Redfort 295 AC.

Jon.

The Mountain Wolf, Ser Jon Snow, he could barely believe it, and as much as he appreciated the cheers, the nods, and looks he now received. For Jon it was looking to see Lord Jon was unharmed, Ysilla was unharmed, and most of all that Elaena was unharmed that really made him feel proud. Sandor too looked at him differently, his loyal protector japing that the next time they rode out Jon should guard him.

They had ridden hard to the Redfort, arriving and being welcomed with concerned looks and much relief. Lord Horton glad to see that Mychel was unharmed and relieved that neither Lord Jon nor Elaena or Ysilla had been so much as marked. The Lord had then sent out a large group of men under Ser Jasper, Mychel's older brother, making sure there were no remaining threats on the road to Runestone.

Once everyone had been settled, Jon had caught up with his friends. Mychel, Domeric, and Waymar all eager to hear him tell his tale, and Jon keen to hear his friend's own versions of the attack. Domeric was both annoyed he'd not been there and happy that none of them had been hurt. Mychel and Waymar may not have killed anyone but they had both fought bravely. Jon felt a little embarrassed that he was being singled out for praise and had been knighted while they had not.

"You're being a bloody idiot, Jon. Five men you killed at the carriage alone, you saved Lord Jon, Elaena, you saved my sister, Jon." Waymar said.

"I only did what you or Mychel would have done, what anyone would have." he said sheepishly.

"No, had it been either of us we'd have fallen, it had to be you Jon, you earned it. To you, Ser Jon, the Mountain Wolf." Mychel said holding his mug in his hand.

"The Mountain Wolf." Waymar and Domeric said and soon more joined in.

He drank his own drink, the cool sweetened juice a welcome respite, and then he looked to the High Table. Lord Jon nodded at him and yet it was to Elaena he looked, her smile quickly bringing his own to his face. The night went on and soon enough it was time for the dancing. Jon was incredibly surprised when Elaena walked over and asked him to dance with her, looking around half expecting to see shocked faces and yet finding none.

"I'd be honored my lady." he said standing up and taking her offered hand.

"It's I who am honored Ser Jon." Elaena said her words loud enough for those around them to hear.

Though he didn't dance closer than propriety would allow, the fact that they were dancing in the hall with those around them was not lost on him, or her. At first he was a little stiff because of it, Elaena's smile and then frown when he didn't relax, soon having the desired effect.

"I, should we be doing this?" he asked softly.

"Father told me I should." she said and he looked at her confused "I know, I know, I had thought it because you saved us, but father said it's because you're a knight now, knighted by his own hand and should anyone take issue with it then they can take it up with him."

"Remind me to thank your father." he said moving a little closer and getting a giggle from her in return.

"Are you truly well, Jon, today, what you did, is it..does it bother you?" she asked.

"Yes and no. I dislike that I had to take a life, but I...had they.."

"They didn't, thanks to you." she said and he nodded.

"Father wishes us to sail to King's Landing, I think he wants you to join us." she said nervously.

"Then join you I shall." he said and her whole face brightened up.

He danced with Ysilla and even with Lady Redfort which caught him even more by surprise. Though it was the three dances with Elaena which were the highlights of his night. At least until he escorted her back to her room that night. The kiss they shared on the way there was deeper and longer than usual, the small alcove they'd found to hide in allowed them much welcomed privacy.

"Goodnight Laeny."

"Goodnight Jon". she whispered as he kissed her forehead outside her room before then heading to his own.

The escort that they rode with to Runestone was larger than any he'd ever seen. Even when his uncle had arrived from the North he'd traveled with fewer men. Lord Yohn welcomed Lord Jon having already heard the news, the hug he gave Elaena and Ysilla clear evidence of that. The proud pat on the back he gave Mychel and Waymar and then himself even more so.

They didn't stay too long though and Jon made his way to Helliweg to send the raven to Starfall. He Wanted Arthur to see it written in his own hand so that way should he hear of it before he returned, he'd know he was unharmed. Telling his uncle and though he now knew the truth that's what Arthur would always be to him, to meet them in King's Landing if he could.

After sending the raven he was called to Lord Yohn's solar, both Yohn and Lord Jon waiting for him when he got there. Taking a seat as he was bid, he looked to see Lord Yohn staring at him. The man's eyes showing something he'd not seen before and Jon wasn't sure what it was he was seeing there.

"I want to thank you, Jon, for what you did. Lord Jon has explained to me how were it not for you then he, Elaena and Ysilla...I thank you Jon, I am in your debt." Lord Yohn said his voice lower and less firm than his usual lordly one.

"Nonsense my lord, you welcomed me into you home and it's thanks to you I've learned as much as I have. I did nothing that I've not been taught by House Royce." he said and saw Yohn smile at him.

"We've been honored to have you Jon, Lord Jon wishes you to join in King's Landing for a short visit. I'm sorry to see you go but I look forward to your return, we'll feast you then Ser Jon, as is befitting for what you've done." Yohn said and nothing Jon could say would dissuade him.

"I intend to have a gift made for you Jon, a thank you if you will. You've already got a finer sword then I could ever hope to gift you, so I'll have armor made to go with it, armor worthy of you. What say you Ser Jon and don't say there's no need, modestly does not become you lad." Lord Jon said with a chuckle.

"Then my lord, I thank you and accept your gift most humbly." he said and Yohn chuckled.

"We'll need to have you lose some of that humility Jon, you're a knight now, it's time you let them all know it." Lord Jon said and he nodded.

He readied his things for travel and looked down at the dragon egg in the chest. Over time he found himself drawn and also repelled from the egg. Some nights he'd need to sleep with it and hold it close, others he'd have to keep it in the furthest parts of the room away from where he slept. There were weeks on end when he would need to spend some time during the day or night with the egg, holding it, speaking to it, and others when he could go for moons and almost forget about it.

