The memories were a cautionary tale, a guideline that showed what would happen should things were not changed. That was the first thing that Brynden taught Jon all those years ago. Jon was encouraged to judge people on his interaction with them over how they were in those memories. As a youngster Jon had trouble doing that, becoming quick to anger at the thought of Ramsey Snow or Roose Bolton, at the sight of Theon Greyjoy. The birth of his cousin Bran too had made him angry and resentful. But as the years went by, he had gotten better at separating the memories from the men he saw before him. But the sight of Joffrey did not ease anything in him.

He saw no redeeming qualities in the boy. He was arrogant, spiteful and a major pain in everyone's ass. He was entitled thanks to his mother and cruel thanks to the neglect of his father. His siblings on the other hand were the complete opposite. Jon could see them being decent humans.

"Are you training women here?" The Hound grumbled, the prince smirking beside him.

"I am training knights" Ser Rodrik answered stiffly, bristling at the insult thrown at him and his methods of training. "They will have steel when they are ready. When they are of age."

"Might as well let the children continue their training then" Joffrey stated and his men barring The Hound laughed. The laughs sounded strained as if they had to laugh at any jape Joffrey threw. Jon had the feeling that should anyone of them not laugh, they would be dealt with severely.

Jon spat on the ground and walked away from the crowd.

"I thought you would have attacked him there" Brynden stated, walking a little behind but beside Jon.

"That would have gotten more attention on me from the wrong sort of people than I would like" Jon explained. "I can beat him no issues, but now is not the time or the place for that."

"I see" Brynden hummed softly. "We need to be in the capital when everything happens. Otherwise, we can change nothing."

"I know" Jon grumbled under his breath. He thought for a moment before looking at the silver-haired man. "How good are your warging abilities?"

"I am The Three-Eyed Raven" Brynden stated evenly, slightly insulted at being questioned like that.

"Can you take over the mind of a man? A capable man with no issues in the head?" Jon asked slowly. Brynden looked at him before giving him a nod.

The Wolfswood

It took a great effort but Jon had been able to convince his 'father' to let him join the hunt that the King would go on. Of course, it was more Robert telling his old friend to let him come and then commanding him to do it when Jon became a little whiny. Ned Stark was none too happy but in the end, had to listen to his King. It was a small victory for Jon, even if he was loath to receive help from the man that let the kingdom slowly descend into ruin.

It had been a while since Jon had come to The Wolfswood. The last time was when Brynden had married him to the old Weirwood tree and by extension every other weirwood tree still alive. But that had been five years prior. The group passed through the place where Brynden had found Jon all those years back. The Weirwood tree was no longer there, long since cut down and who knows where taken to. The party didn't stop for a small game, letting the rabbits and other small creatures go by. Robert shot down two does and one boar, laughing all the while. This was what he revelled in, hunting and killing. Beside him Ned Stark just smiled, the look on his face suggesting that he was lost in memories of a time long since gone.

Jon turned to the tree to his left, where a single raven was perched. He gave a subtle nod and the raven flew. Behind the King, one of his men seemed to shudder before he straightened. The man pulled his sword out and rushed the King.

"FOR HOUSE TARGARYEN!" the man roared. The King hardly had the time to turn away from his target, nor did the guards he brought with him seem to be prepared for it. So it was only Jon who dashed forward, his sword drawn to defend. He parried the blow and kicked the man back. The man stumbled and then gurgled as an arrow pierced his throat and he fell over dead.

"Jon" Ned rushed forward and gripped his son's shoulders firmly, "are you alright?"

"I am, father" Jon gave a small nod of his head. He then looked to the side and saw the fat king get off his horse.

"A bunch of trained men at arms and yet if it wasn't for this green boy I'd be dead!" Robert spat at his men. He then looked at Jon and smiled. "You boy, it's only for your quick action was I saved today. You've taught your men well here. Mine would do well to join them for training" he threw a glare at his men. "Tell me, Jon Snow, what boon would you have me bestow on you?"

"Your grace, my son only did what any man loyal to his king would do. He needs no reward for it" Ned bowed his head slightly and Jon too bowed his head. He couldn't seem too eager here. He needed to be humble and let Robert feel like he is doing Jon a favour. Jon knew the man would do that.

"Nonsense Ned!" Robert barked and Jon held down a smirk. "The boy did me a service and I'll reward him. Name it Jon Snow, whatever you want you will get". Knowing Robert, the man was thinking that Jon would request him to be naturalized, given the Stark name. And with how Robert had a hand on the sword at his side, he was ready to pull it out. But Jon had other plans.

"I-" Jon swallowed, "I have heard many good things about Ser Barristan The Bold, about the kind of knight he is and the men he trained with and squires he trained. I wish to be able to learn from him" Jon spoke softly. The silence from the King was evidence enough that Jon had caught him by surprise.

"Very well then" Robert cleared his throat. "You will leave with us for The Capital in a few days. And once we've reached it, Ser Barristan will train you himself. Maybe I'll get him to train my boy as well" the last part he grumbled. When the King turned away, Ned gave Jon a look but the boy just shrugged his shoulders.

Winterfell

When the party returned to Winterfell, they were welcomed by chaos. Men were rushing and Jon saw Maester Luwin rush as well.

"What has happened?" Ned roared, getting off his horse and rushing to one of the men, followed closely by Jon.

"It's Bran, he's fallen from The Broken Tower" one of the men informed him. Ned wasted no time and rushed to the tower as well, followed by a stone-faced Jon.