The Winter King and the Queen of Summer

by Alperez16

A Jonerys set at the beginning. A Raven flaps it's wings and instead of swearing his oath Jon Snow learns the truth of who he is. How is the game changed when Jon instead of wearing black, dresses in black and red and seeks his crown.

6. Destiny is Calling Me

Maidenpool 299 AC.

Arya.

They had rescued her and she had played her part, a big part according to Jon and it made her so proud when he told her that. She had never doubted that he would, he'd rescued her from the Mountain and his men and so rescuing Sansa was easy compared to that Arya had felt. She'd been proved right too as they'd managed to get her sister out of King's Landing and onto the ship without even having one of their men suffer an injury. They'd taken her from right under the lion's noses and she would have loved to see their faces when they realized they'd lost their prized wolf.

Sansa had been a bit shaken up at first until she'd seen her and Jon and realized who it was that had come for her. Once they'd left Blackwater Bay and were sailing she'd felt far more relaxed though and when Jon had told her about Bran and Rickon, even she could see how relieved she was. She and her sister had talked, perhaps far more than they ever had truly. Both of them sharing what had happened since they had last seen each other, Sansa not quite telling her everything at first though as Arya had found her crying in her bed more than once.

When they departed the ship near Duskendale she could see how worried Sansa was, both her and Jon telling her that it was for the best. Jon had explained it to her as they had ridden to King's Landing, how they couldn't just take a ship North even if they were able to find one in King's Landing. Arya didn't truly understand it at first but she trusted that Jon knew best and so she was more than happy to let him decide what they should do. That it had also meant they were now back with Nymeria and Ghost where if they'd been able to sail right to the North they'd have not seen them for moons, only made her brother even more right.

"If Mother and Robb are in Riverrun is it not best we go there?" Sansa asked as they sat around their camp's fire.

"We don't know how many men are between us and Riverrun, Sansa. In Maidenpool we can take a ship to White Harbor and send ravens from there to your mother. Once she knows where you are then she can come to see you or from there we can make it to her far more easily." Jon said.

"I don't understand, how can we make it easier from there?" Sansa asked and Arya found herself looking at Jon as she did, he'd told her this too but she didn't really understand it either.

She watched as Jon moved closer to them, both she and Sansa looking on eagerly as he took his knife and began drawing in the dirt.

"We're here and Maidenpool is here, once we've taken a ship to White Harbor we'll be in the North, here." Jon said as they both looked on "The North is ours, it's full of our people and from here to Riverrun is under Robb's control. So we can travel those roads and should we meet any men then they're more than likely going to be Northmen or Riverlanders." Jon said.

"Would that not be the same if we go straight to Riverrun though?" Sansa asked before Arya could.

"Riverrun is here." Jon said "White Harbor here, so all of this." he motioned to the space between both places "Is friendly ground, Harrenhal is here." he marked it out with the knife "And that's where Tywin Lannister is based."

"So the ground between us and Riverrun is more likely to have Lannister men on it." she said and she felt her chest puff up when he smiled at her and nodded.

"Aye, it is. I also have something I must do in the North too, someone I need to meet." Jon said and she looked at him curiously.

While Sansa slept that night curled up beside Ghost as Jon had told the white wolf to protect her, Arya found she could not and so she went looking for Jon and found him and Ser Arthur sparring, only not quite. They were going through forms and as she stood some way off, she then began to go through them too. Jon, she knew sparred with Ser Arthur in the mornings and the nights and with her at least once a day also, he'd even allowed her some lessons with Ser Arthur too. This though seemed different and it confused her so much that she let out a much louder sigh than she had intended when she messed up a form.

"You may as well come out of the shadows little sister." Jon said and she moved forward with a sheepish look on her face.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"We're sparring." Jon said and she frowned at him, her creased brow and annoyed look provoking a laugh from her brother.

"You can spar without clashing swords, little wolf, join us." Ser Arthur said and she smiled as she moved beside them.

Jon took time to show her what to do and after a few moments, she began to feel it. It was the movements, the stance, the swing, and she felt as if she was fighting an invisible opponent. By the end of it, she was even tired and sweating a little and so she welcomed the water when Jon gave it to her and the privacy when Ser Arthur left them alone. Or as alone as he ever left Jon these days.

"When we get to White Harbor, you're leaving aren't you?" she said her voice almost cracking as she spoke.

"Why do you say that?"

"I…you said that you have to meet someone, but it's not in Whiter Harbor is it?" she asked not looking at him.

"No, it's in Skagos." Jon said making her gulp.

"There are cannibals there, Jon." she said worriedly and was confused by his laugh.

"You've no idea, little sister." he said chuckling still.

"You're going to leave me aren't you, leave me in White Harbor and not take me with you, even though you promised me you would." she said rising to her feet, the thoughts of him leaving her alone making her more hurtful than angry.

"Arya…Arya." he said grabbing her hand before she could run away "Look at me."

She turned to face him, her grey eyes that were now threatening tears looking into his darker grey eyes that looked at her how they always had. The smile on his face was one that made her want to scream and shout as for a moment she thought it was there because of her upset.

"Where I'm going is dangerous, Arya." he said and she felt her worries grow "But…" he said and she laughed despite how she felt.

"Father always said." she said making him chuckle too.

"I don't think he'd have ever wished you to hear that word, Arya Stark." Jon said as if he was chiding her.

"What, Horseshit?" she said laughing some more, her eyes on his as she felt her hope rise, everything before the word But was Horseshit after all.

"But, us being apart is more dangerous. The Lone wolf falls but the pack survives." he said and he had barely finished speaking when she threw herself into his arms.

Later she asked him why he'd not told Sansa the truth about himself and he had her laughing even more truly when he answered.

"What do we always say?" he asked.

"Don't tell Sansa." she said as he mussed her hair.

He explained to her that soon enough the entire realm would know who he was and that once they got to Skagos he'd show her that he was a dragon as much as he had ever been a wolf. She wasn't sure she liked the thought of him being a dragon but he told her once again that she was his little sister and that was all she needed to hear.

The further they got from King's Landing, the more Sansa seemed to become as she had used to be. There were some differences too though and she found her sister far less annoying than she usually did. Jon said it was because she'd missed her and Sansa even told her that she'd missed her too, which had surprised her. Not as much as when Jon had suggested that Sansa learn how to use a knife and not only had her sister agreed but she'd done so enthusiastically.

By the time they reached Maidenpool, Sansa was more than able to protect herself a little and had even begun carrying a knife in her dress. Jon had asked Thoros to teach her rather than he or Ser Arthur and the red priest had taught her well. When she'd asked Jon why he'd not done so himself, he said that for Sansa she needed to learn it from someone who she may feel more comfortable asking questions of than she would him. Arya at first thought he meant it because of how Sansa had always looked at him but Jon explained it was something much different.

