Winterfell 295 AC.
Jon Snow.
He sat looking at the statue and felt the tears fall down his face. It didn't do her justice, not given what his uncles had told him about her and even Arthur had said as much when he'd asked him before coming here. Elaena was asleep and so he'd taken the chance to come here alone. Jon knowing that he had to do so before he brought her to see his mother. His uncle had offered to join him, but he'd told him that this was what he needed to do and so he'd given him leave to spend as much time here as he wished.
When he'd seen her and looked at the face of the woman he'd never been lucky enough to know, the tears had come unbidden. He'd then had to move away from the statue and had almost fallen to the ground as he sobbed like a babe. As a child he'd visited here more than once, Arthur had always insisted he paid his respects to his grandfather, uncle, and his aunt, or who he'd thought was his aunt. Now that he knew the truth he was sure that Arthur had simply wished for him to be close to her somehow. It was something he owed him thanks for and would be certain to say to him when he could.
How long he sat in the dark and looked at her, he knew not. The small blue flower he'd placed in her hand had already begun to shrivel up and he swore to himself he'd leave something far more permanent before he left to go back south. He'd told her about his life, about all he'd done and intended to do. Jon swearing to her that he was happy and had been raised well and that he'd soon bring the woman he loved to see her. Rising to his feet he moved to the statue and because he couldn't reach her face without climbing onto it, something he'd not do, he instead placed a soft kiss on each of her outstretched hands.
"I love you mother, I've always loved you. I wish you were here with me so I could tell you so, that you and father were with me and I'd known you both. I am so very proud to be your son, so very proud to know that you were my mother and I hope to make you both just as proud of me as I am of you." he said his voice carrying in the quietness of the crypts.
Wiping his eyes he walked to the door to find both Arthur and Sandor waiting for him and with a nod that he hoped showed them both that though upset he wasn't dejected, he made his way to his room and to his bed. Waking the next morning he dressed and headed outside for his morning spar, smiling to find Elaena was up already and had decided to join him before he broke his fast.
"Did you sleep well?" he asked as he kissed her cheek.
"I did, why didn't you tell me about the warmth, Jon?" she asked as she wrapped her cloak a little more tightly around her.
"I wished for it to be a surprise, it won't be the last one I intend for you to have while you're here," he said mischievously.
"And you won't give me a hint at the others?" she asked with her eyebrow raised.
"Hmmm." he said as if he was pondering her words before he then shook his head and stuck his tongue out at her, Elaena's laughter a welcome sound in the peacefulness of the early morning.
"Then I shall have to think of a way to pay you back, Ser Jon." she said and he swore the look she now wore was devious.
He and Arthur sparred while she watched and he was surprised by the sound of clapping when he was done. Jon looking to see that Elaena wasn't the only one who had risen early and as he drank his water he saw his betrothed talk animatedly with his little sister. Arya was moving as she spoke and seemed to mimic the moves he and Arthur had made during their spar, somewhat at least.
"Now that's a wild little wolf." Arthur said with a chuckle.
Breaking their fast he was peppered with questions from his little sister. Arya asking him if he would teach her to spar, could she have that piece of bacon, and was he really going to eat the last sausage. They'd been joined by almost everyone, all except Waymar who was not an early riser, and the sound of laughter from their table drew the attention of his uncle and aunt. Though when he looked to the high table where they sat with Ser Wylis it seemed to him as if his aunt's attention had been on him even before then.
"Sansa can you show Elaena, Ysilla, and Mya the glass gardens later?" he asked his sister who nodded eagerly while Elaena looked at him confused "I've something I need to do and I'll meet you there afterwards" he said and was happy to see Elaena's small smile.
"Are you teaching me how to spar?" Arya asked and Jon chuckled as he reached for her, Arya dodging out of his way and laughing at him as she did so.
"Later little sister." he said and her look of surprise was soon replaced by a broad smile and one that his brother Bran soon wore too when he told Gyles to teach them both some of the moves he'd thought him, his squire only too happy to do so.
He waited until the others had left and Waymar had arrived to break his own fast. Jon making it seem as if it was his friend he was waiting for when in truth it was a chance to speak to his uncle and aunt. After he told Waymar where the others would be, he moved to the high table and spoke to Ser Wylis and his uncle, before then turning to his aunt. His words may have seemed innocent but he hoped his meaning was clear.
"I've asked Sansa to show Lady Elaena and the others the Glass Gardens, my lady. So there is no need to be concerned over their whereabouts, should you be worried. With your permission I'll spend my time in the Godswood." he said his eyes on hers and he was happy to see that she understood his true meaning.
"Of course, Ser Jon, thank you for letting me know." his aunt said with a soft smile on her face as he turned and walked from the Great Hall.
He was walking to the Godswood with Sandor and Arthur when the child came his way, Sandor moving to stop the young girl while Arthur bid him let her pass. The note she handed to him could only come from one person and as he handed the child some coins he realized that this was one of Varys's so-called little birds. Holding the note tightly in his hand, he didn't look at it until they were in the Godswood itself and once he did he was stunned by the words he read. He handed it over to Arthur so that he could reveal what it said as he didn't trust he'd be able to speak the words himself.
"They found them, both of them. "Arthur said happily and Jon nodded.
"Found who?" Sandor asked.
"My aunt and uncle, Viserys and Daenerys, they're safe, both of them are safe." he said relievedly as they continued further into the Godswood.
Seeing the giant Weirwood in front of him took his breath away as it always had. There were few in the Vale and none that even came close to this one and so what had started out as him seeking a place to speak to his aunt in private soon became a prayer for true. Jon kneeling and offering his thanks to the Old Gods for his aunt and uncle and then asking them to look over all those he cared about. By the time he rose to his feet, she'd arrived. His aunt looking at him more nervously than he'd expected and when he motioned to the small tree trunks that his uncle had fashioned into seats, she sat and he joined her.