As he reached down he felt it was cold to his touch and the movement inside was barely perceptible to him. Jon sighing and wondering why that was. He'd read and sent letters to his uncle Aemon about it, neither of them able to figure it out and Jon was beginning to feel it was a mystery he never would. Deciding he certainly wasn't going to figure it out now and in a way glad he'd not have to bring it to King's Landing with him, he closed the chest and gathered his things.

"Finally ready are you." Sandor said grumpily.

"I thought you'd be happy?" he said.

"Why the fuck would I be happy going back to that smelly shithole?" Sandor said as they walked.

"Mara's chicken." he said seeing the little curl of Sandor's lift.

"Aye, there's that, well come along Ser Jon, you're a damn knight now for fucks sake."

Jon couldn't help but chuckle, Sandor's view on knights was one he could completely understand. That he had not only seemed happy for him but proud in a way that he'd been knighted, was only another sign of the complexities of the man.

The ride to Gulltown was smooth and before he knew it they were standing on the deck of the ship leaving the city behind. Elaena holding his hand as the rain began to fall, Jon sighing knowing they'd not be so close once they reached the city itself. Knight of no knight, the Vale may come to think of him differently, it would be some time until King's Landing did.

"Let's get inside, you'll be soaked." he said and Elaena nodded before kissing him softly, Jon soon finding that kissing in the rain was something he enjoyed very much.

King's Landing 295 AC.

Littlefinger.

The word had already spread around the Red Keep long before he had heard of it and he cursed the delay in getting news from Lysa. That they'd failed was bad enough, that a damn boy of all things had been the reason for that failure even more so. Savages, that was his mistake, putting his faith in savages. Though they were cheap at twice the price, weapons and armor and the chance to put the Vale Knights down good enough to buy their help.

Jon Snow was an enigma to him, the boy was unlike any bastard he had ever met and the way he would look at him on the occasions they did meet made even him nervous. At first he thought the boy looked a wolf, his eyes would focus and it would be akin he imagined to being stalked. There was more to it than that though and had his attention not being elsewhere, he may have looked into the boy more.

Now that he'd spoiled his plans he may just do that, not that there was much to learn about him anyway. Still, him having the Hound with him was strange enough he thought, even if that too made a certain sense. Apparently the bastard and his uncle had saved the man's life and there was some sort of warrior's debt owed to them according to the king. He heard the moaning in front of him and looked up, the girl still touching herself on his sofa and he waved her off, telling her she'd start on the morrow.

"Of course my lord, thank you for the opportunity my lord." she said hurrying from his solar.

"A drink my lord?" a young girl said a few moments later and he nodded as she brought him in his wine, the papers on his desk untouched as he thought more on his setback in the Vale.

They had planned it so very well, Ser Arthur being away only making him more certain that now was the time to strike. Even the idiot savages knew better than to go against The Sword of the Morning. Lord Yohn having the man in his service had probably single-handedly done more to stop their raids than any other lord in the Vale. So when the time came and Ser Arthur had gone to Dorne, he had reached out and the plans were set. Only for his damn bastard nephew to ruin them.

Sipping his wine, Petyr wondered if they'd ever get the chance to end them all in one swoop ever again. Sure he could make two separate attempts, see the girl fall and then see Jon Arryn do the same. But those visits for his daughter's nameday celebrations were the only chance to do it without it coming back on him. Having them killed by savage clansmen was something that could be sold easily, both of them dying separately and mysteriously, not so much.

Finishing his wine he made his way to the Red Keep, eager for any new that Varys may give to the king, if he even attended the meeting that was. Walking allowed him to think and consider a different plan, one that would take longer to put into place but one that may have a chance of working, if Lysa played her part that was. As he strolled through the Red Keep heading for the Small Council meeting, he sighed to think he would have to sit back in the shadows for even more time to come.

"Lord Baelish." Renly said as he entered the room.

"Lord Renly, is it just you and I, today?" he asked with a smirk.

"No, Stannis and Varys should be on the way and the king will be here presently." Renly said as they heard the door open and Pycelle shuffled in.

Not long after the Grandmaester, Varys arrived alongside Stannis, and then the King himself arrived, Ser Barristan accompanying him.

"What word of Jon?" Robert said even before he sat down.

"The Lord Hand has set sail your grace, he, his daughter and Ser Jon Snow should arrive within the moon." Varys said.

"That boy really killed nine men?" Stannis asked his doubt clear.

"He did, were it not for Ser Jon then who knows what the outcome would have been." Varys said and Robert smiled, Petyr adding his own though he cared not to smile at all.

"Had Jon not knighted him then I'd have done so myself, god's Ned must be so fucking proud of the lad." Robert said.

"Speaking of Lord Stark, is it true he's begun purchasing ships?" Stannis asked and Robert looked at him.

"He has begun to build more ships, Lord Stannis." Varys said.

"Who cares if Ned build ships." Robert said dismissively.

"Warships your grace, without the crown's permission." Stannis said.

"Hah, good, it's about time he had ships to deal with the squids." Robert said laughing.

"And if they're not for the squids?" Stannis said grinding his teeth.

"What are you saying? This is bloody Ned you're talking about." Robert said.

"While it is true that Lord Stark has begun building warships your grace, I believe it's to protect the trading the North does with Essos. He means them as an escort for some of the ships between White Harbor and Pentos." Varys said.

"See, it's Ned, he can build all the damn ships he wants, and if he takes some squids out all the better for it. Baelish, we need to organize a feast for Jon's return, see that the coin is made available. I'd hold a damn tourney if I'd not have to bloody go to Casterly Rock." the king said as he stood up.

He found himself contemplating the work that was going on in the North. The extra coin they had coming in had been a boon to the crown also, taxes had increased but he had no idea they'd been building up a navy too. Petyr not happy at all that they were making themselves more secure, he needed them weak if things were to play out as he wished and if he was to make her, his.

"Lord Baelish." Varys said with a nod as he walked from the room and Petyr found himself alone. He'd risen high in a short time thanks to friends, but he was still far from where he wished to be.

King's Landing 295 AC.

