So far, the longest chapter I have ever written in "A Rose and a Lion". It beats Tyrion/Margaery's wedding by two hundred words. I put a lot of work in this, so I ask you to review it after you finished reading this chapter. Tell me what you liked and what you hated. And if you want to insult me, feel free to do so. :)

Three songs are appearing in this chapter with their lyrics. I suggest you listen to them when they appear. They cna all be found on Youtube :
- Siren from Karliene Reynolds
- The Essence of Life by BrunuhVille, voice by Sharm
- The Wolven Storm by Sharm


JON IV

Jon stood straight in the Great Hall of Casterly Rock, hand on the pommel of his sword, attached to his belt, down the dais along with a dozen other men who bore colors of House Tyrell or House Lannister. Jon was the only one who bore the ones of House Stark, without great surprise. Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery were holding court early this morning because of the festivities planned for the evening. For now, they weren't here. The two golden thrones were empty. It was strange for Jon to guard two chairs like this, but this week he had a duty to serve as a guard for the Lord and the Lady of Casterly Rock when they held court. Every knight had to do it in the household. It was a good thing Jon brought an armor to the sigil of his family when he left Winterfell. Although he liked the Lannisters, he wouldn't have felt right to wear an armor of theirs.

From a door on the side, a man entered. He was at the end of his thirties, with blond hair like every Lannister. Jon found it funny in some way how the Lannisters all had shining blond hair, though the shades could vary from one individual to another. Lord Tyrion's hair were more silver than gold, for example. Ser Damion Lannister walked past them with his sandy hair, without giving them a single glance. He only cast a short look at Ghost who stood next to Jon, and took place in a chair on the dais, below the golden thrones. Jon didn't have much to do with him since he arrived. The man participated to the administration of the castle, and Jon saw more often his son Lucion. The father opened a ledger and started to look at numbers and figures. Some time went on, then a fat woman wearing an entirely crimson gown walked in. Genna Lannister was feared all over Casterly Rock. If Jon hadn't known better, he would think she was the real Lady of the Westerlands. No one dared to show her any disrespect, not even Daven. He saw her next to her husband a few times, and Ser Emmon Frey always looked like a doll at her side.

Her eyes spotted Jon as she approached the dais and she stopped a few steps from him and Ghost. "So, you're both here today." She addressed both Jon and his wolf. That wasn't a question, and Jon doubted she expected an answer. "Don't shame your house like my husband shames his. And unleash that beast on whoever my nephew asks." And with that, she walked to her seat. It could have been worse.

Jon looked around him. The Great Hall of Casterly Rock displayed so much riches that it made it decadent. Gold and silver were so abundant in this castle that you could get sick of it in the end, and he feared it had a very bad effect on the Lannisters. All of them displayed more arrogance than Jon ever saw in anyone. Although their arrogance could be funny, as it was the case with Tyrion and Daven, it made them very proud and boastful. Jon had seen how his pride almost got him killed at the Wall. Strange to think that a Lannister was the one to bring him back on earth. Tyrion Lannister was arrogant, but humble at the same time. Jon still had difficulty to understand the little lord. Since he got back to Casterly Rock, he and Tyrion Lannister seldom spoke to each other. Jon had to concede that the Lord of Casterly Rock had many duties to attend. They spoke a few times together, but their conversations had been short. Nothing to see with the long discussions they had on the Kingsroad and at the Wall.

Jon heard a door open behind him. His friend came in with his wife and Jon turned his head to look at them. Lady Lannister wore a light dress made of green silk. Jon had to admit she was very beautiful. His friend sent him a nod with a smirk, and Jon returned it in kind before he turned his head, taking back his position. The court would begin soon.

The guards at the great doors opened them and let the petitioners enter. As they walked towards the dais, the herald announced loudly. " You all stand before Tyrion of House Lannister, son of Tywin, Lord of Casterly Rock, Shield of Lannisport, Lord of the Westerlands and Warden of the West. And before Margaery Lannister of House Tyrell, Lady of Casterly Rock and Lady of the Westerlands."

Jon still wondered why the Lord of Casterly Rock had so many titles. His father was only Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, the latter title being given to him by the king. The people stopped at a respective distance from the dais. Some were eyeing Ghost, he had no doubt about it. Then two men came forward. From their garbs, Jon could tell they were not from Westeros, or at least not from any part he knew. They were dressed plainly, in grey and brown. One was big with an ostentatious moustache and yellow hair, the second was slim with a small beard running all around his mouth and short brown hair.

"Magister Arfo Renyon from the Free City of Braavos, and Tycho Nestoris, representative of the Iron Bank of Braavos."

Both bowed, the fat man much more deeply than the thin one. "My lord, my lady, I thank you for receiving us," the fat one said.

Lord Tyrion told them something in a language Jon didn't understand. The slender man smiled at the words. "I'm afraid your Braavosi is a little rusty, my lord."

"Please forgive me, Lord Nestoris, but I only learned a few words when I was a lad," the little lord apologized.

"No offence taken. We appreciate the effort. However, I'm not a lord," the representative of the Iron Bank replied.

"You may state your business."

The fat man who had to be the magister of Braavos stepped forward and spoke with force of compliments. "My dear lord, my dear lady, the Free City of Braavos wishes to improve its conditions of trade with the Seven Kingdoms."

"In this case, you should have gone to King's Landing, and ask for his Grace, Robert Baratheon."

"I think we all know Robert Baratheon doesn't care much about trade and financial matters," Nestoris pointed out.

"My lord, my lady," the magister resumed, "it is our wish to increase the trade between our countries. Trade is the wealth of Braavos, and the Sealord of Braavos is eager to trade with every nation for mutual benefit."

"I'm sure of that." Tyrion Lannister didn't seem convinced like he pretended to be. "We already have trading activities with Braavos, Magister Renyon. I am sure your merchants were very happy about the Trade Agreement of Old Oak. Especially those who sail for the Westerlands and the Reach."

"They were, indeed, but you see, Braavos is expanding its trading activities, and we have a special proposition to make for you." the magister took a pause. "We want to build a harbor in the Westerlands."

"I believe we already have all the harbors we need, Magister. Lannisport is already the third harbor in the Seven Kingdoms in importance, the second according to some."

"Of course, but Braavos wishes to extend considerably its trade with the Westerlands in the near future. However, the actual installations in the ports are not enough to sustain such an increase in trade. The Sealord of Braavos is offering you the opportunity to increase the wealth of your country. We propose to build ourselves, with our own money, a new harbor in the Westerlands, that could welcome the new ships, and add to the prosperity of your kingdom. We will administer the harbor for you, freely, and pay taxes on all activities. We have a similar proposition for my lady's lord father and the Reach."

"Where would this, or these, new harbors be?"

"We already have a few different locations in mind. I could show it to you on a map."

A moment of silence followed. "We will think about it. In the meantime, I will allow you to remain at Casterly Rock, as our guest."

"Thank you very much, my lord. It is a great honor for me to be an honored guest of the Lord of Casterly Rock and his beautiful lady wife."

Jon almost laughed. He was so pompous. "And you, Nestoris?" Tyrion asked all of a sudden. "I don't believe you're here to represent Braavos, even if you're Braavosi."

"No, I haven't come for the same reasons than Magister Renyon, though I would like very much for this project of harbor to see the day. But this is not the reason of my presence. I have come to discuss financial matters," the man of the Iron Bank replied.

"Financial matters?"

"Yes. Not very pleasant financial matters, neither for me, neither for many other people. It is about debts."

"Casterly Rock has no debt towards the Iron Bank," Ser Damion declared.

"No, you don't, and we don't wish to create any. You have no need of debts. It is the debt of others that I am here about. However, the matter is quite complex. I suppose we could discuss it in private, Lord Lannister."

Jon moved his head slightly to look at Tyrion, who whispered with his wife. Jon couldn't hear what they were saying, and anyone else could certainly not. When they broke their whispers, the Lord of Casterly Rock directed his attention back to the representative of the Iron Bank.

"We will discuss about it tomorrow, in private, Nestoris. In the meantime, you are free to enjoy the castle."

The slender man bowed slightly to show his appreciation, all the while smirking. They were brought out of the Hall by two men, then the herald called for the next petitioner.

"Lord Reginald Lannister, Lord of Lannisport."

The Lannister in question had curly and short blond hair, though the blond was darkened when compared to the other Lannisters Jon knew. He wondered where all these Lannisters came from. The members of House Lannister of Casterly Rock were already many, but with those of Lannisport, he thought the Lannisters could make the Frey envious. Tyrion once told him he had so many cousins with the name Lannister or a similar name that he didn't know how many they were exactly. He talked about lesser branches of his house with names like Lanny, Lannis, Lannett, Lantell, Lannist… Jon couldn't remember all of them. With so many Lannisters and close relatives, if Walder Frey could field an army out of his breeches, then the Lannisters could certainly field three or four armies by themselves… though not from their lord's breeches.

"My lord, my lady, I have come to ask for your help. The extension of the port of Lannisport is proving to be more costly than we expected. If we hope to complete the works as we should, we need more financial help from Casterly Rock."

"Are you saying the costs of the construction are greater than what you told us in the past?" Lord Tyrion asked.

"We need more money to finish it."

"We already allowed a generous financial help, Lord Reginald, not to mention the reduction of taxes that increased trade activities," Lady Lannister told him.