"Sometimes we can tell a stranger things we'd not tell those closest to us." Jon said and she looked at him and shook her head.

"I couldn't tell anyone what I could you." she said and he smiled at her as he said the same to her, but explained that for Sansa it may not be the same, and with Thoros she may ask him something she'd worry about asking either of them.

"She won't want us to think any lesser of her, Arya." he said and she nodded though she didn't really understand.

It took them a week to find a ship heading North and she knew it would take another week at least to sail to White Harbor. She felt excited though, she was going back to the North for the first time in a year and though it wasn't Winterfell it still felt as if she was going home. The thoughts of going to Skagos with Jon were ones she had mixed feelings about. It was dangerous, he'd said it would be and yet it was an adventure too. Arya had always wished to go on adventures and each time she'd dream of them it was always her and Jon that traveled together. Standing on the ship with him as they looked out on the water she felt the smile appear on her face as she thought of something Ser Arthur had said to them both after sparring.

"Just like Dunk and Egg the two of you." Ser Arthur had said and though she didn't know who they were she cared not, not as long as it was her and her brother.

Storm's End 299 AC.

Ser Richard Lonmouth.

He had arrived to find the keep had fallen and Stannis Baratheon now claiming to be king. Given that he now had the Stormlords added to his own meager forces and controlled a large navy that included the Royal Fleet, the Lord of the Narrow Sea's ships, and Sellsails, it was a claim that was far truer than it had been when Stannis had first made it. It took him some time to find someone that he could speak to, as he soon found out that most of the Lords of the Narrow Sea waited on Dragonstone to join up with the fleet rather than risk anchoring at Shipbreaker Bay.

He'd not have found the man either if it was not for the hat he wore. Aurane Waters standing out amongst all the other men as clear as day simply because of that hat. Finding a moment to speak to the man alone turned out to be even a larger problem though, as he seemed to enjoy the company of those he drank with far too much. Though truth be told, Ser Richard wasn't sure that the man wasn't simply performing a mummery.

Finally, he got his chance as Aurane left the group to take a piss, Richard following after him and hoping to catch him with his sword made out of flesh rather than the one of steel in his hand. Good fortune smiled on him as he did just that, Aurane just turning to put his manhood back into his britches when Richard came upon him.

"Who the fuck are you?" Aurane asked annoyedly.

"A friend, Lord Waters, a friend of your brother's and of your house." he said as Aurane looked at him warily.

"And yet I know you not?" Aurane asked.

"You don't, but I assure you that Lord Monford does, may we speak? Preferably away from where we may be overheard."

They set sail later that day, Aurane's ship slipping away unnoticed as they made for Dragonstone. It had been years since he'd visited the island, not since he and Myles had squired for Rhaegar if his recollection was right. When he saw it in the distance he felt a sense of something that had been growing in him ever since he saw Arthur and Rhaegar's son, hope. He was hopeful of the days to come for the first time in over five and ten years. Not since the day before the Trident had he felt how he did now and though there was some fear too, it was that hope he clung to.

Some of that hope diminished when they landed on Dragonstone to find Lord Monford and the other Lords of the Narrow Sea were not with their ships and so it was another day and a half before he'd get the chance to speak to him. After landing on Dragonstone they had needed to make it seem as if they were carrying orders so they'd not raise too much suspicion. Richard's idea of just turning sail and heading to Driftmark thankfully overruled by Aurane. So he'd taken the time to look at the island and its defenses. If his king wished he could take it easily and he knew that at some point he'd wish it. The smile on his face as they sailed from it and towards Driftmark was one that Aurane commented upon so true was it.

"What are you so pleased about Ser Richard?" Aurane asked as they stood on deck.

"I'm picturing far different banners flying from the keep." he said to a chuckle from the other man.

"Far different indeed." Aurane said.

When they arrived on Driftmark was when he knew that the gods truly favored his king. Not only was Monford there but so were most of the other Lords of the Narrow Sea. Celtigar, Bar Emmon, Sunglass, all were present and Richard noticed how both Lord Guncer Sunglass and Lord Adrian Celtigar looked at him. Though it was Monford's expression that showed he'd been recognized most clearly and almost as soon as he saw him, Monford quickly bid him join him in his solar.

"Richard Lonmouth as I live and breathe." Monford said gripping him firmly by his shoulders as he stared at his face.

"It's good to see you old friend." he said to a nod from the other man.

"Sit, drink, Aurane the good wine." Monford said and Richard watched as Aurane opened a drawer and took out a dusty bottle.

It was a fine wine too, Arbor Gold of a type he'd not tasted in many a year. Richard sipping it and savoring it rather than swallowing it down as he would once have done. He wasn't truly a man for drinking anymore and had found that it left him melancholy and when he did then his mind would dredge up memories that were best forgotten. Now though he drank in good cheer and hoped his words and the king's letter brought his old friend and the other Lords of the Narrow Sea to his side.

"Now what brings a dead man to my hall?" Monford asked curiously.

"I've come with a letter from the king." he said reaching in to take the letter from his coat, Monford looking at him oddly.

"I never would have believed I'd see the day that you swore to a Baratheon, Richard." Monford said.

"I did not, would not and have not, I speak of the true king. King Rhaegar Targaryen the first of his name." he said and Monford went to speak words that he had no need to so Richard stopped him before he did "The son of Prince Rhaegar and Princess Lyanna Targaryen." he said to gasps from both men.

"Richard?" Monford asked, his words almost forced as he drained the wine in front of him and tried to ask more.

"I've seen him Monford, spoke to him as close as I am now to you. He and Ser Arthur Dayne led a force of men and cut down the Mountain and Amory Lorch and served them a king's justice for what they did to Princess Elia, Prince Aegon, and Princess Rhaenys. They rescued Arya Stark and by now have probably rescued Sansa Stark too." he said as Monford looked at him.

"You speak true?" Monford asked.

"Read." he said handing Monford the letter.

He knew some of what was in it, his king had told him that he'd explain the truth of himself or as much as he could in as brief a manner as he could. Some of it was for Monford and the Lords of the Narrow Sea and he knew at least one part of it was in reference to the Black Dragon and to his aunt. Judging by the look on Monford's face he'd just gotten to that part and Richard knew that would be a hard sell. When he'd finished reading the letter Monford took another swallow of his wine and filled the glass once more as he looked at him.

"The things he says here, they cannot be true, dragons, Richard?" Monford asked.

"You've no doubt heard the tales from Essos about his aunt, Monford. Fantastical though they are, I believe them but even were it not for that, my own loyalty has never wavered. The king asks you to wait for his call, what say you?" he asked nervously.

