" said Jon cheekily.
Margaery leaned up and kissed him.
"Bathe with me when it is ready then" said Margaery teasingly.
Jon chuckled.
"Gladly" said Jon.
They laid in bed together for the next fifteen minutes as their bath was prepared.
Later that night…
Jon led Margaery into the hall where they saw that everyone else was already seated at the large high table waiting for them.
They sat down in the two empty seats in between Daeron Sand and Ellaria.
There was relative silence as Jon poured wine for he and Margaery while platters of fish and vegetables were placed on the tables.
As Jon helped himself to the Dornish spiced bass Arianne looked past Rhaenys towards him with a questioning look on her face.
"So Lord Stark… Alayne has told me all about you, her little Cousin who loved swinging swords" said Arianne in a slightly teasing voice.
Jon smirked.
"I am good at swinging swords" said Jon.
"That he is… he has more than one tourney win to prove it" said Margaery cutting into her own Dornish spiced bass.
"Tourneys a favourite thing of yours are they Lord Stark?" said Arianne with a small smirk.
Jon shrugged his shoulders.
"Sometimes… but I prefer the ones we have in the North, where the strongest man wins" said Jon.
"Your Father's tourneys are a little strange Grandson… watching men and women fight with their fists is a strange thing" said Ellaria.
"Nonsense Mother… seeing one fight with their fists is a true measure of their strength, to see what he or she can do without their weapons" said Arron.
"You mean see what he can do without weapons My Lord?" said Arianne.
Jon chuckled.
"Women fight in our tourneys as well Princess… Lady Mormont could beat most men in a fight, and she has raised her Daughters to be the same" said Jon sipping his wine.
"My Cousin Obarra could beat a man in a fight, even you I bet" said Arianne cheekily.
Jon smirked.
"Pity she is not here to prove such a thing" said Jon.
Margaery smirked and stroked his arm.
"Perhaps you should invite her here Princess… then such a thing could be proven or disproven" said Margaery teasingly as Jon smirked.
Arianne smirked.
"Perhaps I shall" said Arianne as she resumed eating.
The rest of the feast continued in relative silence with only small pieces of conversation taking place.
Once the feast had finished Jon and Margaery made their way to Ellaria Dayne's Solar for wine and sweets to finish the evening.