"I know, but we don't have enough gold to complete it."

Again, the Lord and the Lady of Casterly Rock conferred in whispers. Jon saw Lady Stark side by side with his father on several occasions when he received petitioners, but he was surprised by the difference in the way she behaved before petitioners. Lady Stark mostly welcomed the petitioners and said the appropriate courtesies to show them respect, and sometimes she would try to soothe one who was too angry or displeased, all the while supporting his father's decisions, but it was always his father who made the decision in the end. Here, at Casterly Rock, things were different. Before taking a decision, Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery always discussed together, unless the matter was of little importance, and they took alternate turns to render the verdict. Mira told him that they were talking about matters of state when they ate together, or while walking, and that when they received important guests, Lady Margaery played a vital part in the discussions and negotiations. That was very interesting for Jon to see. Margaery Lannister wasn't at all like Lady Stark. She played an active role in the politics of the Westerlands, and seemed to wield as much power and authority as her husband. Her role wasn't limited to running a household and bear children, far from it.

When the Lord and the Lady of Casterly Rock were done discussing, it was the wife who spoke to Lord Reginald. "Lord Reginald Lannister, we will inspect and review in detail the works that are being done on your shipyards and see what are your needs. If necessary, we will grant you more funds. In the meantime, we will give you access to an important loan with the lowest interest rate we have."

"Thank you, my lady. My lord," the Lord of Lannisport said.

"Lady Alysanne Lefford of the Golden Tooth," the herald announced.

Jon watched a beautiful young woman around twenty-years-old step before the dais, wearing clothes as rich as Lady Margaery, but in a different fashion. Lady Margaery's gown today was in the style of the Reach, while Lady Lefford's was obviously in the style of the Westerlands, warmer and heavier. They had stopped at the Golden Tooth on their way from Winterfell and she had been an excellent host.

"My lord, my lady, I'm sorry to bring you bad tidings in such a day, but I'm afraid I have no choice," she said.

"Speak, Lady Lefford," the Lady of Casterly Rock said immediately.

"As you know, the taxes the Golden Tooth owe to Casterly Rock are late."

"Indeed. I was quite intrigued by this. Can you explain us the situation?" Tyrion Lannister asked.

"I'm afraid our last convoy with the money was attacked on the road, and that the money was stolen. We found several dead bodies on the River Road between Casterly Rock and the Golden Tooth. They were the men who had the mission to escort it. The money was missing."

"How many men were escorting that gold?"

"A dozen. Led by two knights."

There were whispers among the crowd. "Whoever did this… they were many," Lady Margaery observed, sounding worried.

"Do you have an idea of who could be behind this, Lady Lefford?" the little lord asked.

"I do."

She said nothing more, but the Lord of Casterly Rock seemed to understand whatever it meant, for he called Ser Daven. His cousin stepped forward, ready to receive orders and to carry them out. "Ser Daven, I give you full authority to raise three hundred men of your choice and to bring them to the lands of the Golden Tooth to face the threat. I want you to discover who are behind these attacks and to bring him here to answer for their crimes."

"Yes, my lord."

Daven left on that word, probably to assemble the small army Lord Tyrion told him to raise. The next petitioners were minor lords and knights with requests of small importance when compared to the previous people. There were also merchants, some complaining about tax collectors who took more than they owed to Casterly Rock, a few complaining about the works in Lannisport's harbor that slowed down their activities, and even one who complained about a poorhouse Lady Margaery built next to his shop. There were also peasants and people living in the city and the villages around, who asked for help about wells, irrigation and work of lands, maintenance of mines, lumbering, or hunting. Jon Snow was surprised to discover not long after he arrived that some people were allowed to hunt in the woods around Casterly Rock. In the North, hunting was reserved to lords on their lands. Looking at the size of Tyrion Lannister, Jon supposed he probably never hunted and let others do it in his stead.

The court cleared around midday. It was time for the preparations of tonight's feast. That meant Jon had to prepare as well. He had taken part to a few feasts since he arrived, but this one was special. Today marked the end of the third year that went away since Tyrion Lannister and Margaery Tyrell's wedding. Jon had been there when a part of Lady Lannister's family had arrived yesterday. Mostly, two of her cousins had come. Her parents and brother were too busy. Jon had debated for days how he should dress for the occasion. It would be odd to dress in the northern way among people exclusively from the Reach and the Westerlands, but it would be odd as well to dress like a southerner. Finally, he had asked Mira for advice. She told him to do as he thought he should. No ne would judge him for that. So Jon decided to not shave his beard or cut his hair, like Lady Stark insisted when the royal family visited Winterfell, and he decided to keep his northern clothes. Ghost, however, would have to remain in his rooms. The people in the castle had become more or less used to the presence of the direwolf wherever Jon went, but he still startled many people, and a feast wasn't the best place for Ghost.

When the time for the feast came, Jon went to the lady he would escort. He knocked on her door and her handmaid opened. She seemed to stare at him, disapproving either his appearance or his presence, he couldn't tell. There were some people here at Casterly Rock who disapproved his presence. Most didn't, but there were some who did. It had to be the consequence of being a bastard. Teron told him he had the same problem when he arrived.

"I'm here to take Joy to the feast," he told the handmaid.

She nodded and let him in. Joy's room was spacious enough, about the same size than his own. She was standing before a glass, wearing a yellow cream gown. She turned to look at him, a bright smile upon her face.

"What do you think of it?" she asked.

"You're very pretty," Jon replied, smiling at his turn.

"They had it made for me especially for today."

Jon turned to the handmaid. "I suppose it would be better if I didn't tousle her hair." The old woman opened her mouth in outrage, and Joy had difficulty to contain a laugh. It was obvious the woman spent quite some time arranging Joy's hair for this evening. Jon shared an accomplice smile with the little girl. "I guess it's a no. Now, would you come, Joy?"

Joy came immediately, all excited, and took the arm he offered her. Another thing Sansa reminded him once, to offer his arm to a lady when he was to accompany her somewhere. Was Joy a lady? Maybe not as much as Sansa, but more than Arya.

"I wonder what there will be for dessert. I hope they will serve lemon cakes," she said as they walked to the Great Hall. Maybe she had more in common with Sansa.

"I don't know, but I'm sure it will be delicious.

"Are you going to dance?"

Jon scoffed. "I don't know. Will you?"

"I'm not sure. There aren't many people who want to dance with me. They always prefer Myrielle and Cerenna, or Megga or Alla." Jon wasn't surprised. Why dance with the bastard when they could dance with someone else? That was the same thing for Jon back at Winterfell. Girls always preferred Robb, the heir to Winterfell.

"Will your sisters visit us?" she asked out of nowhere.

"Not right now. Maybe one day."

"I'd like to meet them. Margaery says they're kind, and Uncle Tyrion said Arya was very funny."

Jon had no difficulty to imagine that. The Imp's sharp tongue with Arya's. He wondered which one of his sisters Joy would go along the better. She and Arya were about the same age, but Joy was very quiet when Arya was jumping and running everywhere. Joy liked dresses, reading and praying above everything else. She had more in common with Sansa. However, if Sansa behaved any way with Joy like she behaved with Jon, he highly doubted Joy would become a great friend of his older sister. And despite being quiet, Joy wasn't that different from Arya. She told him a few times about jokes she made to her cousins, and although they couldn't compete with those Arya did to Sansa, she wasn't apathetic. Joy was lonely, that was all, just like he and Arya were. It was a good thing that Jon was at Casterly Rock. This way Joy had someone to keep her company and to escort her to feasts. She had to go to them all alone before. No one wanted to escort the bastard. Since Jon was already a bastard himself, it didn't do any wrong that he was the one to accompany her.

They met more people on their way as they progressed to the Great Hall. Before the large doors, there were enough people trying to enter at the same time to create a waiting line. When they got through it, Jon had to let Joy go. She would sit at the high table with the Lannisters and Tyrell siblings, while Jon would sit with the household knights. It didn't bother Jon. At Winterfell, he sat with the stableboys and squires while his brothers and sisters sat at the high table with his father and their mother. He was used to it, and here at Casterly Rock he wasn't seated apart from his family like at Winterfell. He was given an equal rank to the other knights. His position was almost higher than at home. He had some small amount of jealousy for Joy. She was welcomed at the high table here, with her family, when he wasn't back at Winterfell.

Jon shook his head. He wouldn't let thoughts like these darken his mood for tonight and the good time he would have with his friends. They welcomed him the usual way they welcomed him.

"So, found yourself a girl to accompany you. Isn't she a little too young?" Ralph teased him.

"She had no one to escort her, and I had no one to escort," Jon explained as he sat.

"Poor girl," Geraldus said. "All that because her mother is not highborn." Ser Geralus Hill was the bastard son of a knight in service to the Lannisters of Lannisport, and just like Joy his mother wasn't a lady.

"Well, we'll have to find a girl for Jon tonight. There are more than enough for that," Teron declared loudly.

"Don't ever think about that," Jon warned him.

"Come on. It's time for this. With all the wine everyone will drink, half the girls won't be able to make the difference between a high lord and a bastard."

"And if if you're as drunk as you were the last time, Teron, you won't be able to distinguish a horse from a girl," Daven added.

