Chapter 2

It was several days before the Tyrells and Jon would have to set off to the capital most were slowly preparing themselves for the journey while Loras, Garlan and Jon were practicing jousting against one another. On one side stood Loras in his shining green and gold armor while Jon stood on the opposite side wearing black and gray armor of house Stark, Garlan watched the two from the side, being beaten by both moments earlier. Loras rode his yellow stallion while Jon rode on top of a large black horse. They looked at each other through their helms as their squires gave them their lances. Each took his lance and for a moment they stared at each other until Loras deiced to be the first one to charge, immediately after Jon did as well. They lined up their lances aiming at the others shield, sigils of their houses on them. The first strike went to Loras, hitting Jon straight in the center of his shield but the wolf did not fall. They were given new lances and they charged again this time Jon being the one hitting the target, Lorass strike only missing for a few centimeters. But the Tyrell did not fall. Once again they took their lances, staring at each other with determination. This time Jon was the one who charged first, determent to beat Loras this time. The horses galloped towards each other, their riders aiming their weapons at one another. As Jons lance hit the target he felt Lorass lance hit him as well, for a moment he felt the feeling of weightlessness as he traveled through the air and then falling on the ground hard. For a moment he did not move, still trying to figure out what happened. Then he saw Loras riding towards him and stopping next to his head. He dismounted and knelt beside his friend and took off his helm.

"I hope you throw a better fight when we get to the capital, I would hate to see people have their opinions of the great Wolf of the south crushed once they see me defeating you this easily," Said Loras with a satisfied grin on his face.

Jon growled in pain for a few seconds before answering "Shot up and help me up." Loras laughed and gave his friend a hand and pulled him up. Jon took off his helm and looked at his foster brother.

"What?" asked Loras.

"I'm going to beat you, just you wait," Jon said with the determination of his voice.

"Ha, like that's ever going to happen, might as well give me the sword now." It was then when Garlan joined the two.

"I hate to agree with him Jon, but my brother is right. You are good with a sword but when it comes to a lance Loras is better." Loras instantly turned to his brother.

"Hey, I'm just as good with a sword as he is, maybe even better," said Loras.

"Sure you are," Garlan said sarcastically "You might be able to keep up with Jon when you spar but if you were in a real fight Jon would win."

"And how do you know that?"

"You show off too much, I used to do that as well until I learned my lesson. Jon fights how a knight should fight, not showing off and using every opening that presents itself. That showing off of yours could be just the opening your opponent needs."

Loras laughed "As anyone could defeat me." Jon loved Loras like he would his own brother but sometimes he knew to be a real arrogant prick.

"Last time I checked I defeated you in the melee in the Oldtown tourney three moons ago, and before that at Ashford."

Lorass smile faded "You were lucky."

"Luck had nothing to do with it, pretty boy it was all skill."

Annoyed Loras grabbed Jon by the arm and started messing with his hair. "Skill ha." Garlan watched them and laughed at the two men acting like ten-name-day children. "These two will never change." thought Garlan. He was first surprised when their father decided to bring Jon to Highgarden. At first, he detested the thought of a bastard growing up in their home but over time he grew to like Jon. He did not see him as a bastard anymore, he was just Jon. His relationship with Jon wasn't as strong as the one with Loras, those two being practically inseparable since Jon arrived but they were close and he would happily call Jon a friend.

"You two make such a cute couple," said Margaery as the three men turned their gaze to her.

"Really?" asked Loras as he stopped messing with Jon.

"Indeed, one of you would fit perfectly in a wedding dress," said Margaery as she looks at Loras.

"Why me?" Loras asked.

"Let me see, "Margaery pretended to think for a moment "Well, just would just better in a dress than Jon, he does not have the grace to pull it off." Garlan tried to hold on to a laugh as Margaery gave her brother a smirk.

"I'm hurt my lady," said Jon with an over-exaggerated tone of hurt.

"It's true." the four laughed for a moment "Now come on father once to see you three. Better not keep him waiting." As they followed Margaery she turned and gave Jon a lovely smile and he returned it.

The Tyrells were prepared for their journey to the capital. Mace was his typical self, boasting to people around him how his son will win the tourney before it even begins and even lady Olenna wanted to go to the capital, mostly to personally see what has changed now that lord Eddard was the hand but she hated the thought of the arduous journey that will take. Jon and Loras were doing last-minute preparations, while Margaery was ready to go. Jon was going around his room, tossing things around trying to find something. All of his things had been ready except one. He was starting to be frustrated by the fact he could not find it. He continued to look when he heard someone's voice coming for the door.

