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The Return of the Dragon King

Chapter 2

"I had a dream last night."

"Really…" Robb Stark replied dully, raising his sword to parry his half-brother's strike. He stepped back a step and to the side, letting Jon force his sword down before stepping forward and running his sword up Jon's sword towards the other man's waist. Jon fell back, his sword rising in a circle and parrying Robb's counterattack while stepping back, sword held in a low guard before him. "…what's it about?"

"And you sound so interested too." Jon lamented, and Robb grinned.

"That's only because you only ever talk about that dream." he said as he launched an attack of his own, swinging his sword several times and parried each and every time by Jon.

Jon Snow snorted as he forced Robb's sword to ground before driving his pommel towards Robb's belly. The other man jumped back, his sword held low. "I've still no idea why she cries." He said. "Or why father gets so disturbed about the whole thing."

Though to be fair, it was a fairly disturbing dream even by Jon's reckoning. He'd had it for a long time, ever since he was a child in fact, and never once did it change. It always involved him standing in the fog under a cloudy yet Moonlit sky, and then gliding through the fog to stand before him was a pale-skinned woman with long dark hair cloaked and hooded in black. What could be seen of her face seemed eerily familiar, and the same went for her voice.

"What is your name?" she would always ask, and Jon despite his fear would always feel obliged to answer.

"Where are your parents?" she would then ask, and again Jon would answer. Weeping, the woman would then vanish into the fog, leaving Jon to awake in his bed breathing hard and dripping with sweat.

Thankfully it only happened ever so often, but it still disturbed him to no end.

Most people were of no help. His father seemed disturbed by it, but could offer nothing more than half-thoughts about the old stories of greenseers and magic. Arya was sympathetic but could do little more than comfort Jon by talking to him about it. She was probably just indulging him, but he was gratified nevertheless.

Sansa much like Lady Stark, while somewhat sympathetic, were both dismissive of his dreams. The same went for the maester and the septas and septons. For them dreams were just dreams, nothing more and nothing less. They would pass in time, and were nothing to worry about.

Theon being Theon saw it as Jon having a closeted desire to bed a Silent Sister. Jon would have pummelled him for it had Robb not restrained him…and their father having overheard. Lord Stark was not amused to say the least. Theon would later remark that he'd never see a Silent Sister the same way ever again – outside of Lord Stark's hearing – before following the same line as Sansa and Lady Stark.

Bran and Rickon…well Jon didn't really want to scare them with dreams of women in black in the night. He doubted he'd get much thanks if they got nightmares thanks to him.

"I'd be more concerned why she asks in the first place." Robb ventured, moving into a high guard before exchanging a few strikes with Jon.

"So you've said in the past." Jon agreed.

"Still…if you were a greenseer…"

Jon snorted at that. "Right…" he said sceptically. "…and the White Walkers are going to march on the Wall come winter. Come on Robb, magic's been gone for a long time so the maesters say. It died with the dragons, so I've about as much chance being a greenseer as the Targaryens managing to get their hands on dragons."

"Or for that matter…" Robb ventured with a nod and a grin. "…getting the Iron Throne back…"

"Fat chance of that happening…" Jon said with a laugh.

"Hardly the most appropriate topic wouldn't you think boys?" Catelyn Stark remarked as she walked across the yard towards them. Robb and Jon immediately stepped back, the latter giving a small bow which Catelyn barely acknowledged. "The King's almost here, so come on Robb, get ready."

"Yes mother."

With a nod at Jon Robb went off to prepare, and Catelyn fixed her usual cold gaze on Jon. "And you as well boy." She said, and Jon gave a bow.

"Yes Lady Stark."

"That's the King…?" Jon thought as he watched from the side-lines with the rest of the Winterfell Household as the King rode into Winterfell with his Kingsguard, followed by his family and retinue. "I've heard the rumours but…he's so FAT. Is this really the man who slew Prince Rhaegar at the Trident?"

As Jon and the rest of the Household looked on, the King dismounted before Eddard 'Ned' Stark and the rest of his family, who bowed before the King. King Robert Baratheon stared at Ned in the eyes as the latter straightened, and beginning what seemed to be a battle of wills that surprised Jon.

