Runestone 289 AC.

Elaena.

After Lysa and Baelish had gone she had enjoyed her time even more at Runestone, the addition of Jon Snow adding something even more to their household. The boy could at times seem to be quiet and dull and yet his eyes, that strange shade of deep dark indigo, showed so much life. He watched everything, was quick to offer help, and when he smiled he looked so different.

It made her and Ysilla do their utmost to make him smile, to have him laugh when he shouldn't. It was something they had done with all of Ysilla's brothers finding them all easy to make laugh. Jon though at times was a much sterner challenge especially after he overheard them making plans for it later one day. They'd been sitting in the garden, the boys had spent the morning sparring and Helliweg the morning in bed as he was unwell giving them the day to themselves.

Sitting in the corner she and Ysilla were whispering feverishly, eager to make their plans before they were called for luncheon. How he snuck up on them she'd never know, one moment he was speaking to Waymar and the next he was behind them standing there quietly.

"Right so we wait until your father takes his seat and then we start." Elaena said.

"Start what?" Ysilla asked.

"We make faces at him, those funny ones that you do."

"Like this?" Ysilla said filling her cheeks full of air and rolling her eyes making Elaena almost double over with laughter.

"That one or you could do your scary fish face." she said once she'd stopped laughing.

"What's a scary fish?" she heard the voice say from behind her and she turned to see Jon standing there.

"That's so rude, sneaking up on people like that." she said, and then she found herself almost falling on the ground laughing when he stuck his tongue out.

"I'm a Northern savage, we're supposed to be rude." he said waiting until she had calmed before sticking his tongue out again starting her laughter back off again.

As they made their way in for lunch they were joined by Waymar and Robar, Andar was off squiring and once inside she did her very best to make Jon laugh during the meal. Getting more and more frustrated when he didn't, she only gave up when Lord Yohn and Ser Arthur walked in both men speaking to each other before they took their seats.

She like the others had been eager to see the Sword of the Morning wield his blade and had watched on when he and Strong Sam had sparred, the knight easily beating the Master of Arms. They were almost finished their meal when Lord Yohn turned and told them about their upcoming trip, and she like the others listened attentively.

"It seems there is to be a tourney to celebrate the victory over the Iron Born, a tourney to be held in Lannisport. The king and queen and Lord Jon will all be attending." Yohn said looking to her.

"Are we to go my lord?" she asked excitedly.

"We are, we'll be taking ship from Gulltown and meeting with your father in King's Landing before sailing on to Lannisport. Ser Arthur has agreed to come with us also." Yohn said and she found herself looking to Jon.

"Will you be competing uncle?" Jon asked.

"Not in the joust, but perhaps in the melee." Ser Arthur said and she saw Jon, Waymar, and Robar speak to each other.

"And you father?" Robar asked inquistively.

"If Ser Arthur is in the melee, it's for the best perhaps if I limit myself to the joust, I may actually have a chance in that." Yohn said laughing.

"You are all to attend your lessons until we go, it won't be for a few more weeks so try not and get too excited." Lady Yara said and she along with the others nodded.

She counted the days until they were ready to leave, finding her lessons to be dull and boring, though between her, Ysilla, Waymar, and Jon she was always able to find enough to keep her occupied after they ended. Jon, she found like her and Ysilla could be mischievous when he wished to be, eager to prank, especially Robar and Waymar, and always up for spending time with them.

They were sitting in the small orchard one day, Waymar was off somewhere with Robar and their father while Jon had been helping his uncle with his armor and making ready for the trip. She and Ysilla were just sitting around when Ysilla had suggested they play knights and maidens. With just the two of them, they obviously hadn't enough people to do so but soon Waymar and Robar returned and Jon eagerly joined in.

"Right, you be the.." she began only for Waymar to interrupt.

"How come it's always you who decides, I say someone else decides." Waymar said and she glared at him.

"Let me guess, you'll decide?" she said rolling her eyes.

"No, let Jon decide." Robar said and she, Waymar and Ysilla all turned to Jon who had been barely paying attention.

"Jon." she said to no reply "Jon." she said a little louder.

"What, oh sorry, I was..What?" he said and she and Ysilla couldn't help the giggling fit that came from looking at his confused face.

"We're playing Knights and Maidens Jon, you've to pick." she said when she stopped laughing.

"Pick, pick what?" he said and that set her and Ysilla off again.

"Hello, is there anyone in there." she said pretending to knock on his head.

"Funny." he said rolling his eyes though she saw his smile "Right so I get to pick, fine I pick…I pick….".

"Jon." she said her voice annoyed.

"I pick Aemon the Dragonknight." Jon said.

"I don't, does anyone, how do you play that?" she asked looking to the others who seemed as lost as she.

"We need an Aegon the Unworthy." Jon said looking to Robar who nodded his head and laughed " A Ser Morgil." Jon said looking to Waymar, "A Naerys." he said looking to Elaena and "And and Aemon of course." he said.

"What about me?" Ysilla asked.

"I ehmm," Jon said and Ysilla laughed before she sat down.

"You are so lucky I'm tired." Ysilla said a moment later and Elaena was glad she wasn't too upset.

Jon explained that the evil Aegon sends Morgil to capture Naerys and Aemon the Dragonknight her brother and best friend fights Ser Morghil and rescues her forcing Aegon to rant and rave.

"That's not the story." Robar said.

"I know, but that's the one Robb, Sansa and I used to play." Jon said and while he was smiling she could hear the little bit of sadness in his voice.

In the end, they found a way for Ysilla to be involved also as she stood up as if she was a mummer in a show and set the stage for them. To one side Robar and Waymar spoke in whispers while to the other Elaena walked picking flowers and eating an apple while Jon practiced with his sword further away. When they were ready, Waymar ran to Elaena, chasing her and grabbing her and moving her away while laughing loudly.

"Save me, save me, oh where is my gallant knight." Elaena said and Waymar laughed again.

"You are mine, my queen, no knight can save you from me." Waymar said just as Jon appeared in front of them.

"Unhand her Ser or feel my blade." Jon said with his sword drawn.

"Out of my way or I'll cut you down." Waymar replied laughing all the while.

"To blades, it is then Ser." Jon said as Elaena broke free.

