Jaeron Targaryen

The Northern Camp near Riverrun, 300AC

Shock.

That was the only word running through his mind.

Robb leaned down to grasp the back of the mans arms, him noticing he had tied ropes very tightly around his wrists so that he couldn't move. This combined with the gag in his mouth confirmed that they had succeeded. Anger swelling up in him that he had blatantly lied to his face about what he was doing with the troops. As much as he wanted to yell at him, that was something he couldn't do as of yet. Once it is out, then he would be able to. But whilst he was still the bastard of Eddard Stark, he definitely couldn't contend with the Lord of Winterfell.

"Before he knew what was happening, it had already happened. The siege has been lifted, and we have collateral."

Jaime rolled his eyes in annoyance at this but his expression was overcome with a look of absolute boredom not long after, clearly not wanting it known he had been bested by someone aged seventeen. Someone came over to take their horses whilst the remainder of the army began to disperse around the camp, excited chatter echoing around like hundreds of bees.

"Uncle, see that accommodation is set up for our guest."

Jaeron turned a little to the side to see Brynden's eyebrows were raised ever so slightly, clearly impressed by what Robb had done. Him walking over to take the Kingslayer and promptly march him to the furthest end of the camp beside the forest. A tiny smirk formed on him at this before heading back to his cousins tent. It was only once they were inside that he turned to him in fury;

"What in seven hells Robb?! Why did you tell me you sent those men as a garrison and not what you were really using them for?!"

The older winced slightly at his furious cousin. Despite not looking, he knew Catelyn was looking back and forth between the pair, deciding whether to intervene or not. It was deathly silent as these words left his mouth, the older simply beginning to undo his armour to change into something comfier. The scent that was coming from him was disgusting, the scent of war. Death, blood, sweat, dirt, a scent he was going to need to get used to.

"I didn't tell you because I wanted to prove myself to the Lord's. You've saw the Greatjon's hand after Grey Wind attacked him. I'm not stupid, I know they still see me as a stupid green boy. Also, we did need something to use against the Lannister's, especially with your reluctance of using Rhaegon and Lyrax unless you absolutely must. Speaking of which, can I see them? They were barely the size of cats when I last did."

The words were circling in his mind and despite wanting to remain angry, Robb had made a decent point there. They did need something they could use against the Lannister's. And as much as he wanted to deny it, the move was a stroke of genius. Hold off Tywin so there would be no reinforcements coming.

"Follow me, and how did you know where Tywin's camp was?"

"A spy was caught the morning you, Arthur, and the crannogmen arrived. I simply gave him misleading information and had someone keep a track of his whereabouts to find out where Tywin's camp was."

He winced a little at this, that was a dangerous move to make. Whilst it had worked in their favour as they now have Jaime Lannister as a hostage, there was no telling that it would've worked out. They have a lot of men behind them, but in comparison to other Kingdom's armies, it was minuscule. The Reach was said to have an army boasting sixty thousand and the Westerland's were said to have one nearing forty thousand. They will need to play the war impeccably for it to work in their favour. A few of their men were looking at Robb pridefully but it didn't miss his now observant gaze they were giving him odd looks, probably wondering why he was here. Typically bastards don't support their family members when it came to war. It was going to be interesting when the truth finally does come out. By now, they were on the outskirts of the forest and he could feel through the bond that they were nearby. They would've been far in due to his own mounts scales, being way too noticeable in amongst the trees otherwise. They were only a few minutes in before the trees opened up. Whilst it wasn't a clearing, it was wide enough that they could move about freely. Whistling loudly to call for them.

"Stay behind me, just in case."

Robb gulped before doing what Jaeron said. It was eerily quiet other than heavy breathing before he saw purple and grey eyes in amongst the shade. Coming closer until their heads were completely exposed.

"Seven hells, they're huge."

"They're still babies, they won't ever stop growing."

He walked over and reached his hand out, Lyrax leaning over for petting immediately.

