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Chapter Twelve

295 AC

Aegon Targaryen

His brother was sitting across from him. His brother was here, and he was smiling at him. This had been what he'd wanted for so long, and he was so happy that it was finally happening.

"So," Jaehaerys said, breaking him from his thoughts. "My uncle said that you've lived here all your life, is that true?"

"It is," He smiled. "Lys is a nice place, and the markets are fun to walk through. You can buy almost anything in them if you know where to look. It isn't home though, not really."

"No," His brother agreed. "But it's warm, that's something I'm really not used to."

"Is it always cold in the North then?" Aegon asked. He couldn't even imagine that, Lys had mild weather even in winter.

"Aye," Jaehaerys chuckled. "Even in summer, we had summer snows. Winterfell itself is built on hot springs though, so that helped a lot. Still, there was little protection when you went outside, we always had to wear furs. Uncle Benjen, he's the First Ranger of the Night's Watch, says it's even colder up there."

"You have an uncle in the Night's Watch?" Aegon asked, intrigued. He didn't know much about the order, only that a lot of criminals were sent there nowadays.

Jaehaerys hesitated, and then he nodded. "Actually," He said slowly. "We both have an uncle at the Wall, Aegon."

"We do?" Aegon asked, staring at his brother. "Who is he? I've never heard of us having an uncle there before."

"His name is Aemon Targaryen," Jaehaerys said. "He is the brother of Aegon V and he's the maester at Castle Black. Our father wrote to him, apparently."

"So we have more family then?" Aegon smiled, this was certainly good news. "And father wrote to him you said? Well, when we go home, we'll have to meet him, to tell him that he isn't alone."

His brother nodded in agreement, a small smile on his face. He seemed about to respond, but a slight scratching sound from outside caught their attention, and Jaehaerys sighed.

"It seems Ghost is getting impatient." He said, rolling his eyes.

Aegon frowned, confused. "Who is Ghost?" He asked, and his brother grinned.

"He's my direwolf," He explained. "Uncle Benjen brought him to Winterfell on my nameday, and he's been with me ever since."

Aegon stared at him. Direwolves were legendary creatures, and Aegon couldn't believe that one was standing right outside that door. "You really have a direwolf, Jaehaerys? But direwolves are...wild, and anyway there hasn't been one south of the Wall in ages, I've heard."

"Aye, I know," He said. "But Ghost is just a pup, and he wouldn't hurt anyone...well, not unless they tried to hurt him or me. He's no threat, I swear it."

Aegon studied him for a moment, and then nodded. If Ghost was indeed only a pup...surely his brother was right. Aegon wouldn't fear him, not without a reason to.

The scratching came again, and Jaehaerys chuckled. "I think Ghost wants to meet you," He said. "Can I let him in?"

Aegon nodded, and smiled when he caught the pleased expression on his brother's face. Jaehaerys rose and went to the door, opening it slowly. A small white blur shot past him, and a moment later Aegon was staring into a pair of red, curious eyes. The direwolf pup was admittedly an adorable creature, and as Aegon watched, Ghost wagged his tail.

"He likes you," Jaehaerys said, sounding pleased. "You see? To people he likes, he's harmless."

Aegon could see that. Smiling, he cautiously reached down to stroke the wolf's fur. Ghost's tail wagged faster, and as Aegon drew back, the wolf licked his hand causing both himself and Jaehaerys to laugh.

"He's lovely," He said, looking back at his brother. "I must admit I'm slightly jealous though brother. I thought having a dragon egg was good, but now...well I wouldn't mind having a wolf like him."

Jaehaerys looked surprised. "You have a dragon egg too?" He asked, and Aegon smiled.

"Yes, my uncle Oberyn brought it to me years ago when he first came to visit. Why, do you have one?"

"Aye," Jaehaerys smiled. "When father went to join the war, he left certain things behind in Dorne with my mother. My uncle showed them to me after he told me everything, and there was a dragon egg with them."

Aegon was again intrigued. He hesitated, wondering if Jaehaerys's egg was the same as his. "Brother, when you hold your egg does it...feel warm to you?"

Jaehaerys blinked, surprised. "It does," He said slowly. "I thought I was imagining things."

"No," Aegon shook his head. "Mine does the same."

