Disclaimer: I don't own the A Song of Ice and Fire series.

Author's Note: I'd like to thank everyone who has read, reviewed, followed or favourited this story so far. We're already over 60 reviews, more than I thought I'd ever get, so thank you.

I know that some people have asked about Dany and Viserys, and yes they will be in this story. That's all I'll say for now, I don't want to spoil anything. Just bare with me, I do have a plan.

I hope that you all enjoy the chapter, and please feel free to review.

Chapter Sixteen

296 AC

Jon Connington

Jon knew that he was dreaming. He knew it, but it didn't make the dream any easier to deal with. He was at the Stony Sept again, and those maddening bells were ringing loudly.

Jon was fighting, even though he knew he'd already lost. In the dream, as in life, he killed Denys Arryn. The Valeman's body fell as he pulled his sword from his chest, but unlike what had really happened the body changed. The sandy hair turned to silver, and the blue eyes darkened to violet. Denys Arryn no longer lay before him, it was his prince. Rhaegar was lying there, blood spreading around him while Jon's sword dripped red.

"No," Jon whispered, falling to his knees beside his prince. He threw his sword aside and looked for some way to stop the bleeding. He could find nothing, so he pressed his hands to the wound, soaking them in Rhaegar's blood. Tears began to pour down his face. He had failed again...Rhaegar was dying, and Jon was powerless to stop it.

"That's not true," His prince whispered. He looked down, and found Rhaegar's eyes. Rhaegar looked sad, and worse he looked disappointed. He was disappointed in him, Jon realised, and the thought broke his heart. "You could have stopped this," Rhaegar went on. "If you had killed Robert...well, it doesn't matter now does it? I'm dead, Robert killed me but you did too."

"No," He whispered, shaking his head. "I didn't...I wouldn't. I'm sorry my prince..."

"Your words hardly matter now," Rhaegar told him. "You failed, Jon. I trusted you, and you failed. No doubt, you'll fail my sons too."

The dream faded then, and Jon woke with a gasp. His skin was damp with sweat, it felt uncomfortably like Rhaegar's blood had in the dream.

Jon got up. He felt sick and he realised that he needed to go outside, needed to clear his head. He pulled on a tunic and left his room, hurrying down the stairs. He went outside and simply stood, looking up at the sky.

He'd not had that dream in a while. Not for a few moons, not since prince Jaehaerys had spoken to him the day after he'd arrived. The prince's words had helped a little, but the dream...gods he'd almost thought himself free of it. It seemed he was wrong.

He truly didn't know why he had that dream. Well, he did, but why his mind showed him Rhaegar saying such things was beyond him. His prince had not been cruel, he'd never been that, but his mind knew how to torture him. He took a shaky breath, trying to will himself back to bed, and felt something furry nudging against him.

Startled, he looked down. Ghost, the prince's direwolf, who wandered outside sometimes at night, stood beside him. The creature was up to Jon's waist now and still growing, and if he hadn't seen him looking pleadingly at Jaehaerys and Aegon for scraps he would have been terrified of him. The wolf nudged at him again, and despite himself Jon smiled.

"You're not so bad really, are you?" He asked, and he swore the direwolf smiled at him. Tentatively, he reached down and scratched him behind the ear the way he'd seen the prince do. The wolf leaned against his side, seeming pleased by his attention. Jon chuckled to himself at that, and was able to forget about his dream, at least for a moment.

His peaceful moment was broken however by light footsteps. Turning, he saw the prince behind him, almost as if his wolf had called to him.

"My prince, I didn't think you'd be awake."

"Oh, I had a dream that woke me," The prince admitted. "Are you having trouble sleeping too, my lord?"

"Aye," Jon sighed. "I had a dream as well."

"Was it about dragons?" Jaehaerys asked curiously. "Mine have been about dragons, of late. I dream the same thing almost every night."

"Not exactly," Jon said. "You dream of dragons you said? What happens in these dreams?"

To Jon's knowledge, Jaehaerys hadn't mentioned these dreams before. Jon was curious, and he doubted he'd sleep anyway. Perhaps talking would be good for the boy, he thought, so he'd listen if the prince wanted to speak. Normally, Jaehaerys spoke to Arthur if he was troubled, or Aegon even. Neither of them were awake though, and Jon found that he hoped the prince would talk to him.

