Lannisport 289 AC.

Jon Arryn.

Of all the things that could have happened this was one he should have expected, and yet for some reason he had not. Was it that he thought Arthur would think of Jon and not risk himself so? Or that he simply didn't consider that faced with the monster that the Mountain was, Arthur would be prepared to do what he did? Which it was he wasn't sure but he knew he should have at the very least considered it a possibility.

Around him people cheered, Yohn sat with a smile on his face, and yet as he turned and looked up to the king he saw the problems were only to get worse. The old lion was furious, his rage clear for all to see, yet he kept quiet and left it to both his daughter and the king himself to make all the noise. Robert was ranting and raving, Cersei too, and he knew that Arthur would need to come before them and explain his actions.

Not that they needed an explanation, nor that the crowd would seek any. Arthur had killed a man in self-defense, a man who had yielded for all to hear and then tried a sneak attack. What was the knight to do? allow himself to be murdered, for it was clear that was Clegane's intent. Yet Jon knew that to Robert, to Cersei, and to Tywin any explanation would be unwelcome, and so he sighed knowing he would need to get involved.

"I can't believe he did that, no honor from that man, no honor at all." he heard Lord Redfort say.

"Indeed, though a back attack was the only way he'd have ever had a chance to take down Ser Arthur, the man's skills are impossible to counter." Ser Symond said.

"To have such a man in your service, it must do you proud Yohn." he heard Lord Corbray say.

"Aye, Ser Arthur has been a most welcome addition, he and his nephew have both graced our house and I've been more than happy to house them both. As for Arthur's honor, there is no man who lives the Knight's Code as well as he." Yohn said and Jon couldn't find anything in what he'd said that he'd disagree with.

He looked to Elaena who he was surprised to see didn't seem upset by what she saw, though as she spoke to Ysilla he wondered if she knew what had truly happened. Some men had been carried unconscious from the field already today and he had explained that to her, so perhaps she thought the same had happened to the Mountain. Even though it was clear to all that the man would never rise again.

As he watched Ser Arthur walk to the back he saw Jon Snow as he ran to him, Arthur embracing the boy and the boy checking to see if his uncle was unharmed, smiling when Arthur mussed his hair and they walked to the back. Looking on as he saw the Mountain be carried off he began to have an idea, a way to take advantage of this, both for now and later.

"Yohn can you see to it that Elaena and Lysa make it back to Casterly Rock, I needs must speak to the king." Jon Arryn said softly as he leaned into the Lord of Runestone.

"Of course my lord.".

"Elaena my love, you'll be traveling back with Lord Yohn and Lady Yara along with Lysa. I'll speak to you once I've spoken to the king." he kissed her on the cheek and then bid his wife farewell, heading after the king who'd already left.

He found he almost had to chase after them all and was annoyed to see Ser Barristan was not with the King, His annoyance rose even more so once he finally caught up with them, looking on as they entered their carriage. he was left staring at it as it sped off and he was almost furious now, the queen had clearly seen him and while Robert may not or may not have heard him, he knew she had ignored him. He turned to see the smirk on Tywin's face and he decided that he would wipe it off the man before the day had ended.

Walking to the back of the tourney grounds he saw Ser Barristan and some guards heading to a tent and so he too moved towards it. Arriving just as Ser Barristan entered, the guards must have seen his face as they moved quickly away and he entered the tent. Once inside he saw Ser Barristan speaking to Arthur while young Jon helped the knight removed his armor.

"Ser Barristan why are you here?" he said catching the knight by surprise.

"Lord Hand, forgive me but his grace ordered me to escort Ser Arthur to Casterly Rock my lord." Ser Barristan said and he could tell just how much it irked the man to have to follow this order.

"For why Ser?" Jon Arryn asked and Barristan looked abashed.

"To account for what happened my lord." Barristan said shaking his head.

"I think we all clearly saw what happened." Jon Arryn said and to his surprise, it was young Jon who answered and not Arthur or Barristan.

"My uncle did nothing wrong that man yielded and attacked when his back was turned." the lad said firmly.

"That he did lad, that he did, you're right your uncle's actions were clearly to defend himself." Jon Arryn said looking to Arthur who kept remarkably stoic through all that was said, except for when his nephew spoke "Ser Barristan inform his grace that Ser Arthur will arrive with me later."

"Lord Hand. Ser Arthur." Ser Barristan said with a small nod as he turned and left the tent.

He waited until he knew the knight was gone and then turned to Ser Arthur and Jon Snow, reaching over he patted the young lad on the back and smiled, hoping he'd see that he was on their side.

"We'll need to face the king Ser Arthur." he said a moment later.

"We?" Arthur asked eyebrow raised.

"Aye, we." he said smiling and was glad to see the smirk on Arthur's face.

Organizing his own men, he, Arthur, and Jon Snow mounted their horses and rode slowly to the Rock. It was petty he knew and Robert would be foaming at the mouth but while the lions may roar, falcon's ruled the skies this day and he'd show them what happened when you angered a bird of prey.

Casterly Rock 289 AC.

Barristan.

He had been stunned by what he'd seen, Arthur was just as he remembered, and yet even he had never expected him to do what he did. Barristan had been in awe watching him as he moved through the field, an artist who painted only in red someone had called him once, compared to Arthur though Barristan was no artist. His former brother took it to a different level, and he had enjoyed watching as he took down all who faced him easily while making it look effortless.

