The old Maester was reading as he usually did at night, on this night it was the accounts of house Mormont he was reading. John had seen these books at one point and he knew how bare the coffers were. The maester looked up with a smile "Oh Lord Storm how can I assist you?"
John walked in the room closing the door behind him. He drew the blade from its scabbard on his belt and lay it upon the table "What is this blade made from Maester? I've never seen a blade like this...well except for Longclaw..."
The old man stood crossing the room to the table. As he lifted the blade and examined it he smiled "This is Valyrian Steel. In fact," he reached for a hammer and with one clean stroke he broke the handle free with a laugh "Ha I knew it. This blade was made for a different handle. This is the sword that was once known as Blackfyre. You know the history of the Blackfyre Targaryen. I am quite surprised that this blade ended up here. How did you get it?"
The boy looked at the blade as he caressed the flat of it "I pulled it from a dead Ironborn captain...at least i think he was a captain from the quality of his armor. He wasn't a Greyjoy, but his sigil was broken I couldn't make it out. Still it's mine, now isn't it?"
Maester Rorok stood a moment in thought then smiled "Yes, it is my boy. This blade is yours by right of the Iron laws." he then pulled out a scroll and began to write on it "Valyrian steel is rare all real houses great and some small have an ancestral sword made from it. Ours is Longclaw. I'm sure you've seen it in Lord Jorah's Keeping. That sword is passed through the male line of House Mormont." He knew the sword indeed and he was amazed by it. He then asked, "So tell me why is Valyrian Steel so rare?"
The Maester pondered as he finished writing his scroll "Well that's because it is magic forged metal. In old Valyria, they made it using dragon fire. In Essos, I hear some warlocks can make it with their magic. Here in Westeros we only have what Aegon the conqueror brought with him and what little was here before, or is here due to trade. We of the north never had steel till the Andals came. Iron, stone, and bronze were our tools. Here Valyrian steel is rare it is plentiful nowhere. Still it is said that Valyrian steel never rusts, never breaks, and it doesn't dull as easily as regular steel. Truly it is a steel made for rulers, and conquerors."
John gently gripped the slender bit of the blade that had been in the hilt and looked it over "How will I wield a sword with no hilt?"
The old man smiled as he handed John his letter "Take this to our blacksmith Thomas. I will handle the rest. You just enjoy this victory."
John nodded his head as he walked out of the room. He made his way outside to the castle forge where the smith was hard at work as always. John placed the note in his hand with a soft smile "This is from Maester Rorok. He sent me as a messenger."
The old forge-tanned man took the scroll "Very well. Get on boy."
John turned and went back into the keep to the great hall where the feast was happening. It didn't take long for John to join the fray and he was living it up. As he walked into the room Mara was the first to see him. She rushed him and tackled him in an embrace "You! You smart ass little bastard! You saved our fat arses with that big Maester brain of yours!" she howled as she hugged him. She was hanging on him and from this distance John could smell the scent of booze on her breath. She held up a cup of ale to him "Ya drink this ya Bastard! You are drinking tonight got it ya bastard!?" she grabbed his head and forced him to drink although she spilled more than he was able to swallow. He rolled his eyes as he chugged it down. Growing up in the north he was used to chugging drinks and this was nothing compared to previous drinks. When he finished Mara grabbed him and kissed him full on the lips. She held the kiss for several minutes before pulling away "You know you are the most attractive man of an age with us?" she asked drunkenly.
John was stunned as he looked at Mara. He had no idea what to do or say he could only be in a state of bewilderment as he realized he had just had his first kiss and from someone he viewed as family more than a girl. After a moment, he smiled shyly at her "You are very drunk Mara. You should go to bed."
Mara nodded her head in agreement "Aye I should indeed. Night ya maester in training." with that she stumbled from the hall and hopefully to her room.
John made his way to the table and took a seat. As he reached for a horn of ale a very loud cough caught his attention. He turned and saw Lady Hightower glaring at him "Bastard I want you to leave this table. You are not allowed here. Children, bastard children should never be seen at a table with lords and ladies."
He looked at her with a glare of his own as he slowly sat back "I am a child no longer according to your lord Husband. I live to serve the young-she-bear, and Lord Jorah. I am a squire I shall do that, but I will be damned if I take orders from a reach woman, no matter how high she is above me." he then took the horn he was reaching for and began to eat and drink his fill. The lady didn't stay after this. She stormed out of the hall, but no one as far as John knew took notice of it. That night John for the first time never felt like more of a man. Then later that night he slept better than any time before in his entire life.