Ygritte looks down on their voyage to Sunspear, and Jon can't figure out why.
At first, he tries to leave her alone. Perhaps she needs privacy to collect her thoughts, something none of them had much of since they fled the Eyrie. It's almost unbearable: not only does he keep missing her, he no longer has Jaime as suitable company, now that he spends his time gazing longingly at Lady Brienne. He tried to steal the aforementioned lady from him, but the knight just followed them, trying and failing to be subtle about his inability to take his eyes off her.
Not that Jon isn't happy about this development; his mentor and friend deserves a better fate than pine for a sister-lover he isn't likely to see ever again. However, he's doomed for roughly the same thing regarding Lady Brienne. His sworn sword—it still amazes him that he has one—is supposed to follow him to Essos, which will lead to separation between her and Jaime. They will certainly meet again when the time comes to fight against the Others, but the metalbending master—for he will always be a master in Jon's mind—is forever bound to his vows to the Night's Watch, and Lady Brienne is supposed to marry someday. Once again, Jaime is fated to watch the woman he loves escape from his grasp.
It's sad, but Jon thinks Jaime should know this and stop following her around like a lost puppy. This doesn't seem likely, though; the knight appears to have decided to enjoy what little time he has with the warrior lady, even if he stubbornly remains loyal to his vows. There is some sweetness in it all, but Jon is mostly annoyed. If he wasn't in doubt about whether Lady Brienne reciprocates his feelings or not, he'd already have pushed those two to kiss. As it is, though, his sworn sword is unreadable.
Halfway through their trip, Jon gives up trying to spend time with either Jaime or Brienne and goes back to Ygritte. Enough days have passed for her to have done her thinking; maybe now she will share her concerns, whatever they are.
Instead, little has changed about her demeanor, but she seems to have missed him. She cuddles him in her sleep, which is rare given he rarely waits for her to initiate it, and her touch is more… tender? He doesn't know how to describe it properly.
The trip to Sunspear is not as swift as the one from Maidenpool to Tarth was, so they can't engage in more intimate activities without feeling nauseous—neither of them were used to sea travel like the two tall metalbenders. Still, they hold and kiss each together through the nights. It's great, but something is amiss with Ygritte, and he can't figure out what, or why. "Are you okay?", he asks more than once.
"I am," she replies each time. "Why do you think otherwise?"
Every time he tries to explain his uneasiness about her, she waves it off. Either he's really overthinking this whole thing, or she's determined to hide this problem from him. Whatever it is, he eventually accepts he won't be able to find out anytime soon.
As expected, they are greeted by guards demanding to know who they are. Unlike in the Eyrie, Jon lets Jaime do the introductions, just as Brienne did in Tarth.
"I'm Jaime Lannister, member of the Night's Watch," he states. "I'd like to speak to Prince Doran about recruitment."
One of the guards looks at the three people behind him. "And who are those?"
Lady Brienne takes a step ahead. "I'm Brienne of Tarth," she proclaims. "I come in my father's name for business discussions. The woman beside me is Ygritte, my handmaiden."
Ygritte nods silently at the guard, and so does Jon. Jaime adds that he is a recruit he found on his way to Sunspear, and that he and Lady Brienne met when he made a stop by Tarth. The guards are not so trusting, however. "Tales of the Kingslayer Avatar reached Sunspear," another says. "What do you have to say for yourself?"
Jaime shrugs. It's as if they've been telling the same story for months, although everything has been made up on their way here. "I've been in ships for most of my time," he replies. "I've only heard about these rumours for the first time in Tarth, and I have no idea where they come from."
Let it never be said that Jaime Lannister is a bad liar. The guards don't look entirely convinced, but they seem to give him the benefit of doubt, as one of them goes to summon the Martells. Soon enough, one of them comes downstairs. "It's not Prince Doran," Jaime whispers to him. "It's his brother Oberyn."
Prince Oberyn goes to them with a woman on his arm. Both have tanned skins, more so than the former Kingsguard member, and the woman even more than the man. They are both good-looking, both carrying an exquisite beauty that is rare to find in the other places of Westeros he's been to. They are dressed and propped up like they want to draw attention to themselves, which increases their appeal. From the corner of his eye, he sees Ygritte looking at them up and down with a face that indicates she'd agree with him if he asked.
"I was told the Kingslayer was expecting me downstairs," Prince Oberyn says nonchalantly. "It seems I was told right. Even with this beard, you are easy to recognize, Ser."
"The ship's occupants and crew might beg to differ, Prince Oberyn," Jaime replies amusedly. "May I ask who is the lady beside you?"
"I'm not sure I qualify as a lady," the woman replies. "I'm Ellaria Sand, his… sweetheart."
