? 297 AC.

Rhaenix.

Leaving him had been hard, especially with where he was going and she felt some fear for him because of it. But she had no choice, she could feel the call as could Lygaron and so they both took flight and headed south. She knew these lands from flying over them with Jae and though they kept mainly to the coast so they could feed, it felt good to be flying over them once again.

The whale they found near the Arbor had fed them both and as they flew over Dorne she was glad of it. While there was food to be had in the deserts it was not plentiful and as much as Lygaron wished to fly where it was, Rhaenix couldn't risk it. Starfall and Sandstone, Hellholt, Vaith, Lemonswood, and finally Sunspear. Rhaenix had learned the keeps in Dorne when she was still a girl, when she was Rhaenys only and not as she was now.

Though the line between what she had once been and what she now was could be hard to determine at times. Even for herself, it became a question day by day, was she a girl, a dragon or both? Sometimes she felt more one than the other and some days she wasn't quite sure. What she knew was that she was a sister and Jae was her little brother, just as Lygaron was though she felt him differently than she did her other little brother.

"We're going the wrong way." Lygaron said when they passed by Sunspear and out onto the water.

"This is where we've to go." she said and could feel his frustration, Lygaron having felt the presence of his rider below them.

They found seals near the Stepstones and ate their fill before landing and taking their rest on an empty island, the high mountain opening into a valley below. She slept that night and waited for Jae to come and was thankful when he did, more so that it was her he came to and not her as the dragon. They found themselves strolling through Summerhall and as she looked around she felt it more keenly than ever.

"We almost lost father here, had he fallen then we'd never have been born." she said sadly.

"We were meant to be Rhae, I was shown that I was always to be born and we're bonded are we not?" Jae said making her smile.

"We are." she said as they sat down and looked up at the stars.

The harp played in the background, a haunting melody, and she for the briefest moment saw him sitting there, though when Jae turned he was gone. That he heard it was enough for her though and that they'd shared it together, sometimes it would be only her and she liked these times far better.

"You heard?" she asked and he nodded.

"I heard. Father used to come here alone and play under these very stars." Jae said and Rhaenys snuggled close to him and felt her brother's arm wrap around her shoulder.

When she woke it was to her other little brother and he was being his usual annoying self. Lygaron was hungry once more and eager to both feed and to be on his way, while Rhaenix wished to wake up first and shake the previous night from her thoughts. Taking to the skies she looked down to see the ships and their crews, pirates, and worse roamed theses shores and for a moment she felt like giving them the fire, but they were not why they were here and so they flew on.

They ate more seals and she laughed as Lygaron complained of their taste, and then they headed south as she felt the call grow stronger. They flew high over Lys and she wondered what they looked like to those below, hearing Lygaron snort when she pictured them being seen as nothing more than birds. When they saw the Fourteen Flames she felt it deep in her heart, home this was home.

"We must rest, there." Rhaenix said and Lygaron agreed, the caves high away from the smoking sea beneath them.

"Tomorrow?" he asked eagerly.

"Tomorrow." she said as they landed and took their sleep.

Jae didn't come that night and so Rhaenys walked alone, down dark corridors and with no noise being made. She looked through doorway after doorway and found herself alone and scared. She'd been here before when she was young and she hated it still, here at night most of all. The Red Keep was different when darkness fell and as a girl, she'd far preferred to be on Dragonstone.

As she moved she heard him in the distance and she was glad she woke up when she did. Being alone was bad enough, being alone with him was far worse and she could never wish her grandfather away like she could the other ghosts of her past. Food was scarcer here than even the desert and she knew they couldn't trust the sea or what they may find, so onward they flew until the city came into view.

"Is that it?" Lygaron asked.

"It, is Valyria." she said as they flew between the towers like the dragons of old.

Kings Landing 297 AC.

Jaehaerys Targaryen.

Seeing Margaery sitting in the crowd was something that he was both relieved and very proud of. That she'd been able to even stand to be out a day after the attack was something which showed, not that he hadn't already known, just how strong-willed she was. Jae smiled up at her and was glad to see that she nodded and smiled back and were it not for Joy beside him, then he'd have probably spent the rest of the morning just looking to his wife.

"Willem is up, Jon." Joy said and he turned to look as Willem faced a squire from House Royce.

"What do you think Joy, will Willem win?" he asked and tried not to smirk when she placed her hand on her chin and looked carefully at the two boys.

"Aye." she said and he nodded and watched as the fight began.

Win he did though it was far closer than it should have been, Willem taking the match five to four when he really shouldn't have given up more than two points. Tion had been beaten and Jae had seen the similarities in how both boys fought, making a note to speak to them afterward and point them in the right direction. Something he didn't need to do with Martyn and Walder, both boys were far more diligent and Martyn was far ahead of the rest of the completion, other than perhaps Ned Dayne.

As the spars went on it became clear to Jon that it would be one or the other who'd take the day and he looked forward to seeing them matched, though it was Walder who ended up facing Ned in the last match before the melee. Jon looked to see that Arthur, Cregan, and Ashara were all looking on eagerly as was Genna and he felt torn, turning to Joy once again he asked her pick.

"Joy?" he asked and she laughed as she shook her head.

"No, you pick this time." she said and Jae put on his best frowning face which only made her laugh more.

"Ned." he said and she nodded as both boys began to fight.

Ned took the first point with a quick thrust which caught Walder napping and then the second with a counter, Walder taking the third with a riposte after a series of parries. Ned's move to take the fourth drew some claps from the crowd and the fifth and sixth were matching blows caught by both boys. With Ned taking the match five to two with a lucky move when Walder overextended himself.

With Martyn then taking his fight five to one the melee soon took place and Jae looked out to the field, he saw Loras and Brienne do the same while Robb was distracted by something Wynarfred was saying. Jae finding himself looking up to Margaery as his brother and his betrothed sat and laughed together, and he closed his eyes to change the image to one of him and his wife.

"Martyn will win." Joy said and Jae turned to look as Martyn was facing off against a large lad from House Buckler.

Jae watched on as Martyn easily dodged the heavy blows of the larger lad, waiting and biding his time to counter with blows of his own once the others had been missed. Soon the boy was yielding and Martyn moved onto the next opponent and Jae watched as he spun in and out with his thrusts. To the other side, Ned was more steady and focussed and his fundamentals were what was getting him true while Martyn fought as close to Jae as he could imitate. Even had he not noticed then Joy's words would have made that clear.

"He fights like you." Joy said and Jae nodded as Martyn beat the other boy and Ned made his lad yield.

He looked up at Kevan who was staring out at his son, a proud smile on his face as Martyn beat the last boy and turned to face Ned. Even Jae sitting at the edge of his seat to watch this fight as for once he was genuinely at a loss to pick a winner, though thankfully this time it was Joy's turn to pick and not his.

"Joy?" he asked.

"Martyn." she replied not even bothering to turn her eyes from the field.

The first two points went to Ned and Jae was surprised as much as the crowd was, more so when he took the next one as well. He felt Joy grab his hand and her fingers squeeze tight and then he watched as Martyn moved far too fast for Ned, the blows coming in quick succession and the spin something he recognized all too well.

"I told you he moves like you." Joy said as the fifth point landed and Jae looked out to see both boys smiling at each other and shaking each other's hand.

Standing up he clapped loudly as did all those nearest to him and they quietened down as the herald made the announcement.

"Your graces, my lords and ladies, the winner of the squire's melee, Martyn Lannister.".