"My uncle tells me you know the truth aunt?" he said just as nervously as she seemed to be.
"I do, Jon. I'm sorry Daeron." she said stumbling over her words.
"Jon for now, aunt, in time I'll need to be who my mother named me as, but for now it's perhaps for the best if I stay as Jon." he said and she nodded "I'm sorry it's taken so long for you to know, aunt. I wish I had a reason for why that was, an excuse, and I find I've none so I beg your forgiveness for that."
"I understand, it irks me." his aunt said with a shake of her head and a small laugh "But I do understand. Ned said you only found out yourself when we visited the Vale?" she asked and he was surprised to see there was a little doubt in her voice as she did so, more directed at his uncle than him, he felt.
"I did. It took me some time to come to terms with it and what it meant and I think my uncle wished for my leave to speak to you, I think he also wished for me to be here when he did so." he said not sure if he was right but believing he was.
"Ned said as much." his aunt said confirming his words "I fear for what this means, Jon, I'll not lie to you. I fear for my children, for my husband, and for you too." she said and he smiled at her, happy as he had always been to be included in those she cared for.
"As do I, aunt. I've thought long and hard about what it would mean not to risk those I cared for. To just forget about the throne and seek another life. Were it in my power to do so then I know not what I'd chose." he said with a long sigh.
"Is it not?" she asked curiously.
"We are at the mercy of the gods, aunt, yours and mine own." he said and she laughed just a little "It's not that I seek a throne, nor even that I wish for what my parents wanted for me, though I'll not lie and say that doesn't play its part. I've listened to Lord Jon, I've seen it myself when I've visited King's Landing, the grip that the Lannisters have on the throne and Robert's own reluctance to rule places us all in danger. The prince himself is not a man any of us should wish to name our king, I fear him worse than my grandfather was, or potentially worse at least." he said sounding older than he was.
"War is inevitable, that's what your uncle says and though I wish him wrong, I fear him right." his aunt said and he nodded.
"I believe the same, aunt." he said and she rose to her feet.
"Then far better we fight for the right side, nephew." she said and as he rose he was surprised by her when she took him in her arms "You've lost far too much in this world, Jon, far too much. I'm sorry about your mother and that you didn't get to know her, that you didn't know what it felt like to have a mother's love." she said her words soft and genuine and he felt a stirring in his heart at her sincerity.
"I knew what it was like, aunt. You may not have been my mother, but I was never treated as less than your son. I thank you for it, truly." he said and he felt her squeeze him tightly, noticing how she wiped her eyes when she left him, Arthur, and Sandor alone and walked from the Godswood.
Pentos 295 AC.
Dany.
Life had been hard for the past few years, Viserys had begun to change into someone that she didn't recognize and Dany had become fearful of waking the dragon. Their stays in Magister's houses had become shorter too as either because of the Magisters themselves or more recently because of Viserys's attitude, they would wear out their welcome. So when the man had come to the house in Myr and offered them the chance to stay in another Magister's house, Dany had not known what to think or to expect.
Would this one be different from the others?
Would they finally find a place to stay and settle?
Would they be safe?
The questions and what the answers to them would mean had caused her sleepless nights and it was only out of sheer tiredness that she'd finally gotten any rest on the journey to Pentos. Then when they'd arrived at the manse she'd sighed when she saw the man who she'd hoped was to be their savior and protector. He was just the same as all the rest, worse as he was even fatter and therefore greedier than any of them.
Little did she know just how wrong she was to be. Illyrio may have been a fat man and he was certainly a glutton when it came to food, though Dany had found his reasons for why to be endearing.
"I lost my wife and my beloved sister, princess, I took comfort in food and though it should shame me for what I've become, I find when I eat I now think of them both most fondly."
She could relate to that, not the eating exactly, but the sentiment. There were things she did that made her think about her family, she thought smiling as she turned her mother's ring in a circle around her finger. The simple act of it making her picture a silver-haired and violet-eyed woman who though she had never met, she dreamt of often. So she could relate and understand and in time she could even look at him and not be disgusted by how he'd take his meals.
The biggest part of her change in opinion of him though had been how she'd been treated since she got here. First to find that there were dresses already made for her in her room. Dresses of a quality that she'd never owned and while some were too big and she'd need to grow into them and others needed to be altered, they were hers, all hers. She wasn't materialistic, not truly, but she was a young girl and it had been so very long since she'd had a wardrobe and owned more than one nice thing and so she'd welcomed the chance to wear them and to look pretty once more.
Yet it wasn't even just the dresses, the fact he gave her servants that were hers and hers alone or that he had promised her tutors to help her learn the things a princess should know, that had truly made her think of Illyrio how she now did. It was when he'd stopped Viserys from hurting her and had then given her guards that would ensure he never did so again. It was that and keeping his promise to her that he'd not harm her brother and would just set him straight on how he was to behave in regards to her. That truly won her over and so now as she was being called to join her brother and Illyrio in his rooms, she walked so very happily to them.
"Ah, princess, you look a true delight." Illyrio said rising to his feet after she'd been brought into the room, the kiss he placed on her hand making her giggle just a little and she was surprised to see that Viserys didn't scowl at her for doing so.
"The magister speaks truly, Dany." Viserys said and she smiled at her brother, even as she looked at him warily.
"I've asked you both here because there are things you must know. Things that will change how you see yourselves and may cause you some distress." Illyrio said looking more to Viserys than her, her brother remaining calm though she could see the dragon ready to be woken and it worried her somewhat.
"What things, Magister?" she asked when Viserys did not.
"Prince Viserys." Illyrio said and she saw her brother bristle at the name "While your mother may have crowned you and you think it makes you the rightful king, that's not how things work in the world we live in. Blood right trumps all and only your father had the right to name a different heir."
