Runestone 297 AC.

Arthur.

Had he his way then they'd not be setting foot in King's Landing until Jon was crowned and Tywin Lannister and Robert Baratheon were deep in the ground. The thoughts of being in that place while it was still ruled by stags and lions were not ones that filled him with any comfort. Yet to see Jon wed, to be there as their son married a woman he loved, for now, that trumped any worry or doubt that he may have. Still, he and Sandor would need to be on alert and the Brotherhood too would need to stick close. Something that he knew they would as much as they were able, and they'd have Barristan and Jaime if need be.

What he was excited about however was the wedding itself. A ceremony taking place in the Great Sept of Baelor and presided over by the High Septon sent a big message, one that was attended by who would attend this one, an even bigger one. Though he may be using it to honor Jon Arryn and so he could see Eddard Stark again, Robert unwittingly was giving a huge boon to the man who would see him removed from his throne and see him dead.

Speaking of said man, never had he seen him as nervous as he had been these past few days. He'd lost more than once in the sparring yard, had packed and unpacked his clothing numerous times, and had possibly checked every single horse in the stables to make sure that not one of them would pull up lame. Even around Elaena, he was far from his usual confident self and Sandor had enjoyed taking the piss out of him on more than one occasion. Something that he'd have to admit brought a smile to his own face a few times.

"For fucks sake, Jon, are you going to count the fucking hairs on the horse's balls too." Sandor said grumpily and Arthur chuckled as he looked at the abashed look on Jon's face.

"We can't afford…"

"What for one horse to pull up lame, we're riding to fucking Gulltown Jon, not Winterfell. " Sandor said and with a forlorn look to him and a shake of his head, Jon moved from the horses mumbling under his breath.

They were to leave on the morrow, all chests and trunks were already packed and the clothing Jon would wear at the ceremony was placed away neatly so it could not be creased or damaged. He knew that despite all those who would be coming to King's Landing, there were many that Jon wished could be there. His aunt and uncle in Essos, Jon Connington and Richard Lonmouth, as well as his uncles at the Wall, Benjen Stark, and Aemon Targaryen. Unfortunately, there was no way that any of them could make it, for varying different reasons, and he knew that preyed on Jon's mind and wounded his heart.

While he had his family in the North, it was to be him who was closest to Jon who'd stand for the other side of his bloodline. He to be the representative of those who couldn't be there and though he knew Jon welcomed his presence, he knew too that his mind and heart would be somewhat with those not there as well. He'd spoken words to him that he believed Rhaegar may say, tried his best to do the same regarding Lyanna, and felt himself a poor substitute for either of them. Yet he believed he'd comforted him somewhat and so he'd hoped it was enough.

"Come, the others will be up and breaking their fast by now." he said looking to Jon who nodded, the three of them walking back into the keep and readying for the day ahead.

Jon's mood improved as soon as he was sitting with Elaena. He and Sandor both watched on as Jon began laughing and japing and his earlier ministrations with the horses were soon forgotten. Over the day this was even more so and by the time they retired that night he seemed in truly good spirits. While Jon slept, he and Sandor did not, both of them up and about and making their own preparations for the journey to King's Landing and for their time there. Dawn was polished and sharpened and Sandor's two sets of armor were soon polished and shined.

"You truly think he'll be in danger there?" Sandor asked as they sat and drank an ale.

"Had I my way we'd not set foot in that city until the war was done, Sandor. While Jon's worries, fears, and doubts are simply those of a man about to wed, mine own are ever-increasing the closer we get to that war."

"Baratheon dotes over the lad, Arthur. With Jon Arryn there and Stark too, not even Tywin Lannister has power enough to harm him."

"Their men will outnumber ours, Sandor, should anything happen they'll not act with honor either and I don't trust Baelish."

"What's that little fuck got to do with anything?" Sandor asked gruffly.

"It was his idea. Robert wanted a tourney to honor his foster father's news and when Jon Arryn refused, it was Littlefinger who suggested the wedding, Robert jumping at it wholeheartedly."

"He did it to gain favor with the king or Jon Arryn, Arthur."

"Did he?" he asked not quite sure that was the truth.

"Then we'll watch those close to him too. Velaryon will have men there will he not? He and the Lords of the Narrow Sea?"

"He will. And both Ned Stark and Yohn are bringing large accompaniments. I may be just being much too careful Sandor, may be fearing for naught." he said before taking a large swallow of his ale.

"Aye. We'll be on alert, Arthur. I'll fucking gut anyone who tries to harm him, on that you can be certain."

"As will I, my friend, as will I." he said determinedly.

The ride to Gulltown went without trouble. Jon rode with the Brotherhood while Elaena joined Ysilla and her mother in the carriage and Mya Stone and Myranda Royce rode with them. Ahead of them Eyas flew scouting the lands they were traveling and the two Direwolves were never far away either. Occasionally Jon would stop to speak to his companions or to young Gyles and look his way with an odd smile on his face. It was one that reminded him of both of Jon's parents and made him think they were with them in some small way.

Gyles father Gerold joined them on the ship when they left Gulltown, Jon having spoken to him in private a year past and telling him the truth of who he was. Sandor had felt it to be far too big a risk, but the Graftons were ever Leal, and Gerold himself was proof enough of that. Not to mention his pride in knowing that his son was squire to the son of Rhaegar Targaryen and the future king of the Seven Kingdoms was something he could barely contain. He'd already been pleased enough given Jon's reputation in the Vale, knowing the truth of who he was only made that more so and they'd need more of the Vale knowing the truth in time too.

The first night on the ship was when they spoke, he, Sandor, and Jon taking the time to go over all that they needed to regarding what could go wrong and what plans they had in case it did. There were plans, contingencies, worst-case scenarios, and many other things discussed. Horses that would be left in place, ships that would be ready to sail, and even talk of taking the city itself if that could be done. Sandor enjoyed that particular plan more so than those that had them running for their lives, but both he and Jon knew that it was one that would never come to pass.