Elaena.

They had arrived just the day before and the king himself was there to greet them, almost as if he wished to see for himself that her father was unhurt. His reaction to Jon had been even more friendly, though he had always liked Jon for being Ned's lad as he called him, now it was more blatant that he had his favor. The king calling him a future Kingsguard if he wished had Elaena almost laughing at the looks on her father's, Jon's, and Sandor's faces. Ser Barristans's too which surprised her until Jon told her later that he was on his side also.

Elaena had yet to speak to her father about that, his plan to see Jon crowned both pleased and worried her. She had nothing against the king, though knowing what he had said about Jon's siblings and their mother did make her angry. Robert while a bad king wasn't as bad as the one who came before him, something that even Jon agreed on. His son though would be a terrible one and for that reason and seeing the way the lions circled, the queen and her family almost running the kingdom at times. For those reasons she felt that the crown needed someone like Jon, she also truly believed he'd make a great king.

But it was what it would take to get there? what would need to be done which worried her? War was not something she wished for and yet even she could see it would come down to one to see Jon crowned. She just wished it wouldn't, that there was some other way and that those she cared about wouldn't have to fight, that Jon wouldn't have to fight.

"Elaena." Ysilla shouted and she looked to see her blood running into the silk, the white turning red from where she'd pierced her finger with the needle.

"I'm sorry." she said as both the septa and Ysilla called for some water and stopped the blood flow.

"You're daydreaming about him again?" Ysilla asked.

"I don't daydream about him." she said not as convincingly as she had hoped.

"Laeny." Ysilla said her voice trying to sound like Jon's.

"Silla." she said giggling.

They spent the rest of the day pretty much avoiding Joffrey. The prince had taken an unhealthy interest in her since she had started to grow. How he looked at her would make her wish to be anywhere else and only when she was with Jon or Waymar did he seem to leave them alone. That she was constantly invited to teas with the queen when she was here didn't help her mood either.

Jon and Waymar had been taken to Tobho Mott's and though she asked her father if she and Ysilla could join them, he'd refused. A blacksmith's shop was no place for a lady he had said and though she knew he was right, it was more the company than the destination which had stoked her interest. It was late when they returned, both of them laughing and japing and then having to rush off to get ready for the night's feast, something she had to do also.

Marla helped her with her hair and the dress she wore was in her house colors, sky blue with small sparkles of white stones. She was sitting waiting for Waymar to knock to escort her when he surprised her. Jon coming instead and the small box in his hand she quickly found out was something he had bought for her. Elaena more than eager to open it to see what it was but trying her very best to remain ladylike.

"Open it Laeny." he said and she smirked while shaking her head before a moment later she did as he asked.

"Oh Jon, it's so pretty." she said moving to the looking glass to put it into her hair "Where did you find it?"

"We passed a stall and I saw it and thought of you." he said as she turned to show him how it looked. The small blue bird only emphasizing her dress and while it was not a falcon exactly, it worked just the same.

"So only when you passed a stall you thought of me?" she asked teasingly.

"I always think of you. " he said and she smiled as she motioned to the door.

"I believe I should thank you for my gift Ser Jon." she said as she leaned forward and kissed him, feeling his arms wrap around hers. The knock coming to the door taking both of them from the moment.

"Are you two ready?" she heard Ysilla's voice and she opened the door to see her friend and Waymar standing there.

"Lady Elaena?" Jon said offering her his arm.

"Ser Jon." she replied as she took it.

They entered into the Great Hall together and Elaena was happy to see they were seated together too. When she had found out earlier that she wouldn't be accompanying the prince, she had hoped that would mean she wasn't sitting at the high table. So to find out she wasn't made her look forward to the night ahead even more. They were halfway through the meal when the king stood up, the room going silent when he called for Jon to stand in front of him.

"My lords, Ladies, good Sers, as some of you may have heard recently there was an attack against my Lord Hand, my foster father. Thanks to his men and to one man, in particular, he and his daughter were unharmed. I'd like you all to raise your mugs and glasses to Ser Jon Snow, the Mountain Wolf." the king said and Elaena was one of the first to jump to her feet to do just that.

Jon arrived back with an almost sheepish look on his face. Elaena japing that he'd need to get used to this, people around the realm speaking of him in hushed tones. Perhaps he'd have songs sung about him she said enjoying the horrified look on his face before he realized she was making a jest at his expense. She, later on, found herself giggling with Ysilla as he pouted. When the time came for the dancing she was so happy he asked her first, no one seeming to bat an eyelid that they danced together.

"I was just jesting you know." she said as they moved across the floor.

"Aye, I know, I just dislike the attention." he said and she nodded.

"There is one benefit, Ser Jon." she said with a large smile.

"Well that I do like." he said as they danced.

While she didn't like that other ladies now seemed free and comfortable to ask him to dance, ladies who on each of their visits to King's Landing previously would do anything but. She found she enjoyed the look on his face when she danced with others, knowing that he disliked it as much as she did the reverse. To her dismay though it was soon clear that she'd not make it through the night without dancing with the prince, Joffrey smiling at her as he asked her to dance.

"I'd be honored my prince." she said plastering a false smile to her face.

He was surprisingly silent during their dance and she had thought she had gotten away with having to speak to him. Then right at the end, he invited her tea with him and his mother the next day. Elaena knowing she had no choice but to accept and not looking forward to it in the slightest. What she was looking forward to as the night drew to a close, was being escorted back to her room by Jon. Though again fate decided to conspire against her.

Not that she minded her father escorting her and she found his cheery mood to be much different than it usually was when the king threw a feast. Her own disappointment over it not being Jon who walked with her soon fading. He kissed her cheek at the door and then told her that Lady Lysa would be arriving within the week, Elaena pleased when he said they'd not need to stay much longer than that.

Undressing for bed she took the pin from her hair, smiling as he put it in her small jewelry box. The pendant Jon had given her in there too and she found it comforting that the only jewelry she owned had been gifted to her by Jon and her father. Placing the box back in the drawer she climbed into bed, she was tired and yet happy and looked forward to tomorrow, even if she had to spend some of it with the queen and her son.

