Not all had decided to take a chamber to calm down. While the Starks and Lannisters used their rooms to wind down and have a moment to themselves, and the Baratheons chose a chamber to have a sit down after accompanying the Starks to their chamber, the rest remained in their seats and talking amongst themselves.
Olenna and Margaery made note of what they saw, it did not take them long to realize just how legitimate the King's children were. It did make their plans spiral just a bit. Mace Tyrell had been grooming his daughter to be a Queen one day, and Olenna had been making plans to make the ascend easier for the girl. Neither woman took the revelation too happily, but their minds had already begun turning, forming new plans.
Daenerys had hung back to give the Starks some privacy. Lord Stark might have welcomed her to sit with them, but it was not her place to intrude on a moment that was surely an emotional one. Plus she did not want to be close to Robert Baratheon any more than she needed to be.
Theon had wanted to go with the Starks. He'd been living with them for a while and had seen Bran grow into what he was now. The fall shocked him and the urge to kill the Kingslayer was strong in him as well. But the stronger urge was to comfort Robb, who was his best friend. But his sister had stopped him and told him to give them a moment, that he was not a Stark and that he was not needed.
Doran and Oberyn observed the rest that remained, especially Daenerys. If their plans to overthrow the Baratheons and Lannisters were to be of some substance, they needed to know what kind of a woman Daenerys would become. Viserys had already proven to be a disappointment to them.
Varys, who hadn't spoken much or at all through the viewing involved Gendry in conversation. Nothing big, just small talk.
The Lannisters were the first to return, led by Joanna and closed by Jaime. The woman had her head held high, as did Tyrion. Jaime kept his head lowered, his cheeks looking redder than they remembered. The three took their seats in silence, meeting nobody's eyes.
The Baratheons and Jon Arryn returned next and took their seats. Joanna smiled at her grandchildren who smiled back at her. She motioned for them to join her and they rushed over. Robert went to say something, but Jon Arryn stopped him with a hand on the shoulder and a shake of his head. Stannis threw him a look and Jon Arryn gave him a slight nod. None of them but Robert missed that.
The Starks were the last to come, their entrance silencing the crowd that had gotten restless from how long they had to wait. Ned Stark led his family in, his face stoic and eyes cold and distant. Behind him was his wife, puffy-eyed and clinging to a still-shocked Bran. The rest of the Stark children followed, and the dead Starks after them.
Joanna Lannister eyed them uneasily, hands bunching up the skirt of her dress. Tyrion placed a hand over hers and the mother stared at her son. The imp nodded with a smile, and Joanna exhaled slowly. She stood slowly and made her way to Ned Stark, who had yet to take his seat.
"Lord Stark" Joanna called gently and flinched when the man looked at her. Those eyes were so cold and vicious. She quickly schooled herself. "I would like to offer my apologies on behalf of my… perverted son. I know it does nothing to ease your pain, but I hope we might be able to work to a future where your son and my grandchildren are as safe as they can be."
The first thought that came to Ned's mind was to snap at the woman and tell her to go fuck herself. But he kept his composure and heard her out. He did not mistake what the woman said, about the protection of her grandchildren. Something in Ned's head clicked right then and he met Joanna's eyes, afraid and shaken.
"You died when your children were young. Whatever they become is on their father not you" Ned said simply.
Joanna bit her lip, lowering her head slightly and sighing.
"Your son is not welcome around my family, or anywhere near Winterfell. I'd prefer he be banished to the Night's Watch, but that is not on me."
With that Ned Stark took his seat and Joanna returned to hers.
"I'd say that went well" Tyrion mused, holding a cup of wine to his mother. Joanna accepted it and inhaled it, much to Tyrion's amusement.
The doors to the corridor of doors opened once more and out walked Princess Elia Martell and Princ Rhaegar Targaryen. Neither of them looked well, but then again neither did most in the room. The two did not miss that.
"What happened?" Elia asked.
"Come and sit, let me fill you both in on it" Oberyn motioned to the empty seats beside him.