When it came to the Mountain, he like the rest of the crowd held their breaths, and when Arthur defeated the monster that easily, it was only where Barristan was standing that stopped him from cheering. As he saw the man move towards Arthur he had moved to shout a warning but before he did it was over, and then he saw it, the broken sword, Arthur allowing the Mountain to catch it between his arms, he had planned this.

The king was furious, Tywin was furious, and he was sent to bring his Arthur to them, though for what reason he knew not. By all the laws of the land, Arthur had done nothing wrong, the crowd had seen The Mountain move to attack him after he'd yielded and Arthur had defended himself. Still, he'd done what he'd been asked and almost laughed at the young boy's bravery when he stood up for his uncle. Now though he had to inform the king that Arthur would be along later.

"Ser Barristan where is he?" Robert asked as he walked into the room.

"Ser Arthur is with the Lord Hand your grace, Lord Jon will bring him with him presently." he said and Robert nodded, though Tywin wouldn't let it go that easily.

"His grace ordered you to bring Ser Arthur here Ser Barristan and yet you allowed him to remain?." Tywin said.

"I did my lord, the Lord Hand said he would bring him as part of his accompaniment and since Ser Arthur is serving in one of Lord Jon's bannermen's keeps, I felt he deserved such a concession.".

"That's quite all right Ser Barristan." Robert said and Tywin said no more, for now at least.

The wait went on for some time and by the time Arthur arrived with Jon Arryn the king was almost steaming in his anger. To make matters worse, the other lords and ladies had arrived which now meant this was going to be a spectacle, and he wondered what Arthur would do or say once the King spoke. He was surprised to see Lord Arryn stand beside Arthur and even more so to see the young lad standing alone in the corner watching. He so wished to look to young Jon and confirm his suspicions but this was not the time to do so.

"Explain yourself." Robert said loudly as Arthur stood there looking at him.

"Explain about what your grace?".

"Don't fucking test me Dayne, explain yourself now." Robert said and Arthur almost smirked, though it was the mirth in his eyes that Barristan saw, as his face remained as stoic as ever.

"I defended myself, Your Grace." Arthur said simply.

"Defended yourself you killed an anointed knight, killed a man in a melee." Robert said.

"An anointed knight who after yielding attempted to murder me and attacked me from behind. Was I to allow him to do so and hope your grace saw fit to give him justice?" Arthur said and Barristan knew it was the wrong thing to say and so he closed his eyes waiting for the inevitable thunderstorm.

"How dare you speak to the king that way." Cersei said and Barristan was surprised to see it was her and not the king who lost their temper first.

"What way Your Grace?" Arthur asked innocently.

"In such a disrespectful manner." Tywin said.

"Did I? I meant no disrespect. I was simply stating that had I not defended myself then I'd be dead and the only justice that could be afforded me would be by his Grace's behest. I'm not sure how that is disrespectful." Arthur was almost winking as he said it and were it any other time Barristan would be chuckling along with some others in the room.

"Enough, you killed a man in a melee Dayne." Robert said.

"I did your grace, as I said a man who wished to kill me, a man who attacked me from behind, had he not then I would have not." Arthur said succinctly.

He and the others looked on as Cersei listened to her father and then spoke to the King, Robert getting a smirk on his face and he didn't have long to find out what that was all about.

"Ser Arthur you broke the rules by taking a life in the melee and despite the fact that the life you took was a loyal bannerman of the host of the tourney. By the laws of the land, you did nothing wrong, however you still need to be punished. So you will forfeit the prize money, Ser Arthur, let that be a lesson to you." Robert said and Barristan felt some relief at that.

"Ha, so that's what this was about, it seems then the realm will need something new to say about you after all Lord Tywin." Arthur said and the room hushed.

"What did you say Dayne?" Robert said almost rising from his chair.

"A man tries to kill me during a melee, I break no law, commit no crime, and simply defend myself and I'm punished by forfeiting the prize. For years the realms been led to believe that a Lannister always pays their debts, hmm it seems that all this time we've been misled.." Arthur said as he began to turn away "I'm sure when tale is told of this tourney no one would ever dare call out hypocrisy such as this." he said rolling his eyes.

"You can have your gold Dayne, but you are not welcome in Casterly Rock ever again." Tywin said.

"As if I was ever welcome in the first place. I'll take my prize because I earned it and I'll accept your ban because I have no desire to set foot in this keep ever again." Arthur said and the room hushed even more as he whistled while he walked from the room.

Robert, Cersei, and Tywin turned to walk from the room and he and Jon Arryn followed, the Hand had not spoken during the entire exchange which Barristan found odd. The room they walked too he was not invited into and so he took his position outside, the arguments inside beginning almost as soon as the door closed. Tywin and Cersei demanded further punishment and even Robert seemed willing but it was what Jon Arryn said that won the day.

"Ser Arthur did nothing wrong, not a thing. Clegane behaved like the monster he is, in front of a crowd he tried to attack a man from behind, had the man being a lesser one than Ser Arthur he'd be dead and we'd be faced with trying the Mountain for murder, or would we?." Jon Arryn said.