"I have no love of the stag and yet should he win then it'll be me and mine that face his fury. Still for him to win he's got to beat the Old Lion and that was a difficult enough proposition as it was. So I answered the call but did so with no true feeling. You come to me and tell me that a son of Rhaegar's lives and you carry a letter where he bids me wait." Monford said his fingers drumming on the table.

Richard looked at Aurane who was staring at his brother, an eager look on the younger man's face as Monford rose to his feet.

"Our king has called us to arms and this call I answer willingly and gladly, The Old, the True, the Brave will stand with House Targaryen as it always has and I will see a true king crowned before I die." Monford said as Richard nodded happily.

The other lords soon followed and it was decided that they would wait until Stannis launched his attack on King's Landing before quietly slipping away. Fate, the gods, his king, whoever it was once again decided to intervene as almost a week after the Lords of the Narrow Sea declared for House Targaryen once more, a raven arrived from White Harbor.

"From the king." Monford said handing him the scroll, Richard looking at it and then at Monford and Aurane.

"How many ships have we in total?" he asked.

"All in all, 62." Aurane answered

"What is your reply, Monford?" he asked eagerly.

"My king orders us to set sail, so set sail we will. It's time that House Targaryen was whole once more." Monford said with a broad smile on his face.

The fleet set sail two days later, 62 ships sailing east and then south along the Esssos coastline. It would take them more than a moon and closer to two to get there and the same to return and he hoped that the Westeros he returned to was ready for them. He looked forward to seeing Rhaegar's sister for the first time and to finding out if the tales of her dragons were true, though he looked forward to bringing House Targaryen together even more.

White Harbor 299 AC.

Wyman Manderly.

Hearing that there were Direwolves in his streets had made him worry at first. Lord Brandon and Lord Rickon's wolves were with them as far as he knew and the last he'd heard from King Robb his own wolf was by his side. Never had he even contemplated that the wolves would belong to who they did and yet when he saw the large white one and the grey one walking side by side with the two Starks, he felt that he should have known.

Seeing Jon Snow walk into his hall along with Lady Arya and Lady Sansa, Wyman felt as if he was living a dream. He almost wished for someone to slap his face just to prove that he was not as he looked at the sight in front of him. The questions raced through his head, How? What did this mean? Did the King know? Did their mother know? And he knew he needed to get some answers and soon lest he lose his mind.

"Jon Snow, I find myself pleased to see you once more lad, and yet I'm so stunned by your company that I beg you to forgive my bluntness." he said.

"Bluntness is no crime, Lord Wyman." Jon Snow said his voice showing an authority he'd not known the boy possessed.

"How is that you have the Lady Arya and Lady Sansa in your company, Jon Snow?" he asked.

"He rescued us." Arya Stark said firmly, standing forward and moving in front of her brother protectively.

"Then White Harbor and the North is in his debt Lady Arya." he said and though he didn't hear the mumble that the girl made, her bastard brother certainly did and it was his hand on her shoulder that finally relaxed the girl. "Lady Sansa, Lady Arya, I'm sure you would both welcome a warm bath and a change of clothing, my granddaughters will see you to your rooms. Jon Snow, perhaps you would join me in my solar?" he asked to a nod from the boy and once again it was his words rather than Wyman's own that calmed the younger girl down and had her following after Wynafred and Wylla.

He told Marlon to see to the men with Jon Snow and the Stark girls, a strange bunch indeed he thought as he walked from the room. Warriors one and all, a man with a bow, one that carried a hammer, and many swordsmen too. There was even a red priest amongst the men and yet it was the Dornishman that had caught his eye. The man had stood at Jon Snow's shoulder more protectively than even his own guards would do by his own. He carried a greatsword strapped to his back and the hilt was one that showed it to be a fine blade, though compared to the one that Jon Snow carried it looked poorer still. The ruby that served as its pommel was worth a king's ransom he'd suspect and for it to be the hands of a bastard boy raised some questions.

Not that he held Jon Snow's birth against him, the lad was good and true from all he'd heard and he'd even asked for him to foster at White Harbor many years earlier, only to be turned down by Lord Stark. He'd not considered it a slight as the lord had fostered none of his children and Wyman could understand the reasons why. His lord had lost more than most in the war and the desire to keep what remained of his family close was one he could understand.

"I'd ask your man to stand outside Jon." he said dropping the Snow part of his name now they were away from interested ears.

"I'm afraid he'd not accept my lord, I ask you to grant me this favor and I promise that I'll answer any question you may ask should you do so." Jon said and he nodded.

Entering the solar he took a seat and sent for some refreshments before he bid Jon and his guard sit, only one of them doing so. He looked at the boy and even the way he sat in the chair seemed different to him now. No more did he slouch and hide, as instead he sat straight and kept his eyes firmly focussed on his own. When the food and drink arrived, Jon ate a little but just to be polite and the guard ate none. Wyman once again wondering where he'd found such a Leal man and even more so if the man was seeking a lord to serve.

"Your sisters Jon, last we heard they were being held by the Lannisters?" he asked.

"Aye, they were. Sansa was still in King's Landing but Arya had escaped the city only to be captured sometime later by the Mountain and his men." Jon said and Wyman gasped at the thoughts of Ned Stark's girl in that company.

"And she escaped again?" he asked curiously.

"My men and I ambushed the Mountain and his men and rescued her." Jon said almost without feeling and certainly without bragging.

"You attacked the Mountain?" he asked.

"He had my sister, my lord, so aye." Jon said his emotions showing for the first time.

"You're lucky to be alive." he said to an almost snort from the boy.

"Jon?"

"The Mountain the Rides no longer does so, he found a truer blade than his own." Jon said turning to nod at the guard behind him and Wyman looked at the man with a keener eye now.

He had dark hair and his eyes seemed almost violet in this light but Wyman knew that couldn't be so and dismissed the fleeting thought that came to mind before he looked back to Jon Snow.

"And Lady Sansa?" he asked.

"We snuck into King's Landing and during a riot we carried my sister off." Jon said, again as simply as that and Wyman felt his admiration for the boy rise somewhat.

"It's a great and true thing you've done Jon, you should be proud of yourself and I'm sure his grace will seek to reward you." he said and this time there was a snort from the lad.

"Rescuing your family is not a noble act, my lord, it's a duty. As for my brother, he is your king and not mine own and I'll accept no gifts from him or from any other man."

He looked at the boy carefully, there was no malice in his words and no treason in his eyes, and yet there was something going on here that he was not telling him. Something that Wyman felt the need to know and so he decided to ask him outright.

"You and your brother are not on good terms?" he asked.

"My brother is a fool, Lord Wyman, his actions almost cost the North its freedom and he forgot why he marched South in the first place. I love him, truly, but the crown he wears is only a temporary one." Jon said.