King's Landing 295 AC.

Jaime.

Ever since his talk with Barristan he had paid more attention to his sister than he had previously. He'd watched for little things, the looks she gave other men, and how she behaved around people. Jaime had found nothing, no sign of what Barristan had said whatsoever and at first, he felt comforted by that. Cersei was his other half, his twin, they belonged together.

From the moment they came into this world it was them, she had been his first, his only, and he never even wished for another. While of course he knew she had to at least bed down with Robert every once in a while, his sister had always been at great pains to tell him that they rarely actually consummated the act. Robert's drunkenness not letting him perform according to her.

Jaime had accepted her word for that as he had no reason not to. Knowing what he would do for her, all he could think of was that she would do the same for him. Since his talk with Barristan though he had begun to find it less likely she was telling him the truth about her nights with Robert. The idea that yes some nights Robert would be too drunk to know, not as comforting now as he knew that meant some he would not be.

So if she lied about that then what else had she lied to him about? It was driving him crazy, he was getting sloppy in the yard and he looked at almost every man with the same idea in his head. Is he one? Or he? Did Barristan lie to him was another twisted thought though he could find no reason why he would. When Jon Snow came back to King's Landing though was really when it all came to a head.

"Ser Jon, a spar?" Jaime heard the voice call out, Loras Tyrell calling to the lad and Jaime looked on as Jon nodded.

He watched as they took their stances, Ser Jon proving he'd come on even more since the last time the two boys had fought and Jaime himself being surprised at how he seemed to fight well within himself even as he won. Before he knew it he was standing facing the lad, his eyes on the boy's purple ones.

"Ser Jaime?" Jon asked and Jaime realized he'd not spoken for a few moments.

"Care to try your luck against me, Ser Jon? "Jaime asked and the boy nodded and smiled.

They began to move together and he knew they'd drawn a crowd. Around them, the other spars had stopped and their swords clashing was the only sound in the grounds. Jon was fast and more powerful than he'd expected, Arthur's training was clear, and in some ways they were evenly matched. He had the edge in experience and strength and he was surprised when the boy seemed to try to use that against him.

Jon setting up little traps that made it look like he was less good then he truly was and as he parried a blow and almost fell for one of Jon's feints, Jaime began to smile. The world around them began to fade, everything he had was now concentrated on the blade in front of him. He spun only to have to parry when Jon was waiting for him, he backed off only for Jon not to follow. Each clash of the blades only making his smile grow larger.

The end came when the boy overextended, Jaime sweeping his feet and holding the sword to his neck, having to move quickly before he regained his footing to do so.

"Aye, I yield Ser Jaime." Jon said and the smile he gave him almost took his breath away.

"Well fought Ser Jon." he said shakily as he helped him up to his feet.

They stood drinking water, the crowd that had formed around them were still speaking of their spar, yet Jaime could barely hear them. His eyes were focussed on every single expression the boy made and he could see things he'd not seen in many a year. He was just about to say something, do something, though he knew not what, and then he heard some of the words Jon had said.

"You need to be where you're not expected to be, you make it seem you'll be in one place but to then be in another." Ser Jon said and Jaime looked at him oddly "Ser Jaime?"

"I'm sorry forgive me Ser Jon, I drifted it happens after a spar, what was that you were saying?" he asked.

"My uncle told me when fighting you want your opponent to be sure of where you'll move next, have them anticipate what you'll do and then do something that's the opposite." he said and Jaime looked to see Loras and a few others had come over to speak to them both.

"Indeed, Ser Arthur is a master of it. Ser Jon, another time, I thank you for the spar." Jaime said as he walked away, his head full of thoughts and the idea the boy had just given him.

Where it not for what he was about to do then he'd have spent more and more time analyzing the fact that he was now almost certain that Jon Snow was no bastard. He wasn't Eddard Stark's son nor Arthur's nephew. Jaime was convinced that he'd just been sparring with Rhaegar Targaryen's heir and if that was true then he had a big decision to make.

"When this battle's done I mean to call a council. Changes will be made. I meant to do it long ago, but . . . well, it does no good to speak of roads not taken. We shall talk when I return."

Had he not been so focussed on what he was about to do in relation to Cersei than he'd have pondered which road he needed to take. Instead, though he made his way to White Sword Tower and found Ser Barristan readying for his shift for the day. Looking around to make sure they were alone he stepped close to the Lord Commander.

"Ser Barristan, I wonder if I may be excused duty for some small amount of time, I need to ride and clear my head, shouldn't be more than a few days away at most." he said and Barristan looked at him.

"Ser Jaime?" he asked curiously.

"In relation to what we spoke of regarding my sister Ser, I feel this is my best hope to find out for myself." he said softly and Barristan nodded.

"Very well Ser Jaime, I'll leave it to you to inform your sister" Ser Barristan said as he walked away.

To say Cersei was displeased was an understatement, she ranted, raved, and then she dragged him to one of their usual spots and almost forced him to fuck her. Something to remind her of him while he was away she said. That he had said he was going to meet up with Tyrion had only made her angrier and he found he took delight in that. He rode out that day and was back inside the Red Keep later that night. The tunnels he didn't know well but he knew some and it was those he used to get to her quarters.

It took no more than two days for him to find out the truth and during that time he'd barely slept. He'd eaten the dried food and bread he'd brought with him and only left the hiding spot to relieve himself. He had found this particular tunnel a few years ago, something almost seeming to drive him to find it and in the end, he'd followed a black cat right to it. Most nights since then he'd wake up almost screaming in the night. Had he known, if only he'd have known then he could have gotten them out of here, snuck them out and his nightmares would be so very different than the ones he had.

"When is the king getting back?" he heard a voice ask, Jaime, moving closer to the wall to listen more clearly.