Elia took the seat easily, but Rhaegar hesitated for a moment. His eyes scanned the room, read the unrest and blinked in surprise to find Daenerys sitting with Jon Snow and Robb Stark. Daenerys smiled at his brother and gave him a small nod. Rhaegar sat beside Elia.
While Oberyn filled the two in on what they had missed, the wall began to glow gently and images formed on it.
[Daenerys on horseback looking at Drogo and his people.]
"You need to drink, child... And eat."
"What is Jorah Mormont doing there?" Ned narrowed his eyes.
"My birds chirp that Lynesse Hightower is now the chief concubine of Tregar Ormollen in Lys. Ser Jorah is a sword for hire now. Perhaps this is his way of making a return to Westeros" Varys answered and suggested, his head lowered and a small smile on his lips.
Ned did not look too happy with that information.
"Who is he?" Daenerys whispered to both Robb and Jon.
"Ser Jorah Mormont. He was sentenced to death for selling poachers to slavery for more gold. He ran before father could dispense justice on him" Robb explained. He remembered just how angry his father was because of the man's act all those years ago.
"Isn't there anything else?"
"The Dothraki have two things in abundance: grass and horses. People can't live on grass... In the Shadow Lands beyond Asshai, they say there are fields of ghost grass with stalks as pale as milk that glow in the night. It murders all other grass. The Dothraki believe that one day it will cover everything. That's the way the world will end… It'll get easier."
"She shouldn't even be in this situation" Rhaegar muttered under his breath. Oberyn had just gone over the fact that Viserys practically sold their sister to the Horselords for men to conquer Westeros in the Targaryen name. While that was not anything surprising in their society, to marry a Princess to someone like that… Rhaegar did not look too pleased.
[Arriving at camp, Daenerys looks exhausted from riding.]
"Khaleesi!"
"Your hands."
"A long journey on horseback for the first time is never easy," Lyanna said kindly. She was a rider herself and refused to ride in a carriage if she accompanied her father anywhere. The first time had left blisters all over her hands. "Balms help to soothe the blisters and keep your hands soft."
Daenerys nodded her head, keeping the information in her head.
[After Daenerys is escorted away, Jorah and Viserys are alone.]
"We're still not far from Pentos, your Grace. Magister Illyrio has extended his hospitality. You'd be more comfortable there."
"I have no interest in hospitality or comfort. I'll stay with Drogo until he fulfils his end of the bargain and I have my crown."
"As you wish, your Grace."
"Well, Mormont, as brutish as this life is, I suppose it is preferable to beheading. What did Ned Stark want you for? Buying from a slaver?"
"Selling to one... Some poachers I caught on my land."
"Under my reign, you won't be punished for such nonsense. You can rest assured of that."
"Slavery isn't nonsense" Rhaegar muttered to himself. He decided to not hear Varys when he assessed his brother's nature the first time. He did not like what he was hearing or seeing.
[Scene changes to Joffrey finding Tyrion asleep in the dog's pen of Winterfell.]
"Why are you in the dog pens?" Joanna made a face.
"I may have passed out after a night of drinking" Tyrion shrugged. He'd woken up in worse places.
Joanna did not look pleased.
"Better-looking bitches than you're used to, Uncle. My mother's been looking for you. We ride for King's Landing today."
"Before you go, you will call on Lord and Lady Stark and offer your sympathies."
"What good will my sympathies do them?"
"None. But it is expected of you. Your absence has already been noted."
"The boy means nothing to me. And I can't stand the wailing of women."
[Tyrion slaps Joffrey across the face]
Everyone blinked in surprise, while Robert grunted in approval.
"Boy needs to be hit more" the King grunted. He would have been the one to do it, had Cersei not made that threat all those years ago after he had hit the boy once.
"One word and I'll hit you again."
"I'm telling Mother!"
[Tyrion slaps Joffrey across the face again]
Robb cheered silently. He did not mind seeing the pompous prick get hit around.
"Go! Tell her. But first, you will get to Lord and Lady Stark and you will fall on your knees in front of them and tell them how very sorry you are, that you are at their service, and that all your prayers are with them. Do you understand?"