"Why do you think that is? I mean, they're stone now, aren't they?"

"Sadly yes," Aegon agreed. "I'd like a dragon though. It's a shame they'll never hatch."

"Well, you never know," His brother shrugged. "I mean, they don't feel like stone when we hold them, do they? Maybe there is a way to hatch them."

"I doubt it," Aegon sighed. "Our family tried for years to bring dragons back, and we know how that turned out."

"Aye," Jaehaerys sighed. "It was disastrous. Still, we can always dream."

"That we can," Aegon agreed. "What else did father leave with the lady Lyanna?"

"His harp," Jaehaerys said, and Aegon's eyes widened. "It's a beautiful thing, and I'd bet it still works too."

"Do you have it with you?" Aegon asked excitedly. Jon had often told him of the harp his father had loved, and to get the chance to see it...to play it even was a dream come true.

"I do," Jaehaerys confirmed, smiling softly. "It's still with my things. Do you want to see it?"

"Can I?" He asked.

"Of course," Jaehaerys said. "He was your father too, brother. The harp is by rights yours now anyway."

Aegon stared at him for a long moment. "You would give it to me? Are you sure, Jaehaerys? Can't you play the harp?"

"No, I never learned," His brother admitted. "I was always more interested in swords to be truthful. And of course I am, Aegon. I saw the look in your eyes when I mentioned it. I take it you can play then?"

Aegon beamed, he couldn't help it. He'd get to play their father's harp, and all thanks to his brother. "Thank you, brother," He said softly. "I can play, yes. And playing father's harp...well, I'd thought it was lost but I did always want to."

"Well now, you will," He said quietly. He hesitated then, before he continued to speak. "There was something else in that chest." He said.

"What is it?" He asked, wondering just what else his brother could have.

"Dark Sister," Jaehaerys admitted. "The sword of Aemon the Dragonknight and queen Visenya. It's a beautiful weapon, brother, and holding it...well, it has a certain power to it that I can't explain. It's like...the previous owners of the blade are there, with you when you wield it."

Aegon looked at his brother, and saw the awe in his eyes. He loved that sword, Aegon could see that, and he wanted to wield it. Aegon was already being given their father's harp, so as much as he'd have liked to wield Dark Sister he would not. "Good," He finally said, meeting Jaehaerys's eyes. "Then I'm sure they'll be proud to watch you do so, Jaehaerys."

"You mean...you don't want to wield it?" His brother asked him.

"Oh, I do," Aegon admitted with a laugh. "But I think you should. Dark Sister is yours brother, I can see how much you want to wield that sword."

"I...but I thought that you would..."

"What, that I would take it from you? No, brother I wouldn't do that. What's mine is yours now, that's how family works isn't it?"

"I...aye, I suppose you're right. What's mine is yours too, brother."

"Does that mean we get to share Ghost, as well?" Aegon asked, and they both laughed.

"Oh I don't know," Jaehaerys smiled. "Ghost, what do you think?"

Ghost wagged his tail again, flicking his eyes from Jaehaerys to Aegon, his tongue lolling out. "I think that's a yes." Aegon noted, and Jaehaerys laughed.

"So," Aegon said after a moment of comfortable silence. "I know that you grew up thinking that you were a...I mean, that you were lord Stark's natural son, and that the Starks were your siblings. So, what are they like? Your cousins, I mean."

Jaehaerys smiled softly at the mention of his cousins. "Robb's around our age," He began. "He's kind, and honourable, but he's a bit stubborn at times. He always seemed to find making friends a lot easier than I ever did, and he's fun to be around when you get to know him. He's friends with Theon Greyjoy though, which I was never really happy about."

"Greyjoy? Why would your cousin be friends with an Ironborn hostage?"

"Oh, lord Stark never treated him like a hostage," His brother frowned. "He walks about Winterfell like he owns the place, and he looked at me, everyone really, like they were beneath him. He's an arrogant little idiot, I don't know how Robb can stand him."

Aegon frowned deeply at that. He already didn't like the sound of this Greyjoy boy, and to hear that he had looked down on his brother made his blood boil.

"What of your other cousins?" Aegon asked, deciding to move on.