"You speak treason lad." he said angrily as he looked at the boy, his words provoking no reaction in Jon Snow but the guard behind him glared at him.

"I swore no oath to my brother, my lord, nor will I. Soon enough the realm will know the truth and so I'll speak it to you here and now. Lord Stark was not my father, My father was Rhaegar Targaryen, and my mother his wife Lyanna Targaryen, the man who now guards my back is Ser Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning. The crown my brother wears is rightfully mine and the war to see it returned to me has not yet begun. It is a war I do not wish to wage against the North and against my blood but it is a war that has been held off for long enough." Jon Snow said, or not Jon Snow, Jon Targaryen it would seem.

"This cannot be true." he said as it was the only thought that he could manage to express fully.

"And yet it is, Ser Arthur your sword." Jon said and Wyman watched as Dawn was unsheathed, its milky white blade as beautiful as he had ever imagined it to be.

Jon Snow unsheathed his own sword a moment later and it too was beautiful, the ruby on its pommel now marking it for what he knew it to be. The boy had Blackfyre, his House's sword if his words spoke true and he had no doubt they did. He had even less doubt when he was handed letters that confirmed it and when he reluctantly handed them back. Rhaegar Targaryen they named him and he knew not how that made him feel or what he was to do with such information.

"I ask for no oath from you, my lord. I know you named my brother your king and my brother accepted his crown with no knowledge of my truth. Lady Catelyn feared that one day I would usurp my brother and no doubt there will be some who see this as that. When the truth is it is I who've been usurped. Robb is good and true and I feel he'll support my claim and as I say I've no wish to fight against my kin. So until my brother and I can meet and his decision is known to me, we are where we are." Rhaegar, Jon, gods what the hell was he to call the boy.

"What are your plans?" he asked not willing to say his name as he wasn't sure what to name him.

"I shall set sail in two days with my men and my sisters and then upon my return I'll show the realm why they should kneel, all the realm my lord, the North too." Jon said as he rose.

"I'll not just let you hold your sisters hostage." he said rising to his feet.

"I rescued my sisters from those who held them hostage, Lord Wyman, while my brother played king and let them suffer, I rescued them. Don't ever suggest that I'd use them as such or that I care for them as anything other than my sisters. My sisters come with me because I trust none of you to keep them safe, not you my lord, and not your king." Jon said walking to the door with Ser Arthur behind him both of them leaving before he could reply.

He found himself sitting quietly after the boy had left, thinking on all he'd said. It had never sat right with him that Ned Stark had forsaken his wedding vows and he supposed that if he'd ever truly given it thought then he'd have named the boy as Brandon's. Wyman though like the realm had accepted Ned's word and he could see why the boy was named as he had been. It made him ponder some things though, such as the boy going to the Wall. Wyman now wondering if it had been his choice or something that had been forced onto him. Whatever the truth of it, Jon Snow created a problem now and it was one he wasn't sure how to handle.

Over the next two days he found himself no closer to the answer and had the raven not come from Greywater Watch then he may have asked his guards to detain the boy and his men. Wyman hadn't looked forward to that, Direwolves, and Ser Arthur Dayne, he wasn't even certain his men would manage it if he gave them the order. Reading Howland's words changed his mind, he wasn't sure if he'd name the boy his king yet and so he'd wait to see what Robb Stark would do first but he'd not try and hold him here against his will.

He even agreed to let the boy send a raven to Driftmark when he asked and also that in his own to Riverrun he'd only say that he'd seen both Arya and Sansa and allowed them to leave when they'd asked him to. That had been his one caveat and it was one that Jon Snow had accepted with no question. Wyman was allowed to speak privately to both girls and ask them what it was they wished to do. Arya demanded that she be let leave with her brother her attitude was unsurprising to him as the girl was a wild wolf and she followed after Jon as if he was her whole world. Sansa saying that she too wished to leave did take him aback a little though. The girl had spent her time mainly with his granddaughters and he had thought she'd wish to stay in the comfort of the New Castle.

"I wish you good fortune on your journey, Jon Snow, I hope to see all three of you soon." he said as they said their goodbyes.

"On behalf of my sisters, myself, and the men with me I thank you for your hospitality my lord and I shall not forget it." Jon said and he nodded to the boy as he turned to leave.

Wyman was sure he'd see him again and the girls too, though he wondered what reception he'd be given them and what his brother would think when he found out that someone had more of a claim to a crown than he.

Dorne 299 AC.

Oberyn Martell.

Why Beric Dondarrion wished to speak to him, he had no idea, and it confused Arianne just as much but the Lord of Blackhaven was soon to marry Allyria Dayne and so Oberyn made his way to the Old Palace. He was annoyed and had been for some time, with his brother, with the world, with himself, the true focus of his annoyance though was who it was always directed it, the Lannisters. No, he was lying to himself if he dared to name it as simply annoyance he thought as he walked with Ellaria in through the gates. It was more than that, it was rage, anger, fury, it was hatred and a need for vengeance and as soon as he began to think of it he began to tense up.

Ellaria as always was his center, his calm, and he felt her rub his arm as they walked and the feelings that had once again threatened to overwhelm him retreated, for now. They would not stay that way for long he knew and so in a way he welcomed the distraction of meeting with Lord Beric. Oberyn even went so far as to smile genuinely when he saw his young squire was with him. Ned Dayne was not his uncle and perhaps would never be but Oberyn still thought fondly on Arthur and on Ashara too and so he nodded to the lad as they took their seats.

"Uncle, Lord Beric, and Lord Dayne say they come bearing a gift for House Martell." Arianne said and he could sense his nieces own annoyance in her voice. Arianne was obviously not aware of what that gift was and he now found himself intrigued.

"Lord Beric, surely my presence is not needed for such a simple thing as a gift?" he said trying to ask what the gift was without actually doing so.

"Not normally, my prince, but the man who sent this gift asked me to ensure you were there when it was delivered." Lord Beric said and Oberyn looked at the man and for the first time noticed that he looked far older than he remembered him to be.

"And who is this man?" Ellaria asked as Oberyn was too lost looking at Beric to do so himself.

"The realm knows him as Jon Snow, Lady Ellaria." Beric said.

That caught his attention, Ned Stark's bastard sending their House a gift of some sort was not what he expected. Though he had expected them to reach out to them at some point. Had he his way then he'd have reached out to them himself by now but Doran refused him leave to do so. Dorne would fall if they joined the wolves his brother had said and while Oberyn bowed to him on that, he wasn't sure that he truly believed it. The Young Wolf was winning and more importantly, he was facing Lannsiters, and his spear itched to join them.

"Why would Ned Stark's bastard send us a gift?" Arianne asked and Oberyn noticed how Ned Dayne bristled and how Beric shook his head at the boy.

