This chapter takes place immediately where the previous ended.


JON XV

They didn't speak for a while as they progressed through the corridors of Riverrun. Jon wasn't sure what to tell her. What were you saying to someone who lost her brother, and in such a way. Jon knew that Bran and Rickon were burned by Theon. In the very least, he probable killed them before he burned their bodies. There were questions he tried to not ask himself. But for Mira, what made the death of her brother worse in Jon's eyes was that he actually witnessed his last moments. He charged the enemy lines with hundreds of men in a desperate attempt to save Rodrik Forrester, to no avail. Stannis used their reaction against them, as a trap.

Mira didn't witness her brother's death, but what if she asked Jon about details? What would he tell her? What would Lord Gregor want for his daughter? It may be better to tell her nothing and let her father do it. Rodrik was their family, not his.

Jon also felt awkward next to her. Even though she brought them Arya, endangered her life to do so, she was still serving the Lannisters, and the Lannisters remained their enemies so far, no matter what Lady Margaery just said. Jon wished they weren't at war, but they were, and a part of him couldn't trust Mira.

Finally, that was her who broke the silence.

"I'm sorry for Bran and Rickon, Jon."

"Thank you. You have my condolences for Rodrik." He waited for her reaction, but she said nothing. "How are you?"

"As best as I can, with everything…"

She didn't finish her sentence. He looked more closely at her. Her expression and voice were both empty.

"How is Sansa?"

"Safe," she answered, "and much better since Joffrey died." Jon sighed in relief. "What about Arya? Is she alright?"

"Aye. Thank you again for bringing her to us. Have Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery caused you any problem because of this?"

"For now, they overlooked it. I don't think they will punish me for it, but they do not trust me as much as before. And if I do something against their trust once more, they won't be as forgiving as the first time."

Jon got his confirmation that she was forced to obey the Lannisters. Even if she hadn't wanted to come here, they would probably have forced her. "I'm sorry for the trouble we put you in."

"You didn't put me in any trouble, Jon. I created my own. You didn't choose to have your father killed, nor did you decide for Sansa to end as a prisoner, or Arya to end up working as a servant for the Lannister army. I and I alone chose to save her, and I don't regret it."

No words were exchanged as they walked through the portcullis and the gates of the castle.

"Is it true what Lady Margaery said? About Joffrey and Bran, and the kingsguard?"

"Yes, it is true, Jon. Joffrey was a monster. I know what I'm talking about. And I'm glad he's dead." Her body shook for an instant. "Jon, please forgive me the question, but do you have any idea who might have killed Joffrey?"

He was surprised by the question. "I thought it was Stannis."

"That's the official version that the Lannisters gave but…" She cast glances around her. "We weren't there. Joffrey was assassinated the night we left. We only learned about his trespassing a few days later, when Ser Barristan Selmy and another kingsguard joined us and told us the news. I know that Stannis is the logical responsible. Lady Margaery told me what happened in the Riverlands when he had his brother murdered but… but…"

Jon thought for a moment. "Do you think Lord Tyrion and Lady Margaery may have done it?" he carefully asked.

"You have no idea how many times I thought about it, but I don't think so. Lord Tyrion despised Joffrey, he had no love for his nephew, especially after what he learned on the day before he left, but he was still his family, his blood. I can't picture him doing such a thing. He is no kinslayer. As for Lady Margaery, when she came back from the Stormlands, she was so distressed… She and her husband had a quarrel. I think it was because of Cersei who tried to kill her. It wasn't the first time the queen had tried to kill Lady Margaery, or Lord Tyrion for that matter. There had been previous attempts, but Lord Tyrion never dared to do anything against her because she was his sister. Lady Margaery couldn't have organized the assassination of a king within a single evening and night, especially not in her state of mind. I had never seen her so depressed before. Her brother's death and Cersei's attempt of assassination shattered her. Furthermore, there's something wrong with Joffrey's death. No one could have broken into his rooms then leave them without being noticed. And yet someone killed him. Unless… Joffrey never struck me for being suicidal but… Why would he commit suicide? He didn't even know that Lord Tyrion abandoned him."

Jon had never seen Mira so agitated and confused. She always seemed so calm. It was the first time Jon saw her lose the control of herself. He didn't blame her. She was a woman and she just lost her brother. The tearing caused by her conflicting loyalties between Lady Lannister and her own family didn't ease things. Without thinking, he took her hand. He could feel the shaking of it into his own.

"Mira…" He began, but the young woman interrupted him.

"Just… just tell me Arya is alright. When I found her at Harrenhal… I'm so afraid of what could have happened to her in this place. With all these people and the things they might have done to her."