"The wolves know, Arthur, Sandor. Should their hackles be raised then the time to worry is truly upon us." Jon said as they stood on the deck of the ship.

"You think they'll let the wolves roam free?" Sandor asked curiously.

"I think I can sell the need for them to do so. I'll use my uncle somewhat but Robert will find it amusing." Jon said and Arthur nodded.

"Other than in the Throne Room you're to stay armed, Jon. I'd have you do so there if I could but they'll not allow live steel near the King, so it'll be to Barristan and Jaime that we look or to your wolves." he said looking back at the two giant Direwolves who seemed to be watching the conversation with keen eyes.

"Aye, the Brotherhood has been told the same, Arthur. I'll not stray from yours or Sandor's sight, at least until I'm wed." Jon said blushing and making Sandor laugh.

"Aye, then I don't want to fucking see you." Sandor said laughing still.

"Thank you both." Jon's voice took on a serious tone as he looked at them "For all you've done or may do, thank you both."

They both looked on as he and the two Direwolves walked down the steps and to the cabins below, neither he nor Sandor saying a word to each other, neither needing to. He knew as well as the other man did that if it came down to their lives or his, they'd give up their own without hesitation. Arthur just hoped that he was worrying for nothing and that in a moon's time he'd be leaving King's Landing with a married king.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Barristan.

He almost spend his days counting them down, watching the preparations being made and knowing that soon enough Arthur, Sandor, and Jon himself would be back in King's Landing. The excitement he felt when he heard people speak about the wedding and about Jon and Elaena was something he'd not known in many a year. It reminded him of how he'd felt when Rhaegar and Princess Elia were to be wed, how the whole city had seemed to share in the hope that marriage would bring. People knew of Jon, the tales of how he'd saved the Hand of the King and his daughter from a bandit attack and was now set to be wed to that daughter were ones spoken and sung about often.

That most people thought him a bastard was something he'd have wished to rectify, and yet it was that they did that added to the romance of the tale. How a bastard who despite being a Lord's son had no right to rise so high, but had done so on merit and was accepted enough that he was being allowed, no encouraged to wed the daughter of the Hand of the King and Warden of the East. Even in Flea Bottom where the next meal was usually as far as people's attention went to, they spoke of Jon and Elaena, just as they had his father and the woman he was to wed all those years ago.

As for elsewhere in King's Landing, there too it was talk of the wedding, tourney, and of those being wed that was the topic of most conversations. Some speaking as fondly of Jon as they did in Flea Bottom, others very much not. Tywin Lannister had arrived and Jaime hadn't needed to tell him that his father was not best pleased with this turn of events. Barristan remembered that the Old Lion had wished Elaena as a bride for his horror of a grandson and how Arthur had shamed him in Lannisport and so had made him and Jon an enemy for life. The queen and prince too were not enthused about hosting this wedding. Though the younger prince and princess seemed more excited about it than almost anyone in the Red Keep, other than the Hand and the King.

To listen to Robert speak you'd be forgiven for thinking it was to be his own son who was being wed. The idea that it was his foster father's daughter and best friend's son was more than enough to bring a smile to Robert's face. That he actually liked Jon and spoke of his prowess with a sword often only adding to his happiness about the upcoming wedding. Though truthfully Barristan felt that it was knowing that Eddard Stark would be traveling to King's Landing for the first time since the Rebellion that was the main source of Robert's joy. As he made his way to the tunnels underground it was with thoughts of his true king's safety that he concerned himself with. Arthur's worries had somewhat become his own and Jaime's too.

"It seems I beat you here." Jaime called out when he saw him in the shadows.

"Aye, though I wager Varys beat us both." he said with a chuckle as the eunuch stepped out of his own hiding place.

"And you'd win that wager, Ser Barristan." Varys said, his voice light and cheerful, he too someone who seemed keen to see this wedding take place.

"What news of Jon?" he asked and tried not to think of the days in the future when he'd be naming him openly as Daeron or as his king.

"They've set off from Gulltown and should arrive within two days. I believe our king is eager to be wed as soon as possible, while those with him wish it were not here and that it be over soon."

"Arthur really worries on his safety that much?" Jaime asked with concern.

"The closer it gets to the time, Ser Jaime, the bigger the danger, and so Ser Arthur is not alone in his worries." Varys said and his tone concerned Barristan.

"Is there a threat we should know of?" he asked to a shake of the Eunuch's head.

"Just the fear of what would happen should the truth out before we're ready for it, Ser Barristan. No matter how many men, Lord Yohn or Eddard Stark bring with them and even with Arthur, Sandor, the Brotherhood, and those two wolves that follow Jon wherever he walks, we'd be outmatched. The Lords of the Narrow Sea can only bring so many and so I've sent word to Essos and our friends there will be making an appearance."

"You're bringing men of the Company here?" Jaime asked and Varys shook his head but only slightly.

"Not I. Illyrio is set to travel to discuss more trade with the Crown at the invite of Lord Jon and my friend travels nowhere without a large escort. Three ships full of men, not enough to take the city or beat back those who'd seek our ends should the truth out, but enough to ensure that the king and those close to him are safe and well and elsewhere should the need arise."

"They'll create a stir, Varys. Such a large body of armed men, eyes will be on them." Barristan said and Varys giggled, the sound ringing around the empty expanse of the open space they stood in.

"Better eyes on them than on someone else, Ser Barristan."

In truth he couldn't deny Varys's words, if there were eyes on Illyrio and the men with him then it would take them from Jon and that could only be a good thing. At worst it gave them something else to concentrate on and the many players of the game that would be in this city for the wedding may need to be distracted somewhat. He feared that Jon was beginning to look too much like his father as he'd already shown signs of such when last they met. Those eyes may have marked him as Arthur's kin up to know but soon enough they'd be seen for what they truly were. Eyes of a Dragon and not those of a Falling Star.

