Jasper

Jaspers fingers turned white as he gripped the edge of his desk of cedar wood, trying to calm the pulsing anger that burned. No one save Uncle Bryden remained with him in the pavilion, otherwise it was as empty as a tomb. If he had not told me the news in private, I'd already have called for Prince Joffreys head three days ago in defense of Arryn honor and stormed the Lannister encampment in a glorious charge of valor. Arryns Guardsman. Waynwoods. Royces and Starks would have joined us in reddening the Trident with the blood of another prince.

Thank the Seven for the Blackfish. Jasper thought.

There was no doubt in his mind that Prince Joffrey was to blame for what happened. Prince Tommen had told him the truth of the affair and he wanted to drag Prince Joffrey from his tent kicking and screaming and hear his painful last gasps as he defended the honor of House Arryn with a swift swing of his sword.

Prince Joffrey deserved to be tossed piece by piece through the moondoor for what he did to Cousin Bran, a ward of the Vale and son of a Hand. Will you scream on your way down? Jasper wondered, and smiled. Yet, he was still King Roberts' son and had to be treated carefully. He wasn't some son of a hedge knight and could be seized without great consequence.

A shiver went down his spine at these dishonorable thoughts unworthy of a true lord. Even my thoughts prove unworthy. His grand uncle said Cousin Brans injuries were serious and possibly fatal. "I was told he lost a lot of blood." What if Cousin Bran died? Jasper couldn't think like that. It would mean he failed as a Lord of Arryn.

Have I failed you Bran like I failed Robert? Jasper wondered worried.

The boy in him would march out of the pavilion to raise a sword for battle, but he need to remain Lord Arryn. Calm. Dignified as a falcon lord should always be, and he had other duties that needed to be cared for. Jasper was tired, with sags forming under his eyes. For three nights he had been out leading search parties looking for Arya Stark. They scoured over every rock and tree, but had yet to find a trace. Arya Stark had vanished like a whiff of smoke. Hounds. Horseman. All failed as of yet. Even he and the Blackfish couldn't find a single trace of either her or the wolves. Not a broken twig or trail to follow.

Jasper grimaced and poured himself a glass of water.

What did Bran name his wolf? Jasper wondered as he poured. He couldn't recall it didn't seem important, but he would learn its name. Brans wolf would always have a place in his halls for defending him.

"They found her nephew. The Lannisters have brought her before the king."

Jasper flinched at his gruff voice and twisted around. "She is well?" He asked with too much eagerness.

Ser Brynden scoffed. "I thought you didn't see her as family nephew."

His eyes narrowed as tight as arrow slits and scowled. "I don't." He said. "Now gather a guard ser I have need of one and secure Prince Tommen. We shall have need of him I think." And dismissed him with a wave of his hand.

A single snort and the Blackfish left him, and he sighed and leaned into his chair, rubbing his temples before bringing his fist crashing against the desk toppling the goblet of water to the ground. He seethed. Jasper had behaved like a fool in daring to think this was anything like a song. I wanted to be the dashing knight rescuing her. It would have been perfect, and maybe she would have forgiven him after rescuing her from the woods and the Lannisters. Winterfell would just be a poor memory and they could be more than distant kin. Why did he hurt himself like this? He should accept that he had blown that chance and accept the role he had to play, and Jasper had accepted that. Every day he had accepted that since the duel in the courtyard.

I thought I did...

Jasper calmed with a few deep breaths, wrestling with his irritation. Whatever his feelings, House Arryn had been slighted, and he had to defend its honor. My wards have been attacked. My honor impugned and my cousins of Winterfell required Lord Arryn to defend them with words and deeds. One more deep breath, and he push through the flaps straight as an arrow taking charge of the honor guard his grand uncle had assembled for him. "Thank you, sers." He said, wearing his lordly mask. "Let us be off and see honor is done."

Robert

Wolves. A pack of wolves and a flock of falcons surrounded him. He shifted in Ser Raymun Darrys chair as they all gazed at him. Manderlys. Stark men. Tallharts. Royces. Waynwoods. Arryn men crowded into these cramp halls. The heat was unbearable, and he was sweating through his doublet. A sea of gray and blue drowned the crimson red of the Lannisters out. Not that it dimmed the vaunted Lannister pride whom prowled as if they owned the halls. His queen bore icy eyes as Neds girl was brought in. A small, thin, scrawny girl. It was hard to imagine that she had truly caused this must trouble. He refused to hear a single word from his son or wife until Neds girl was found and they could settle this once and for all. It gave him three days of peace.