Weren't father and the King supposed to be friends?

Suddenly the King spoke up. "You got fat." He said.

Ned's response was to impudently look up and down the King's own form. Suddenly smiles split their faces, and with a burst of laughter the tension melted and Ned and Robert warmly embraced each other. "You're looking well Robert." Ned said.

"Likewise Ned…" Robert said before looking over to the Starks. He paused as the carriage behind him opened, and Queen Cersei Baratheon stepped out, a veiled expression of superiority on her face. Belatedly Jon realized that also riding with the Kingsguard in ornate plate was Crown Prince Joffrey Baratheon, ice-cold Lannister eyes staring out from a distinctly-Baratheon face.

Something about the way the crown prince and his mother looked at their surroundings felt off to Jon, until he realized that they were being judged, and unfavourably at that. Needless to say, he wasn't amused.

Winterfell might not be as grand as some of the halls of the south, but it was a place with a long and proud history – and he might even say longer than any hall of the south given Winterfell had been raised by the First Men long before the Andals came to Westeros, even as the Valyrians themselves had yet to overcome the Ghiscari and reach the peak of their power – and more importantly than that, it was home. And they were his family's guests.

Queen (or heir to the throne) or not, they shouldn't judge.

Jon pushed that thought aside his father presented his family to the royal family. Prince Tommen and Princess Myrcella like their elder brother were predominantly Baratheon in appearance, save for their eyes. Lannister eyes…

Not as judgmental as their mother or elder brother…in fact they seem quite fascinated by what's around them. Well fair enough, the North is quite different from the lands of the south, and I'm sure those unfamiliar with it would find it fascinating.

Jon's thoughts broke off as he heard the King begin to speak, apparently looking for someone else. Strange, the Starks were all…

"Jon…" Ned suddenly called much to Jon's surprise. "…the King wishes to see you. Come here."

Blinking in surprise, and ignoring the veiled displeasure on not just Lady Stark's face but also the queen's, Jon did as his father commanded. King Robert didn't seem to care though.

"So your Ned's bastard eh?" the King said bluntly. "A fine lad regardless…"

"I need for nothing Your Grace." Jon said with a bow. "I could ask for no better father than Lord Stark."

Catelyn't lips twitched, but Robb smiled while giving a sidelong glance at his father. Ned let nothing show on his face, but the relief – and more – was evident in his eyes. Robert just laughed though before patting Jon on the shoulder. "I wouldn't think so!" he said jovially, and patted Jon again as the young man cautiously smiled. "You'll find no man more honourable than him in the realm, and if he took you in, then by the gods he'll see that you get what's yours."

He then glanced at Ned, and something seemed to pass between them. "Well then we've got other things to do." Robert said. "I'll want to talk with you some more boy, so I'll be seeing you tonight, won't I?"

"Your Grace, I…"

"Yes Robert…" Ned cut in. "…Jon will be attending tonight's banquet."

"Good, good…" Robert said. "…now then, shall we go pay our respects?"

Ned nodded his agreement, Cersei speaking up as Robert moved to follow Ned's lead. "Robert…" she began. "…perhaps…"

Robert just waved her off. Ned looked at her apologetically before he glanced at Catelyn who stepped forward with a bow. "If you'll follow me Your Grace…" she began. "…I will show you to your rooms."

"It will be a pleasure Lady Stark." Cersei conceded with a final, scathing glance at her departing husband's back. As the royal party drifted apart – Robb and Theon intercepting Joffrey and leading him away (the former giving Jon a congratulatory nod), Sansa, Bran, and Rickon following their mother, and the Kingsguard trailing after Ned and Robert – Jon found himself alone with Arya.

"Congratulations…" Arya said with a cheeky grin. "…looks like you made impressed the King."

"I'm not certain that's a good thing though." Jon said to her surprise.

"Why not…?" Arya asked.

Jon gave her a look. "I got to invited to tonight's banquet." He said. "You know how Lady Stark feels about these things. And…so does the queen apparently."

