Moat Cailin 289 AC.
Jon.
He found he liked Yohn Royce, the man may have been a lord of the Vale but unlike some of the men he traveled with he didn't seem to care about Jon's birth. Some of the others seemed to look down on him, seemed to be upset about a bastard being warded with a lord of Yohn's prestige. The lord himself though seemed more than happy to have him there, he spoke to him of Runestone and answered his questions eagerly, many though they were.
Jon had learned more of the true Vale of Arryn in talks with the lord than he had in all the books he'd read since he knew he would be fostered there. He also found he liked the Lord's son's, though Waymar could be a bit cocky, and was a bad loser something Jon learned when he beat him in a spar. He had held his own against Robar and only the older boy's strength beat him in the end, had lost easily to Andar who had him beat on most aspects but had beaten Waymar much to the boy's annoyance.
"I demand a rematch, he got lucky." Waymar said.
"He beat you boy, accept it and do better next time." Lord Yohn said looking at him.
"He got lucky father."
"No son, he's better than you, just as his uncle is better than I and would beat me is that not right Ser Arthur?" Yohn said curiously.
"I would." his uncle said direct and to the point as always.
"You see, we don't even need to spar to know Ser Arthur is better than I. It's just how it is, train harder son, then maybe next time you'll win, but as of now Jon has you beat accept it in good graces, just as he did against your brothers."
"Well done Jon." Waymar said though it was through gritted teeth.
For the next few days, Waymar had barely spoken to him until finally he'd come and asked him for a rematch, Jon had beaten him even more cleanly this time and he was surprised when Waymar offered him his hand.
"Father was right, you're better than me, in time I think you'll beat Ander and Robar too."
"We could spar, train more, together we could get better?" he asked hopefully.
"We could and we will, I'm glad you're staying with us Jon, it'll be nice having someone nearer my own age to spar with."
"Aye, it would." he said smiling.
By the time they reached Moat Cailin he and Waymar were good friends, or at least on the way to being so. While Jon would spar in the morning with his uncle and again late at night, he and Waymar would practice during the day when they weren't riding, and he found he could always be made to laugh at something the older boy would say or do. When Waymar told him he planned to go to the wall when he was older though, Jon did his best to talk him out of it.
"My uncle Benjen is a ranger at the wall, he says it's no place for a lord's son."
"There is great honor to be found in the watch Jon." Waymar said.
"Also as a knight is there not Waymar?"
"I'm a third son Jon, my future is not certain." Waymar said shaking his head.
"Uncle Arthur says no ones is, we cannot know what tomorrow will bring so we should concentrate on doing the best we can today."
"Wise words." Waymar said and he smiled proud of his uncle as always.
"We're years away from then anyway, maybe you'll change your mind?"
"Maybe." Waymar said doubtfully.
Moat Cailin was dark and at night it was full of shadows, something which made him glad of his uncle's presence in the room they shared. Though tonight when he woke his uncle wasn't there, and for the briefest moment he panicked. Had he left, had he left him alone? Would he do that, see him to the Moat and then turn back, or even go back to Dorne?.
He had asked him why he came North, why he had left the sun in Dorne for the cold of the North as it was clear he didn't enjoy the chill? His uncle just smiled and mussed his hair, nodded, and then pointed at him and Jon had felt his heart swell. He had left everything he had ever known for him, had left his home for him and as he thought of it then he knew his uncle would never abandon him. Rolling over in his bed he was soon back asleep and when he woke early the next morning his uncle was there just as he always was.
"What's the Riverlands like?" he asked his uncle as they began to leave The Neck.
"This is where all wars eventually are fought Jon." Arthur said and he saw Waymar and his brother's listen attentively, Lord Yohn too.
"Why?" he asked.
"To attack the North you have to go through the Neck and get past Moat Cailin itself " Jon nodded as his uncle spoke, they themselves had needed to ride tightly packed and an army would fall here "The Vale has it's mountains and it's valleys, you'll see when we get there and Dorne it has its deserts."
"What does the Riverlands have?" he asked and Arthur shook his head.
"Nothing, so when armies form to march to anywhere they need to come through here, there is no Neck to stop them, no mountain's or desert to slow their march."
"What of the West or the Stormlands?"
"You still need to come through here and so this is where the fight comes to every time."
"Like the Trident?" Andar said and Jon looked at him daring him to say anything to his uncle to upset him.
"Like the Trident." Arthur said and he was glad that was the end of it.