She, Ysilla, and Robar along with Ser Arthur who she'd not even noticed had been there all the time, all looked on as Jon and Waymar took their stances. Since Jon had arrived Waymar had gotten better, she'd heard Lord Yohn and even his brother say that sparring with Jon had helped him and she'd seen it some for herself. Soon all of them were treated to a show as both boys not only put their skills to the test but also added in things for their benefit.

Waymar used more elaborate moves and Jon used spins and feints and soon what had started as a fun spar had turned more serious and she looked on eagerly, willing her knight to win. Eventually, win he did and she watched as Jon disarmed Waymar with her cousin going to one knee and pretending to be hit.

"You have killed me Ser, I rue the day I thought to cross blades with you." Waymar said his voice overly dramatic and his arm covering his forehead as he swooned.

"Rue the day you threatened the maiden fair Ser." Jon said as he moved his sword forward and Waymar played dead.

Jon turned to her and walked over, kneeling down he offered her his sword, his smile beaming as she looked at him.

"My lady, my sword is yours." he said.

"I thank you kind Ser." she said smiling as Ysilla clapped and as she turned she saw that it wasn't just her cousin who was as her aunt and uncle were also looking on clapping too.

"A fine show Jon, Elaena, you too Waymar, now come it's time to eat." Yohn said as she helped Jon to his feet.

She practically skipped to the keep, Jon and Ysilla walking beside her and she and her cousin whispering all the way.

Kings Landing 289 AC.

Jon Arryn.

Arranging a tourney was hard work and he was actually glad that Tywin was doing this for him, leaving Jon then to just arrange the royal family's trip and that he would not be joining them on it. By rights he should stay in King's Landing, the Hand to rule while the king played, something which had been the story of his time as Hand anyway. But he had been forced to stay in King's Landing during the rebellion and it had caused him to miss Elaena's nameday, he would not be forced to stay behind again.

This of course meant Robert having to agree to leave Stannis in charge, something both he and the queen had complained about. The silly woman even asking him to leave Tywin in charge before realizing it was to his tourney they were going. Stannis welcomed it, the man not one for tourneys at the best of times and traveling together was not something the brothers enjoyed.

Not that he could blame him, Robert went out of his way to belittle him and with what he had done on the man's wedding night, gods forbid that this was the man he'd raised. Sitting in the final small council meeting before he left, he was glad the king rarely attended as instead, it would just be he, Pycelle, Varys, and Stannis.

"Lord Hand." he heard Varys say and he turned his head to look at the spider.

"I'm Sorry Lord Varys, you were saying?" trying to recollect what it was the man had been speaking about.

"Word from the Iron Islands is that they lick their wounds, my lord, though beaten they are not broken." Varys said.

"They'll not rise again for many a year Lord Varys." Stannis said a frown on his face and grinding his teeth as always.

"Indeed they'll not my lord, but rise again they may certainly do." the spider said annoyedly.

"Even with Theon as a hostage?" he asked.

"I do not know of the Lord Reapers relationship with his son Lord Hand, I do however know of the man and he like Lord Tywin is not one who accepts setbacks." Varys said and simply the mention of the Old Lion was enough to stir Pycelle.

"Lord Tywin is a leal subject of the crown my lord." Pycelle said.

"Indeed." he said simply knowing that Tywin was subject to only himself.

"How long is this blasted tourney anyway?" Stannis asked his voice full or irritation which almost made Jon smirk.

"We should be gone no more than two or three moons" he said and Stannis nodded "I trust you'll keep everything in order Lord Stannis and should we be needed."

"I'll send ravens." Stannis said and Jon trusted he would, far more than he trusted he'd receive them from Tywin's rookery.

"Then that is all gentlemen, Lord Stannis a word." he said when the others got up to leave.

He waited until they'd done so and once they had he turned to the Master of Ships and spoke of some matters he could see to while they were gone, some little things that could be done on his authority. The man seeming to be happy to actually have some power to make changes and Jon began to think once again he'd backed the wrong Baratheon.

Though Stannis was rigid and unflinching which perhaps in its own way was just as much a curse as apathy and an unwillingness to do the work was. As he made his way to the Tower of the Hand he looked forward to the quiet night he had in store. Lysa had gone to see her friend was situated in the position he'd appointed him too and would join him with Yohn and Elaena, before they headed to the tourney.

"My lord will that be all." Jared his steward asked.

"It will go to bed, we've a busy day on the morrow." he said to the man seeing him nod and leave.

Sitting at his desk he went over his letters, the ones from Elaena as always making him smile, though it was the one from Jon Snow he held in his hand.

Lord Arryn,

I once again wish to thank you for the opportunity to foster in the Vale. I've found my time here to be incredible, I've been warmly received, Lord Yohn and Lady Yara making me feel most welcome. I've also managed to make some new friends which have helped when I've missed my family, my lessons are progressing well and I've come to like the mountain views and air. I look forward to meeting you and thanking you in person my lord, I shall not waste or squander this opportunity.

Jon Snow.

He knew of course that the letter wasn't the boy's own words, more he had asked either Ser Arthur or even Helliweg for help in writing it so formally. But the sentiment and thought he was sure had been Jon's and that made him most happy. That the boy was so dutiful so early, so considerate so early, was both a testament to Ned and to Ser Arthur.

He only hoped that it continued and that should he need to do what he feared he might the boy would be ready, the realm may have need of him and as Jon had come to realize, the realm was everything. He put the letter away and walked to his room, glad to climb into his bed, and as he rested he looked forward to the journey ahead.

Lannisport 289 AC.

Tywin.

The rebuilding had taken time and would take even more but the impression he wished to make was clear, the Lions do not lie down. The tourney grounds were far more impressive than those anywhere else in the seven kingdoms, the tiltyard alone longer and with more seating than the one in King's Landing. Good, it needed to be, as Jaime would take the prize showing off their family's prowess even more.

The coin he was spending on this was incredible, a waste his brother had said but to Gerion most things he did in life were wasteful, hence why Tywin was now raising a bastard under his roof. His brother had no concept of image and what a carefully crafted one looked like, no concept that power not only resided in the hands of a man who knew how to wield it but in one who knew how to look as if they did almost as much.