"Mayhaps we should start, husband? Lord Stark is taking his time." Cersei asked.

"Quiet woman! We shall wait for Ned!" He said, wishing for something heavy to drink.

Jasper Arryn bristled along with most of the men in the hall at his queens words. It was a tinderbox waiting to light, but his damned wife seemed oblivious to it all. Two Great Houses and their banners had been slighted by his dolt of an heir. The Vale and the North and both of them had most swords in the halls. Ser Barristan stood at attention in his white plate along with the rest of the Kingsguard save the kingslayer whom was still out searching for Neds girl.

When Ned entered, it relieved Robert that they could finally put this behind them. Neds girl wrapped herself tightly around him, disappearing into his old friend. "Whats the meaning of this Robert? Why was my daughter not brought to me? My son lies on deaths door and you do this?" Ned said, looking up from his daughter.

"You dare speak to your king in such a manner!" his wife said.

"Silence woman!" Robert said, darkening. "I'm sorry Ned. I just thought this better to get it over with and all of us wish the very best for your boy." He twisted his gaze to the girl. "Now, tell me to it true, girl, what happened. It's a grave crime to lie to a king." She had barely started when Joffrey yelled, calling her a liar. It gave him an annoyed headache, and he twisted towards his son. "You will get your turn, boy. Now hold your tongue."

Joffrey paled at the rebuke.

When she finished, his son started. They were as different as night and day, and he had to settle it in a room filled with wolves, falcons, and lions. "Seven Hells!." He groaned. "He says one thing, and she says another. How am I supposed to settle this?"

Ned urged his other daughter forward, the pretty one whom he betrothed to his heir. Her face was red with tears, and eyes sunken low with messy hair. "Please father, I want to go back to Bran." she said, shaking her head. "Please, father?" Ned gave her a look of encouragement and she strolled forward.

"You were there, child? Go on." Robert said. "Speak the truth."

The girl burst into a fresh round of tears. "It was so fast, and Bran was bleeding. I don't know what-"

"LIAR! LIAR!" Neds other girl shouted and attacked her like a wild beast, punching and kicking. Ned, the poor fool, had to separate them. His wife and son were smiling those smug smiles. Damn you both, I know you did this.

"Look, Robert, shes as wild as that beast of hers. I want the girl punished."

Robert scoffed. "What? You want me to whip her through the streets. Children fight. It's over."

Ned gave a look of disgust and disappointment, and he felt a pang of regret. Sorry, old friend.

And that should have been the end until Jasper walked forward with his hands resting on Tommens shoulders. "My King," Jasper said, offering a lordly bow. "Prince Tommen was there as well. I think you'll find his words insightful."

Robert blinked and glowered. Tommen was there, and no one told him! His hands tightened around the armrests. "You as well, boy?" He urged him forward.

Tommen gave a timid nod and shifted uneasily. "Yes father," He said meekly. "I was there with Bran and Myrcella. We were just playing with sticks and Joffrey came." He paused. "I couldn't see anything. Myrcella covered my eyes when it started. But I heard the screaming. I tried to go to Bran, but Cella wouldn't let me."

"You little shit!" Joffrey glowered. "He's a liar!"

Tommen whitened, as Jasper hand fell to the hilt of his sword and pushed Tommen behind him and, unlike his son, Jasper knew how to use it. Jasper was strong and well built for a boy of seventeen from days hunting and fighting. That's a son any father would be proud of. Ser Barristan watched him warily.

"My love," Cersei said with a thin sneer. "This is clearly a lie. Lord Arryn has made Tommen say these falsehoods."

"You question my honor?" Jasper said, abashed. "Your Grace, will you let this dishonor stand? Your son attacked my ward the son of a hand, and your wife slights the honor of House Arryn! I demand justice!"

"Aye Robert justice." Ned said in agreement.

The North and the Vale stood united behind one another. Stark and Arryn. Both stalwart in their demands.