Everyone burst into laughter, including Teron. They kept trading jokes for a time. At one moment, the great doors of the Hall were closed. The time for guests to arrive was over. A few minutes went on before the herald loudly hit the floor with his stick. Everything went silent immediately. The doors slowly opened. Then everyone watched in stupor who came in.

Jon could barely see Tyrion, the other people hiding him from his sight, but his wife couldn't be missed even from ten miles away. Margaery Lannister was a beautiful woman, but right now she looked like a goddess. She wore a gown like none Jon ever saw. It was mostly two colors, red and green, with strings of gold and silver all over. Some portions of the gown seemed to be made of a very thick fabric, while others looked so light that it was almost transparent. Despite these contrasts, the result was very pleasing to the eye and Jon strangely didn't find it provocative at all. The Lady of Casterly Rock had her hair arranged in a very complex headdress, a ring of braids right over her forehead, curls falling all over her back, with an hairnet composed of gold and precious stones Jon couldn't name. She had a necklace in the shape of a red flower and he noticed several rings around her fingers and her arms.

Jon remembered seeing the queen, Cersei Lannister, in Winterfell. She wore rich clothes as well and many jewels, just like the wife of her brother, but there was something very different in the way they displayed it. There was something… unnatural with the way Cersei Lannister behaved. Was it arrogance? She gave the impression she was above all the others. Margaery Lannister didn't give this impression. Jon seldom spoke to her, and only to exchange a few words, but her manners looked natural, sincere, true. As she sat on the dais with her husband, Jon saw her smile fondly at his friend, and the looks she sent all over the Hall were ones that loosened the atmosphere and warmed the room, while the queen's gaze sent chills along his spine the one time their gazes met at Winterfell.

The Lord and Lady of Casterly Rock were followed to the dais by a long procession that included Lord Tyrion's many cousins at Casterly Rock, and some people Jon didn't recognize, maybe other cousins. There were also Lady Margaery's cousins who had come for the celebration. Jon had the occasion to talk with one of them, Ser Garlan Tyrell. He and Daven were good friends, and the Lannister knight had introduced Jon to the man and his wife, Lady Leonette Fossoway. The Tyrell knight had seemed happy to meet him, just like his wife. Jon later saw him practice in the sparring grounds, fighting against three men at the same time. Daven told him later that Ser Garlan preferred to fight against multiple opponents because it was more similar to real battle. The fact Ser Garlan had a beard made Jon more comfortable about not shaving his own.

Something queer caught his attention as people sat at the high table. He realized what it was when she turned and he could see her face. Mira was among those sitting on the dais. For a moment, Jon didn't understand. Handmaidens weren't invited to sit at the high table with the Lord and the Lady of Casterly Rock. Then he remembered when he saw the man with a stick who sat next to her. Of course, Mira was betrothed to Willas Tyrell. As such, she had a place at the high table. Jon heard she would leave in two days with Lady Margaery for Highgarden, where her wedding would be celebrated.

Servants began to arrive with the first of the six courses for the feast. The people at the high table were served first, but there were enough servants to bring everyone his food within very reasonable delay. Jon still had to get used to the refineries of the south. He didn't know exactly what was in the soup they were served, but he thought it was spiced with something he never tasted before. He should ask what was in it, then send the menu of the feast to Sansa, only for the pleasure of imagining her jealous expression and how Arya would laugh at it.

Bards and singers began to come in and play. The Bear and the Maiden Fair and The Season of My Love had a place of choice. Wine began to be poured all around. Jon wasn't accustomed to so much of it. They drank ale in Winterfell most of the time. He tried to only drink what was required, but with his friends pushing him to drink more, it was difficult. All in all, it was a pleasant time, with a lot of jokes.

The second course was a salad, again with a few things Jon never saw before. The food was so strange here in the south. Did his father and sisters eat the same sort of things in King's Landing? What did they think about it? Sansa loved it, surely, but he doubted his father liked it as much. He would have stayed in the North if he could.

At the third course, a young woman with red hair came to sing the Song of the Seven, a man accompanying her with his woodharp. It wasn't the same he and Mira fell upon in the Riverlands, when they crossed Lady Stark's way. If Mira really intended to execute her threat, the bard would be better to stay away from Casterly Rock. Jon asked Daven once about it, and Daven confirmed him that every man or woman who dared to sing or play the Rains of Castamere when the Lady of Casterly Rock was present had her wrath upon them for the rest of their life. The singer here played another song, one Jon never heard before.

Oh, my lover, oh, sweet love

I hear music when we touch

Every whisper, voice like thunder

Drumming heartbeats take me under

Oh, sweet lover, oh, sweet love

Oooh, oooh, oooh

Our lips colide and gasp

Like the ocean on the sand

I will flounder in your waters

Let the sirens take me under

Oh, my lover, oh, sweet love

Oooh, oooh, oooh

Wish your heart been singing for me

Like a siren of the sea

Wish your heart been singing for me

Like a siren of the sea

Of the sea

Oooh, oooh, oooh

Oh, my lover, oh, sweet love

Take me to your underworld

I'm not drowning, I'm just falling

Oh, my siren take me under

Oh, my lover, oh, sweet love

Oooh, oooh, oooh

Wish your heart been singing for me

Like a siren of the sea

Wish your heart been singing for me

Like a siren of the sea

Of the sea

Oooh, oooh, oooh

Wish your heart been singing for me

Like a siren of the sea

Wish your heart been singing for me

Like a siren of the sea

Of the sea

Jon thought he remembered a bard who came to Winterfell many years ago. That was the kind of songs he played. When he left, Sansa cried and begged their father to let him stay, but the man left all the same. Sansa surely didn't lack in bards in King's Landing. That wouldn't be the sort of things Arya would love in the capital. Jon looked at Joy who joined the applause that followed at the end of the song. Arya would find it boring. She would urge Jon to escape with him outside so he could show her to fight with her sword. What would Sansa think if she discovered Jon gave a sword to their little sister?

Someone hit on his cup with a spoon. "Everyone. The Lady of Casterly Rock wishes to say a few words," Lord Tyrion declared loudly.

Margaery Lannister stood up. The way her hair was arranged in a ring, along with the hairnet with gold and precious stone that held it in place, gave her the appearance of a queen. "My lords, my ladies, sers, my friends," she began. "Three years ago, I arrived here, barely a woman, a stranger to you all, unknown to everyone. You knew nothing of me, and I knew nothing of you. I wasn't sure what I would find here, and I was even afraid. Considering, the special nature of my marriage, I'm sure you understand I was hesitant." The whole Hall shared a short laugh with her. Tyrion Lannister didn't seem displeased by the jape. "Today, I'm happy to say that I was wrong to be afraid. I found a new life here, a new purpose, new friends, a new family, and the most wonderful husband I could dream of." She looked at her husband at this moment. Jon had never seen the Lord of Casterly Rock with an expression like this one. "I haven't forgotten my origins. I was born Margaery Tyrell of Highgarden, and I will remain Margaery Tyrell until the end of my days. But I am also a Lannister. You welcomed me as one of your own, and you trusted me. I will never forget that."

"House Lannister and House Tyrell have not always been on the best of terms. When my ancestors served as the stewards of Highgarden for the Kings of the Reach, we fought wars against the Kings of the Rock. We fought on opposite sides during the war that led to the crowning of our actual king, Robert Baratheon. We were rivals. Today, I'm glad to say that all this is in the past. Our two houses are linked through the strongest bonds there are, and we will face the future together, as one. We will have the same friends and the same enemies, and we will fight any danger and any foe we have together. The Reach and the Westerlands, together forever."

"Together forever," the people in the Hall repeated.

"Now, let's enjoy the evening."

And the feast resumed. Lord Hoster Tully had come to Winterfell a few years ago, when Jon was twelve or eleven. He had given a toast to his father, but made no such speech about House Stark and House Tully. The fourth course was mostly made of lobsters. Jon knew they were very expansive. He looked around and got his confirmation that everyone had the same plate. How much did they spend only for this course, let alone for the entire supper?

The next courses came and left, and Jon began to feel a little light headed. He drank too much. By chance, they were at the last course and he could excuse himself after that and leave the table where the others always encouraged him to drink one more cup of wine. The last course was lemon cakes for everyone. Joy's wish had been granted. He would send the whole menu to Sansa for sure.

Jon left the table as soon as he was done with his own plate. Other guests had begun to stand up as well. The musicians had begun to play music more fitting for dancing. Lady Margaery opened the dance with her cousin Garlan, and after a minute she made a sign to invite everyone to join the dance, and many did. Jon watched from afar. He seldom danced back at Winterfell during feasts, and what few attempts he made were clumsy at best. He would often sneak off with Arya. He saw Daven dance with a girl with freckles. She had to be Desmera Redwyne, his betrothed. She looked to be about ten years younger than the knight. Ser Garlan Tyrell danced with his wife after he left his cousin, and Jon even saw Joy dance with a boy around her age. Jon didn't recognize him. At least one bastard would dance tonight.

"So, all alone?" Jon was startled. He hadn't seen him coming.

"Aye. The others wanted to get me drunk."

The Lord of Casterly Rock made a sign with his head that suggested it wasn't such a bad idea. "Everything is better with some wine in the belly."

He told that to Jon while on their way to the Wall, many months ago. "I'm not so sure of that." Jon didn't feel exactly drunk for now, but he felt a little awkward when he walked.

"Believe me, it is." To emphasize his words, he took a long swallow of the cup he had in his hand.