"You can't..."
[Tyrion slaps Joffrey across the face again]
"You might just be my new favourite little man," Theon said with a grin.
"Always a pleasure to bring joy to the Lords and their Wards" Tyrion bowed comically.
"Do you understand?"
[Joffrey walks away]
"The Prince will remember that, little lord."
"I hope so. If he forgets, be a good dog and remind him. Time for breakfast..."
[Tyrion walks from the courtyard to the dining hall where his family is eating breakfast.]
"Bread. And two of those little fish. And a mug of dark beer to wash it down. And bacon burnt black."
"Little brother."
"Beloved siblings."
"Is Bran going to die?"
The Starks stiffened at the question. The boy had fallen from a great height and they all counted him dead already. But there was always that bit of hope, that tiny kernel that wanted to believe the opposite. No matter how illogical it was.
"Apparently not."
Eyes widened in surprise.
"What do you mean?"
"The Maester says the boy may live."
"Gods" Catelyn sobbed, clinging to Bran tightly. She had sat the boy between her and Ned. Ned on the other side placed a hand on his son's head and ruffled his head. Sansa smiled through tears and Arya's face brightened. Jon and Robb shared a grin, while the dead Starks looked relieved. They could do without another of their family joining them so soon.
"It's no mercy, letting a child linger in such pain."
"Afraid he'd speak about what he saw?" Theon drawled. Cersei was not there to react, but Jaime was. The man flared at the squidling, who grinned at him.
"Only the gods know for certain. All the rest of us can do is pray. The charms of the north seem entirely lost on you."
"I still can't believe you're going. It's ridiculous even for you."
"Where's your sense of wonder? The greatest structure ever built, the intrepid men of the Night's Watch, the wintry abode of the White Walkers."
"It's very curious he'd mention that with the White Walkers on the move," Renly mused out loud.
"I have dreamt it, of course. I saw the walkers making homes along the wall" Tyrion rolled his eyes at the man.
"I wanted to visit the Wall" Joanna mumbled to her son, "for those very reasons except the White Walker part."
Tyrion smiled at his mother.
"Tell me you're not thinking of taking the black."
"And go celibate? The whores would go begging from Dorne to Casterly Rock."
"I can assure you half man, the whores in Dorne care very little about you," Oberyn said with a sharp smile.
"I'm sure you know all of them quite well" Tyrion matched the smile with one of his own, not as sharp.
"I just want to stand on top of the Wall and piss off the edge of the world."
"Tyrion…" Joanna sighed.
Tyrion smiled softer at his mother.
"The children don't need to hear your filth. Come."
[Cersei leaves with the children]
"Even if the boy lives, he'll be a cripple, a grotesque. Give me a good clean death any day."
"Speaking for the grotesques, I'd have to disagree. Death is so final, whereas life... Life is full of possibilities. I hope the boy does wake, I'd be very interested to hear what he has to say."
"Did you know?" Brandon the elder asked the Imp with a growl.
"No, but no doubt I suspected something. Of course, I can't say for certain, since it hasn't happened yet" Tyrion answered, a sardonic smile on his face.
Brandon glowered, he did not like the little Lannister much either.
[ Scenece changes to Bran's room with Catelyn at his bedside, Cersei coming to console him. Catelyn stands in greeting]
"Please."
"I would have dressed, your Grace."
"This is your home. I'm your guest. Handsome one, isn't he? I lost my first boy, a little black-haired beauty. He was a fighter too... Tried to beat the fever that took him. Forgive me. It's the last thing you need to hear right now."
"Did she?" Myrcella looked at Tyrion. She couldn't look Jaime in the eye after what she'd seen, the thought making her head spin.
"Yes. Just a year after she married your father. You would have had a brother before Joffrey" Tyrion explained kindly.
"Did they name him?" Myrcella asked, while her mind was restless at the father's comment.
"Steffon. After my father" Robert answered his daughter, looking at the girl with a small smile. "He had my hair and your mother's eyes. Came screaming into this world… and left quite the same…"
Jon Arryn placed a hand on Robert's shoulder and gave him a comforting squeeze.