"WHERE IS MY DAUGHTER?!" Robert rose red faced. Blood was flowing in his limbs and he wanted to kill something. "Why is she not here?" The stoney eyed look from his wife told him everything that he needed to know. He waved a hand to silence that irksome voice of hers. "Ser Barristan, fetch my daughter and bring her here." Robert sat backing on the small throne for a lord half his size.

"As you command your grace."

The room settled into an uneasy calm until Ser Barristan returned with sweet little Myrcella. She carried herself like a princess, poised and collected, and curtsied before him and smiled kindly. "Yes, father? What do you require from me? I fear Ser Barristan wouldn't say the reason."

"I'm told you were at the Trident during this affair. Tell it to me true my sweet daughter."

"Is this a command father for I can not speak otherwise?"

"Why not?" Robert darkened.

"I cannot speak ill of family otherwise." Myrcella said.

"Robert, she's but a girl I-"

"Quiet woman." Robert said, glowering. "I just want to know the truth, daughter." Before I piss myself.

Myrcella nodded. "As you wish, father." She said before launching into her tale with a voice as soft as silk. "It was terrible father, oh it was so terrible. It was a fine day of summer and we were just playing a childish game when Joffrey came. He attacked the butchers boy, and Lady Arya defended him with nought, but a stick. She was little threat father that a boy like Joffrey couldn't handle, but he kept swinging his sword wild and crazed at anything that moved." She sniffled, teary-eyed. "Poor brave Bran tried to protect his sister, and Joffrey cut him down without mercy or shame. All I could do father was hold tightly onto Tommen for I knew if he got any closer Joffrey would cut him down just like poor Bran, but I fear I was too close." Myrcella rolled her sleeves up and undid a bandage of fine silk and unrolled it.

Robert winced and looked away, along with every man in the halls at the skin marred by a sword. My daughter wounded by my flesh and blood.

"Fath- "Joffrey got no further before he struck him with the same force that collapsed Rhaegars chest plate. It struck his son in the jaw. Teeth went flying and blood flowed from his shattered jaw as he rose fists curled, and delivered a kick to his pathetic excuse of a son whom curled up whimpering.

"YOU WOULD HAVE MADE YOURSELF A KINSLAYER!" Robert roared. "You tried to kill Neds boy and his daughter like animals to the slaughter! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!" With one hand, Robert lifted his son up by the throat, and he backhanded his queen, whom wailed behind him. "See her out of here!" He gestured to Ser Preston and Ser Mandon, whom they took kicking and screaming from the halls. How he wanted to crush his soft throat beneath his hand and rid himself of this problem, but that would have made him a kinslayer and Neds quiet grey eyes brought him back down and he dropped him on the floor like a sack of flour.

Robert sighed. That was not kingly. What was he going to do? He couldn't kill him, but he had insulted two great houses and himself. Joffrey couldn't become king, but if he punished too harshly, it would earn the ire of the Lannisters."OUT ALL OF YOU SAVE NED! ARRYN! AND RENLY!" All of them scattered like leaves into the wind. The Kingsguard escorted his children out, including Joffrey as they sent for a maester. He couldn't bare to look Ned in the eyes when they were alone. "Oh, Ned. I'm sorry for what happened to your children. By the Seven I am, I swear what justice would you have of me?"

"The Wall Robert." Ned said. "Send Prince Joffrey to the Wall."

"That's far too lenient." Jasper retorted. "He shed the blood of your daughter, and attempted to murder Lord Starks children. Death is the only option."

Ned looked dismayed. "Nephew, mercy is not a weakness. Prince Joffrey is still just a boy. He may yet find some honor on the Wall."

"It's the only just option, my lord. I insist on it. His crimes are too great and must be dealt with by the swing of a sword."

Robert laughed. "Both of you are damned fools. I can do neither." The Lannisters would never stand for it and he was married to one.

"But I will not have Maegor for an heir." He grumbled out and turned to his brother, whom didn't have an amused smile for once.

