A/N: Standard disclaimer here. I don't own ASOIAF and only write for fun.

Jon

He didn't notice her at first. His back was against an old oak tree as he sat facing the river Mander. He knew that he was safe, there were guards all around that gave him his space, but it was still a bad habit to let anyone sneak upon him. Luckily for him, he had a direwolf and a dragon.

Gael, as he had come to call his young red dragon, hissed softly in his ear as she approached, and Ghost lifted his large white head from the ground, patches of dirt now stuck to his chin, and stared at her. It was a gentle stare, a kind stare that Ghost only held for her. He got up from his makeshift bed and stretched his front legs as he slowly pawed at the grass before walking over and sitting down next to her as she held her hand out to scratch between his ears.

"If I didn't know any better I would think you were trying to steal my direwolf Lady Margaery," Jon smiled at her.

Her response was a dainty chuckle as a soft blush blossomed upon her cheekbones and she smiled. "You still have your dragon," she responded. "He doesn't seem to like anyone."

"Aye," Jon responded and it was true. Gaelithox had taken to him and Ghost but had a strong dislike for anybody else that came too close or moved too fast near him. "But given how much he takes after Ghost, I'm sure he will warm up to you eventually."

That was true as well. Although they had opposite coloring, his dragon had a very similar personality to his wolf. He was quiet like Ghost, barely making a sound other than soft hissing when he was irritated. Ghost had this way of intimidating men when he wanted. He would sit up and puff his chest while his hair rose and his teeth showed. Gael had decided to copy the direwolf, although the first time he saw it, Jon had to stop himself from laughing. His young dragon had stretched his wings to make himself bigger before puffing his chest and letting out smoke from his nostrils. He even once tried to stand on Ghost's head so that they could intimidate together.

His claws were too sharp and Ghost didn't like it very much. As much time as they had spent together, they still were getting used to each other, Ghost had boundaries that the young dragon sometimes struggled to understand.

"You are dressed nicely today," Margaery's sweet voice broke his distraction as he rose to stand next to her. He was dressed in a silk tunic that had leather patches sewed into the shoulders so that the dragon would stop tearing his shirts. The silk and leather had been dyed black with red stitching, and on his chest was the three-headed red dragon of House Targaryen.

It had been strange to put wear that coat of arms for the first time. It had been even stranger when he came back from the river one day and found the banner flying high above all the others. It was hard to forget his upbringing, where he was raised, and suddenly be this Targaryen King that the men had expected him to be. He had to sometimes still remind himself that he wasn't a Stark bastard anymore.

"I suppose," Jon responded finally, holding out his arm for her to take it as they walked. "Although I have you to thank for it. It seems that you will teach me many lessons and I am grateful for that."

"As I am sure you will teach me as well your grace," she responded softly. Your grace, he hated the title but he would have to grow used to it.

"Tell me," he said, "What decided to make my beautiful betrothed walk through mud and dirt to summon me? Surely that is work for a guard or two."

"Lord Stark wishes to call a council meeting and needed someone to reach you," she responded, "besides, I happen to like that mud and dirt sometimes. Back at Highgarden, I would walk through the gardens barefoot. Sometimes there is nothing better than the dirt beneath your feet."

"Aye," Jon laughed. "Try snow! When we were children, Robb and I would dare each other to walk barefoot in the summer snows. Lady Catelyn caught us once. It wasn't pretty. She scolded us for days."

"You talk a lot about your cousin Robb," Margaery commented. "About all of them. I hope that I will have the pleasure of meeting them soon."

"My brother," Jon corrected easily, "and I am sure you will meet him soon. I hope that we will march soon my lady. That we can wrap this war up, have a Wedding, and get to preparing for Winter…"

"For it is coming," she tried imitating his father and they both laughed heartedly.

"Aye," Jon said again as their chuckles died down. "That was a good attempt. If I could give a pointer though, next time try to make your face longer as you talk, it helps to get his voice right."

"I will remember that," she responded easily.

"So tell me," Jon said as they walked back toward the castle suddenly finding themselves surrounded by twenty or so guards that gave them their space and Loras Tyrell and Brianne Tarth, the latter who walked 5 feet behind them while the former walked in front. Gael had taken the shoulder that was opposite to where she stood next to him and Ghost has walked beside her. "Why does Lord Stark look to call a council meeting."