Jaime nods and offers his hand for her to shake. "Pleased to meet you regardless," he says with ease. Jon hopes to one day develop his friend's social skills. "Where are you from? Dorne, of course, but which castle?"
"Hellholt," she replies. "My father is Lord Harmen Uller. I don't think you've heard of him if you've never been here." She turns her gaze to Lady Brienne.
Prince Oberyn follows his lover's gaze and grins at his sworn sword. "We were also informed of a lady representing House Tarth," he says swiftly. "Business discussions, I believe. And Ser Jaime intends to talk about recruitment for the Night's Watch, right?" Both of them nod. "Then come with us upstairs. We'll guide you to your chambers, and you can rest a bit before supper. We'll talk about all you want to with my family."
The prince's dancing eyes imply, at least to Jon, that he isn't buying their story—not entirely, at least. As long as he isn't on King Robert's side, he thinks, it will be alright.
Each of them is afforded a private chamber, much to his satisfaction. Sharing with Jaime often means pushing him to share with Brienne, for he is too weak to spend more than a couple nights away from Ygritte. However, his mentor deserves better than to be tortured by having his lady love so close and so far at the same time.
Soon they are called for supper and taken to a large balcony away from the main tower. Prince Oberyn sits with his lover, while an older man—presumably Prince Doran—sits beside him in a wheelchair. A couple of what must be siblings sit side by side, while three other girls sit at the other side of the table.
Prince Oberyn stands up and greets them again, then introduces them to the family: the man in the wheelchair is indeed Prince Doran; the boy and girl sitting side by side are his oldest kids, Arianne (his heir) and Quentyn; the three girls are Oberyn's elder daughters, Obara, Nymeria and Tyene Sand.
"Sadly, not all members of our family are here," Prince Oberyn says. "Doran's other son Trystane fell ill, so my youngest girls are there with him while we dine together. Now, we'd like for you to introduce yourself for real this time. No made-up stories to prevent word from spreading. This is a safe haven for you all."
Having already sat down, Jon, Jaime, Brienne and Ygritte all look at one another. Jaime sighs and nods at Jon. "My name is Jon Frost," he says, standing up, "and I'm the real Avatar." As always, he proves his statement by bending two elements; remembering his uncle's tale of his mother's death, he decides to airbend instead of his traditional snowbending show after firebending in front of them. "I come here to learn to sandbend."
Everyone gapes at him, except for Prince Doran, who merely hums. "And what of your other companions?", he asks.
"Ser Jaime is indeed of the Night's Watch, as you must know," he replies easily. "While his primary mission is to accompany me in my training, he'd be glad if you have some recruits for him to go back to the Wall with, even if it is to take temporary vows—we can explain those later." He gestures to Brienne. "This is indeed Lady Brienne of Tarth, although she is not here for business, but as my sworn sword. And this," he points to Ygritte, "is my—"
"Sweetheart," she finishes for him, grinning.
Ellaria Sand grins back. "I like you already, my dear."
Princess Arianne turns to Lady Brienne. "You are the Avatar's sworn sword? You must be really talented with a weapon then. Are you a bender?"
"Yes," Brienne replies politely. "Metal. All my weapons are adapted to bend to my powers if I so desire."
"Weapons?", Nymeria Sand asks, awed. "Do tell us more!"
"Not now, though, girls," Prince Doran cuts them off. "We have more urgent matters to discuss. Is there any particular reason why you lied to our guards?"
"As one of them pointed out," Jaime replies, "word of the Avatar has spread to the realm, although I'm often the one pointed out to be it. One of them even called me the 'Kingslayer Avatar'. According to Lady Brienne, people have already written songs linking all of my deeds, good and bad, to my supposed secret identity. But some of them already made correct guesses, thanks to some… problems we faced while Jon learned airbending in the Eyrie."
His friend looks pointedly at him, and Jon remembers what is the other thing he must say. Back in the ship, Jaime told him the Martells were likely to be safest people to disclose his parentage to, as he doubted they'd have anything to gain with outing him. "I am not Ned Stark's son," he reveals. "My blood parents are Lyanna Stark and Rhaegar Targaryen."
Prince Oberyn turns to his brother. "Hey, brother," he calls, "do you remember the bet we made back then?"
Prince Doran huffs. "I'll pay you tomorrow morning." He turns back to Jon. "Ignore him. We made a bet, shortly after the rebellion ended, that Prince Rhaegar and Lady Lyanna had sex—"
"I believe the term used was 'fucked'."
"—Of course, we never thought we'd find out the truth."
Jon just stares at them for a while. Out of all reactions, a bet being solved is not one he expected. "But what does it have to do with those 'correct guesses' Ser Jaime spoke of?" Quentyn asks.
Jon sighs. "Lysa Arryn and Petyr Baelish guessed my parentage while I was in the Eyrie, and Baelish told King Robert about it. We don't know the full repercussions of it yet, especially regarding my family in King's Landing, but there is a price on my head and, as a consequence on all of our heads."