"Ser Barristan?" Varys asked when he'd not answered for a few moments.

"Thinking on Jon, Varys, how long is it since you saw him?"

"Three moons, four." Varys replied and Barristan tried not to be as jealous as he felt himself to be.

"And is it true? What Arthur said about how he looks?" he asked as Jaime looked keenly at them both.

"It is more and more." Varys sighed "Though he takes great pains to hide it too. His hair when worn loose along with his eyes and way of moving would stir up memories in those who knew the prince well, yet he wears it tied and he's freer with his expressions which dissuades people from seeing a melancholy that I'm glad to say Jon rarely shows."

"He does show it though?" Jaime asked and Varys nodded.

"Then hopefully the joy of the occasion will be all we'll see." he said to them both, seeing their relief at his words.

After speaking on other arrangements, Varys told them that his little birds would be close to most of the true threats to Jon and Jaime saying that he'd keep his eyes and ears on his family should they look to cause trouble, they said their goodbyes for now and went their separated ways. The next day it was the Tyrells who arrived and Barristan rolled his eyes at the pomp and circumstance that Mace reveled in. Seeing Prince Joffrey be the one sent to greet them and how he and the young girl seemed to fawn over each other, a mummery though it was, worried him some. The Reach would be the wildcard in the war to come and given that it was a Flayed Man and not a Stag that Eddard Stark had betrothed his daughter to, only more certain to be played by those on Robert's side. The West, Stormlands, and the Reach against the North, Vale, Dorne, and the men of the Company of the Sea Snake. He disliked the odds and hope there was a plan to make them more in their favor.

Barristan found his duty to be dull and boring. His day was spent standing behind the king as he loudly told tales of a war fought long ago and one he was in no condition to fight now. How he'd slain the dragons and brought about their end as he fought side by side with his truest brother, Robert not caring that his two blood ones were present when he spoke such. The looks on the queen and her father's faces as Robert loudly proclaimed that Lyanna was the love of his life and how Ser Jon Snow was a son that any father would be proud to name his own, was both something he welcomed and very much did not. The lions were ever prideful and neither of them ever truly accepted slights.

Yet when he stood at the dockside with Jon Arryn and saw the white falcon flying high on the mast of the ship, he could almost forget his worries and fears. Seeing him as he walked down the gangplank hand in hand with his betrothed brought a smile to his and Jon Arryn's faces. Barristan looked on as Elaena embraced her father and as Ser Jon too was embraced by the man who sought to make him king and was soon to be his goodfather. When he saw the two wolves run to take up position on the left and right of Ser Jon, he like others was speechless. They were huge, as large as horses, and far more deadly, and yet looking at them you'd be forgiven for naming them tame.

"Ser Barristan, it's good to see you again, truly." Ser Jon said standing in front of him and Barristan found himself speechless as he studied his face.

It was as Arthur had written, as Varys had confirmed, and were he a younger less assured man than he was, then Barristan was sure he'd have lost the battle he was having with his emotions. Whether it was the time that had elapsed since he'd last seen him, the mere act of growing up that had occurred since then, or simply fate playing its own little games, Barristan found himself staring into a face he'd not seen since the Trident. It was his father's face right down to the look that Ser Jon was giving him and only seeing the strand of dark hair coming loose from its tie allowed him to speak or turn away from it.

"Forgive me, Ser Jon, I found myself thinking of a time long ago." he said hoping his meaning was understood, something it very much was.

"As have I been, Ser Barristan, as have I been."

White Harbor/Kings Landing 297 AC.

Ned.

He'd not thought he'd set foot in the city ever again, let alone bring his entire family to it. Yet the party that set out from Winterfell was his entire family barring his brother and the nephew he was traveling to see wed. Ned had asked Benjen if he wished to travel to the wedding himself, only for his brother to tell him that as much as he may, it would be a step too far for a brother of the Night's Watch to take. Jeor would agree to allow him to be the Stark in Winterfell without too much argument but not to travel to King's Landing for a wedding. One of those two things would be seen as fostering closer relations with the Warden of the North, the other as showing favoritism to his brother and so Ned had accepted that to be how things needed to go.

He'd then suggested to Cat that it was too early for Rickon to be making such a trip, something his wife disagreed with, and even had she not, he knew deep down that he could not make this journey without her. Sansa, Arya, and Bran would need their mother by their sides and Cat herself wished to see her family again and to visit King's Landing, not to mention just how keen she was to see a boy shed thought as close to a son be wed.

So other than when he had ridden to war all those years ago, the largest party he'd ever assembled was gathered and they began the journey to White Harbor. He had to admit that he found he enjoyed the journey greatly. Camping and sharing a tent with his wife and youngest son, showing Bran the lands of the North for the first time in truth. Even listening to his girls argue and make up and to allow their own excitement fuel his, all of it combining to make the time pass ever so quickly. The roads having been worked on to make it easier for their trading with Essos and the weather being mild helped in that regard as well.

Travelling had somewhat lost its charm by the time they reached White Harbor though. Cat, the girls, and even he himself found they missed a warm soft bed and truly hot water to bathe and wash in. So he again shared in his girl's excitement when they saw the white walls of the city come into view. Even if he couldn't quite match Sansa's upon seeing the banners of the Flayed Man amongst the other Lords of the North who'd be joining them on the next stage of their journey.

"Do you think Roose himself will be here?" Cat asked him as he helped her from the covered cart that she and the younger children had rode in.

"Aye, no doubt he'll want to make it official." he sighed.

"And will you?" she asked curiously receiving a nod for an answer.

He'd listened to what Jon had suggested regarding Sansa and Domeric, had sought Cat's opinion on it and while not outright asking Sansa for her own, had taken it much into consideration. When he'd given her leave to write to Ser Domeric in the Vale, he'd been shown just where her own interests lay, and for nigh on two years it had only been made even more clear. Every letter that arrived from the Vale bearing the Flayed Man's seal was welcomed eagerly by his oldest daughter. Each time she read one or sent one back would see her moods improve and he'd often see her walking with her friends while wearing a wistful look on her face.