Renly sighed. "I see your points my lords, I understand such anger." He lifted his arms in a placating gesture. "But my brother speaks honestly. Exile him Robert from the realm. Strip him from the line of succession. Make Tommen your heir. The crime is significant enough that the Lannisters shouldn't complain too much. Send him with his Uncle Ser Jamie. Permit him the rank of prince as a kindness. If the Lannisters wish to pay for them, they may, but no royal funds shall cover the costs of his household."

Robert rubbed his chin and pondered over his brother's words. " Huh. Exile, eh." He wouldn't have to see him and it was severe enough it should mollify Ned. And Jasper he had another option to bring him back into the fold. "Three years of exile from the Realm, and permanently barred from my court. Tommen shall become the Crowned Prince, and will be betrothed to your daughter Ned and shall remain as your ward Arryn."

The lad gave a stiff nod.

"And you shall marry my daughter Princess Myrcella as recompense." He declared.

Jasper Arryn looked agape and blinked twice before going to his knees. "That is a grave honor my king." He lifted him up. "Bah, your father told me the seed is strong. His last words to me, and Gods, he was right. You are strong Jasper and shall make for a fine son-in-law." Arryn Stark Baratheon united. Nothing could stand against them.

"This fine with you Ned?"

"If it is your command, I shall see it carried out. I am your Hand."

Robert smiled and wiped the blood off his hands and bellowed for wine.

Myrcella

Something loud and breakable shattered in the distance and she could hear mother and father screaming. Myrcella nursed her reddened cheek where mother had struck her for her words against Joffrey. It still stung, but she didn't regret her actions. I had precious little choice.

"No Arya, you musn't!" Myrcella pleaded, throwing herself over Joffreys body.

"Get out of my way! He hurt Bran! I'm going to kill him!" She held the sword that was much too big for her with confidence, and her grey eyes shined with steel and vengeance.

Myrcella shook her head, as Joffrey moaned and whimpered beneath her determined body to keep everyone from harm. "They'll kill you Arya. I'm sorry for your brother I am, but you must leave! You and the wolves need to go!" Brans wolf Dawn showed the most sense, and grabbed her pant legs with his teeth urging her to leave. With a loud frustrated scream, Arya flung Joffreys sword into the Trident and went off running with the wolves. Myrcella turned to Joffrey and stroked his blond curls. His two wormy green eyes dug into her, and his hand found its way around her throat while Lady Sansa was sobbing over her brother.

"You shall never speak of this." Joffrey said lowly, as he tightened his grip. "Nod if you understand."

Myrcella nodded as her heart stilled and he released her. She fell, gasping for air.

Joffrey would kill her eventually if she didn't act. She had seen him weak and saved his life, and that would be something he'd never forgive. Myrcella knew once they found Lady Arya father would have her summoned to explain the events. Lord Arryn would use Tommen to speak the truth, and father would call her because of it, but her words wouldn't be enough. I needed them to see the blood to believe. Myrcella found an unclaimed knife around the encampment and cut herself. Tears came down her cheeks, and she whimpered at the pain when the jagged edges cut through skin. But it was worth it when father shattered Joffreys jaw and exiled him from the realm. She could sleep more soundly at night.

She would be safe. One day Tommen would be king, and she was going to be the Lady of the Eyrie. Myrcella blushed lightly, thinking of him. When she showed her wound before all the lords and knights, Lord Jasper's hand shook with fury, and she saw the emotion that overwhelmed him. He wanted nothing more than skewer Joffrey where he stood and if she had asked, he would have jumped at the opportunity regardless of the Kingsguard. It was very gallant of him. Myrcella bit underneath her lip. She felt poor for deceiving him so with such a falsehood.

Myrcella sighed. I had little choice. She would never let Tommen grow up in this world alone and Joffrey would have meant the death of all of them. Now he was gone. Yesterday, Joffrey had been disinherited before the entire party and stripped from the line of succession and that evening a wagon and two dozen men among them her Uncle Jamie had departed for Maidenpool, where they would catch a ship to the Free Cities. For three years he would be gone and by the time he returned Tommen would be nearly a man grown, and she would be married to Lord Jasper.

A door slammed shut and Myrcella lifted her head up to see mother entering her chambers. An enormous bruise resided on her cheek. It was a nasty purple. "Mother- "She slapped her. Hard, and dug her fingernails into her arm as she dragged her away with any iron grip. "Your hurting me, mother! Please stop!" As she flung her into the wall.