"She's fine. My little sister is strong." Stronger than even Jon expected. Mira seemed to relax a little.

"Hey, Jon."

They couldn't have talked of Arya at a better time. As they travelled through the camp, they had crossed the path of a few training grounds, and Arya trained in one of them. Now she ran to them, covered by sweat and mud.

"Hey, Arya. You remember Lady Mira, don't you?"

"Aye, I do." Arya smiled broadly to Jon's companion. "I never thanked you for helping me."

"It's fine, Lady Arya. It was my pleasure to help," Mira answered.

"Don't call me that. I'm not a lady."

"Pardon me. I'm used to call everyone this way. Your brother is telling me you're doing fine."

"Aye, I am. And now that Joffrey's dead…"

Arya's smile widened. Jon knew it wasn't good to rejoice at the thought of someone's death, but he couldn't blame Arya after she witnessed their father's execution.

"I would have liked to be there to see him die. Do you know who killed him?" his sister asked.

"Some people believe it was Stannis. Others says it could have been Lord Tyrion, but I don't believe the latter."

"Perhaps they're all wrong." Arya shot a glance at Jon. He said nothing.

"It is good to see you again, Arya," Mira continued, taking care not to call Jon's sister by the title she despised. "I'm… I'm sorry for your brothers. I heard what the Greyjoys did to them. It's horrible."

"They're going to pay for this. And Stannis will pay for what he did to Rodrik."

Mira bowed the head slightly, a sigh of thankfulness.

"Your father must be waiting for you," Jon pointed out.

"Yes. Have a good day, Arya."

"Good luck, Mira."

They went their separate ways, Arya heading back to the training grounds, Jon resuming to escort Mira to her father. They had reached the place in the camp that was occupied by the Glovers and their bannermen.

"Jon, tell Arya to be careful," Mira whispered to him all of a sudden.

"Careful about what?"

"The coin."

She whispered it so low that he barely heard her. Jon understood after a moment. "You're talking about…"

"Don't say anything. They're dangerous." They had reached the first Forrester banner. "Thank you, Jon. I can find my way on my own from there. Give my sympathies to all your family." She hugged him… and slipped a piece of paper inside his doublet before he could step back. "He threatened me. Keep Arya far from him."

And then she walked away, leaving Jon stunned as he looked at the northern girl walking to the soldiers who were working a few paces away. Jon was hypnotized as he looked to her frame from the back, then he turned away and went back to Riverrun, his pace getting quicker at each step.

Once inside Riverrun, he pulled the letter his friend gave him and read it. A guard informed him that his brother was in the solar of Lord Tully. When Jon entered, Robb was already discussing with everyone else who was present when Lady Margaery Lannister made her offer of alliance.

Robb looked to him the moment he walked in. "Jon, come. My mother just informed us of something very important. Apparently, Jaime and Cersei Lannister were in the tower when Bran was pushed."

In an instant, Jon forgot about Mira's warning, and about Arya and that man she called Jaqen, and about the letter Sansa wrote for them.

"Lady Margaery believes they were there. She couldn't get a confession from her brother and sister-in-law, but she thinks that's what happened. The Kingslayer and the queen would have met in that tower, probably to discuss Jon Arryn's death, and Bran would have surprised their conversation. They pushed him in the hope that it would look like an accident and that he would die. She says she has no proof of it, but that's what she believes."

"What she believes, not what she knows," the Blackfish declared. "For all we know, Bran might have surprised the sister and the brother fornicating and that's why they pushed him."

"Maybe," Catelyn conceded. "You remember what Petyr told us. Maybe Lady Margaery is blinding herself when it comes to her husband and his family."

"I don't have the impression she's hiding away from the truth for family reasons. She just stated that her nephew tried to have Bran assassinated and that Cersei tried to have her killed. Why would she want to protect them?" Jon asked.

"To preserve Tommen's claim to the Iron Throne."

"I'm no longer sure if Tommen is truly a bastard," Robb said. "Or even Joffrey, for that matter. That's not even why we started the war in the first place. That's why Stannis claimed the throne and why he wanted us to fight for him, before he declared us traitors. And anyway, we only have Stannis' word about it, and he may just have used my father to take the throne himself. That's irrelevant. We cannot trust the Lannisters anymore than we can trust Stannis."

"Robb, I think we should consider their offer," Jon said. "They could help us against the Ironborn. The Knights of the Vale are powerful, but to defeat the Iron Islands, we will need a fleet on the western coast, and only the Tyrells and the Lannisters can provide ships in the Sunset Sea."

"Do you still think we can trust them?"

