Got a big chapter for you all. Enjoy :)

Winterfell

294 AC

"WHAT?!"

Mormont ignored the desperate urge to clutch his ears as the suddenly shrill voice of Ashara Stark whipped the air like a cannon. He stayed still and continued smoking his pipe as if nothing happened. "So I'll take that as a no-"

"You're not taking my son with you to-to drink a-and gamble-" Ashara had started but was silenced immediately as Ned laid a calm hand on her shoulder.

Starag blew out another puff of smoke as he saw Ned put on his Lord of Winterfell mask. "Starag… Are you sure about this?" that was not the question that Mormont expected to hear. "We all know if anyone will protect Jon, it's you. I'm just curious as to your reasoning."

Mormont had expected a fight from all of them, and while he certainly expected Ashara to react about as much as a worried and desperate mother would react, he had not expected Arthur to narrowly raise an eyebrow in response.

He looked over at the Sword of the Morning, who also seemed to be asking the same question as Ned with his gleaming purple eyes. Mormont looked back to his liege lord.

"I'm sure you all know about Jon saying he'll join the Night's Watch once he's old enough…" Mormont scanned the eyes of everyone else in the room. Of course, they all knew.

Arthur pursed his lips firmly. "He's just a boy of one-and-ten. And besides…" he trailed off and readjusted his gaze onto Mormont. "He doesn't know who his father is yet."

Starag saw Ned wince slightly at Arthur's remark. Clearly, this was also a well-worn topic for the two men as well, no doubt. Mormont knew that Ned loved Jon as if he was his own son, and the same went for Ashara, who had raised Jon herself since he was a pup.

"We… planned to tell Jon when he was older," Eddard interjected his stern voice into the silence. "Perhaps another year or so. Maybe a few more."

Mormont knew the truth. They were reluctant to tell Jon about his parents. Starag wouldn't-couldn't blame them, though. Jon was their child, not Rhaegar's or Lyanna's. They were probably scared he'd stop calling them "Father and Mother".

Arthur on the other hand was dead-set on ripping off the bandage now. Dayne was always brisk and to the point, a trait that Starag admired. Most men wouldn't be so quick to get the tough part out of the way.

Maybe even then, Jon was growing up around men who held their honor and their word both in very high regard. No, Mormont knew that the boy would take his own word quite seriously in turn. Even if he knew who his real parents were, that might just spur the boy even further towards the Wall. And Arthur couldn't very well drag his king kicking and screaming back to Winterfell.

Ashara seemed to have calmed herself now, and Mormont knew she was quite embarrassed at her outburst judging by the redness of her cheeks. "If I may be so bold…" she began stiffly. "You didn't answer Ned's question, Starag. Why pick Jon as your squire?"

"He's… a rather sullen lad." Mormont began slowly, making sure his pipe was still lit. "I think he's stuffed up and coddled in this keep. He needs a taste of the real world, needs to see it with his own eyes. And… I just so happen to need a squire."

Mormont wouldn't dare admit it, but he saw a part of himself in Jon Stark. The boy was just like he was when he first arrived at Winterfell; solemn and lonely. He needed a guiding hand to help him see the world as it was. Arthur would always be reserved as per his duty as Kingsguard, and Ned had lordly duties to attend to. If anyone was going to be the wildcard in the Stark and Targaryen families, Mormont was going to make sure it would be Jon fucking Stark.

Arthur began scratching his chin. Mormont nearly burst into a fit of laughter as he realized that Arthur was considering his offer.

Ned too seemed to be deep in thought as he stared blankly at his desk. Those grey eyes were far more calculating than the southern lords gave them credit for. Ashara for her part stayed silent.

It was Eddard who finally broke the silence. "I'm not going to say no…" his eyebrows had set into a hard line. "I'll only accept if that's what Jon wants. And I'll have to hear it from him alone."

"I agree." Arthur nodded his acquiescence. Mormont was glad that he'd finally gotten the two men to agree on something. "I trained you myself, Starag. If anyone can keep Jon safe on the road, it's you. That being said…" he let out a deep sigh. "I'll allow it only if Jon accepts. I assume you haven't told him yet?"

Mormont shook his head. The gods must really want me to settle down, then. "No. Not yet. As his parents and personal guard, I had wanted to get your permission first."