"Because justice demanded it of him, princess." Beric said and with his agreement, he then nodded to two men who walked forward carrying two chests in their arms.

"Gold?" he said and was surprised by the small smirk on Ned Dayne's face when Beric answered.

"What's in those chests is more precious than gold, to you especially, Prince Oberyn." Beric said.

He rose to his feet quickly and moved eagerly to the chests at the man's words. Oberyn waved off Ellaria and Arianne's concerns as he opened the first one. There was no danger to him here, he felt that most keenly. When he saw the head inside he looked at it confusedly for a moment, the fat face and piggy dead eyes not meaning anything to him. It was only when he opened the second chest that he realized what it truly was he was looking at. The gasp he made worried both Ellaria and Arianne and yet he waved off their concerns as he reached inside.

"Oberyn?" Ellaria asked.

"Who is that, uncle?" Arianne said as he lifted the large head and spat in its face.

"The Mountain that Rides, rides no more." he said before laughing loudly.

There was a part of him that felt as if his vengeance had been stolen from him and yet it was shouted down by another louder part. A part that said Elia and Aegon had been avenged, Rhaenys had been avenged and now finally after six and ten years, their murderers breathed air no more. He turned to Beric and asked him who the other head belonged to.

"Amory Lorch, my prince. The man who killed Princess Rhaenys." Beric said to loud gasps from his paramour and niece.

"How could you know this?" he asked as he himself wasn't certain of who it was that had stabbed his niece more than half a hundred times.

"My king told me so." Beric said reaching into his shirt to take out a letter that he handed to him.

Arianne saw that rooms were made ready for Beric and Ned at his request and after they left he held the letter in his hands as he looked at the two heads, the Mountain's now back in the chest. Almost nervously he opened the letter and by the time he finished reading it he had gone through so many emotions that he wasn't sure which was the one he was feeling for true. He handed it to Arianne when he was done and after she'd finished reading it then Ellaria did also.

"You believe this to be true?" Arianne asked.

"It pains me to say it but I do and I know not how it makes me feel." he said truthfully.

"This man is the shame of Dorne, he is not our king." Arianne said and though a part of him agreed with her, the two heads in the chests and the offer in the words that were written gave him pause.

"I need to speak to Doran, do not let Beric leave, Ari" he said to a nod from his niece, Oberyn walking over to kiss Ellaria before he left "I must ride and ride fast, I will return as quickly as I can." he said.

"Hurry back to me, my love." Ellaria said and he kissed her once more.

He, Daemon, Obara, and Nymeria rode from Sunspear along with their guards. The ride to the Water Gardens taking less than half the time it normally would given how urgently he needed to speak to his brother. His arrival surprised Doran and was it on a less serious matter that he'd come then he'd have enjoyed that immensely. Given the nature of the news he brought though he had no time for such enjoyments.

"Why have you come, Oberyn?" Doran asked as they sat alone in his solar, Areo standing outside on guard for once at Oberyn's behest.

"The Mountain that Rides is dead as is Amory Lorch, both the men responsible for the deaths of our kin." he said and Doran looked at him to see if he was jesting.

"What have you done?" Doran asked angrily.

"Not I, this was not my work and it was not my sword who avenged Elia and her children. Though it was Dornishmen who did so and our niece and nephews blood who claimed the vengeance that should have been mine own." Oberyn said.

"Oberyn?"

"Ser Arthur Dayne lives, Doran, and he has found a king to serve, a king that had been hidden in the shadows and who stays there no more. A king that calls for our spears and offers us the chance to see that Tywin Lannister pays for what he did once and for all. A half brother to Aegon and Rhaenys and named for his father, King Rhaegar Targaryen, son of Prince Rhaegar and Princess Lyanna Targaryen." he said to a shocked look from his brother.

He handed him the letter and waited for him to respond to it, the words that were written on it were simple and to the point. A call to arms and an offer of justice and it was one that he hoped his brother would accept. If he did not then he felt that he and his brother would have words and a parting of the ways this day because his spear demanded blood and blood was being offered to it. Oberyn had only read those words once but as Doran read them he knew each line of them by heart.

To The Princes of House Martell,

My name is Rhaegar Targaryen, the trueborn son of Prince Rhaegar and Princess Lyanna Targaryen. Brother to Prince Aegon and Princess Rhaenys Targaryen and like you, I mourn their and their mother's loss. I send you the heads of the men responsible for their deaths, the men who committed the vile acts that took them from this world. Yet these men were just swords and the man who wielded them still lives and breaths.

Were it not for Tywin Lannister then my brother would be king, my sister would be the realm's delight reborn and I would have grown without them both. I would have known them, supported them, stood by my brother's side, and carried out his will. I'd have knelt to him and sworn my life to him. All this was stolen from me and from you and the man who did so thinks himself safe and untouchable. He will find out soon enough that he is very much not.

I ask Dorne not to rise for me, but to join me in seeing the Lannisters brought down and to seeing the Old Lion on his knees. House Targaryen is not dead and the blood of my father, the blood of my brother and the blood of my sister flows through my veins. That blood calls out for justice and for vengeance as I know does your own. Stand with me and together we'll see that call is answered. For Elia, for Rhaenys, and for Aegon. Stand with me and Tywin Lannister will soon know the meaning of my House's words.

Stand with me and I promise Fire and Blood.

Their brother,

Rhaegar Targaryen.

He looked to his own brother and awaited his answer, the words taking a long time to come, and yet when they did he felt his heart begin to race. The smile he wore was one that was still on his face when he reached Sunspear and walked into Arianne's solar.

"Uncle?"

"Call the Banners." he said breathing deeply as he said the words he'd waited a lifetime to say.

Astapor 299 AC.

Dany.

When the Sellsails arrived it was a surprise, the word she'd sent out seeking ships was at Barristan's suggestion and the merchants had only left a little over a moon ago carrying that word. She wasn't even certain that any would come but the man that arrived in the Pyramid said he could gather her twenty ships. Added to the five and twenty she had under her control that now gave them enough to bring half the Unsullied with her should they find no more.

It wasn't all, but half would be better than she could move with just her own ships and though it would be uncomfortable it would not be unbearable. Grey Worm had begun making changes to the ships they already owned to make them fit as many men as they could and he was sure that they could get over one hundred Unsullied on each ship. She'd tasked Jorah with seeing that they'd have enough supplies to get them to Westeros but the issue they'd faced then was where in Westeros would they be going to.

Dany had no idea and once again it had been days since she'd seen her shadow, which had left her both irritated and in the dark. So with Missandei and Barristan's help, they had begun to see what could be done about the city of Astapor itself. She knew when she left there was a good chance the city would fall into the hands of Masters once more and so they'd done what they could to make it able to protect itself. They'd had a council formed to run the city in her absence, had men trained to serve the city as guards, and had found there were some Unsullied who were not fully trained who had no wish to follow her to Westeros.