It took them a week to reach the Trident itself, a week in which he, Waymar and his brothers spent more time together, he actually beat Robar with a quick riposte in a spar, though he lost all the others to him and Andar. Waymar having accepted he was better than him, now looked for pointers and all three gladly took them from his uncle when he offered to show them some.
Lord Yohn told him more stories of the Vale and some on the Lords themselves, Lord Redfort, Corbray, and Melcolm ignored him but surprisingly Ser Symond seemed to like him and soon Lord Redfort too seemed to change his opinion somewhat after speaking to Lord Yohn. Jon found though he really liked the lord of Runestone and could see why his father spoke so highly of him, he even got to see him spar with his uncle one day.
"Go easy on me Ser Arthur, my boys think me unbeatable." Yohn said with a chuckle.
"Then I shall try and leave you with your dignity my lord." his uncle said and Jon looked on with a large smile on his face as the spar began.
In all their time together he had never truly seen his uncle spar, certainly not as he did now, it was incredible. Lord Yohn was a formidable swordsman but compared to his uncle he was a mere novice, every move was so easily parried it seemed he was being played with. The end came far too soon and both Jon and Yohn's sons looked at his uncle even more in awe than they already did.
"See Waymar, sometimes someone is just better than you." Lord Yohn said taking his defeat in good spirits.
He woke up that night and found his uncle missing once again, he also found he needed a piss and so he left the bedroll and walked down closer to the Trident itself. After relieving himself he saw a shape by the river and recognizing it as his uncle he walked towards it.
"I promise I'll do my best, I swear it, always." he heard his uncle say before he heard his footsteps and he turned around to face him "Jon?"
"I'm sorry uncle, I couldn't sleep."
"No it's fine, I was just."
"Remembering the prince?" he said and saw his uncle nod.
"Whatever you hear Jon, whatever people may say of him, Rhaegar was a good man and he fell here or not that far from here."
"He was your friend wasn't he?"
"He was more than that, he was my prince."
"I'm sorry uncle." he said and his uncle smiled at him.
"Come let's get you back to bed, you know how grumpy you get when you've not slept."
"That's you." he said with a smirk.
"That's both of us." his uncle said.
They ate at the Inn at the Crossroads the next day and a few days later were in the Vale itself. Riding up to the Bloody Gate he saw what his uncle meant, no army could take this place, should they try they'd lose most of their number before they ever got into the Vale itself.
"Who seeks to pass the Bloody Gate." he heard a gruff voice say.
"You know full well who I am you old fucker." Lord Yohn said and Jon and Waymar chuckled.
"I still have to follow damn protocol don't I Yohn."
"It's good to see you Brynden." and Jon found his attention soon focussed to the Blackfish, Lady Catelyn's uncle looking formidable and imposing to him in his black leather.
"Aye, you too old friend." Yohn said.
As the gates opened he wondered when he'd pass through them again, the Vale was to be his home for the next few years and he felt both excitement and trepidation when the large gates closed behind him.
Kings Landing 289 AC.
Jon Arryn.
He had arranged the parade to Robert's liking knowing that he'd wish to be welcomed home like a returning hero, that he'd almost demand it. So the people of King's Landing had taken to the streets, the banners of the stag waving from buildings and there riding at the front of the procession the king preened like a peacock. When he reached the Red Keep Jon watched as Cersei welcomed him in a manner that looked like the loving wife she was not, the marriage still one of convenience rather than of love.
Still, Robert looked well and happy and he was glad of his safe return, even hoping he'd tempered some of his impulses during the fighting. The tales he'd heard made it seem he had not and how Robert behaved not more than a few moments inside the Red Keep itself only confirmed it.
"A tourney Jon we need to hold a tourney to celebrate, invite the realm I want it to be bigger than Harrenhal." Robert said and Jon grimaced as he looked at him.
"The realm isn't ready for a tourney your grace, we've only just come through a war."
"Aye Jon, a war I fucking won, I put those damn squids in their place and I deserve to be honored do I not?"
"You do your grace, but what of the men who've not seen their families, what of them, those who were lost also?"
"We can honor them too, a tourney is a fine way to honor them if it honors the king then surely it can honor them also?"
"And the coin your grace?"
"Dammit Jon enough with counting coppers, just hold the blasted tourney."
"If I may your grace?" Tywin said interrupting.
"Lord Tywin?" he said turning to the other man.