"He has received news from the North, the West, and the Riverlands," she told him. "Although whether it was good or bad, I could not tell with Lord Stark. No matter the news, his face remains as stoic as ever. Luckily though, Lady Stark isn't as subtle. I promise to be honest with you, your grace, her reaction wasn't one of someone that received good news."

"Aye," Jon grimaced. "The Ironborn perhaps? Or maybe something with Robb or Uncle Benjen? I pray that it is nothing too serious. This war has seemed surprisingly easy so far. I know the great Lion of Casterly Rock still has some tricks up his sleeve."

"It would be smart to assume so," she spoke softly, hesitating a bit before she found her courage to say something more. "Although, I am afraid that you must decide on what to do about Theon Greyjoy. The longer you say nothing while he is free to… do as he pleases, the more the men start to question you."

He liked that she felt as she could speak honestly with him, but Theon was a sore subject. He decided to be honest with her as well.

"Theon… is hard," he started. "We grew together. We have traded blood, sweat, and tears. We have broken bread together, laughed, fought, insulted one another to the point where Lord Stark had to get in between us before it got too serious. If Robb is my brother, Theon Greyjoy is too. I don't know how I can punish a man for the sins of his father and not expect anyone else to do the same to me. Sure, it turns out that my father didn't kidnap or rape anybody, but my grandfather was as mad as they come. How can I judge Theon because of his father, yet expect others to not judge me for my grandfather? Blood is blood."

"Then you should persuade him to denounce his father, and put a man that you seem to trust in control of the Iron Islands."

"It doesn't work that way," Jon sighed. He didn't know how she became so easy to talk to, but she did. It was scary how fast it had become to vent to her, to tell her most of his worries and fears, and to have her give thoughtful responses and suggestions. "The Ironborn aren't like you southerners, they aren't like us Norhterner's either. They believe in paying the Iron price. I can name whoever I wanted as the Lord of the Iron Islands and none of them would respect it because whoever I would name hadn't earned it. Balon Greyjoy sailed with the ironborn from the time he was a child to the time he became Lord. They had come to respect him so much that when it came time to rebel they did so without hesitation and none dared try to replace him when he lost. Those aren't the type of people you can tell to listen to someone just because the King said so."

"But what choice do you have," Margaery responded. "They must know that now that Balon has rebelled twice that he would be replaced. That you would replace him with one of their own instead of a random outsider should be considered a gift compared to what you could do."

"Perhaps you are right," Jon sighed. "It is just… he is family, part of the pack. I don't want to put him in a situation that would be too difficult for him to navigate."

"Men must follow duty. He must rule the Iron Islands after his father, just like you must rule the Iron Throne once this war is over. Sometimes we cannot prepare for things that happen. We must let them happen and then adjust."

"Lord Stark would argue against that," Jon laughed. "He has a way of knowing." He was cryptic on purpose. It was simple. His father had known that Lord Renly would die, and neither of them had a way of knowing how the Tyrell's would react to that.

She frowned at him because they but they had reached their destination anyway so she wouldn't get a chance to question him further.

"Tell me, Lord Stark," Jon spoke calmly and clearly as Ghost lay at his feet and Gael lay on the table in front of him as he scratched his scales. Margaery sat to his right, and the rest of the Lords that had become a part of his small council sat below them waiting for his father to speak. "What news did we receive?"

It had taken another twenty to thirty minutes for the rest of his council to gather once he arrived. Although Lord Tarly and Ser Garlan were waiting for them to arrive when they got there. The rest of the council consisted of Lord Mace Tyrell, Lord Paxter Redwyne, Lord Davos Seaworth, and Lord Monford Velaryon. Lords Redwyne and Velaryon controlled his ships, so it made the most sense that they were a part of his makeshift council, while Lord Seaworth was a man trusted by not only Stannis Baratheon's men but also Shireen Baratheon who was now the Lady of the Stormlands. She had quickly picked him to be her regent and Jon held no qualms about the choice. Lord Seaworth was a respectable man. The two Tyrell men and Lord Tarly were obvious choices.

"I would start with the bad news first if it were to please you, your grace," Lord Stark responded, his voice stoic and a frown etched into his features. He had entered the room with Theon and Jory who stood guard at the door leading to the small room that they had taken over from Lord Caswell.

"Please Uncle," it had felt so weird to say but he had reluctantly agreed that in public it would be easier for him to address him this way. "I have been Jon to you since a was but a bade wrapped in furs. That does not need to change now, or ever."