She'd taken little of the wealth of the city for herself also, despite the notion that it was hers to do with as she wished. It had felt wrong to her as if she was stealing from the mouths of babes or something. Not even Barristan's words that the wealth was hoarded by the Masters and the people saw none of it changed her mind. Her words to him though at least seemed to have the impact she desired.

"I am not a Master, Ser Barristan and I have no wish to be." she said.

"That is why you are better than they are, my queen." Ser Barristan said a soft smile on his face as he looked at her.

In the end, she'd taken what she'd needed to buy the services of the Sellsails and a little to buy supplies while on their journey. Captain Groleo had told her that they could re-supply in Volantis or Tyrosh and would then need to carry fewer supplies if they did so and Dany had bowed to the Captain's wisdom. When she was not seeing the city was prepared for her leaving or planning that leaving, she spent her time with her dragons.

They were growing and she felt that it would not be long until she was riding on Drogon's back. Her son almost seemed more eager for that time to come each day and she wondered when he'd truly let her fly with him. Despite their size, the dragons still needed their mother's attention and she gave it to them as much as she could. Tonight though they seemed to need it even more and so for the first time since they were small enough to share her bed, Dany slept with them. She lay encircled by the three of them, a part of her touching each of them, and almost as soon as she closed her eyes, he was there once again.

He wore black tinged with red, a sword on his hip with a ruby on its pommel, and though he had his back to her she could see him more clearly than ever before. She began to move to him and then he turned to face her and she stopped in her tracks. Dany could see him, as clear as if he was actually standing that close to her and when he smiled at her she knew that he could see her too.

"Daenerys." he said softly when she reached him, his fingers touching her face as hers did likewise to his own.

"How?" she asked.

"I don't know, nor care, I can see you, all of you." he said happily.

"And I, you." she said.

He was as young as she had thought he was, his face unlined except for the scar that only enhanced his beauty rather than took away from it. His eyes were even more vivid than she remembered and she could see her own reflection in them. She kissed him before he had the chance to kiss her and it was even stronger than before, the feelings it brought up in her ones that she'd never imagined she could feel.

When she moved to take a breath she found him doing the same, the smile on his face one that she longed to see there always.

"You're so beautiful." he said and his words took her breath from her once more.

"As are you. Ser Barristan says it's the dragon in us, the Valyrian that makes us so." she said and he while not agreeing didn't disagree verbally either.

"I think it's just you." he said making her laugh.

"You have dragon in you too." she said and he nodded.

"I do, my father was a dragon, just as yours was." he said and she looked at him curiously.

"Who was your father?" she asked.

"Come." he said reaching for her hand and she walked with him, the balcony they'd been on fading away and she looked down to see the sand beneath her feet.

In the distance, a tower stood and he nodded to her as they both began to walk to it. Dany finding the distance not the same as the time it took them to get there for some strange reason. He led her through the tower's door and she saw two men sitting at a table, both men were wearing white cloaks and speaking words that she couldn't hear. They walked up some stairs and soon were standing outside a room. Dany looked at him only to see a sad look come over her shadow's face as he looked inside.

When she did as he was, she saw a woman laying on a bed, her belly slightly swollen as a man with silver hair sat rubbing his fingers over it. She could see they were happy, both of them looking more content than she'd ever seen anyone ever be before. The woman was relaxed while the man looked at his fingers as they traveled over her belly and smiled beamingly at the actions.

"His will be the great song, the one that only he can sing." the man said.

"So you believe me now?" the woman asked challengingly.

"I've learned it's best not to disagree with you, my love." the man said to a laugh from the woman.

"My brave prince, scared of a mere slip of a girl like me?" the woman said her mirth clear in her tone.

"I've seen you joust, Lyanna." the man said and Dany felt her heart stop, Lyanna, Lyanna Stark, that means that this was….

"Aye, but it was you who won the day, Rhaegar." Lyanna said as Rhaegar kissed her.

Before she could say anything they were back on the balcony and she turned to look at her shadow. There were tears falling down his cheeks as he cried silently. She took him in her arms and held him, willing those tears away and feeling him sob against her before finally he calmed and looked at her.

"I am their son." he said and she looked at him, his words were true and she needed not ask him how he knew.

"Who are you?" she asked, seeking his name now that she knew the truth of him.

"Rhaegar Targaryen, I am your nephew." he said and she smiled at that, her heart filling as she kissed him deeply.

They spoke only briefly after that, both of them feeling that their time here was passing and that perhaps the next time they saw each other would be for true.

"I'll see you soon, Dany" he said as he began to fade.

"Where, Where will we meet, Rhaegar?" she asked.

"Our home, Dragonstone." he said.

She woke up smiling, her day was only just beginning, and yet she was eager for it. Each day was bringing them closer together, her, her nephew, her shadow, her love.

Skagos 299 AC.

Jon Snow.

He woke up with a start, it had felt so real, he'd seen her, truly seen her for the first time and she was everything he wished she would be. His mother was more than a statue in a crypt and he finally had a face to truly go with how he'd pictured her. He'd seen his father too but he'd always had a clearer image of him for some reason. From the moment Aemon had sent him on his way he could picture what Rhaegar Targaryen looked like in his mind and yet his mother had been a shadow to him.

As had Dany he thought with a smile, he'd seen her more clearly than she'd seen him, he knew that, but he knew now that he'd not truly seen her at all. Instead, his mind had filled in the gaps of how she looked and the truth of it was more than his mind had been able to conjure. Her beauty was breathtaking and was that all he'd seen in this dream then it would have been a welcome one. For some reason, though he'd been gifted seeing his parents too and had finally been able to speak his truth to her.

"Dragonstone." he said happily as he rose from the bed.

He walked to the deck of the ship and found Arya standing with Thoros and some of the others, the dark clouds in front of them seemed to be what all their eyes were focussed on. Arya didn't even have to turn to look at him to know he was there and so as soon as he reached her she simply took his hand in her own.

"The captain is worried about the storm, your grace." Thoros said.

"The storm won't cause us any problems." he said and a few of the men turned to look at him.

"How can you know that, your grace?" one of them asked.

"I just know, but it looks worst than it will be, I'll speak to the captain." he said and Thoros nodded as Jon turned, Arya now walking with him as he moved to speak to the captain.

"How do you know?" she asked as they walked.

He didn't know how to tell her, it wasn't something that he should know but just by looking at it, he knew it would pass them by before they reached it.

"I just know." he said and Arya asked him no more.