"Looking for something?" asked Margaery.

"Aye, my helm. I can't seem to find it anywhere," said Jon without looking at her, just continuing looking around.

"The black one with green vizier?"

"Yes, that one."

"You mean this one." Jon turned to see Margaery holding his helm in her hands, a mischievous smile formed on her lips.

"You took it?" he asked.

"Not really, you left it in my room yesterday." Jon approached her a smile on his lips also.

"What would I do without you?"

"Get lost somewhere or forget something more important." Jon started reaching out for the helm but she moved it out of the way.

"I thought you came here to give it back."

"I am, but it's gonna cost you." Jon leaned in and gave a soft kiss.

"Is that enough?" he asked.

"You can do better than that." Once more their lips touched, this kiss was longer and more passionate.

"Was that better?" asked Jon as he looked into her eyes. His dark gray meeting her brown ones.

"It was." Said Margaery as she gave Jon his helm back, a satisfied expression on her face.

Lady Olenna, Margaery, Mace, and Alerie traveled inside a lavish carriage while Loras, Garlan and Jon rode in front of them. The rest of the retinue consisted of household guards and servants were either riding or traveling in wagons. The journey was long but for Loras, Margaery and Jon there never seemed to be a dull moment. The group made stops in whatever castle they could, when they couldn't large tents would be raised. On one such occasion, they stopped on the border between the Crownlands at the Reach. Loras and Jon were sitting in Loras's tent drinking wine and remembering all the crazy shenanigans they used to get up to when they were boys.

"Remember that time when..." said Lores

"When you somehow accidentally managed to get 6 horses inside the garden." Both Jon and Loras laughed. "It was a good thing that the horse master found them or they would have eaten the whole garden.

"Well, no, but if remember correctly that wasn't just me," Loras smirked. "I was thinking about the time when we went out of a ride and came back two days later."

"Your father sent out a search party to try and find us."

"Yes, but we came back. Shame about Ser Arlan, I heard that he still believes he saw ghosts in the forest that night." Both men laughed. Jon stopped laughing and looked at his cup. Loras gave his friend a concerned look, he knew something was bugging him.

"Alright spit it out Jon, you been having something on your mind the entire trip I can feel it, so tell me what is it?"

Jon shook his cup slightly, the wine moving around as he did. "You know me too well. M-My father will be there."

"I know, he is the lord hand," said Loras, slightly confused.

"That's the thing Loras, he will be there. I haven't seen him in years, the last time I visited Winterfell was five years ago and that was brief. Yes, we do correspond through ravens but this is going to be the first time we meet in a long time. What is he going to think about me?" Loras looked at his friend and grabbed his shoulder.

"Listen, you don't need to worry yourself about that, he is your father. He will be proud of you."

"How do you know that?"

"You are his son, trust me when I say it will be fine."

Jon sighed. "Margaery said the same thing."

Loras smirked "Well, if my sister said it then it must be true." There was a small moment of silence before Jon looked at Loras and the two started laughing. "Don't worry about your father, you should worry more about that sword which I will take when I beat you," said Loras with a smug smile.

"The wall will melt before that happens. Besides I got an advantage over you."

"And what would that be?" Loras said as he raised an eyebrow.

"I don't show off as much."

"We will see Snow, we will see." the men continued laughing.

In the next tent Lady Olenna set with Margaery and Alerie, the loud laughter was heard as if it was coming from their tent. Margaery and Alreie were pleased to hear the two having a good time while lady Olenna not so much. She disliked the way her stupid son brought this bastard into their family and she disliked the fact that everyone seemed to adore him. Mace saw him as a fourth son, Loras as a brother and Margaery was seemingly in love with him. She knew about it for a long time, as children, they were fond of each other and a few years ago it got even more serious. The boy was handsome and well mannered, she will give him that but he is still a bastard. SŽOlenna would not have cared that much if the boy was trueborn and could have been used in some way but as a bastard, he had little to no value, unless all of the other Starks just drop dead and he is declared the new lord of Winterfell. Margaery was to be queen one day, she can't let a bastard ruin that. With little luck, his father will send him back to the North with the rest of the Starks where he belongs, until then she will remain patient. Olenna snapped out of her thoughts and turned to her granddaughter.