"Sansa...well, she's very much like her mother. I didn't spend much time with her, she listened to her mother too much for that." There was a hint of bitterness in his brother's tone, but Aegon couldn't blame him. From what he'd heard, lady Stark hadn't been kind at all to Jaehaerys. "Arya's wild," Jaehaerys went on, and Aegon saw that he was smiling once more. "She's about as different from Sansa as you could imagine, a real wild wolf. She loves her family though, and everyone says I was always her favourite. I think it's because we're the only ones with Stark colouring, and because I wouldn't force her to be a lady. Everyone says that Arya is my mother come again, too. She loves fighting and she rides really well as well, I'm told my mother was the same. Lady Stark insists on trying to make her into some southern lady, but Arya will have none of it. Bran loves to climb, he always has. It terrified the rest of us, but he never fell. Rickon's just a babe, so there isn't really much I can say about him."

"They sounds wonderful," Aegon smiled. "And I'm glad you got on well with some of your cousins, at least. I hope I'll get to meet them." He added, meaning it.

"I'm sure you will," Jaehaerys smiled. "Actually...I spoke to Robb before I left. He knows the truth, and he said that he would have my back, our backs, and that he'd support us in any way he could."

"Really?" Now that was interesting. If the heir to Winterfell was willing to back them, well that could certainly only help them he thought. "That was good of him," He said. "I must thank him for that when I meet him."

"Robb cares about family," Jaehaerys smiled. "And we were raised as brothers. Likely, he'll consider you family too by extension. Lord Stark had a saying about family, you see. He used to say that when the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies, but the pack survives. It means that when times are hard, we have to look to family, to our pack. Family should protect each other, and support each other too no matter what comes."

"That is a good way to look at things," Aegon said quietly. The thought of it, of having a family who would stand with him...support him was all he'd ever wanted. He had Jon, of course, and Duck and the others but that was different. They weren't truly family.

"Aye," Jaehaerys said softly. "It's a good way to think, isn't it? It's one of the things I thought about when I learned I had a brother. I know we're really dragons, but we're still pack, still family. I would never have let you remain alone if I could help it."

"I'm glad you didn't," He replied. "I'm glad that you came, Jaehaerys."

"Aye, me too Aegon, and please...call me Jae, if you like."

"Jae," He repeated, smiling. "It suits you."

"I've heard that," He smiled. "My...travelling companion said the same thing."

"Oh yes," Aegon said, remembering. "Who is your companion, anyway? Varys didn't say."

"Well...it's Ser Arthur...Ser Arthur Dayne. My uncle didn't really kill him in Dorne, and he's been hidden in plain sight in Starfall all these years. Lord Stark didn't tell him about you, brother, that's why he didn't come sooner. He only found out when my uncle sent for him to escort me here. I'm sorry...I know that he should have told him sooner, that Ser Arthur should have by rights been with you-"

"Wait," Aegon said, cutting him off. His brother looked down, refusing to look back at him. Aegon's heart was pounding in his chest, excitement sparking at the thought that he'd soon meet the legendary knight. "Ser Arthur is alive?"

"Yes," Jaehaerys nodded slightly.

"And he brought you here safely?" Aegon asked, needing to be sure.

"He did. He brought me here safely, he's even been training with me." His brother told him.

"And he's loyal to us, to house Targaryen still?"

"Aye," Jae agreed, glancing up at him. "He loved our father like a brother, he'd not betray us Aegon. I've spent a lot of time with him in the past weeks, he's a good man I swear it."

Aegon nodded, and smiled at him. This wasn't Ser Arthur's fault, or his brother's either. Lord Stark had hidden the truth, so Aegon wouldn't blame anyone else.

"You're not...angry with me?" Jae asked after a moment.

"What? No, of course not. And I'm not angry with Ser Arthur either. Gods...Ser Arthur's actually here. He came when he knew, and he brought you with him brother. What more can I ask for?"

Jae seemed to sag with relief. "I suppose you're right. He brought Dawn too, it's amazing!"

"Really? Well, I can't wait to see it and to train with him as well if he's willing," Aegon smiled. "First though, why don't I show you where you'll be staying. It's the room beside mine I hope you don't mind."