Quentyn's eyes go wide, and he looks at his father. "Have you heard about it, Father?"
Prince Doran shakes his head. "I doubt the King would think he'd need to warn Dorne about him if word of his identity came from the Vale. What troubles me is… why is King Robert chasing the Avatar?"
"Because he is Rhaegar's son," Jaime replies, "and Robert wants to rid the world of all Targaryens, legitimate or not. It doesn't matter that he is the Avatar reborn. The legends always speak of a cycle, anyway, so he probably assumes killing Jon will merely lead to another Avatar being born shortly after, among airbenders this time."
"We waited centuries for the next Avatar to come," Obara Sand retorts. "The king is being an idiot."
"On that we agree wholeheartedly," Ygritte comments.
Prince Doran hums again. "What have you learned so far?"
Jon frowns in concentration. "I've mastered fire and metalbending, as well as all waterbending forms save from blood. I was forced to leave the Eyrie shortly before my master trial, but I believe I'd have passed it. I learned a bit of earthbending there as well, but nothing much useful."
"So you still have to master earth, plant, sand, blood and lightning."
Jon nods. "And lava," he adds.
Prince Doran's face falls, and Prince Oberyn looks at them with a sad face. "Have you not heard? Our last lavabender died." He turns to Jaime. "Have you not heard anything of your family?"
Jaime tenses up. "I know Joffrey died in an Ironborn raid," he replies quietly. "What else is there to know?"
Prince Oberyn sighs. "Your father had betrothed your brother to Allyria Dayne, and the two of them went to Starfall with your uncle Kevan and his son Lancel. I even met them for a few days. Shortly after I left, though, an accident happened. Edric Dayne, Lord Allar's son and the last lavabender, lost control of his bending, leading to a massive lava invasion inside the castle. Aside from two servants who just happened to be by the front door, only Tyrion and Allyria survived."
Jaime stares at the prince with wide eyes. "So my father, my uncle and my cousin died?" Oberyn nods. "I—Your Highness, if you excuse me—"
Prince Doran gives him leave. Lady Brienne excuses herself to follow him, and the two leave the balcony. After an uncomfortable silence, Jon speaks up. "Ser Jaime killed the Mountain after he captured us in Harrenhal. Long story short, as he metalbent the man's armour to pierce it through him, he shouted Princess Elia's name, as well as her children's. I suppose this is something you'd like to know."
Prince Oberyn smiles softly. "You bring us good news, Lord Avatar. I wish we had brought the same to him."
They finish their meal without another word, and Jon and Ygritte go to find Jaime. They find him asleep in Brienne's room, curled at her side while she holds him, also asleep.
He begins his training the following morning, with Ellaria Sand. "My sweetheart will be great to teach you combat," she tells him after guiding him to a yard, "but first, you must learn to perceive the sand surrounding you and seize control of it."
She sits down and gestures for him to do the same. "It is good that you did not learn earthbending first," she comments. "Sandbending feels more like water and firebending, from what I've been told. It will flow easier for you."
She teaches him meditation techniques, but, roughly an hour later, they are interrupted by a girl's arrival. "That's my daughter Loreza," Ellaria informs him. "She's just begun to learn sandbending."
"Do all of your children sandbend?" He asks.
She grins. "First of all, the three women you saw yesterday are Oberyn's only, not mine. There are eight bastard daughters of his, and only the four youngest are mine. The other four have a different mother each. But all of the 'Sand Snakes', as Ob kindly nicknamed them, sandbend. Well, all except Sarella, but she doesn't seem to mind being a non bender. Doran's children all sandbend too, even though their mother does not bend."
"Where is her? Did she die?"
"No, no. She merely left. Went back to her home after being unable to handle life in Dorne." The revelation startles him. Separation is uncommon in Westeros, though not unheard of. Ellaria seems to notice his reaction even as she tends to her daughter, for she adds, "She's from Norvos, one of the Free Cities in Essos. She and her children exchange letters, but they haven't seen one another in years. As far as I know, Mellario is bitter about having to leave her children behind."
After Loreza is settled in her meditation, Ellaria's focus goes back to him, and they pick up from where they left off.
As it turns out, Ellaria was right about sandbending coming easy for him. He faces none of the struggles he went through when Jaime taught him metalbending or when Royce instructed him on airbending, and its techniques are completely unlike what he saw of Mya's earthbending.
The thought of the bastard girl fills his heart with worry. He doesn't remember her well in the fight that nearly killed them all, but Ygritte said she held her hand in an attempt to save her from falling from the Moon Door. Jaime vaguely remembers seeing her near them, and Jon fears for her fate. A small part of him wonders if, in his hasty departure, he accidentally pushed her down the door, but Jaime insists he would have seen her falling if that had been the case. Regardless, her obvious choice to side with them might have brought her trouble, depending on what happened after their escape.