It took some convincing but eventually, the captain listened, and just as he had said it would, the storm passed them by. When it did he realized that he knew how he had known, the dragon had told him. It was a test, not for him but for the captain of the ship, a way to let him know that what he said next would be listened to. He needed the ship to wait for them and so later when they saw the shore of Skagos and he told the man that the storm waited for him, the captain listened. It bought them a few days and he hoped it would be enough.

"Both of you stay with me, Arthur or Thoros." he said to his sisters.

"Will we be safe here, Jon?" Sansa asked looking to the rocky shore.

"I will keep you safe, both of you, always." he said and she nodded, Arya did not, his little sister was too proud to think anyone was needed to keep her safe, though he knew she too believed his words.

They set the two boats down into the sea and after struggling to get Ghost and Nymeria into one, they then began to row to the shore. Skagos looked a foreboding place and yet he felt no fear or danger here, only a sense of excitement at what he had come to find. When they reached the shore, the two wolves moved first both Ghost and Nymeria growling at the trees a little off in the distance, with only the grey wolf making any sound. Jon could feel the eyes in those trees that were watching them and yet once again he felt no true threat.

It didn't take very long for the men to come to them. The large group was clearly made up of warriors though they poorly equipped and they seemed more fearful of the wolves than of his men. Nodding to Gendry and Thoros, the two men moved closer to his sisters while Jon looked to Arthur who seemed ready to unsheathe Dawn at the first sign of trouble. Yet the men that moved towards them didn't seem to be there to cause trouble and if anything as they got closer to them they seemed to look at him in particular. It took him a moment to figure out why that was as his fingers had been stroking through Ghost's fur almost of their own accord.

"The wolf is yours?" a large man asked.

"The wolf is his own, but aye, he follows me, as doe the other one with my sister." Jon said to excited mumbles from behind the large man.

"The Magner will wish to talk, will you and yours accept guest right?" the large man asked nervously.

"We will." he said to a smile from the man.

A man stepped forward at a nod from the large man in front and then reached into a bag to take some bread and salted fish out. He offered it to each of the men with Jon and once they'd taken it he stepped back, his eyes on the wolves all the while.

"Torrhen." the large man said offering his hand after Jon and the others had eaten the bread and salted fish, the man seeming to be amazed when he and Arya got Ghost and Nymeria to take a little of each to.

"Jon Snow." he said.

"The Magner will wish to speak to you The Jon, long has he wished for such." Torrhen said confusing him.

"He has?"

"Aye, the White Wolf comes to our shore at last." Torrhen said his voice eager and excited.

Jon looked to Arthur who seemed just as confused as he and to the others. Arya was looking at him with some concern on her face but he smiled at her and it soon went away, somewhat at least. They walked with the men in past the treeline and as they did so he heard a gasp from behind him. He turned quickly to see Sansa was looking at a hairy beast with a large horn on its forehead.

"Look Jon, a unicorn." Sansa said excitedly and he and Arya laughed at her enthusiasm.

He'd been worried that she'd not enjoy this trip and had been surprised by how much she had. If she'd have wished to be left in White Harbor then he would have done so, reluctantly though that would have been. Sansa though seemed to wish to see more of the North and as they'd sailed she had entertained the men on the ship with her singing. Arya had later told him that her sister had seen the truth of the South and had finally realized that she was of the North. Now just like she had before with her pretty dresses, tales of knights and feast and balls, she wished to know much of her own lands where once she cared not.

It was a welcome change, as was the one to their own relationship. Sansa spoke to him now as she once had only to Robb or Bran and though it made Arya a little jealous that she now wished to spend time with him too, his little sister knew her own place in his heart was secure. Eventually, they left the cover of trees and were soon walking into a small village that was built in a natural gap in the mountains. Men, women, and children stared at them and especially the wolves as they were brought in through the gates.

Jon turned to Torrhen as a large group came their way, the leader of which was clearly this Magner that he's spoken of. The man put the Greatjon to shame and was as big as the Mountain and though he wore no weapons it made him no less threatening. Jon was certain that should he wish to then this man could kill most of them with his bare hands. The Magner looked him up and down and then looked to Nymeria who had gone to stand by Arya. His little sister holding her wolf and bringing a smile to the Magner's face when he saw them both together.

"You are The Jon?" The Magner asked him, his voice deep and his northern accent as broad as any of the men of the Mountain clans.

"I am." he said his voice sound far more confident than he felt at that moment.

"The White Wolf?" he said looking to Ghost who now sat almost lazily in front of Sansa.

"Ghost." he said to the man though the wolf moved too.

He hadn't called for him and didn't expect Ghost to come but when he did his wolf looked at him before licking his face. Jon reached out and stroked its fur and then heard the laughter from the men that had come to greet them as Ghost lay down and offered his belly to him, both to rub and he felt it was to send a message to these men. It was received just as Ghost had intended it and the cheers that rang around the village caught him by surprise.

"The White Wolf comes." The Magner said loudly.

As he walked into the cave that night he felt very different, the images the Magner had shown him were ones that proved his words and his welcome true. That he was doing so alone was only because of what he expected to find within the cave and had taken some convincing on his part. His sisters, his men, Arthur, and even Ghost all were not happy with him but he knew that it had to be him and him alone to do this. The Black Dragon called and he would answer and until he proved himself none were safe, once he did then only his enemies would need to fear the dragon flames.

Skagos 299 AC.

The Black Dragon.

He was here, finally, he was here. He'd sent him the truth of the storm and his rider had heard him and each step he now took in the cave he felt. Though he longed to go to him, longed to feel him reach out and touch his hand to his head, he could not. For so long he had waited and yet these final few moments seemed to be the longest of a very long life.

When he saw him in front of him, he wished to roar his approval. To shout out his joy to the world that his rider was here with him and he was no longer alone. The test needed to be passed though, the name needed to be spoken and so he looked at him, watched him, took him in as his rider did the same to him. He was young, fierce and through him, he smelt the world around him differently than he had before. He saw it differently as they both shared themselves with each other. His senses were now his rider's and his rider's senses were his.

The bond was almost complete and though he made a threatening sound when his rider touched his head, it was not one that he meant to be true. It was a test, simply that and yet when the hand touched him, he found it hard to test anymore. It was like something he'd not felt in so very long, like a mother's touch and yet different and a sound came from him that he'd never heard before. It was a low, rumbling sound, a happy sound, a trill, and his eyes opened to see his rider was sharing his own happy sound as he looked at him.

"Ōñosmaghare" his rider said and he felt it then, their bond had been formed and only death would ever break them apart.

He willed him to climb onto his back and his rider did so, and then he almost raced to the front of the cave, his rider making that happy sound that he knew that he was making too.

"Sōvegon Ōñosmaghare." His rider said and within a couple of beats of his wings, he was flying for the first time with his rider on his back.