That the lad himself came and asked for her hand had endeared him somewhat to Ned and to Cat too, as had the words that Jon had spoken about him more than once. So negotiations had begun in earnest and had all but been agreed, only the final words needing to be said. Something that would only happen in person and only when Domeric himself was present which would give him to at least to King's Landing to announce it, or so he believed. Instead, it was to be at that night's feast that he stood up to announce that Sansa was to wed Domeric Bolton and Robb to wed Wynafryd Manderly. Ned knew he couldn't announce the one without the other and took both his son and daughter by surprise when doing so.

"My Lords, Ladies and Good Sers, I wish to thank Lord Manderly for this fine feast he's provided for us and to use this occasion to spread even more good cheer than the wedding we are to travel to already does. My son Ser Jon Snow, The Mountain Wolf, is to wed the daughter of a man who I was lucky enough to foster under for many years. A man who has proved himself a friend of the North both then and since and seeing one child wed no doubt leads to questions of the others.

With that in mind, I am most pleased to announce the betrothal of my son and heir, Robb Stark to the Lady Wynafryd Manderly and of my daughter Sansa to Ser Domeric Bolton. I ask you to raise your mugs and glasses for Ser Jon and Lady Elaena, Robb and Lady Wynafryd, and Sansa and Ser Domeric." he said to loud cheers.

None of them were louder than the Manderlys or those who were closest to Ser Domeric and who had come with him from the Vale to surprise Sansa and to join them in traveling from White Harbor rather than Gulltown. His presence here had left him with no choice and truth be told he didn't truly wish to wait for much longer to make the matches either. Robb and Wynafryd were not just a good match but there were feelings there between them that may very well develop even more quickly than the love he shared with Cat had, and he believed given Sansa's romantic nature that hers may already have.

He looked out to see Roose raise his glass and offer him a small nod and polite half-smile, which by his usual standards was as effusive as the smiles worn by Wyman and Wylis Manderly. The other lords looked pleased too, even if there were maybe one or two of them who had wished for their own matches with his House and who now looked to his other children mayhaps. As for his children themselves, Robb and Sansa wore the brightest smiles of all and even Bran and Arya looked pleased for their brother and sister. Ned then took his seat and allowed the good feeling of the night to be all he considered for the rest of it.

"You are happy with this, my love? The matches you are happy?" Cat asked him as they readied for their bed that night.

"I am. Robb and Wynafryd have feelings for each other Cat, you've remarked on them to me more than once and they're a good match."

"Aye, they are. And Sansa?" she asked looking at him.

"Another time I may have looked to Robert's son, even knowing who Jon truly is I may have sought our Houses joined and not considered that I was somehow usurping Jon in doing so."

"He'd not think…"

"Aye, I know, and neither would I have, but it would have been what I was doing would it not?" he said and she nodded slightly "Domeric is a good man, Cat, him coming here so that he could travel with us shows how he feels about Sansa too, I'd not expected that truth be told. I'd assumed he'd travel with Jon and the others."

"You know so little of the ways of the heart, my love." Cat said with a large smirk.

"Oh I don't do I not." he said lifting her off her feet and enjoying the sound of her laughter as it rang around the room "Then mayhap I should show you what's in mine own." he said huskily as he kissed her and felt her kiss him back.

All talk was done for the night and the coupling they shared was one both enjoyed greatly. When he woke the next morning he asked if she too was happy with the matches and was relieved when she said she truly was. They stayed one more day in White Harbor, as the last of those who'd be joining them arrived, and then they set off for King's Landing in the largest fleet of Northern Lords assembled since Brandon the Shipwright set sail never to be seen again. A fate he prayed to the Old Gods would not befall them on their own journey.

It was a prayer he'd not needed to make, as they arrived in King's Landing without incident a few days later. Ned was stunned to see the sheer number of ships that were anchored in Blackwater Bay and he was not alone in that. Ships bearing sigils of more Houses than he could count had made their way to King's Landing for this wedding. The West, Reach, Stormlands, and now the North, as well as those from the Vale which brought smiles to Ser Domeric and Sansa's faces when the knight pointed out that Jon's ship was among them and that he was already here.

They were welcomed by Jon Arryn and the soon-to-be-married couple at the docks. Ned once again found himself taken by just how much Jon had changed since last they'd seen each other. He'd grown taller, filled out some, and his features had softened from the more hardened ones that named him a Stark. He'd not known Prince Rhaegar at all and had only seen him briefly, once at Harrenhal and then his body after he'd fallen at the Trident. Looking to his nephew now he thanked the gods that his hair was dark and not silver.

"Look father, the wolves." Arya said excitedly taking him from where his mind was going to and Ned found himself looking at the large grey and black Direwolves who stood either side of Jon, marveling at just how calm and composed they looked while doing so.

"Greet your brother and his betrothed first, Arya, as much as you may wish to pet the wolves." he said as he mussed her hair, his youngest daughter nodding her agreement as they moved to disembark.

It was Jon Arryn that greeted him and Cat first, as protocol demanded. His former foster father seemed most pleased to see him and Ned was happy to see that he showed no undue concern. Nor did Ser Arthur or Sandor who stood behind Jon, both men alert but not perturbed.

"Gods Ned, it's good to see you lad." Jon Arryn said embracing him like a foster father and not as Hand of the King.

"You too, Jon. It's been far too long."

"That it has, Ned, that it has. Cat, by the gods you look the same as when last we met, not even time has diminished your beauty."

"You flatter me, Lord Jon."

"I speak the truth, Cat, only the truth." Jon Arryn said kissing her hand "I'm sure you'll wish to speak to Ser Jon and to get settled, but the King will wish to see you before then. He's set you up with rooms in the Maidenvault, Ned, so be prepared to see much of him while you're here."