She was supposed to go to Griffin's Roost to meet her potential suitor, he remembers. Did that plan crumble when she sided with me instead of Lady Lysa? He tries not to think what Aunt Cat's sister may have done to her. Hopefully Lord Yohn vouched for me, he thinks, hopeful. Ygritte and Jaime also saw the man fighting for him, against his liege lady's orders, but Jon doesn't understand politics enough to know if that would be enough. For all he knows Lord Yohn and Mya are in danger for defending him.
He sighs. He's too far from the Vale to be able to do anything about it, and he is not going near it anytime soon, not with his mission to master all elements still pending. I must master sandbending and leave for Essos as soon as possible, he reminds himself, trying to swallow all his worries and fears on the matter.
(It's nearly impossible, though. Even with Ygritte and Lady Brienne following him, he still feels wary to part from Jaime, who's been with him since the beginning of his journey and has grown to become one of his closest friends. Not only that, he has no idea what awaits for him across the Narrow Sea. His predicament here is not good—with King Robert putting a price on his head and all that—but at least he knows what kind of danger he's in and what to do about it. Who will he trust in Essos? Where will he go? What will he really learn there?)
Nymeria Sand's voice draws him out of his reverie. "Has the Lord Avatar learned how to stuff a body with sand until they become a doll?"
Jon nearly chokes on air, but Prince Oberyn only laughs. "Well, Nym, he needs a body for that. Be a dear and bring us one!"
Father and daughter laugh at what seems to be an inside jape between them, and Jon tries not to gape at the two. Then, suddenly, Nymeria moves her arms and creates a small sandstorm, surrounding them. "C'mon, Avatar," she calls smoothly. "Show me what you're capable of."
Nymeria quickly reveals herself to be an excellent bender, forcing Jon to resort to other elements to counter her attacks. Then, her father joins her in the attack, and Jon has to switch elements faster than he ever tried to… until Nymeria stops abruptly, followed by the prince. "I was expecting more," she says, although she sounds more contemplative than disappointed. "Perhaps we weren't aggressive enough…"
Jon frowns. "What are you talking about?"
"Sarella has studied the Avatar's stories for a while," she replies. "Way before word of you reached us. We have access to tales most of Westeros doesn't, thanks to our connections in Essos—not that I think Uncle Doran's wife would appreciate if a bastard had roamed through the books she brought with her or sent here to her children." She shrugs. "No matter; what she can't see won't hurt her. Anyway, there are mentions of a level of power that enables the Avatar to bend more than one element at the same time. So far, you've only switched elements…"
His frown deepens. "What is this level of power you speak of?"
She shakes her head. "There is no name to it. Not any that Sarella has seen, at least. Only that it's a high level of power."
Memories of what Ygritte and Jaime told him about their escape from the Eyrie come to mind. "It happened once," he says, slowly. "Lysa Arryn ordered her soldiers to arrest me, Ser Jaime and Ygritte, and we fought them. Ygritte fell through the Moon Door—have you ever heard of it?"
Nymeria shakes her head, but Oberyn nods. "Throwing non-airbenders off the Moon Door has been an execution method used by House Arryn for ages. The Eyrie was built on the top of the Vale's highest mountain, so it's an unsurvivable fall."
His daughter's eyes go wide. "But Ygritte is still alive," she remarks. "What happened?"
He sighs. "I don't remember. My last memories are of our ally screaming after her fall and of Ser Jaime stumbling on its edge. I remember fearing for our lives, but my next memory is of waking up in the middle of the riverlands. They told me later that I began to glow out of nowhere, created a huge airball and rescued them both as I flew out of the Vale. Then, without dropping the ball, I icebent a slide to ease our landing." He glances at the sky then back at them. "I had never done it before, and did not repeat the feat ever since. I have no idea how it happened."
Prince Oberyn hums. "Perhaps," he replies, "it was brought on some dormant instinct, awakened by the danger you were in. As you have yet to master all elements, maybe you cannot evoke it willingly until you do."
"Maybe," he agrees. "I haven't thought much of it." He's barely spared a thought to the incident since Harrenhal, actually.
Princess Arianne shows up, summoning her uncle, and Nymeria takes charge of his training. She's ruthless and aggressive, but he ends up liking it; it reminds him of how Jaime trained him, which he found very effective at the time.
At the end of the day, when both are panting, she says, "I'll suggest to my father that we take you to the mountains tomorrow. You pick up fast, so you should be taught how to use sandbending for transport. You are going to Essos afterwards, right?" He nods. "As far as I know, Essos is full of deserts. It's a useful ability to learn."