"He's visiting his whores tonight, he'll not return until much later. Now come here, please your queen." Cersei said her tone one he knew all too well.

Listening to the sounds of their coupling almost made him want to break through the wall he leaned against. Her words, her encouragement, her moans, all ones he recognized and now feeling like daggers stabbing him deep in his heart. There had been few times in his life that Jaime had cried, when his mother had died and when he had seen the bodies wrapped in cloth for the first time being among the few he remembered. As he leaned against the wall, behind which someone fucked his sister, Jaime sobbed liked he'd not done in years.

The fucking stopped before his tears did and listening to the sweet words his sister said to whomever it was she had just fucked barely registered. Jaime needed a drink and he needed one now, so he made his way from the tunnel and found the nearest tavern. He ordered a room and for the next three days, he drank almost non stop, when he was puking and shitting being the only times he didn't have a mug in his hand.

"Wake up." he heard the voice say as the water swept over his head.

"Fuck off."

"Ser Jaime, wake up." the voice said, softer now and as he looked through half-closed eyes he almost fell from the barrel his head had been dipped in.

Silver hair, purple eyes, he was looking at a ghost, a specter come to take him from this world, the seven hells surely his destination.

"Ser Jaime, wake up." Jon Snow said and Jaime shook his head and looked up, dark hair now instead of silver but the eyes, the eyes were the same.

"Ser Jon?" he said though it took every effort for him not to call him his prince.

"Aye, drink this." the boy said handing him water which he drank down eagerly welcoming the second cup as he looked to see that he was outside the tavern in an alley, Ser Jon and the Hound looking down on him.

"Where am I?".

"Flea Bottom." The Hound said and Jaime shook his head throwing the water from the barrel over his face and running his fingers through his hair, stunned to find it cut short.

"What the fuck happened to my hair?" he asked and as his eyes properly focussed he saw how messily he was dressed "Ser Jon?".

"I don't know Ser Jaime. We were coming back from the Street of Steel and some men were milling around something on the ground, I almost didn't recognize you." Ser Jon said.

He walked back to the Red Keep with them, Ser Jon and the Hound telling him they'd be leaving on the morrow and had been having a final fitting for armor in Tobho Mott's. Jaime working out that he'd been drinking for four days straight. They walked with him to White Sword Tower and Ser Arys was thankfully the only one there when they arrived. Jaime organizing a bath and changing into cleaner clothes before Barristan arrived back.

The Lord Commander just looked him over, a sympathetic look on his face and Jaime said they'd speak later as he prepared to go on shift, Barristan telling him there was no need and Jaime shaking his head. When the king saw him, he looked at him strangely and it took Jaime a moment to realize it was because of his shortened hair. Though his reaction was nothing like Cersei's who almost fainted and then ignored him for the rest of the day.

He was grateful that he didn't need to speak to Barristan or anyone else that night, more so the next day when he was to accompany the Hand to the ship to wave Lady Elaena off. Seeing the boy again and seeing how Arthur and the Hound stood so close. Watching how he walked and that smile on his face when he talked to Lady Elaena and his friends, he was ever more certain of the truth. The road ahead was far more clear to him now and as they made their way back to the Red Keep he found himself eager to know the truth. He needed to find out if the boy was a prince and if he was soon to become a king.

King's Landing 295 AC.

Lysa.

The plan had been so simple that she'd been certain both of them would be dead and then she, Petyr, and their babe could live the life they deserved. When they had arrived at the Eyrie without Ser Arthur she had sent her message to Petyr. Their own little code and way of speaking covering up the true nature of their correspondence. He had been so clever to come up with a way for them not to seem untoward, friends catching up while each was far apart never even raised an eyebrow from her fool of a husband.

So she had sat back in the Eyrie and waited for the news, her husband, and his temptress of a daughter were soon to be out of her way. She had seen how Petyr looked at the little slut, she recognized the signs and expressions from how he'd looked at Cat all those years earlier. Where it not that she was already the living breathing symbol of what Lysa should have had and what her father had denied to her, then that alone would be enough for her to wish her dead.

But her own daughter had been cruelly taken from her and then she was expected to love someone else's? not content with taking her child, her father had forced her to marry a man even older than he, even as her love, her heart was hurt so by that wild and savage wolf. She had rarely spoken to Petyr about their dead daughter, knowing the pain would have been too much for him to bear. Elaena though she had spoken to him many times about and each time she'd seen that look on his face, which only made her anger at the girl rise. So yes she had waited and looked forward to the news, only to be denied the peace and joy it would bring.

"My lady, a raven from Runestone." Maester Coleman said as he handed her the raven scroll.

"You've read this?" she asked and the man nodded before telling her what it had said.

Reading that after some trouble on the road her husband and his daughter and the rest of their party had arrived in Runestone was bad enough. Finding out later on that the main reason for it was the bastard who besmirched their family name only made it worse. That he'd then been knighted for it really driving the point home to her. She hadn't been able to accept it and trying to make sense of it all alone had been hard. So the first chance she got she arranged passage to King's Landing.

A wife eager to see her husband she was not but it bought her goodwill and no one would dare question her motives. Though she hated the travel from the Eyrie to Gulltown, the thoughts that she'd get to see Petyr sooner than she expected warmed her heart, and not just that. Lysa finding her nights far more pleasurable knowing her fingers would soon be replaced by her loves own.

The journey to King's Landing was far more to her liking, each day bringing her closer and the cabin far more comfortable than her wheelhouse. When she saw the Red Keep in the distance, she held Robin ever tighter. She knew she'd not be able to keep him from his half sister's hands though she'd make sure the bastard kept his distance. Looking to the dock she saw her husband and his daughter waiting for them, some knights too but the bastard was nowhere in sight, something she wondered about when they walked down the gangplank.

"My love, I had not expected you to come?" her husband asked, not seeming happy she had.

"I worried so my love, Robin missed his father too." she said and watched as her husband smiled as he reached out to rub her son's head.

"My lady I'm so happy to see you." Elaena said ever so politely but Lysa could tell she didn't mean it.