"That fucking Dragonspawn supporter did it on purpose." Robert said loudly.

"How? We all saw what happened, he didn't attack Clegane from behind or wield a sharpened weapon, had Clegane been a true knight then he'd have accepted his loss instead of behaving dishonorably. Calling Se Arthur to account was a mistake, people will speak, the realm will speak of trying to take his prize from him. We are incredibly lucky you relented." Jon Arryn said and Barristan didn't hear what Tywin replied.

"I want the man dismissed from your service Jon." Robert said.

"No." Jon Arryn said.

"What?" Robert said angrily.

"You refused to have him remove Clegane and Lorch after their actions, I'll not remove Ser Arthur. Ask it of me again and you can find yourself another Hand." Jon Arryn said loudly "Were any of you half as fucking clever as you think then you'd see the opportunity you've just been handed." Jon Arryn said loudly.

"How Dare you." Cersei's voice was loud and shrill and even more so when Jon Arryn opened the door and walked from the room.

Barristan heard the arguments coming from the room for the next hour and most of them seemed to be coming from the queen, Tywin willing to let his daughter make the arguments for him. Whatever they decided upon he didn't know. Only that Robert came storming out of the room and was halfway up the corridor before he caught up with him. He followed the king and wasn't surprised it was to drink and a whore he turned to, the king's appetites well established by now.

The next morning he stood outside the Hand's room when Robert walked in, the voices inside much different than they had been. Jon Arryn sounding like a parent chiding an errant child and Robert full of regret and remorse. The king was smiling though when he walked from the room and seemed to be in a good mood for the rest of the morning, laughing and japing and looking forward to the day's events.

Lannisport 289 AC.

Elaena.

Her father had come to her room that night to make sure she was well after what had happened with Ser Arthur. Why the big man had tried to hurt him she didn't know, the fight was over and he'd yielded, yet he'd tried to attack afterward. As she lay in her bed and tried not to think of the image of the man as he fell, her father walked in and sat down beside her.

"How are you my little eyas?" her father asked.

"I'm good Papa." she said and he leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

"What happened, you know why Ser Arthur did what he did?".

"I, that man, he wished to hurt him, even though he yielded.".

"He did, he was a false knight, not a true one like Ser Arthur. He gave him no choice Elaena." her father said looking into her eyes.

"I know Papa, I'm just glad that Ser Arthur wasn't hurt, I'd hate to see Jon's uncle hurt and Jon would have been so sad Papa.".

"He would. I'm just down the hall Elaena if you have bad dreams just ask Jaspar to bring you to me." her father said smiling before kissing her cheek.

"I will Papa, love you." she said snuggling up in her covers.

"Love you too Elaena." her father said looking back at her as he left the room.

She didn't dream of the big man or Ser Arthur that night and slept well. Waking early the next morning Marla helped her dress and she went to break her fast. Not seeing her father there was disappointing but she and Ysilla spoke and when she heard her cousin hadn't slept, she tried her best to cheer her up. They were thankfully finished eating before the Scary Fish broke her own fast and so she, Ysilla, and Waymar explored some of the wing they were on before they all headed to the tourney grounds.

Today was the first day of the joust and she was really looking forward to it. When they arrived she was glad to see Jon and Ser Arthur were already seated and she waved at them, as she and the others made their way up the stairs. Sitting down beside her friend she checked to see if he had slept as badly as Ysilla, and was relieved to see it looked as if he had not.

"What?" Jon said catching her looking at him.

"I just wished to make sure you slept well?" she said with a smile.

"I did thank you, you?" he asked his own smile on his face now.

"I did, Ysilla didn't." she said softly.

"Then we'll have to be extra nice to her today won't we?" he said and she nodded.

She rose as did he and the others when the King and Queen arrived and she saw her father walk behind them with the Scary Fish, who smirked at her when she saw her. Though it was her father's smile and small wave she concentrated on, sitting back down she didn't listen to the herald and saw Jon looking oddly at a man wearing a brown bear sigil.

"Who's that?" she asked moving in closer to Jon so they couldn't be overheard.

"Lord Jorah Mormont, he's from the North and was knighted by the king." Jon said with a small smile on his face.

"From the North like you." she said and he nodded "Then we should cheer him on.".

"Your uncle?".

"We can cheer them both can we not?" she said and saw him nod as he laughed.

The first tilt was two knights she didn't know and watching as they rode she felt her excitement build, the clash of the lances though soon dulled that. By the time the first of them fell she was more worried than excited and was soon relieved to see no one was hurt. When her uncle rode against Ser Garth Greysteel though she felt her excitement rise once again, four tilts it took before her uncle knocked the man from the horse, and she cheered as loudly as Ysilla when he did so.

Lord Jorah rode against Ser Boros Blount, a member of the Kingsguard and she feared Jon's northern friend would fall, as surely a man who protected the king would be hard to beat. Something it took only one tilt to prove false, the fat knight falling the first time the lance made contact. On it went, Ser Jaime Lannister beating a knight from the Riverlands and Ser Barristan beating a fellow Stormlander.

"Are you hungry? "Jon asked her and Ysilla and they both were. All of them feeling glad when it was time for luncheon.