"I have doubts," Jon recognized after a moment, "but if what they say is true…"

"If, boy," Ser Brynden emphasized. Jon resumed.

"If what they say is true, then all the Lannisters who were responsible for this war are dead. There are no Joffrey or Cersei left to stab us in the back. And I spent time with them, the Lannisters keep their promises." He wasn't sure if he was trying to convince himself or the other people in the room. "And Sansa believes it too."

Everyone's brow creased when he said this name. Jon showed them the piece of paper he still had in hand. "Mira gave me this while I walked her to Lord Gregor. It's from her."

Everyone's face lightened and their eyes were opened wide. Lady Stark was on him in an instant, silently begging to get the scroll. Jon handed it to her. Her hands shaking, her eyes ran across the letter. Jon also saw water appearing in her eyes.

No one dared to break the atmosphere while Lady Stark her daughter's words. It took some time before Robb broke the silence, certainly enough for his mother to read the content over three times.

"Mother, what does she say?"

"She… she says she's fine. The people at Casterly Rock are being very nice to her, with a few exceptions. She is well treated. Lord and Lady Lannister are making sure she is safe. And… she asks us to make peace with them."

Robb gently seized the paper. It took time much less time to read it than his mother.

"Could it be a forgery? Or is it possible someone dictated that message to her, like after my father's death?" Jon's brother asked.

"This is no forgery. That's her writing. I could recognize it anytime," Lady Stark answered. "And these are her own words. This doesn't look like she was told what to write, at least not word by word."

"If we must believe what she wrote, Sansa was offered to send us a letter by Lady Lannister, but she was afraid we wouldn't believe it was authentic if it came from her hands. So instead she wrote it in secret and gave it to Mira."

Robb seemed to think about it for moment.

"I'm glad that Sansa is fine, and I understand why she wants this war to be over. I want to see her again, just like every one of us. But what about the North, Jon? The Lannisters want me to bend the knee. You know I can't, even if I wished."

Of course, Jon knew. Still, he didn't want to continue this war with people he lived with, people he became friends with. Even though he couldn't get rid of the doubts he had about them.

"With the Vale, we have a real chance to defeat Stannis. If we defeat him on the battlefields, we could take back the eastern part of the Riverlands, and then we would be in a better position to negotiate with them," Lord Edmure Tully said. "They might accept the independence of the North once we are in a stronger position."

"They won't," Lady Stark pointed out. "They will not tolerate an independent kingdom. The Lannisters will only make peace if all the Seven Kingdoms are under Tommen Baratheon's rule. There is no way they will make peace if Robb doesn't surrender his crown."

"I will not. My bannermen declared me their king. I cannot go against their will," Robb stated, making it clear he would not move from this position.

"Then it is settled. We refuse their offer," the Blackfish declared.

"What will we do about our alliance with the Vale?" Lord Edmure asked. "I mean, do we inform the Lannisters about it, or do we keep it a secret?"

"They will hear about it very soon anyway," Robb replied. "I see no harm in telling them. In fact, the only reason I said nothing about it while Lady Margaery talked was to see how she would use that information. But it seems she's unaware of our alliance so far."

"Or she makes us believe she doesn't know," Edmure Tully pointed out.

"Either way, she leaves tomorrow." Jon's brother sighed. "We're lucky she didn't arrive while Lord Baelish was there. He only left us two days ago. Still, I'll offer her an alternative before she leaves, though we all know she will refuse it."

"What will it be?"

"The independence of the North."

No one said anything. They all knew what would be the result of such a demand.

"There's nothing more to say," Robb concluded. They were all about to leave but Jon raised the voice.

"Robb, I must talk with you, and with Lady Stark too. It's about Arya."

"Very well."

Robb indicated to his mother to stay. The Tullys walked out of the room, leaving Jon with his half-brother and the wife of his father.

"What's going on with Arya?" Lady Stark asked right away.

"I think she may be in danger. Do you recall when she told us about the man who helped her in Harrenhal?»

"Yes. I remember too well." Lady Stark's voice was weak. She was concerned about Arya. Jon had to admit their interest was mutual in this case.

"Only there's something you don't know. Arya asked the man who helped her to kill Joffrey."

"We all know that, Jon." Robb was beginning to get impatient.

"The thing is… this man gave something to Arya before they separated. A coin, unlike any I've ever seen. When Mira brought her back, she saw the coin in question. Apparently, this a kind of coin that is used by the Faceless Men."

Robb and his mother looked at each other before they stared back at Jon. "The Faceless Men?" Lady Stark asked, uncertain.

"Yes. Apparently, they use it to identify themselves. And Mira just told me she crossed his path. He threatened her."