"It was Lannisport they attacked first your grace and I'd ask the honor of throwing you a tourney there, my people would no doubt be proud to see the king who'd avenged them so capably."
"They would, they would indeed, that's a splendid idea is it not Jon."
"It is your grace." he said biting his tongue "But perhaps we can give the lords some time with their families, give Lord Tywin time to ensure the tourney meets your expectations, your grace."
"Aye, aye, it has to be large Tywin, a big tourney one worthy of the fight we just had."
"Of course your grace." Tywin said and Jon was glad when the man moved to speak to his daughter.
"You've organized a feast for tonight Jon?" Robert said and he nodded.
"I have your grace."
"Good, good."
"There are some matters that require your attention, your grace, perhaps you should attend the small council meeting?"
"Another time Jon, tomorrow perhaps." Robert said dismissively.
"As you say, your grace."
He knew walking away from him that he'd not see Robert at the small council meeting tomorrow, nor the day after. For six years he'd tried to get the man to take his responsibilities seriously and apart from the damn war he'd shown no interest in doing so. As he made his way back to the Tower of the Hand he was glad at least that he was alone here, that his wife had gone back to the Vale.
Try as he might he'd not been able to make Lysa happy, their time together usually degenerating into rows and petty arguments, the miscarriages not helping either. Sitting down at his desk he began to write, the one thing always guaranteed to raise his spirits was reading hers or writing his own letters to Elaena. He had missed her nameday and felt terrible about it, having sworn not to do so to himself years earlier and so he wrote her yet another letter telling her how sorry he was and how much he missed her.
"My lord, My lord." his valet shook him and he moved his head from the desk.
"What, what hour is it?" he said barely awake.
"It's still an hour or two until the feast my lord, but I felt you wished to be awakened?"
"I did, thank you Tommard."
After throwing some water on his face and going to dress he found himself arriving early for the feast. Unlike some he didn't care for the ceremony of entering with the king, only doing so when Lysa was with him and so he took his seat as they waited for Robert to arrive. By the time he did Jon was annoyed that he seemed to have already been drinking, but he rose and bid him welcome as did the rest of those in the Grand Hall.
"Sit, drink and enjoy yourselves, we put the damn squids in their place and soon we'll enjoy a tourney to celebrate it. For now, let us drink and enjoy the night." Robert said his voice loud and boisterous.
Enjoy it he did not but the king did, Robert drank and ate with gusto and despite the presence of his wife, her brother and her father nothing stopped him from groping and kissing any servant who took his fancy. All through it, the queen sat there stone-faced as did Tywin and it seemed the only ones showing any emotion were he and Ser Jaime. The Kingsguard showing his disgust at the king, while he looked on embarrassed that he had raised the man who was at present undoing a servant's top.
He waited until he was sure no one would be slighted by his departure, Robert barely acknowledged it and the queen cared not for him anyway. He was surprised to see Ser Barristan in the corridor as he made his way to his room, the knight not on duty this night, and like him not one for feasts. He was torn on what to do with him, at some point the knew he'd need to tell him of Jon but he wasn't sure if it was the right time yet.
"Ser Barristan."
"Lord Jon."
"I had not expected to see you here Ser?"
"I found I could not sleep my lord, being on the road, and in battle, I've not yet gotten reaccustomed to my bed."
"The worse part of traveling I've always felt Ser, the sleeping on the road is easy, you're tired you'll sleep but later on you'd think a more comfortable bed would be welcome." he said a smile on his face.
"You would."
"Your former brother is traveling to the Vale Ser." he said deciding to check the waters.
"Arthur?"
"His nephew is to be my ward, though he'll be staying with my daughter and Lord Royce at Runestone."
"Lord Yohn is a good man and true, Arthur could do worse than to be in his service, my lord."
"I think for Ser Arthur it's more about the boy Ser." he said.
"Have you met the lad, my lord?"
"Only briefly when he and Ned arrived back from Dorne but I hope to meet him properly soon, maybe he'll be at this tourney the king wishes to be thrown."
"A tourney?" Barristan said almost disgustedly.
"Indeed, though it's to Lannisport we're to go."
"You think Arthur and his nephew will attend?"
"I'm sure it can be arranged."
"Then I shall look forward to the tourney my lord."
"As do I Ser Barristan."
He found surprisingly as he walked away he did, it was a bit of a dangerous game he was playing, but still, Ser Barristan and Ser Arthur would help win over loyalists in the future, though what he would do if he decided not to support the boy he knew not or was the truth that he had he already made the choice years ago and was just fooling himself.