"You can come closer if you want."

He heard Robb gulp loudly before slowly stepping forward to be beside him, hesitantly holding a hand out for the blue one to sniff, Rhaegon remaining far away- still not liking attention. For a few seconds, nothing was done. Robb staring at Lyrax and Lyrax staring at Robb, neither wanting to make the first move. Eventually, Robb let out a small huff and walked forward until his hand was centimetres away. But it didn't last for long as she leapt into the air.

"Don't take it personally, she probably doesn't remember you. Lyrax is quite friendly, loves having her chin tickled. Rhaegon is more reserved. He's friendly but he's very wary."

"What was it like? Being atop him?"

Both started walking back to camp at this, knowing they would need to make drastic changes. He hadn't taken into consideration another hostage other than Aurane. This would hold Tywin's hand because it was known the man despised Tyrion and he was furious with Jaime's induction into the Kingsguard meaning he couldn't carry on the family. Meaning the man's choices were temporarily have his deformed son be his heir, or have his brother as his heir. He didn't know much about Kevan, the only thing that he was aware of is that he was a good war commander. But how good of a war commander was he? Looking to the side, he could see a makeshift cage was created and Jaime had been tied down whilst people were fortifying it.

"That doesn't look secure."

Robb kicked a rock on the ground at this.

"It's the best we've got for the time being. Once we get to Riverrun he'll probably be placed in one of the cells there. In the meantime, he'll have a guard around him."

He nodded as he took the words in. They were close to Riverrun, being able to see it from specific points down into the valley and the three rivers feeding the moat. He was nervous about this meeting that would probably be happening in the next day or two. Jaeron had been terrified to meet Doran and Oberyn, but through marriage he was technically related to Hoster, and that terrified him. Whilst there wasn't a blood link, it was still a link, and Tully values were so ingrained in their words made these things tricky. Before he knew it, they were in his tent, his mother already waiting alongside Brynden.

"I suppose I'd best go speak to our guest-"

"Don't be stupid Robb. You need to clean up considering you're covered in blood and dirt. Go do so, you did good today. I'll deal with Jaime Lannister. Perhaps we can get confirmation to Jaeron's suspicion over how Bran fell that day."

Robb opened his mouth a few times before deciding there was no use in arguing with his mother. The attack had been a roaring success despite the very risky approach. It was a common technique to split one's forces to get through fights quicker, but deliberately splitting the odds so unevenly was not. Whether it was a trick that would work again in the future, there was no way to tell with certainty. No one could see the future. With this thought, he finally made his way outside to be met with Galbart Glover and Howland Reed. The latter was getting a few odd looks, but he was a priceless addition with his greensight and warging abilities. Robb appeared not long after and with a single long stare towards Lord Glover, he left. Once it was just the three of them, he confirmed it had been a success.

"It worked, the small force sent out was the perfect distraction and left Ser Jaime mostly undefended. We've captured him and are holding him in a makeshift dungeon right now. Mother has gone to get a confession out of him over what happened with Bran- to see if our suspicions are correct regarding what occurred that day."

Howland simply smiled and nodded before taking leave. His brother walked over and immediately pulled him in tight for a hug.

"What did I tell you about not doing anything stupid?"

The words left him with a shake to his voice, like he was trying desperately not to cry. Whether that was in relief or in shame, it was difficult to say. This was a talk that was needed with everything that had happened today. Still, no one knew the truth about Jon, they planned to use that wild card only when they had to. The more of an impact it makes, the better a chance there is for them to win the war. He had been nothing short of devastated when Joffrey ordered his fathers imprisonment. Whilst he was his uncle by blood, he did raise him as his son, and he was always going to see him as a father. Yet he had done the one thing he said he wouldn't do to Jon. He'd promised him he wouldn't do anything stupid, yet he had done just that by confronting Cersei openly regarding the parentage of her children.