"You won't dance with your wife?"

"Do you see me dancing?"

They both burst into laughs. Jon looked at Lady Margaery, who was at the center of all the attention. Everybody was looking to dance with her. The way she danced reminded Jon of his sister Sansa. She loved dancing and singing and feasts and music. Everything Arya didn't like. How was it between them, all alone in King's Landing? They surely gave headaches to their lord father.

Jon looked at his friend, who stared at the dancing floor. Following his eyes, Jon deducted he was looking at his lady wife. He couldn't blame his friend. He wasn't sure if he won a tourney right now if he could name another woman queen of love and beauty. A name strangely came to his mind immediately as he had these thoughts.

"You have a very beautiful wife, my lord," Jon told his friend.

"Yes. More than beautiful." The little lord's answer sounded as if it came from far away. "The other knights speak well of you. They like you, Snow," his friend told him after a time.

"They're good men," Jon replied.

"I must congratulate you. You managed to find your place here, bastard."

"Thanks to you, Imp."

They chuckled lightly. "Oh, my lady wife is retreating from the dancing floor. Better to join her before someone snatches her away from me."

With that, Tyrion Lannister left him and Jon was alone again, but not for long. The music switched to a more rhythmic pace and the movements of the dancers followed. That was when he heard another familiar voice to his right, a voice he never hated to hear.

"Jon." He turned towards the person who just spoke.

"Mira." She was with her betrothed.

"Jon, I present you Willas Tyrell. Willas, this is Jon Snow, the son of Lord Eddard Stark."

Willas Tyrell was a handsome young man, pale, in his twenties with brown waving hair. Jon thought Sansa may have been swooning after him if it wasn't for the stick he was leaning on. Jon had seen him when he arrived, but they never spoke to each other before.

"Nice to meet you, Jon Snow."

He offered a hand and Jon shook it. "Glad to meet you, Lord Willas," he replied.

"Thank you." He was cordial and smiled, but Jon thought he looked tired. He seemed to lean a little too much on his stick. "So, enjoy Casterly Rock?"

"So far, aye. It's bigger than Winterfell."

"Yes, it is. And taller than the Wall, too."

"How do you know that? You've visited the Wall before?"

"No sadly, though I wish I could. I'll have to ask Lord Tyrion about it before we leave. He visited it."

"I spent some time there as well," Jon precised.

"How is it?" Willas Tyrell really looked interested.

"Impressive, especially when you see it for the first time. Though life is hard this far north. My uncle is a member of the Night's Watch and he says half the members of the Watch don't survive winters."

"Indeed, life must be hard there." The song ended, and the one that followed was much slower. Willas Tyrell looked at the dancing floor. "I think I could follow this one. Mira, would you want?"

Mira smiled uncertainly. "Willas, you remember what happened the last time we danced together?"

Her betrothed laughed nervously. "It won't happen again. And if it does happen again, well, I'll give people a good laugh. The last time it distracted them from the bedding ceremony."

Mira's smile widened very discreetly for a second as she closed her eyes. "Very well, but I'll have warned you." She turned to him. "Are you going to dance, Jon? You've been spending the whole time here since the supper was over."

"I don't think so. I'm not very good, and anyway there's no one who wants to dance with the bastard of Winterfell," he replied.

Jon had said it with a smile, but Mira didn't seem to find it funny. "Wait for me a moment. I need to see someone."

And so she left Jon and Willas alone like that. There were too many people and Jon couldn't distinguish where she was after a moment. He turned to Willas.

"Any idea where she went?" he asked him.

"No." He shook his head. "So, you're not good at dancing?"

"Not at all. At Winterfell, the girls wanted to dance with my brother Robb. And here… I'm still a bastard. So, no, I'm not good at all."

"Well, we are two. I used to dance well enough before, but…" He looked at his leg with eyes. "Now it's more difficult. I can't put too much weight."

"I'm sorry."

"You can fight with a sword and shoot arrows, I suppose?"

"Aye, I can. My father had six children, and except my sister Sansa we all know how to wield a sword and shoot arrows. Though my brother Bran knows, but he can't fight with a sword anymore. He lost the use of his legs not long ago."

"How?"

"He liked to climb to the walls at Winterfell, and he made a fall. Several floors."

"And… he lost both his legs?"

"Aye. He can't even walk."

Willas Tyrell. "Damn. And I thought I wasn't lucky," he commented on an sympathizing tone.

"Now he can ride, at least. Lord Tyrion gave him the plans of a special saddle before he left Winterfell. I received news from Winterfell not long ago that he could use it now. He's happier than ever."

"Good news." He seemed genuinely relieved. "I have a special saddle as well, for my leg, but I don't dare to run my horse faster than necessary. I don't want to lose my other leg."

Mira came back at this moment. Jon wanted to curse for a moment. Her friend Sera was with her. It was difficult enough to deal with Teron and the others, now Mira was plotting against him as well.

"Well, Jon, I found someone to dance with you. You have no excuse now." She smiled back at Sera who smiled shyly in return. She was reddening too. Mira turned to her betrothed. "Now, Willas, it's time."

Willas Tyrell left his stick against a column and walked with Mira to the dancing floor. He almost leaned on her on the way. She shot a glance to Jon and gave what looked like a smirk.

Jon turned his attention to Sera Durwell. She didn't say anything. After a moment, Jon broke the silence very awkwardly. "So… I suppose we should go."

"Yes, we should," she replied.

"I'm warning you. I'm not good at it," he tried to lighten the mood.

"Well, we'll see."

He offered his arm, just like Sansa taught him, and soon they were on the dancing floor. Jon found the dance awkward, but overall it went well enough. He didn't stumble over his partner, and Mira's friend, although she was shy, was kind. They did three dances together, but after that Jon took his leave. He didn't want to take the risk to trip over her. He went back outside the dancing floor and spent time with some of his friends, all knights and squires. Most didn't stay away from the floor too long, and they all danced with more than one girl. Jon was the only one who did not. He also kept company to Joy for some time, until it was time for her to go to bed.

More and more people seemed drunk, but there were still many who danced and the bards kept playing, though they slowed down the rhythm of the songs. Another woman with a very powerful voice had taken the place of the previous one. The atmosphere was quite merry. Jon felt more accepted here than at Winterfell, but he still felt like he was apart from the others all the same.

He noticed Mira leaning against a pillar at some time, all alone. He was surprised than she wasn't with Willas. He went to her.

"Hi."

"Hi," she replied. She seemed happy to see him. He always felt comfortable with her, at ease. They could talk about anything together.

"Where is Willas?"

"I'm afraid he was tired. He left the feast. I think he's a little sick."

"Sick?"

"He's paler than usual. I think the journey from Highgarden exhausted him. It was very hard for him to dance."

"I'm sorry."

She shook her head. "It's probably nothing. A little fever, or a little cold. If anything was serious, Willas would know it. He studied medicine."

"Really?"

"When you can't train to become a knight, studies are among the few things left you can do." Jon nodded. That was the same thing for Lord Tyrion. "This time, we didn't make a laughing stock of us," she added with a small chuckle.

"What happened the last time you danced together?"

"It was during Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery's wedding. Willas invited me to dance and I agreed, but he ended on the floor when he made a wrong movement with his bad leg. People laughed a lot."

Jon chuckled with her. "It had to be the great moment of the wedding."

"Not really. But it distracted the people and made them think about something else than the aborted bedding ceremony."

"Aborted bedding ceremony? What do you mean?"

She smiled at him. "When the time came for the bedding ceremony, Lord Tyrion forbade it."

"What? Really?"

She nodded. "Yes. I don't know why exactly, but he did it. He and Lady Margaery left the feast without anybody else, all alone."

Jon found it strange. The bedding ceremony was part of an official wedding, the moment when the bride and the groom were brought to their chamber to consummate the marriage. The bedding existed to ensure there would be consummation. Was the marriage consummated that night? He looked at Tyrion, who sat at the high table. Right now, his wife was with him and they were talking together. They looked very happy, and he saw them exchange a long kiss.

He turned back his attention to Mira, who looked absently at the people dancing not far from them. Her hair was arranged exactly in the same way she wore it all the time, assembled in a bun behind her neck that let them fall in a ponytail behind her back. There were curls in the tail.

"I like your dress," he said, all of a sudden. She wore one that was different from those she had usually. This one was mostly white, with a few black ironwood trees sewed on it, as light as the blue, green and purple ones she wore on normal days.

"Thank you," she replied with a smile. "I had it made for today. It bears the colors of my family."

"A white ironwood tree on a black field, with a black sword at the center of the trunk."

"Yes," she confirmed. "You know your sigils quite well."

"Those in the North, yes." She was still smiling. He loved her smile.

"Would you like to come to Highgarden, Jon? For the wedding?"

He was surprised by her offer. "Well, I don't know. Technically, I'm part of the household of Casterly Rock."

"I can talk to Lady Margaery. She will ask Lord Tyrion to let you accompany her. He never refuses her anything… almost," she added after a short time. "And Lady Margaery always travels with a few men of House Lannister in her escort along with her own guard. You could be part of them." Jon didn't really know what to say. He didn't expect this at all. "You could see Highgarden and some of the Reach. Sera is coming for the wedding as well. I'd like to have as many of my friends present."

"Well… All right. Yes." She smiled at him softly again. "Is your family going to be there?"