"My father…" Viserys began only for Illyrio to shake his head and her brother to stop speaking, something that shocked her.
"We've spoken on your father and there are those who know him far better than I who will speak more. Suffice to say that your father never unnamed your brother and so it's his line that comes before your own, his blood that has the right before yours does." Illyrio said and Viserys looked confusedly at him.
"My nephew was murdered, magister, he and my niece were butchered by the Lion's dogs." Viserys said his anger was over their deaths she was happy to see and not because of what Illyrio was saying.
"Yet your brother had another son, another wife." Illyrio said and Dany felt her throat go dry and her heart begin to race as she leaned forward and drank some of the sweet juice that the servants had laid out for them on the large table.
Another wife, who could it be, was that why her brother and Lyanna Stark had run away? Another son, did he live? Had she more family out there somewhere? Was he safe?.
"Does my nephew live?" she asked as Viserys glared at her.
"He does, princess, and rest assured he is safe and well guarded." Illyrio said and she smiled at that, though it was soon wiped from her face when Viserys stood up and said he'd not accept another usurper who wished to take what was rightfully his.
Dany looked on as Illyrio rose to his feet and she worried he'd not keep his promise to her, only to find him cowing her brother with words and without laying a hand upon him. He looked more to her as he did so and his eyes showed the words were for show, or so she believed they did. That and that alone stopping her from growing too worried and giving in to the fear she felt.
"To threaten a king is treason, Prince Viserys, to dare suggest becoming a kinslayer is an affront to the gods, I'd expect more from a prince of the blood." Illyrio said angrily "Your kin seeks to see you safe and to be restored to your rightful place, that place is as a prince of the seven kingdoms, accept it or leave and seek to find a way to usurp your kin, but you shall leave alone, Prince Viserys, as I have told you already."
She watched as Viserys fell to his seat and then it struck her that Illyrio was threatening to part them against their will, something she couldn't allow. Though his words when he spoke them a moment later made her think differently.
"Your nephew wishes the best for both of you. To that end, a former friend of your brother's, Lord Jon Connington will arrive soon and you Prince Viserys will be taking a trip with him to see the plans that have been made to bring the throne back to your family. In time I've no doubt your nephew will seek you both out, I would ask you to think carefully about the roles you wish to play, and for you Prince Viserys to understand that you will never be king. Accept that and find a new goal, do so and you have my full support." Illyrio said before he moved to her.
Dany was surprised to see him kneel down and face her, his hand reaching out to take hers in his and the smile he offered her was warm and true she felt.
"I knew your brother, princess. Thought him to be so good and true that had fate not conspired against us all, it may have been my sister you'd have known as a goodsister." Illyrio said smiling still "I swear to you on her memory that you have nothing to fear while here. I wish to see you grow and blossom into the formidable princess I'm sure you'll one day be. To that end I'll do all I can to see it so, to see you and your brother by your nephew's side and your family back where it's meant to be. I ask you to trust me, I hope in time you will." Illyrio said kissing her hand and then rising to leave the room.
For the next few days she kept away from Viserys, her brother had come to her and asked her to run away with him and said that they'd find another way to take his throne. He'd told her that this supposed nephew of theirs was a lie and that even were he the truth, mother had named him king. That didn't sit right with her, if their nephew was a lie then he was right, but if he was true then he was their king, wasn't he?.
When the man arrived that Illyrio had mentioned, Lord Jon Connington, she'd seen the way Viserys had looked at him and named him true. She'd listened as he told them that he'd seen their nephew and that he'd served her brother faithfully. Lord Jon saying that her nephew was her brother's son and should he be lying may the gods strike him down. Something they did not, much to her relief. While Viserys agreed to go with him to turn the men to his side, men that were seeking to take back her family's throne, Dany sought answers from him about her nephew. Soon finding out that he was to be wed and that he was indeed safe, that he was building up an army and had already garnered allies. Just listening to Lord Jon speak about her nephew made her breath quicken as his plans were so much more advanced than the simple proclamations of her brother. When she spoke to him of Viserys, Lord Jon smiled and said her brother was not lost to them and that in time he'd come around, something she very much wished for.
"You really believe so?" she asked nervously.
"I do princess, when he sees our men, when he speaks to the leaders and finds out that it's not him we'll serve, it may take him some time but he'll come around." Lord Jon said.
"You won't harm him?" she said, a command rather than a question and it surprised her to hear her voice sound so firm.
"I would never dream of harming your family, my princess. I give you my oath on that." Lord Jon said and she nodded and hoped she had kept her relief hidden.
"My nephew, he is good?" she asked and the smile he gave her was all the answer she needed "His name, Lord Jon?"
"Daeron, princess, Daeron Targaryen." he said and this time it was she who smiled, a full and true one as she felt it apt that it would be a Daeron who conquered once again.
Viserys left the next day and she was both happy to see him go and even more so to see him so determined. Though she worried about when she'd see him again and should things go how Lord Jon suggested, that may not be for some time. Her worries were soon gone from her when Illyrio came to see her, the older woman that was with him looking a little severe only to then smile at her and look anything but.
"Princess, may I introduce you to Septa Lemore, she's to help you learn about the Seven Kingdoms and your place in them." Illyrio said as the woman stepped forward.
"It's good to meet you, my princess. Come there is much we need to speak on." Septa Lemore said holding out her hand and as Dany took it and walked with her, she was excited at the thoughts of what was to come.
The Dreadfort 295 AC.
Domeric.
Given the men he'd sent, his father had made his intent clear and Domeric knew no matter how much he had wished to ride with Jon and his friends, he could not. Were it just simple guards it would have been hard enough, seeing Steelshanks Walton amongst them had left him with no choice. He had known what it meant the moment he'd saw the captain of their guards and it had worried him greatly.