The two remained silent for a long time. Jon realized how stupid his words would seem to anybody.

"You're telling me that Mira Forrester pretends that an expert assassin threatened her, and that this was the same man who met Arya in Harrenhal?" Robb asked.

"I know how silly it seems, but Mira was really distressed when she told me that. She helped Arya in the past. I don't see why she would lie about that. And she's not a superstitious girl."

"Well, Mother, perhaps you should talk with Arya, learn more about this man. In the meantime, I can assign two men to keep an eye on her at all time and warn them to keep away anyone who might be suspicious. You may want to go and talk to her right now."

"If that's what you want, my son."

Lady Stark's reply was cold. She had understood that Robb wanted to send her away. The two brothers found themselves alone in the solar of the Lord of Riverrun.

"You truly think that Mira Forrester told you the truth? We must not forget that she's working for the Lady of Casterly Rock, even if she has sympathies for us."

"I'm sure that she's not lying. Arya asked this man, Jaqen, to kill two people in Harrenhal, and somehow both died in very strange circumstances soon after. She gave him Joffrey's name before she left the castle, and now Joffrey dies in a mysterious way as well."

"She suspects Arya's friend to have killed Joffrey?"

"I'm not sure. She only told me to protect Arya. Only, this man was recruited by the Lannisters to be a soldier in their army after Arya saved his life. If he survived the Battle of the Kingsroad, then he must have gone to King's Landing and he would have had the opportunity to kill Joffrey."

Robb passed his hand through his hair. "Before, I would probably not have believed it, but with the events of the Stormlands and the shadow Mother saw, I'm not sure any longer. Perhaps Lady Mira is not lying nor imagining things."

"She wouldn't. Neither case is possible with her."

"Maybe. I guess all we can do is place protection around Arya, and tell her not to approach this man if she ever sees him again and to warn us immediately of his presence. Anyway, he must be far away. The army that retreated to King's Landing is now entrenched near Deep Den. Why didn't you tell us about the coin before?"

"I didn't think it was important. To me, it was only a coin, and even if it came from an assassin, he still helped Arya and she was very attached to it. Furthermore, before today, all I could tell was that Mira suspected this coin to be used by the Faceless Men because she saw a picture of them in a book a long time ago."

"I understand. But I'm afraid for now we have more important and immediate concerns than a possible assassin who befriended our sister. We must prepare for Stannis' arrival, which will happen very soon. He might be here within a week, maybe two. He is the most serious threat for now."

Jon changed of subject. "Concerning Lady Lannister's proposal, what do you plan for Sansa, when you'll make your own proposal?"

"I will offer to exchange her for Ser Kevan while his sons remain my wards."

"They will never accept that."

"I know, but this is already a great concession I'm making. Ser Kevan led the armies of the Westerlands on the Kingsroad. If I was to propose to release him along with his sons, the Karstarks, the Umbers, the Manderlys, even the Glovers would see me as weak. None would ever forgive me."

Jon knew that his brother was right. Despite the support from the Knights of the Vale that brought a surge of loyalty and trust towards Robb, many lords of the Riverlands among those who maintained their allegiance to House Tully were on the brink of defection. Rickard Karstark was still demanding vengeance and blamed him for their defeats against the people who killed two of his sons. Jon was the target of some of the whispering the Lord of Karhold spread, having released the man who ended his eldest son's life. Lord Umber was fully behind Robb, as long as he remained focused on victory. The Manderlys would never accept an agreement with the enemy that was to the disadvantage of the North. Nor would any northern house, even those whose lands were targeted by the Ironborn. The support of the Vale brought back trust in victory to the Northerners. Robb had to win this war or the lords who crowned him would turn against him.

There wasn't anything else to discuss. Jon wandered back to the camps outside the walls, looking for Arya. There, he was told that Lady Stark brought her back to the castle. Jon headed there. All the way, he saw men who were still exhausted and injured, though fewer than before. Some of the exhausted were now rested, a few of the injured recovered, and many of the said injured had died. It was a good thing in some way that they didn't have to go back on the road. The armies closing on them from the east and the west made any movement their army could do useless. Their best chance was to wait here and hold a siege, where they could choose a favorable battlefield and hold the high ground.

