Not only having the company of Arya and Sansa upon the road, Rhaena was also glad to have that of Jon Snow, though there was a certain sadness to his presence as he was intended to go to the Wall in the far North in order to take the Black and swear himself to the Night's Watch. It was likely that Rhaena would never see Jon again. He was a sweet boy and Rhaena was exceedingly fond of him, so took it upon herself to spend as much time with him as possible before they would have to part ways. When they had left Winterfell, Rhaena had said a final farewell to Bran with tears in her eyes before having to leave. Rickon had sobbed, begging Rhaena to stay so she had lifted him up, cuddled and kissed him before promising that although it would be some time, she would come back to visit him someday. Sansa joked that Rickon had been sadder to see her go than his own sisters, making Rhaena smile sadly to her friend.
Sansa and Arya were kept away from the main fuss of the convoy with the other ladies and children, a place where Rhaena was not welcome however this time upon the return journey she was not shoved into the back of a cramped supply wagon but rather was allowed to sit with other servants upon proper transport and even rode with Jon and Ser Barristan a few times. She loved riding the most, always smiling brightly and laughing whenever Jon urged his horse into a faster pace which caused Rhaena to cling onto him more securely, she would cry out with laughing glee. Jon would grin secretly before then going faster still. Like Robb, he liked Rhaena, and they had become good friends. Their situations in life were similar enough that they could empathise with one another and never had Rhaena ever referred to him as a bastard, or even cared that he was one. There was a sense of familiarity between them, something like kindred spirits that when they were near one another they felt extremely comfortable, as if all tension simply melted away just by being nearby. They were dear friends to one another, and Rhaena was sorrowful to lose him.
They started a fire together and shared bread which was beginning to go stale as well as some water as everyone else did the same, setting up camp for the night. "Must you go take the Black?" Rhaena suddenly blurted out, the frustration having knotted itself so tightly in her that if she had not said something she felt she may just explode. "You could always change your mind and come south with us. You will hate it and it will be unbearable, but your sisters will be there, as will your father. You could perhaps learn a little swordplay from Ser Barristan. If I asked him I know he would not mind…eventually you would be knighted and you could make your own way without having to worry for anything. With your skill, any household would be fortunate to have you."
"I've made my decision Rhae, I'll not change it now." Jon answered her before she could launch herself into some longwinded persuasion to try and convince him to come south with everyone else. Rhaena smiled. He had been the first to call her Rhae and she had nearly cried when he had done so. No one had ever used her name so endearingly before, and soon enough all the Stark children had followed suit. Turning her smile into a scowl as she remembered to be cross with him, Jon allowed a small smirk at her in response. He knew using her pet name could more or less guarantee her submission in something. Her heart was exceedingly tender though well protected.
"Then I shall expect lengthy letters of your situation after you arrive. If I fail to receive any correspondence, I shall march up there myself and demand an audience with your superior to make my sentiments known, and woe betide you should I catch hold of you!" She warned him with a wag of her finger which this time made Jon laugh, which was rare, but the image of a slip of a girl such as Rhaena giving an old Commander of the Night's Watch an earful was too ridiculous not to find amusing. He warned Rhaena that letters could take months to travel so she inclined her head and graciously accepted that she would wait for as long as it took. Unsure of what else to say Jon turned to face the fire, considering what it would be like up at the wall though he was granted only a few moments of silent contemplation when someone dropped down onto a log opposite them, sighing intrusively which drew all focus upon him.
"This damn cold is making my legs freeze into stiff logs. Not just my legs either." Tyrion complained with an added afterthought, stretching out his stunted legs then sighed again, taking his wine and drinking deeply. "What a sorry, sad bunch we three are. A dwarf, a bastard and a prisoner."
"Have you drunk too much again, Lord Tyrion?" Rhaena asked him kindly with a smile, watching the small man as he took another gulp drink. Clearly the procession had already ran his nerves ragged if he was drinking so early.
"Yes. Though I am not quite yet finished." He assured her. "Still plenty more to be had."
"You know that too much drink is not good for you." The white haired girl scolded the Lannister with a pointed look, glancing to the flagon before reaching out and snatching it from the dwarf's fingers before he could even protect his precious liquor. Tyrion spluttered out the wine in his mouth from complete shock, launching a hand outward to try and retrieve his precious supply but Rhaena merely grinned and slipped it under her blanket and arched a challenging eyebrow at the Lannister, making Jon blink in astonishment. Initially he was afraid Rhaena would be scolded and punished for acting in such a manner, he had heard the queen scold her for less, however at that present moment Jon did not understand the close bond which Rhaena and Lord Tyrion shared with one another, and that this interaction was one of the many ways in which they teased one another. All the same, Jon could not help the snort of laughter which escaped him
"At least someone finds this amusing." Tyrion scowled then held out a hand with a stern expression turned upon Rhaena. "Now my dear, give me back my wine, or I shall have to do something very ungentlemanly to you in order to retrieve it myself." Jon stiffened, narrowing his eyes at the threat but Rhaena chuckled richly, shaking her head easily as if the suggestion did not bother her in the slightest.
"You and I both know you adore me too much to so much as lift a finger against me." She batted her lashes softly and the dwarf growled. "Now sit down, my lord, before you fall and hit your head into the fire. It would be a shame to singe your fair hair." Tyrion huffed in irritation but obligingly sat back down.
"I'm ordering you as your superior to give me back my wine." He continued with his tone of superiority with all the air and presence of a little lord but still Rhaena merely smiled. Jon knew her now well enough to recognise the teasing glint in her eye and was slowly beginning to understand that this must be a common interaction for the both of them. In response, Rhaena refused flatly, causing Tyrion to groan. "I am too small to stand up for myself. Bastard, take the wine from her and return it to me." Jon furrowed his brow at Tyrion before answering.
"It would not be proper for me to touch her." The Lannister slapped a hand to his brow, whimpering as he pined for the rest of his wine.
"Damn you Starks and your honour."
"I am no Stark."
"Yes you are." Rhaena argued, turning to face Jon with a firm look on her face. "You are part of their family, whether you are legitimate or not. Regardless of the fact, the name does not matter when it comes to a man's honour. It is the man who may decide whether or not to embody such a virtue and to what extent." Standing rather quickly, Rhaena curtseyed to both men. "I am going to find some proper food for supper. I shall return with something for you both as well." And with that, she was gone, leaving Jon with a dwarf bemoaning the loss of his wine until her return.