For Tywin this was the chance to put to bed the memories of that night in Lannisport when his fleet had burned, to wipe that stain from his mind. So the Tourney's prizes would be the biggest since Harrenhal, the men coming were the greatest of the land and he would take pride of place as he watched his son beat them all.

"Father you asked to see me?" Tyrion said as Tywin walked from his window, his mind now focused on one of the other pressing issues.

"I do, this tourney will bring the great and the good to Lannisport and you will behave or incur my displeasure." he said his voice firm as he gazed at his son.

"More than I already do?" Tyrion japed a smirk on his face.

"That tongue of yours and your other issue will not be tolerated. I'll not have you bring shame upon this house with your activities am I understood." he said leaving no room for argument, though he got one still.

"Father..".

"Am I understood Tyrion." he said and this time got the nod he expected "Good, you may leave." he said and Tyrion walked from the room as he tried not to look at him, his stunted legs and waddling walk bringing disgust to his face and shame to his family's name.

Going over his missives for the rest of the day he was unsurprised at some of them, Mace Tyrell fawning over attending and Eddard Stark simply saying he would not be, not that he cared and if anything it was better the wolf was kept away. He'd not liked how close Robert had kept him during the rebellion and even more so that he'd given him the Greyjoy boy to hold.

It was he who'd suffered the insult, he that they'd attacked and he who they should have sought to educate that boy on what stepping out of line would mean. Putting it from his mind he read his daughter's raven, Jon Arryn attending catching him by surprise, he had expected, no he had hoped that the man would stay in King's Landing. Having him here was not just a problem but it was a slight, the man, after all, was wearing his rightful pin.

In the end, he left the letters deciding to go for a ride and sending for Kevan to accompany him. He wished to see the grounds for himself, to ride them and ensure they were ready even though he knew they were.

"You sent for me brother?" Kevan asked as he met him in the hall.

"I did, join me, I wish to ride to Lannisport."

"Of course brother." Kevan said simply and they took the lift to the ground.

He rode slowly, in no real hurry, and enjoying the air. Some of the Lords had already arrived and made their presence known to him, the Lords of the West had come to pay their respects though not all had arrived yet.

"Clegane?" he asked as they rode.

"On the Morrow my lord." Kevan said formally as their guards were with them.

"Ser Addam?".

"He and his father should arrive today.".

"I want this to go smoothly Kevan, I want the realm to speak of this for years to come." he said seeing Lannisport in the distance.

"They will my lord, your preparations have been faultless, the tiltyard, the tourney grounds, everyone other than the Dornish." Kevan said before he interrupted.

"And the Starks." Tywin said dismissively.

"Wolves, no one would even miss them my lord." Kevan said and Tywin nodded resisting the urge to chuckle "This will go down as the greatest ever tourney, I've no doubt on that." Kevan said and he couldn't help but agree.

"You've done a fine job Kevan." he said seeing the smile which appeared on his brother's face.

Arriving at Lannisport he saw it, exactly as he had expected it would be as it was demanded by him to be. Majestic, it showed Lannisport at it's finest, even the damaged parts covered by design. He found himself excited which was something a tourney had never done to him before, he'd always enjoyed seeing Jaime ride and of course, seeing him win. But this one, this was his crowning glory.

Kings Landing 289 AC.

Jaime.

Ever since he got back they had coupled whenever they got the chance, they'd done so quickly and rushed where they had no other choice, and slow and languorously when they had. She'd pleasured him with her mouth, with her hands, with every part of her. Both of them almost hungrily making up for the time they'd been apart, Cersei desperate to make sure he had returned to her hale and hearty.

That the king was drunk and usually with whores had helped, that he was her appointed Kingsguard more often than not, had done so even more. He had spilled on her, in her, near her, spent more of his seed in the past moon than he had in the past year. She had asked him to fill her, to put a babe in her belly and he had done his utmost to comply, though it was to please her more than out of any desire for a child, another child.

"Where are you my love?" she asked "Come back to me." and he turned and smiled feeling her legs wrap around him as he caressed her cheek.

"I am here, and yet even when with you, I dream of you." he said seeing the smile light up her face.

"My love, my other half, my twin." she said kissing him and he felt himself begin to rise again.

Hearing the horses outside though he moved quickly to the window, the king arriving back from his hunt early forcing him to forgo satisfaction from now, something which made her pout adorably.

"We must dress, drunk he may be but he'd notice you naked and me undressed." he said and she smirked.

"Yet I like us being naked, so maybe I should hide your clothing." she said as she moved quickly and grabbed his breeches, putting them behind her back.

"Cersei?" he pleaded and thought she'd not give them to him, though she relented far more quickly than he feared.

"I hate this." she said and he couldn't help but agree, finding he hated it too.

"It'll be better at the Rock." he said the offer seemed to tantalize her enough to make her quickly dress herself.

By the time the king arrived he was standing at her door, glad that this was the last day in the city as the ship was to leave when the tide was full. He saw the disgusted look the king gave him and the same one on Ser Barristan's face and waited for the inevitable insult when the king reached the door.

"Your sister inside Kingslayer?" Robert said barely looking at him.

"She is your grace, making ready for the journey ahead, she looks forward to the tourney I believe." he said and something in his voice or the mention of the journey or tourney grabbed the king's attention and Robert looked to him.

"You competing?" Robert asked and he nodded "Joust or Melee or are you doing double duty." Robert said laughing at some unknown joke.

"Just the Joust your grace." he said with a smirk.

"It seems you may get the chance at facing your former brother, eh Ser Barristan." Robert said and while usually, he'd wish for nothing more than for Robert to just pass him by, he found himself curious.

"It would seem that way, Your Grace." Barristan said with no elaboration.

"Your Grace?" he asked confused.

"The Sword of the Morning, Kingslayer, he and his nephew are traveling to Lannisport. I doubt Ser Arthur is coming just to watch." Robert said and Jaime felt his breath hitch.

"But I thought.." he said trying to give word to his thoughts and finding himself unable to do so.

"That he was in the North with Ned, aye he was but his nephew is fostering in the Vale and they're coming as part of Lord Royce's accompaniment." Robert said his voice going soft when he spoke, thought which memory he was lost in Jaime didn't know.