Eddard gave him an appreciative smile and Ashara had the decency to do the same. Arthur only gave him a slight nod. Mormont supposed that was the best he was going to get from his swordmaster.

Of course, Starag would keep Jon safe on the journey. He supposed Dorne might be objectionable but he didn't want to worry his old friends over it. He'd handle the Martells when he would meet them.

Besides… If anyone harmed a single hair on the boy's head, Mormont would put them through each of the seven hells again and again until he finally gave them to the wolves.

The fresh morning air had been quite refreshing when he sparred again with Arthur. Though Dayne was not in the same playing mood as before, Mormont had managed to beat him this time with a perfectly aimed overhead strike stopping just short of Dayne's neck. Effectively equalizing their scores against one another.

Arthur had given him a warm smile, yet Mormont knew that man was worried. No doubt worried at what Jon might say. Arthur both knew Jon should see the rest of the world but was likely scared for him as an Uncle would be.

Then after a quick bath with Bethanie, Mormont had left the pretty brown-haired girl sleeping quietly in his room as he went down to the dining hall to break his fast.

Starag was quite sure Bethanie hadn't left his room in nearly three days, but he supposed she didn't mind being fucked senseless until she fell asleep, especially by a Lord as tall and handsome as himself.

As he entered the dining hall, he was greeted by the loud bluster of guards chatting away about their days and such. Upon the high table, the whole Stark family was present along with Arthur. Mormont's seat was left empty. Right next to Jon Stark.

Probably Arthur. Starag walked by Jorge and Orin and gave them a nod. Both men nodded back at him. "M'lord." They both said the same with a smile.

He climbed the stairs up to the stone granite platform that held the high table, he gave Ned and Ashara a quick bow. "Lord Stark. Lady Stark."

"Morning, Lord Mormont." Ned greeted him with a warm smile, though Ashara's was far more polite if anything. She still didn't like the idea of her son going out on an expedition that amounted to an outlandish gamble at best.

"Uncle Starag!" Jon grinned at him as he took his seat. "I saved some of the honey just for you."

Already performing his duties. Good lad. "Thanks, lad. I appreciate it."

The curly-haired boy beamed at Mormont's validation and went back to eating his meal.

"Uncle Starag!" Robb smiled childishly from across the table. "How did you make that final swing on Uncle Arthur? That was genius!"

Mormont chuckled as he filled his mug with fresh hot coffee. "I'm afraid I got lucky. Your Uncle Arthur was a bit slow this morning."

"Nonsense." Arthur shook his head. "You got me back fair and square. The boy's right, that was an impressive strike you made."

Starag could talk all day about swordplay. It was by far the single best way to settle disputes between men, and then call it a day. Swordplay was one of Mormont's greatest passions. Besides drinking, gambling and fucking, of course.

But all of those topics were not for the breakfast table. And if there was anything Mormont remembered from his father, it was the table manners that had been drilled into his head.

"Continue listening to Arthur, and you'll find out how, lad." He simply said back to Robb Stark. The Stark Heir pouted but he returned to his meal.

Mormont took the jar of honey in front of him and scooped out a rather large spoonful, letting the sweet golden ichor drip into the hot black beverage. He caught Arthur raising an eyebrow out of the corner of his eye.

"Are you gonna leave any for me?" The Sword of the Morning asked, holding up his own steaming cup of coffee.

Starag hadn't known that Arthur had also gotten hooked, but he welcomed it gladly and handed Dayne the jar.

"Uncle Starag!" He stopped himself from reaching over to the plate of food waiting for him. Dyanna Stark gleamed at him with a pretty smile. "I rode a horse this morning! Did you see?"

No. Mormont hadn't. He had been trying not to get skewered by Arthur Dayne. "Unfortunately not, lass. How about you show me after breakfast?"

"I would, but Mother won't let me go again." The young black-haired girl folded her arms and cast a sideways glare at her Mother. Ashara merely ignored her eldest daughter's glare and continued enjoying her coffee. I'll have to do that to Lyanna if she gets too restless.

Mormont was just about to reach again for the plate of sausages and bacon-

"Uncle Starag!" This time it was the five-year-old Arya. She was standing up on her chair and held a small potato in her equally small hands. Oddly enough, the girl had dirt and mud in her dark brown hair. "Catch!"