Gain his knighthood, earn a reputation and then come back, that was the agreement that his father had agreed to and he had only done so because his aunt Barbrey had insisted that it was his mother's wish for him, just as warding with her had been as well. Before he'd been knighted his father had told him that he'd have two more years to see it done and since he had earned his spurs the letters while never demanding his return had hinted at the need for it to be soon. He should have expected this to be honest, but so caught up was he with the idea of them all riding to Winterfell together that he had not let the thoughts enter his mind.
Still, as they rode through his family's lands it was with a smile on his face that he did so. His friend had come through with the perfect reason for why he must be allowed to travel onto Winterfell and then return to the Vale. and he thanked Jon gratefully for it. That said reason was something that he had begun to think more and more on, only making his smile a truer one. Domeric knew that Sansa liked him and even that she had somewhat of a crush on him. Should they be matched he knew his father would welcome it greatly, as he knew now so would he. Though there was an age difference of a few years, by the time they would be betrothed and then wed that would be less of an issue and Sansa was already growing out of the silliness of her girlish years.
"Rare be it when I've seen a man smile as often as you, Ser Domeric." Nage said as he rode beside "Rarer still when it be as we ride to meet with your father."
"Aye, still as fierce and intimidating as ever is my father, Nage, but I find myself in good cheer." he said smiling still.
"I'm happy to see it, Ser, it were something I missed since you left to go south."
"Then I shall try and keep smiling until I leave again, Nage." he said with a laugh which Nage and one or two of the guards joined in with, though Steelshanks Walton did not.
They reached the Dreadfort just before night fell and it looked just as he remembered it. Domeric was happy to see the horses in the stable that could only have come from his grandfather's House and upon seeing two red ones he felt his heart race a little.
"My grandfather is here?" he asked to a shake of Nage's head.
"Your uncle and aunt, Ser Domeric." Nage answered and Domeric's smile only grew larger.
He had intended to ride to Barrowtown to see his aunt after he'd been settled in Winterfell, to find out she was here and he'd see her sooner was a more than happy surprise. Domeric almost couldn't wait to see his horse stabled and the steps he took into the keep and to present himself to his father, uncle, and aunt were much surer and quicker ones than he had anticipated. When he saw them in the Great Hall this was only even more true, though it was tempered a little as he knew he'd at some point be brought to his father's solar. His uncle Roger and aunt Barbrey both wore smiles that he knew his own matched while his father bore his usual expression. Though he did look pleased to see him and he was taking him in with his pale eyes.
"My lord." he said with a bow to his father, his voice far more formal than how he greeted his aunt and uncle "Uncle Roger. Aunt Barbrey." he said shaking his uncle's offered hand and then being caught in a most welcome embrace by his aunt.
"By the old gods, look at how you've grown, a boy we sent away and a man has returned in his place." his aunt said as she let him go and he then leaned forward to place a kiss on her cheek.
"I come from good stock, aunt." he said to a small nod from his father, though it was his mother he was speaking of.
His father spoke few words, letting his uncle and aunt do most of the talking as they asked him about his time in the Vale, the adventures he'd gotten up to, how he'd earned his spurs, and had he truly taken part in fights against the Mountain Clans. Barbrey showing her concern while his uncle and surprisingly to him, his father, looked on proudly. When he spoke of his friends, his aunt tensed a little at the mention of Jon, while his father's eyes narrowed as he looked at him curiously. Domeric was more than happy to see the eager look on his face.
Later after he had washed and changed, he was called to his father's solar and he knew exactly what the topic of conversation was to be. Had he not spoken to Jon and had his permission to say what he was about to say, then he knew that nothing he brought up would grant him leave to ride away from here for the foreseeable future. His father's will would be done regardless of any reason he would have been able to give him. Yet as he spoke Domeric was certain it was his own that would win out.
"You've done well for yourself, your aunt was not wrong. A boy was who I sent to the Vale and a man is who I see before me. A man whose sword has tasted blood and who has earned renown and a man who is needed by mine side." his father said as he drank his hippocras, his pale eyes staring directly into his own and his voice barely a whisper.
"I have father, I believe I am a man grown, though one with still much to learn." he said and saw his father's slight nod.
"Then I shall endeavor to teach you what it is you need to know." his father said and Domeric knew it was now or never.
"While it's true the time is due for me to return, father. I would beg you to hold off a little longer in the interests of our House and mine own future." he said and it was only that he'd phrased it how he had or it would be anger and not curiosity that he now saw in his father's eyes.
"Explain yourself." his father said.
"As you know I've become quite close with Lord Stark's bastard, Ser Jon." he said hating to have to name him as such but knowing his father would expect nothing less and that it needed to be seen as more a means to an end than a true friendship.
"I am aware of this, some silliness about some order or something." his father said, his lips slightly tightening and Domeric knew that he couldn't speak of the Brotherhood too fondly.
"The Vale for all the good it's done for me, is not the North, father, and its customs are not our own" he said, and were his father a different man then he swore he'd have smiled "Ser Jon though is most close to his family, father, far more than most bastards are." he said and had he been looking at his father's hands and not his face then he'd have seen how he gripped his glass tighter "Which is perhaps why not only did Lord Stark bring his entire family to Runestone, but also why Lady Sansa later returned and stayed alone with her half brother for some time."
"While you were in residence?" his father asked and Domeric nodded "And you spoke to the lady?"
"More than once, father. Ser Jon is most protective of his half-sister and as for Lady Sansa herself, she dotes on her brother and so those who he named as friends were most welcome in her company. Someone from the North, who is both a knight and who plays the harp, even more so." he said, hating each word he spoke.
He could see how his father's mind was working even if to anyone it would seem as if he was just sitting there and sipping his drink. The idea of a match between House Bolton and House Stark was one that he knew his father secretly longed for and so it was time to put the final touches to his plan.