"I see the dragon from my egg," He said at last. "A blue dragon, with golden wings. The spikes on its back are gold too, and when I see it, it roars. Not in anger though, it's like...like it wants to be free. Then I hear the words Fire and Blood, and that's all before I wake up. It sounds mad doesn't it? I'm afraid to touch my egg now, what if it's changed somehow?"

"Not mad," Jon said slowly. "Rhaegar dreamed sometimes, and I know some of your ancestors did. Dragon dreams, they were called."

"In my case quite literally," Jaehaerys murmured, and Jon chuckled.

"Quite," He agreed. "In any case, my prince I wouldn't worry. Your dreams could mean something, or they could mean nothing but either way we won't figure it out now. Why don't you get to bed, there are still hours before dawn."

"I suppose I should," Jaehaerys admitted. "You should too my lord."

"I will," Jon said, not that he'd actually sleep but the prince didn't need to know that.

"It's Aegon's nameday soon, isn't it?" Jaehaerys asked and Jon nodded.

"It is," He said. "It's the day after tomorrow, why?"

"I have to get him something," Jaehaerys said almost absently. "I think I'll ask Arthur to go into the city with me, I'll find something there I'm sure."

"Are you sure? Prince Oberyn is coming to visit tomorrow."

The prince gave him a significant look, and Jon nodded. Jaehaerys, despite how well he was doing since he had arrived, wasn't ready to meet prince Oberyn yet. Jon couldn't blame him, he wasn't ready either and he'd met the man many times before.

"I'll speak to Aegon for you if you like," Jon said, smiling a little. "He'll understand."

"You will?" Jaehaerys asked, clearly relieved. "Oh, thank you lord Connington. I wasn't sure how I would tell him."

"Of course," Jon told him. "Prince Oberyn is an intimidating man, I know it as well as anyone. Besides, you never know he could still be here when you get back."

The prince winced a little at the thought, and Jon laughed. "Goodnight my prince," He said. "I will see you in the morning."

He stepped inside, the prince doing the same before closing the door. "Goodnight my lord, and thank you again." Jaehaerys moved past him up the stairs, Ghost hot on his heels. Jon went up too, and went to bed. He thought he'd never get back to sleep, but surprisingly he did.

Jaehaerys Targaryen

Lys was a lovely city, Jae had discovered. He'd come into the city a number of times, always with Ser Arthur or Ser Rolly. Aegon sometimes came too, and Jae loved those days. They would often buy freshly roasted sausages from the markets, and try to find the strangest things that were for sale. Jae remembered the merchant who tried to sell them a dwarf's manhood, both he and Aegon had laughed for ages. It wasn't what the merchant was selling that made them laugh though, it had been his seriousness. He'd honestly thought they'd value it, and he'd seen perturbed by their reactions.

"Your head's in the clouds again, Jae," Ser Arthur teased, and Jae smiled. He and Arthur had continued to get on in the last few moons, and Jae was always happy for the man's company.

"Sorry," Jae said, a little abashed. "I was remembering the merchant with the...dwarf parts."

"Ah yes," Arthur chuckled. "I remember that one. He was very upset by your and His Grace's reaction."

"Aye," Jae grinned. "When he walked away, I thought he was going to cry. Aegon actually did he laughed that hard."

"So did you," Arthur noted, and Jae chuckled. It was true after all, he'd almost knocked over a barrel of wine then because he couldn't see properly.

"So, what are you planning on getting your brother?" Arthur asked, and Jae frowned slightly. The truth was that he wasn't sure.

"I don't know," He admitted, biting his lip.

"He doesn't have a sword yet," Arthur offered, and Jae brightened.

"There was a weapons shop not far from here, wasn't there?" Jae asked, remembering. The place had some beautiful weapons, and lord Stark had sent him more money through Varys. He'd spent little of it, so he could afford a decent sword he thought.

"There was," Arthur nodded, gesturing down a street. "It's that way. I know because I visited it recently."