"Brother, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like I did when you made your plan known, but you shouldn't have kept that from me either. We are playing two extremely dangerous games here, Robb. We are playing a game of vengeance together for every wrong that has been carried out against our family, and you're secretly helping me play the greatest game of all, the game of thrones. You are far too valuable to everything. Just, don't make any more rash decisions without at least running it by me first. If not me then do so by your mother. She was worried sick when I told her you told me differently."

Robb had been wholly expecting for him to curse him out for not running it by him prior, leaving him to find out by Catelyn's question. He was probably surprised he hadn't mounted Rhaegon and come after him. The dragons had grown massive since the older had last seen them. Last time he did was when Jon packed up to head towards the wall before going down to Greywater Watch to 'foster' under Howland. At first, he was surprised that he had not gone there straight away, but as time went on and ravens were sent, he understood why his brother had done so. Yes, it was partially down to familial links no matter how weak said link was. But the main one was that he didn't want it getting out he was in the Neck, so he made it look as though he had taken the black and disappeared beyond the wall on a ranging.

"I can't promise I won't make a rash decision in the future, but I will promise to run it by you first. You give good counsel, brother."

The younger smiled tightly at hearing the word. Yes, they've agreed they will always consider one another brothers, but the truth of their relation would always be there. He asked him to walk with him towards where they were keeping their newest hostage- undoubtedly their most valuable hostage. Joffrey cannot move against them now without angering Tywin. The thought almost made them giddy, knowing the current King was likely throwing a strop over not being able to do anything. There had still been no word regarding Sansa or Arya other than they had gotten out. His spies still working on locating where the older of his sisters was. Arya would likely be close to the Kingsroad, but it was difficult to tell how far up it she was. For all he knew, she was nearby.

Jaeron knew that it was Varys who must've gotten Sansa out of the Red Keep. Whilst Torghen was smart and cunning, he spoke at length he never knew his way around the castle, so it didn't make sense he would know a way to get her out. Meaning they were working together. This in turn leading to the talk Catelyn had with Varys. It was the only thing that would've convinced him to do something like that. When he first realised this was the case, he had been annoyed not much else was said about it, knowing he would need to ask his aunt exactly what they had talked about that day.

It hurt that he only had his aunt left on one side of his tree. If what he had heard regarding his uncle was correct, he had threatened to cut her unborn son from her which was a criminal thing in Vaes Dothrak. He'd found out the hard way as Daenerys' husband had poured molten gold on his head. A nasty way to die, but their traditions meant no blood could be shed in the sacred city in a vengeful way. Accidental fair enough, but purposeful was a sin to them. He'd grown up believing the Dothraki were savages. Yes, to an extent they were, but they had some morals. And they had kept his aunt alive so he was indebted to them in a way because of that.

"What are you smiling about?"

Robb watched as he turned his head to look him in the eye, once again thanking the gods of Catelyn's idea regarding his eyes so long ago, when they were thinking up explanations in case Robert Baratheon found out who was in Winterfell. There would be no way to hide Jon's bright purple eyes without the truth getting out, so explaining it with a popular rumour which did tie in with the timeline was the best move at the moment.

"Just thinking of how those who have went against our families will react when they realise there has been a dragon in wolfs clothing all along in Westeros."

Robb snorted at this too, he couldn't wait to see the look on Tywin's face when he realised Eddard Stark had outsmarted the entire realm. An image he would love to have framed, but that wouldn't be possible as nobody could paint or draw that fast. Cersei would be furious because it was known she wanted Rhaegar and was incensed the betrothal was rejected immediately and he was instead married to Elia. They've already got the word out regarding Joffrey, Myrcella, and Tommen. Whether people believed it was another thing, but there was no denying the pattern. There had never been a Baratheon who didn't have black hair.

"I'm going to tell Jaime about me."

The older turned to him in shock and was about to retaliate but was silenced with a look.