As the trip to the mountains lasts a full day, Prince Doran recommends another one to get ready for the journey. "Relax," he says. "All four of you seem to have gone through a lot."
They are taken to the Water Gardens, which is a two-hour trip away. Prince Doran's heir stays behind, but his son Quentyn follows, along with the three eldest Sand Snakes. After they are settled, Oberyn offers a bath in the pools. "As we have Northerner guests here," he says, "let's separate men and women."
Jon has quickly learned that, just as the Free Folk call everyone who lives south of the Wall 'southerner', Dorne calls everyone who lives north of them 'northerner', regardless of the exact place they live in. Jon raises his eyebrows at the implications that pool baths are not usually separated by sex, but says nothing as he goes to his room to change himself.
Prince Oberyn comes to fetch him dressed in the same clothes he arrived wearing, even though Ser Jaime and Prince Quentyn changed as well. When they arrive at their designed pool, Jon lowers into the water slowly, appreciating its coldness. He missed the northern cold, and even though this water is still hot by the Night's Watch's standards, it's still a reminder of home.
Ser Jaime seems to be thinking the same. "If this was the Wall," he comments, "this would be a hot spring."
Jon laughs, but his mirth is interrupted when he notices Prince Oberyn stripping himself bare. "Your Highness," he calls slowly, "beg your pardon, but are you not going to keep even your breeches? This water is cold in comparison to the sun's heat."
The prince merely laughs as he gets in the pool, naked as a newborn. "Breeches are an illusion," he proclaims, "and so is death."
Jon blinks in confusion, but, before he can ask what in seven hells he meant, his nephew intervenes. "Ignore him," Prince Quentyn warns. "He has his own line of philosophy, one none of us mere mortals can understand."
"It's a product of my travels all around the world, dear nephew," his uncle replies proudly. "You should try it out sometime. Enjoy your status as my brother's spare for once."
Prince Quentyn rolls his eyes. "I enjoy it by helping my sister," he says simply, but doesn't add to the subject; Jon has a feeling the two of them have discussed this more than once. His uncle doesn't reply either.
A companionable silence falls among them for a time, until Prince Oberyn turns his attention to Ser Jaime. "So, Lady Brienne of Tarth," he says, and Jon smirks at the guess of where this talk will head to. "Is she your sweetheart, Kingslayer?"
Jaime chokes on air. "W-what?"
"Oh, please, we've all seen the way you look at her. You are not subtle at all. The only one who might be oblivious to it is the lady herself, which implies to me you two have not fucked yet. Why that is?"
Jaime's reply is half-choked. "She is—she's a highborn lady. And I'm a—black brother."
"Your celibacy vows didn't stop you from planting three children right into your sister's womb," the prince swiftly replies, as if he was expecting the exact answer he got.
His friend buries his face on his hands, and only raises it after a short while. "That's different," he claims. "Cersei had multiple schemes to enable us to be together without being discovered and tainting her reputation. Robert never found out she wasn't a maiden when they wedded, gods only know how. Lady Brienne is not a schemer; losing her maidenhead would tarnish her reputation beyond repair, which would be an ever greater blow considering her efforts to be taken seriously as a warrior and a metalbender." His cheeks turn pink. "I may want her company, but I won't try to win her heart. It won't do either of us any good."
Jon smiles sadly at the knight. He wishes there was a way around for him, that he could have a chance to woo his lady love for once, but life is not always kind. Ygritte and I never had to worry about such things, he thinks. I never swore myself to the Night's Watch, and the Free Folk couldn't care less about when a woman loses her maidenhead, even if we never went all the way.
He wonders if they could do it here. His main reason for not going inside her has always been fear of pregnancy. The Free Folk don't use moon tea, and neither did Aunt Cat—for she always wanted to get pregnant from Uncle Ned. He didn't dare look for it while in the Eyrie and lacked the courage to do it in Tarth. Perhaps here he can look for it and secure some for Ygritte. At least once, just to know how it feels like.
Distracted by his own thoughts, he nearly misses Prince Oberyn's proposal. "I can have Ellaria invite her for a lady talk in her chambers. We could wait for them inside, and no one would judge either of you for engaging with us."
Jaime's face goes pale, and he promptly excuses himself out of the pool, claiming to need air—nevermind that they are already out in the open. Jon and the two Martells laugh loudly.
(Later, he asks Prince Quentyn about moon tea. He points at Ellaria and tells him to ask himself whether the drink was ever ordered in Sunspear or not. She's just like Aunt Cat, he realizes with a groan.)
The trip to the mountains proves to be most productive, although equally dangerous. Lady Brienne nearly gets a heart attack when he airbends himself and Princess Arianne—his tutor for today—to the top of a mountain in order to slide himself down. He succeeds at doing so without tripping at second try, which calms her down a bit.