The Neck/The Riverlands 289 AC.
Arthur.
He enjoyed seeing Jon put the youngest Royce lad on the ground, as much as seeing him against his brother was something to test him against, he needed to be pushed more to be challenged more than Robb was able. Each of the Royce's would provide that and when he had the strength Arthur had no doubt he'd be better than all three of them.
Technique and speed-wise he already was and he had noticed that just like his father Jon had an innate ability to pick up on things, be it his lessons, swordplay, or being able to pick apart styles and forms, it was something that Rhaegar had clearly passed onto his son. Arthur was also pleased to see that Lord Yohn was a different sort than he had thought, the man seeming to bear no ill will towards Jon for his perceived birth.
The journey itself was freeing, he had liked the North had come to enjoy the time at Winterfell, and like Stark, he too was hesitant in taking Jon from his family. But the life he would have there would always be limited, always be tied into Stark's own sense of honor and even though Lady Catelyn seemed to have taken a liking to Jon, there was no guarantee it would last. Would Ned Stark follow though if his wife suddenly felt differently? Would he do what was best for Jon? Or would he instead seek to placate his wife?.
Were it for that alone he'd seek to leave, but then given what Jon Arryn suggested, given what it could mean for Jon to be in the Vale, it was too good an opportunity to turn down. Standing by the tree taking a piss in the shadow of the Moat he could hear the boys in the background laughing and japing with each other and he smiled, before quickly frowning at the footsteps he heard.
"You can come out, I may have a different weapon in my hand right now but have no fear my sword will be quick." he said as he shook twice and fixed his breeches back up.
"I mean you no harm Ser Arthur, I've been sent by my lord to give you this." the small man said and he knew instantly who had sent him.
"Will I be seeing your lord?"
"I believe so." the man said handing him the note.
"Very well." he said and the man faded back into the trees as Arthur opened the note to read it.
Tonight at the Hour of the Wolf, the gnarled tree.
Howland.
He had seen the gnarled tree on his way to take a piss and thought it an ugly thing, so much so that it made him pass it to come to this one. It didn't surprise him that Howland would wish to speak with him, while they'd not kept in touch since he came North he had expected him to do so before they left. They were now basically traveling through his lands and so he had been waiting for it, now though he found himself curious as to what the man wished to speak on.
Making sure Jon was asleep he made his way to the tree and taking a seat he waited, he was early and it turned out so was Howland. The man motioned for him to follow and so he did, back deeper into the woods and he found himself almost tripping once or twice, even stepping into some watery mud at one point. Still, Howland led on and he found himself hoping he'd lead him back too, as a man could easily lose his way in this place.
"I'm sorry for bringing you so far in Ser Arthur, but what we must speak of needs to be away from prying ears."
"And what is it we must speak of?"
"Daeron."
"What of him?"
"You won't be enough when the time comes Arthur, you alone won't be enough, so when you get the chance to see your brother again remember this."
"What are you talking about, what has Ulric got to do with this?"
"He is not your only brother Arthur." Howland said.
"My brothers died and as for the other two they are no brothers of mine, no more can they call themselves such."
"Aye, that is true of one but not the other, you know of whom I speak."
"How in the seven hells do you know these things?"
"I see things Arthur, some that happen and some that do not, with Daeron I see more of what will happen, with his mother I was not so lucky." Howland said sadly.
"And what will happen?" he asked.
"He will be the king we need Arthur, the king the realm deserves." Howland said and he found himself smiling despite the man's oddness.
"He will." he said a statement of fact on his part.
"When next you come North you should visit the last Targaryen in Westeros, the forgotten prince, he has something that will help."
"The forgotten prince?" he said confused.
"Seek out the Maester at Castle Black, Aemon Targaryen is his true name."
"Will I see you again?"
"Not for many a year Ser Arthur, protect him and I wish you good fortune in the war to come."
It wasn't Howland who led him back but the other man he'd met earlier, and he was glad Jon was still asleep when he got back to their room. He tried to sleep but found himself thinking on what Howland had told him, Barristan it had to be him, there was no way that Jaime Lannister would work to put Jon on the throne, but Barristan, could he forgive his brother for bending the knee?.