"Of course not, and I'm sure Ser Arthur will be more than pleased to train you too." Jae smiled, getting up. Ghost, who had been lying on the floor between them, got up too and Aegon followed. "After you then brother, I can show you father's harp and Dark Sister while we're there."

"Excellent idea Jae." Aegon grinned, and he lead the way out of the room and up the stairs towards the sleeping quarters. As they walked, Aegon was once again thankful that his brother had come, and that they were so far getting on so well. He only hoped that their newfound bond of brotherhood would only grow stronger from here.

Jon Connington

"So you were in Starfall all these years?" Jon asked, slightly disbelievingly. He'd asked Arthur to come outside with him, and the knight had, although Jon could see that he'd rather be with the king and the prince.

"Yes," The knight agreed simply. "I went by Marcus Sand for years. Hiding the prince under a bastard name worked, as much as I hate to admit it. I thought I might as well do the same."

"Was it really that bad for the prince?" Jon asked quietly. Arthur's violet eyes flashed, and Jon immediately had his answer.

"Stark convinced himself that he was doing the right thing," he said bitterly. "But he wasn't. Prince Jaehaerys was...he was ignored, Jon, and worse some of them outright hated him. Stark's trout of a wife was the worst of them, and others followed her lead. do you know, they'd never even celebrated the lad's nameday before?"

"Not even just the family?" Jon asked, shocked.

"No," Arthur shook his head. "Oh they did this year, Stark grew a spine for once. There was a feast if a small one, you should have seen the prince's face. He genuinely couldn't believe it, Jon. He smiled the whole night, and as much as I was glad to see him happy, well...he should have been allowed to be that way more often."

Jon nodded, his own anger rising. The prince was a child still, and the thought of their prince having the childhood that Arthur was describing was not a pleasant one. "Rhaegar would be furious." He said quietly.

"Aye," Arthur nodded. "Lyanna would've been too. That boy deserved better Jon. He's a good lad, and he's clever. He's his parents' son, wait until you see him with a sword."

"Is he that good?" Jon asked, surprised.

"He is," Arthur smiled, looking proud. "He's not arrogant about it though, and he doesn't mind losing."

"That sounds like Rhaegar," Jon admitted, and Arthur nodded.

"Does His Grace train as well?"

"He does," Jon smiled proudly. "He's improving all the time, you'll see soon enough I'm sure."

"I look forward to it," The knight smiled. "So, you don't think he'll be angry then that I didn't come sooner?"

"Aegon's not like that," Jon shook his head. "Besides, you didn't know. It isn't your fault Stark didn't tell you, our king will see that."

"I hope so," Arthur said. "You know when Stark told me, I was furious. I wanted to run him through, but I just told him some hard truths instead. What really got to me though was the prince. He thought I'd blame him you know, as if it was his fault. He thought his brother would blame him too, and he was terrified of that."

"But why?" Jon asked, frowning. "He's done nothing wrong, why would he think such a thing?"

"He's been raised a bastard," Arthur said sadly. "Lady Stark claimed his very existence was shameful. He thought he was a stain on Ned Stark's precious honour...and I think that's why he's so hard on himself. Even now when he knows the truth, his confidence is almost nonexistent."

"Gods be good," Jon sighed, cursing Stark yet again. "Well, he's here now with his brother. He can grow his confidence, and we can help him. I assume you've been training him?"

"Aye," Arthur admitted. "I have been, and I'll continue to do so. I'll train His Grace as well, if he'll allow it."

"Allow it?" Jon chuckled. "Gods Arthur, of course he will. Right, so you'll train them, and Jaehaerys will have to learn diplomacy and how to rule. Doubtless Aegon will give him lands, so he'll have to know how to rule them."

"I suppose you're right," Arthur nodded. "And hopefully between us and His Grace, we can bring the prince properly out of this shell he's in. Now...they've been in there a while, and Ser Rolly said it would be dinner soon. Shouldn't we check on them?"

"Once a kingsguard, always a kingsguard," Jon murmured, a small smile pulling at his lips. "Come on then, let's go."

He lead the way inside, but when they reached the solar, neither Aegon or Jaehaerys were there. Jon sighed and smiled to himself.

"It must be going well," He said. "Aegon must be showing Jaehaerys his room."