"The other lords, Jon?" Ned asked.

"Will be seen to, come, let's get the propriety out of the way and get you settled, and then we can speak more."

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Jon greet Cat as warmly as ever, Elaena too, and then he looked on as Jon was handed Rickon and held his brother in his arms for the first time. The sound of his youngest son's giggling carried over to where he stood. Robb, Sansa, Arya, and Bran were all welcomed with hugs and embraces that went on for some time, and then finally he found himself standing face to face with his nephew. No words were spoken, Ned not having any come to his mouth and Jon it seemed feeling likewise. Instead, it was arms around him and hugging him tightly that he was greeted with, his own doing the same as they stood there like that for some time.

"We should make for the Red Keep, Jon." he said after a few moments.

"Aye, we should. It means the world to me that you're here, that you came. You know that right?" Jon asked and Ned smiled as he reached out and patted his nephew's, his son's shoulder.

"There's nothing in this world that would make me miss it, Jon, nothing." he said, his grey eyes locked with Jon's purple ones to show that he was speaking true, and he saw the wetness in Jon's eyes that told him he knew it to be so.

"Winter, Frost, with me." Jon said after they'd broken apart, the two wolves getting up from where they'd sat and allowed Sansa, Arya, and Bran to rub their fur and now taking their positions on either side of Jon once again, Ned happy to see them act as his guards in this city that had already taken far too much of both his and Jon's blood from the world.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Tywin Lannister.

Watching the king fawn over Eddard Stark as if he was the most important man in the Seven Kingdoms brought bile to his mouth. He'd arrived two days earlier and was welcomed with far less pageantry and respect than the Northern Wolf was being shown. It had been hard enough for him to take when his bastard son had arrived the day before, but at least some of that could be put down to the fact he stood with Elaena Arryn when he was greeted by the king and that it was their wedding they'd come to see take place.

See take place, for he was not here to celebrate such a ridiculous thing. A lady of a great house marrying a bastard was not something to be celebrated after all. Especially not when said lady was the key to the Vale and would one day rule it through either herself or her children. Tywin's spies had told him numerous times of just how sickly a boy Jon Arryn's son was and he'd seen the truth of it with his own eyes too. It would surprise him greatly if the boy reached manhood and so it would fall to Elaena Arryn and her bastard of a husband to rule over a military force that was among the few that gave even him pause. Normally the thoughts of a green boy in charge of such would bring him comfort, but Ser Jon Snow was anything but green and even was that to be so, the man who stood at his right shoulder certainly wasn't.

Seeing Ser Arthur Dayne stirred up the resentment he had carried for the man ever since he'd shamed him and taken the Mountain from this world, as did seeing Sandor Clegane stand with him. Both of them guarding the back of a bastard and while one of those made sense, the other very much did not. Though perhaps it was with the same thoughts as he that Clegane had decided to stay close to the so-called Mountain Wolf. The knowledge that one day this would be the most powerful person in the Vale and he'd be in a position to reward him for his service, may very well have been enough to earn him a dog's loyalty.

He left the Throne Room as soon as he could, having no desire to see Baratheon fawn even more over a man who deserved none of his time and little of his praise. Cersei he hoped would play her part with the trout and ensure the betrothal was brought up as soon as possible. Tywin may hate the Starks and all they stood for, but by sheer good fortune, Eddard Stark had found himself tied to three of the Seven Kingdoms and his daughter was now the best match of all for Joffrey. It had been something he'd thought long and hard on since news of Elaena Arryn's own betrothal had come to him. His plans for that match were taken from him by a bastard wolf and left him with but two choices. A Rose or a Wolf and while Margaery Tyrell brought benefits, Sansa Stark brought even more.

"I thought they were going to kiss and lay together." Kevan said with a chuckle as they walked, Tywin finding the image amusing though he showed it not.

"He fawns over Stark more than either of his brothers and yet I wager tonight at the feast he'll still be his oafish self." he said bitterly, hating that he had to put up with the shaming of his daughter, for now at least.

"Cersei will speak to the Trout?" Kevan asked when they entered their rooms.

"She will. I've told her to arrange a walk between Joffrey and the Stark girl, set things in motion, and get it tied down before this damned tourney is done."

"And Stark?"

"Will no doubt jump at the chance to see his house and Robert's tied together at last." he said to a nod.

Tywin spent the rest of the day going over papers and reports from Lannisport, Casterly Rock, and the West. All his missive were now being directed to him while he was here so that he didn't miss a single thing while he was away from the West. Over the years he'd set systems in place that no matter where he was or what he was doing, it would be as if he were in the Rock itself. To all and sundry he may as well be in his solar rather than hundreds of miles away at a wedding and a tourney that he had no wish to attend. Control over one's lands and people was something that needed to always be known and shown and a lesson he'd learned from his father's lack of it.

It was as he was getting up to go and dress for the night's feast that his son arrived, and not the son he wished to see either. Tyrion was at least sober for once and while he hated to admit it, he did have his uses. There were few better at ferreting out information than his Imp of a son. He may have been an ill-made, spiteful little creature, full of envy, lust, and low cunning, but at times he served a purpose too and in the whorehouses and drinking dens that he was truly at home in, people talked and he listened.

"Father." Tyrion said and Tywin noticed the smirk on his face, as much as he noticed the misshapen head that face was on.

"I expected you to be shadowing your brother or visiting houses of ill repute." he snorted.

"I have plenty of time for both, father, but I heard some news that I felt would be of interest to you." his son's voice was almost playful and his smirk growing, and Tywin liked it not.

"Then speak it and begone from my sight, I may need to suffer your presence at the night's feast, I need not suffer it now." he said pleased to see the smirk go from Tyrion's face though not by how quickly it returned.

"It seems a Flayed Man is to marry a Wolf, father."

"Which wolf?" he asked as he felt his annoyance rise.