"Yes. They're on their way to Highgarden right now. We should arrive before them, but we won't have long to wait. As soon as they arrive, the wedding will take place."

"Well, I'll be happy to be there."

"Thank you, Jon."

She looked back at the people dancing and seized a cup of some strange red liquid on a nearby table, sipping it slowly. Jon had tasted it before in the evening. It wasn't wine, but it was very sugary. It looked like a mix of fruits or something similar. The cooks of Casterly Rock loved to make refined plates. In the North, feasts consisted of a lot of food and everyone ate very well in these events, but no such effort was made to prepare plates and drinks that couldn't be found in the nature. Everything was so different here. How could the North remain in the same Realm than such a different kingdom? He couldn't see much resemblance between the Northerners and the people of the Westerlands or the Reach.

Jon knew immediately that it wasn't true. When he looked at people like Daven or Garlan, knights who took no interest in tourneys and preferred to train in the eventuality of a war or any conflict, he didn't see much difference between them and the Glovers or the Cerwyns or his own family. And the North itself was very different from one part to another. There wasn't much in common between the Boltons of the Dreadfort, the northern clans with their herds, and the Manderlys with their harbor and their ships. Despite this, they all swore fealty to his lord father. The North wasn't that different from the Realm in that perspective. Very different people swore fealty to the same king or the same lord, and when he called for their help, they answered it.

A silence settled between Jon and Mira. She was still looking straight ahead of her. It looked like the ones they shared when they prayed in the godswood. This silence wasn't awkward or uncomfortable. It was soothing, on the contrary. Sometimes, on the Kingsroad, while he followed her in her evening walking, they wouldn't say a word, and they were both very well with that. He looked at her once again. Her dress was really quite beautiful. It was a change from those she usually wore. Mira dressed more richly and finely than the girls Jon met in the North, but there was something that made her dressing more modest than those of all the other highborn ladies here at Casterly Rock. Even Joy wore gowns with more finery than her.

Jon brought his attention back to the people at the tables. Garlan Tyrell was drinking with his wife, Lady Leonette Fossoway, though none of them seemed drunk. For Teron and some of his friends, the situation was completely different. He saw Daven who still danced with Lady Desmera. Sera Durwell was talking with Ser Lucion Lannister. Tyrion still discussed with his wife, several cups before them. Jon wondered if they were empty or full.

The music came to an end and some people applauded. The singer wasn't done however. There was now a flutist and another woman with blond hair and a red bonnet over it who had a lute in her hands. A man with a small drum completed the set of musicians. They began to play a new song. It began with the flute alone, then the lute joined it.

"Jon, would you like to dance with me?" Mira asked him.

Jon laughed at it. "You want me to walk on your feet?"

"You won't. It's not so difficult to dance. I'll show you."

Jon surrendered. "As you wish."

Mira took his arm and they walked to the dancing floor. For the second time this evening, Jon would dance with a lady, which was more than he ever did within a single evening in Winterfell. Mira explained him quickly how to position himself, and soon he was holding her, one hand on her shoulder, the other one on her hip. She was the one leading him, and Jon found it quite easier than with her friend. Not a single time did he threaten to stumble, and he even made her twirl on herself after a time. All the while, the woman kept singing with her rich voice.

Cross the oceans

Far away

Lead me angel, my way

Cross the sky

Far and wide

This child is the one I must guide

The wind calls to me

To lands of mystery

And when the night falls

We'll see all stars guiding us home

Guiding us home.

Lead me back home

I'm sorry, your world was never meant to be

But the humans couldn't see

Their hearts blinded with hatred

But you are, the essence of the one star

That will guide us all

In the shadows we'll seek out the light

Pure and true through the night

Sacred the beauty of such wonderland

The skies burn with fire from Hudraer's breath

As the wind blows the essence of life

Dear child, this dream is not mine

Your heart burns with fire so keep it alive

As the wind blows the essence of life

When the song ended, Jon released her from his arms, but his eyes remained locked on hers. She still smiled at him, the same way she always did. There was something with her green eyes he found fascinating. He looked at them for a very long time, or so he thought.

"I think I should go. Sera will believe I abandoned her," she suddenly said.

She granted him one last time smile and walked past him. Jon followed her with his eyes for a moment, watching her walk away, her brown hair almost black dandling a little against the white of her dress. The musicians started to play again and Jon left the floor to let the others dance. Why did he feel hollow right now? He was all right only a few minutes ago. Now he felt as if there was a sting somewhere in his chest.

He found Teron and the others engaged into a drinking contest. They waved him to join them and Jon complied. Soon, he was drinking with them, cup after cup. He started to feel dizzy again, and things around him turned blurrier. Two of them were already asleep, their heads resting on the table. Each cup was more difficult to swallow, but it also felt easier at the same time. The music kept playing in the background, but Jon heard it as if it came from quite afar.

Jon stopped drinking for a moment. He didn't think it would be wise for him to stand up right now. He may end up on the floor, like Willas Tyrell when he tried to dance with Mira. The dancing floor was almost empty now. Only half a dozen people were still there, and their dance was very slow to match the music, that was now very quiet. Jon supposed it would have been a good time to play the Rains of Castamere. However, Lord and Lady Lannister were still at the high table. Instead of it, the musicians played another song, one that wasn't that different from it, but the song they played didn't praise Lannister deeds. Jon understood the words of this one very clearly.

These scars long have yearned for your tender caress

To bind our fortunes, damn what the stars own

Rend my heart open, then your love profess

A winding, weaving fate to which we both atone

You flee my dream come the morning

Your scent – berries tart, lilac sweet

To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy

Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep

The wolf I will follow into the storm

To find your heart, its passion displaced

By ire ever growing, hardening into stone

Amidst the cold to hold you in a heated embrace

You flee my dream come the morning

Your scent – berries tart, lilac sweet

To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy

Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep

I know not if fate would have us live as one

Or if by love's blind chance we've been bound

The wish I whispered, when it all began

Did it forge a love you might never have found?

You flee my dream come the morning

Your scent – berries tart, lilac sweet

To dream of raven locks entwisted, stormy

Of violet eyes, glistening as you weep

The song was sad. Very sad. Jon looked around him. Half the ladies still present were crying. There were even men who cried. He saw some of his friends among them, knights who loved to show their prowess with a sword. Jon burst into an uncontrollable laughter.

Some time later, he was in one of the many corridors of the Rock, holding his head against the cold wall of the tunnel. It was much colder than the walls at Winterfell. Everything was still blurred all around him. He remembered someone told everybody the feast was over and it was time to go back to their rooms. Jon didn't know exactly what happened afterwards. He probably walked away from the Great Hall, though he couldn't remember doing it, nor how he arrived here.

Jon straightened up and looked around him, trying to see where he was. The tunnels were all so alike here. How would he find his way back to his room? His throat was dry. He chose one side of the tunnel to follow, not knowing for sure where it would lead him. He arrived at a junction, with one way right and one left. He chose right. Three times the same thing happened, and he didn't recognize the place any more. If only he could cross someone's path, ask him where he was, he could reorient himself in the right direction.

He wandered through deserted corridors for a very long time. There were doors, all closed, and he didn't know who was behind them, or if there was someone on the other side, or if they were sleeping. He had to lean against a wall more than once to not stumble.

He rounded a corner and finally saw someone. She closed a door and looked at him. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"Jon? What are you doing here?"

"I…" Jon tried to speak a first time. By the Old Gods, his mouth was drier than parchment. "I'm sorry. I think I lost my way."

"You're drunk," she stated. Mira looked at him with disapproval.

"Aye, I am." There was no use in hiding it. He blinked his eyes, the fire from the torch nearby difficult for his eyes.

Mira sighed. "Come. I'll bring you back. You'll never find your way in your state."

She almost grabbed his arm and forced him to follow her. Jon wasn't really in a state or a position to refuse, mentally or physically. Mira didn't hold his arm very tightly, but her hold was strong enough to force him to follow her. They made a dozen of turns at intersections, and at the end Jon thought he recognized the place where they were. In no time, he was back to his rooms. Mira opened the door for him and they went in together.

Jon fell on his bed, or perhaps it was Mira who dropped him on it. The world was turning all around him. He heard a cry next to him, then a fur rubbing against his leg. Ghost had woken up, or maybe he was already awaken and waiting for him. Jon absently rubbed his white fur on his back. It gave him something to focus on. He found it funny, just rubbing the fur of his best friend.

"Here." Mira was standing right in front of him, handing him a goblet. "It's water. If you don't want to feel worse in the morning, you should drink it all, and more."

Jon sat up on his bed and took the cup he was offered, though he had difficulty to grab it at the beginning, but in the end, he managed to hold it and brought it to his lips. He sighed in relief as the liquid went through his mouth, on his tongue, then in his throat. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

Jon kept drinking the cup slowly. After a time, he noticed Ghost wasn't there any longer. He didn't need much time to find him. Mira was sitting on another chair, and Ghost was next to her, whinnying. She smiled at him while she rubbed the fur behind his ears.

"You're a good boy, aren't you?" Ghost made a sound that had to mean he agreed, or so Jon supposed. "I wonder if you'll keep growing. Some say there are direwolves as tall as men."