As for the Maester at the Wall, he remembered Rhaegar mentioning him before but he had thought the man long dead, that Jon actually had a family member in Westeros soon made him think of the two not here. Viserys and Daenerys he had heard the girl had been named, off in Essos somewhere with Ser Willem Darry, he had thought of taking Jon and going to find them but Jon Arryn's offer had always stayed his hand, he wondered now if it was right to do so still.
The Riverlands.
He had felt it ever since he saw the river, every mile they passed making the feelings ever more real. Guilt, regret, sadness, shame, he had felt them all the closer they got to where he fell. He had done his duty, he was still doing his duty, but even that couldn't help fix the hole in his heart that had been left behind when he had lost his true brother, his brother by choice.
He had spoken to Jon of war, of why this place would always suffer it most, he had explained the facts of it, the tactics of it to an extent, but not yet had he explained the truth of it. War was inevitable, but it was also the biggest single wasteful thing man ever did, the worst of them and not the best. Not the men who fought in it, not the soldiers who gave their lives or even those who fought for the cause they believed in, but the nature of war itself, war he felt was man's greatest failure.
"Why were you not here, why were you not with us?"
The voices sounding like specters and forced him to wake in the middle of the night, so he got up and walked to the river, then kneeling down he placed his hand in the water. They weren't quite at the Ruby Ford but they were close enough and he closed his eyes and saw their faces. Jonathor's smile and Lewyn's nod, he heard Gerold's scolding and Oswell's laugh, and then he saw the purple eyes of his prince, he saw them all and felt as if they were there with him.
"I should come with you."
"I need you here Arthur."
"Gerold, Oswell."
"Are not you, I go and fight for my life Arthur you think there is anyone I'd rather have by my side?"
"No, so then why must I stay?"
"They need to be protected and who can I trust more than you?"
"I will stay."
"Promise me, Arthur, promise me that no matter what you will protect them?"
"No matter what."
"Things will change Arthur when this is all over we will change the realm for the better my friend."
"We will my prince."
He kept his hand in the water, his eyes still closed and he tried to fight the tears that he knew would come, he had done his duty then, he would do his duty now.
"I promise I'll do my best, I swear it, always." he said and was startled by the sound behind him.
Later after putting Jon back to bed, he found sleep easy to come by, he was tired and he felt drained and his dreams were of better days, of sparring with a prince, of standing with his brothers. Of laughing when a young boy would look at him and call him uncle, of teaching him, training him and protecting him, of promises kept and oaths fulfilled.
The Vale 289 AC.
Elaena.
Why the scary fish had come to Runestone she had no idea, nor who this man was who was with her, Ysilla too seemed not to know who he was or why Lysa had come, but still, she tried to be on her best behavior, tried. But the scary fish decided to be mean and so she and Ysilla decided to pay her back as best they could. Elaena went to Sam and asked him for the horse droppings, the Master of Arms looking at her as if she was mad but helping her anyway.
She hated that one of the servants would need to clean it up afterward and so she took some coin to pay the girl, it wouldn't make up for it completely but at least it would do something. Carrying the bucket she tried not to retch at the smell and together with Ysilla they snuck into Lysa's room, she knew that she was at present with Lady Yara and the man she'd brought with her, and so they found her room empty.
"I don't think we should do this." Ysilla said.
"We should, after what she said we should." Elaena said and despite her doubts, Ysilla nodded and closed the door behind them.
Once they were inside she put the bucket down and together both girls moved the covers and sheet, they put the horse droppings between the sheets and mattress, between the pillows and their covers. By the time they were finished they were both a mess and it was everywhere. Hurrying from the room they ran back to their own to wash and change before heading down to break their fast.
"You two are late, that's very rude to our guests is it not? Lady Yara said as Lysa glared at them and the man with her sat with a small smile on his face.
"I am most sorry my lady it was my fault not Ysilla's." she said and this made Lysa's look only develop into her scary fish face and she tried her best not to laugh.
"Take a seat and have your meals, both of you." Lady Yara said and they did as they were bid, the man smiling at them all the time, and yet something didn't seem right about it to her.
"I'm sure you must be looking forward to everyone's return Lady Elaena?" the man said as she ate some porridge.
"I am my lord, is that why you and Lady Lysa have come to visit?"
"Petyr is to be the head of customs in Gulltown." Lysa said proudly.
"Congratulations my lord." she said noticing the man's smirk never quite reached his eyes, but he nodded at her and looked to Lysa who's own smile did.