"Ser Jon considers me a true friend, father. Both of us being of the North has only reinforced that in his mind and while Lady Sansa was there he was more than happy for it to be me, rather than a different knight or even one of the other heirs, that he wished to spend time in his half sister's company. As you know he's been betrothed to the Lady Elaena and so recently talk amongst ourselves have been of betrothals." he said as his father moved slightly forward in his chair "One day as we sat alone he told me that was his sister to wed, he would hope it would be to a good man and true, such as I was. I believe he would seek the match father and that his word may see it done."
His father said nothing else to him, not then, not at dinner later, and not until two days from when he'd first brought it up. After his aunt had gifted him a red mare, one that had come from the same line as his late uncle's own stallion that Lord Stark returned after he'd fallen, and she had told him that she be would be leaving on the morrow, he was then called to his father's solar. He walked to the solar with purpose and yet once inside the room it deserted him and instead Domeric was feeling nervous as he sat down in front of his father.
"Your time in the Vale has served you well, both in the growth of your body and your mind and I'm most pleased to see it. I wished you here by my side as I feel it's time for you to learn of your future duties and responsibilities, however in this it seems you've already learned much indeed. I give you my leave to spend another year at the Vale, should you manage to make progress with the Lady Sansa, then that leave will be extended. I would most welcome this match, Domeric, but this is not and should not be considered a chance for you to act a boy. You are a man grown and your first and truest responsibility is to your House and to its future. Continue to do as you have and I'll know that you're truly the son I've wished for you to be." his father said, his words spoken as softly as ever, and yet there was steel in them too.
"I shall do all I can to make you proud father, and to ensure our House rises." he said and he knew the words had found favor by the look in his father's eyes.
They rode out the next morning and he was stunned as no doubt were others by the embrace his father gave him before he took to his horse. There were no words of love or declarations of pride and yet he felt that he'd earned the one and was perhaps was closer to the other. Not that it had been his intent and as he, his aunt, and his uncle rode out of the gates, he looked forward to Winterfell and to see his friends once more. Just as much as he found himself looking forward to seeing a girl he'd been thinking much on ever since he'd last seen her.
Winterfell 295 AC.
Elaena.
She found Winterfell to be a wondrous place, the glass gardens were an absolute delight, and the warmth she felt in them was a welcome respite from the chill in the air. Ysilla enjoyed them even more than she while Mya was far hardier than either of them, though her friend did so enjoy the flowers. They themselves had been a most welcome surprise as Jon had always told her that the North was full of more practical men. To see a place full of such beautiful flowers and to see the blue ones most of all had almost brought a tear to her eye.
Elaena knew all about the Winter Roses, she and Jon had spoken of them often and their meaning to her betrothed made them so much more important to her. So it was no surprise that when Jon joined them in the glass garden it was to find her softly stroking the petal of one of them. The smile he gave her was one of his truest ones and yet she could see the beginnings of water in his eyes. Elaena was happy when he, Mychel, and Waymar began to jape and jest and to see him fight down the emotion, for now at least.
The keep itself was a welcome surprise, Sansa explaining to her about the pipes that moved hot water through the walls and allowed it to be as warm and welcoming as it was. At their meal that night she listened as Jon spoke about the hot springs and that yes he'd bring them all to see them. Sansa later confiding in her that they could if they wished bathe in them and that even though they were out in the open, it would be warmer than any bath they could take inside. Something that amazed her and made her truly wish to see them for herself.
After the first couple of days where Jon though present was not as much as she had wished him to be, her time in Winterfell truly began. Whatever it was he had needed to do was done and so he then spent far more time with her and his sisters, Jon finally showing her around and pointing out things that he felt she'd like to know about. It wasn't that she'd not enjoyed Sansa's, Arya, or her friend's company, more she wished to spend time with her betrothed and have him be the one to escort her rather than others. Something he was doing now as they walked in the Godswood together, Arthur a few steps behind her and her own guards a little further away.
"By the seven this is truly amazing, Jon." she said as she looked at the giant Weirwood.
"It's stood for hundreds of years, the keep itself was built around the Godswood and I've heard tell that this tree is older even than Winterfell itself." Jon said as he helped her to sit on some tree trunks that were fashioned into seats, his cloak laid across one to make it more comfortable for her.
"You should keep that on, Jon." she said looking at the cloak and worrying about the cold.
"My blood runs warm." he said and she smiled as he took her hand in his own.
"I'm glad it was you to show me this." she said softly as she looked at the tree, the carved face looking almost contemplative she thought.
"We'll go riding once Dom arrives, I'll show you the Wolfswood and my uncles should arrive soon, I so wish for you to meet them both." Jon's voice was eager and she nodded just as eagerly, she wished to meet more of his kin and had very much enjoyed meeting those she had already.
His uncle was a serious man and yet there was a warmth to him and Lady Catelyn was as far removed from her sister as a woman could be. She was more like an older Sansa to Elaena's mind and while she truly enjoyed ladylike pursuits and was a faithful follower of the seven, Elaena having prayed with her in the sept, she didn't seem to bear any of their misconceptions. Part of that could perhaps be because of Jon, though she felt she'd be doing the lady a disservice if she thought that was the only reason.
"What are you thinking on so diligently?" Jon asked when she'd been quiet for longer than she knew.
"How Lady Catelyn is no scary fish." she said with a smile, one that only became larger as Jon laughed loudly.
"Far from it, far from it indeed." Jon said laughing still "When I first arrived in the Vale I was shocked to find that Lady Lysa was my aunt's sister. Both in looks and in temperament they are as different as two people can be and I wish it was my aunt who you'd known instead of Lady Lysa." Jon's voice taking on a more serious tone and she smiled briefly at the thought of how different her life may have been were it so, only to frown at what that would mean for Jon.