"While in White Harbor and on his way here, Eddard Stark announced two betrothals. One of his son and heir with the Merman's daughter and the other for his oldest girl with the heir of the Dreadfort." Tyrion said almost gleefully.

"You heard this where?"

"The Bolton men were speaking of it quite openly. How their liege lord has been as happy as they've ever known him to be. Something that it appears in Roose Bolton's case is indeed a rare thing."

"The girl, you've seen the girl?" he asked feeling his blood begin to boil.

"She, Ser Jon, Lady Elaena, and Ser Domeric took a walk after the Starks were introduced to the King. Both couples behaved as couples, even if the one that's to be wed soonest were more open in their affections."

He sat silently for a few moments, letting the news sink in and trying and failing to hide his disappointment. It was yet another reason that he hated the thing that carried his name and he was forced to acknowledge as a son. Tyrion had always been able to see in him what others could not. When he dismissed him a few moments later, he swore the Imp was only short of whistling as he left the room and he knew it would be with thoughts of his annoyance that Tyrion would drink himself to a stupor that night.

For him, it was hard to not let his annoyance show. Two brides, he'd been denied for his grandson, two times he'd been snubbed by those who chose not to play the game as it was meant to be played. To be the Queen of the Seven Kingdoms was the highest honor any Lady could ever aspire to. Marriage to the Crown Prince was something that all the eligible ladies in the Seven Kingdoms were supposed to fight over, and their houses were supposed to push them towards. Other than the Tyrells it would seem that was not to be the case. First, a Falcon and now a Wolf had refused to lay down with a lion, he could not afford for a Rose to do the same and so he now had no other choice.

At the feast, that night he had the truth confirmed to him, Cersei as put out as he was by the turn of events. It was only knowing that Robert would be even more so that brought him any respite from the thoughts in his head. Each time he looked to Stark or Jon Arryn, to their children, he found himself remembering children from another house. Cloaks covered in blood as their bodies were laid in front of the Iron Throne and as he sipped his wine, he wondered if in time he'd need larger cloaks and to spill even more blood.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Elaena.

The dress was everything she'd hoped it would be and it needed very little alteration done to it. Standing in front of the looking glass and seeing just how she'd look when she and Jon were wed was emotional, to say the least, and she couldn't but hope that her mother was looking on and could see how happy she truly was. Ysilla, Mya, Myranda, Sansa, and Jeyne Poole had all joined her in the rooms she'd been given and Lady Catelyn too had come by before leaving her and her friends alone.

She'd welcomed having the older woman with her even as briefly as it was, as she and the other girls had listened to Lady Catelyn tell the tale of her own wedding and how she was happy that Elaena's was being held in a time of peace. It was something that she too was more than happy about. A war may be on the horizon and inevitable, but she thanked the seven that one was not imminent. Listening to Lady Catelyn speak on how she and Lord Stark had been parted not long after being wed had been hard enough, without knowing the true reason they were parted and what that parting had led to.

As Ysilla and Myranda helped her out of her dress and she changed into the clothing she'd wear for the rest of the day, she listened to Sansa and Jeyne speak on her soon-to-be Goodsister's own wedding day, years away though it was. She and Jon had been more than pleased by the news when Domeric and Sansa shared it with them. Jon trusted Domeric completely and had told her more than once that he would be glad to name him a Goodbrother and even were that not so, just seeing how happy his sister was with the betrothal would have been enough for her husband to be.

"She's thinking of him again." Mya said with a giggle.

"I am not."

"Sansa, is she thinking of him again?" Myranda asked taking Sansa from her and Jeyne's conversation and Elaena had to do her best not to laugh at the way Sansa studied her, playing along with the japes at her expense.

"I'd wager she is. Jeyne?"

"Most definitely. Ysilla?" Jeyne said looking to Elaena's truest friend.

"Hmmm, let's see. She does have that look in her eye, that far away look that suggests she is thinking of the Mountain Wolf. Though she's not got that smile on her face that she usually gets when doing so." Ysilla said moving closer to her and staring deeply into her eyes "Are you hiding a smile from us, Laeny? Do you think yourself a match for our wits and intellects?" Ysilla asked smiling all the while.

She tried her best and mayhap would have succeeded had not Mya knocked on the table she was standing near and made Elaena look to the door. Once everyone saw where she looked and how keen she seemed to be that it would be Jon who'd knocked, she was lost. Her laughter proved the truth in their words, that yes indeed she had been thinking of Jon, as she knew he'd be thinking of her as well.

"You are a terrible mummer, Laeny." Ysilla said when they'd stopped laughing.

Elena didn't even try to argue, instead, she just enjoyed the japes and the conversation as it flowed from one subject to another, returning each time to the wedding and the tourney. She knew that Ysilla hoped some knight would take her fancy and Myranda too sought some Lord or Lord's son, while Jeyne had been pleased to see that Waymar's interest in her hadn't waned. As for her, Mya and Sansa, well they'd found the person they intended to spend the rest of their lives with and they'd not begrudge their friends finding what they already had.

With the dress ready and with little to do, she considered heading to the sparring yard where she suspected she'd find Jon and the others. Instead, though fate intervened and as they left her rooms it was to see Lady Lysa and Lord Baelish walking some distance ahead of them and heading away from the Tower of the Hand. Knowing that her brother would be alone in his rooms and that she'd be able to speak to her father while there, Elaena quickly begged off the walk to the yards and told her friends she'd meet them there later. Before then hurrying off in the other direction.

She arrived to find Robert sitting alone in the room and looking forlornly out the window. His mood seemed somber to her until he noticed she'd come to see him. Once he did, he changed almost instantly and made his joy at seeing her very apparent.

"Laeny." he said jumping to his feet.

"Robert, I'd so hoped to come sooner, but your mother…" she left the rest unsaid.

"I know Laeny, she refused to allow me to visit you too, said that you were far too busy to wish to spend time with me." her brother said sadly and Elaena moved to him and took his hand in hers.