"Rhaegon and Lyrax despite being young, due to them being raised out in the open with plenty of food, are large enough to ride. I did say I wasn't going to press on my claim until they were large enough to do so. What better person to start spreading the truth than the very man who murdered my grandfather?"

Robb closed his mouth as he took in his brother's words. It was risky to do this, incredibly so, but there was no denying the tactic would be a good move. Even more so with Arthur here to back up the claim. Tell the truth to someone who knew Rhaegar personally so there would be no denying it from other high Lord's, but in doing so giving the small folk something to gossip over. No words were spoken as they finally got to the large cage that was serving as a makeshift dungeon considering they were out in the open currently. Catelyn looked up at them with a tense face, a look of absolute hatred. Meaning he confessed or had given enough information to what happened with Bran to simply be coincidence.

"Tell them what you did to their brother, Lannister."

Her words had a bite to them, that was for certain. A tone they knew well as it was the one she used when she was angry with them. They each stood at either side of her to stare the famed Kingslayer in the face.

"Ah, the young wolf and the white wolf. Or is it the heir and the bastard? It's hard to keep up these days."

Jon simply clenched his lips for a moment before letting his court face take over, something he'd been working hard on with Howland. It was an expression he was going to have to wear frequently if he wins the great game.

"What did you do to our brother, Ser? What did he witness?"

Jon felt for Rhaegon in his mind, wanting to use his dragons to get him to remain compliant, glad they were far away from the camp. The guards all leaving when they had walked up so it was just the three of them. All was quiet for a moment as the disgraced Knight looked to them with an arrogant smirk on his face. This was broken when Jon spotted grey and purple eyes staring from deep within the woods. Good, Lyrax was here as well. This will be an even better response.

"I pushed him out the window."

Robb immediately went to grab his sword, but Catelyn gave him a glare which caused him to stop in his actions.

"He caught you fucking your sister, didn't he?"

The Lady had to stop herself from chastising her nephew over his language, but out of them all he had the right to be angriest at the man. This was the son of the man who had ordered his siblings be butchered, and the man who had killed his grandfather. Then again, the latter wasn't exactly a bad thing, that was necessary considering Aerys' madness.

"Aye, he did. Cersei is my twin; we came into the world together and we belong together. Brother and sister relationships aren't that odd. Aerys and Rhaella, Shaera and Jaehaerys, Aegon and his sister wives, Alysanne and Jaehaerys. For hundreds of years Targaryen's practised such pairings, so it shouldn't be that shunned upon."

His words made Jon feel sick to his stomach. Yes, he was a Targaryen and he knew of his ancestry, but it still didn't sit right with him. Stark's only practised incest when they were on the brink of extinction, and even then no sibling matches so the blood link wasn't that close.

"He always dreamed of being a Knight, you know. He wanted to be inducted into the Kingsguard, which he will now never do. Did you send the cutthroat after him as well to finish the job? Or was that your sister? Or was it someone one of you paid to do the work?"

Now, Catelyn and Robb were giving him looks out the corner of their eyes, neither expecting Jaeron to be the one to say that so brazenly. The Lady only now seeing the training Howland had been giving him and how it was shaping him. He'll make a good King, she thought quietly to herself. She knew he was planning on pressing on his claim soon, and it was obvious now what he was going to do. With a simple nod from him, she left them alone to carry out whatever questioning they wanted.

"Bit of poetic justice is it not? The boy who wanted to do such had his dreams crushed by someone who is already at that stage."

Robb was beginning to lose his composure now, him now trembling in anger. Probably biting the insides of his cheeks enough to draw blood trying to keep his words to himself. Jaeron knelt beside the cage and stared him straight in the eye, that arrogant smirk burning bright in his head. Vengeance was burning deep inside of him the more he did so, but he couldn't let it out yet. They need to use him as leverage to get an upper hand.

"I suppose it is a bit of poetic justice. But what is also poetic justice is that someone who is seventeen name-days managed to trick you into a trap. Weren't you seventeen name-days when King Aerys inducted you into the Kingsguard?"