"Really?" Jae was curious now. "What did you go there for?"

"A dagger," Arthur said simply. "His Grace doesn't have a decent one of those either."

"Oh, like mine?" Jae asked with a smile. He wore the dagger Arthur had given him at his side when he went out, it was there now in fact.

"Yes," Arthur smiled. "Although his doesn't have a wolf on it."

"No," Jae laughed. "I doubt it would suit him very well."

"Indeed," Arthur said, and gestured towards a door. "We're here now. Let's go see what they have, shall we?"

"Aye, let's go then." They walked inside, and Jae looked around. The walls were lined with gleaming weapons. There were swords, spears, and various knives lined up and the sight of them was overwhelming.

"There are...a lot of them." Jae noted, and Arthur laughed.

"It is a weapons shop," He pointed out, and Jae rolled his eyes.

"Yes, I know that, but I don't know what sword to get. Look, there are about a hundred of them."

"Well, they keep their best weapons at the back," Arthur said. "Let's start there first."

Jae nodded, and followed him to the back of the shop. The weapons there were indeed more elaborate, with jewel-encrusted handles and gold and silver detailing. One of the swords caught Jae's eye, and he reached for it.

"Ser Arthur, look at this," He said, carefully lifting the sword. It had a roaring dragon head on the pommel, and though it wasn't Valyrian steel it still looked like an excellent sword.

"Well, that's certainly a nice sword," Arthur noted, eyeing it. "The steel looks good and strong, and the pommel's certainly fitting. How's the balance?"

Jae took a few steps back, swinging it carefully so as not to hit anything.

"It's well balanced," He said. "Do you think Aegon will like it?"

"Yes, I think he would," Arthur said. "It's a fine weapon. Are you going to get it?"

"Aye, I think I will," Jae said, and he took the scabbard, sheathing the sword carefully.

He walked to the table where the shop owner sat. He placed the sword down, and the man before him grinned.

"That is a fine choice of a weapon," The man said in the Low Valyrian that was common here in Lys. Jae understood him, thanks to Haldon and Aegon, and replied as best he could.

"Your shop has many fine weapons," He said, earning a pleased smile from the man. "How much?"

The man thought for a moment, and then spoke again. "For your kind words, I will give you a reduced price on the condition that you will recommend my wares to others also."

"I will," Jae said, and the man told him his price. It was not as steep as Jae had thought, so he was happy to pay it. He left the shop, feeling as though he'd accomplished what he'd set out to do.

"Your Valyrian has improved again," Arthur said, and Jae smiled at the praise.

"I've been practicing," He admitted. "Aegon's been helping a lot, and Haldon has given me extra lessons."

"Well, their help has worked," He told him. "You're doing well here, Jae. Not just in Valyrian, but in your other lessons and if you don't mind me saying so, you're more confident now."

"I do feel more confident now," Jae admitted after a long moment. "I like being here. My brother and I are getting on so well. I still hear from Robb and Arya, and there was that letter from my uncle a few weeks ago."

"Oh yes," Arthur nodded. "Lord Stark really has surprised me, I'll admit. He's made the right decision supporting you and Aegon, he's choosing family and I can respect that. He's failed you before Jae and there is no denying it, but he's trying now and that's all I can ask."

Jae nodded. He agreed, lord Stark certainly was trying now. He'd be meeting with some of his lords about it soon, and Jae hoped that those meetings would go well.

"I didn't think he'd choose a side," Jae said quietly. "I...hoped he would, but I...I doubted him."

"He gave you good reason to," Ser Arthur pointed out. "Don't feel bad about that, Jae. Now, where are we going? Are we going home, or are we still avoiding prince Oberyn?"

Jae felt a flush of embarrassment in his cheeks, and he hoped that Arthur hadn't noticed it. "I never said-"

"You didn't have to, Jae," Arthur cut in lightly. "We were gone before the others were even up this morning. I hope you told your brother you were going out at least."

"Lord Connington said he would tell him," Jae mumbled, looking down.

"Did he now? I take it he figured out your motives as well?"

"He did," Jae admitted. "I'm an open book, it seems."