"And I, you Elaena."

"Leny." Robin said happily and Lysa almost crushed him against her, though she could do nothing when they climbed into the carriage and her Sweet Robin went to sit beside his half-sister. Both of them soon laughing about something or the other.

It was days until she finally got to spend any time alone with Petyr, his work making him far busier than she liked. It had forced her to spend time with Elaena more often than she'd have wished for and had meant that Robin had become more and more annoyed with her when she refused him leave to play. Though the sleeping draught soon took care of that.

"What happened Petyr?" she asked.

"I don't know, I had thought with Ser Arthur gone, it seems I miscalculated the bastard's skill." he said shaking his head.

"What do we do now?" she asked.

"We wait and bide our time, another attempt would only raise questions."

"But we're still going to do it aren't we?" she asked worriedly.

"Of course we are my love." Petyr said and she didn't let him say anymore, her lips seeking his hungrily.

When it came time to wave Elaena off she refused to go, claiming she had a headache. That Robin was taken by his father almost actually giving her one for true but she took comfort in the fact that while she'd need to wait for now, she'd not forever. She'd see them both in the ground and once they were, Lysa would have everything she ever wished, her love, their son, then, and only then would she be truly happy.

White Harbor 295 AC.

Wyman Manderly.

He woke up and looked out the window on the city, his city, and how he'd seen it grow. Their fleet was coming along nicely, it had started with more and more merchant ships, the extra coin brought in by their contract with Illyrio being put to good use. More ships meant even more trade and in turn even more coin, and so he had looked to build ships of a different sort.

That he had help in such a matter was a surprise until he really considered it. The Old, The Brave, The True, House Velaryon never forgot it's allegiances it seemed and he'd found both Monford and his brother to be interesting men. That Aurane got along so well with Wylis had been a surprise to them both, yet when it came to ships it seemed the Bastard of Driftmark knew far more than most.

Dressing and readying to break his fast, he laughed at the thoughts of the day ahead. It was rare he found a man whose appetites matched his own and Illyrio did that in spades. The Magister a most welcome guest and a man he considered a friend. Given what he'd brought to the North, the other lords should too he thought as he walked into the hall.

"Ah, Illyrio, beat me rising this morn it seems." Wyman said as he took his seat.

"I found myself hungry Wyman, the delights White Harbor has to offer always making it so." Illyrio chuckled as he ate some crab soup.

"I'm glad you enjoy them, my friend, I had worried they'd pale to those you offered me in Pentos?" he asked.

"Perish the thought, sometimes a new flavor or dish is most appreciated." Illyrio said and Wyman found he could do nothing but agree.

Ever since the cheesemonger had reached out to him, Wyman had been eager to know the man's reasons. Yet no matter how friendly they'd become he'd kept them to himself, that they both sought the same thing was clear, why though, not so much. The closest he'd ever got was one drunken night in Pentos, he and the magister sitting out in the garden looking at the night sky.

"The Ice Dragon, Wyman, a remarkable thing is it not?" Illyrio said.

"Aye that it is, my Maester keeps a Myrish eye pointed up at the sky, spends bloody hours just looking up at the thing." he said drinking his wine.

"The stars know far more than we do, they've looked down upon us since before man knew what they were. Many years ago an old friend told me an interesting tale." Illyrio said softly his voice almost wistful.

"Aye, what tale was that?" he asked his own voice slurred by the wine.

"Of a promised prince." Illyrio said looking down into his mug.

He looked to the man and swore he could see a tear in his eye, though given he was drunk and not seeing clearly it may not be that at all.

"When the red star bleeds and the darkness gathers, Azor Ahai shall be born again amidst smoke and salt to wake dragons out of stone." Illyrio said his voice almost a whisper "My old friend had the truth of it."

He had tried to bring it up to the man time and again but he'd been waved off, it was clearly something the Magister didn't wish to speak of and Wyman had many things that made him feel the same. When people brought up his wife he would shut down the conversation quickly. How he felt about her death was something for him and him alone. Something that he shared with Illyrio, the man telling him that he'd lost his own wife many years ago and his heart had never been whole since she'd passed.

"So you're still going to Winterfell?" he asked as they both finally finished their meal.

"I am, I think it's long past time I met with the Warden of the North, besides the weather is mild as you say. It may not be that again for some time." Illyrio said with a laugh.

"Aye, it may not, Wylis will be sore upset that he missed the trip, he'd have enjoyed seeing Wynafred once more, and was I not so busy I' go with you myself." he said though he had far too much work to do.

"Think nothing of it my friend, besides Wendel is a traveling companion any man would be glad for." Illyrio said and Wyman smiled at that, his sons both having made a good impression on the man.

He went about his duties that day, checking the docks to see the ships being built. So far they'd only a few new warships but soon they'd have a navy the likes of which the North hadn't seen for many a year. If Ned got around to building the keep at Sea Dragon Point then he'd speak to him about Wendel perhaps taking charge of a western fleet.

Illyrio set off the next day and Wyman made sure he was well protected, though the man's unsullied guards would do a more than decent job of that. He sent a gift to his granddaughter for her nameday and some letters to Ned, before sending a raven to let him know the Magister was coming to visit. As he was walking to his room later that night he turned and headed to speak to Theomore, asking the Maester for books on Azor Ahai. He was surprised to find there were so many. Laying down in his bed he began to read one, eager to see if this offered any explanation to Illyrio's motives. The man seemed good and true but the North relied on him and so he'd take no unnecessary risks.

Lorath 295 AC.

Aurane.

Dothraki, unsullied, exiles, men from lands he'd never visited. They had practically an army of men and though they took contracts and paid work, they all followed him. Well more precisely they would be following the king when he called for them but for now, the Company of Sea Snake was under his control. Ser Wylis stood beside him as the men drilled, watching as Dothraki put cavalrymen through their paces and as Unsullied trained pike and spearmen.