Jon smiled at it. Ghost was always very quiet when Mira was around, and she was one of the few to not fear him at all. Jon had wondered for a short time if she was mad the first time she stroke Ghost's fur in the godswood of Winterfell, but his friend seemed to have taken a liking on the girl immediately. They were a good pair right now, Ghost with his white fur and Mira still wearing her white dress.

Jon went to take some more water two or three times. After the fourth cup, he laid it on a nearby table and remained sitting on his bed, feeling a little better, though the room still seemed to turn a little on itself. He half-closed his eyes.

"You liked the feast?" Mira asked him.

"Aye, I did. Sorry I forced you to drag me here."

"You're not the only one I did this for tonight. I had just accompanied back Sera to her chamber when you arrived."

"Sera? Your friend, she was drunk too?"

"Yes, and worse than you, believe me. Half of what she said made no sense on the way to her room. That's not the first time it happens. I'm often the one to escort her back at the end of any feast or ball."

"You never get drunk?" Jon asked her.

"Never," she replied shortly, as if they talked about weather.

"There were others who had to be much drunker than me. They cried at the end of the last song."

"It doesn't surprise me. I almost cried myself," she revealed. "This is a very sad song, and the story behind it is very sad as well."

"Aye. Sansa would have liked it. I never heard it before. Did you?"

"No. But I knew the song."

"What do you mean?" How could she know a song if she never heard it before?

"It's a song from a story. I read it not long ago."

"A sad story, I suppose."

"Yes, in a way."

She remained silent for a long moment, continuing to stroke Ghost's over his head. He tried to lick her at some moment, and she ducked while chuckling a little. Her smile seemed distracted, as if she was lost somewhere. Jon didn't want to break the silence. He felt well, only looking at her caressing Ghost.

"The story is happening in another world," she said after a time. "A world where there are magical beasts, where men and women can have magical power, where kings are being advised by mages and witches. The story is about a hunter with such magical power who fell in love with a witch. A woman with dark hair like ravens and violet eyes." She made a muffled sound with her throat. "It is proof enough that it is not happening in Westeros. The only people with such eyes here are the Targaryens and none of them were black of hair."

"Did one of them die?" If both the song and story were sad, it had to be that.

"No. For years, they only saw each other from time to time. Finally, they settled on an island called Avalon where they lived together. But then demons came after them and made the hunter's love prisoner. He went after her but lost his memory after a battle. He forgot her. He met another witch, younger, with red hair, and fell in love with her." That story was weird. "He regained his memory later and remembered her. They were reunited in the end, and they fought and defeated the demons."

"So, everything ended well, finally? They lived happily together, forever?"

"We're not sure. The end of the story is not clear. We don't know if he went back with his first love, or if he stayed with the second. It's not even clear if he lived with one of them afterwards."

"Strange, a story with an unclear end."

"It allows the people who read it to imagine how it ended. Or to choose the end they like the most." She looked back at him, a smile coming back to her face. "Do you know how the hunter was called by some?"

"No idea."

She looked at Ghost. "The White Wolf." She looked back at him and they shared a short laugh. She stood up after they looked at each other for some time. "I should go. We both need some rest. Good night, Jon."

"Good night, Mira. Thank you again."

She bowed her head a little to acknowledge his thanks, ruffled Ghost's fur one last time, and left. Jon laid on his bed immediately after she was gone. He watched a nearby candle slowly burning out. He felt Ghost touching his hand that hang over the floor when he came to rest next to him. The light died in the room, and slowly he fell asleep.

He was in a dark place. A dark place all made of stone. He had remained in this place for quite some time. He had to stay there too often. He wanted to go out. He stood on his paws and walked to the entrance. He tried to push what kept him inside, but he failed. It wouldn't give. He could smell his master, sleeping not far away from him, and another smell as well, a smell he liked very much. He scraped the wood with his claws, to no avail. He wanted to get out.

Then he was at Winterfell, with his brothers and sisters. He was sparring with Robb as the snow fell all around them. He blocked one of his brother's blow with his shield and brought his blade near his neck. His brother laughed and pushed the blunted sword aside with his hand.

"What are the lords going to say? The future Lord of Winterfell, defeated by his half-brother," Robb said. They both laughed.

They heard someone scream not far away. They turned to look at Sansa receiving snowballs from Arya, Bran and Rickon. She began to chase after Arya, but Rickon called for her, and she ran after him instead. As small as Rickon could be, he was faster than Sansa. She quickly lost track of him, and Arya yelled to attract her attention. Sansa took the bait and chased her then. Jon couldn't contain his laughter, and no more could Robb. They watched Sansa chase after Bran, only to see him go out of reach when he began to climb the walls.

"Bran! Stop that! Come down immediately!" Lady Stark burst into the courtyard at this moment and put an end to the chasing, forcing Bran to come down with a disapproving look.

For once, Jon wasn't the boy she looked at with disapproval. But the next moment, Catelyn Stark was sending her son away with a smile after a very short scolding. That never happened with him. He and Robb went back to sparring on Ser Rodrik's call.

Jon woke up in the morning with a severe headache. He took some more water, but the headache persisted. Ghost was still sleeping, laying right before the door. He noticed he was still all dressed from the last night. He got rid of his clothes and put on new ones. He opened the flaps of his window and was blinded by the light of day. A sound behind him announced that Ghost was awaken.

"Hi, boy. You had a good night?" Ghost kept looking at him, his tongue out. Jon smiled and rubbed the top of his head. "Come, time to eat."

Jon walked with Ghost at his side to the Great Hall where he took his breakfast every morning like most of the household. After taking some stew with bread, he headed to the table where he ate with Daven and the other knights. This morning, it wasn't full as it usually was. More than half the men were missing.

"Ah, glad to see you, Jon," Daven said. "We're a small lot this morning. Come, we've got all the place we need."

"Where are all the others?" Jon asked.

"Probably still recovering from last night. Some of them may have fallen asleep in the stables or in other places. My cousin Lucion was found in a pantry by a kitchen maid."

"What was he doing in a pantry?"

The knight shrugged "Perhaps he was hungry. But most likely he wandered there in a state between sleep and awakening, thinking it was his chamber or some other place he wanted to go. Perhaps he was looking for a tumble with a girl."

"In a pantry?"

"There are stranger places to do it."

"Like what?"

Daven seemed thoughtful, searching his mind. "A sept," a squire said.

"That's not a strange place. Everyone knows half the septons do it there," Daven Lannister retorted.

"The training yards?" another one suggested.

"Not private enough. I'm quite sure no one ever did it there."

"The rookery," Ser Artus said.

"Quite strange, true, but I wonder how they would get unnoticed by Creylen. He's sleeping next to it and the ravens would warn him immediately."

"The gardens?" another one proposed.

"You really have no imagination, don't you?"

"The library."

"That's not strange at all."

"The godswood," someone suggested.

Daven laughed after a moment. "True. Difficult to find a stranger place, especially our godswood."

"And what about the Hall of Heroes?" Jon asked.

Daven looked at him, all surprised. Then he laughed. "Anyone has something better?" No one said a word. "You found the strangest one, Jon Snow."

Everyone laughed. Jon returned his attention to his bread, but as he finished it, Tywin Frey approached.

"Lord Snow. Lord Lannister and Lady Lannister are summoning you to their rooms," the squire told him.

Everyone looked at Jon with a questioning look. Jon shook his head and shrugged. He had no idea why he was summoned. "I'm coming as soon as I'm done." He designated the bowl of stew before him with a movement of his head.

"They said you had to come immediately," the squire insisted.

"Very well." Jon dropped his spoon and followed the boy, Ghost still with him.

"I don't think the wolf will be allowed in my lord's rooms," Tywin Frey said. He was eyeing the said wolf with caution.

"He will stay outside," Jon told him. Tyrion Lannister was at ease in the presence of Ghost, but Jon believed his wife was a little more afraid of him.

Jon wondered why Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery asked for him. They were early in the morning, and normally it was the little lord who wanted to speak to him alone. The Lady of Casterly Rock was never part of the discussion and she never asked to speak to him. Why did they want to see him together now? Jon felt there was something wrong.

Before the doors, he was allowed inside after ordering Ghost to wait for him. Ty, like everyone called Lord Tyrion's squire, led him into the solar. Jon had been inside before, and it didn't seem to have changed. The only difference was that the last time, he had been alone with Tyrion. Now his wife was present. However, that wasn't the strangest thing. Lady Margaery seemed… upset. Jon couldn't remember seeing her upset or angry before.

"Thank you, Ty. Leave us alone," Lord Tyrion said. He looked different as well, his face serious and dark. As soon as his squire left, he turned towards Jon and talked with gravity. "I'm afraid we have bad news for you, Snow." Why didn't it surprise him? "Your father has been arrested."

That surprised him. More than surprising him, it took him completely unaware. He was speechless for a very long time, before he was able to say something. "Arrested?"

"Yes." Slowly, the information made its way. That was impossible. How could his father be under arrest?

"Why? What happened?"

"He is accused of treason, for trying to seize the Iron Throne."

"But that's impossible! My father would never do something like that. He and King Robert are friends."

"Robert Baratheon is dead," Lady Lannister said at this moment. She was standing next to her husband's desk. She sighed, snatched a small piece of paper on the desk and handed it to Jon. "You should read this. We received it in the night."

Jon took it and read.