"I never knew."
"It was years ago. Robert was crazed, beat his hands bloody on the wall, all the things men do to show you how much they care... The boy looked just like him. Such a little thing... A bird without feathers. They came to take his body away and Robert held me. I screamed and I battled, but he held me. That little bundle. They took him away and I never saw him again. Never have visited the crypt, never."
"I haven't either" Robert grunted. He had thought that perhaps that had been his second chance, a son to raise to not be like him. He had hopes for the boy, dreams even, which was stupid considering how young he was. His passing only weeks later had left him a more broken man.
Robert inhaled deeply and exhaled just as he felt something tickling him in the eyes. He felt another hand on his shoulder and looked up to see Ned standing there with a hand on his other shoulder, understanding in his eyes.
Robert smiled at the man. He could count on Ned and Jon to be there for him when he needed them.
"I pray to the Mother every morning and night that she return your child to you. Perhaps this time she'll listen."
"False courtesies" Catelyn spat in disgust.
"I wouldn't be so sure, Lady Stark," Tyrion said gently. "As terrible as my sister is, she is not a bad mother. Perhaps seeing your pain and remembering the pain of losing a child, perhaps she was genuine this time."
Catelyn scoffed at the imp.
[Scene changes to near the Smith in a courtyard of Winterfell.]
"A sword for the wall?"
Jon narrowed his eyes at the wall. What was the Kingslayer going to say to him? Was he going to make a 'bastard' joke like his brother had?
"I already have one."
"Good man. Have you swung it yet?"
"Of course I have."
"At someone, I mean. It's a strange thing, the first time you cut a man. You realize we're nothing but sacks of meat and blood and some bone to keep it all standing."
Jon frowned. He did not expect the man to say something like that. Something that got him thinking. He hadn't fought another person seriously, with live steel with the intent to kill. He had assumed it would be the same as in training. But maybe not, maybe there was a difference.
"Let me thank you ahead of time for guarding us all from the perils beyond the Wall... Wildlings and White Walkers and whatnot. We're grateful to have good, strong men like you protecting us."
"Your tone is not appreciated, Kingslayer" Ned Stark said lowly, narrowed grey eyes glaring at the man in question.
Jaime rolled his eyes and looked away.
"We've guarded the Kingdoms for 8000 years."
"Is it "we" already? Have you taken your vows then?"
"Soon enough."
"Give my regards to the Night's Watch. I'm sure it will be thrilling to serve in such an elite force. And if not, It's only for life."
Jon frowned slightly.
[Scene changes to Jon walks into Bran's room, where Catelyn is still at his bedside.]
"I came to see Bran. To say goodbye."
"You've said it. Now go away."
"He is trying to say goodbye to his brother, who he doesn't know if he'll see again. Be a little kinder" Lyanna glared at Catelyn.
The woman in question glared right back, holding Bran tighter. Bastards always bring misfortune to any family. Jaime Lannister may have pushed Bran from the tower, but no doubt this whole situation came because of Jon. She would not allow that boy anywhere near her children again.
"Please,"
"I want you to leave. We don't want you here."
"Catelyn…" Ned eyed his wife in exhaustion.
Catelyn remained stubborn in her stance against Jon.
"He's my brother."
"Shall I call the guards?"
"You are being too cruel to the boy Lady Stark" It was Margaery of all people who stood in defence of Jon. "He comes to say goodbye, allow him that."
"He has said it" Catelyn mimicked the image of her on the wall, something cold dancing in her eyes.
[Jon took a deep breath]
"I wish I could be here when you wake up. I'm going north with Uncle Benjen. I'm taking the black. I know we always talked about seeing the Wall together, but you'll be able to come visit me at Castle Black when you're better. I'll know my way around by then. I'll be a sworn brother of the Night's Watch. We can go out walking beyond the Wall if you're not afraid"
[It was silent for a moment, Jon staring at Catelyn and Catelyn staring at Bran]
"It should have been you…"
"Catelyn" This time Ned's voice was sterner, his eyes colder and sharper.