"Is he not vowed not to raise arms?" he asked still confused and finding the king looking at him strangely before he laughed.

"Aye, against me, but not in a tourney, lest I should compete." Robert said shaking his head "Though I'd have him forswear that vow to test his sword against my hammer." Robert said before walking into the room leaving Barristan standing there looking at him.

"Is Arthur really coming?" he asked Barristan and saw the smile on the Bold's face which proved his words true.

"He is.".

He found himself thinking on it all day, even when they made their way to the ship his mind was focussed on Arthur, on knowing he was coming to Lannisport. It had stunned him when Arthur had sworn that vow, he knew how his father felt, how others had and the predicament Arthur caused them. The simple truth was that should he call for Trial by Combat there was nothing anyone could do and so even his father had been relieved he had not.

That he'd done so to protect his nephew either was no real surprise to Jaime, the love he'd felt for his sister while manifested much differently than his own was nevertheless just as true. He also found himself eager to see the boy, he had been lucky to have spent some time in Arthur's company and it had improved him greatly as a swordsman. He wondered if the boy shared Arthur's talent, and if he did then just how good would someone be that was trained exclusively by the greatest swordsman who ever lived.

He also contemplated Arthur competing, would he? Or would he just watch? Would he get the chance to cross swords with his old mentor once again, did he really wish to? He found himself nervous, unable to sleep, unable to concentrate on his duties, each day bringing him closer and closer to seeing him once again.

Kings Landing and Lannisport 289 AC.

Jon.

He had sailed once before when he was but a babe and so had no memory of it, given how he had been feeling over the last few days he was thankful for it. Had he known of it, remembered it, then he'd have been far less eager to board the ship than he had been. The sickness of the sea hit him less than a day out from Gulltown and hadn't left since, Lord Yohn and Lady Yara had checked in on him as had Waymar, Andar, and Robar, Waymar staying until Jon sent him away.

Ysilla and Elaena too had come to make sure he was well and just like with Waymar he had tried to send them away, knowing he was no fun as he was and wishing to sleep as much as he could. Elaena though wouldn't take no for an answer and sat and read to him despite his protestations. Though a large part of that was due to Lysa, the scary fish having met them in Gulltown and now traveling to King's Landing with them.

"Don't you have something better to do." he said to her scowling when feeling particularly sick one evening.

"I could go and watch the Scary Fish make that very same face you know." she said annoyed, and despite himself he chuckled, hollowing out his jaws and rolling his eyes to make her laugh.

"Sorry." he said when she'd stopped.

"Are you feeling any better?" she asked concernedly as he sipped on the water.

"Some, how much longer?" he asked trying his best to smile as he felt them crest a large wave.

"We should reach King's Landing soon and father should be waiting." she said and he could see from her expression how much she was looking forward to it.

"I need to, I have to..." he said as he rushed to the corner and grabbed the bucket.

Once he'd emptied an already empty stomach, his appetite had left him days earlier, he moved to go to the deck to empty the bucket only for his uncle to stop him and take it from his hands.

"Bed, sleep, now," Arthur said and then saw Elaena sitting in the chair "My lady, he must rest." his uncle said and she nodded before leaving reluctantly.

"Goodnight Jon, I hope you feel better soon." she said with a smile.

His uncle put him to bed and soon he slept, a strange dream of walking through a mountain pass, though the rocks were replaced by blue Winter Roses and the howling of the wind feeling was altogether lower and animallike. He looked up as the moon rose and when the howl rang out and he knew then it was a wolf's call he was listening too.

Jon basically slept through the next few days and soon they were in King's Landing. After being woken up and made to dress he walked unsteadily to the deck to see Lord Yohn and the rest of the Royce's ready to depart, Elaena almost ready to run such was her eagerness.

"Ah, you've joined us, I'm sure you'll enjoy setting foot on dry land." Yohn said half-jokingly.

"What's that smell?" he asked to giggles from Ysilla and Elaena and to louder laughs from Waymar and Robar, Andar nowhere in sight.

"Welcome to King's Landing nephew." his uncle said as he crinkled his nose making him laugh.

When Lady Lysa joined them they departed though not before the woman scowled at both him and Elaena and as he rolled his eyes he saw the smirk appear on the girls' face, something which became a fully-fledged smile when she saw the old man standing on the dockside. Jon found his eyes drawn to the man in the white cloak beside him, a Kingsguard, as his uncle had been once.

"Lord Yohn it's good to see you, you too my lady." Jon Arryn said greeting the Lord and Lady before his wife which Jon found strange.

"You too my lord." Yohn said and before anyone else could say anything the lord was basically forced into greeting his wife as Lysa moved forward.

"I trust your journey went well my lady." Jon Arryn said stiffly.

"It did my love." Lysa said kissing her husband's cheek with even the Lord looking a little surprised by it.

"Elaena, my, just look at how you've grown." Jon Arryn said the smile on his face beaming as he looked to his daughter.

"I thank you, my lord." Elaena said with a curtsy.

"Is that any way to greet me my little eyas." the old lord said and Jon and the others laughed as Elaena ran and jumped into her father's arms, quickly peppering his face with kisses.

"I missed you papa." she said over and over again.

"I missed you too sweetling." the lord said his smile never leaving his face.

He felt so happy for his friend seeing her like that with her father, it made him think on his own and while he felt the pain at missing him and his siblings, he forced it down so it didn't make him jealous of how Elaena was feeling. He actually felt worse when Lord Jon moved to him, he was proud of how the man welcomed his uncle but he felt infringing on his time with his daughter when he looked to him.

"You're Jon? The lord asked and he felt it odd he'd not used his full name.

"I am Lord Jon, Jon Snow, my lord, it's an honor to finally meet you." he said and bowed as formally as he could.

"Ha lad, no need to be so formal, I knew your father well and it's a pleasure for me to meet his son. Now come, we may have only one night before we leave, let's see that it's a good one." the lord said as he walked, holding Elaena's hand rather than his wife's.

As the ship left the next day Jon felt the worry about the rest of the journey, they'd be longer at sea this time and he'd almost wished they'd left him in King's Landing, not that he'd gotten to see much of it. After eating and enjoying the first solid food in a few days he'd basically needed to be carried to his room such was his tiredness, though he was glad of it as he slept far better than he had in what felt an age.