"Then it would have been you had grown with the Scary Fish and I'd not wish that upon you, Jon. I was lucky, I saw her only rarely, you'd have been forced to endure her daily. Besides, I doubt your uncle would be as pleased with his marriage as he is were that the case." she said with a giggle.
"No, that's the truth." Jon said and he rose to his feet, helping her to her own as he then placed a soft kiss on her lips "Have you written to your brother?" he asked and she nodded, Jon then getting a more serious look on his face before he spoke some more "I…"
"Jon?" she asked worriedly.
"I'd like to take you to see my mother, would you come with me?" he asked nervously, her own kiss relaxing him somewhat.
"I'd love to meet her, Jon, truly I would." she said and she felt him relax even more.
"It'll have to be tonight, late. Were you to join me in the crypts before then it would be noticed." he said and she nodded before kissing him again.
She was surprised and a little annoyed when he began to laugh a few moments later, Elaena not sure what he found that was so funny.
"Forgive me, Laeny." he said as he stopped laughing "I just got the thought that I'd brought you here to speak to you and show you this place and yet if anyone looked at us they'd think I stole you away so I could enjoy your kisses." he said and she smiled at that.
"You mean you did not?" she asked pretending to be shocked.
"Maybe a little." he said as he kissed her once more before they turned to leave.
They spent the rest of the day with their friends and Jon's sisters and brothers. Young Bran had made a firm friend in Gyles as Jon's squire quite enjoyed the idea of being a teacher for once. Sansa, Wyanfryd, Eddara, and Ysilla all were engaged in talks about knights and tourneys, Sansa having clearly told the other two girls about the one in Runestone and now using Ysilla to prove herself true. Robb, Torrhen Karstark, and Daryn Hornwood were speaking of swords and fighting with Mychel while she listened in as Jon had Mya tell Arya about running mules in the Vale and to the Eyrie. The talk of the Eyrie itself soon making her feel a little wistful, though more for her brother than the keep.
Dinner that night was more of the same, though the groups had changed some and she was not surprised when Sansa asked Jon if he'd play his harp. His answer did surprise her a little as while he'd not refused, he'd instead begged off until Domeric arrived. Sansa accepting this with good grace and perhaps even a little eagerness she felt. Whether that was at the thoughts of two harpists or simply who the other harpist was, she wasn't certain, though she'd wager it was the latter. After they'd eaten and spent some time just enjoying each other's company, Jon escorted her to her room and she then waited for him to come to collect her. Time seemed to stretch on and on and she wondered had he decided for it to be another night only to finally hear the knock on the door.
"Forgive me, I wished to be sure we'd not be seen and Eyas was hunting." Jon said when she opened it to find him standing there.
She looked to see him holding his cloak in his hands and then felt its warmth as he wrapped it around her. Elaena trying her best not to think of the symbolism of what that meant and that in a year or more he'd be doing so for true. Then he took her hand and with Arthur and Sandor behind them, he walked her to the crypts. The cold hit her as soon as they entered and the door closed behind them. Elaena wondering how being indoors could be colder than out. Jon held her hand tightly and led her past statue after statute before stopping at one of a youngish man who was tall and broad.
"My uncle, Brandon Stark." he said softly before leading her to another this one of an older man who bore some of the same features "My grandfather, Rickard Stark." Jon said and it was her who gripped his hand more tightly now as he led her to the last one "My mother, Lyanna Targaryen." Jon said his voice cracking as he did so and though she wished to look at the statue, it was to him she looked.
He stood there teary-eyed and her hand went to his face to wipe away the one that fell, Elaena wrapping her arms around him a moment later to hold him tightly. She felt the heaving of his chest and knew he was sobbing, her words soft as she told him to let it out and that she was here for him. It took a few moments and she was happy to see he was not shamed by what he'd done and that he seemed to be over the worst of it. Elaena then turning to look at the statue of her love's mother and finding herself on the verge of tears too not a moment later.
Lyanna was beautiful and to her eyes, it was like looking at Jon, the resemblance he bore to his mother clear for her to see. She'd heard Arthur say that he looked more like his father and perhaps that was true, but as she looked to the statue she could see only her son in his mother's features. As she was taking it in and doing her best to control her own emotions, Jon began to speak softly and the fight she was having with her tears was quickly one she lost.
"Mother, this is Elaena, the girl I'm to wed, the girl I love with all my heart. I wished for her to meet you, for you to know her, and to know that she makes me happier than I ever dared to dream I could be. Were the gods not so cruel then you'd know her for true, mother. You'd see just how much she means to me and be there on the day we wed. I know you'll be looking down on us both and I hope it pleases you to see I found what you and father did and that I know how true it can be." Jon said his voice firmer than she expected.
"Princess Lyanna, my name is Elaena, and I'm so happy to be here to speak to you. To tell you that my heart is true and that your son is who it is full of and that it has always been thus. I love him, princess, with everything I am I love him and he and he alone is who my heart belongs to. I'll protect him, offer him counsel, soothe his worries and remove his pains. I'll be the very best wife I can possibly be and I hope that's enough for you to bless your son and me. I thank you, princess, with all my heart I thank you for without Daeron I would be lost, and with him, I can truly soar." she said and she felt Jon's hand holding hers a little more tightly and this time it was she who sobbed on his shoulder and who was embraced to be made feel better.
Winterfell 295 AC.
Ned.
His nephew was growing into a fine young man and he'd been pleased to see just how happy he was with his betrothed. Ned would be lying to himself if he didn't admit that he'd wondered about the nature of the match, a small part of him thinking it was political more than a true love match even though he knew it to be so. Still seeing them for himself and seeing that it was one that both Jon and Elaena felt just as truly, that had been one worry off of his mind.