Catelyn shivered at the look.
"He's a bastard, blame his father for it. What did he ever do to you?!" Brandon the elder growled, grey eyes glaring at the woman. Unlike Ned's his weren't cold or sharp. His were wilder, like a wild animal ready to rip into his prey.
That look made her want to crawl somewhere and hide.
"Alright, we get it! She was mean to the bastard! Can we get on with it? I'm beginning to get hungry and you would not like me when I'm hungry!"
Catelyn threw Olenna a thankful look, but the older woman scoffed and shook her head.
[Eddard walks into the room just as Jon rushes out. The scene changed to the courtyard, Jon prepping his horse to leave for the Wall.]
"You've said goodbye to Bran? He's not going to die. I know it."
"You Starks are hard to kill."
Ned's irritation at his wife remained, but he was heartened to see his oldest two interact. This was how he wanted his children to live, happy and in support of each other.
"My mother?"
"She was… kind."
Lyanna scoffed. Kind her ass.
"Good. Next time I see you, you'll be all in black."
"It was always my colour."
"Farewell, Snow."
"And you, Stark."
[Scene changes to the split between the Kingsroad and the road that will take Benjen and Jon to the Wall.]
"There's great honor serving in the Night's Watch. The Starks have manned the Wall for thousands of years. And you are a Stark. You might not have my name, but you have my blood."
"Is my mother alive? Does she know about me? Where I am, where I'm going? Does she care?"
Lyanna's heart gave a painful tug. How she wanted to just hold her son right now, assure him that she knew and she cared, that she cared so much that she'd give anything to make sure he knew how loved he was.
She looked at the boy, who looked uncomfortable and was sinking in his seat. She just wanted to go up and hug him.
But if she did that now… she didn't how Jon would react. She didn't know how Jon would react if he found out the truth…
"The next time we see each other, we'll talk about your mother. I promise."
Lyanna's eyes went to her brother. The man met her eyes and nodded slightly. The woman gave him a small smile.
The wall dimmed until it turned dark and the winged man appeared with a smile.
"I think a break for food would do you all good" The man snapped his fingers and multiple long tables of food appeared all along the wall, filled with all manners of food the people were quite familiar with. "Please dig in, and have as much as you please. The food will replenish so do not fear eating too much that others can't have any."
The man vanished and Olenna Tyrell was the first to rush over. The rest followed her example.
They ate in silence, nobody speaking while they devoured the food. Once everyone had taken their seats again, the food vanished the wall lit up again.
[Scene starts at the Kingsroad. The group are stopping for rest along the Kingsroad. Robert has a mini table set up full of wine and food.]
"Gods, this is country! I've half a mind to leave them all behind and keep going."
"I've half a mind to go with you."
"What do you say, just you and me on the Kingsroad, swords at our sides, a couple of tavern wenches to warm our beds tonight."
"You should have asked me 20 years ago."
"There were wars to fight, women to marry... We never had the chance to be young."
"War ages people faster than time does" Rickard muttered gruffly. He'd been part of the War of The Ninepenny Kings, he knew just how hard an effect war had on men.
"I recall a few chances."
"There was that one... Oh, what was her name? That common girl of yours? Becca? With the great big tits, you could bury your face in."
Catelyn made a face. Could this one be the bastard's mother?
"Bessie. She was one of yours."
Lyanna raised a brow at her brother, who shrugged at her.
"Bessie! Thank the gods for Bessie and her tits. Yours was... Aleena? No. You told me once. Meryl? Your bastard's mother?"
Jon perked up at the mention of his potential mother. Was he going to learn her name now?
"Wylla."
"Wylla" Jon tried the name and smiled slightly. His mother's name was Wylla. Robb reached over Daenerys and clapped his brother on the shoulder.
Lyanna threw Ned a discreet glance but the man did not look at her.
"That's it. She must have been a rare wench to make Lord Eddard Stark forget his honour. You never told me what she looked like."
"Nor will I."
Catelyn nodded at the words of her husband. That whore was best forgotten.