"I have to go get ready." he said and Joy leaned forward to kiss his cheek for good luck, Jae tickling her and making her laugh before he headed to the back.

He had barely made it past the seats when Barristan and Tommen came his way, the prince obviously waiting for him and Jae once again had to give the boy credit. Instead of sitting in the seats with him or with his family to watch the duels, Tommen had with Barristan stayed in the back to prepare things, though he had watched the duels from there.

"Did you see Ser Jon, that last one especially, Martyn won." Tommen said excitedly.

"He did, my prince, one day if you train that could be you." Jae said and Tommen looked at him to see if he was making fun of him and once he saw he was not he looked to Barristan who nodded.

"Will you…will you train me Ser Jon?" Tommen asked.

"I would be honored to, my prince." Jae said and the smile he got in return was only made bigger when he reached out and mussed the prince's hair, Tommen laughing as they walked to the tent.

They met Martyn along the way, Jae glad to see him speaking to Ned as well as Tion, Walder, and Willem. After congratulating them both and whispering how proud he was of Martyn in the boy's ear, Jae, Tommen and Barristan walked the final few yards to their tent. Inside Loras was already getting ready and Cregan and Brienne were helping him into his armor.

Jae took a seat and Barristan helped Tommen to bring over his own, the Bold already decked out in all but his helm and ready for his own ride. As Jae showed Tommen which way the armor was put on, Barristan doing most of the heavy lifting for the prince, they all talked jovially of the days jousting. Barristan regaling them with tales of his own exploits and Jae finding himself as enraptured as any.

"You rode against Prince Duncan, Ser Barristan, did you know the prince?" Jae asked far more eagerly than he perhaps would have been had he not met Mya Rivers.

"I did Ser Jon, the Prince of Dragonflies, both he and his lady wife." Barristan said and whether it was the look Jae got in his eyes or something else, the knight soon changed the subject.

After he was ready, he, Loras, Ser Barristan, and the prince all walked to find out the lists for the day and see who they were drawn against. Jae allowing the prince to run the final few feet alone so he could bring him the news. Ser Barristan was drawn against Ser Aron Santigar and Jae against Ser Lyn Corbray while Loras got the luckiest draw of all.

"Looks like I'm going fishing." Loras said with a chuckle.

"Fishing?" Tommen asked as he looked to Jae.

"What's the sigil of House Tully, my prince?" Jae asked.

"A silver trout." the prince said and Jae nodded and Tommen grinned when he got the meaning.

When they reached their tent it was Ser Barristan who bid his farewells first, the knight riding before they were. Tommen wished the knight well but stayed with Jae and the two guards who now stood outside that had obviously been sent to cover Ser Barristan absence, though they were poor substitutes Jae felt. When Robb arrived Brienne left to act as Jaime's squire for the day, Robb informing them that Jaime had drawn Ser Ander Royce in his first tilt.

"Well my prince, shall we go and watch the Bold take his victory?" Jae asked and Tommen nodded.

It turned out to be an easy enough one for Ser Barristan as Ser Aron fell in two and after watching the next two tilts they headed to the stables. Jae stood with Winter for a few moments before he saddled her, Tommen speaking to Robb while Jae leaned against his mare's head. He could feel her eagerness to ride and ride fast and though he relaxed her somewhat, he allowed her to keep that eagerness for the day ahead.

After being helped up onto the horse, Jae was led out by prince Tommen with Robb walking beside him and Ser Barristan joining them along the way. He was ready for the day ahead and whatever it would bring and as they led him onto the field he looked up and saw her in the crowd, his wife watching as he touched the favor on his hip.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Jaime.

Watching Martyn win the squire's melee was almost like stepping back in time, there was so much of Jon's movements and influence in how his nephew fought that it was like seeing a ghost at times. Though nowhere near as fast or skilled as Jon was, his nephew was a fine swordsman, and just like Jon had been at that age, Jaime doubted there was a finer one in his age group in the land.

Seeing how proud Kevan was of his son was something he relished and he almost wished to have more time to talk to him about it. The jousts though were starting and he needed to get ready and so after kissing Dacey and Joanna he made his way to the tent and got ready. It felt strange having Brienne be the one to help him into his armor, years of having it be Loras and Jon seeming now to be over and while he was proud they'd grown up, he felt he missed them a little too.

"You've been drawn against Ser Andar Royce my lord." Brienne said when his last piece of armor had been tied.

"Jon, Loras?" he asked.

"Jon drew Ser Lyn Corbray and Loras drew Lord Edmure Tully." Brienne said and Jaime couldn't help but chuckle, the fish would be flopping soon enough he felt.

They missed Barristan's tilt against Ser Aron though Jaime had no fear that the Bold would win and they arrived just before Jon rode against Ser Lyn. Jaime wondered if Jon felt how Oberyn did about the man being a lackey of Littlefinger's and looked on a little worried as the two horses rode towards each other. The first tilt ended in a draw as did the second and Jaime felt that Jon seemed rusty to him as if he'd not practiced enough.

That fear soon went away though as on the third tilt Jon found his rhythm and Ser Lyn did well to stay in his saddle. Something he didn't manage in the fourth as Jon caught him almost flush and the knight flew from his horse. He landed safely enough and for a moment Jaime thought he may seek to continue it on foot, but he walked away with a nod to Jon

"Lord Tully my lord." Brienne whispered as Robb and Tommen led Winter from the field.

Jaime looked to Jon who was speaking to the prince and then as Edmure passed him by, Robb nodded to his uncle and Jon ignored him as he continued to talk to the prince, much to Edmure's annoyance. Jon only looked up when Loras rode towards him with Cregan by his side and then he jumped from Winter, and walked over and said something to Loras.

He was standing beside him a moment later with Tommen and Ser Barristan by his side and Jaime looked to see if there was any anger or worry in his features, finding none. Waiting until Ser Barristan drew Tommen's attention he leaned in to ask Jon what he'd said to Loras.

"What did you tell him?" Jaime asked.

"To win my lord, just win, nothing else." Jon said and Jaime nodded.

Win Loras did and both Jon and he found themselves laughing as he did so, at that and the show Loras put on. While Jaime's armor was gilded gold and Jon's a darkish silver, Loras's was a bright polished silver wrought with jeweled flowers. His cape was full of woven roses and was he a knight already then Jaime could imagine the epithet he'd be given.

It took him one tilt to unhorse Lord Edmure and he did it so easily and so contemptuously that even Tommen was chuckling. Then after he'd won Jaime and Jon watched as he pulled a white rose from somewhere on Bluebell and rode to the crowd, stopping in front of Margaery to present it to her. As he rode back towards them, Jaime saw Jon shaking his head and laughing before Loras gave them an over theatrical bow.

"Show off." Jon said still laughing.

"Some of us must Ser Jon, I'll make myself a name here today." Loras said and Jaime found a smile on his face as he made his way to Honor.

He was glad to see they'd all stayed to watch his ride, Jon wishing him well as he headed out and he was soon taking the lance from Brienne. Ser Andar had put on some muscle since he last saw him and it took him four tilts until he took the day. Jaime waiting until the man was up on his feet before he rode back. Once he did and headed back to his own tent, he drained a mug of water while Brienne rushed off to find out the next draw.

"Jon drew Lord Jason Mallister and Loras got Lord Beric Dondarrion, Ser Barristan drew Lord Bryce Caron and you got his brother Ser Rolland Storm." Brienne said and Jaime nodded, Ser Rolland was a poorer jouster than he was a melee knight though given his size he'd still be difficult.