"Someone knows his history it seems. I've got one question to ask of you bastard, why have you not been executed for desertion? Last I heard you'd taken the black."

And that set the trap. Letting a tiny smirk play on his face which clearly confused Jaime, but the confused expression turned to arrogant a moment later. If he had blinked, he would've missed the change.

"Nay. It is true I went to the Wall; however, I did not take the black. I did so to create a ruse, one my siblings, Eddard Stark, Catelyn Stark, Benjen Stark, and Howland Reed were in on. I was never lost beyond the Wall like we've been saying for the last year. In fact, I never even left the North."

Now, Robb was struggling to hold in a snigger. The dumbfounded expression on the Kingslayer's face being one he would remember for eternity.

"You see, Ser Jaime, everyone was unknowingly thwarted by Eddard Stark. Even we were until my sixteenth name-day when we were all told the truth apart from my youngest brother. How does it feel to have been outsmarted by the quiet wolf?"

Jaime Lannister

The Northern Camp near Riverrun, 300AC

The question confused him, he hated to admit to it. His sister always used to say he was the stupidest Lannister and now he felt it more than ever, and Jaime did not like that in the slightest. What had Ned Stark done? It also wasn't lost on him that the bastard was not calling him father, nor was he calling him Lord. He was simply calling him by name. Wondering why had he made it look as though he had taken the black. Also, where in seven hells was he if he wasn't lost beyond the Wall like what was reported?

"The one question I always begged for an answer to was who my mother was. A question that was finally answered on my sixteenth name-day as my mother made Eddard promise to tell me when I was a man grown. But it wasn't that simple, I'm afraid. I'll explain why that is. Because, it was disclosed who my father was."

The last sentence caught his attention, and he watched the two boys stood in front of him with their wolves on either side ready to snap should the need arise. Both had a small smile on their face as the words sank in. Ned Stark had not sired him. But if he had not sired him, who had? And why had the Quiet Wolf claimed the bastard as his own? Ned Stark despised lying with a passion. Jon Snow reached up to point towards his eyes which only now he realised were purple, a shade he had looked into many a time that had been filled with pain from what her brother-husband inflicted on her. Then, the bastard reached back to tie his hair at the nape of his neck which exposed his entire face. Slowly turning his head up to look him directly in the eye. Violet meeting emerald. The realisation dawning on him as quick as a buck would spot an arrow coming its way just before it made contact. Eyes widening as he scanned his face in detail. Seven hells.

"Robert's rebellion was based on a lie, a disgusting lie. He wanted Lyanna Stark so much that when she told him she wanted to break the betrothal due to his ways, he deluded himself into thinking she was coerced into saying this. Then she ran off with Rhaegar Targaryen, and he further convinced himself she was not acting of her own accord. He didn't take the sting of rejection well. He spread the lie and Brandon Stark went down to the Red Keep to demand her release, everyone knows what happened after that. However, he didn't consider there was documentation to prove this was not the case, documentation Lyanna had. And when she died on her birthing bed with her older brother holding her hand, she told him to bring it to the North with him- "

"You're Rhaegar's son with Lyanna Stark."

Jon Snow simply smiled before nodding politely, but Jaime knew his thoughts were anything but polite at this moment in time.

"Aye, I am. Now, you'll be wondering where this fit in amongst the timeline, so I'll start from the beginning. Before the tourney of Harrenhal, Rhaegar and Elia came to the decision to annul their marriage as both knew there wasn't much political merit to the match and that she couldn't produce anymore heirs. They kept up appearances because of Aerys' worsening mad streak, fearing he would do something to the children or to Elia's brothers, nieces, and nephews. I'm sure you'll remember a strange Knight competing, a Knight who seemingly vanished into thin air. Well, that Knight was none other than Lyanna Stark, fighting to regain Howland Reed's honour. When Aerys sent Rhaegar after her, he said he never found anything but the shield- but this was a lie.