To all noblemen and noblewomen of Westeros,

King Robert Baratheon, the First of His Name, died in a hunting accident. In the hours following his death, Lord Eddard Stark, Hand of the King, Lord of Winterfell and Warden of the North, attempted to murder the children of his king to seize the Iron Throne for himself. He was stopped by the loyal servants of our beloved Robert and waits for justice.

Joffrey of the House Baratheon hereby becomes King of the Andals, the First Men and the Rhoynars, Lord of the Seven Kingdoms and Protector of the Realm, the First of His Name. May the gods grant him strength, courage, piety, wisdom, and a long and plentiful reign.

Jon tried to understand, but he couldn't. He looked at the king's seal next to the signature. The message looked authentic. His father was now waiting for justice. Waiting for justice. Jon knew very well what that meant. He saw his father execute more than enough traitors to know what to expect for him.

Jon threw the message on the floor and walked toward the door, but before he could make a few steps, Tyrion Lannister called after him.

"I hope you're not thinking of doing anything foolish."

Jon faced him. "My father is charged with treason, and my sisters are in King's Landing as well."

"No harm will come to them. They're only children, with no part in all this, and anyway, they're too valuable as hostages to be killed or mistreated."

"Hostages?" Jon felt anger rising in him. "My father would never betray the king. He would never do this! These are lies!"

Tyrion Lannister looked unimpressed. "Well, we seem to agree on one thing, at least."

Jon ignored what he said. "You want me to do nothing while my father is about to be killed?"

"Jon Snow." Lady Lannister's soft but firm voice deflected his attention away from the lord to his wife. "We understand what you're going through. We don't believe your father is guilty, but you won't save him by riding straight away to King's Landing. The last Stark who did this ended up dead with his father. You won't help him with your death."

Of course, Jon knew what happened when his uncle Brandon Stark rode to the capital after his sister Lyanna was kidnapped, but right now he couldn't think about anything else but trying to save his father and his sisters.

"Wait. You don't believe my father is guilty?" he asked.

"Well, I doubt Eddard Stark would try to seize the Iron Throne," Lady Lannister said. "We only met him briefly at Winterfell, but it was obvious he didn't want to go in the capital. He only went there because King Robert ordered him to. Why would he want the throne so suddenly?"

"If he wanted the Iron Throne, he would have seized it fifteen years ago. He was the first to enter the Throne Room after the Mad King died. I know it, my brother told me. He was there when your father went inside the Great Hall," Tyrion Lannister added.

"Why is he accused of treason then?" Jon asked.

Tyrion shrugged. "No idea, but there are a lot of strange things that happened recently. Jon Arryn's death, or murder, depending whom you ask. The double assassination attempt against your brother Bran. And now your father's arrest."

Jon was without voice for a time. Surely he misheard. "What did you say?"

The little lord raised a brow. "Your family are not the only ones to suspect that Jon Arryn's death wasn't accidental. Or that your brother's fall in Winterfell was no accident."

Jon couldn't believe what he just heard, but before he could say anything, Lady Lannister spoke up. "I surprised a conversation between Lady Stark, your brother and a few other people at Winterfell. We know your family is suspecting us to be behind all this. We also know that Lady Stark went to King's Landing to investigate and that it is why you crossed her path on the Kingsroad."

"I… I don't know what you're talking about. I… I never met Lady Stark on our way," Jon stammered.

The Lady of Casterly Rock gave a short and condescending laugh. "You, Starks, are not very good at lying. Mira told me about what happened at the inn."

Tyrion and Margaery Lannister were both looking at him as if he was a child, and right now Jon almost felt like one. They knew everything. His family thought they hid their suspicions well, but the Lannisters knew all along what they were doing.

"Did you try to kill Bran?" Jon finally asked. He hoped not.

"Of course not!" Lord Tyrion snapped. "Your family may think we had a hand in this, but on that they are wrong. I have nothing to see with the attempt of murder against your brother. I don't know who did this, but it wasn't me. Casterly Rock has nothing to see with that."

"We have men in the capital," Lady Margaery explained. "They sent us reports concerning Jon Arryn. The circumstances of his death are… confusing. The symptoms of the disease are similar to those of a very rare poison called the tears of Lys. The poison acts quickly and eats the bowels of his victim. We believe your brother Bran surprised a conversation between people who took part in this murder at Winterfell, and that it is why he was pushed from the top of that tower and that later someone was sent to kill him."

"Why didn't you tell us? Why didn't you tell Robb at Winterfell?" Jon asked.

"Because we have no proof," Lord Tyrion replied. "We are not even sure that Jon Arryn was assassinated. We only have suspicions. I asked my uncle Kevan who is Master of Laws to investigate the matter, but so far he found nothing. And to be honest with you, Jon Snow, I doubt your father, your mother or your brother would believe me. From the way Lord Eddard Stark spoke to me at Winterfell, he seemed more eager to trust a wildling than a Lannister."

A silence followed. It was true that Jon's family didn't trust the Lannisters at all. "My lord father went to King's Landing to discover who murdered Jon Arryn. Do you have any idea who could have done this?"

"No. All I know is that there's something wrong going in the capital, and I highly doubt that your father's arrest is a coincidence. The official message that King's Landing sent is that your father committed treason, but my uncle sent a raven of his own and it seems the circumstances of your father's arrest are quite unclear to everyone in the capital. I'm afraid the official message is in part a lie. Now that Robert is dead, my nephew is on the Iron Throne and Cersei is certainly the one whispering in his ear. My sister never forgets a slight, real or imagined. She takes dissent for treason. It's possible that Lord Stark opposed her and she had him arrested."

Cersei Lannister. Whenever Tyrion talked about her, it was never with good words. "Jon Snow, tell us, why did your father believe Jon Arryn was killed?" the lord asked. "I doubt your family has spies in King's Landing like we do."

Jon thought about it for a moment. Could he reveal the truth? He could put in danger his brothers and sisters' aunt if he told the truth. On the other side, if Lord and Lady Lannister suspected that Jon Arryn's death was no accident, telling them might help to discover the truth. They didn't believe his father was guilty of treason.

"We received a letter from Lady Arryn. She claimed that Lord Arryn was murdered. She said the Lannisters were behind this."

The two Lannisters looked at each other in something that looked like bewilderment. Then Lady Lannister turned to him with an incredulous expression. "Lysa Arryn? Did you ever meet her?"

"No."

"If you did, you wouldn't trust her word a single moment. The woman is mad," the lady declared.

"What?"

"I saw her during Joffrey's Tourney, and she spent all her time locked in her rooms with her son, a frail boy of nine or ten who looked like he was six, and she kept complaining about the capital and how it was a dangerous place for him. Half of what she said made no sense. She saw enemies and dangers everywhere. I even saw her feeding her son at her breast in the middle of our conversation."

Jon remained still for a time. Was that really the woman whose words convinced his lord father to go to King's Landing? A mad woman? "We must write to the capital and explain them."

"That won't do any good," Tyrion declared. "If your father tried something against Joffrey or Cersei, this won't arrange anything. It might even make them worse. Joffrey and Cersei could go as far as declaring Lysa Arryn a traitor too, and this will start a war."

"But my father didn't know Lysa Arryn wasn't trustworthy."

"It won't matter to Cersei or Joffrey."

"So what do we do? I can't let my father and my sister in the capital. They are in danger."

"I agree," Lady Margaery said. "And that's why we need you, Jon Snow. The message you read was sent through all the Seven Kingdoms. It will arrive at Winterfell very soon. When it does, when Robb Stark learns that your father and your sisters are being held, what do you think he will do?"

"He won't stay still."

"That's what we're afraid of. Do you think your brother could call his banners?"

Jon thought about it for a moment. "Aye, he could."

"And that's what we cannot allow. We need you to go back to Winterfell and convince him to stay in the North," Tyrion declared.

Jon looked at the lord he spoke with so often back in the North. "What?"

"You heard me. Robb Stark cannot march on King's Landing. Only you can stop him. We cannot send a raven signed by your hand. He may believe we forced you to write it. You must speak with him in person."

"You want me to tell Robb to do nothing while our father may be executed?"

"Your father is already accused of treason. If his son marches on the capital with an army, that treason will turn into a rebellion, and your whole family will be branded traitors. Is that what you want?"

"My father is being accused wrongly, and you're asking me to stand by and do nothing?!"

"No." Lady Lannister's voice was calm but firm. "We're asking you to give us time. Tyrion and I are leaving for King's Landing tomorrow with two thousand men. We're going to find out what really happened and to put some order in that mess. We'll make sure your father and your sisters come back from this alive."

"You can?"

"We can. Cersei and Joffrey just alienated the North, the Riverlands and probably the Vale against them. They need Casterly Rock and Highgarden more than ever. They won't be able to oppose us."

"We'll get all your family in King's Landing out of this, and no one will die," Tyrion added. "There's no need for a war when we can get them out of this through politics. But for that, we need you to get your brother to stay away from the capital. The moment he marches on the city, it's over. Your family will be branded traitors, and this time your father and your sisters will really be in danger. You don't need to tell your brother to disband his army if he already has one when you arrive. Tell him to keep it north of Moat Cailin. As long as it remains in the North, there will be no problem. It might even put further pression on Cersei to free your father."

Jon looked at the Lord of Casterly Rock attentively. He looked sincere. "Do I have your word? Do you promise you will save my family?"