Arya looked uncomfortable at that, but at length she shrugged and smiled encouragingly at Jon. "Well father wouldn't really mind…" she pointed out. "…and neither would the King or most of everyone. So why not just enjoy it while you can."

Jon smiled and ruffled Arya's hair to her consternation. "True enough little sister." He said, and they shared a laugh.

"You don't look like you're enjoying yourself." Jon observed to a sour-looking Arya. The banquet was in full swing, people eating, drinking, talking and laughing all around them in the main hall of Winterfell. Arya's response was to nod in their (well her) elder sister's direction. "Ah…"

"She's all but throwing herself at Joffrey since the feast started." Arya said, and Jon grinned.

"Jealous…?" he asked, and she looked utterly horrified.

"No! Of course not…! Why would I be jealous?"

"Well you seem unhappy that Joffrey's only paying attention to Sansa so…"

Arya stuck her tongue out at Jon before punching him on the arm. "As if I'd be that shallow…" she said darkly. "…Joffrey is…well I don't like him."

"Why?"

"I don't know." Arya said a shrug and a troubled look on her face. "And that's what worries me. I don't know."

Jon was silent, confused as to whether or not to be amused at his sister's apparent confusion over her antipathy for the crown prince. For a time he discreetly watched the crown prince interact with Sansa, and then he realized it. Joffrey was apparently absorbed into his conversation with Sansa, but…it didn't reach into his eyes. Instead there was…something else there.

And it reminded Jon of Theon and his…adventures with the womenfolk of Winterfell. And he remembered the less…likeable rumours of King Robert, and it all fell into place.

Crown prince or not, Robb, I, and perhaps even father are going to have words – and more – with that bastard if he takes advantage of her.

"I see what you mean." He said to Arya, who looked to him in confusion. "He's just like Theon."

For a moment she looked confused, and then realization dawned in her eyes. Outrage flared and she quickly glanced in Sansa and Joffrey's direction. Jon quickly placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. "It's best we left it to father." He said firmly.

Arya didn't look happy, but eventually acceded. "Fine." She said, and Jon nodded. He looked around to see if he could distract Arya with something, and then he blinked as he spotted someone making his way through the hall towards the high table with some difficulty.

"Arya come with me." He said, pulling on her arm.

"Jon?" she asked in surprise. "What…Uncle Benjen…!"

"Arya…Jon…!" Benjen Stark said with a grin, surprised but pleased to be intercepted by his niece and nephew. Returning Arya's embrace and patting Jon on the shoulder he looked them over. "Look at the two of you, all grown up. Well Jon at least…Arya could use a few more years at the nursery it looks like."

Arya stuck her tongue out at him, and Jon and Benjen shared a laugh. "What are you doing here?" Jon asked. "Sorry, I didn't mean it to come out like that, but I thought that the Night's Watch…"

"Ah, I'm here with the Lord Commander's permission." Benjen said with a wave of his hand. "Greetings to the King, and I've something to talk to Ned about."

"I see." Jon said, and he shared a look with Arya. "Should we lead you there? Arya wanted to talk with father about something, so…"

"Much obliged then…" Benjen said with a nod, joining Jon and Arya as they made their way to the high table. "…still set on the Free Cities lad?"

Jon nodded. "I'm old enough to get by." He said. "And I've got a strong arm. Plenty of opportunity there, and I wouldn't want to be underfoot all the time at Winterfell at my age."

Father and Robb wouldn't really mind if I stayed but Lady Stark…well I wouldn't want to put either father or Robb in a bad spot over my presence…

Benjen nodded sagely in understanding. "Take care of yourself over there Jon." He said. "As you say there's plenty of opportunity in the Free Cities, some might say even more than in all Seven Kingdoms combined, but it's even more dangerous over there too."

"I'll keep that in mind uncle. And thank you."

Benjen smiled and patted Jon on the back, and then they were before the King. They bowed. "Jon…wasn't it?" Robert said blearily through a haze of alcohol, a blushing serving girl seated on his lap much to the queen's distaste.