"He found her in the woods surrounding the lake, throwing pieces of armour into the water. Throughout the tourney, they grew close to one another and Elia was fully aware of the budding romance. A year later, Lyanna decided she was not going to go ahead with her father's plans to marry Robert, and Rhaegar arranged a ship to collect her from White Harbour which would take them to the Neck. From there they crossed Harrenhal and went to the Isle of Faces where they wed under Lyanna's gods with Elia's permission. Then they fled to Dorne together, where I was conceived and born, my mother giving her life in the process."

Now, Jaime's eyes widened to a comical size as the words hit him. He'd never liked Robert Baratheon but finding out he had started everything over a bruised ego infuriated him. All those people's lives could've been saved. Gods, his father was going to have a fit when he finds out. Cersei even more so, and since Robert was now dead, they couldn't question the man on it.

"My name is not Jon Snow. My name is Jaeron Targaryen. I have proof of it with records signed and stamped by the High Septon at the time alongside Citadel documents proving it all. The honourable Eddard Stark lied to everyone to protect me from your father and Robert. The dragons were never dead, we were simply hiding in plain sight all along. I have spies in the capital feeding me information regularly as I will be pressing on my claim very soon. Winter is coming with fire and blood, Ser Jaime. Urnēptre aōla." (Show yourself.)

Robb now had a bright smile on his face, clearly enjoying every moment of this. His mind was still running hundreds of miles a minute at the revelation. Then he heard it. Large steps, clearly from an animal of some kind. Was it one of the wolves? No, it couldn't be. Wolves were notorious for being quiet as they snuck up on their prey. Watching as he turned his head towards the tree line and spotting purple and grey eyes from whatever beasts those were. They were large, the pitch dark of the night and the forest providing a perfect camouflage for them. Then a hint of bright silver and sapphire blue. Realisation dawning on him a moment too late as they broke their massive heads out of the tree line just enough for him to see. Jaime yelped loud before scrambling back, not noticing he had released his bowels until the stench began to waft into his nose. His eyes were on Jaeron as he walked to stand between them and petting them lovingly.

"As I said, dragons were not gone, simply sleeping. As you can see, they are rather large. I am bonded to one, and I have already mounted him like my ancestors did all those years ago. Even if I lose the great game in the end, I will get vengeance. Including on you for not doing anything as your father ordered my siblings deaths. I will give you time to process everything, and you will tell me everything from that day."

With those words said, he nodded to his companions to go back into hiding. A moment later, all they could see was trees. How were they hiding so well? How had no one noticed them? Jaime Lannister was someone who could say with certainty that nothing terrified him other than those closest to him being killed. But this was something else. Gosh, Tyrion would be having a field day if he were the one captured. He remembered his little brother asking his father for a dragon for his name-day when he was younger- he forgets which one- only for him to run off crying when Tywin confirmed they had all died out many years before. Yet here were two. He'd heard the rumours regarding Daenerys Targaryen- Jaeron's aunt- and how she had three eggs. But they were in the middle of nowhere in Essos and wouldn't cause harm. But there were two in Westeros- hiding in the Riverland's of all places.

"Let me give you some advice, Jaime. Don't get too high and mighty on that horse of yours, a dragon can easily take down a horse. I have two, and you are our prisoner now. We have gotten my cousins out of Kings Landing with the help of some of our spies. Therefore, House Lannister holds no pegs with us anymore. We have the upper hand. You know, I wish I could be the one to see the horror on Tywin's face when he finds out that he failed in taking us all out alongside Robert. But imagine what his face will be when he finds out what his golden heir and daughter have been doing? The hatred on his face when he finds out that none of his grandchildren are Robert's and are in fact bastards of incest between twins?"

If he weren't already terrified, he was sure his anger would be on full show. The elder hated to admit it, but what he had been told in the last few minutes and seeing two nearly full-grown dragons, there was no denying they had the upper hand. His father would already be furious that someone of seventeen name-days was able to bait him into a trap and his 'bastard' brother had the biggest wildcard of them all.