"You little whore." Mother seethed. "I told you to go before your father and plead for Joffrey to stay." I would sooner die. Myrcella thought.

"I couldn't mother." She lowered her head submissively. "I'm sorry. Father wouldn' listen to me if I tried and he would just hit me if I said the wrong word." She sniffled. "I swear I didn't know he would exile Joff. I just got so scared surrounded by all those lords and knights." If only he killed him.

Mother gripped her chin and tilted it up and studied her. "I'm very sorry, I'm such a stupid girl." She said, tears forming.

"Oh, my sweet little doe, look at what you make me do." Mother said and brought her in for a warm embrace. Myrcella softened and rested her chin on mother's neck, soaking in all the warmth she deprived of them. Will you love us more now that Joffrey is gone? Myrcella wondered.

"Very foolish." Myrcella parroted.

"And you'll have to wed that deceitful Lord Arryn. A murmurer of chivalry."

"Dreadful." Myrcella said after a second too long of a pause, and mothers eyes glistened like a lioness. Her hands tightened around her shoulders. "I'm not deceived, mother by such pale tricks and empty words. I'm your daughter."

Mother smiled and chuckled. "Yes, I think you are my beautiful daughter." And kissed her on the brow. "Oh, Myrcella, just remember."

"Yes, mother?"

"When Joffrey returns as king. You are a Lannister first. One mistake can be forgiven. A second shall not be."

Mothers words sent a shiver down her spine. Joffrey as king. Mother still wouldn't give him up. Myrcella wanted to roar and make her hurt for it, but she left with a dutiful nod. Tommen would be king, not Joffrey and Myrcella would see to that.

That night, she dreamed of knights and falcons.

When Myrcella awoke the next morning, got dressed, and hid her marks and prepared for a boring ride in the carriage trapped under mothers watchful eye. She was daydreaming about a white knight riding up to the carriage while dragons soared around them. Uncle Tyrion would have appreciated such a thing. Would he have approved of her choices? If there was one person in the capital she trusted save Tommen, it would be Uncle Tyrion, but he was off visiting the Wall. Half a world away.

Myrcella perked up as a company of riders approached from the north. The banners of a falcon flew proudly. Lord Jasper didn't ride a white steed, but one as black as night. Two dozen knights behind their lord wearing shiny suits of steel looking fierce. Still, her heart raced. If he asks me to ride with him, I doubt I could refuse. The wheelhouse came to a slow stop as they cut them off. Jasper dismounted gracefully as Mother walked down the steps with a false smile. "Lord, Arryn what an unexpected honor."

"My queen." He said with greater courtesy. "Always a delightful sight, but I fear I've arrived to speak with the princess."

"Whatever for?"

Jasper reached into his pockets and pulled out some parchment. "Her lord father and king of the realm have granted me permission to begin a correspondence with Princess Myrcella, as is custom in the Vale." He offered a kind smile. "I've decided to deliver my first letter in person. I shall strive to do two letters a moon." At that, Myrcella peered out the entrance of the wheelhouse. His bright blue eyes widened slightly, and he rushed to kiss the back of her hand.

"How thoughtful, my lord." Myrcella said the words, and he returned with a lordly nod.

"Only the best for a princess." Lord Jasper replied.

But she dared not do more than a customary smile and his hands fell a bit awkwardly to the side as he kept that fake smile on his face. "I apologize princess. I fear I'm more suited as a hunter and knight than a lord of great courtesy. "His voice softened. "I only hope that in time, you'll see me more than a stranger when I drape my cloak around your shoulders."

"I'd like that very much." Myrcella said. "Will you please give my brother my love and affection for me?"

The cracks formed as he stumbled, uncertain on how to reply. "Ah," He coughed. "I shall certainly extend your esteem to Prince Tommen." And gave a perfect lordly bow to her. "Until we meet again, princess." And gave the smooth parchment into her hands as mother watched with icy eyes. How she wished he would sweep her onto his steed and gallop off into the sun, but she was still bound to the Iron Throne. Her place remained in the Red Keep still.

When Jasper had long disappeared down the dirt road, mother chuckled. "What a foolish man of honor he is." And kissed her on the brow. "I'll handle him, my sweet doe. Don't you worry."