They looked on as Braavosi trained small men in water dancing and as exiled knights trained others in fighting the Westerosi way. All in all, there were a little over four thousand men, only a few of them were non-fighters though and it had taken Aurane's word for Monford to be comfortable with showing them to Ser Wylis. The man had been stunned they had gathered so many and Aurane knowing what he was about to divulge to him would only stun him even more.

"Come, Ser Wylis, it's time to meet the men who run this place." he said and the large knight followed after him as they walked to the building which served as the commander's own.

The two large men at the door waved him in, though they looked at Ser Wylis with suspicion. Once inside they walked down the hall and another two men stood at an even larger door. Aurane nodding as they opened it and when they walked inside Wylis looked at the two men who sat there with great interest.

"Ser Wylis Manderly, may I present Lord Jon Connington and Ser Richard Lonmouth, the commander and vice commander of the Company of the Sea Snake." Aurane said and Wyman looked from him to the two men.

The dark-haired Ser Richard was smiling while the ginger Lord Jon was not, though there was nothing unfriendly in the man's manner, more he just rarely smiled these days. Taking their seats they welcomed the wine when it was poured, Aurane eager to know how their recruitment was going and how their coin was being spent.

"We've reached out to some men in the Golden Company, some friends of Jon's whose contracts are coming up for renewal." Ser Richard said.

"You think they'll join?" he asked eagerly, trained men always something he welcomed more than those who were unbloodied.

"Aye, they'll come, they're good men and true and only joined like I did because they knew not the truth." Jon said his voice sounding bitter but again it was his nature and not meant to be taken personally.

"Anyone else?"

"The first sword of Braavos sent a message seeking a position." Jon Connington said.

"You jest, Syrio Forel?" Wylis said and Jon nodded.

"You know him?" Aurane asked turning to the Manderly knight.

"I've seen him give displays, a fine blade I must say." Wylis said and Aurane saw both Jon and Richard nod in agreement.

"We've also received word from a little bird." Ser Richard said handing Aurane the note which he read and then handed to Wylis.

"Well, then I think we should raise our glasses, to Ser Jon Snow, the Mountain Wolf." Wylis said and Aurane did as the others did.

"The Mountain Wolf." Ser Richard said and Aurane looked to see the smile on Jon Connington's face, one he'd not seen since he met the men over a year ago.

The ate with the men that night, listening to very different conversations. The Dothraki speaking of the Great Stallion and the victories they had won for him while the Unsullied ate silently. Men of Westeros speaking of going home one day and men of Essos asking what it was like in the west. Wylis spoke to Ser Richard while he sat silently with Jon Connington, the man waiting until he was finished eating before asking him to join him outside.

"You wish to speak to me Jon?" he asked once he had left the hall.

"Oberyn, does he know?" Jon asked.

"I believe not, though I'm not sure, the spider keeps things himself and I've not spoken to Ser Arthur."

"He's looking for something, he's visited Essos more than four times in the last few years. At first I thought it was the children." Jon said.

"Still no sign of them?"

"They're there and then they're gone, news travels slowly in Essos and the spider's little birds aren't so numerous over here, even mine own contacts take time to send news." Jon said his voice somewhere between annoyed and sad.

"If Oberyn's not looking for the children then what?"

"I would say us, I reckon he'll find us soon enough." Jon said and Aurane nodded.

"I'll have my brother speak to the spider when we return." he said.

"I'm coming with you." Jon said leaving no room for argument.

"Jon, it's not safe, not just for you but for the king also." he said.

"I can fucking hide. I need to see him Aurane, I need to see him with mine own eyes, I'm drifting here, drifting in despair, the hope I feel, I need to know that it's real."

Aurane looked to him, his face was almost pleading and so he nodded.

"Very well, you come back with us, but we send word before we go there Jon." he said.

"Thank you, my friend." Jon said as he walked back inside and Aurane wondered whether he was doing the right thing.

King's Landing 295 AC.

Jon Snow.

He, Waymar, and Sandor had gone to the shop a few times since they'd arrived, measurements being taken, different metals being shown to him. He'd been allowed to wear an unmade suit but never the actual one, it had been loosened when he moved and tightened when necessary. The smith was a Qohorik name Tobho Mott and Sandor told him that he was the very best in King's Landing. He and his young apprentice, a boy of Jon's age named Gendry had fussed and made such a big deal over him that both Waymar and Sandor had never stopped taking the piss out of him since the first visit.

On his second to last visit, Waymar had stayed in the Red Keep as Lord Jon wished to speak to him about something, leaving him and Sandor to go alone. Given what they found or more precisely who, it was perhaps a good thing. As he could tell Ser Jaime was embarrassed enough that it was them alone without there being even more people with him.

Today though was the last day and he'd actually get to see it, to wear it, and he couldn't help but be excited. Nothing he had said to Lord Jon had stopped him from doing this and it had gotten to the stage, that he'd if anything risked upsetting him with his constant telling him that there was no need. Now as he walked into the shop he felt eager to actually see the suit of armor the Qohorik had created.

"Ser Jon, Sandor, welcome, Master Mott will be with you in a moment" the young girl said.

"Good, I fucking hate this street." Sandor said after the girl had left.

"Aw, is someone upset he's not been given a gift?" he said with a smirk.

"Fuck off." Sandor said and he chuckled, he'd actually gifted the man a new sword which he'd taken in his own grumpy inimitable style, though Jon thought he'd seen him look at it proudly.

"Aw, Ser Jon, if you'll step this way." Tobho Mott said and he followed the man into a room "Your armor Ser Jon.

He looked at it in awe, it was incredible. like nothing, he'd ever seen before. It took him some time to put it on and a looking glass was quickly brought in. Standing in front of it he could see just how magnificent it truly was. The suit itself was of silver plate and mail and was embossed upon the surface of the breastplate. Large circular rondels in enameled cream-and-blue made into the moon-and-falcon sigil of House Arryn protected the vulnerable juncture of arm and breast. A skirt of lobstered metal covered him from waist to mid-thigh, while a solid gorget encircled his throat.