"Ser Jaime Lannister, you will be our prisoner for as long as we need you. With you here, your father cannot make a move against us. He will know that we'll kill you if he did that, and then he would be forced to name Tyrion as his heir. He'd rather suck on the sourest lemon for eternity than do that. As you saw judging by the stench coming from your trousers, my brother has two dragons that he could mount and head straight for the capital right now. Also, your bastard Joffrey has just dismissed Ser Barristan for being 'too old', meaning the Stormlands have been greatly slighted. All we need to do is tell the truth of you and your twin for them to go into rebellion and refuse Lannister rule. I don't think your father would like that, would he?"

Rhaegar's son turned to him at this, that was the first time he'd heard that about Barristan. His son had dismissed the Bold, and in doing so had insulted him greatly. Gods, Cersei, what are you doing? She'd always hated Barristan, not liking the mans prudishness in the slightest. Dismissing someone from the Kingsguard was incredibly shameful, and House Selmy had a decent amount of power in the Stormland's. That was a dumb move. Why had Cersei not stopped him? Deep down he knew why. Joffrey was a monster and he was insane, something that came from a neglectful 'father' and a mother who refused to see him as anything but her perfect little golden lion.

"Plans may change in the future, but as they stand, dragons will not be sleeping for long. We suspect Ser Barristan had an inkling of the truth regarding Jaeron, but we cannot say for certain. He's not going to go back to the Stormland's and be a disgraced Knight, he's going to either come here or go to Daenerys. I have no idea whether she will hatch her own eggs, but even if she does, Jaeron's are much older and they will cause damage very soon. My cousin has already agreed to pardon you over the murder of King Aerys because despite him being his grandfather, he knows what he was like. But you have a lot more sins that need answered, Ser."

With these words spoken, Robb walked away. Leaving him with Rhaegar's son who was now remembering words spoken to him by Rhaegar so long ago. Ser Jaime, we will speak when I return. In the meantime, look after my children. I fear my father will do something. When I come back, things will change in the realm. That had been the Prince's last words to him, words he was unable to keep up. As he was killing Aerys, Amory and Gregor had tracked down the Prince and Princess and slain them. He remembered how disgusted he was when he saw the bodies himself, having a similar reaction to Ned Stark. Unlike him though, he couldn't openly chastise Robert due to being in the Kingsguard.

"You took your mothers colouring."

"Aye, apart from my eyes."

Guilt washed over the Knight now. He was torn between his vows and his family. He made a vow to Rhaegar to protect his children and he did not do that. Now he is faced with Rhaegar's last child whom nobody knew existed apart from a select few people.

"Did Sansa and Arya know about you?"

From the simple nod the younger gave, he had his answer. Gods, those two girls were loyal. Even when Sansa was coddling up to Joffrey, she'd never once let slip about her cousin. Neither had the wild one that he had witnessed learning how to wield a sword whilst her sister was learning complex sewing patterns. The pack stays together. The same with lions, they stick to their pride and anything that is not them is a threat. Lions are fierce beasts, commonly referred to as the Kings of animals due to their majestic nature and golden coloured fur. Lions were no match for dragons though.

"Why did you do nothing with my siblings? I know you swore a vow to my father, Ser Jaime. He documented it in a letter he gave to my mother whilst at war. A letter which I have as my uncle brought it back to the North with me. You promised him you would protect his children, yet you let them be butchered horribly."

The boy was speaking in an assertive tone, but he could see the tears building up in those bright purple eyes. He remembered those eyes, eyes Prince Viserys had alongside Queen Rhaella and Prince Aegon. Vows are sacred to Knights, and Jaime hated breaking them. He had taken no wife, but he did not remain celibate. He has children but he cannot claim them as such. And he had murdered King Aerys, the one thing a Kingsguard absolutely should not do. He has enough stains on his honour already, can he take another?