The waiting was always the worst part of the jousts Jaime felt, the rides themselves were full of excitement and energy but waiting in the tent until it was your turn was dull. Time seemed to stretch on and never end and you were alone with your thoughts, even were you in company. Some sought to relieve the boredom with drink or food, though he never liked to ride on a full stomach, while others slept. Jaime though just sat and waited and he could tell it was beginning to annoy Brienne that he was so quiet.

"I find silence relaxes me Brienne, allows me to think of the ride ahead and that's why I hold my tongue, not the company I'm with." he said and saw the girl relax some.

"Forgive me, my lord, I'm more used to being with the others and they're anything but." she said and he laughed at that.

"Jon likes to entertain, to keep the mood light and Loras well you saw what Loras is like as he rode out there." he said and she smiled as she nodded.

"A show-off." she said.

"Aye, very much so, when he first came to the Rock he did so in spars too, I and Jon took years trying to get him to stop before he eventually did, in a joust, it's a different matter and you see how he only shows off before and after?".

"Never during." Brienne said and Jaime nodded, that lesson at least had taken.

"Come, let's go watch the others, the show off is up first is he not?" he said to laughs from Brienne.

Loras was up first and Jaime watched as Lord Beric took him to four before Loras took the day. The white rose coming out once again and this time going to Sansa as Loras then rode towards them. Barristan was next and he rode out the winner in two, easily unhorsing Lord Bryce, and Jaime wondered if it would come down to the two of them again today.

His own ride was before Jon's and so he readied himself and then rode out, looking down the field to see the giant imposing figure of Ser Rolland Storm. The first tilt was almost a loss for him, Ser Rolland's lance striking hard and true and Jaime only barely managing to keep his saddle. The second he rode out and though he caught the knight well it was to no effect, his strike being brushed aside as if it was nothing.

By the time he took the day with the fifth ride he knew he'd be bruised on the morrow, the lances that had caught him had been hit with so much power that he'd felt each strike. Once in the back he climbed down gingerly from Honor and waited to see Jon ride against Lord Jason. Like his own, Jon took five tilts to unhorse his rival, though unlike his Jon never took a blow in return. As he rode back toward them the sky's opened and Jaime feeling stiffness in his shoulder was glad the day was done.

"Come Brienne, it seems as if we'll be finishing on the morrow." he said as they made their way to cover.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Olenna.

She was glad the day was over early and that it gave her time to relax somewhat before the feast, though the note she had been handed ended all thoughts of that. That the meeting was to be at their manse she was happy about, that it was to be now, not so much. Olenna looked to Margaery who was speaking to Sansa and was glad her granddaughter seemed to be somewhat better.

That she'd almost lost her to one man's greed for more than he deserved was something that made her furious, that she didn't know what to do with that information though was troubling. The more she'd thought of it the more certain she was that she was right. Doran had sought to see Margaery dead and for that, she'd see him in the ground. It was what came with it that caused her to pause, how Jon would react to knowing it was Doran, and how she could bring that up to him.

"Grandmother, will there still be a feast tonight?" Margaery asked.

"I'm sure there will, you know how much the king likes feasts." she said with a snort.

"Must we attend?" Margaery asked and Olenna shook thoughts of Doran from her mind as she looked to her granddaughter's worried face.

"You and I have no need to if you wish, your mother and father, and Sansa can go if they would like but we can stay in and spend the night together if that's what you'd prefer." she said softly and saw Margaery nod.

When they reached the manse she asked Willas to join her along with Alerie, needing Mace to be elsewhere when Randyl Tarly came to visit. Walking to her solar she again found herself thinking on Doran and trying to think what to do about the prince, a part of her wishing to hire a faceless man to see him dead, though she knew she would not. As much as she wanted him to pay for what he almost did, Olenna knew it needed to be Jon who decided his fate.

Should she act alone on this it could create problems down the line and so as she walked her mind raced while she tried to come up with a solution. Reaching her solar she realized the solution was in right there in front of her face when Alerie and Willas took a seat. Just like with Mace, she wasn't in need of acting alone, there were others she could speak to before they brought it to Jon. Olenna smiling as she resolved to arrange a tea with Genna and the rest of the women who were here.

"Read." she said to Willas as he handed him the note, her grandson doing so before he handed it to his mother.

"He's coming now?" Willas asked.

"Him, Richard, Jon and Jaime." Olenna said.

"Father?" Willas asked and she smiled that he'd seen the issue so quickly.

"Must be otherwise engaged, I'll accept his annoyance when he finds he's missed Tarly but the time isn't right for Mace to know yet." she said and Alerie looked to her.

"When will it be?" Alerie asked.

"As soon as we leave here, you have my word on that Alerie, as soon as we leave I'll tell him." she said and Alerie nodded.

"I'll take him with me, I'm meeting Lord Wyman to discuss some trade and I'll ask father to join us, he'll enjoy eating with Lord Wyman if nothing else." Willas said.

"Very well, see to it, I wish to speak to your mother alone." she said and Willas looked to her before standing up and walking from the room.

She waited until he'd gone and then poured them both a glass of wine, Alerie looking at her before she motioned to the glass.

"I wish us to have a tea, Alerie, like the one we had in Highgarden. I've something of great import to discuss and I find myself in need of counsel." she said and her gooddaughter looked to her with surprise.

"You're in need of counsel? What's going on Olenna?".

"I believe Doran Martell is behind the attack on Margaery." she said and Alerie gasped before she swallowed the wine down.

By the time she'd left, Alerie had agreed with her assessment and the need for counsel, her goodaughter had taken to Jon a long time ago, and knowing he and Margaery were destined to be together, even more so. So while there was worry for Margaery's safety which Olenna soon relieved, there was also concern on how Jon would take the news and Olenna found herself glad she'd confided in her.

She was sitting at her desk and didn't know how long she'd been there when Left walked in to tell her that Lord Tarly had arrived, the prickly lord soon sitting down and refusing her offer of a drink. Ser Richard arrived a few moments later and when Randyl saw him it was as if he'd seen a ghost, though before they could speak more than a greeting Jon and Jaime arrived along with Ser Arthur.

"Lord Tarly, Lady Olenna." Jon said as Jaime took a seat and accepted the wine she offered as did Ser Richard.

"Jaehaerys." she said and Randyl's head almost came off his neck it spun so fast.

"Jaehaerys?" Randyl said looking from her to Jaime and Richard and finally to Jon.

"I was named Jaehaerys Targaryen, after the Conciliator and my great grandfather. My father passing over his own father's name for obvious reasons." Jon said and she tried not to smirk.

"You have proof of this, other than a song and a smile?" Randyl asked, his voice as dismissive as it always was.

"Along with Ser Richard who you know, I have some papers which prove my birth along with certain family artifacts, plus a witness to my birth and the true actions of my mother and father during the rebellion. Ser Arthur if you'll remove your helm." Jon said and she watched as Randyl Tarly almost fell to the floor when he saw Arthur's face.

"Ser Arthur?" Randyl said his shock even more clear now.

"Lord Tarly." Arthur replied.

"I was born in the Tower of Joy to my mother Princess Lyanna and my father Prince Rhaegar Targaryen, they were wed in front of the gods of my mother at the Isle of Faces and in the light of the seven in a Sept outside Harrenhal." Jon said and she could see the wheels turning in Randyl's head, as could Jae as he spoke before the lord could "My father's marriage to Princess Elia was annulled my lord, at both their behests.".