"As you wish King Jon," Lord Stark responded and Jon glared at him. He was ever the proper Lord. This is what Robert must have felt like trying to get him to open up.

"I got news from your cousin, Marna, at Riverrun," Lord Stark continued and immediately Jon frowned. His cousin Marna was supposed to be with his Uncle Benjen holding Lord Tywin Lannister at Harrenhall. It seems as if the Vale has finally chosen a side. I lost contact with Lord Royce about two moons ago and knowing what I know now, I assume the worst has happened. Petyr Baelish has somehow taken control over the Vale and convinced Lysa Arryn that it was best to side with the Lannisters. Other reports say that the two have married and now Baelish has been named Lord Protector of the Vale and Regent for Lord Robin Arryn. Marna said that he approached my Brother Benjen under the banner of peace but as they met he betrayed that trust and captured him. Once they learned what happened to Benjen, they fled as instructed."

It was hard for Jon to keep his composure, to not react rashly in the face of the other Lords. He looked to his right at Margaery, whose eyes pleaded with him to remain calm before he took a couple of deep breathes and spoke. "So the trap remains then?"

Lord Stark stared at him for what felt like forever before he gave a small unnoticeable smile and nodded. "Aye. Your Uncle should remain safe as long as your cousin Robb holds Jamie Lannister. This does mean we must march through and proceed as planned. We will force Tywin to choose between his home and his legacy in the capital. Should Robb threaten Casterly Rock as planned, Tywin will have to choose whether or not to respond to him while we put pressure on him by marching toward the capital."

"Surely Lord Twin will choose Casterly Rock over the capital" Mace Tyrell spoke and Jon struggled not to roll his eyes. He enjoyed Margaerys company, and in the yard, Ser Garlan and Ser Loras matched and sometimes bested his efforts but Lord Tyrell was hard to be around at times.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that father," Ser Garlan responded. "Would you choose High Garden over your family? If Margaery were queen and Loras or Willas or I had been captured would you retreat home and leave us to fight for ourselves?"

"Well no," Lord Tyrell responded dumbly.

"Plus the Rock has never been taken," Ser Garlan spoke again. "A man like Tywin Lannister seems smart enough to consider history. Unless Lord Robb has found some secret way into Casterly Rock… I just do not think that is a convincing distraction."

Jon wasn't so sure either "That would also put Uncle Benjen in more danger. Even if we do have Jamie Lannister as our prisoner, they could punish Uncle Benjen if Robb makes a move. Besides, with the might of the Vale even if Lord Robb, Lord Tully, and Lady Marna manage to set the trap, I'm not sure if it would work on a force that large. Reports say that the Vale at full strength can muster forty-five thousand men. If you add those numbers to the twenty thousand men we know Lord Tywin has at Harrenhall, then they could be in for a serious fight. With the men that Robb bought south, it could be even."

"Robb could always call for reinforcements. A letter from my daughter, Lady Sansa, has arrived and states that Lord Flint's fleet has successfully destroyed the Iron Fleet at Salt Harbour and that Victorian Greyjoy rots in the dungeons at Flint's Finger. His daughter Asha tried to attack further North but that fleet was also destroyed in a trap and she now sits prisoner at Deepwood Motte. With those important hostages, it's hard to imagine that Lord Balon will attack the North again…," Lord Stark hesitated.

"What is it?" Jon asked.

Lord Stark sighed and stared at Jon pointedly before he spoke again. "I have received word that Euron Greyjoy sails toward Westeros. He has become something of a legend these days as he has sailed the oceans of Valaryia and collected unimaginable treasures. They say that he has a horn that would bind a dragon to him, that he wears Valyrian Steel amour into battle, commanding his own Iron Fleet. It might be wise to set up a blockade in the waters of the Reach and take him out before he causes any more trouble for us."

"How many ships do you suggest," Lord Redwyne spoke up. The only reason they even had access to the Redwyne fleet was due to Lord Stark having the foresight to take his heirs with him as he escaped from King's Landing. That must mean that Lord Stark saw something in his dreams that told him Euron Greyjoy would be an issue. He rescued Lord Redwynes heirs for that reason.

"The entire fleet," Lord Stark responded. Lord Redwyne laughed, but it quickly died in his throat as he realized that Lord Stark wasn't joking.

"You are serious," Lord Redwyne responded and his uncle nodded. Jon looked at him pointedly and he nodded again so Jon decided.