Myrcella muttered her thanks, and returned to daydreaming, but this time she imagined what she would write to him. I'll never see what's in his first letter. Mother had crumpled it up and tossed it out of the carriage. What did he write? How long did it take him? Was it honest, or more idle courtesies, and she did the only thing possible in the wheelhouse and dreamed.

Jon

Bran was as pale as milk and underneath a mountain of blankets, each thicker than the last. Dawn Brans direwolf was curled up at his masters feet. He had returned shortly after Arya, with Nymeria trailing behind him to his sister's joy. Jon sat at his normal spot and sported a brave smile. You should be up and running around Bran. Not stuck in this bed. After some training with the famed Ser Barristan, easily the greatest swordsman that he had ever seen in the North or South, Jon was tired and ached everywhere, but he always came to see Bran no matter how much it pained him. Normally, Sansa stayed with him working on her stitches in the corner, but he found her asleep her hand entangled with Brans. Jon wrapped her arm around him trying not to wake her.

"Jon?" Sansa stirred awake, rubbing her eyes.

"It is." He said. "I'm taking you to your bed. You need sleep and you won't find it here."

Sansa nodded her head and yawned. "Okay, Jon. Will you wake me if Bran wakes?"

"I promise." Jon said, carrying her out of the pavilion. What happened to Bran had brought him and Sansa closer together. Of all his siblings save little Rickon, Sansa was always the most distant to him, but now she called him brother and Jon. I'm still a bastard. A shame to our lord father. On the trip, he had felt more a bastard than in Winterfell. His lord father kept him close throughout the expedition, watching over him like a lost duckling. They always rode together. Only when Ser Barristan arrived was he permitted to be without his fathers attentive gaze. Am I that much of a shame to him? Ghost and Lady followed them both. The guardsman nodded at him as he entered Sansa pavilion and tucked her into bed as Lady curled up next to her. "Sleep well sister." He said. The moon was high above them as Jon made his way back to Bran. He opened the flap and saw him sitting in his chair holding Brans hand. Red-haired like Robb with the bright blue Tully eyes, but they were distant with judgement where Robbs were lively.

Lord Arryn twisted up and stood, fists curled and glowered.

Jon bristled and replied in kind. You cannot make me leave my Lord Arryn. I shall never leave my brother, no matter what you wish.

After what felt like a long moment. Lord Arryns shoulders slumped, and he returned to the chair. "I thought you had left to sleep." He grumbled, annoyed. "I didn't want any quarrel."

Jon raised a brow and crossed his arms. "You won't find any from me Arryn."

Lord Arryn shrugged and went to his default strategy of pretending he didn't even exist. Any time they had the misfortune of being near the other, he ignored him.

"You must wake Bran. Your family is worried sick about you." Lord Arryn said. "I'm sorry I haven't visited until now, but you should be around family. Not a stranger you barely know." A mournful smile crossed his face. "You know, when I was a boy a little younger than you, I ran off for Winterfell. I wanted to meet my cousins and to meet my family." He said with a longing in his voice. "What an adventure that would have been. I didn't get very far, my grand uncle found me and returned me to my duty. My lord father didn't wish me to go. If I arrived, I like to think we would have been as close as brothers. You would have taught me how to climb and I would have raced with you in the woods." He brushed his auburn curls and his voice became choked. "I should have been there for you when you needed me. I swore a vow that I would keep you safe and make you a knight and yet you lie here."

Jon shifted uneasily. "It wasn't your fault my lord."

Lord Arryn tensed and took a deep breath. "Don't speak to me bastard." He mumbled. "I can't stand your presence and I shall not quarrel here. You care for Bran, so I'll tolerate you, but by the Seven don't speak to me." He said with the thinnest of civility.

He could feel his anger boil over, just like in the Great Halls. "If you won't quarrel here. Then let's go elsewhere." He snapped. If Lord Arryn wants a second beating, I'll give him one. No matter what, Ser Barristan had tried to teach him about southron chivalry.

"You dumb bastard." Lord Arryn said hotly that had him advancing about to swing. "We can't quarrel. It's not good for Stark and Arryn. It undermines the ties between Vale and the North. They must remain to keep us all safe."