"The documents, Lord Tarly." Jaime said and Randyl almost jumped out of his skin so unaware had he become that Jaime was even in the room.

She watched as he read the papers and looked at each of the men in the room and then her before looking to Jon once more.

"Artifacts?" he asked and Jon reached into his pocket to take out the ring and hand it to Randyl who looked at it with a smile on his face.

"This was Aegon's." Randyl said.

"It was, I also have Dark Sister, my lord, though I cannot wield it publicly just yet." Jon said with a laugh which she was stunned to see Randyl return.

"You intend to retake your throne?" Randyl asked.

"My family was conspired against Lord Tarly, betrayed and the throne my brother should sit stolen from him along with his life. His mother was raped and my sister butchered and while I've seen that the men who committed those acts have paid for their crimes. The men who benefited from them and who set the events in motion have not. My mother and father tasked me with seeing justice brought to these men, to seeing our rightful place restored my lord, so aye, I not only intend to take back my throne, I will take back my throne." Jon said and even Olenna felt herself stir as he spoke.

Though it was nothing compared to how Randyl reacted, Olenna looked on shocked as the proud lord of Horn Hill stood up and then took a knee looking to Jon in a way she'd never seen him look at anyone before. There was reverence and something else in his eyes and she couldn't quite make out what until he spoke.

"I served your father my king, served him and wished nothing more than to see him crowned, there has not been a day since I heard he fell on the Trident that I've not regretted my inaction. Despite my liege lord's orders I should have taken my men and rode to him, had I, if it had been so…..".

"My lord, you are not the only one with regrets but I ask you to forget them for now, we cannot change the past but together we can help define the future." Jon said and she saw Randyl nod.

"Horn Hill is yours my king, my sword is yours and when you call I will come and nothing or no one will stop me from seeing you placed on the throne. I pledge my life to yours, to the true king, to Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of his name." Randyl said and she watched as Jon reached out and touched the lord's shoulder.

"I accept your fealty my lord and I vow that you shall always have a place by my hearth and meat and mead at my table, and pledge to ask no service of you that might bring you into dishonor. I swear it by the old gods and the new. Arise Lord Tarly."

They talked then of the allies that Jon had already collected and while he made no mention of the dragon's, when Randyl heard that the West, North, Reach, and Dorne were pledged to him, Olenna saw the man smile and for once she didn't begrudge it. When they left she felt a sense of relief, not that she had any doubt that Randyl would kneel to Jon, more that it would change his opinion of her and her house.

As she went to bed that night though she found her thoughts had turned to Dorne and to Doran once more. Jon seemed so sure that he had Dorne's support and Olenna felt hopeful that it had been Doran alone who'd acted against them. As hard as that would be to take for Jon, were Oberyn to also be involved she felt that would crush him completely, though given how the red viper acted around Jon, she doubted very much he knew of his brother's actions.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Sansa.

She was glad to see Jon going to Margery's room, as much as her friend had claimed not to be upset, Sansa could sense that she still was. Even at the jousts earlier that day there had been times when a sudden noise or a shout from behind her would lead to a jump from Margaery. While she'd helped as best as she was able to, she had known it wasn't her comfort that Margaery sought and so when Jon knocked at the door she was glad to leave them alone.

For Sansa, it also gave her time to process the other thing which had been on her mind for the past couple of days. She knew her mother had not played a role in Margaery's attack and that her mind had gone there made her feel somewhat ashamed of herself. Yet she had needed to hear from others about the man that had attacked Margaery just too be sure. Once she did and once her concern over Margaery's condition had lessened, her mind went to far darker places.

Sitting down on her bed she looked to Fang who was laying on the floor and she thought back to the last time she'd seen her mother before coming to King's Landing. Closing her eyes she tried to think back to what Fang had seen and she soon remembered not only that but what the wolf had heard. Jumping from her bed she began to pace angrily around the room, the questions in her head demanding answers and she wondered who would give them to her.

She had wished the wolves dead.

Just like Jon.

She'd see them dead, just like him.

I'll take care of him, I'll see it done right this time.

See what done right? Take care of him, how? Sansa thought as she paced, Jon had been attacked in the Riverlands when they'd traveled, her mother not wishing her to go to Highgarden but to the Riverlands, why? Why didn't she wish her to go to Highgarden? Surely that would be the best thing for her, wouldn't it? Sansa felt her mind move in a thousand directions all at once.

Her mother disliked the Tyrells, why? Her mother loved the south and had spoken to her fondly of it for years, the Tyrell's included, until when? She had arrived in Highgarden just before Jon was attacked and before they thought he had fallen, yet she'd not been surprised that he had, why? Why wasn't she surprised?.

Jon, everything revolved around Jon, he was taking Winterfell from Robb, he was a bad influence on her, he was trying to trick them. This was how her mother thought, this was why she wished her not to foster in Highgarden, not because of what was best for her, but because Jon had been the one to arrange it. The Tyrells, Lynesse, seeing Lynesse and hearing her say Jon was friendly with them, Loras, seeing Loras, was that when it started?.

I'll take care of him, I'll see it done right this time.

She felt her stomach churn and ran to the privy, though there was nothing to empty and after kneeling for a few moments she knew she'd not throw up. Instead, she began to cry and felt Fang come to her, the wolf rubbing up against her and it was against her soft fur she began to sob. How long she sat there for she didn't know and as she wondered who she could speak to about this, the knock sounded at the door.

"Who is it?" she asked as he walked from the privy, shocked at the voice that came back at her.

"Sansa, can we talk." Jon said and she opened the door and almost jumped into his arms.

"Jon, how?" she asked and as he wiped the tears from her face he looked to his side and she saw Ghost looking up at her, she looked to Fang who was looking at her and she smiled. The wolf having felt her distress had called out to the pack to come to her.

Jon walked with her to the bed and they sat down, her brother never letting go of her hand as he did so and she tried to compose herself before she asked the question she feared the answer to.

"Jon, did my mother try to have you killed?" she asked softly.

She looked as he closed his eyes and seemed to steady himself before he answered. It went on for so long she feared he was trying to figure what lie to tell her, what untruth she may accept.

"I never wished you to know Sansa, not this, you must believe me." he said and she once again felt herself being held by him as her tears came even more freely this time.

They sat silently and Sansa could feel his heart beating against her chest, his fingers stroking her hair as she finally stopped her crying.

"I'm so sorry, Jon, I'm so sorry." she said shaking her head.

"Sansa? You've nothing to be sorry for, why? Why are you apologizing?".

"She's my mother Jon and she tried to have you killed, she…had she…".

"She didn't nor would she be able to, I'm unharmed Sansa, she failed and should she try again then she'll fail again." he said and she looked to him.

"She, with Robb and I, she..I think she will try again Jon." she said shakily.

"Sansa, look at me, she won't succeed. I've nothing to fear from your mother, you believe me?" he asked and she nodded.

"I never want to see her again, never, gods Jon, what kind of a woman does that, why would she, no she's not my mother, not now.".

"Sansa." he said looking at her, his face creased as he looked on the verge of crying himself.

"When the snows fall and the white winds blow, the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. She tried to hurt a member of the pack Jon, that means she is not pack, she never was." Sansa said and she felt her brother's lips as they kissed her cheek.

"I love you, little sister." Jon said.

"I love you too, brother.".