Back to the castle, Jon was told his sister and her mother were together in the godswood. Jon went there right away. He saw the godswood of Riverrun before, the first time when he travelled to Casterly Rock with Lord Tyrion's retinue, the second time after the Battle of the Kingsroad, when Robb brought back his army to protect the besieged castle. It wasn't as familiar as the one of Winterfell, and seemed more like a place to spend time for personal enjoyment than in presence of the Old Gods, but then it was like most of the godswoods down in the South. Jon remembered the Stone Garden of Casterly Rock, with its twisted weirwood tree that covered the floor, walls and ceiling of the cave. The uniqueness of the Lannisters' godswood made it fitting to feel the presence of his father's gods and prayers came easily in that place, as he experienced it repetitively as he spent time with Mira there, while Riverrun's looked like any other godswood.

At the corner of a tree with red leaves, he almost collided with Margaery Lannister.

"Oh, Jon Snow. I'm sorry. I was looking for Mira and I thought she might be here."

Her smile was as disarming as ever. Ever since he met her, Jon had always seen Margaery Lannister in lavish gowns, made of the finest tissues and garments, wearing jewels by the dozen, with clothes displaying far more skin than it was appropriate for the weather. Today, she wore a dress that was more fitting for long journey, warmer, simpler. Her only jewel was a ring at her left hand, and her hairstyle was far plainer than usual. Despite this, Jon couldn't argue that she was breathtaking.

"I… I think she's still with her father."

Jon had always felt awkward around women, especially the young. They always preferred his brother. Why wouldn't they? Who would want a bastard when the future Lord of Winterfell always stood before him?

He realized that it was probably the first time he found himself alone with the Lady of Casterly Rock. She was barely older than him, and yet he felt like a boy in her presence. He saw her rule over the Westerlands by her husband's side, acting as a true ruler, assuming a role Jon never saw Lady Stark take with his lord father. Even now, without all her jewels and riches that designated her as one of the most powerful women in the world, Jon felt dwarfed by her. He wondered how Tyrion felt with his wife, if Jon himself felt small in her presence.

"Yes, that's logical," she replied. "Mira hides it well, but she's heartbroken. So am I, and so is my husband. And you all are, I'm sure of that."

Jon nodded. War didn't allow them to mourn Bran and Rickon accordingly, but the feeling of their loss wasn't less vivid.

"I noticed you get along very well with Mira," she resumed.

"Aye. She's a good friend," Jon almost whispered.

Lady Lannister smiled thinly and looked down. It was a moment before she spoke. "She's supposed to marry on of my cousins, Willas, but with this war, we've delayed the wedding countless times."

"Aye, she told me. I feel sorry for her."

"Well, Mira says herself that a delayed wedding is nothing compared to all the people who died since all this madness began. She's not wrong. I just visited Ser Kevan and his sons, Martyn and Willem. They all miss Dorna. At least, they're well treated. I'm grateful to your brother for that. And to you too. Kevan told me you visited him a few times."

"Is Sansa fine?"

"Yes. She misses you. All of you. But she's glad to be away from Joffrey, you can believe me. And she's safe, you have my word."

If Sansa's latter was real, Lady Margaery was telling the truth. Sansa finished her letter by saying she loved them all, her mother, Robb, Arya, and even Jon. He couldn't remember the last time Sansa told him she loved him.

"Can you guarantee that she'll remain safe?" he asked the lady.

"As long as you treat Ser Kevan and his sons with dignity, Sansa has nothing to fear."

Perhaps this was a veiled threat, but if that was the case none of it was to be seen in the eyes, the voice or the face of Lady Lannister.

"Robb would never harm them."

"Good." Something like relief seemed to settle in her expression. "I don't want any harm to come to your sister, and I'll do anything to prevent it, and so will Tyrion. But we are at war. However, as long as Robb treats our own well, Sansa won't have anything to fear." She sighed. "Has your brother taken a decision yet?"

"You'll get your answer tomorrow in the morning."

"Good. We're at war, and time is not something we have in abundance."

On that, they could agree. They exchanged a few more words, then Lady Margaery left. Jon resumed his progress in the godswood, his boots crunching the fallen leaves as he reached the weirwood tree where he found Arya and Lady Stark, though he heard them arguing long before he saw them.

"He was a friend. He helped me at Harrenhal."

"He killed people," Lady Stark was saying.

"People who beat me, who tortured other people, me and my friends. Don't tell me you regret Joffrey's death. If it wasn't of him, he would still be alive. Do you know what he did to Sansa? And what about Father?"

"All I'm saying is we cannot trust him. We don't even know his real name. We almost know nothing about him."

"And you think you know Littlefinger better?"

"We already talked about it…"

"He was there when Father died. He was there and he did nothing. He watched him die."

Jon walked away. He would talk to Arya later. Lady Stark didn't like when he mingled in her relationship with her children. Slowly, Jon went to the exit of the godswood, thinking of what he would tell his sister when her discussion with her lady mother would be over.


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