While he trains, Ygritte, Ser Jaime and Lady Brienne spar on the ground. Ygritte holds her spear just fine against his sworn sword's morningstar, and the two metalbenders fight as if they were dancing—a beautiful sight that makes him and Princess Arianne take a pause. "If the Kingslayer doesn't do her," she whispers to him, "I will."
He tries not to guffaw, and lets out a quiet laugh instead. "Good luck with that," he whispers in return. Ygritte turns to them at that very moment and tilts her head at them. His heart stops; how did she see his exchange?
Princess Arianne, however, seems unfazed. "How many times have you lost to them?", she asks.
The question brings a grin to Ygritte's face. "A few," she replies. "I've won another few too."
"Good," the Martell woman replies. She hums all of a sudden, then turns to him. "I think we can add some difficulty to your training," she says. "Why don't you try to sandbend your way down while holding Ygritte on your shoulders?"
His sweetheart smirks at that, so he sees no other option than to agree.
Ygritte regrets her decision moments later, after falling from his shoulders and being left behind as he keeps sliding down.
They are nearer Planky Town—which, according to Ser Jaime, is more a village than a proper town—than Sunspear, so, when the heir princess says she has enough coin for them to stay the night in an inn there, they all promptly agree.
Arianne and Brienne get a room for them, while Ser Jaime gets one all for himself and he and Ygritte share a third. He spends most of the time healing her—a task that reminds him he hasn't tended to his knight friend's hand since they left Tarth. "I'm sorry," he tells her quietly.
"It's okay," she replies. "The princess did say it was to add difficulty to your training. It was implied that you could fail."
"Still, I should have at least returned to you."
"It wouldn't stop me from getting injured, Jon."
He sighs as he lets his hands drop to the sides. She grabs one and caresses it. "Come to bed," she asks. "We're both exhausted, and I'd like to cuddle you before sleeping."
He smiles softly at her and follows her request. As she did in the ship, she initiates the cuddling, although slower, since her injuries, however mild, still pain her when she moves. "I'll heal you better tomorrow morning," he promises.
She hums lazily. They fall asleep not long after.
A fortnight goes by. Jon perfects his form while Jaime trails after Brienne and Ygritte befriends the Sand Snakes, who loved to find out she fights with spears.
Princes Doran and Oberyn give him tips about Essos. The former claims his wife may host him in Norvos, as she lives there surrounded by servants and no family that they know of, while the latter lists all benders he met while traveling around the Free Cities. "Avoid the Disputed Lands," he warns. "It will be a waste of time and energy for you, and there is nothing in Lys, Tyrosh and Myr that you can't find anywhere else. Personally, I think your ideal choice is Braavos. People from all over Essos go there for one reason or another, so it's easy to find all kinds of benders. Norvos is a good city to find earthbenders, though, which is the most important element you have yet to master."
Ygritte's mood falls every time someone mentions Essos within her earshot. Perhaps she is as hesitant to go as I am, he guesses, but says nothing. He does not yet know when he will be considered a master sandbender, so he does not yet know when he will be able to confidently leave Sunspear.
One day, however, Prince Quentyn approaches their lunch table—everyone is there, including Prince Trystane and Oberyn's younger daughters—with a parchment roll in his hand and a concerned look on his face. "King Robert Baratheon is dead," he announces solemnly. "According to this letter, he was poisoned by his Hand, Eddard Stark, with his daughter Sansa's help."
"Impossible!" Jon exclaims, hammering his hands on the table before standing up. "Uncle Ned would never commit such a treason!" He looks at Jaime and Brienne. "Do you know who could have done this and framed my family?"
His knight friend bites his lip and doesn't immediately answer. "Too many possibilities," he replies eventually, after Ellaria takes the Sand Snakes and Trystane away. "He married a Tyrell, didn't he?"
"Margaery," Lady Brienne supplies. "If I remember correctly, it was his brother Renly who sent her to the king."
"House Tyrell is a strong candidate, then. Whether the family as a whole or a single member of it. Baelish could be behind it, considering he was clearly working to pit Robert and Eddard against each other with the story that your uncle hid you from his best friend—and I am sure he told this, either in court or in private. There is Lord Varys, too; I don't know where his loyalties lie, so…"
"We do," Prince Oberyn suddenly says. "And he might have been the one to kill the king indeed."
Jon's anger concerning his family's situation is momentarily set aside. "What do you mean?"
The two brothers exchange glances, and Doran speaks up. "Lord Varys is working to get House Targaryen back to the Iron Throne, in an understanding that an earthbender as king can only bring chaos in the long run, whereas a firebender—the family who united the kingdoms and forged the throne—is more suitable for a stable and peaceful future. And House Martells aids the cause for a more… selfish purpose." A pause. "Our contender is Aegon Targaryen, Elia's son whose supposed death Ser Jaime avenged. We are most grateful, Ser, but we have known for years that Aegon was one the one whose corpse your father presented in court."