Starag saw the potato fly towards him and caught it in his palm with considerable ease. "Thank you, Arya. I'm famished," he said with a smile before he chucked the greasy fried potato into his mouth.

The little girl grinned wickedly at him and fell back into her seat. Mormont took advantage of the remaining silence to finally pick up the inviting tray of food.

"Uh…" Jon started beside him, looking up at Starag. "Uncle?"

"What's on your mind, lad?" Mormont asked idly as he began piling fresh sausages and bacon onto his plate, along with crispy fried potatoes that smelled deliciously of salt, butter, and pepper.

The boy seemed a bit lost like he hadn't really known where to take this line of conversation. Regardless, he found the words. "I was wondering about something you said the other day… about what Uncle Brandon said to you."

Mormont stopped himself from loading his fork up with his food. He looked to the grey eyes staring back at him. "What about it?"

"You said you'd tell me the same things that Brandon told you about the Night's Watch." Jon smiled softly. "Does that mean you wanted to join the Night's Watch?"

Starag felt several pairs of eyes staring at him. Definitely Arthur, and even Ned as they watched the pair converse.

"Well…" Mormont slowly stabbed at the potatoes as he recalled the memory. "My father had told me the Watch was meant to defend the realms of men and all that." he waved his hand idly. "I did consider it at the time, but I've thanked myself every day since for listening to your Uncle Brandon. He certainly helped changed my life for the better."

Jon frowned. That probably wasn't the answer he expected. "How would you know that, though?"

Mormont knew he very well couldn't speak his mind to an eleven-year-old about the sensual pleasures of women, of the peace of mind they bring to the man they desire. That alone was reason enough to avoid the Watch completely. "Let's just say that there's more to life than the Night's Watch and leave it at that."

Starag literally heard Ned sigh in relief at the head of the table. Arthur had gone back to his food behind him, and so did Mormont for his part. He cast a conspiratory glance at Jon, who seemed to be deep in thought. "There is something I've been meaning to ask you, Jon…"

The boy broke out of his thoughts and looked back up at Starag. "Really? What is it?"

Mormont pursed his lips. It was something he'd rather speak about in private, naturally. His whole family's livelihood depended on whether or not he could trust Jon-which Mormont knew he could, of course. "After breakfast. We'll go to the training yard."

Jon frowned again, though this time it was more of confusion if anything. Still, he nodded his head. "Okay."

Starag went back to his food. He'd always go back to his food.

Mormont held up the wooden training sword in his defensive stance with both hands gripping the sword. "Again!"

Jon Stark tiredly swung his own sword in a clean overhead strike. Mormont stepped to the side and blocked the stroke easily. Clack!

The boy was panting now, sweat beading down his forehead. The boy was being trained harder than he was with Arthur. Though Mormont knew that as soon as Jon turned twelve, Arthur wouldn't be so lenient anymore.

Jon leaped forward, his lunge aiming clearly for Starag's knee. Mormont batted the boy's sword away with ease, knocking it out of his hands again.

"Owww!" The boy clutched his hands again. Mormont knew the boy had reached his limit for the day.

"Well done, lad." Starag smiled warmly at Jon Stark, who was confused as all hell. "Just you wait until Arthur has you running laps around Winterfell."

Mormont remembered those tiring days as he went round and round the stone granite walls. He was going to make his sons run laps around the mountain that held Bear Keep if they wanted to learn his wisdom, too.

Jon's face paled as he let out a deep groan, forgetting all about pain focused in his hand. "Will Uncle Arthur really make us do that?"

Starag nodded with a wicked grin. "Of course. Arthur secretly takes pleasure in the pain of others. All teachers do." He walked to the nearby table that held their respective jugs of water. Each wooden bucket had been filled to the brim with fresh ice.

Mormont lifted his jug to his lips with just one hand and drank the cool liquid down until there was nothing left in the jug. Could've done that with a barrel of ale…

Jon came up beside him and lifted his own jug with shaky hands. Though he only took a sip, Mormont realized that the boy had recovered quickly from his respite. The girls will love him, for sure.

"What did you want to ask me, Uncle?" Jon asked as he put the water bucket back onto the table. "What is it about?"