Surprisingly the sickness of the sea didn't affect him as much on the journey now, partly he knew that was because of the drink Arthur had made him drink, some mixed herbs in water that tasted horrible but it worked on his stomach and so he was glad of it. So he'd been up on deck, spent time with Waymar and his brother's and with Ysilla and Elaena, even Lord Jon coming up to watch them while they were at play.

Before he knew it Lannisport was in view and he looked on in awe, Gulltown was big, King's Landing he assumed was even more so though he'd not seen it much. Lannsiport was far bigger than his mind could understand, how or why a town was so big he had no idea. He had even enjoyed the ride to Casterly Rock, riding with his uncle rather than in the carriage and even racing once or twice along the way.

"Why are we going to Casterly Rock if we're staying in town uncle?" he asked, as while the others would stay in Casterly Rock his uncle said they would not.

"We have to present ourselves to the king." his uncle said his voice low.

"You don't like him do you?" he asked and though his uncle didn't answer Jon didn't need him to "Then neither do I." he said firmly getting a laugh from his uncle in return.

"Good boy." his uncle said as he reached over to muss his hair "Be polite and respectful though, a mummery like with Lady Lysa."

"I understand uncle." he said smirking, as he enjoyed their games.

Casterly Rock and the Tourney of Lannisport 289 AC.

Arthur.

In all his time wearing the white cloak he had not been to Casterly Rock, despite numerous invites Rhaegar had refused to come knowing exactly what it was the old lion sought. Aerys in his paranoia wouldn't have dreamed of coming here during Arthur's time, so sure was he that Tywin plotted against him. So it was strange for Arthur to come here, strange to be here, and that along with having Jon with him kept his guard up.

Taking the lift with Jon Arryn and the others he kept his eyes on Jon all the time, they would come, meet with the king and then stay in Lannisport for the duration of the tourney. Jon Arryn had agreed with him when he spoke to him on it, though he felt that his daughter and Jon's friends would miss not having him around. Something Arthur agreed with but was more than willing to forgo for now.

They were shown to a large hall and soon he saw them there, Robert and his queen were guarded by Jaime and Barristan and he again felt the inner conflict upon seeing his brothers. Barristan had knelt willingly, for reasons he knew but didn't agree with while Jaime had committed an act that went against the very nature of what a Kingsguard was, though given the king they guarded one that perhaps was justified.

"Lord Jon Arryn, Hand of the king, Lady Lysa Arryn and Lady Elaena Arryn." the herald said and he should have guessed Tywin would have them present themselves and make it a show.

Lord Yohn Royce, Lady Yara Royce, and their children, Lord Andar, Lord Robar, Lord Waymar and Lady Ysilla." the herald said and he looked to Jon who was standing stiffly as they were then introduced.

"Ser Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning and his nephew Jon Snow." the herald said to hushed voices as he stepped forward with Jon walking beside him.

"Your graces, Lord Tywin." he said with a stiff bow.

"Ser Arthur." the king said equally as stiffly before his eyes turned to Jon.

"By the gods look at you lad, the very image of your father, step forward lad." Robert said and Jon did as he was bid, Arthur, watching like a hawk or the falcon that Jon Arryn was, as he too looked on eagerly.

"Your Grace." Jon said his bow more practiced and respectful than Arthur's own, making the king laugh loudly.

"How are you finding the Vale lad, Lord Yohn looking after you well?" Robert asked and he could see more eyes in the room turn to look to the exchange now.

"Lord Yohn and Lady Yara have been most welcoming your grace, they along with their family have shown me more courtesy than my station deserves. "Jon said and Robert laughed even more loudly.

"Ha he's a good lad, Jon, he's just like Ned was at that age." Robert laughed while Jon Arryn nodded "It was good to meet you lad, I hope you enjoy the tourney.".

"I thank you, your grace." Jon said stepping back.

As he turned to leave he looked to see both Barristan and Jaime looking at him keenly, both also paying far too much attention to Jon for his liking and he hoped it was thinking him a nephew and nothing else. Even with Howland's words in his head, he wasn't quite sure if he was ready to reach out to any of his former brothers just yet.

They waited until Lord Jon and the others were directed to their rooms and then he and Jon went to say their goodbyes, promising to meet up on the morrow before they took the lift back to the bottom and their horses. Lord Yohn had insisted on them taking two guards with them and while he felt them incapable of offering more than a token defense should it be needed, he accepted and so all four rode back to Lannisport.

"Did I do good uncle?" Jon asked him as he put him to bed that night, Arthur finding himself smiling at the boy and reaching over and mussing his hair.

"You did very good, sleep Jon, we've got a tourney to attend on the morrow.".

"Goodnight uncle." Jon said as he turned over to his side.

"Goodnight Jon." he replied as he walked over to his own bed.

After breaking their fast early the next morning he, Jon and the two men Yohn had given as Jon's guards walked around Lannisport getting the lay of the land. The town was almost full to capacity, houses great and small, hedge knights, men seeking coin in some of the various events along with those trying to sell their wares had all traveled to the tourney it seemed.

It was just before noon that Yohn and his family arrived, Jon looking disappointed to see that Elaena wasn't with them but he hoped he understood that she would likely be with her father. They made their way to the tourney grounds itself, day one being archery was not something he particularly looked forward to but the boys were eager to see it. Arriving at the grounds they were shown to their seats, he, Jon, and Lord Yohn sitting with the other Lord of the Vale.

"Your Graces, my Lords and Ladies, men and women of Lannisport, in honor of his grace's victory over the Iron Born, Lord Tywin Lannister welcomes you to the Tourney of Lannisport of 289 AC." the herald said to cheers.

Elaena.

She was a little disappointed she didn't get to sit with her friends but sitting with her father more than made up for it. He had bought her some candied fruits and she sat with him, the king and queen, the young prince, the Lannisters and Lady Lysa. The Scary Fish doing her best to ignore her which was quite fine as far as Elaena was concerned.

Looking to the crowd she saw sigils she knew and recognized and some she did not and then smiled when she caught Jon's eye, he, Waymar, and Ysilla waving to her when they saw her looking. She could hear the king laughing loudly while some fools performed though she found them to be unfunny, laughing instead at her father's commentary as he whispered in her ear.