"Remember dear, when we arrive in the capital, make sure to spend time with the prince." Olenna knew about Robert's obsession with having a Stark bride in his family. She found out that he intends to arrange the marriage between lord Eddard's daughter and his son but that will not happen. She will make sure that the prince picks Margaery.

Margaery smiled softly at her grandmother "I will grandmother, don't worry."

"Get to know him, make sure you leave an impression."

"I will grandma." Margaery knew that her grandmother always wanted her to be queen and that she will do whatever it takes to accomplish that. She too wanted to be queen one day but she also wanted Jon. Jon was different from other sons of noble lords not just because he was a bastard, he was good, he was kind, he made her laugh, he wasn't stuck up like most other lordlings and he loved her for who she really is not for what she represents. To him she wasn't Margaery Tyrell the golden rose of Highgardne, she was simply Margaery and to her, he wasn't a bastard, he was Jon. She knew her grandmother did not approve of their relationship, but she had put up with it for years now, never saying a word, pretending to not know about it but she knew. That gave her hope, maybe she will find a way to get both things one day. Then a third voice was heard laughing along with the two others, it was Mace.

"Great, now he has joined them," said Olenna, annoyance clear in her voice.

"Let the men have their fun," said Alerie. Laughing echoed through the night.

Days passed and they finally arrived at the capital, the greatest city in Westeros, Kings Landing. As they approached the entrance of the city they could see the tourney ground where the tournament will be held. Both Jon and Loras watched the place intensely, this is going to be the place of their greatest triumph. The entourage entered the city through the King's gate. Seeing all the people and the things that they were doing amazed Margaery. She always liked seeing what normal everyday people were like and she was ready to help them in any way she can. The city itself seemed a lot bigger than she remembered, the last time she visited she was still a little girl. Lady Olenna and Mace expected to be greeted by the king and queen but to their surprise and lady Olennas disappointment they were met by just Lord Eddard. She did want to find out what lord Eddard was doing but she also expected one of their statues to have been met by the royal family, not just the hand. Lord Eddard stood there with his household guard.

"Lady Olenna, Lord Mace, Lady Alerie, the king welcomes you to the capital," said Eddard while doing s slight bow.

"And yet the king is nowhere to be seen, my lord," Olenna said. The hand lifted his head to look at the queen of thorns.

"The king had some other matters he had to attend to, he sends his sincerest apologies."

"I sure he does." the sarcasm was clear to all present. It was well known to everyone that Robert did little to no actual ruling, since the rebellion it was Jon Arryn who ruled the land while Robert, drank and whored himself. Now it was Ned Stark's job to rule and Olenna knew that the king will still be going the same things as he always does, even when he should at least do something as simple as meet her and her family.

"Is Jon with you?" asked Eddard.

"I'm here father," said Jon as he approached the group, Loras, Garlan and Margaery beside him. The two men stared at each other for a long moment. Ten years had passed since they last saw each other. Eddard could barely believe the sight in front of him. The boy he remembered was now a man with long black hair and the typical gray Stark eyes. He looked so much like his mother, but he didn't know that. "He must not know that" thought Ned.

"Jon," said Eddard as walked towards the lad. "You are a lot taller than I remember." said the lord with a smile.

"And you a lot shorter than I remember." Both men chuckled. Then Jon turned and pointed towards Loras, Garlan and Margaery who stood next to him. "Father, these are Ser Garlan, Loras and lady Margaery."

"It's a pleasure to meet Jon's father," said Margaery with a soft smile on her lips.

"It's an honor, my lord," said Loras. He was excited to finally with Eddard Stark the Silent Wolf, the man who defeated ser Arthur Dane. Over the years he grew a fascination with the man from the stories Jon had told him. He still adored men like Ser Barristan Selmy but the Silent Wolf was something else. An aura of mystery surrounded the man. Here in the south most people knew how good each knight was, the tourneys were held constantly and there was always someone who was particularly well known for their skill, but no one knew for certain the extent of lord Eddards prowess, how good he truly was. Obviously, he was good enough to beat the Sword of the morning.

"I welcome you to the capital lady Margaery and ser Loras, Ser Garlan," said Eddard. Before anyone could say anything more lady Olennas voice was heard.

"Lord Stark could you please escort us to where we will be staying, my old bones won't last much longer standing here like this."

"As you wish my lady. Follow me."