Mormont took a glance around the courtyard. The stable hands were nearby, and so were Mikken and his apprentice. The men-at-arms would no doubt be coming soon as well to train for the day.

The Bear Lord looked at Jon and nodded up to the wall high above where they'd conversed a few nights earlier. "Come. Don't want to spread kitchen gossip."

The stone walkway was slightly easier to navigate during the day. Mormont stood looking out over the wall while Jon sat on a box nearby. There was a guard about thirty feet away, which was far enough for Mormont.

"What I'm about to tell you is absolutely private between you, myself, Arthur, and your parents. Alright?" Mormont glanced at Jon, who nodded eagerly.

Starag continued. "You've heard of my brother Jorah, right?"

"I've met him before," Jon answered a bit sheepishly. "I also heard father cursing his name a few times at dinner as well."

Mormont nodded as he sat down on the box opposite Jon's. "Well, Jorah left behind a bit of a financial mess. As Lord of Bear Island, it's my job to clean it up."

"Financial mess?" Jon snickered now, probably wondering how any lord would get into financial trouble. "What did he do?"

"He spent all his money on his wife," Mormont remarked dryly, taking his pipe out of his coat again and lighting it effortlessly. "Then he borrowed some more money from a moneylender in Essos, and to pay off that money he decided to sell poachers to a slaver."

Jon widened his eyes as he replayed the whole story in his head again and again. For an eleven-year-old, he was remarkably quick on the upkeep. "Oh… That sounds pretty bad."

"It is." Mormont let the smoke pour out his mouth like a fuming dragon. "Now I've got a plan to make more than double what I need to pay off the debt."

"How much do you need?" Jon asked as he sat forward.

Mormont shrugged. The boy was likely to know sooner or later and Starag knew the boy was at least financially literate judging by his earlier reaction. "45,000 gold dragons."

Jon's jaw had gaped openly at him. Starag simply nodded his head at the boy's sheer bewilderment.

"But…" Jon started as he tried to find the right words. Starag wasn't really surprised that even an eleven year old boy was astounded that a man could spend so much on a woman.

"I know." Mormont nodded his head. "But as I said: I've got a plan."

Violet gleamed in the grey eyes as Jon sat forward again, giving Mormont his complete attention. "Doing what?"

Mormont grinned wickedly as he let another puff of smoke out of his mouth. Now was the right time for his pitch. "What do you know about tourneys?"

The boy knitted his thin black eyebrows. "I know father says that tourneys are for southern knights who just want to show off."

Close enough. "There's a bit more to it, but that's pretty much the point." Mormont stuck his pipe back in his mouth. "See, there's also alot of gambling-betting in these tourneys. The smallfolk and the lords can bet on whoever they want or whoever they think is going to win."

"But…" Jon folded his arms. "What if the person they bet on loses?"

Mormont smiled. "Then they don't get any money. All the gold goes straight to the one who made the winning bet AND in some cases the contender who won gets a cut of the gold as well."

Jon nodded with a knowing smile. He'd figured out what Starag was getting at. "So you plan to bet on whoever you think is going to win?" Or at least he thought he had.

Mormont didn't mind the mistake. Jon hadn't known the whole picture. "Sort of. I plan to enter the tourneys myself. However, contenders cannot bet on themselves."

The boy was positively confused now. "So why-"

"Because…" Mormont took the pipe out of his mouth and sat forward. "As it turns out, a contender's squire CAN bet on his own lord. Which means that if a lord has his squire bet on him and that lord wins…"

As smart as a whip, Jon Stark finished Mormont's sentence. "Then the lord would win all the gold that other people placed against him. Right?"

Ned, you raised a smart lad. He snapped his fingers. "Correct. Along with the winnings from the tournament competitions as well."

Mormont could smell the gold already. The gleaming gold coins that would be spilling off the carriage as he rode all the way back to Winterfell. He'd have to order Maege to build a whole ship just to cross the Bay of Ice. All for Starag's gold.

"So you just need a squire, then." Jon smiled and craned his head forward slightly. "Who is it?"