"We decided to stop by to welcome Lord Yohn and his accompaniment back from the North." Petyr said and she nodded, not sure what he meant as it was the Iron Islands they'd gone to as far as she knew.
Sitting at the table was difficult, Ysilla tried not to look guilty while even Lady Yara's conversation with the scary fish was forced and after a while, Elaena had begun to dislike how the man, Petyr Baelish, the Lord of the Fingers would look at her. There was something almost calculating about his look and she saw this even more clearly when he spoke of her father.
He would ask little questions that at first would look like polite conversation, like genuine curiosity about her father and his role as Hand of the King. But she soon began to see that while they were curious, they were not polite, more it was as if he was seeking information and so her answers became lesser, her words sharper, and eventually he stopped speaking to her altogether.
"May we be excused my lady?" she said when she felt Ysilla's elbow in her ribs.
"Of course, you have lessons have you not."
"We do with Maester Helliweg."
"Then bid our guest's farewell." Lady Yara said.
"Lady Lysa, Lord Baelish." she said with a curtsy and the man gave her that same false smile while Lysa just looked bored and annoyed, something she was sure was her natural state, that and angry which was something she'd no doubt be later on.
"It was a pleasure to meet you both, Lady Ysilla, Lady Elaena." the man said while Lysa said nothing.
As soon as they could they were gone from the room and they both raced through the corridors, Ysilla giggling as she ran behind her. They reached the Maester's rooms and instead of going inside they took a seat by the window and both began to laugh uncontrollably, taking almost a few moments to get themselves under control.
"I thought they knew, I was sure of it, I could even still smell it on my hands." Ysilla said breathlessly.
"They didn't know, gods I wish I could be there to see her face."
"Her scary face." Ysilla said.
"Her fishy face." Elaena said.
"Her happy face."
"Her whiny face."
The two girls sat there until the Maester opened the door, both of them giggling as they came up with as many different faces to try and make the other laugh the most, Ysilla winning with stinky face.
"There you both are come, just because our lord is due back doesn't mean our lessons aren't important now does it?"
"No Maester."
After lessons with the Maester and a lunch where she was glad they didn't have Lysa and Lord Baelish's company, they went to their lessons with Septa Chargyle. Elaena actually liked the young Septa as she was far more fun than the previous one. She was also not as stiff as Septon Lucon who had briefly taken over their studies when the Septa had left to go back to the Sept.
It was mid-afternoon when they were called and told to make themselves ready, Lord Yohn had been spotted and they would be here within the hour. Elaena felt her excitement build, she loved spending time with Ysilla, she was her best friend, her partner in crime, not that they did anything much wrong, well apart from today. But she had missed having the boys here, missed and worried about them while they were gone as had Ysilla and she knew how worried Lady Yara had been about them all.
They were lined up in the yard, Lady Lysa and Lord Baelish standing beside Lady Yara and most of the household apart from those working on the night's feast were out there also. When she saw the knight's ride in she smiled to see Lord Yohn, to see Andar, Robar, and Waymar and looked on in confusion at the boy Waymar was talking to. He had dark hair that was almost black and his eyes, his eyes were the deepest purple she'd ever seen.
As she looked at him she saw him looking around the yard almost taking things in for the first time and she wondered who he was and why he was so friendly with Waymar. When the men dismounted she watched as people took a knee and Lord Yohn walked over to Lady Yara.
"Runestone is yours, my lord." Lady Yara said smiling beamingly at her husband who she saw seemed equally happy to see his wife.
"I thank you, my lady." Yohn said kissing her cheek before moving to Lady Lysa.
"Lord Yohn I am happy to see you've returned safely." Lady Lysa said and she found she didn't believe her words nor her expression.
"I'm honored you've come my lady, truly."
"May I introduce Lord Petyr Baelish, the new Master of Customs at Gulltown." Lysa said her smile and words were far truer now.
"My lord." Yohn said.
"Lord Royce an honor." Petyr said and she would have looked at him only for her attention being distracted by the boy and the way Lysa was looking at him.
She knew that look very well, usually, it was reserved for her but to see it directed at this boy made her even more curious to find out who he was, why Lysa would seem so annoyed and angry at him and why she was showing him her scary fish face now too.
"Ysilla my love, you've grown so much, you two Lady Elaena." Yohn said as he hugged first his daughter and then her.
"It's good to have you home my lord." she said smiling.
After Andar, Robar, and Waymar greeted their mother, Lady Lysa, and then her and Ysilla, she finally found out who the boy was as he and a tanned man with long dark hair were introduced to Lady Yara and Lady Lysa.