Along with Waymar and Lady Yara, she, Jon, Ysilla, and Ser Arthur made their way to a small tavern, and as they ate she noticed an odd-looking man watching them. He was old, with straggly hair, and a long white beard, and when she went to point him out to the others, he disappeared.

They sat and ate and one or two men came up and spoke to Ser Arthur, and then just as they were getting ready to leave, a man stood up and raised his mug in the air, and shouted.

"To The Sword of the Morning, the blessings of the seven on you Ser Arthur." the man said and almost everyone in the tavern shouted out the same thing.

Ser Arthur though said nothing and instead just nodded, as she looked to Jon she saw the bright smile he had on his face. The second set of jousts went pretty much the same as the first, Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan both won, her uncle beat Ser Lyn Corbray much to her and everyone else's delight and Lord Jorah beat a huge man, Ser Lyle Crakehall.

"He's called the Strongboar." Jon said leaning in to whisper in her ear.

When the third and final tilt of the day began she was bored. With the melee, there were so many people out there on the field at once that she was able to look from one to the other. The joust themselves were exciting enough but there was a delay between each one. So once the tilt was done, the riders would then leave, and then a few minutes later the next riders would arrive.

After a while, it seemed this gap got bigger and bigger and so you ended up sitting there waiting a lot. To then actually, see the rider you wanted could take even longer, and even more so it seemed for the last ones. Her uncle and Lord Jorah were in the final two tilts and by the time they came around she was dozing off. Were it not for Jon nudging her she'd have missed her uncle as he rode against another man from the Vale. She knew Ser Symond well enough and it took her uncle three tilts to unseat him.

Lord Jorah rode against Lord Whent and try as she might she couldn't pay attention to it, only cheering along with Jon when the northern lord won. Unfortunately with the joust over for the day, it meant she'd be saying goodbye to Jon and Ser Arthur, so after they arranged for their carriage and once her uncle arrived she did so. Noticing the strange man from earlier was once again standing off to one side.

"Who is that man?" she asked Ysilla as the carriage set off, only for the man to once again disappear by the time Ysilla looked towards him.

"I don't see anyone." her cousin said and Elaena thought nothing of it.

That night she was made to wear one of her prettier dresses, her father coming to tell her she'd be sitting with him at the High Table later on. Though it turned out to be not entirely true as she sat beside the prince and she was happy enough when he fell asleep. To her left sat Lord Tywin and one of his brothers and throughout the night she heard him complain about Ser Arthur. How he had embarrassed him and how he'd not stand for it, the old lion even glaring at her at one point when he caught her looking his way.

Not that it bothered her, his glare was far less frightening than the Scary Fish's, and she had glared at her all through the night, and not just once briefly. Her father put her to bed himself later that night and she felt exhausted, almost asleep as soon as the covers were placed over her. She felt him kiss her more than saw it and heard him bid her goodnight, and as she tiredly said the same to him. She had barely managed to before she was asleep.

Lannisport 289 AC.

Jaime.

He had been embarrassed that his father would suggest such a thing and glad that he'd not seen it for himself. It was bad enough that he'd heard about it, had he been there he doubted he would have been able to remain silent. To actually suggest withholding Arthur's prize, he could barely believe it and to have called him to account for his actions, what were they thinking?.

While it was clear to Jaime that Arthur provoked the Mountain, he had no issue with it, given what the man had done Jaime had no issue with it whatsoever. They should have taken his head years ago and laid it at Prince Doran's feet, something they were to do now apparently. Instead, he'd walked away and suffered no shame or disdain for his actions, and the king had called for no punishment.

Yet with Arthur, they suggested they should, they called him out for acting in self-defense, yes he may have known he had not but to others that's how it seemed. Then to make matters worse they suggested to withhold his purse, his family were not loved in Westeros as it was, this would have only made it worse. Something his sister didn't or couldn't understand as she whined about it later that night.

"We should have taken his head." Cersei said as he dressed, no doubt parroting their father's words.

"For what killing a fool, a monster." he said tying his breeches up.

"He killed one of our bannermen." his sister screeched and he knew he was right them, father's words exactly.

"A fool who tried to backstab the greatest swordsman that's ever lived." he said chuckling at the image.

"You could beat him brother." she said sweetly and he laughed fully then. While he enjoyed the praise his skill brought him, he knew he could not, and he valued his life far too much to ever wish to test his blade against Arthur's for true.

"Only if he was injured, my sweet sister." he said kissing her as he finished dressing.

"He shamed us, Jaime, he shamed father, he killed Clegane and we must pay him also, this cannot stand." she said and he rolled his eyes, gods if she kept this up she'd be growing whiskers like their father too.

"I must go, Tyrion wishes to speak to me and I'm on riding on the morrow." he said kissing her once more and noticing the cringe when he mentioned their brother.

He stood in the tent fixing his armor as he got ready for his first ride of the day, thirty and two men remained and he was to face Lord Roland, the Strongboar having been beaten surprisingly by a northerner. Jaime knew the man's father would be even more determined and as he rode out he prepared for the onslaught. The first tilt was like riding against a wall, unyielding the Lord didn't move and the Lance basically exploded, looking back at Roland he was glad that none of the pieces hit anything vital.