"I'm never too busy for you brother, never." she said and he looked at her with an odd look on his face.

"But you're to be wed, and once you are you'll not care about me anymore."

"Robert who told you such? Who would say such a thing?" she asked and though he didn't answer, she had no need of him to do so "Look at me brother." she said turning his face to hers "Wed or not, you will always be my brother whom I love with all my heart. I will always care for you, love you, and you will always be welcome wherever I am, you understand?" she asked firmly.

"I understand. Can you take me to the Sparring Yard, mother says I shouldn't go, but…"

"Of course brother." she said holding out her hand for him to take.

They arrived at it to find that Jon had finished his sparring and was watching others do so. The yard was full and she noticed there were knights and squires from most of the Seven Kingdoms present. To one side Ser Loras Tyrell was sparring and being watched with a keen eye by Lord Renly, while the Brotherhood and some of the Northmen including Robb Stark were facing off a little distance away. Both Ser Arthur and Sandor were watching Jon more than anything else, something she understood, but that filled her with a little worry. Yet Jon himself didn't seem worried in the slightest and as soon as he saw them, he, Winter, and Frost quickly move to where they stood.

"Laeny." Jon said greeting her with a kiss to her cheek before telling Winter and Frost to sit when Robert looked at them with concern "The wolves mean you no harm, Lord Robert, they'd never hurt anyone that Laeny cares for and so I assure you they're more than safe for you to be around."

"I wasn't scared of them, Ser Jon." her brother said shakily.

"Of course you weren't, a big brave lad like you." Jon said and she saw how Robert smiled at Jon's words, words said in truth and not jest as some had regarding her brother.

Elaena knew full well her brother's limitations. He'd always been a sickly child and how Lady Lysa fawned over him and protected him from every single thing didn't help him in that regard. He was stronger than he looked though and she felt if he was only but allowed to do what other boys his age were, then he'd be able to get over most of the afflictions that he was plagued with. Lady Lysa would never allow it though, she saw him as if he were still a babe and even named him Sweet Robin when Robert was a far more suitable name for the future Lord of the Vale. Mayhap that was why she'd never named him such, both she and their father always naming him by his true name much to Lady Lysa's chagrin. Or maybe she did it simply to annoy the Scary Fish.

"You can pet them if you like, Lord Robert, they'll allow my future goodbrother to do so, I give you my oath on that." Jon said as Robert looked at her and she nodded to let him know that Jon's words were true.

He was in the process of doing so when the Scary Fish arrived. She must have heard that Elaena had brought him here and forgone her other plans to stop him from having a day of fun. The sound of her shrill voice as she screamed out for Robert to move from the filthy beasts and ordered her guards to protect her precious son from the wolves who wished him harm was something heard by one and all. As were her recriminations to her and Jon and how she said she would be speaking to her father about her placing Robert at such risk.

"Why does she hate me so?" she asked Jon as he held her in his arms later that night "Why would she ever think I wish my brother harm? I love him, I'd never allow anyone to harm him, why can't she see that?" she cried as Jon rubbed her back softly and held her tight.

He didn't say anything, she didn't need him to and they'd had this moment more than once over the last few years. Lady Lysa hated her and all she stood for, nothing anyone could say or do would stop that. Unless Elaena was in her father's presence she'd be denied time with her brother and it seemed that over time, attempts had been made to paint her badly in Robert's eyes. Thankfully those attempts had failed and yet she still felt the distance growing between them each time they saw each other once again.

"I wish she was dead, that she breathed no more." she said before holding her hand to her mouth "Ob by the seven what have I said, I don't, Jon….I don't…you know…."

"I know my love, I know. Anger is a good thing, just not when it leads to hate and you don't hate the Scary Fish, even if you should." Jon said reassuringly.

"I don't. I wish I did, but I don't. I just want…."

"Hush. Lay down and rest and all will feel better on the morrow."

She did as he bid, laying down in the bed and feeling him lay down beside her. When she did fall asleep, he would leave her alone but he'd not leave her until then. Soon enough he'd not even leave her then and she hoped the next few days would pass quickly so that was true.

King's Landing 297 AC.

Jon Snow.

He knew his uncle was uncomfortable at the amount of time that the king wished to spend with him. Whether or not that would be true were it not for him, was something he had no true desire to know. It had been something that was always there at the back of his head, a thought that he could never quite shake and a future that he never wanted to speculate too much on. Robert and his uncle had been as close as brothers once, had he not been in this world that may still be the case and it may have been to Joffrey and not Domeric that Sansa would have been betrothed to.

While that had not been his reasoning behind speaking to his uncle regarding Domeric, or at least not consciously, now that they were betrothed it was clear to him that they'd dodged an arrow in that regard. The king's disappointment at hearing the news of his sister's betrothal was palpable. Jon had noticed how he'd looked at Sansa and at Joffrey when his uncle and his family presented themselves in the Throne Room and Lord Jon had told him of how he'd reacted when he'd told him that Sansa was already set to wed another. That it had made him look in Bran's direction was not something he had expected, though better there than in Arya's. His little sister would gut the Crown Prince and while Prince Tommen was a sweet young boy, he too would not bring joy to Arya who Jon was beginning to believe was his mother reborn.

Since they'd arrived here he'd used the cover of the wedding and tourney to speak to some of his closest allies and to take the measure of potential future ones. He'd met with Ser Barristan, Varys, and Ser Jaime and spoken of their plans for his protection and the protection of his family should the truth somehow be revealed. They'd made plans and contingencies for escaping the city if need be and he'd been told that more men that he could call upon would soon be arriving with the Magister from Pentos.

"Illyrio himself is arriving?" he asked.

"He is and will bring a large number of his men with him just to be safe."

"My aunt and uncle?" he asked looking to Varys.

"I believe he intended for the princess to join her brother in Lorath and that he'd collect her and bring her back to Pentos upon his return."