As had speaking to Cat when she'd come back from her own talk with Jon, Ned finding his wife not to be too willing to say much about it for a little time afterward and worrying that perhaps it had not gone as well as he'd hoped. When she did finally speak to him, he found her reasons for taking some time to be understandable and it made him love her just that little bit more upon knowing what Jon had said had affected her so.
"He named me a mother, Ned, in all but name he named me a mother and thanked me for being so." Cat said softly as they lay in their bed "I had not thought he'd see me that way, our time was short and yet he named me so."
"You were a mother to him, Cat. You never treated him as less than any of our own children and those early years are the most important. Were he older and you'd not have treated him how you did, then he'd have understood too, but as a babe, as a young boy, he'd know not why he was different. You never made him feel different, Cat." he said and she nodded as she looked at him.
"He's good and true, Ned, I'm glad to have played my part, but it's who he is, who all our children are and I can only thank the Seven and the Old Gods that it's so." Cat said and he leaned forward to kiss her, a kiss she more than reciprocated.
He had other worries too, Sansa's growing affections for Domeric Bolton being one of them. A crush his wife had said and he'd believed it until the longer it had taken for Domeric to arrive, the more he caught the sad looks his daughter would sometimes wear. Were he not to deal with what he was about to, then he'd have spent most of his time concentrating on that. For now, though it was the other girl who had caught his attention that he was focussed on.
Mya was older than Jon and the others and was almost a woman grown. That she was Robert's daughter was clear to him from the moment he'd seen her and that she was here had been a surprise. Though given how affectionate she and Ser Mychel Redfort were, perhaps it should not. He'd been surprised to see that she was treated no differently by Lady Elaena and Lady Ysilla and was pleased that Sansa and her friends too had treated her as if she was a lady and not someone born on the wrong side of the sheets. Ned had almost not asked for her to be brought to him and then in the end he had found he needed to speak to the girl for himself.
"Mya Stone, my lord." Alyn said and the girl was led inside, her nervousness clear and he felt annoyed with himself that he'd put her so ill at ease.
"Mya, please take a seat and forgive me for taking you from your friends, I wished to speak to you and I assure you that what I've to say is not to your detriment, my concerns are for you and not because of you." he said and hoped his smile and words were enough to relax her though he feared they were not.
"I thank you, my lord." she said, her voice shaky as she took a seat and shook her head when he offered her refreshment.
"I asked you here because I knew your father, Mya, from mine own time in the Vale and to see you in my keep was a most welcome surprise." he said and he saw her eager look and how she relaxed somewhat.
"You were friends with my father, my lord?" she asked a little more confidently.
"Close friends, Mya and that's why I wished to speak to you. I'd like to know how things are for you, your life, you are happy?" he asked and she smiled and it was like looking at Robert reborn or the Robert he had once known that was.
"I am, my lord, I enjoy my work, have true friends and my mother and I have a decent life." Mya said and he nodded.
"And you have all you need, coin and the like?" he asked feeling a fool for how he said it.
"I do, my lord. As I said I earn a decent wage and my mother receives a stipend from my father each year." Mya said and Ned wondered if that was true or was it Jon Arryn who saw to that, something he was almost sure was the case and as for Robert he doubted if he even remembered the girl or her mother.
"I'm most pleased to hear so, Mya, most pleased. I want you to know if there is anything I can ever do, anything at all, please seek me out. I know your father would have wished for the best for you and I do too, so should you ever be in need then my door is always open."
"I thank you, my lord, truly." Mya said as she rose to her feet "With your leave I'll go back to my friends."
"Of course, it was a pleasure to meet you, Mya, to see the woman you've grown into, truly it was."
She smiled at him and left the room and only after she'd done so did he reflect on the fact she'd never asked about her father or asked who he was. He wondered did she know or did she even care, or had she come to terms that he had never wanted her in his life. Ned hoped that she had, that she'd dealt with that and with the nature of her birth. That she was friends with Jon and was so close to Ser Mychel made him wonder if his nephew had plans for her in the future that he would bring about. Had he promised the knight and the girl a match that only he could see come to pass?
He believed he had and as the days went on and more visitors arrived, Benjen and Maester Aemon and then Domeric Bolton, he began to wonder what other matches his nephew may have given his word on. Seeing how Sansa brightened up when Domeric arrived and how Jon seemed to look their way more than once he was beginning to think he had agreed to at least one more. So he sent for Jon and bid him meet him in his solar, his nephew arriving almost the moment he'd sent for him.
"Uncle?" Jon asked worriedly and Ned cursed himself for not making it clear it wasn't as urgent as it may have seemed.
"All is well, Jon, forgive me for not explaining my wish to see you better." he said seeing his nephew's relief as he took his seat "Your uncle is settling in well?" he asked and Jon smiled as he nodded.
"He is, it pleases him so much to be here and to have met Elaena, and the news from Essos has lifted a weight from his heart."
"I'm pleased to hear it. Sansa, Jon, I've asked you here about Sansa and Ser Domeric." he said and he saw how his nephew looked at him curiously, "I know you've agreed to a match between Ser Mychel and Mya, I want to know have you done so with Sansa and Ser Domeric too?" he asked, thankful that his voice wasn't as accusing as he feared it would be.
"I would never do so, uncle. It's not my place. True I've told Mychel that I would seek him to be happy and Mya too and should my position allow that to be the case then he would have all my support. I have not done so with Dom, other than to say that should he and Sansa wish to be together then they have my blessing. Which for Dom means a lot, uncle."
"Jon?" he asked, shaking his head and not taking his nephew's words how they were meant.
"It means a lot because he's my friend, uncle, and to know that was my sister to be wed that it would be to a man I know is good and true, that means a lot to Dom. Yet it is not my approval that matters when it comes to a match and so it's not something I'd seek to push through. Though I do think there is perhaps no man better for Sansa and it should be a match you consider." Jon said looking at him, Ned finding there was some eagerness in his nephew's gaze.