Starag felt the smoke enter his lungs as he came to apex, the conclusion, the close of the sale. He blew the smog out of his mouth again. "That's precisely why I've decided to share this all with you. I have decided to pick you as my squire…"

Jon's mouth hung wide open once again, just like it had the other day when Mormont had been dueling Arthur. "B-but-"

"No buts." Mormont held up a finger. "I've already gotten permission from your Father, Mother, and your Uncle Arthur. That being said…" He paused as he let out a deep sigh. "The choice is all yours."

The boy fell silent as his gaze went from Mormont's eyes to the ground.

Not a word was spoken between the two of them for a good minute. Mormont nearly had to check if the tobacco in his pipe was still lit.

"Where would we go?" Jon looked back up at him slowly. He seemed more lost than anything.

Mormont had anticipated this question and had come prepared. "There will be three tourneys going down south. One at Duskendale, another at King's Landing, and the last will be at Highgarden."

"Highgarden?" Jon's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean I'll get to go to Highgarden? That far south?"

Starag nodded. "Of course. You'll love it there. The Tyrells are lovely this time of year and you'll even get to meet Garlan-he's quite the warrior himself- and then there's Willas. He dabbles with falcons actually-"

"Falcons!" The boy was on the edge of his seat, a wondrous smile on his face. "Whoa… What else is in Highgarden?"

Mormont shrugged as he leaned back. "Well, they've got one of the best smithies in the Seven Kingdoms. We could stop by there perhaps. But that won't be the farthest we'll have to go."

"Really?" The boy's curiosity had been sufficiently spiked. "Where else?"

"We'll be stopping in Dorne," Mormont informed steadily. Though he wasn't going to tell the boy the true purpose behind that visit. "And then we'll be riding all the way back to Winterfell."

"Could we see Starfall?" Jon asked with an excited grin. "Mother and Uncle Arthur says it's really nice and pretty there."

Mormont knew he might've been stepping over the line, but Ned and Arthur knew what kind of man he was. "I don't see why not." He held up his hand to stop Jon before he spoke again. "That all said. You'll have to speak with your parents and Arthur first. They were very clear about wanting to hear your answer. Alright?"

Jon nodded. "I will." Mormont had just realized he'd seen that beaming smile again. Jon was a good lad. He'd just needed the right incentive, and Mormont knew he'd found exactly what the boy needed.

"Good." Mormont smiled back at him. "Run along now. Take a bath or your Mother would give me a headache with her yelling."

The boy grinned playfully as he stood up and had unexpectedly thrown his arms around Starag's shoulder, squeezing Mormont in a bear hug. "Thank you, Uncle!" he said as he separated from Starag and ran down the stone stairway and back into the great keep.

Mormont sat on the box and blew another puff of smoke from his mouth. The pitch had worked quite well. But now Jon was going to hear more from Ned, Arthur, and Ashara. The latter of whom obviously didn't want Jon to go on a gambling expedition across Westeros that likely included lots of drinking and quite possibly a fair bit of married women- at least on Mormont's part.

Now was the waiting game to see what would really happen. Mormont hadn't really considered anyone for the job of his squire. Jon was a bright lad, and gods know he needed the time away from Winterfell. He never thought of what he'd do if Jon said "No".

Starag stood up from the box abruptly and began making his way down the stone walkway. He needed to blow off some steam. The pipe definitely wasn't enough to soothe his nerves.

Ought to see if Bethanie's awake right now…

Thud, thud, thud, thud!

Mormont woke instantly to the loud noise at his door, nearly jumping up and out of the covers as he looked around the room for a weapon in his frenzied haze.

It was getting dark outside with the sun setting over the horizon. Dinner would likely be soon. Mormont couldn't believe he'd napped the daylight away.

"What's wrong, m'lord!" There was a tugging at his arm. Starag calmed immediately, realizing he'd startled Bethanie in the darkened room. "I can get the door-"

"No." Mormont shook his head. He leaned over and kissed her on the forehead. Even with the pale sunlight still shining in the room, he saw her blush deepen on her pretty cheeks. "You stay right where you are. I'll have dinner brought to us and we can eat in bed. How does that sound?"

Almost like his earlier panic had been forgotten, Bethanie giggled playfully. "That sounds wonderful!" she gave him a long kiss on the lips, inviting him back to bed.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.

Mormont lightly pushed the pretty girl back onto his bed. "Cover yourself, darling."