When he got up to leave it must have been an hour or so later and she felt herself begin to drift off. Jon nodding to her to take to her bed and she too tired to argue with him. As he walked out of the door she looked to see Ghost and Fang, the two wolves lying side by side and she knew then she was right, her mother wasn't pack and from now on Sansa would treat her as such.

She woke the next morning and broke her fast with Margaery, her friend asking her if she was well and Sansa realizing that Jon had gone to her room before he'd left the Manse the night before. Something Margaery confirmed as they rode to the day's joust, as not only had Jon slept in her room with her but he'd been there when he had suddenly left to come to Sansa's.

After telling her she was well, they arrived and took their seats, Margaery seeming to be in a far happier mood today. Soon the Lannister's arrived and then the Manderly's making Sansa think of Robb. Her brother would need to be told what she had found out she felt, but perhaps it could wait a day or so before she told him. When she saw her mother and uncle arrive she turned away from the wave and smile she gave her, having no interest in returning either.

"How many jousts are there today?" she asked Margaery who turned to Willas for the answer.

"I believe to reach the final will require four, so five and ten." Willas said and Sansa made herself comfortable for the rides to come.

Jon, Loras, Lord Jaime, and Ser Barristan all won their first rides and when the draw came out for the next set she found herself glad that none of them had been drawn against each other. Jon instead to face Lord Renly and Loras to face her granduncle, while Ser Barristan was against Lord Yohn Royce and Lord Jaime to face Ser Richard Horpe. She felt the eagerness of the crowd when the tilts were announced, Jon against Renly garnering more excitement than any of the others.

"Loras, Highgarden." Margaery cheered as did most of the crowd and she couldn't help but cheer him herself, even if he was going against her granduncle.

While Jon against Renly may be the match the crowd was waiting for, Loras had made himself a firm favorite with them. His armor was incredible and put even Lord Jaime's to shame and him handing out roses had only endeared him even more. The first to Margaery and the second to her, followed by the third to Joy. Meaning that now as Sansa looked around the crowd she could see almost every girl looking to see who he'd hand one to next. Providing he won the match that was and as they raced towards each other Sansa felt herself hoping that he would.

The first tilt led to nothing, no hits which dimmed the crowd's enthusiasm somewhat, the second almost unhorsed her granduncle and the crowd was back again, cheering enthusiastically as the third one began. Sansa watched as the two horses raced towards each other and she cheered loudly when her granduncle hit the ground. Relieved as she was when he got up though she found herself keener to know who was getting the next rose.

"Who?" she whispered to Margaery who shook her head as Loras took the rose from his saddle and rode towards the crowd.

Sansa smiled when she looked to Princess Myrcella, the little girl holding the rose to her nose as Loras rode away and Ser Barristan and Lord Yohn rode out.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Ser Barristan.

Hearing from Jon about Randyl Tarly had made his day, the lord was a fine warrior and a more than capable military commander and that he was on their side was a great boon. Now though he had his own campaign to worry about and having broken three lances against Lord Yohn he began to think of what it would be like to face the bronze lord across a battlefield once more.

Barristan knew he'd be a great asset to their cause and also an impossible one to bring to bear. Instead, just like in the rebellion, the honorable lord would be on the wrong side and he felt regretful that it would the case once more. Allies and friends were rare enough in this fickle world and soon he'd be facing off against some that were once the former and a few he considered the latter.

As he broke his fourth lance he tried to think of the positives more than the negatives. He be fighting for a good king and alongside his true brothers once more, and were it to be his final fight then at least when they laid him to rest it would be for doing something true and good. As he took his lance and rode down the field he let that be the thought in his head and allowed it to fuel his hit, smiling when the Lord of Runestone fell.

"The day is yours Ser Barristan." Yohn said as he rose to his feet, Barristan riding close by to make sure he was unhurt.

"It seems so, Lord Yohn." he said riding back to make ready to watch his brother's ride.

He found Jon and Loras standing there, their horses just behind them, and Jon speaking to Prince Tommen and making the boy laugh. As he dismounted he saw Ser Richard Horpe ride by and he wished him well and then did the same to Jaime. Looking once again to Jon and Tommen he found himself wondering about Myrcella and what he may have planned for her. Getting Tommen away from King's Landing seemed something they may manage, getting the princess away was something he knew nothing about.

"So Ser Jon, who'll win?" he asked and saw Tommen look to his knight just as eagerly as he was, though he knew both the answer and what Jon would say.

"Lord Jaime will take it Ser Barristan which means I had better take my own, otherwise Loras will never allow me to live down not making this final four." Jon said and Barristan found himself hoping that would be the case, feeling his excitement at the idea.

The first two tilts were shared and surprisingly Ser Richard took the next two, Jaime's blows landing ineffectively. The next one however did not and even Barristan cringed at the sound of the impact as Ser Richard fell. The crowd hushed when Jaime dismounted to check on the knight and it took a few moments for him to rise to his feet, winded but not hurt thankfully.

"That looked to be much worse." Jon said and he nodded.

"Aye, that it did." he replied.

"Ser Jon, care for a wager, or is it only my brother you do those with?" a voice called and Barristan turned to see Lord Renly riding towards them with his young squire walking behind.

"Name your terms my lord" Jon said with a smirk.

"How about 500 hundred gold dragons?" Renly said staring at Jon as he did so.

"What say you my prince, should we take Lord Renly's wager, I leave it to you to decide." Jon said and Barristan couldn't miss the wide-eyed look the prince got as he turned to Lord Renly.".

"We accept uncle." Tommen said and Jon patted his back.

"Then I wish you both good fortune, Ser Jon, nephew.".

He watched as Jon climbed up on Winter and as Tommen led the horse out onto the field, Barristan feeling a sense of anticipation as they both took their lances.

"What did I miss?" Jaime said as he walked to them with lady Brienne by his side.

"Lord Renly's wagered 500 hundred gold dragons on beating Jon." Cregan said and Barristan heard Jaime laugh as he looked to the field.

"What is it with stags and wagers." Jaime said still laughing as the horses began their run.

The third tilt was where he won it, though it took to the fourth for it to happen. But it was the blow that Jon caught him in the shoulder which did for Renly more than the hit which unhorsed him. Jon catching him flush and hard and Barristan reckoned he'd not move the arm for a day or two once the bruising began to show. The fourth tilt was pride from Renly and could have ended far worse had Jon not pulled his lance, the blow just taking his seat and not doing far more damage.

"Well, I made it." Jon said when he rode back and climbed off his horse, Jaime, himself, Jon, and Loras all looking to each other and Barristan finding himself smiling a the company he now kept.

"Come, let's see which of us faces whom next." he said and they walked to the draw, this one being done in front of the crowd, unlike the others.

"Lord Jaime Lannister to face…" he heard the crowd hush and saw both Jon and Loras look on eagerly "Loras Tyrell. Ser Barristan Selmy to face Ser Jon Snow." the herald said and he was happy to see no disappointment on Jon's face.

"I had hoped to face Loras, at least then I'd have had a chance to make the final." Jon japed and he and Jaime rolled their eyes when the two boys began to push each other laughing as they did so.

"I wish you good fortune Ser Barristan, I expect you to give your all." Jon said leaving him in no doubt he meant every word.

"As I do you Ser Jon, Lord Jaime, Loras, I wish you both the best." he said and Jon bid them both his best wishes too.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Jaehaerys Targaryen.