"Your graces, My Lords and Ladies, The archery." the herald said and she looked on eagerly as men lined up to face targets.

She liked the bow, it was a weapon that anyone could wield she thought, not that she was allowed wield a weapon. But if she had been then she thought it would have been a bow as it certainly wouldn't be a sword. She watched as the men took their aim, as men missed and were eliminated, and very soon she began to get bored as on and on it seemed to go.

Looking over to her friends she saw them laughing and japing and she turned to look to the prince who seemed to be far younger than he looked, his disinterest clear also. By the time they got to the last six and ten archers, it seemed that only the fact that the targets were so far apart held any interest for the crowd.

"You missing your friends?" her father asked as yet another archer missed his target.

"No papa, I'm happy to be with you." she said smiling which her father returned.

"I'm no match for little ones my love." her father said and then leaned in to whisper in her ear "Tomorrow for the melee I'll sit with Yohn so you can sit with them sweetling." he said and she kissed his cheek making him laugh.

"The targets are set at ninety meters." she heard after a while and looked out to see there were only three archers left, two men wearing sigils she wasn't aware of and a Summer Isle prince named Jalabhar Xho.

She watched as the first man hit the target and then as Jalabhar did also before the next man missed. Seeing the targets be set further away she looked to her father who looked on eagerly and to the king who was drinking and laughing while pointing out the feathers that Jalabhar wore. She had found the man to be fascinating when meeting him the night before, his colorful clothes and way of speaking, and how he treated her a lady rather than a child all making him one of the more interesting men she'd met.

"Prince Jalabhar will win." she said more loudly than she had thought catching the attention of all around her.

"What say you Jon, care to wager that Elaena has the truth of it." the king said smiling.

"Careful your grace, I'd not like to take you coin." her father said with a chuckle which made the king laugh even louder.

"1,000 dragons on Balon Swann." the king said to loud cheers.

"Very well, I'll take your coin after all your grace, what will you do with 1,000 dragons my little eyas." her father said to her and to even louder laughs.

She held her breath in her throat as the two men stepped up, the crowd quietening down as Balon took aim, the shot was true but to the left of the bull and she heard the crowd's reaction, the king shouting loudly. When Prince Jalabhar stepped up she, her father, even the king moved a little forward in their seats, she watched as he drew back the string and the arrow flew.

"Your Graces, my Lords and Ladies, your winner Prince Jalabhar Xho." the herald said to loud cheers though she didn't hear them, instead it was her father's voice telling her she had won over and over that she heard.

Not even the scowling scary fish could wipe the smile off her face for the rest of the day, though her father having to work did briefly until he walked with her to Lord Yohn and told her he'd speak to her later. She spent the rest of the day laughing and japing with Jon, Ysilla, and Waymar, Andar, and Robar off helping their knights prepare. She felt a little sad when they had to bid Jon farewell not understanding why they were staying in a different place than the rest of them were.

"I'll see you on the morrow Elaena." Jon said smiling at her and though she felt upset he was going she smiled back at him.

After Marla helped her dress that night for the feast she was waiting for her father alone when the scary fish came in, her scowling face something she had seen so many times now that she expected it. She didn't say anything at first, just looked at her, looked around the room, and just when she thought she had gotten away with not having to hear from her, she spoke.

"You think you're so clever don't you, think you have them all in your hands but I'm watching you and I see all you do." the scary fish said and Elaena sat silently waiting for her to leave.

She breathed a sigh of relief a moment later when her silence seemed to have paid off, the scary fish turning to walk from the room.

"So clever, but little girls should be careful, they may find they're not so clever after all." the scary fish said and Elaena found her smile to be even scarier than her scowl.

Barristan.

He had few times to himself during the trip and the first few days here, this morning was one of them. He'd not be on duty until the king left for the melee and so he had rode out early and was pleased he'd found where Arthur was staying so quickly. Making his way to the room though he was disappointed to find that Arthur and his nephew had already left.

Despite his best efforts, he couldn't find his former brother and so after some time, he rode back to Casterly Rock to ready himself for the King's journey to the tourney grounds. Today was the melee and he looked forward to it far more than the archery, not that he had anything against the other but more this was something he himself would have liked to compete in.

As it was, only Ser Preston and Ser Mandon who would take part in the melee, he and Ser Jaime taking part in the joust instead. But it was the news that Arthur was taking part which had everyone excited, his former brother having not competed in eight years. Barristan had gone to try and speak to him, to tell him he'd heard the Mountain would be competing though he wondered now if Arthur already knew that.

"Come Ser Barristan, today should be far more entertaining than yesterday and maybe I'll make my coin back." Robert said as they walked to the carriages. 'Only if you put it on Arthur which you would not' he thought to himself.

Standing at his the king's shoulder with Jaime at the queens he could feel the excitement in the air, feel the tension, and looking to Jaime he could see he too was on edge. Twenty thousand gold dragons were up for grabs, Lord Tywin wasting no expense and ensuring he got the best possible field, though Barristan could have done without the aspersions he had assigned to Arthur the night before.

"You've even managed to bring The Sword of the Morning out of exile brother" Kevan Lannister said laughing.

"White cloak be damned, the man like all others fights for gold." Tywin said.

"And a fight he'll have, Clegane won't give up the prize easily." Kevan said.

"No, no he wont." Tywin replied.

As the men lined up, as the Herald rose he looked out seeing the weapons, seeing Dawn for the first time in nearly seven years though it would not see action today, mores the pity he thought. Arthur's armor was different, his cloak now may be purple when he wore one, but he was still the same man he'd always been as far as Barristan was concerned. The way he followed after his nephew, the way he stood behind him, how he watched for threats, his cloak may be different but he still acted a Kingsguard.

'Acted a Kingsguard, followed after the boy, no he couldn't.' Barristan thought looking to the stands and trying to find the boy, to see him, trying to make the thoughts go from his head.

"Your Graces, My Lords, and Ladies, Men and Women of Lannisport, Lord Tywin Lannister presents the Melee." the Herald said to cheers, and Barristan barely heard them.

