The world was black as he tried to open his eyes, only to find a damp cloth over them. His head pounded in pain but he forced himself to get up as he removed the cloth. Groaning as he did so. He rubbed his head once he sat up in the cot.
A voice rang out, familiar, but far too loud for Jon's taste, "Jon".
Jon turned to his father as his father embraced him firmly.
Jon tried to speak but his father cut him off, "My boy. I am glad you are okay. I was so worried for you".
Jon said, "I am sorry for making you worry, father. What happened"?
His father said with moist eyes as he let his son go, "You foolishly tried to fight Lord Yronwood without Wraith by your side. I should have named you Theon if you wished to take a bite out of the most dangerous man in Dorne".
The words had awakened a memory in Jon. One where he saw one of his closest childhood friends laying on the floor as the spike of a warhammer was driven through his head, helm and all.
He said a single word, "Alaric".
His father sighed and said, "I am sorry Jon, but he is dead. His shade can rest easy though. His killer is dead".
Jon said as he turned his eyes from his father in shame, "But I failed in avenging him".
His father said, "Do not say that son. He would not wish you to die to avenge him, each of you lads would have given your own lives for one another. Do not shame his death with thinking you failed him. Besides, Wraith tore Lord Yronwood's arm off, after you fell. So you did have a measure of revenge".
Jon said, "Thank you father".
His father said, "Are you well enough to move"?
Jon replied, albeit groaning as he gave his reply, "Yes, I will be. I won't let myself be bedridden with such a minor wound. I am certain I would lose the royal favor otherwise, and I am just getting used to being a King and Princess' closest friend".
His father gave him a sly smile, "I am certain you are enjoying the princess' favor, though for how long, only the gods know".
Jon gulped and asked, "What happened"?
"Let us just say that the maester and his grace found a certain favor of black silk and emblazoned with a red three headed dragon", his father replied.
His face dropped and he said, "Perhaps it would have been better for me to be slain in battle".
His father simply laughed and said, "I doubt that but his grace did wish to speak with you once you awoke".
His father got up and went to get Daeron, a man he counted among his closest friends, but now may be the man to sign his death warrant.
His father wasn't gone long and Daeron entered with a face made of stone with Blackfyre on his belt.
Daeron said, "I am glad to see you have awoken. I feared for your life".
Jon knelt as fast he could with the sore head, and said, "Your grace".
Daeron laughed and said, "You look like a man condemned to death. Have no fear, you are not in danger. At least from me. Though Daena may give you hell for nearly getting yourself killed".
Jon asked dumbfounded, "You are not angry"?
Now it was Daeron's turn to be dumbfounded as he asked, "Now why would I? Now, sure Daena may make my life insufferable if anything were to happen to you, but you fought to avenge Alaric. I would have done the same". He paused before continuing, "So Daena gave you a favor? There is nothing wrong with that and I doubt it went much farther, as she is barely a maiden".
Jon admitted, "She gave me a kiss as well, your grace. It was nothing more than a kiss on the cheek".
Daeron said, "It makes no matter in the end. I know it went no farther than that. Do you care for her, Jon"?
Jon gave a truthful answer, "Yes, I do. I have met no women like her".
Daeron sighed, "If you were trueborn I would give her hand to you. I scarcely think of a better man to call a brother in truth or a man who could treat her with the honor that she deserves".
Jon's heart fell at that, he wouldn't be opposed to marrying her one day, but what hurt the most is that his friend counted his birth against him.
Daeron said, "A King has the power to remove the taint of bastardry, though".
Jon's heart stopped, was his friend offering to legmitze him and give him the name Stark? Jon looked at his father who put on his lord's face giving nothing away.
Daeron said, "If I do this, then you must continue to give me your leal service, and prove yourself to lords of the realm, so that none may say that you are nothing more than an upjumped bastard. I will not suffer my sister or my chosen brother to be given the same mistreatment and derision that my aunt Baela and her husband Lord Alyn suffered when they were wed and the years after during my father's regency. I already honored your father for his service in the battle, and now it is time to show the realm that you are just as worthy. Now remain kneeling and bow your head".
Jon did as he was bid, his heart racing.
Daeron drew Blackfyre holding it in a salute before laying the blade edge down across his right shoulder. Cutting through his linen shirt and his skin beneath.
Daeron said, "Jon Snow, Natural son of Ser Rickon Stark. In the name of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave".
Daeron switched to the other shoulder before continuing, "In the name of the Father, I charge you to be just".
Daeron switched again, "In the name of the Mother, I charge you to defend the young and innocent".
The blade fell across his left shoulder again, "In the name of the Maiden, I charge you to protect all women".
The right again, "In the name of the Smith, I charge you to put to right any evils you across in the world".
The left again, "In the name of the Crone, I charge you to be wise and to give your liege wise counsel".
The right again, "In the name of the Stranger, I charge you to deliver death to the enemies of all that is good and just".
Daeron sheathed Blackfyre again, and slapped him across the face. Daeron said, "Let that be the last blow you receive that goes without a retaliation, now arise Ser Jon Snow, a Knight of the Seven Kingdom'.
Jon arose now as a knight, not just a bastard, Jon said, "Thank you, your grace".
Daeron said, "Your welcome, Ser Jon. There are as few knights in the realm that have earned their spurs. This is the first step in showing the realm that you are worthy of the name Stark and my sister's hand. I have made it known that you were the mind behind our victory and slew three of the greatest Knights of Dorne. Ser Franklin the Red Hawk, Ser Eric of the Blue Star, and the bastard of Yronwood, Ser Anders Sand. Along with coming from such renowned warriors, as well, men cannot find fault in your material skill. I shall have need of you when we assault Yronwood castle, but for now you shall rest with the rear guard and when you have recovered I shall send for you. Now I must take my leave and rejoin the main host". He gave his goodbyes and left.