"You are," Arthur agreed, and he only smiled when Jae shot him a reproachful look. "I didn't say it was a bad thing Jae. You shouldn't be afraid to meet Oberyn though, he won't blame you."

"That's what Aegon said too," Jae admitted softly. "But what if he does? He's known for poisoning people, what if he does that to me?"

"He won't," Arthur insisted, shaking his head. "You're worrying for nothing, again. You did this with Aegon too, remember? Come on, face your fear. Let's go home, and I promise you that if prince Oberyn tries to poison you, then I won't let him."

Jae wanted to argue. He wanted to insist they stay out longer, but doing so would be childish. No, Arthur was right he thought. He'd go home, and face his fears like a prince should.

"All right," Jae said, sighing deeply. "Let's go then, it'll take a while to get back."

They walked back in a companionable silence. Jae did his best to distract himself with the sights of the city, and when they reached home, he took a deep breath.

"Maybe he's gone already," He murmured hopefully.

"Jae," Arthur said, sighing. "Come on, let's go inside. Don't let your worry win."

Jae nodded, and opened the front door. He stepped into the manse, and bought himself a few more moments by going to his room to put Aegon's sword away until tomorrow. Arthur had gone, likely to freshen up before his usual spar with Ser Rolly in the afternoon. Jae headed back downstairs and paused in front of the solar. Ghost appeared at his side, having stayed behind that morning, and Jae smiled.

"Are they in there boy?" He asked softly, and he could have sworn that Ghost nodded. Swallowing, Jae knocked on the door, preparing himself the best he could to meet the Red Viper of Dorne.

Aegon Targaryen

Aegon had been surprised and a little worried when Jae hadn't shown up to break his fast. When Arthur hadn't either, he worried less, but his confusion grew.

"Jon, do you know where my brother and Ser Arthur are?" He asked, looking across the table.

Jon, to his relief, smiled and nodded at his question. "The prince had things to do in the city Your Grace," Jon explained. "Ser Arthur went with him to ensure his safety."

"Oh," Aegon was a little surprised. "How long will they be gone do you think?"

"I'm not sure, Your Grace," Jon admitted. "The prince didn't say, but I'm sure he'll be back as soon as his business is done."

"Of course," He said, and then a thought struck him. His uncle Oberyn was coming today, he remembered. Could that be why Jae was out? He'd become more confident since he'd arrived, but Aegon knew that meeting Oberyn had been a worry for him.

"I should have expected this." Aegon said quietly. His brother hadn't wanted to upset him with his worries, he realised, and so he'd decided to make himself scarce. Aegon wished that he didn't feel that he had to, but he did understand it.

"Your Grace?" Jon asked, confused.

"He was worried about Oberyn's visit," Aegon explained. "He's convinced my uncle bares a grudge against him. I told him that he didn't, but Jae is convinced of it. I suppose he'll always worry a bit about these things, as hard as it is to think so."

"He is still adjusting, Your Grace," Septa Lemore said gently. "The prince is doing very well, considering his circumstances."

"I know that," Aegon sighed. "I really do hate that Tully woman for treating my brother how she did."

"I know Your Grace," Jon said. "So do we all, but the prince is getting better. He'll come round, you'll see. And he did actually have something to do today."

Aegon, while not entirely convinced of that statement, nodded. His brother would be fine, and Aegon would talk to him again later.

He finished breaking his fast and decided to read for a while. Jae had recently let him borrow his book on Targaryen history, so Aegon took that out and began to read it.

He read it for an hour or two, and just when he was reading about Daeron the Young Dragon, Jon came to tell him that his uncle had arrived. Putting down the book, Aegon rose from his place by the window and went downstairs to the solar. His uncle was already there, and Aegon smiled at the sight of him.

"Uncle," He said brightly. "It's good to see you."

"It's good to see you as well nephew," His uncle said, beaming at him. They both sat down, and Aegon offered his uncle a drink. When Oberyn nodded, Aegon poured wine for him, and a cup of water for himself.

"How have you been, Aegon?" His uncle asked.

"I've been well, uncle," Aegon said. "More than well, actually. My brother arrived a few moons back."