The boy wasn't sitting with Lord Jon and Lord Yohn he noticed, the rest of the children were there but he was not, he remembered then that the boy was Arthur's squire. Too young to be so by right but he was to squire for his uncle, all the same, looking out to the field and beyond he saw the group of squires, pages, and looked for him there.

"This melee has brought together men from all throughout Westeros, from the North Ser Jorah Mormont, knighted by the king himself, Lord Jon Umber the Greatjon and Lord Rickard Karstark.

From the Reach, Ser Baelor Hightower, Lord Randyl Tarly, Ser Arys Oakheart. From the Riverlands Ser Brynden Tully, Lord Jason Mallister, and Lord Tytos Blackwood.

From the Vale, Ser Lyn Corbray, Ser Gildwood Hunter, and representing House Royce Ser Arthur Dayne The Sword of the Morning.

From the West, Lord Roland Crakehall, Lord Andros Brax, Ser Lyke Crakehall, Ser Addam Marbrand, Sandor Clegane and Ser Gregor Clegane The Mountain That Rides.

I give you the melee." the herald said to loud cheers and Barristan found he'd lost his train of thought, his eyes turned now to the field below.

Arthur.

He had intended to come and win the melee, the purse on offer too good to turn down, 20,000 gold dragons gave him a Jon something to hold onto. While Yohn paid him, while Ned Stark sent Jon an allowance, while he had some of his own, this coin would be important and could be needed someday. So that was his reasoning, take part, win and it would be a boon to him and Jon and then he found out he was competing.

The monster that rides, the man who killed the princess and prince, who raped her if the tales were true and cut her in half when he was done, the man who threw Aegon against a wall. The man the fat stag refused to punish, refused to see brought to justice, their paths would cross today and he knew just how to see justice done, risky though it was.

"Ser Arthur." a voice said and he turned to see a large man wielding a Morningstar and carrying a shield that bore a black and white boar.

"Lord Roland." he said simply and to the point the man smiling under his helm.

They faced off, he deflected the first strike from the Morningstar, he spun through and using the first sword he caught the shield plum in the center the force sending Lord Roland backward, the second sword caught the Morningstar itself almost taking it from the man's hands. As he found his rhythm Lord Roland found himself lost, a swipe from one sword and a parry from the other, a strike from one and a thrust from the other.

"Yield." he said as he swept the man's feet from under him, Lord Roland still trying to figure out how he'd lost as Arthur helped him back to his feet.

"Aye, I yield, an honor Ser Arthur." the Lord said as he nodded and moved onto the next opponent.

He easily beat a knight from the Crownlands and soon found himself face to face with Clegane though it was the wrong one, the Mountain fighting too far from him to get to him unhindered. His brother was almost as big though and Arthur knew nothing about the man, he did however wield a Greatsword just like his brother which would be enough for now.

Facing him the man never spoke, not with words anyway, instead, he attacked and was so fast he almost caught Arthur by surprise, his size shouldn't allow him to be that fast he thought as he blocked his blow. He was in full flow now though, both swords working as one and though he'd have preferred Dawn in his hands, this would be enough for today he felt.

"Stay fucking still." the Hound said gruffly.

Arthur though spun the swords as he moved from left to right, he attacked with both to the left side, the two swords forcing the Hound to use all his strength to block them before he repeated it on the right side. When he then attacked both sides simultaneously the Hound didn't know what to do, parrying one side left him open to a strike to his unprotected side, Arthur repeating the process over and over.

It wasn't one blow which took the Hound down, it was a combination of them and Arthur knew the man would bear marks and bruises for many days later. Both his arms and shoulders had been hit repeatedly, and in the end, the sword practically fell from his hands. The man yielding quickly when asked and Arthur turning to assess the rest of the field.

Eight men remained, eight from over fifty, he had beaten at least five and he looked to see a man with a flaming sword come his way while the Mountain faced off against man just as large as him. The Blackfish was facing Randyl Tarly and Ser Baelor against a man he didn't know, and Arthur found himself almost praying that the Mountain would be victorious.

"Ser Arthur my God has shown me victory in the flames." the man wielding the flaming sword said with a smirk.

"Really, I don't know your god Ser, I'm surprised he knows of me." he said with a chuckle.

The man, Thoros of Myr he'd declared as they fought was a good swordsman, with the flaming sword in his hand an even better one, but he'd never fought two swords before that much was clear. Just like with the Hound, Arthur used the same tactics the blows coming simultaneously from different directions, though this time he added an extra twist.

As he caught the red priest on his unprotected shoulders, as he easily dodged the flaming blade he waited, and when the man attacked he moved his swords forming a cross to block the blade. Before the priest realized what happened, he twisted his hands and flipped them over, the pressure on the flaming blade forcing it from Thoros's hands.

"I yield Ser, perhaps my god knows of you, after all, I wish you good fortune Ser Arthur." Thoros said with a smile.

"I thank you." he said and saw to his annoyance that Ser Brynden was facing the Mountain and the young knight came walking towards him.

"Ser Arthur it would be an honor to cross blades with you." the man said.

"Of course it would." he said to a scowl before the man saw his smile and gave him one in return.

"Ser Arys Oakheart, Ser Arthur, shall we?" Ser Arys said.

"It seems we must Ser, I wish you good fortune." he said with a nod which the knight retuned.

The fight was far more traditional in nature, unlike the Hound with his strength or Thoros with his flaming sword, Ser Arys fought the knight's way. Sword and shield, perfect stance, fundamentals sound. Were Ser Gerold been alive to see it he'd be in the crowd taking notes, perhaps of the Kingsguard, he may say and it made Arthur smile to think on the White Bull.

He allowed the man to attack, the thrust was decent but easily parried. Ser Arys tried to use his shield as a weapon also, tried to force it into him only to find he wasn't there. Arthur moved far quicker than the young knight and using the blade in his left hand he concentrated on his shield while using the one in his right on Ser Arys's sword. The drawback with shield and sword was that your shield side was always your weakest.

Men wielded their swords in their strongest hand, their shields were almost an afterthought, which meant that unlike with Arthur one side was weaker than the other. This was fine facing a single weapon and even just using the shield to block but if you were being made to move, and if you were forced to defend from a coordinated attack you suffered, as Ser Arys was now.