It took him three more to tale the day, the next two crashing against Roland's shield, and then on the third, he caught him as flush as he could ever wish to do so, feeling rather than seeing the Lord leave the horse as he rode by. Stopping to turn he was happy to see Roland rise to his feet and he accepted the cheers from the crowd. Riding back to the back he caught Ser Barristan readying and wondered if it would come down to the two of them once more.

"You rode well Jaime." Ser Addam said when he dismounted Glory, his father insisting he rode for House Lannister and not the Kingsguard for this tourney.

"Thank you, my friend, Ser Barristan will take some beating." he said and Addam nodded.

They retired to his tent and he drank some water, while others drank wine he preferred a clear head when he jousted. Jousting was a safe enough endeavor but accidents could happen and he'd rather not be a party to any. So far this joust had none and had been far safer than most, safer than the melee had been for certain he thought as he chuckled.

"What's so funny?" Addam asked.

"Just thinking on the melee, what possessed that fool Clegane to try and attack Arthur?" he asked and Addam laughed as he shook his head.

"That fucker was always possessed, it's a far better world we live in without him. Gods Jaime the Smallfolk celebrated last night, songs, dances, if your old brother was not already a legend." Addam said.

"Then he would be now." he finished for him both men laughing "You heard what they tried to do?".

"I was there, I don't know what came over them, had they done so.." Addam shook his head.

"I know." he said Addam always been of the same mind as himself on things like this.

His next joust was soon upon him and he rode against Ser Baelor, the Breakwind was a decent jouster but not to his standard. Something that it took him only two lances and rides to prove. They were down now to the last eight, he to face Ser Brynden Tully the Blackfish and he looked forward to that ride. Ser Barristan was up against the Hound and Lord Jason Mallister was to face Ser Balman Byrch, with Lord Jorah Mormont facing Yohn Royce rounding things off.

The field was exciting to him, far more than most of these usually were and he was sure now, depending on the draw, that it would come down to him and the Bold. He was disappointed Arthur hadn't entered, it would have been a dream to crash lances against his old mentor. Though given the events of the melee it was clear Arthur had done what he had come to do, and that he'd be spending his father's coin also, something which made him laugh as he put his helm on.

Lannisport 289 AC.

Jon.

Eating lunch he had felt so proud when the men stood up to cheer his uncle, smiling as they did so. Knowing what the Mountain was said to be like, he knew his uncle had done the right thing, he'd rid the world of a false knight, a monster and yet they'd tried to punish him for it. Had his uncle not bid him hold his tongue he'd have called them out for it, to treat a true knight that way.

But his uncle had told him to say nothing, to allow him to speak and speak he had, calling them out as the hypocrites they were. He'd enjoyed watching the Joust but the day was tiring and after seeing Elaena, Ysilla, and Waymar off, he had welcomed going back to their room. Jon had found he didn't much like the lions before this tourney and liked them even less now, and so he had no desire to stay at Casterly Rock besides he had found the tavern to be far more fun.

He was standing waiting to use the privy when the strange man walked up to him, his straggly hair and white beard seeming off to Jon somehow, though it was when he looked to him that he felt, even more, there was something not right about the man.

"Ah, Jon Snow, your uncle did the realm a great service in that fight lad." the man said, and while he was trying to act a commoner the man's voice was anything but.

"A man who backstabs gets what he deserves." Jon said and the man smiled.

"That he does lad and unlike the Mountain your uncle is a true knight.".

"He is." Jon said smiling a little.

"One no doubt you'll seek to be like when you grow older?" the man asked and Jon nodded "Knights aren't something usually seen in the North though are they?."

"Lord Jorah Mormont was knighted by the king and Ser Rodrik Cassel is the master of arms at Winterfell." he said quickly and didn't notice the man's smile.

"I was not aware of that, I stand corrected Jon." the man said and Jon wished the line for the privy wasn't as long as it was, almost tempted to go outside only he'd promised his uncle he would not.

The wait gave the man more time to ask questions and while he didn't ask him anything he felt uncomfortable answering, he spoke constantly, almost seeming to test him out in some way. He asked him about what books he was reading and did he take lessons seriously, and as the last man in front of him entered the privy, Jon looked to see his uncle walk towards him. When he turned back the man had gone and he found it most strange indeed.

Explaining it later to his uncle, he found the reaction to be odd and he was made to promise he'd not talk to any strangers again unless he was with Arthur or other guards. Something he quickly agreed to given the look on his uncle's face. The next day he sat in the crowd and while he enjoyed the Joust, the truth was he was glad it was coming to an end. He looked on as Ser Jaime rode to six tilts against the Blackfish and he saw some strange looks directed his way as he cheered Ser Brynden on.

But not only was Ser Brynden known to him from the Vale and good friends with Lord Yohn, but he was also Lady Catelyn's uncle, and so he felt it was right he cheered him. Ser Barristan beat the Hound in four, the hit he caught him with even making his uncle smile and Lord Jason beat Ser Balman in three. When Lord Jorah faced off against Lord Yohn he felt the nervousness of those around him and happy though he was seeing a northerner progress, it was not at the expense of Lord Yohn he'd have wished it.

"Who do you think will win uncle?" he asked as they awaited the draw.

"It depends, if Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan are drawn apart I'd wager they'd make the final, if they're to face each other then I'd think the winner of that would take it all." his uncle said and yet Jon didn't agree.