Even with the events of the last few days, he found it easy to concentrate on what was ahead of him, a ride against the Bold once more. As he looked to see Jaime and Loras ride out he nodded to them both and noticed something strange. Brienne was carrying Jaime sword for some reason, putting it out of his head, for now, he looked to the crowd. Dacey held Joanna and the little girl waved enthusiastically at her father while Dacey rolled her eyes at something Jaime did that he missed.

Robert was sitting with Jon Arryn and his wife along with the other two Tully's and he could see Lady Catelyn's smug smile from here, though it was the conversation going on between Robert and Littlefinger that truly caught his eye. The two men were laughing and japing as if they were the best of friends and Jae wondered why that was. His attention soon focussed on the Tyrell's and he saw Sansa and Willas laughing at something though the lord was also watching the field at the same time.

Lord Mace and Lady Alerie looked on with a mixture of pride and worry when Loras waved and Lady Olenna sat close to Margaery and alternated between looking to her and to Loras. Margaery looked incredible and he watched as she cheered Loras on, feeling the tiniest bit jealous that she could not do the same so openly with him.

"They're getting ready Ser Jon." Tommen said and he looked from the crowd to the field and saw them ready to make their first ride.

"Then we shall wish them both well my prince and hope I'm ready to face one of them in the final." he said and Tommen nodded and shouted out good luck bringing a smile to Jae's face.

Honor moved a little quicker than Bluebell and as a result, it was Jaime's lance which hit home a fraction of a second before Loras's did. It took the sting out of Loras's strike which was a good thing for Jaime as his friend's was as good a strike as he'd seen during this whole tourney. Both lances broke on the second ride and on the third, Loras to Jae's mind taking both of them just barely.

The fourth ride Loras caught Jaime on the shoulder and Jae winced when he saw how stiffly Jaime moved after it, he'd seen the bruise there from one of the earlier tilts and could only imagine how much bigger it would be now. It fired Jaime up somewhat and whether he'd been holding back or whether he felt he didn't have another tilt in him just now, he rode faster on the next tilt. Unseating Loras and then stopping Honor to look as Loras got back to his feet, as the crowd cheered his win though Jae saw him look to Brienne before he nodded and then dismounted.

"What's he doing Ser Jon?" Tommen asked confused and when Jae saw Jaime speak to Loras and Brienne rush to him, he like the crowd hushed.

"Loras Tyrell, kneel." Jaime said and Jae saw Loras pull off his helm.

Jae like the rest of the crowd cheered a few moments later, louder and more true than he had cheered for almost anything he could remember. Loras stood up and he could see the tears in his friend's eyes, everything he had ever wished to be he was now and that it had been Jaime to name him so only making it that much more special.

"He's Ser Loras now." he said to Tommen and the prince looked incredibly excited having never expected to see such a thing this day "Come we can talk to the new knight later on my prince, we have our own tilt to ready for.".

As he and the Bold rode out, Jaime and Loras passed them by and Jae bowed as did Barristan to the newly named knight, Loras's tears now replaced by a smile as he nodded back. Riding over to where Robb waited Jae looked down at the prince and watched as they handed him the lance, turning ready to ride out against the Bold and happy he'd made it this far.

"Good fortune Ser Jon." Tommen shouted after he and Winter cantered to the edge of the field and turned ready to ride against Ser Barristan.

Seeing the knight at the other end of the field was as imposing as seeing the Bold up close and as they began to ride Jae prepared for the impact as best he could. The first lance he managed to easily block with his shield though he found his own blocked just as easily. The second he got a little more purchase though it was like hitting a stone wall and the third was like being hit by one. As he rode the fourth he began to concentrate on Ser Barristan's movements, even more, looking for any sign to give him an advantage.

It wasn't until the sixth that he found it and the seventh until he was able to try and use it. He rode a little faster and felt Winter really stretch her legs, seeing Barristan ready his lance he lifted his leg from the stirrup and put all his weight on the other one. When Barristan's blow came Jae had twisted in the saddle leaving him nothing to push back against the hit. The lance finding no resistance put Barristan off balance and Jae hit his own good and true and watched as Barristan fell to the ground.

Fixing himself back in the saddle, his foot still only in one of the stirrups he turned to see Barristan rising to his feet and rode toward him. The knight laughing when he got there and Jae only really then truly realizing that he had won and would be facing Jaime in the final. When he reached the back and dismounted the prince was looking at him with a stunned and yet happy look, Loras slapping him on the back and Robb cheering him on. Yet Jae could only see Jaime as he walked to his horse and got ready to ride against him for the first time.

"You beat the Bold, Ser Jon, you beat the Bold." Tommen said and Jae looked down to see the large smile on his face.

"My squire brings me luck, my prince, come we've one more yet to face." he said and Tommen almost skipped beside Winter as they followed Jaime out onto the field.

He didn't say anything to Jaime as they rode together, no words were needed and he knew he didn't have to tell him to give it his all. Instead, they rode in silence and nodded to each other when they stopped to face the crowd.

"Your graces, my lords and ladies, the final of the joust between Lord Jaime Lannister the Warden of the West and Ser Jon Snow the White Wolf." the herald said to cheers.

That it was the final and something that had he been able to choose would have been his choice, didn't make it any better than it could have been. Jae knowing after the third tilt that though both were trying their best, the ride was far less exciting than it should have been. Why that was he couldn't tell, it wasn't as if they weren't both trying but perhaps they couldn't live up to the expectation and he could sense the crowd growing restless.

All that changed on the fourth as both of them struck home and were it not for their will or determination then he felt either of them would have been unhorsed. In the fifth, they were, not one of them but both of them as Jaime hit him flush at the same tie that Jae caught him. He landed comfortably and saw that Jaime did so too and once again he felt the sense of excitement in the crowd diminish. This hadn't been a joust for the ages and it needed to be more than this.

"My sword." he called out loudly and heard the crowd cheer as Jaime did the same.

He saw Robert moving to the edge of his seat as did others when he and Jaime stood face to face. While he may not have given them the ride they wished for, he could give them a fight they'd talk about for some time and as he took his stance he smirked when Jaime tapped the ground three times.

"Good fortune, Ser Jon." Jaime said.

"Good fortune, Lord Jaime." he replied and the fight began.

He and Jaime had spars which lasted over an hour and others only a few moments, this was more of a fight though and he knew it wouldn't be a quick one. He parried the blows and moved to the side to aim his own, feigning and thrusting at the same time before spinning away from Jaime's riposte. Jaime hit home the first and second points after a few minutes but Jae felt himself loosen up and began to move freer and more quickly than he had been.

Thrust, parry, thrust, spin, attack from the left and spin, then right and feign a spin before attacking with a flurry. When he caught Jaime's shoulder he saw the wince and knew he could take the day, feigning to go for it again and forcing Jaime to overcompensate to cover it up. The two blows he caught him with were on the left side and he heard Jaime chuckle as the backed off and began again. Jaime soon catching him in the stomach with a strike that would have ended him were he not armored up. The crowd cheered even more loudly when Jae began to throw in more jumps and spins, Jaime easily parrying them all but he knew how they'd look to those watching on.

The riposte he hit caught Jaime on the shoulder once more and gave Jae the edge he needed. Once again concentrating on the other side while Jaime protected his injured shoulder and Jae felt sorry for the stiffness and pain he knew he'd feel on the morrow. With the score at four to three in his favor, he moved in for the kill feigning sweeping Jaime's legs and making him fall on his injured shoulder allowed him to take the roll without a strike back. When Jaime realized he was behind him it was too late and Jae held the sword to the back of his head and heard the crowd cheer.