He lead Arthur up the stairs and sure enough, he heard voices coming from Jaehaerys's new room.

"It's a beautiful thing," Aegon was saying, admiration clear in his tone.

"I know," Jaehaerys replied. "It's no wonder father loved it so. Do you think you'll be able to play it then?"

"I should think so," Aegon replied, sounding thoughtful. "Are you sure you're all right with me having it?"

"Of course, brother," The prince said, and Jon and Arthur exchanged relieved smiles. "It's yours now. You can play a harp, and you want it. I'm glad you'll be able to get some use out of it."

Wait, a harp? Did the prince bring Rhaegar's harp with him? Despite not wanting to interrupt them, Jon wanted to see it. He knocked on the door, ignoring Arthur's reproachful look.

There was a moment of quiet, but then Jaehaerys called out. "Come in." Jon opened the door, and stepped inside. Arthur hesitated, but then he followed him in and closed the door.

"Lord Connington, Ser Arthur what can we do for you?" The prince said, inclining his head.

"Your Grace, my prince I'm sorry to intrude," Jon said. "But I couldn't help hearing you mentioning a harp. Is it your father's?"

"It is Jon," Aegon said excitedly. "Look, it's here, and Jae's giving it to me."

Sure enough, Rhaegar's harp was there in Aegon's hands. It gleamed, looking just as perfect as it had in Harrenhal.

"So it is," He whispered, eyes still on the harp. "It's good to see it again, and to know that it won't be silent for long."

"I can't wait to play it," Aegon said, and then his gaze went to Arthur, standing silently behind him.

"Ser Arthur," He said softly. "My brother told me you were here. It's an honour to meet you Ser."

Ser Arthur stepped past Jon and went to one knee in front of Aegon. "Your Grace, I am at your service. I apologise that I could not have come sooner."

"Rise Ser," Aegon said, and when Arthur did so he began to speak again. "My brother has already explained the situation, and you need not apologise. You are here now, and that is what matters."

"Thank you, Your Grace." Ser Arthur replied, and Jon saw the small smile on his face.

"No need for that, Ser," Aegon smiled. "Jae says you've been training him. I wonder...would you train with me as well? I'd be honoured to be trained by a legend such as you."

Jon smiled to himself, and he caught the prince doing the same. Jaehaerys was relieved, he realised, and perhaps hopeful that he'd soon be training alongside his brother.

"Of course, Your Grace," Ser Arthur smiled. "I'll be happy to train you alongside the prince."

"I thank you Ser," Aegon said, glancing at his brother he added. "It seems that you were right, brother."

"Aye," Jaehaerys chuckled. "I told you, Aegon. Soon enough, thanks to Ser Arthur we'll be the best swords in Lys."

"No doubt," Aegon said, and they both smiled.

Jon and Arthur watched the two of them, and Jon felt glad. They were getting on, acting like brothers should already.

"Well," He said, causing both of them to look at him. "If you two want to be the best swords in Lys, then you had better come down. Dinner will be ready soon."

"Excellent," Aegon beamed. "It's duck tonight, Jae, have you tried it?"

"I haven't," Jaehaerys admitted. "But I'm happy to. I never realised how hungry I was until dinner was mentioned."

From the bed, something moved. Jon glanced over, and blinked as what looked like a wolf pup jumped down and ran to Jaehaerys's side.

"Ghost wants dinner too it seems," Aegon laughed.

"Aye, he does," The prince agreed. He glanced at Arthur, eyes bright. "It would appear you were right, Ser. Ghost seems to be adjusting just fine."

"It does indeed," Ser Arthur nodded. "Jon, have you met Ghost yet? He's a direwolf, straight from the North."

"A direwolf? But..."

"He's harmless Jon," Aegon told him, leaning down to pet the direwolf. The little creature panted happily, seeming to lean into his king's touch.

"I...so it seems," He said, not wanting to get closer to the wolf. "shall we go then? I'll make sure that...Ghost gets food too."

"Excellent." Aegon said, and he and Jaehaerys, with Ghost running alongside them, lead the way out of the room. He and Arthur followed them, and as he walked down the stairs for dinner, he couldn't help but think that since Jaehaerys's arrival things were certainly more interesting. He found that he was looking forward to the days and weeks to come.