"Mayhap he'll carry letters from them, Jon." Arthur said and Jon hoped that to be true.

"I look forward to finding out and to meeting the man himself, he's done much for my cause and I needs must find out what reward he seeks."

"Mayhap he has none, Jon." Varys said and Jon shook his head, he'd heard the story of how his father and Illryio's sister may have been wed and while it was a good tale, it didn't answer all his questions about the man's motives.

"Mayhap."

Shaking the memory of the conversation from his head, he looked out to the bay in front of him and to the ship as it made its way to the docks. He and Sandor along with Winter and Frost had come to see the Magister for themselves. The Brotherhood were busy preparing for the tourney, practicing for the melee and the jousting. Elaena had gone to sup with his aunt and sisters and once again he found himself wishing that it had been Lady Catelyn that Elaena had known while growing up and not her Scary Fish of a sister.

His brothers and uncle were off in the Kingswood hunting and while he'd been invited and even more so Winter and Frost had, he'd no desire to ride and listen to more stories of the Rebellion and tales of his mother that he knew were untrue. That Arthur wouldn't be allowed near the king's party was another reason why he'd no wish to be a part of it. Be it fear or anger he cared not, King Robert disliked Arthur and that was only more fuel to his own disliking of the king, not that he needed more fuel.

"What now?" Sandor asked grumpily as they waited for the ship.

"We wait." he said and chuckled at the loud sigh.

"Littlefinger." Sandor said a few moments later and Jon turned to look where Sandor was looking.

"On the King's behalf?" he asked to a shrug of Sandor's shoulders.

How the man had ended up as Master of Coin was beyond him. He'd spoken to Lord Jon about his distrust of the man more than once and while he'd been listened to, his soon-to-be Goodfather had a blind spot about the man that he and others did not. Jon had tasked Varys to keep his eyes on the Whoremonger but amongst all the things he did and the fact that Littlefinger never seemed to actually do anything more suspicious than simply be who he was, thus far he'd found nothing to use against the man.

There was something about him though, something not quite right and even if Jon couldn't feel it in his bones, he could with the wolves. Both Winter and Frost disliked the man, more than disliked even. So Jon put his trust that their instincts, just as their senses of smell and sight, were far more developed than his own. Sandor too hated the man intensely and while some may say that Sandor hated many men, Jon knew that not the be the truth.

"Heads up, Jon, the Imp." Sandor said and Jon turned to see Tyrion Lannister walk his way, more carefully once he saw Winter and Frost look in his direction.

"The Mountain Wolf himself, I'd not thought to see you here at the Docks, Ser Jon." Tyrion said and Jon felt the dwarf's eyes look at him keenly.

"I find I like the sea air, Lord Tyrion, it smells far better than most of the city does." he said with a smile that Tyrion returned.

"I'd not thought of that, but now that you mention it." Tyrion said breathing deeply.

"So what brings you to the docks, my lord?"

"I heard tell that a Magister from Pentos was arriving, a wealthy man who's done much for the North and other regions, though not the West. So I felt it a good use of my time to take the measure of such a man, mayhap I can convince him to make such an arrangement with me. It would so annoy my father if I did so before he'd had a chance to." Tyrion said laughing as if he was japing and Jon wasn't sure he was completely.

"I believe those are the sails you seek, Lord Tyrion." he said pointing to the Magister's ship and Tyrion looked at him curiously "All the other ships bear the flags of the Houses of Westeros or the further free cities of Essos, that one bears a flag of a tall tower and a wheel of cheese."

"Well spotted Ser Jon." Tyrion said motioning to ask permission to take a seat beside him which Jon gave him "Remarkable beasts these wolves of yours, they are truly Direwolves?"

"Aye they are, but they're not mine, Lord Tyrion. Winter and Frost belong only to themselves, I'm just fortunate enough that they've taken a liking to me." he said looking to the two wolves.

"Most fortunate, I'd not wish to be someone they didn't like." Tyrion said with a nervous chuckle.

"Fierce though they may be, they're most well behaved, you'd truly have to go out of your way to find yourself on their bad side." He said as Sandor snorted.

"Good to know, Ser Jon."

They spoke on everything and nothing, Tyrion probing and yet not, and soon enough they were speaking while not as friends, in a friendly manner. Whether it was a mummery or not, Tyrion seemed more like Jaime than Tywin and that was a good thing to know for the days to come. Jaime wished for most of his family to not face punishment for his father's actions and Jon had no desire to see them pay for Tywin's sins. Myrcella and Tommen were sweet and kind children, he knew little of Lady Genna or Lord Kevan but they'd done nothing to him or his that he knew of. Varys had told him that while Kevan had marched with his brother, he'd not known what Tywin had planned, and though he'd not gone against his brother after what the Mountain and Lorch did, that was out of loyalty and not agreement.

Tyrion would be the future Lord of Casterly Rock, as Jaime wished to serve as one of Jon's seven, and both Barristan and Arthur had advised him to make it so. So in time, he'd need to get to know the man better, for now, he was happy enough with what he saw and felt regarding him. As the ship docked, Tyrion bid him farewell and made his way to where Illyrio was being welcomed to King's Landing by Littlefinger. Jon turned to Sandor and with a whistle to the wolves, they made their way back to the Red Keep. He'd speak to Illyrio when there were fewer eyes on the man he thought as he walked away, little knowing that there were eyes on his as he did so. Three sets all looked at him with different thoughts in their head as they did so. A Magister who wished to know if he was the same man he'd believed his father to be, a dwarf whose curiosity had been raised even further by his presence at the docks and a Whoremonger who had his own thoughts, plans, and desires and who would see him dead if given the chance.

A/N: Thanks to all who've read and reviewed, I'll answer them in the next chapter. Up next Jon and Elaena are wed, Littlefinger has a run-in with some wolves, Joffrey finds himself face to face with a Flayed Man and we check in with Dany and Viserys in Lorath.