"Yield?" he asked and Jaime nodded.

"I yield Ser Jon, the day is yours." Jaime said and Jae removed his sword and asked him how bad his shoulder was hurt "It's a bruise Jon, nothing more.".

"Your graces, my lords and ladies, I give you the winner of the joust of the tourney of King's Landing 297 AC, Ser Jon Snow.".

Robb came running with Tommen and Winter and helped him to mount back up before handing him the lance and Jae rode to where the garland rested, the crowd going silent when he turned back around. He knew what he should do and yet he could not, propriety and position be damned he thought as he rode to where Margaery sat.

"Lady Margaery, I would name you the queen of love and beauty." he said to fevered whispers and then some cheers when she took the garland and placed it on her head.

"You honor me Ser Jon and I thank you for this and for your rescue from my attacker. You Ser are a true knight and any lady would be proud to be named queen by one such as yourself." Margaery said with a beaming smile and as he nodded and rode away he heard the cheers and felt the favor at his hip.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next, Robb and Sansa receive a letter from their father inviting them to Winterfell, Tommen receives gifts from Robert and Jae meets with the loyalists and puts them on notice and as we say goodbye to King's Landing news arrives which changes the game completely. My good friend Leilani has started a discord page to discuss speculations on stories, further ideas, questions about plot points and even suggestions for future stories, I'll be popping in from time to time for any who wish to Join, so here's the link.

/invite/9bgmp26

Daryl Dixon: Really glad you liked it.

Jman: Olenna will share her theory but not with Jon just yet as you see, she'll wait to see what the others think before bringing Jon into it.

Biohazard: So glad you liked it.

Adgeless: The best possible outcome for Cat/Edmure is being called to court, they may not even make it that far.

Supremus: With Sam I find his book side to be questionable and his show side worse and both inform how I feel about him, after watching the show I hate him, its that simple, is it irrational perhaps, but it is what it is. In the books his feelings on why he wishes Jon as LC aren't clearly just because he thinks he makes a better LC, they're informed by not wishing Gilly sent away and for making his own position more secure which it won't be if Slynt gets the role, it's human nature to want what's best for yourself, but it's not a noble act he does for the good of Jon or the watch to see him named LC. It's not the manipulation of the vote it's the reason for the manipulation. When you look at that other things also need to be looked at differently, his ride to bring Jon back can be a noble act or can be him not wishing to be left alone and to suffer without Jon being there to protect him.

Jessicanightmarewolf: He is yes, if Jon finds out there'll be no stopping him, Cat in a way has been hoping they'd see the light and once they saw what she did then they'd obviously just come to her.

The Sphinx: Doran's only saving grace is time, in that Jon will need to find out what he did and proof of it and then maybe he can get away with it and see Jon dead before it goes the other way. I wanted Sansa to figure it out fully here herself, to make the final leap because of her smarts more than Cat telling her, love the poem as usual.

Forgotten prince: Thanks so much, the war will be in this one and soon to start.

Remi: I did get it, if the translation was good and it's easier for you then feel free to post in French all the time. On Doran as you see with Olenna she's not ready to make that leap and tell Jae just yet, she doesn't want to hurt him more than she knows it would and will take advice first. You're right though for Jae there is the danger of what it'll do to Oberyn and he's relationship what it may do to Arianne and Tyrion's etc, but unlike with Cat he'll be more likely to act against Doran as it was Marge he attacked. I do have a plan for that so we'll see how Tommen may react. Cat thinking they were on her side would really seek to see Jae dead and it's always been her plan, the only thing that's stopped her lately has been a lack of coin.

Sankar: Thanks so much and you have my word this and the others will be finished.

Platinum Bro. Unless he can take Marge out he won't go against Tyrion as Tyrion is a plan B option for him. Tyrion offers him the option of trying to see Jon dead and thereby getting the throne through him, now if he'd managed to have Marge killed then Tyrion would be his next target.

Lady Octarina: Lomas in a way is acting on the crumbs that Richard is laying down for him but he's also competent too and so we'll see some of that as well, this is why in a way they've had it so easy for the longest time, they've not had anyone really looking into their actions with any competency.

I actually thought of that, having Cat be "They're here to kill us all, I told you, I told you what he was planning" but I felt it better to have Sansa play act for so long only for Cat to go too far and how she felt about Jon not allowing her to have her mother run him down too much. Also to show that as much as she's grown, she's not fully a player yet. You're right about Brynden he really drew the short straw. With Olenna you're right, as you see she's calling a ladies council to see what the others suggest. Cat may have some realization moments but they'll be post the reveal and things will make sense to her that haven't up to now, such as the confrontation and what he said to Edmure. I hope you liked the crowning.

Whitedragonwarrior: I do hate it sometimes although you can get the occasional laugh, in one of my earlier chapters with Walder Frey it changed Bridge to Bride and gave a completely different meaning to the sentence "I'm here to use your Bridge" not to mention it made Walder sound like a pimp when he kept charging so people could "Use his Bride". I think that's the thing, Cat will see the truth of things and while she'll ignore him here, she'll realize that he wasn't lying later on.

Scarilla: Perhaps sooner than Arianne imagined.

Jayods: So glad you liked it.

DesertSandbox: it will make her think but she may dismiss it as a bastard's tricks.

Andrews: With Doran there may be some suggestion of that, I think that's my biggest issue with Cat, she neglected Jon for no reason other than to make herself feel better, now people can say she had no obligation to treat him any better than she did and that's true, but it doesn't negate the fact that she abused him emotionally and a woman who did so now would be called out for it.

Zsilvah: Really glad you enjoyed it.

Debator max: So glad you're liking it.

Tony Warrior: No hay necesidad de disculparse con mi amigo y me alegro de que te sientas así. Una de las cosas clave que he tratado de hacer es mostrar el cambio en Jae debido a las diferentes circunstancias, son las personas a su alrededor las que han permitido que él sea quien es y ese es su personaje. Muy contento de que esté brillando.

Cattyfan: it may do yes, but in a way Jon has already decided that the time is almost ready and done, he's pretty much decided that this is the last tourney that Robert has as king and while he was also pissed over Marge, it's mainly that. He's less likely to accept having to be as circumspect as he once was.

Ksveela: You may get your wish.

Vfsnake: She made a very big mistake and now that Sansa knows she's not keeping it to herself. Doran will be lucky to be given the chance to explain.

; So glad you liked it.

Bellaswan: With Doran his biggest problem is that Olenna was obviously going to figure it out and while he thinks there's no direct evidence to tie him, there are always ways to do so. Jae does plan to see House Tully end.

Anja: So happy you liked it .

Zyrus:Words can often cut deep.

Orthankg: The Marge part is key for Jon, there is the other issues too and they'd perhaps be enough to allow for a clear head if it was Jon he'd went after, but that it was Marge is the game changer. With Sansa I wanted her to be the one to make the leap which is why here she figured it out, she knew and she was there and here she's already fallen out with her mother more so than any of them and so she's more likely to accept it, but I wanted her to piece the final pieces of the jigsaw together. Lol, How right you were.

I with Cat didn't want it to be that full smack down for a couple of reasons, one which will be clear later and the other being that despite it all Jon is still in Kl, there are far too many people he cares about who'd be in trouble if he went too far, his plans to take Tommen could go up in smoke etc and so he kinda was a bit restrained as well as not, it was more he was in the know and she wasn't kinda smack down rather than him fully giving her both barrels.