"Yes it is Your Grace." Jon said. "Your Grace, might I present my uncle Benjen Stark, and a member of the Night's Watch."

"It is an honour Your Grace." Benjen said, and Robert glanced at him before he smiled.

"Ah yes, Benjen…! Ned's little brother…last I saw you, you were still a lad. Yes, now I remember, joined the Night's Watch a while back. So what I can do for you?"

"Well first of all Your Grace I bring greetings from the Lord Commander of the Night's Watch, Jeor Mormont, and his regret at being unable to present himself in person before Your Grace."

"I'm grateful for the greetings…" Robert said, clearly disappointed at only formality being the reason for Benjen's presence. "…and it's understandable for the Lord Commander. You've got your oaths keeping you to the Wall after all and we wouldn't those Wildlings to come swarming down…"

Benjen and Robert (who'd sent the serving girl away with a last grope) talked some more, while Jon kept a discreet eye on Arya as she spoke with Lady Stark and their father. Ned and Catelyn exchanged wary glances after a few moments watching Joffrey and Sansa, and with a stern expression on her face Catelyn rose and headed in their direction.

She did give a most unexpected gesture of gratitude to Jon in passing though, probably for helping Arya come to that conclusion.

Unexpected…and not unsatisfying…though I don't imagine Sansa being pleased with either me or Arya later on…

"So Jon…" Robert began, and causing Jon to return to the present. "…Ned's told me you plan to be heading for the Free Cities soon. Is this true?"

"I…" Jon fumbled, glancing at his father who nodded in encouragement. "…yes it's true."

Robert snorted as he took a drink. "Off to find adventure and fortune eh, lad?" he asked with a surprising tone of envy in his voice. "And maybe true love eh?"

"Well I…"

Robert suddenly laughed and smiled encouragingly at Jon. "It's no trouble at all lad." He said. "By the gods, if only it wouldn't have caused so much trouble I'd probably have done as you plan a long time ago. Instead I'm stuck sitting on that ugly chair in King's Landing surrounded by bootlickers and trying to keep that old bastard Tywin Lannister at arm's length…"

The man trailed off, and Jon looked supremely uncomfortable. "I need you Ned." Robert abruptly said. "As I've said before, the only one I would trust with the position of Hand is you. There's no one else for it, now that Jon Arryn's dead."

Ned was silent for a while and then he looked at Robert. "I thought you said I could think about it?" He asked, and Robert shrugged.

"Just don't take too long, I'll need your answer soon." He said, before turning back to the uncomfortable-looking Jon. "So boy, how do you plan to get to the Free Cities hmm? And what do you plan to do when you get there?"

"Well I…I was going to take ship from White Harbour to Braavos. And after that…well I thought I would take what opportunities I could get."

"Just go with the flow until you see something worth your while, eh?" Robert said with a laugh. "I like the way you think lad. Ah to be young and free again…"

"Thank You Your Grace."

Robert nodded and took a drink. "There's a good lad." He said. "White Harbour, eh…? There's an idea. I was planning to ride leisurely back to King's Landing, but if you're going by ship…"

He glanced at Ned who looked back at him. "I am at your service Your Grace." He said formally. "If you wish it, I could have Lord Manderly prepare ships for the journey back to the capital. It will take time but…"

"Time's not a worry." Robert said dismissively. "It only means I have to stay a bit longer here…it won't be trouble, won't it?"

Ned looked at Robert sceptically. "It is?" he dryly asked, and he and Robert shared a laugh.

"Go on then lad…" Robert said, waving Jon off who bowed and went to re-join Arya at her table. "…fine lad that one, very fine indeed. The same goes for his sister…Arya was it? By the gods, if she weren't so young, I'd think I was looking at Lyanna again, in both cases…"

"Lyanna was a Stark through and through…" Ned murmured. "…Jon and Arya are the same…"

"True…" Robert said with another drink. "…anyway moving on…"

A/N

A bit obvious who Jon is dreaming of, isn't it? Poor Theon, making jokes of Jon's dreams, naturally Ned's not going to be happy. Not that Ned's ever going to be happy of it, dragon dreams being what they are.