The helm was equally as amazing, it was wrought of fine silver, falcon's wings sprouted from the temples and when he put it on he looked like a heroic figure from House Arryn's past. As he looked closer at the armor though he saw the outlines of the wolves weaved into the pattern and he found himself smiling even more. When he moved in it he was stunned at its lightness, having almost expected to be barely able to move given how much steel he was wearing.

"Will I be able to grow into this? To allow it to grow with me or will I need a new suit?" he asked and Tobho shook his head.

"It can be expanded up, loosened and added to." the smith said.

"I thank you, Master Mott, it's incredible." he said and the smith smiled.

"The Lord Hand wished for the best Ser Jon, I'm glad it meets your expectations."

Stepping out he found Sandor looking at him and he waited for the jape, knowing it would come before the man even opened his mouth.

"Mountain Wolf, they should have called you the Winged Wolf, you look fucking ridiculous." Sandor said and from behind his helm, Jon laughed.

Gendry helped him remove it and they arranged to pick it up on the morrow before they left, Jon giving the boy a silver stag and a few coppers which he very much appreciated. When they reached the Red Keep it was to find that Arthur had arrived and once he'd made sure he had not been marked, Jon watched as he readied to give both of them a piece of his mind. He quickly decided he needed to step up before he did.

"Before you say anything, Sandor asked me to stay with him, I was the one who was derelict not him." he said and Arthur nodded.

"You risked too much Jon." Arthur said and Jon shook his head.

"I did what was right, even were it not who I went to, it would have been right for me to go to them. Otherwise, what's the point of any of the lessons you've given me, uncle? You've sought to make me into who you think I should be, it's because of that I not only wished to help, but I was able to." he said.

"Very well Jon. But from now on, you stay with one of us no matter what, I mean it Jon, me or Sandor, you wish to do something then we go with you, understood?" Arthur said.

"Aye, it's understood, uncle." he said and Arthur grabbed him in a hug, holding him tightly against him.

"I'm proud of you Jon, very much so, don't doubt that." Arthur said and Jon felt his heart soar, to hear it from him meant more to him than almost anyone.

Leaving the next day he found himself glad to be going. He'd spoken to Ser Barristan briefly, the knight also telling him he was proud of him and Jon thanking him for everything he was doing for him.

"It is my duty, my king."

"I appreciate it all the same Ser, I'd like you to know that." he said.

As the ship set sail, he was joined on the deck by Elaena, feeling her hand take his, he smiled when she brought it to her lips to kiss it.

"Let's go home." he said seeing her smile back at him, he found himself eager to be back in the Vale, he'd missed it far more than he'd imagined he would.

A/N: Up next Sansa arrives in the Vale for a visit, Jon asks Elaena an important question, we catch up on what Oberyn's been doing and we take a look into life in Winterfell. I would also like to thank 1 for the design of Jon's armor.

Daryl Dixon: So glad you liked it.

The Spinx: The Mountain wolf approves of this poem lol.

Williams: Glad you liked it, I know it's hard the white wolf just works so much better but I think it's pretty much what they'd call him giving the mountains of the Vale.

Darthmaine: The only issue with the Stormlands is it's pure Baratheon country, I don't think Ned would do it so you'd perhaps have to do a Lyanna/Robert story for it to play out.

Guest: I never did the actual reveal scene, more suggested it. I think distance is Lysa/LF's biggest advantage, they're not around them much, so they don't see it fully, instead there is distrust more than anything.

The Rocky Road: So glad you liked it.

, we'll see it through Arthur's eyes next.

Leinad: Habrá un par más de ellos, no quiero alargar la infancia tanto como en otras historias.

Xand007: Thank you my friend: As you see yep LF was behind the attack, one big advantage of what Jon did is he can be more public with Elaena, we'll see more of Illrio's back story here soon.

Xan Merrick: Thank you my friend, glad you liked it.

Supremus: Not sure yet where Theon is going in this, we clearly disagree on him though, so I'll leave it at that, noticed you did a fic about it, I'll give it a look as soon as I can.

Lady Octarina: He is in some ways yes, though Jon in TDC has a different advantage because of his blood and magic being more of a thing there, but simply skill wise Arthur, then the Hound training him and for longer, yep he's better. He should yes but Elaena's nameday kinda trumps it, Arthur knows how he feels about her and is letting it play out, so had this been any other time then he'd have gone, but with that not so much. I think with Jaime, Cersei is still the key, it's the need to break for her, in TDC it happens so early here it'll be worse as you see but even in canon, as much as him travelling with Brienne is key, his convo with Tyrion really is his break point.

Zodiacs: We'll see, time and distance are an issue, Varys may be more key to Jon A than Sandor.

Naruto: So glad you liked it.

Ace Venom: Hah, I can't get that out of my head now lol.

Waka wan: Really glad you liked it.

Raul Aguilar: I kinda don't want to stick around too much on the youth aspect, more to set events in the future, but still to have a taste of what happened so to speak, In a way it's almost a rush to get to canon.

Galo: So glad you enjoyed it.

Kalokenzier: Varys in canon makes some interesting points about LF, one of the quotes is that when talking to Illyrio, he mentions how LF is the second most devious man in the seven kingdoms and not even LF knows what LF is up to. Which suggests a coupled of things, either he doesn't know or he lets it play out in canon because it fits his goal, now most go with the second option. Here he has a lot of other stuff on his hands, he's the reason most of the above regarding Essos and the north has happened, he's trying to find the Targs in Essos and there is his general actual work, so he's not fully engaged on LF because he's not sure how much of a threat he actually is so to speak. Is it plot armor, perhaps in a way but LF until this point isn't actually a threat which needs to be remove either.

Loner18: Thanks so very much for your very kind words, really glad you're liking this.

Vwchick: So glad you're enjoying it, as I've said with TDC and other stories, barring a few I try to change up certain characters so Jon A and Illyrio in this are very different lol.