Bethanie bit her lip as she nodded. She pulled the covers up over her naked breasts. Mormont found a nearby robe. He put it on and covered up his indecency as he approached the door.

He opened it easily, yet he was confused as nobody seemed to be there.

"Down here, uncle."

Mormont glanced down at Jon. The eleven-year-old boy was at least half of Mormont's height. "Ah, Jon. Didn't see you there."

"It's alright, uncle." Jon smiled kindly at his mistake. "I talked with Father and Mother. Uncle Arthur, too!"

Starag widened his eyes. "And?"

Jon's smile set in a wide grin. "I told them I want to go with you! Mother didn't like it, but she said she was fine with it as long as you brought me back."

"Well of course." Mormont snickered. Reluctantly though, he set his face into the ice-cold stare of the Lord of Bear Island. He knelt down on one knee. "I won't lie, Jon. It's going to be dangerous. And quite often, we'll be sleeping and camping on the road. It'll be raining horribly and it will get sweltering hot at a certain point."

Mormont paused as he watched Jon's excited expression fade. "We may even run into bandits. It's not going to be like the castle, Jon. It'll rough, and hard, and uncomfortable as all hell." He really wished he'd brought his pipe. "Are you absolutely sure you want to be my squire?"

Jon stayed silent as he thought over what Mormont had just said. His grey eyes were practically shining purple from this angle.

Starag himself would've jumped at the chance if somebody had given him the same offer all those years ago. Should've left sooner. But he and Jon weren't the same. Mormont was by far the biggest wildcard the North had ever bred. A man who quite literally lived as if each day was his last. Jon was just an eleven-year-old boy with dreams of honor and duty. He didn't have the same ambitions Starag had. At least not that Mormont could tell.

But now…

Jon Stark's lips slowly curled into a wide grin. "I'll do it, uncle."

Mormont felt the biggest wave of relief pass over him. He had a squire and a lad he could trust. His king was going to help him win the fortune of a lifetime.

Starag smiled back at the boy. "Excellent." He stood up slowly. "You'll need to start getting packed, alright? We leave in three days."

"Of course, uncle." Jon nodded his head graciously. He looked up to Starag with kind eyes and a light questioning frown. "Are you coming to dinner? It's just started, actually."

Mormont shook his head lightly. "Not tonight, unfortunately." he reminded himself of the burning curiosity all children have.

Naturally. "Why?"

Starag patted his stomach. "I've got a bad stomach ache. I'm sure you've had those before."

Jon's frown deepened. Mormont cursed himself for coming up with such a bullshit excuse. "I have… But you really love food, uncle. I never thought a stomach ache would stop you from eating dinner."

"Ah yes-" Mormont quickly put a plan together in his head. Behind him, he could just hear Bethanie giggle underneath the blankets and furs. He snapped his finger. "Which is exactly why I'd like you to tell your father that I'd like my food brought up this evening. Think you can do that?"

Jon must've heard Bethanie snickering as well since he tried peering past Starag and into Mormont's room. "I can, but-"

"Excellent!" Mormont clapped his hands together, bringing an abrupt end to the conversation. "Your father will understand. Just tell him I've got some important documents to look at." He said before he tapped his nose.

The boy twisted his head at the foreign gesture. "Oh ok," Jon said slowly as he tapped his own nose. "See you in the morning, uncle."

"You too, lad." Mormont closed the door slowly as Jon walked back down the stone corridor and back to the dining hall. He locked it and went over to the table, lighting the red wax candle on the metal plate.

Bethanie uncovered herself entirely as Mormont began undoing his robe. "You didn't have to lie to him, you know." Her conspiratorial smile told him otherwise though. "You could've said you had a lady waiting for you."

Mormont narrowed his eyes had scanned every inch of the pretty young girl. Her fit legs were slightly spread apart, leading up to the vertical lips which were wet and inviting. He'd never seen a cleaning girl as lean as Bethanie was. Her breasts, while smaller than he'd liked, were hard and firm for him.

"Well, it wasn't really his fault. He's a good lad. After all…" Mormont approached the bed slowly. He told Bethanie with his hungering and devouring eyes that she wasn't going to be able to walk tomorrow.

"I'd been caught with more than my hands up."