Jaime's eyes go wide. "What do you mean?"
Prince Doran sighs, and Jon sits, sensing this is a long story that will, somehow, connect to his current predicament. "According to Varys, Aegon was swapped for a random blonde baby shortly before the sack. Not that anyone could have predicted that tragedy, but Elia feared for her children's life all the same. Sadly, they could not find a girl who could pass up for Rhaenys, but our king survived. He has been raised by our allies to become the best king Westeros may have in decades, and his time to take what is his is coming."
Jaime looks tense, but Jon is too confused to read more into his reaction. "So you think he might have killed King Robert as a catalyst to Aegon's comeback?"
"Perhaps," he replies, "though he had not told me any of this. Ser Jaime may have guessed it right, and it's House Tyrell. I do not know. Has the letter said anything else, son?"
Prince Quentyn clears his throat. "Eddard Stark is in the black cells, awaiting trial, and his daughter was sent to the Silent Sisters in Duskendale. His daughter Arwyn is Queen now, with Renly Baratheon as a regent. He continues his brother's chase for the Avatar and advertises a huge sum of gold for whoever brings him to court, dead or alive."
Jon takes a sharp breath. Prince Oberyn looks at him with a sad expression. "I'm afraid you cannot stay for long, Lord Avatar. Westeros has become far too dangerous for you to remain here."
It's too much information at once. "I cannot leave yet," he replies. "I've yet to master sandbending."
"You know enough," the prince insists, "and there are sandbenders in Essos if you wish to complete your training. You must go."
"But—what of my family? Uncle and Sansa are in danger—"
Ygritte turns her whole body to him. "You've known that for months," she reminds him sternly, "and yet you haven't even thought of going to where they are. And now, when there is little to do and a high price on your head, you want to go to them?"
"They are my family!" He all but shouts. How can Ygritte be so cold? "I must protect them—"
"You are the Avatar," she replies. "Your duty is to the world. I wish you could run to save your uncle and cousin, but they want you dead, Jon! As much as I hold Ned and Sansa dear, they are not worth losing a half-trained Avatar and waiting for a new one to be born and grow up! Or did you forget you saw and fought a wight yourself?" She stands up. "You know it all already. I'm not saying anything new. Your concern for them is not just that alone and you know it."
"No, I do not," he spats. "Care to tell me?"
"You don't want to go to Essos," she proclaims.
That snaps something in him. How dare she say that as an accusation, when she's going through the same? "Easy for you to talk! You've given many hints that you don't want it either!" At that, he stands up as well, uncaring of who is watching.
"My situation is very different," she replies. "I have no duties in Essos."
He takes a step back, wounded. "What about me? Are you not to go with me? We're supposed to go together!"
"You never asked," she retorts. "You assumed I'd want to follow you around everywhere, with nothing else to do but warm your bed while you learn the elements."
"Is that how you see our time together? Warming up your bed?"
"Considering you never bothered to ask me what I want from life, especially after this whole trip began, yes!" He can see her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. "I followed you gladly out of my village and stayed with you without question, but it was not for you to decide my life for me! I'm of the Free Folk, not… your camp follower to do as you please!"
She's leaving me, he realizes. She doesn't want to go, and she won't do anything she doesn't want to. "Please don't stay behind", he begs, dropping all of his anger. "I cannot go without you!"
She shakes her head. "How can you save the world if you can't handle being by yourself? How can you defeat the Others if you are afraid of loneliness, if you are afraid of the unknown?"
As she turns to leave, he raises his hand to touch her shoulder. When he fails—she's already too far from him—he shouts, "I love you!"
It's the first time he actually tells her what he truly feels. He always assumed she knew, for actions should speak louder than words, but her freezing and her hurt expression when she turns to him reveals it's not the case. "I don't believe you," she says quietly, "not like this." Then she disappears in the corridor.
Aware that he won't be welcomed by Ygritte in her chambers, he goes to Brienne's, his sworn shield, to discuss their next moves. He's still heartbroken by Ygritte's dismissal, but he has no time to waste.
He finds Jaime is already there, talking to her. On another day, he'd tease his friend about being in his lady love's room alone with her, but today his mind is too full for that. "Lady Brienne," he calls, "I know you've sworn yourself to me, but I must ask you to follow your vows in a different way."
Jaime raises an eyebrow at him and glances at her. He says nothing, however, and Jon continues. "I ask you to rescue my cousin Sansa in Duskendale. I'd ask you to rescue my uncle as well, but King's Landing is too dangerous for one warrior alone to get inside the Red Keep and sneak out of the city."