Dirtycat: He's not fully unleashed his dragon side on anyone just yet and so that has to be taken into account when he goes for people, like with Cat he's still restraining himself and it's leading up to him going full dragon on someone, but at times he's more wolf than dragon and so that comes across a little. The reveal is so close.

Wolololol: Fry the fish.

Princeloki: I think he's capable, you know his cane is a sword right? So he can handle himself. Extra crispy fish sticks.

Dunk: She really is and each little step take her further down that path, in the books it was anger and hatred which led to what she eventually became, and here there is a lot of that going on, the ability to blame all your woes on the wrong person and not look at yourself. With Sansa that was the thing, I felt she's not ready yet to fully hide her emotions and once Cat went too far she couldn't stop herself, I also wanted her to figure it out for herself. Jae gave her just enough, not a fully dressing down but enough so he walked away happy. I had thought of having him face Edmure and went with Loras instead, just to change it up. I agree completely on Tarly, he doesn't accept Cersei, as you say Dany is a stretch but he'd go with her, Cersei no chance. Hope you liked the crowning.

Carick: thanks so much, that's one of the things with Jae/Cat, a lot of things will make far more sense to her once the truth outs and she's going to feel so foolish that she didn't read the signs.

Chris: Sansa is done with her, she also won't keep what she's learned to herself either.

Guest: I do get that with the non action lead female, I think in a way it's why Jon/Val appeals or a Jon/Rhaenys especially if there are dragons involved, Jon/Dany too works as she's far more involved because of Drogon. The problem is that having Marge be more action orientated is like having Sansa wield a sword, it just doesn't fit, but I can see the appeal and I think with the Jon/Rhaenys I've planned you'll see more of that. With Sansa and Marge I wanted to play up the strengths they do have so we get a clever Sansa and a determined Marge both playing their roles differently. With Doran for Jae it'll be a hard and yet easy decision, it's the surrounding parts that will make him think, we'll see part two of Rhaenix/Lygaron next.

Anarchicmind: Thanks so much. That's one of the things with her especially regarding Doran, her first instinct is to arrange for his death, to ensure he never gets close to Marge ever again but she also knows that could be seen as a betrayal and so she's curbed that instinct and is going a different way. For Oberyn the line with Doran may be that Elia named him as family and Doran is going against family, that it was Marge may hold his hand a little, but if he realizes just how far Doran is willing to go he'll see it as a betrayal of Elia, as much as one of Jon.

Well Marge was there as you see.

Xand007: Thanks my friend. Jon does think Doran and especially Oberyn are for him which is why he's not even considering them to be responsible and why he will feel so bad when he finds out the truth, not that Oberyn had anything to do with it but more that more of his family is working against him. Illyrio is that was especially here as with Varys's death he's had to be far more hands on, but he will have to face Jae's wrath too at some point. She may do yes but Jae is in the final stages and so he may move before she does. You too my friend.

AJGranger: So glad you liked that. With Jon one of the key things for me was the change being early enough so that when we got to this point we'd have a Jon like this, in canon it comes after in a lot of ways he's been brow beaten down into thinking he has no real worth. Here Jaime's intervention allowed for him to grow much differently and he's around confident people like Jaime, Tyrion, Gerion and even Loras which makes him far more likely to grow in a different manner. That he then found out who he was earlier too has given him four/five years to get ready to be who he needs to be. So when faced with Cat now he's far more comfortable in speaking to her how he did.

Xionmao: Really glad you liked it.

Guest: There are a few options which I'll leave to those to speculate, it is a terrible thing what the saying you can choose your friends but not your family. He does exist as you see but he sees him as simply a boy and no threat to him being Sword of the Morning, it's one of he funny things in that the title and Dawn doesn't go to a knight based on skills alone, there's more to it and sometimes no one gets to wield it. Ned in the books dreams of being the Sword of the Morning one day but he knows it's more than just skill he needs.

Cantthinkofone: Luckily I update quickly lol, glad you're liking it.

Spartan: I didn't show the gift yet, we'll see it next chapter. Glad you liked the Robb/Sansa part it was a lead up to Sansa here also. I forgot the candy apples, damn will need to show them in Joy's next pov, that sucks, nothing worse than expecting not to do anything and then having to work.

Guest: It would be interesting but I don't think that would be Jon unless Arianne was involved somehow, Like I think it's a really good threat to make but the wrong one for this Jon to do.

Creativo: Oh Cat pasó la huelga tres hace mucho tiempo.

Magnetic ducky: I've spent countless times going over the reasoning behind the author's notes, they have no need to be read by anyone who doesn't wish to read them and considering I post 9 to 10k long chapters I really have no need to fill anything out. I post the same story on AO3 Without the A/N because that comments there allow for a proper discussion a back and forth where people can express their opinions, get a reply and others can if they wish join the conversation. Here we don't have that and so I do it this way. No one needs to read them as I said and the story is long enough with the need to pad out a word count and if anyone thinks that what I'm doing then they are very very wrong.

Liza: Thank you my friend. That's my thoughts on him too, it's got to the stage where he's not going to accept it from her any longer and he's ready to move for the throne, that she also stopped him not long after the attack on Marge only gave him even less reason to ignore her. If she let go of her hate she'd have seen exactly what you say here, not only does he love his family but he's actively tried to make their lives better, the problem is she can't see past her hatred, it's all consuming. Mace has always been a bit suspicious of them, he can see they're more than friends but he can't go against Olenna too much either, so he's brought it up before about Jon being too close and had Olenna basically tell him to let it go, tell him she'd never allow Marge marry a bastard and that relieved him a little, but he does see it, just doesn't know how to really stop it. With Olenna as you see she's working it out in her head what to do, we'll see what she decides, glad you're liking Tommen and yep for now all is well, hope all is with you too.

Silverglow: Thanks for pointing that out about the A/N, I've done it countless times and still have people complaining about something they had no need to read.

I couldn't resist it with Sam, it's just a little moment where people may go, he killed Sam lol.

I think that's the biggest hypocrisy with Cat, she forgive Ned and just takes it all out on Jon, who's the innocent in the whole thing, partly that is a power thing with Ned being Lord and Jon being a bastard but it shows her up for who she is. I wanted her to have some moments later on where Jon's words, deeds, actions come clear in her mind for what they are and not for what she thinks they are.

TheLadybug: Thanks so much for saying that, that is one of the things with the A/N both to reply to people and explain something they may ask questions of, no one needs to read it and I've found on AO3 that the back and forth is more immediate and leads to discussions on things. Really glad you think the writing has improved, thank you and I hope you continue to enjoy things, the reveal and war are almost here.

Irish Hermit: As I said I'm not a fan of him, here he'll play a role but not a crucial one and I just couldn't resist the urge to kill a Sam off lol. With Olenna as you see she's working it out in her head, she knows how Jae will react, Oberyn won't be happy either, Doran is going against Elia's wishes and so who does he care for more, his brother or his sister?. With Cat that's the thing, my take on her character is she follows a line in canon which is that she's hateful against Jon, she can never let go of that hate and even when Robb names him as heir she still can't bring herself to accept him, later on she becomes LSH a creature driven by hatred and so here it's a little of the same path, had she been able to just let it go then her life would be so much better but she hasn't been. Jae's words, his deeds will come back to bite her and make her see how wrong she's been.

That was one of the things with him too, to allow that line between wanting to rage and burn and instead be cold and calculated be a thing, we'll see it blur too as we go on but he knows he's in the Stag's den and so he's holding back as much as he can.