"I think Lord Jorah will win." he said and saw the scowls from Ysilla and Waymar "He beat Lord Yohn and so he must be favourite." he said and soon the scowls went away, little nods and a smile from Elaena replacing them.

"We'll have a wager then Jon, I'll take one of my two picks and you can have Lord Jorah, a dragon to the winner." Arthur said and he shook his head.

"It'd take me a year to earn a dragon." he said to chuckles from his friends.

"Well how about if you win then you get a dragon and if I win you've to do a forfeit." his uncle said and he nodded, before worrying what forfeit he'd be asked to do.

He didn't get a chance to think too much more on it as Ser Jaime and Ser Barristan were drawn together and Lord Jorah and Lord Jason came out to face off. Apart from being of the North, he had another reason why he had picked Lord Jorah and that was the favor he wore on his arm. It was Elaena who'd pointed it out to him and when Jon had seen it he looked to the crowd to find who it belonged to, seeing a beautiful blond woman smile every time Jorah won.

He looked up to see her look on again as Jorah rode down for the first tilt, the two lances crashing to no effect. The same thing happened on the second but on the third, the woman cheered as did the rest of the crowd as Jorah unseated Lord Jason and earned his place in the final. He felt the crowd's interest rise for the next match and looked to see his uncle leaning forward in his seat, two men he had worn the white cloak with set to face off against each other.

Ser Barristan's horse was decked out in the Kingsguard colors while Ser Jaime's wore the colors of his house. Both men along with his uncle were the premier swordsmen of Westeros, the Bold, the White Lion, and the Sword of the Morning and for that alone, he looked up to them. Though his uncle was who he wished to be, who he dreamt of being, and who he hoped to be when he was of age.

"Uncle?" he asked and saw his uncle smile.

"Jaime will take it, Jon." his uncle said and Jon turned to look.

He was right and Jaime took it in six, an even match up to then with two strikes each and one miss, the last strike catching Barristan flush in the chest. Jon like the rest of the crowd and he was pleased to see, Ser Jaime too, all looked on as Barristan rose and nodded to his fellow Kingsguard and the sense of anticipation rose for the final. Though he was annoyed to hear people dismiss Lord Jorah so easily, some in the crowd even disparaging how the Lord of Bear Island looked compared to the golden Ser Jaime.

This only made Jon even more determined to see Lord Jorah prevail and each tilt had him on the edge of the seat. The first four were shared, the next two going to Ser Jaime and the next two clearly to Lord Jorah. As they lined up for the ninth the light was fading and when the two lances hit, Jorah's cleaner to Jon's mind, the king stood up.

"You have both fought well but there must be a winner, Lord Jorah Mormont, your king declares you the winner of the joust." Robert said and Jon noticed the forced smile from Lord Tywin and the scowl from the queen.

Looking back out at the field he saw Ser Jaime accept defeat graciously and whisper something to Lord Jorah which made the man laugh, and then the crowd quietened as he rode to the garland. Picking it up on the end of his lance, he rode to the blond that Jon saw earlier and laid the flowers in her lap.

"Lady Lynesse, I would name you the Queen of Love and Beauty." Jorah said and the woman's smile was even more true as she placed the garland on her head.

As he smiled too he turned away and noticed Ser Barristan looking in his direction, he assumed he was looking to his uncle but Arthur's attention was elsewhere and so he nodded and received a smile in return from the Bold. He bid the girls goodnight, they'd be going to the welcome feast though he would not and while he envied them somewhat, he was glad of it too.

They were in their room later that night, he getting ready for bed when the knock came to the door and when his uncle answered it was Ser Barristan who was standing there. Jon saw them speak in hushed whispers before his uncle came to speak to him, telling him he'd be back in a bit and that the guards would be outside. As he watched them leave he was tempted to follow, to hear what they spoke about, and to be in their company, tiredness though beat curiosity and he was asleep before he knew it.

Lannisport 289 AC.

Jon Arryn.

After rushing back it was clear that in the hall Arthur didn't need him and he had to hold in a laugh when he basically shamed them into doing what they should have anyway. He then laid down the law in the room with them anyway, threatening to resign being his final card. At first, it had been a ploy and then he found he meant it, had it even been momentarily considered he'd have given Robert the pin and gone back to the Vale.

He saw how Tywin basically salivated over the possibility and he found he cared not, as much as he wished to save the realm from the Lannister's influence, and Robert from himself, he'd have left. Gone back to the Vale and raised Elaena, spent time teaching Jon Snow, and then when the time was right he'd have moved to take the throne from them both if need be.

As it was once Robert saw how serious he was and was faced with the idea of him not being around to do the work for him, his foster son soon changed his tune. When he came to him the next morning it was full of apology and some of what he said at least got through to him, both with his plans for the Mountain and with his concerns over the Lannisters.

"What do you mean you won't be going back to King's Landing." Lysa said loudly as they broke their fast.

"I would have thought that was clear, I'll be traveling to Dorne to speak to Prince Doran." he said and turned to read his papers while Lysa scowled at him.

"You would have me return alone?" she said and he knew then he'd not get to finish his work early today.

"You could go back to the Vale, I'll be gone a moon or so." he said and was relieved to see her smile.