"I had heard that," Oberyn noted, looking curious. "And I saw the uh...direwolf in the hallway. I wasn't aware your brother had one."

"Oh, yes Ghost," Aegon smiled. "Jae didn't take him when he left this morning. The people of Lys get a bit alarmed if Ghost goes with him into the city."

"That's understandable," Oberyn murmured, amused. "The wolf didn't seem so bad though. I swear it smiled at me."

"He must like you then," Aegon said. "Then again, Jae says that he likes just about anyone who doesn't wish him or Jae harm."

"I take it things with your brother are going well then?" Oberyn asked, and Aegon nodded.

"They are," He confirmed. "We get on really well, actually. He's good with a sword too, very good."

"Interesting," Oberyn leaned back in his seat, taking a sip of wine. "And where is your brother? I'd have liked to meet him."

"Oh," Aegon hesitated. "He's in the city, he had business to deal with."

"That's a pity," His uncle mused. "Well, maybe he'll be back before I leave. I think I'll be able to stay for dinner this time, that is if you'd like that."

"Of course I would," Aegon grinned, his uncle rarely stayed for dinner. "So how are things in Dorne, uncle?"

That was Oberyn's cue to launch into the story of everything that had happened since he last visited. He told him about Sarella's interest in studying at the Citadel, and about Trystane's sword practices. He mentioned that uncle Doran had sent his regards, and that Quentyn was still in Yronwood. Aegon listened as he talked, and asked questions when he paused. He loved hearing about his family, and Oberyn was more than happy to tell him about them.

After a particularly funny story involving Oberyn's younger girls, a knock came at the door. Oberyn looked at him questioningly, and Aegon rose.

"I think Jae must be back," Aegon explained, and he walked to the door and opened it. Sure enough, his brother was there, looking nervous.

"Brother," Aegon smiled, trying to be reassuring. "How did your business in the city go?"

"It went well, brother," Jae replied hesitantly. "I'm sorry I left so early, I should have waited to tell you myself."

"It isn't a problem Jae," Aegon assured him. "My uncle Oberyn is here. Come, I'll introduce you."

Jaehaerys hesitated, but he followed Aegon into the room nonetheless. Aegon took his seat again, and smiled at his uncle and his brother.

"Uncle, this is my brother Jaehaerys. Jae, this is my uncle Oberyn."

"My prince," Jae said, still uncertain. "It's an honour to meet you."

For several long moments, his uncle just studied his brother closely. Aegon saw Jae shift nervously, and he was wondering if he should actually be concerned when the silence was broken by his uncle. "Oh, the honour is mine prince Jaehaerys," Oberyn responded, smiling with amusement. "Anyone who can tame a wolf as large as yours deserves at least some respect."

"Oh well...thank you?" Jae said, though it sounded more like a question.

"Your brother says you're good with a sword," Oberyn went on, eyes not leaving Jae's face. "Is that true?"

Jae looked at Aegon for help, clearly not wanting to say the wrong thing.

"He's shy," Oberyn laughed before Aegon could decide what to do. "No matter, young prince. I suppose anyone would be, living under the roof of that Tully woman all those years. You know, I never did like trouts, they think far too highly of themselves."

Aegon laughed at that, and even Jae smiled. He seemed to relax slightly, and Aegon was relieved. "Neither did I, my prince." He said, and Oberyn laughed too.

"My uncle says he can stay for dinner." Aegon said, looking at Jae.

"I'm glad to hear it," Jae murmured, giving Oberyn a small smile. "It's lamb tonight, my prince."

"As long as it's not trout," Oberyn said with a smirk. "I'll be happy."

After that, things were a little easier. Oberyn told a few more stories about Dorne, and in turn both Jae and Aegon told him tales of their trips into the city. Oberyn laughed heartily when Jae brought up the man with the dwarf parts for sale, and both of the brothers joined in.

Later, at dinner, things again went smoothly. Oberyn had brought Aegon a gift, fine new clothes in his house's colours. Aegon had thanked him, and when it had been time for him to go, he'd promised to return as soon as he could.

Aegon was glad that things had gone so well, and when he fell asleep that night, to his surprise he dreamed of dragons that wanted to be free.