"You have my word. I have no wish to start a war, but warn your brother. If he marches against King's Landing, I'll have to fight against him. Joffrey is my nephew and my king, and Cersei is my sister. Even if they are in the wrong in all this, they are still my family. The moment your brother is at war against them, so am I against him. If he attacks the capital, he will have the full power of the Westerlands standing before him."

"And the power of the Reach too," Lady Margaery added.

"Tell that to your brother. If it comes to war, I'll do what I can to protect your sisters and your father, but I might not be able to ensure their safety. Tell Robb Stark that he has a choice between seeing his father and sisters alive and well, or risking their lives even more with a war."

Jon could see that Tyrion Lannister and his wife were dead serious. They would fight Robb if he started a war. Jon loathed to admit it, but they couldn't fight Joffrey. Their best chance was to allow Tyrion Lannister to settle things in the capital before it all went too far.

"All right. I'll leave for Winterfell as soon as I can," Jon said.

"The sooner the better," Tyrion replied.

"Then I'll leave this morning."

"As you wish. We'll make sure you have everything you need for your journey to the North. I'll also give you a letter for your brother, explaining the situation and my intentions. My squire will bring it to you before you leave."

Jon nodded. "I'll go and prepare my things immediately. My lord. My lady."

He left on that and went to his chamber. He spent enough time in the Rock now to easily find his own chamber when he wasn't drunk. Ghost walked quickly by his side, alert like Jon was. His father was in danger. There was no time to lose.

Jon didn't understand how it could have come to that. Robert Baratheon dead. His father arrested. His sisters… he didn't know what became of them. He remembered the thin sword he gave to Arya before she left. Did she try to use it? And Sansa? Were they locked in rooms or cells? Were they together or separated? He should have asked for more details, but certainly Tyrion wouldn't have been able to give him any. He was in the dark as much as Jon was.

Tyrion Lannister was right, of course. Marching with an army on King's Landing could place his father and sisters in danger as much as it could save them. On the other side, Lord Tyrion surely had more than enough influence on his sister and nephew to make sure his father wouldn't die. His uncle was sitting on the small council and he said he had agents in the city. If someone could spread some light on all the events that took place in the capital, that was him. Jon had to rely on a Lannister to save his father. How ironic it was. His father once told him he wouldn't entrust a cat to the Lannisters.

Jon packed everything he had, which wasn't much, in a small bag. He was about to buckle his sword at his belt when someone knocked at the door. It had to be Lord Tyrion's squire with the letter for Robb.

"Come in," he said. His back was turned to the door. When his sword was in place and he turned, he found himself before Mira Forrester instead of Tywin Frey. "Mira?"

"Lady Margaery told me what happened, Jon. I'm so sorry," she said. Jon nodded. He appreciated the thought. "I don't understand. I met your father twice, and I can't imagine him betraying the king, let alone try to take the Iron Throne."

"He didn't! That's a lie!" He regretted immediately that he shouted. "Sorry."

"That's all right. I don't know how I would feel if I was at your place."

Jon sighed and sat at the end of his bed. "Sansa and Arya are there too. They're in danger as well. I'm going to Winterfell to convince Robb to stay in the North, the time Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery arrange everything." He looked at her. "I'm sorry. I'm afraid I won't be present for your wedding."

"Well, in fact, I won't be marrying immediately. I'm going to King's Landing with Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery."

"Really?"

"Yes. They believe a Northerner could be useful there, and since you're heading for the North, I'm the only one at their disposal. I'll go to Highgarden as soon as all this is over and marry Willas then. You could come at this moment."

"Aye. How is he, by the way?"

"I'm afraid I was right yesterday. He caught a little cold. Nothing serious, but he will have to keep bed for a few days." A long silence followed. Neither of them seemed to know what to say. "Jon, could you get a message to my father, if you ever see him with your brother?"

"Of course."

"Just tell him that I'm well, and safe. Tell him to be careful, and that I miss him, and my mother, and Talia, and all my brothers too."

"I'll tell him."

"Do you want me to carry a message to your sisters? I could give it to them while I'm there."

"Aye, thank you. Do you think you could give them a letter?"

"I think I could. I'll have to do it discreetly, but it's possible."

"Would it get you into trouble, if they saw you giving them a message from me?" He didn't want anything wrong to happen to Mira.

"Maybe, but I'll make sure no one sees me. Don't worry about me."

"All right. I… I'll write something for them."

Jon went to his desk and began to write three letters. One was for his lord father, the two other ones for his sisters. In the middle of the letter to his father, he noticed that Mira had taken his place on the bed and was rubbing Ghost's fur just like yesterday. She was smiling gently at the direwolf. Jon went back to his letters and finished the one for his father, then proceeded to write one for Sansa as well. He was almost done writing it when someone knocked on the door. Jon quickly hid the letters.

"Come in," he said without thinking.

This time, it was Tywin Frey. He had a scroll with the seal of House Lannister on it. "The letter from Lord Lannister for Robb Stark," he said. He turned in Mira's direction at this moment. "Oh, excuse me, my lady. I didn't know you were there."

"Everything is fine, Ty. I was just saying goodbye to Jon and Ghost."

"Yes, I see." Ty Frey looked at Jon's direwolf who stood next to Mira with suspicion. He gave the scroll to Jon. "Safe journey, my lord."

As soon as he was gone, Jon went back to writing the letters. He finished the one for Sansa, then wrote the letter for Arya. When they were all done, he gave them to Mira. The letter that was destined to his father was the longest, and Sansa's was the shortest. He didn't have much to tell her. He only tried to reassure her that everything would go well. He did the same with Arya and his father though he also warned and advised Arya to be careful and not get herself into trouble, while explaining in detail to his father he could trust Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery Lannister. Jon was more certain about the Imp than about his wife, but although he didn't know her personally, she seemed truly concerned about his lord father when they talked about saving him and she didn't show any animosity against his family. Furthermore, she was Tyrion's wife, and Jon knew they ruled the Westerlands together and got along very well. Sometimes, when they held court or even this morning, they seemed to have one same mind. If they could trust Tyrion Lannister, they could trust Margaery Lannister.

"Be careful with these," Jon told his friend.

"Don't worry. I'll get them to your father and your sisters. You can rely on me."

"No, I mean…" That wasn't how he meant it. "Be careful with yourself. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

She smiled at him while hiding the letters in her jerkin. "Don't worry, Jon. I can look after myself." She then took a more serious expression. "Be careful on the road."

"I will be. I promise." A silence passed between them. "It may be the last time we see each other." He didn't think he could come to Highgarden to assist to her wedding, and after that they would be in two separate kingdoms, he at Casterly Rock, she at Highgarden.

"Maybe," Mira replied, "but I don't think so. We'll see each other again." They looked at each other like that for a very long time. Strangely, Jon didn't know what to tell her before they went separate ways. Finally, she was the one to break the silence. "Good luck, Jon. Your family needs you."

Then she walked away, left his room and disappeared behind a closed door. Ghost growled and Jon seized his bag, placing Tyrion's letter in it. He went to the door as well and looked behind him one last time. He forgot nothing. Hopefully, he would be back soon, once all this was over. He opened the door and left the chamber he occupied for the last months.

Jon went to see Joy before he left. She was sad that he left and made him promise to come back as soon as he could. Then he made his way to the stables easily and had a stableboy ready the horse he brought with him from Winterfell. As the horse was being prepared, Tyrion Lannister walked towards him.

"Good luck, Snow. You'll need it."

"Not as much as you, from the way you talk about your sister."

"I know my sister. Let me deal with her. She believes herself to be very clever, but she only has above average intelligence. As for your brother, I don't know him. He seems to be a good man enough, but I don't know him. You know him, however."

"So we both deal with the person we know better."

"Quite a good resume. Let's hope they're both smart enough to see sense."

"Aye."

Would Robb accept to leave their father's fate in the hands of Tyrion Lannister? Jon didn't know. His brother didn't seem to suspect the little lord as much as before, but Robb wasn't close to call Tyrion Lannister a friend either. Jon may have a lot of convincing ahead of him, but he had to succeed. His father's life could depend on it.

The horse was ready. Jon climbed on it. "Good luck, my lord," he told his friend.

"God luck, Snow."

Jon shook the reins and his horse and rode forward. The guards let him through the Lion's Mouth. After a long downgrade, he took the River Road. As he progressed, Casterly Rock slowly receded. It took hours before it disappeared on the horizon, but at the end of the day he couldn't see it any longer. He didn't take time to say goodbye to most of his friends there. He couldn't believe how much had happened in the past months, but now he had to focus on rescuing his father. He hoped Tyrion Lannister would succeed. Jon reflected on the fact that House Arryn's words were As High as Honor. He was named after Jon Arryn by his father. Jon hoped Tyrion Lannister's honor was as high as Casterly Rock. However, the Lannister words were different. Hear me Roar, or as many wrongly assumed, A Lannister always pays his debts.


I told a few people that Tyrion, Margaery, Jon and Sansa, who are the four main characters of this story, would all have a romance. I suppose I don't need to hide any longer with who Jon will have his own romance.

The story Mira is telling Jon is the story of Geralt of Rivia in the Witcher games. "Wolven Storm" is a song that was created for this video game, and that is actually sung in the game by a character. Since the main character of this video game and Jon bear the same nickname, I found it interesting to include it and to make some sort of a parallel between the two.

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