"My love may I present Ser Arthur Dayne and his nephew Jon Snow, young Jon is to be our ward and to squire for his uncle." Yohn said.
She saw Lysa's face drop into an even worse expression now, one she and Ysilla had never seen, this one it seemed was completely reserved for the boy, for Jon, Jon Snow. Was it his baseborn status, was that Lysa's issue with the boy? Or was it something else? She resolved to find out and to get to know the boy better, not only was he a ward and staying here but Lady Lysa disliked him so, which was even more of a reason to befriend him.
"You are accepting the bastard nephew of a traitor as your ward Lord Royce?" Lady Lysa said dismissively.
"Ser Arthur broke no vows and lived true to the knight's code and the code of his prince and king, and it is my liege lord who has taken young Jon for a ward though I'm more than happy to have him here."
"An oath to a mad king and a rapist prince is surely no oath to be proud of Lord Yohn." Lord Baelish said his smirk directed at Ser Arthur and Lysa's smile was far bigger now.
"Have you ever sworn an oath, my lord? Ever lived up to one? No? I thought not, you don't seem the type." Ser Arthur said and she couldn't help the chuckle she let out then and she smirked at the look Lysa gave her and the nod the boy did.
"Ser Arthur's honor is unquestioned and his nephew is my responsibility, my lady." Lord Yohn said and that seemed to be an end to it as they were then led inside.
All the way in she found herself looking from Lysa and Lord Baelish to Ser Arthur and Jon Snow. Glares were being exchanged between three of the four as Ser Arthur seemed above it all, but the looks the boy was giving both Lord Baelish and Lady Lysa only seemed to endear him even more to her. When he caught her eye though he smiled and gave her a small roll of his eyes and she quickly found herself chuckling again.
Runestone 289 AC.
Jon.
He found it hard to recognize the woman as Lady Catelyn's sister, everything about her seemed duller, lesser, be it the color of her hair, the life in her eyes, or even her manners. She had insulted him and his uncle, as had the lord that was with her and he found that to be so removed from Lady Catelyn's assurances of her family and how they may accept him in the Vale.
"My uncle Ser Brynden, the Blackfish, is the Knight of the Bloody Gate Jon, he may be a bit rough around the edges, a little like Ser Rodrik, but he's a good man and true and he'll treat you fair. While I've not seen my sister since she was wed, Lysa is a good woman and I've written to her about you, so you'll have naught to worry about with her either."
"I thank you, my lady, you didn't need to do that." he said smiling.
"Your father is right Jon, you may not have his name but you have his blood, and while I wish you weren't to leave I know that you'll make the best of it and so I wish you well."
"As I do you, my lady."
"Write often Jon, to your brother, your sisters, your father too, remember you are in our thoughts always." she said and she hugged him.
Her sister though was completely different, not only did she look at his uncle with contempt but with him, it seemed to be even worse, there seemed to be more hatred and so when he heard her screaming during the night, when heard the shouts she made he chuckled as he lay in his bed.
Breaking his fast the next morning he had found out what had happened and to his surprise, he found that he was being blamed, he was called in front of the lady and Lord Yohn and asked had he anything to say, anything to admit to. It was only when he pointed out he had no reason to do so and that even had he then when could it have been accomplished, how could he have known which room she was in that it seemed to stop the looks from Lord Yohn.
While Lord Yohn had accepted it, the lady had not and had stormed from the room and so he had stood there while the Lord told him it was for the best he kept from the lady's sight until she left. Something he was more than happy to do and so he and his uncle kept to themselves for the first few days, they ate alone, they trained early and late and he went to no lessons until the lady and the lord left a few days later.
"Thank the seven they're gone." he heard Lord Yohn say to his wife and he found himself caught chuckling by the girl.
"Something funny Jon Snow?" the girl asked.
"No my lady."
"You're a bad liar." the other girl said before Waymar came over.
"Leave him be, he's not ready for you two little terrors just yet." Waymar said chuckling as he grabbed the younger girl and began tickling her.
"Get off, Waymar, go away."
"No Ysilla, I'll not, I've moons of tickles I owe you."
"Don't mind those two, they'll calm down in a few moments." the girl said and he tried not to look at her bright blue eyes which seemed to be studying him so intensely.
"Of course my lady."
"Elaena." she said smiling and he found it to be almost contagious as he smiled back at her.
