Chapter 33:

JON

Jon and his family were treated as special guests after he and Renly made the truce. That didn't mean to say that everyone was pleased with this. Prince Oberyn had confronted him about it in his room, along with wondering how in the Seven Hells "that bastard Rhaegar" decided to name him after his dead brother.

"You bent the knee to him," said Oberyn.

"I did not bend the knee, as you say," saud Jon. "I just promised to not harm him and his House. If I recall, he did the same."

"Because the Tyrells expected him to do so," said Oberyn. "I'm very certain, had they not been in the same room as him, he would seen to our demise."

"I don't see how that could happen, considering we had the greater numbers," said Jon.

"It doesn't matter if we had the greater numbers or not, you sided alongside the brother of the man who allowed my sister's death," Oberyn said. "We should have fought them until every last man of theirs was buried six feet under. Yet you chose to make peace with them, just as your father and my brother would have wanted. Now we'll have to see when Renly and his lover plot our demises."

"He wouldn't do such a thing," said Jon. "He'd be breaking his oaths in front of his men."

"Not if he convinced them to slit our throats in our sleep," Oberyn countered. "I've had enough talk of politics, I'm headed out."

"Where exactly might you be going?" Jon said.

"To see my lover and enjoy myself one last time on the eve of our departure for beyond the Wall," Oberyn said, closing the door immediately. "By your leave, your Grace."

Jon sighed as he sat down in a chair next to him. He was thinking of the events that had transpired that day, when a knock on the door drew him from his thoughts.

"Did you forget something, Oberyn?" Jon said, as he went over and opened it.

Only it wasn't Oberyn, it was the new Queen-to-be of the Seven Kingdoms, had Jon not fought with the late King Robert.

"My lady," Jon said.

"Please call me Margaery," the lady smiled. "Will you allow me to come in, my lord?"

"By all means," Jon said, as he stepped aside for her. "What can I do for you, my lady?"

"I was just curious," said Margaery. "I wanted to know everything I could about the last son of House Targaryen."

Jon frowned at that, but Margaery smiled as she continued.

"Don't act too disappointed. Believe me, it was all a shock for everyone in the Red Keep, including me, finding out who you were, given the horrifying predicament you were in. Thank the Seven I didn't marry that brute King Robert."

Jon looked at her in surprise, but she continued.

"I am afraid I have heard all the horrifying truth between the late King and Queen's marriage. I can't help but wonder how long my happiness would've lasted with him."

"I doubt King Robert could make anyone happy," Jon said slowly. He was starting to get the impression Margaery did not come here to talk. "Perhaps that was why my mother ran away with Rhaegar."

"You don't consider him your father?" Margaery asked, feigning innocence.

"To me, Ned Stark is and will always be my father," Jon said. "He raised me, taught me everything that I knew. I may have come from Rhaegar's seed, but Ned Stark loved me like his own son."

"I see," Margaery said. "I'm very sorry for what King Robert did to your brother."

"You don't have to apologize, my lady."

"Oh, but I must," Margaery said. "After all, I know what it's like to lose a brother, let alone two."

"I'm sorry," Jon said this time.

"I loved both my brothers dearly," said Margaery. "At least I still have Loras."

"Your brother seems very protective of you," said Jon.

"Oh, he's more than protective of me," said Loras. "He's my best friend, and the only thing he wishes to see is my happiness."

"And are you happy?"

"What?"

"Are you happy where you are now?"

"Of course, any lady in my position would be happy."

"Queen Cersei wasn't," said Jon, which caused Margaery's smile to somewhat lessen. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that."

"You don't have to apologize, my lord," said Margaery. "You were just being honest. Honesty is something that is hard to come by these days in the Capital."

"Can you be honest with me?" said Jon.

"Of course," said Margaery, who smiled.

"Did Renly send you to spy on me?" said Jon, causing Margaery's eyes to stare at him.

"Whatever gave you that idea, my lord?" Margaery asked.

"The fact this is the first time we're having a conversation in my room, with no guards to protect you," said Jon.

"There is no need for protection here, my lord," said Margaery. "Besides, you don't strike me as the type of person to hurt a defenseless and innocent maiden."

"Why do I have the feeling that you aren't innocent as you say you are?" Jon asked.

Margaery giggled. "You are very funny, my lord. I didn't realize you had such a great sense of humor."

At this time Jon had enough of tgis deception. He quickly got up from his chair and grabbed a hold of Margaer's shoulders, forcing her up.

"Enough with these games," Jon said. "Did Renly send you to spy on me?"

"My lord, you're hurting me," Margaery said, as her voice sounded like it was on the verge of not trying to panic.

"It's going to hurt even more if you don't tell me he sent you," said Jon.

"No one sent me, my lord," said Margaery. "Please, if you don't let me go, I'll be forced to scream."

"I'll let you go," said Jon. "Once you tell me he sent you."

"Please," Margaery said, as tears were forming in her eyes. "Let me go."

Jon's hold on Margaery lessened as he saw the tears. "I'm sorry, my lady. I never meant to--"

"I know," said Margaery, who spoke softly. "I know you didn't mean to hurt me. I should go."

Jon nodded. He felt so guilty for hurting Margaery like that, in fact he felt no better than King Robert.

As Margaery moved for the door, she stopped when her hand grabbed for the doorknob.

"I don't blame you, my Lord, for thinking what you did," said Margaery. "I really was curious. I promise I won't tell anyone what happened."

Before Jon could say anything, she opened the door and left.