Blocking his attack with one sword and using the other to force the shield wide to defend against it left Ser Arys open in the middle, a gap which Arthur took advantage of. He moved forward quickly and with a butt from his head and a kick to the knee the knight crumbled.

"Yield Ser Arys?" he said as the knight's shield fell and he held both swords to his neck.

"I yield, Ser Arthur." Ser Arys said as he helped him to his feet.

He turned to face his final opponent, the Blackfish had fallen and it was he and the Mountain and he smiled under his helm as he moved towards the giant. He could hear the crowd cheer and the excitement level had certainly been raised, he knew now that this was the fight the crowd had hoped for, and by the gods would he give them one to remember.

He didn't speak, didn't acknowledge the false knight when he nodded, instead he attacked hard and fast, quick and precise. Though the Mountain wore heavy plate he knew where the gaps were and with the edge of the blunted blades, he hit them all, hearing the groans come from the monster. He caught him on soft muscle and hard bone and the swings from the Greatsword got more erratic and yet more powerful.

"What kind of a man are you." he said soft enough so only Clegane could hear "What sort of a coward are you" his voice carrying just as far as the man facing him "A man who attacks a woman and child, is no real man, is your pecker that small, is that the only way it rises." he said moving in closer.

He saw the rage building and knew it was almost time, catching the Mountain on the bone yet again he feigned as if he was attacking under the man's shoulder, and smiled when he did what he hoped. The Mountain caught the blade between his arm and side, Arthur feeling the pressure as he held it there, feeling it grind against the heavy plate.

The Mountain laughed loudly as he tried to pull him in, tried to grab him with his hand, his greatsword unable to be used as it was held in the arm he had tight to his body. Arthur allowed himself to move forward, he heard the shouts from the crowd and then he spun, feeling the blunted blade break and leaving him with a small half-broken sword in his left hand.

With the undamaged one in his right, he caught the helm hard, then hard again and as he moved around behind the Mountain he caught his hand where the gauntlet was uncovered, not quite on the wrist but enough for the greatsword to fall. He hit him hard again on the helm and the man fell to loud cheers, then holding the blade to his neck he asked for and received the yield to even louder ones.

"No man at all, not even a beast, pathetic, unworthy, useless." he said with disgust as he turned and walked away.

He heard himself be declared the victor, saw the crowd stand to its feet and heard their cheers, if he looked up he knew he'd see the annoyed faces of the King and Lord Tywin and he cared not. His attention was firmly focussed on the broken blade, the point sharp, the metal blunted no more. The warning from the crowd was unheard, Arthur's ears listening out for a different sound, the Mountain's running steps loud and heavy behind him.

As he turned and ducked under the blow of the greatsword he moved quickly forward under the monster's guard, with every piece of strength he had in his body he trust, the gap under the helm small but a welcome target. He felt the flesh give, felt the blade slide up, he saw the blood, and heard the noise come from the man's throat as the Mountain that Rides, rode no more.

"For Elia, For Aegon." he said softly as the crowd hushed and the Mountain fell dead to the ground and smiled as the man's blood ran out over the dust.

A/N: I Stupidly got lost in lockdown blindness and assume this chapter was due today and not last week, the next chapter will be up next Sunday on schedhul. Up Next Arthur is called before the king to explain his actions, and Jon Arryn is forced to speak up for the knight. Jon meets a strange man and Arthur speaks to an old friend, while the Joust takes place.

Daryl Dixon: They really are.

InCk: Jon and Elaena the OC Arryn.

Zyrus: Jaime despite it all still loves his family and Cersei especially, now Arthur of all people could possibly make him turn against him, but you have to remember it took a lot, a life changing experience in the books to force him to even stop thinking of Cersei. Here he's still fully in love and so Arthur going to him could be dangerous. Waymar is more a warrior and Jon being there could change his fate or not, we'll see.

Xand007: Thanks so much my friend. Hah, he maybe did, I think canon while it can be changed needs an event to force it to and then ripples play out from there, so while Jon's arrival wouldn't have changed LF/Lysa starting up, him being there and Elaena being alive will change things going forward. I wished to have Jon with someone in the Vale and there just isn't anyone who works which made me need to make an oc, I dislike doing that or at least making one important, but here it's key to the story.

Dunk: we'll see with LF, I think he thinks himself so far beyond everyone's thinking that he pulls the wool over people's eyes without trying, the problem is people do see it at times. We'll see with Jon/Elaena and the antagonistic relationship with Lysa some things will change, but some they're too young to be able to, yet.

Misterlaguardia: Some characters obviously can't be changed much, I think a good LF or Joff would just feel weird, but others have so much room to be changed, a simple change of things early enough and the ripples branch out, so we'll see.

Paulies: Arthur is only fitting in and partly flying under the radar to a point, we'll see as he becomes more certain of where he stands a less placid version, certainly a more clever active version.

Lucavento: Thanks so much, glad you liked it.

Blizzarddragon: Why not just do it with Benjen? It would if anything fit within Rickards canon arc to do something like that and it creates an interesting idea, also you can then because of the changes to Benjen's fate/life give him the different characteristics you wish, feel free to pm to speak more.

Mrs'potter: Thanks so glad you liked it.

Kerllarblair: Cute is good sometimes.

TonyWarriror: Es muc apreciado mi amigo.

Lostindarkness: I had thought of it but it was too early and I doubt LF is dumb enough to do so in a castle were he doesn't control the flow of info.

Guest; Really glad you liked it.

Guest: It may be different in that it'll be less magic focussed and more real life.

Naruto: Glad you liked the prank and I think despite the backgrounds the boys could get along well, especially with Arthur, most boys would be like in dream world to be trained by him.

BellaSwan: With Jaime part of the issue is he's still in love/lust with Cersei so we'll see, Barristan is seeing it already, as for Jon Arryn oh he'll reach out as we go on, he knows how bad things are becoming, we'll see him make some long term plans.

Doglesshan: Thanks so very much, glad you liked it.

Xan Merrick: So glad you liked it my friend.
RDLV: I can understand that, I post between 8 to 10k words for most chapters, early on in a story it starts smaller and builds up, this chapter was over 10 k and has less than 600 words as a reply. It works easier here for me this way than any other as the review system is outdated compared to AO3.