"If you say we need the entire fleet, then we will send the entire flee. Send them quickly. No ship passes north of the Reach without our say-so. Lord Valeryon, you will send your ships up the eastern sea and begin to blockade King's Landing. Nothing gets in or out of that port," Jon commanded.

"Yes, your grace," both men agreed.

"I would like to travel with them," Theon spoke suddenly before having the grace to look ashamed. "I apologize my Lords, but my father has caused enough trouble for us all as it is, and I would like to lead the charge to repel my exiled Uncle."

Jon spoke before Lord Stark could. "I would not have you become a kinslayer on my behalf Theon."

"I won't kill him," Theon spoke. "I don't need to be the man kills him… but he was exiled for a reason. I have heard that he raped my Uncle Victarion's Salt Wife among other atrocities he has committed against the Ironborn. He was banned by my father, and if he has decided to return then I would fight to repel him."

"This is your Iron price?" Jon asked calmly, "to repel a man who has committed great crimes against your people?"

Theon looked unsure before nodding. "I have to try. If you were to place me as Lord of the Iron Islands, then allowing me to help lead the ships that would repel my Uncle would be a great start to prove to them that I belong. The North is not the only place that remembers."

Jon looked to Ned who shook his head quickly. Jon sighed… but for the first time in his life, he found himself disagreeing with his Uncle.

"I trust you Theon. If this is your way forward then who am I to stop it. Succeed and I will name you Lord of the Iron Island and command your father to take the black for his crimes. I would spare your sister and uncle as well, and we can end this nonsensical rebellion and start working on a way to mend the ties between the Iron Islands and the rest of Kingdoms."

Theon knelt before him. "I swear I won't let you down, your grace."

"Aye," Jon responded, but he could tell Lord Stark was livid. It was a conversation that they would need to have later.

"Putting a blockage in our Western seas should also mean that Robb can send more men to war and quickly," Jon moved on. "Without the threat of the Iron fleet, we could sail more of the northern army to Seagard. There they could join Lord Tully and Marna to prepare to spring the trap on Lord Tywin should he decide that Casterly Rock is more important to him."

Lord Stark spoke slowly through gritted teeth. He was still angry but would not challenge Jon in front of the other Lords. "We might not need to. They say that Lord Mag the Mighty and his men have grown very angry once they learned the way that their liege lord was captured. They say that they would ride their cavalry into battle again due to this disrespect should Marna ask. What say you to that?"

Jon stared at him back before shaking his head. He knew that his Uncle only asked him to test him, to see if he would defy him more. Truthfully, sending for Mag Mar and his clan would end the war easily, but the south, once they saw the might of the giants, would demand things from them that Jon would rather not have to deal with. Eventually, when Winter came, it is something he would be impossible to dodge, but he wanted to prolong that as long as possible. He would respect his Uncle's wishes on the matter.

His council looked at them strangely, and Lord Tarly looked like he was about to protest, to ask them what they spoke of, but Ghost suddenly sat, his teeth showing as he glared at the man he didn't like, and Gael, well, Gael tried to copy him and puffed smoke from his nose. What an intimidating duo. Lord Tarly kept quiet.

"Then that is settled, although I want to make it clear that my son, Lord Robb has been compromised," Lord Stark said, again looking directly at Jon. He told Jon about this too, about some girl he saw in his dreams that Robb foolishly fell for and it eventually cost him his life because her family was secretly plotting with Tywin. Jon hadn't been worried about it before but that was when Tywin Lannister was stuck at Harrenhall without any outside communication. "He says that he had been injured with an arrow to his shoulder. That a girl, Jeyne Westerling has helped him heal."

"Did you write him about it? Is he well enough to command?" Jon asked.

"I have had a conversation with my son," Lord Start responded solemnly. "I just worry about him as a father is all."

"You raised Robb and Theon, and I to make the best choices possible once we had all the information available to us. I trust Robb, like I trust Theon, to do the right thing," Jon said, making sure that Lord Stark knew his decisions on the matters were final. To him, it had become painfully obvious that they were speaking in code, and he knew that the other Lords were no fools and would start to notice.

"Is that all the news?" Jon asked.

"Aye," his Uncle responded, although he was not happy.

A/N:

Sorry for the wait. I always look to release these sooner but then life happens. I also said this would be Sansa but I changed my mind. Maybe next chapter we will catch up on Winterfell. Stuff is really moving now and we will have some major plot points going forward as we start to race toward some obvious climaxes.

Let me know what you think!

As always, I am forever grateful for all the positive feedback!

Young!