"Very well, I'll travel back to the Vale and meet you in King's Landing later." she said as she got up from her seat and Jon was pleased to see her leave.

He ate and read and when he was finished he got ready to say his farewell's. While the King and Queen would be departing in a few days and Elaena and Yohn just before them, he'd be leaving tonight. At least though he'd be leaving happy, seeing Robert award the tilt to Lord Jorah at least annoyed the Lannisters, while he, Robert, and even Jaime himself said the northern lord had won. To Tywin and Cersei it didn't matter, they had expected Jaime to be just named the victor.

It had brought his appetite back and made him sleep well the night before, Tywin having meant to use this tourney to show off his prowess and firstly basically being forced to pay Ser Arthur for killing Clegane. Not to mention a northerner for beating his son, he knew that would grate on the Old Lion and he welcomed it. Even him taking the Mountain's body to Dorne was annoying the man, suddenly demanding a respectful burial for someone.

The same man who'd wished to see Elia, the prince and the princesses bodies desecrated more than they already had been. He made his way down and bid the king farewell, glad to see the queen wasn't with him and then walked to the guest rooms to speak to Yohn and Elaena, finding his daughter and Ysilla running through the corridors.

"Papa." Elaena said running to him when she saw him.

"Hello sweetling, come let's sit." he said pointing to the window seat.

Sitting down he spoke to her for over an hour telling her that he needed to leave later and seeing the disappointment on her face. He promised to take her to King's Landing for her next nameday, to spend some time with her and show her the places she hadn't gotten to see and it seemed to cheer her some. Then he went and said his goodbyes to Yohn and Yara and to their children, before saying farewell to Lysa, not that she seemed that upset by his leaving at all now for some reason.

He stopped by Ser Arthur's room when he reached Lannisport, speaking to him and to Jon Snow for a moment and telling him where he was going. Jon was under no illusions, he couldn't bring Dorne to bear. Arthur though maybe could, knowing it was he who killed the Mountain would go some way to at least make them curious about the Dornish knight.

"It was a pleasure meeting you, Jon Snow, I look forward to seeing you again." he said as he was bidding them farewell."

"You too my lord, I thank you again for the opportunity you've given me." Jon Snow said and he smiled as he turned to Ser Arthur.

"Safe travels my lord." Arthur said.

"You too Ser Arthur."

Sailing on the ship that evening he knew for sure now his mind was made up, it was no longer an abstract, a possibility, it was for certain now. Jon Arryn intended to put a dragon on the throne, no matter how long and what he had to do to see it done, Daeron Targaryen would be king.

Lannisport 289 AC.

Arthur.

Seeing Jon's face as he handed him the gold dragon made him laugh, the boy looking at it as if it was his first sword. When Arthur took it back and handed him the pouch with the coins though, it was even more fun to watch. Jon quickly equating the larger bag of coins with the smaller gold dragon and opening it up to count them out. They were getting ready for bed when the knock came and he was surprised to see Ser Barristan there.

Looking at his former brother's face and how he looked at Jon though he was sure he'd figured it out. After telling Jon they'd speak later and making sure the guards' Lord Yohn had left were on duty, he and Ser Barristan took a walk and found somewhere quiet to speak. Though once they found a place they stood quietly for some time, neither knowing what to say and both making sure they were truly alone, once they were sure it was Barristan who started.

"Is he?" Barristan asked and Arthur nodded "Trueborn?" and he nodded again.

"I am as I've always been Barristan." he said knowing he needed to say no more.

"And your intent?".

"What do you think?" he said and saw Barristan smile.

"My sword is yours, should you have need of it, his and his alone always." Barristan said and Arthur looked at him and asked the question he needed answering first.

"Why did you kneel?".

"I was lost old friend when he fell I was lost. I thought I needed to be alive, that if I made it to the Red Keep alive I could…I could..".

"What?" he asked looking at the tortured look on Barristan's face.

"I thought they'd put them on trial, create some charge. When I was recovering I heard, I thought I heard. They were speaking of Aerys but I thought they said it was Aegon. I wished to be his champion and so I did whatever was needed to stay alive.".

"Including kneeling.?".

"Even that." Barristan said and Arthur nodded.

"You may need to break your oath Barristan are you willing to do that?" he asked and saw his old friend smile.

"The oath I swore was not a true one. I swore to the King of the Seven Kingdoms, Arthur, never to Robert, the man was so glad to get me on his side he never cared what words I spoke." Barristan said "But even had I sworn to him, he is not my king, my king lies elsewhere.".

"Daeron." he said and Barristan laughed.

"She really was something else was she not." Barristan said and he nodded.

"He doesn't know Barristan, it's not time yet but when he does I'll speak to him of you.".

"Allies Arthur, we need allies." Barristan said.

He wished to tell him the truth of things, tell him all of it but he couldn't not yet, not that he didn't trust him. Howland's words and seeing his face was enough to make him do that, but more it was the time, the place, that wasn't right.

"We will get them old friend.".

"We will." Barristan said determinedly.

"I think the spider may be looking our way Barristan. I need you to keep an eye on him, should you hear anything I need to know.".

"What makes you say that?".