"We were at war. None of us knew if we were gonna go back home again. You're too hard on yourself. You always have been. I swear if I weren't your King, you'd have hit me already."
"I feel you almost did here" Robert snorted.
"That was not hitting. What I did to the Kingslayer was hitting" Ned smirked.
"May only your enemies ever be hit by you then" Robert barked a laugh.
"The worst thing about your coronation... I'll never get to hit you again."
"Trust me, that's not the worst thing. There was a rider in the night."
"Daenerys Targaryen has wed some Dothraki horse lord. What of it? Should we send her a wedding gift?"
"A knife perhaps, a good sharp one, and a bold man to wield it."
The good mood from within Ned vanished with those words. There were going to be some big arguments concerning Daenerys Targaryen, he could feel it.
"She's little more than a child."
"Soon enough that child will spread her legs and start breeding."
"Tell me we're not speaking of this."
"Oh, it's unspeakable to you? What her father did to your family... That was unspeakable. What Rhaegar Targaryen did to your sister... the woman I loved. I'll kill every Targaryen I get my hands on."
"What our father did to Lord Rickard and Brandon does not reflect on me or my siblings. Whatever you think I did to Lyanna does not reflect on my siblings either. So do not go hunting them down with that as an excuse" Rhaegar seethed.
"Given the chance your brother would do the same things your father did. It's only a matter of time before your sister does the same" Robert shot back, "the Targaryen bad apple does not fall far from the tree" he added with a sneer. Wrong as he might have been about Lyanna and Rhaegar, Robert would not take anything Rhaegar dished out to him in silence. Not anymore at least.
Rhaegar growled in anger, but Elia stopped him from saying more with a look.
"But you can't get your hands on this one, can you?"
"This Khal Drogo, it's said he has 100,000 men in his horde."
"Even a million Dothraki are no threat to the realm, as long as they remain on the other side of the Narrow Sea. They have no ships, Robert."
"There are still those in the Seven Kingdoms who call me Usurper. If the Targaryen boy crosses with a Dothraki horde at his back, the scum will join him."
"He will not cross. And if by chance he does, we'll throw him back into the sea."
"There's a war coming, Ned. I don't know when I don't know who we'll be fighting, but it's coming."
"On the chance they do cross the narrow sea, would we stand a chance against them in combat?" Robb asked his father.
"The Dothraki fight well on Horseback, better than most Knights in Westseros, with whips, arakhs and curved bows. Their archery is superior owing to how much better their bows are from longer distances."
"So there's a good chance we won't be able to win against them" Jon interrupted with a frown.
"I wasn't finished," Ned said calmly. "We have better armour that makes their Arakhs useless on us. We have better strategists on our side as well. The Dothraki are used to fighting on horseback and plain fields. If we can take that away from them we stand a good chance" Ned paused, "we can also just sink their ships should they ever decide to make the journey. The number of ships for a host that size won't be sneaking through any time soon."
"SO it's almost on even grounds then" Robb muttered.
[Scene changes to the group heading for the Wall stopping to set up camp for the night.]
"Sit. You'll be fed. Untie them."
"Rapers. They were given a choice no doubt... Castration or the Wall. Most choose the knife. Not impressed by your new brothers? Lovely thing about the Watch... You discard your old family and get a whole new one."
"They can't all be the same, right?"
Jon was hopeful when he asked that somebody would give him a better answer. That they would tell him there were better men there.
It was Tyrion Lannister who spoke.
"Of course not. You won't find just rapers in that place" Tyrion answered, parking some hope in the boy. "You will also find debtors, killers, outlaws, peasants, poachers, thieves and bastards like yourself."
The spark of hope went out. Jon turned to his father, hoping that he would tell him otherwise, that the imp was wrong about it all.
Ned Stark met his eyes and looked away.
The Imp wasn't wrong.
"You knew" Jon muttered, his jaws slackening in shock. "You knew… and you had no problems with sending me there."
Jon stood, all eyes in the room on him. His eyes stung but he refused to shed a single tear. Silently he walked away from the group of watchers, wrenching his hand out of Robb's grip and silently walking through the door and into the corridor of the door.