Jon paused and swallowed thickly. His words had merit and it would better protect siblings with the knights of the vale bound tightly in friendship and kin. Is that why he's avoided me like the plague? For the good of the alliance between the North and Vale? "Silence then Arryn?" He said.

"Silence." Lord Arryn agreed. "If I were a better lord, I would find it in my heart to forgive you, but I can't and for that I'm sorry." He looked more awkward and high-strung than cold and aloof. Lord Tyrions words echoed in his skull.

"He insulted me! Called me a bastard and insulted my honor in my lord father's own halls!" Jon raged.

Lord Tyrion chuckled. "And you embarrassed him in front of his knights. Most lords don't like that."

"So I'm in the wrong?" Jon scoffed in disbelief.

"If you had done the same to me, I would have had you killed bastard." Lord Tyrion said. "Without the duel of honor, of course, but I'm a Lannister and I care little for honor like Lord Arryn. Don't forget bastard, you shall always be one in the eyes of the world and men like Arryn will always see the worst in you. To him you're an ambitious threat in the dark."

Jon shook his head, red faced. "I'd never betray my siblings."

"That makes you a good man, Snow. " Lord Tyrion smiled. "Good luck tomorrow. I'll be rooting for you."

A thick silence held for a moment as Jon finally came to an understanding with him and made his peace silence suited him fine, but then Dawn howled a fierce cry and Jon saw movement on the bed. Bran stirred. "Bran!" Jon yelled and a grin as wide as any formed, and he was crying tears of joy. "He's waking!"

"He's waking up?" Lord Arryn blinked in disbelief.

"Yes! Look!"

And when Lord Arryn looked, a large stupid smile formed, and he was laughing like a boy.

They were both so overcome with emotion they embraced like brothers, laughing and smiling. Eventually, the laughter subsided, and they shoved away from the other. Lord Arryn twisted away and declared. "I shall fetch a maester, Snow. Stay with your half-brother." With a distant lordly command.

But Jon didn't care he was too happy.

That night the entire pack was in Brans room. All the direwolves, and his sisters crying and laughing over him. Father sported a relieved smile, and the wolves howled into the night. The pack was whole again.

Authors note: Next up Kingslanding and all the plots in the city and as always I love to see reviews.

Vandal55: Yep, I was aiming for flawed and human. I've seen many stories where the OC is best friends with the Starks a perfect player of the Game of Thrones and that can be nice, but I like to try to make him fit in with the rest of the lot. Jasper can be a jerk at times though deep down he is a good man. He's like Zuko bashing his head against the wall. "Why is it so hard to be good?"

kingmanaena: I'm glad you found the last chapter interesting, hopefully you find this interesting too!

Call-Me-Author: Well, as of this moment its Myrcella , but we'll see how long that lasts. It is the Game of Thrones after all!

Leo's riding: Yeah, I've never understood why every OC seems to to like the Starks or at the very least Jon. A guy like Jasper raised in the honor intensive society would certainly look at Jon with suspicion and downright hostility and he humiliated him before everyone. A better lord/player would have laughed it off, but Jasper decided to meet the aggression head on.

Guest: Don't worry Bran won't be a crippled. You can't just save Bran from his canon fate, and then cripple him latter on in the story. Makes no sense. But he will suffer some injury because of it. Not all of it will be physical.

Guest: Arya is a very high opinated gal, but in her defense most people wouldn't like some strange cousin that came and started a fight with their brother they loved. Arya is pretty intelligent and observant she alone amongst the Stark kids could tell that Jasper was just uncertain about them. She has Cats logical mind.

Chris Amanatidis: Yeah, I think with this chapter I pretty much impaled the heart of canon and left its corpse on the field of battle. Why write an OC story if you didn't change things? If Jasper was with Ned during an investigation he certainly could believe it. But as of this moment he's going to be in the Eyrie with the now Crown Prince. Ned isn't really investigating either because he thinks Lysa was just off her bonkers. Now, the question is what is Littlefingers plan. How will Cersei respond to Joffrey being out of the capital along with Jamie. How will Renly and the Tyrells react to a weakened Lannister position and a more resurgent North, Riverlands, Vale alliance.