"Jon."
It turned out that Elaena was Lord Arryn's daughter, and when she found out her father had asked for him to ward due to his father's own fostering here she seemed more than agreeable to the idea. She asked him why Lady Lysa didn't seem to like him and he tried his best not to answer but she pressed and so finally, he did.
"I believe your mother may see me as dishonoring her sister."
"That woman is not my mother, my mother died when I was born." Elaena said sadly.
"As did mine." he said catching her by surprise.
"I think we're going to be friends Jon Snow, good friends." Elaena said as Waymar and Ysilla walked over.
As he looked at the three of them laughing and japing with each other, he thought that being here may be an even better experience than he had wished for. While he'd miss home, he had made a friend on the way here and now it seemed he may make another. Yes, he thought coming here may very well be one of the best things that had ever happened to him, and he quickly raced after the three of them when they headed back towards the keep.
A/N: As always thanks to all who've read and especially those who've reviewed. Up Next Elaena finds Jon to be a good friend as Jon settles in at Runestone. Before House Royce travels to Lannisport for a tourney where Arthur meets with old friends and enemies.
Daryldixon: So glad you liked it.
Paulies: I think with Varys he allows you more scope than most character, he can be good, evil or be the for the realm guy all of which allow for differences, LF can only ever be evil in comparison.
Mollyc: Thanks so much for saying that, we all need diversions these days.
Guest: This will be a less magic focussed story, I've not decided yet if Jon will get a dragon or will he just be more a military man.
Melina: It is awkward in that Arthur is torn too, but it needs to be done, Jon though as you see has a soft spot for Cat here and they will meet again in a few chapters.
Svenion: Aemon definitely, but he'll kinda be tied into the Vale so he may not have a chance to go to Dany.
Mugen: Thanks so much.
Mrspotter: It's funny just how many different variations you can come up with.
Jacobgamble: So glad you liked it.
Dunk: I try not to repeat the same things so Robb won't be like he was in TDC as for Theon, I'm not sure, part of me thinks he'll follow canon here to a point, but I may change it to him being treated more like a hostage, but Jon will put him in his place. Waymar is a little younger here and so Jon will be closer to him, Robar too while Andar will be a little more distant.
Marvelmyra: It's too close to canon then imo, I get the four years or so but I think he needs to be seen in the Vale a lot. There is an element of that with Cat, Arthur hasn't said it to her but there is part of that and along with her knowing Jon was leaving it allowed for her to see him differently, we'll see how that plays out later.
Guest: he is and will, but the Dragonknight is kinda like the epitome for knighthood, Jon in canon had two heroes's the Dragonknight and the young Dragon Daeron, so he'll think of one and be more of the other his namesake.
Leinad: Muchas Gracias.
Blizzarddragon: It would be Jon is acknowledged her as Ashara's son, Arthur as his uncle, so it allows for the tale to work better. Now later it'll come up but the fact of a brother wishing to stay with the last remaining piece of his dead sister and see him raised right isn't a huge stretch.
Guest: Given the lockdown almost constantly yes lol, but sometimes between stories, I get little moments and it helps me with writer's block to switch which is why I've four on the go lol.
Nicolaclair: Thanks so much, I hope you like what I've got planned.
Creativo: Me encanta la idea de cómo un pequeño cambio puede cambiar las cosas y dado que tengo a Lysa aquí, no veo la necesidad de un gato Baelish, ya tenemos un Lysa Baelish.
Xand007: Thanks, my friend. As you know I try and do characters differently, so here it allows for that, and yep LF is constant no matter what lol.
Lostindarkness: Thank so much, I noticed them on the reread but had posted it first, but thanks for telling me, much appreciated my friend.
Guest: There will be some of that with the Frey's and you're spot on there is a lit of links with the Vale for them, we'll see some interactions between Jon and at least one Frey both in a good and bad way before we reach the end.
Naruto: Thank so much, given the change to things it allows for Cat to be far different in this, and she and Jon as of now get along really well. We'll see Varys in the Vale soon and Cat and Jon will pop up again, they were close and so far she's the closest to a mother he's known.
Zyrus: It'll be more Yohn than Jon but we will see some interaction between Jon and Jon Arryn including a trip together.
Guest; So glad you liked it.
Arashishizen: Glad you're enjoying it and I hope you like what' I've got planned.
Xan Merrick: Thanks so much my friend, glad you liked it.
Lucavento: So glad you liked it.