He felt him hold on, he was nervous and yet unafraid, and soon they were soaring in the air. He flew over the mountains of Skagos and saw the people below, going lower when he felt his rider wish it of him. How long they flew for he knew not, though it felt far too short and yet when his rider wished to land, he landed.

"Thank you, Ōñosmaghare, thank you for allowing me that" his rider said as he looked into his eyes.

Rhaegar, that was his name, he felt it and then he knew that he'd had another name too. Jon Snow he had been called, just as he had been named The Cannibal, a false name, a weak name, a lie. Ōñosmaghare, the bringer of light. Lightbringer, that was his truth, just as Rhaegar was his rider's and as Rhaegar leaned against him he let him know it all.

"Lightbringer." Rhaegar said and he trilled joyfully, for that was who he was and who he was always supposed to be.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Up Next As Jon and Lightbringer's bond fully forms, he speaks to the Magner and the other leaders of Skagos and a prophecy is fulfilled. In King's Landing Tyrion has no time to dwell on the loss of Sansa Stark as Stannis closes in. Robb deals with news that gives him pause, good news, great news, and news that he isn't sure how to take. The Lords of the Narrow Sea arrive in Astapor and meet a Princess who was born to be a queen and Jon and Arthur make plans to announce themselves to the realm as Sansa finally learns the truth about her brother.

Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.

Jessicanightmarewolf. Dany will ride them before she gets to Westeros. They're almost at the perfect size. The bond Dany has with her dragons is different from the one Jon has with Lightbringer but also different than the one that she had in canon. Hodor knows very much more, I have some plans for him here, he's such a fun character that kinda gets wasted in fics, so I will do something with him here that I think is fun. I think so too with Cat, whatever you can say about her relationship with Jon, however, you wish to go with it, indifference or abuse, she knew how he felt about Arya and so would never think he'd hurt her. Here the biggest difference is that she'd admit it openly.

Supremus: Thank you, it's more canon based with the twist being Jon's heading south early and the ripples that causes, of course, the dragon will be a huge ripple.

Suppes: Really glad you liked it.

Zach4vikings: I think this chapter plays into the last too much for there to be the usual gap.

Blondeali: Thanks so much, glad you're enjoying it.

Guest: I hope you like where Hodor goes from here.

Mercy Rose: Thank you, hope you like this one too.

Atp: That's something I like to do, if you make a change early enough in the life of a character it leads to bigger changes. Here because we're later into the canon, the changes start out smaller but they ripple out and will be bigger over time.

Perses: Thank you so much, so glad to hear that.

Jaimerey: House Celtigar desempeñará su papel y se encuentra entre los Lords que se han ido a Dany. Varys tiene su propia agenda aqua.

Lady Octarina: I mean to put a note about that at the top of the chapter, it's funny because seeing him referred that way really does kinda drive home why Aegon is such a terrible name for him lol. I think with Arthur especially given how he feels about Ned Stark here for him to think any other way about Sansa from what he's heard wouldn't make sense. Now though he'll get to see her and so it will allow him to make a proper judgment on her. With Lollys that was the thing, yes they could perhaps have saved her but for Arthur, Jon is his first priority and I think Jon not going after her here kinda shows his own mindset too. ShowJon would try and save her, Bookjon would not.

On the riot, it's one of the downsides to writing in canon in that you have to go back and look over certain things both for timeline purposes (so you have events right in your head and for context) so when I was looking over it I found it funny that we don't see who threw it and just thought, ok, that has to be used here lol.

Also, Joff's line after it's thrown really works well here "Who threw that, I'll have his head, bring that man to me" oh poor Joff if you only knew that he was coming to you anyway lol.

I'm glad you liked the Bran/Rickon part, I wanted to get right the confusion of things so that Bran would figure it out. The Robb thing is one of the key ripples, Jon's words and the fight they had in RR are in his head, and had they not been then he'd have thought differently but it's the fact he's thinking of the mistake he made that Jon called him out on, that makes the words come to mind and stop him.

That's one of the things with Cat, she knows that much about him at least, no matter what else she believes about Jon. Here she's already edging close to a different way of thinking about him because of him coming south and what he said he was going to do, so hearing that he has found Arya only reinforces that. When she hears about Sansa even more so. Edmure in his own way is right, he knows only what he's been told about Jon, has heard Jon argue with Robb and now he does this, it's a logical way of thinking, he's wrong but it's logical at least.

Guest: So glad to hear that. We'll have some big Jon/Lightbringer moments next chapter. Dany is almost here too, I think one more chapter and she'll arrive.

Dunk: That was one of the reasons I wanted to put this chapter up so quick, it's time to learn Lightbringer's name.

That was my thoughts too with the riot, the tunnel rescue has been done so often that I knew it would work as an almost red herring but the Riot is actually the perfect time to get to Sansa. I really wanted Jon/Dany to have this connection before they meet, it always takes so long for it to form in fics especially any that work with canon and so I wanted to do something different. We'll find out not long after they meet the how of it with them. Jon's interaction with Robb in RR has changed things, his harsh words have made him look into his actions more and so when the Jeyne thing happens he's able to stop it.

With Cat knowing, the thing was that one I sent Harwin/Alyn to her then they were bound to speak of the truth of Jon, and to send anyone else wouldn't make sense. Jon would want Cat to know that Arya was safe and hearing it from WF men sells that, so it kinda ended up being a must thing. Originally I had a more epic reveal to Cat and the others but you sometimes just go with the flow.

HadEv. I like trying to end it on a reason to look forward to the next chapter that's not a cliff-hanger.

Xand007: Thank you, my friend. I always felt the riot to be the perfect escape for Sansa but you obviously need to have the pieces in place. I think that's one of the fun things with messing with the canon, you can take an event, give it a little twist or a character the same and it takes things in a different direction. Some don't even require huge changes but there are so many roads not traveled in GOT. Stay safe and well my friend.

Emeradlduke: Thanks so much, really glad you liked it. We'll see with Robb, the news he gets next chapter will make him think a lot about things.

Celexys: Thank you. Skagos will get a big section next chapter, here I wanted to go to the dragon part but next chapter we'll see the lords of Skagos. I think with Sansa her suffering and then Jon coming to her should and will alter their relationship. I'm glad to hear you say it comes together, I wanted to show a line between events that would be changed and ones that won't and we'll see some of that next chapter.

Creativo: O Sansa es realmente maravillosa o simplemente es tonta, tonta tonta.

Waiting4you86: That's my fault for not putting in a note at the top, sorry. Jon's real name is Rhaegar here, his mother named him for his father. To Arthur, he is Rhaegar Targaryen the first of his name and so he doesn't wish to think of him as Jon Snow the name given to him by Ned Stark. But Jon hasn't gotten used to being Rhaegar yet and so when they talk he calls him Jon as per his wishes. Arya, Sansa, and others all only know him as Jon.