"I agree," Jaime says, "and I was sure you'd ask that." His voice softens. "Lady Brienne may not be able to get Lord Stark out of King's Landing alone, but with my help, she might."
He blinks. "You can't do this," he argues. "That would qualify as taking a side in a conflict, which your vows forbid you."
Jaime shakes his head. "As I've said countless times, I'm sworn to you by default. The Night's Watch cannot punish me for doing what you asked your sworn sword to do. Protecting your family comes with the package of serving you. Don't worry about planning, we got that covered."
He fights off tears. "Thank you," he says. "If you two are sure about this—"
"We are," Lady Brienne reassures him softly. With that voice and her expression, not unlike Aunt Cat's in her softest moments, Jon can easily see why Jaime fell for her.
Speaking of love… "Jaime," he says, turning to his friend. "I need your help with something—but in private."
He frowns, but nods, bids farewell to Brienne and leads him to his room. "What is it?"
He takes a deep breath. "It's about sex," he blurts out. "I—I'm going to give Ygritte all of me before leaving and—"
"No, you won't", Jaime cuts him off sharply. "You won't use sex to keep her by your side."
"That's not what I—"
"Not that you told me, no, but what you intend to do, yes. I can see it in your eyes, Jon." He sits on his bed. "I'm not going to give you advice on how to please a woman, because sex won't solve your problem with Ygritte."
He gulps. "I could show her how much I love her," he argues, "since she didn't believe my words."
Jaime sighs. "She won't believe anything you say, Jon. And what of your resolve not to bed her until the Others are dealt with, so neither of you will run the risk of bringing the Avatar's child to the world with a threat looming over us all?" He shakes his head. "She is right, by the way; it is time you grow up on your own." He stands up, looking restless as he starts to pace. "After we fought that wight, you looked afraid of the prospect of leaving the Wall. I remember wondering how you were supposed to save the world when you feared leaving home. You grew past that, and you've faced many problems that helped you mature. This is another step you must take, Jon, and if it means leaving Ygritte behind… I'm sorry, but you must go anyway. Some battles must be fought alone, and it's time you learn that.
"Ygritte is not your emotional crutch. She has a life of her own and her own desires. You made a grave mistake by not talking to her about it and assuming she'd just follow you endlessly. Sex won't fix that. In fact, it will only make things worse."
Jaime's words about Ygritte remind him of Aemon's words about the knight when he began teaching metalbending to him. No one likes to be used, Jon, and that's the impression you left. By not sharing his decisions with her, he made her feel like he's using her to warm his bed instead of being with her because he loves her. That's why she didn't believe his words; he only said them out of desperation. She deserved better, he realizes.
"How can I fix it?", he asks Jaime.
His friend sighs. "Be gentle with her when you say your goodbyes," he advises. "I doubt she will refuse to bid you farewell. But… only time can heal her wounds. It was clear she was carrying them for a while."
He squeezes his eyes shut, remembering all the times he thought something was off with her, but never pressed too much on the matter—granted, she seemed unwilling to tell him, but perhaps he should have tried harder. "But what if our time apart makes her forget about me… like you did with your sister?"
Jaime raises his chin. "I did not forget Cersei," he replies. Then his voice softens and he lowers his head to look him in the eye. "But I get what you mean; I did fall out of love with her, even before I found myself in love with Brienne. If the same happens to Ygritte… you'll have to accept it, Jon, and let her go. The same may happen to you, by the way. Regardless… loving someone means letting them go when it's required. I didn't let go of Cersei when I should, and it nearly cost our lives. There is a reason I have not tried to even court Brienne. I know myself, and if I do anything romantic towards her, and she reciprocates, I'll make the same mistake."
There is pain in his voice, which is odd because Jaime always tries to tone his feelings for Brienne down—
Oh, he realizes. Jaime is letting his pain show to teach him a lesson. He lived this pain once with Cersei, and now relives it with Brienne. If he can survive it, so can I. So must I.
Seemingly oblivious to his epiphany, Jaime finally stops pacing. "I know your burden is cruel," he says. "No one should be the sole responsible for saving the world. But I think you have the strength in you to do what must be done." He grabs his shoulders. "Kill the boy, Jon. Winter is almost upon us. Kill the boy and let the man be born."
As Jaime predicted, Ygritte lets him hug her goodbye. She has no words for him, though, and does not join Jaime, Brienne and the Martells when he leaves.
Prince Doran gives him one last advice. "If you can, look for Aegon. He is your half-brother; he'll gladly give you shelter and help you with your quest. Start looking for him in Braavos; even if you don't find him, surely you'll find information about him. If you fail, go to Mellario."
Jon thanks him and his family for all of his help, then, after hugging Brienne and Jaime goodbye, goes to the ship awaiting him.
For the first in his life, Jon is alone in the world.
END OF BOOK ONE: WESTEROS