"You truly think him a worthy match?" he asked surprised and Jon nodded.
"I think my sister thinks him so and though she's young and it would be many years from now, I think she'd welcome it were it to come to pass. Dom is not his father, uncle, far from it and I dare say if you were to ask Lord Yohn or any man in the Vale that you trust they'd tell you the same. Speak to Arthur and ask him what he thinks of him, I'll wager he'll tell you enough to put your mind at ease. Other than a southern match which may have been my sister's wish once, I think you'd find none better politically either." Jon said and Ned chuckled.
"Political advice from mine own nephew." he said amused and not condescendingly "I shall take it under advisement, but it will be her mother and me who chose, Jon, no other." he said a bit more firmly.
"I would have it no other way, uncle, nor would Dom, trust me were it to be anyone I entrust my sister to it would be him."
Later after Jon had left he gave it more thought and at dinner that night when Jon and Domeric played their harps and sang it was to his daughter he looked. Sansa looking past her brother and to the other boy even though to Ned's eye and ear it was Jon who played and sang best. A match would go down well and two matches in the North would be most welcomed. Roose would be brought closer and perhaps once and for all the animosity between their houses would be put to rest. It was much to think about and as the dance began and Domeric and Sansa took to the floor, he looked to his wife and saw a small smile on her face.
A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed. Sorry, it's taken so long to update, reasons too numerous to explain. I'll be posting chapters of this more regularly and while this feels like a transition chapter almost it's an important one. I'll no say when the next update will be other than to say it'll be within the next month and when updated it'll contain the new schedule for this, thanks for your understanding and patience.
Up Next, Aemon spends time with Jon and with his betrothed and finds out about the rest of his family. A ride through the Wolfswood brings some new friends to the fore. In Dorne Oberyn and Doran argue and Viserys finds out more home truths and faces a crossroads before Jon and the others say their goodbyes. While in Pentos Dany finds her new life to be one she most appreciates.
Daryl Dixon: so very glad you enjoyed it.
Mal Ser: Glad you liked it.
Jaimerey: Ned hará algunos movimientos muy pronto, especialmente SDP. Se abordarán los demás KG y los que cayeron en Dorne. Como ves aquí, Dom / Sansa se está acercando, en cuanto a Ramsay, bueno, ya veremos. Jorah aparecerá pronto. También veremos más mejoras en el norte, aunque Jon no será el que las obligue a todas. No voy a profundizar demasiado en la tecnología, ya que no encajará aqua.
Classicxd: So happy you enjoyed it.
Keb, Hope you liked Cat here, she's in a different headspace.
Zeon: Thanks for saying so, I like the sheer number of options a simple change makes for the stories, Jon knowing, others knowing, him being in a different place, it all changes things so dramatically that it's fun to just even consider, let alone write. Having it be the Vale was pretty much for the reasons you say, we rarely see them as anything more than LF's playthings, and I wanted to have them play a larger part here, so we'll see the Knights of the Vale actually go to war. On the marriage, you're very right, had he just gone for Marge it's done, game over. It's how I think we know that fAegon in the books is not true, because if he was then he marries Marge, brings the loyalists and with the GC wins, it's that simple.
I've said in response to my other stories, Jon going for the throne early then Margaery is the most logical choice of bride, with her, he wins and I mean could you have imagined if Robb had the Reach to call upon? So the North, Rl, Loyalists, Reach and its game over. But I wanted to make it a somewhat more even fight. In regards to the characters, just like the setting or timing, I think a little change or push early and so many characters can go in so many directions.
Supremus: glad you think so.
Guest: I really wanted that to be a thing here, Cat/Jon to be on much better terms, I have plans for Dany/Vis and so we'll be seeing more of them over the next few chapters. I'm just sorry it's taken me so long to get back to this, other work, life, and factors too boring to say being the reason.
Celexys: So very glad to hear you say that, this will be lighter in tone until it's not.
Creativo: Connington, si es así, del lado de Jon, nada lo desviará y, por lo tanto, puede ser Viserys quien se encuentre girando.
The Stoic: So happy you're liking it.
Lorien Legacy: Sorry it's taken so long to update, hope you continue to enjoy this and where it goes from here.
Xand007: Thank you my friend: I think so with Oberyn, he's loyal to Dorne, Doran but he also has his own wishes that he seeks too. It wasn't, Dom would have been stuck by his father's side had he and Jon not come up with this idea.
Lady Octarina: It's funny as I'd not thought of it that way, but you're very right, it really was that wasn't it. They've at least come to a loose arrangement. Aemon will be in the next chapter properly we'll see his and Jon's interactions.
Onehonorarryn; We'll see I've not fully decided yet on how things play out there.
Blackace2137: I try to change things up and while some themes remain the same, I'm obviously a Targ fan and a Jon one, I do like to play around with characters and their motivations. Illyrio being a good guy was just a spur of the moment thing and with Sandor, it hadn't originally been my intent, until I killed off the Mountain and the story almost wrote itself from there. Even I can be surprised how a ripple can play out and I kind of like Sandor with Jon, especially this Jon. Arthur is my fave what if character, as in What If he lived. So you've found a like-minded person here and Arthur will be around for a long while.
Silverglow: Thanks for posting, yeah some issues delayed this far longer than I had expected, hopefully, all are resolved now and TDC is coming to an end freeing up my schedule to make things more regular. I'll be moving stuff around in a couple of weeks and firming things up to let people know what to expect and when. Again thanks, my friend.
Guest: Your command is my wish lol.
Guest: Here you go, hope you enjoy it.
Shivang: I remember, you picked the right time to start some of my work, this is now back on the schedule and you caught up with a couple of other chapters of my other work just as you posted, are you a greenseer by any chance? Should I name you the Three-Eyed Raven lol, just kidding, hope you like the update.