He told him then of the encounter Jon had with the man at the privy and that he told him that Elaena had thought she'd seen the same man a couple of times earlier that day also.

"How can we speak Arthur?" Barristan asked and he shook his head, this wasn't his area of expertise at all and he wondered how he'd arrange it.

"I'll find a way, someone will contact you in King's Landing, we'll arrange something.".

"What you did Arthur, the Mountain, I'm glad it was you." Barristan said as he touched his shoulder before walking away.

He was glad of it himself also, it had been satisfying to bring the monster down, that and taking gold from Tywin Lannister had made this a good and useful trip. True he'd probably made an even bigger enemy of the Old Lion, though considering he intended to see the man fall to Dawn one day, he really didn't care. Barristan being on board was a boon, one he knew would be much appreciated in the years to come.

As he slept that night he dreamt of the tower and the girl and the promise he made, the prince and his silver hair and the boy who lay a few feet away. Waking the next morning they broke their fast, washed, and were getting ready to go for a stroll in town when Lord Jon came to visit. Arthur surprised at what he intended but seeing it for the boon it could turn out to be.

The rest of their time in the West flew by quickly and he saw Jaime Lannister look his way once or twice, he knew he wished to speak to him though it seemed he'd not built his courage up to do so, it was perhaps for the best he did not. As their ship readied to sail back to the Vale he looked to the docks and he saw him, the spider watching them eagerly and he wondered what game the man was playing.

"Jon was that the man you saw?" he asked calling Jon over and Jon confirmed it a moment later.

"It was uncle, do you know him?" Jon asked.

"I know him, go below deck and get settled, I'll be down in a moment." he said and as Jon ran down with Elaena and Ysilla, Arthur looked out to see the Spider smile and give him a nod and it was clear the man knew the truth.

As the other people moved away from the docks he stared the spider down, the man looking at him intently and Arthur drew his hand over his neck, his thumb acting as a knife. He saw the spider got his meaning and the man nodded showing he understood, and Arthur knew that for now at least Jon was safe. Though for how long that would remain he couldn't be certain.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and especially those who've reviewed. Up next we skip forward a couple of years and take a look into life in Winterfell since Jon's departure, Jon Arryn receives some news and visitors to the Vale shakes things up. While Ser Barristan and a spider make common ground.

Daryl Dixon: so glad you liked it.

Guest: Other than her being the heir to the Vale and so technically at this point in time other than Arianne Martell, the most important girl in Westeros and also being the daughter of the Hand of the King, I'm not sure how I've made her out to be any more special than she would be because of her position. However, I'm sure you'd be willing to enlighten me if there is actually a way I'm doing so.

Supremus: Lol, I like that.

Darthmaine: We'll see Dorne's reaction next.

Misterlaguardia: We will see that addressed as we go on, at the moment it's more the education side of things, learning the same as say Robb or others would learn, but at a point in the future that aspect will be looked at.

Svenion: He is and we'll see with Sandor in the next chapter how he dealt with that confusion.

Guest: The Last chapter was more a chance encounter, had the tourney not been called Arthur wouldn't have had the opportunity but since it was he went with it, but I don't intend this story to be as fully focussed on the childhood as my others, there will be more skips and pop-ins and outs of time periods here.

Creativo: ¿No estás seguro de lo que quieres decir con eso, la espada del amanecer?.

Tony warrior: Muchas gracias, el torneo ya ha terminado y veremos más movimientos políticos por un tiempo.

Guest: Yep, I think given the chance he'd not let the opportunity slide.

Skfff: Indeed and it opens up a different fate for a certain Red Viper too.

Zyrus: I think the above answers a lot, Jon A originally was going to use Jon as a backup, now he's fully in and Barristan recognised Jon's features and how Arthur was following him. Jaime has kinda too but his is more on a subconscious level.

Guest; We'll see both Dorne and Sandor's reaction in the next chapter, we'll be jumping forward in time but also the povs of certain characters will cover multiple events.

Atp: A rather big one as it turns out, no Mountain vs. the Viper means no dead Oberyn in x number of years time and a Sandor not so focussed on revenge against his brother.

Paulies: and the big man no longer casts a giant shadow.

Xand007: Thanks, my friend. We will see Dorne's reaction in the next chapter and as you see you were pretty spot on about the relations.

Mrspotter: Once Arthur went he'd never let the Mountain leave that field alive IMO, the only way the mountain got to walk away would have been if he'd not faced Arthur.

Naruto: Glad you liked it and it opens up some interesting ripples ahead.

Celexys; So glad you liked it.

Silent mayhem: We will see the Dornish reaction and Obeyrn's especially next. Lysa though is still the lady of the Vale, her strength is in the same way as Cat's was in canon when Ned left, she was able to basically make sure Jon couldn't stay in WF. Robb was acting lord and he couldn't stop her, here for Lysa it's even more as Jon A is in KL a lot so when she goes back to the Vale people defer to her, it's why Jon A put Elaena with Yohn over anyone else, him being family he's always going to look out for her best interests, someone else may seek to earn favor with Lysa.

Elaena will understand her position even more as we go on and perhaps it's a sign of how dumb Lysa is really, in that if anything she should have befriended Elaena as it makes it easier to manipulate and get her to trust her later, here she allowed the battle lines to be drawn far too early.