"You weren't aware of what your father was planning, were you? Therefore, you had no idea to be there to protect them?"

Anger seeped with him now, but underneath the anger was an intense feeling of shame. How had he figured it out so easily? Was he that easy to read or was he just trained exceptionally well? Tied between being dutiful to his family or being dutiful to his vows. Whichever side he chooses will have the other option become a further stain on his honour, and he doesn't want another stain. Therefore, he decided to talk.

"I was in the throne room when it was all happening. Your grandfather had just given his final order. I chased him down and killed him before confronting Aerys. Do you know what he asked of me? He asked me to bring him my father's head. When I refused, he began repeating the same words he had been speaking for hours on end. He tried to run, and I knew he was trying to find someone to carry out the order. That's when I killed him, and right around that time is when your uncle stepped into the room. He didn't even hear me out, just walked away to tell people what I'd done. The royal quarters are attached to the throne room, so Amory and Gregor were either there before I was or they'd gone through one of the secret passages to the royal chambers. I had no idea my father ordered the slaughter of babes."

The younger eyed him, analysing his body language. He must've found whatever he was looking for as he turned to walk away, final words echoing in the darkening night like someone had yelled inside a tunnel.

"Ser Jaime, I want you to know that the claim will be made soon. When the time comes, I pray you make the right choice."

Jaeron Targaryen

The Northern Camp near Riverrun, 300AC

With that, Jon walked away from him, leaving a dumbfounded Lannister in his wake. Some of their men were asking him what he was doing with the Kingslayer, others were taunting him over his status. Some even going as far as to call him abomination. But words did not affect him, he'd heard it all before. Tyrion's words ringing in his ears. Two brothers, both completely different from one another in not just appearance but in character. He isn't stupid. Jaime is the most valuable Lannister as Tywin wants to name him heir despite his vows prohibiting this, but he isn't the one they want to convince. They need Tyrion on their side, he is the smartest. The only way they will do this is if they separate him from Tywin.

"So, what did you get out of him?"

It was only now he realised that he was in the tent he shared with Robb. The slightly older quirking an eyebrow up awaiting a response to the question. Jon sat down on the makeshift bed and stripped out of his clothes which were covered in sweat.

"What I wanted to hear. It was all Tywin's plan, and Jaime didn't know about the more intricate details shall we say. He admitted he did vow to my father to keep the family safe, and in a way, he did that."

Carefully, Robb sat down beside his cousin and placed a hand on his shoulder to give him some support. He'd never thought about it that way, and now a part of him felt guilt for the Kingslayer. Something he never thought he would feel.

"He broke his vow unknowingly, not of his own accord. Deep down, I do believe he would've protected my siblings if he knew what his father was going to do. But because he didn't know, there was no way to do this. No warning could get out in time."

Silence shrouded them for a few minutes after this, both letting the information sink in. They've now got the Lannister's in a precarious position that if they play the game right, will be their end. They will get justice for Bran as they've now got a confession alongside their suspicions and spy reports. Now, they need to prepare for what Tywin will do now. Their last report on him came from Harrenhal which is a three days ride away at least, they could use this to their advantage. However, Tywin is not the only person they need to be worried for. It won't be long before Cersei finds out they've captured Jaime, and she will rain hellfire on them when she finds out and hope her father can bail her out with his words. Then there is Joffrey.

"The Lannister's are going to need a powerful ally, and soon."

"They'll probably go for the Tyrell's. You've not started your campaign yet which means Margaery is free to be with whoever. Reports say Mace wants nothing more than his golden rose to be the Queen. Not a Queen, but the Queen- "

He cut Robb off at this;

"Nay, because Margaery is now wed to Renly. They won't like that he has declared himself King despite Stannis being older-"

"But what if they make an offer to still make her Queen even if Renly loses?"

These words began spinning inside his head, thinking it all through. It was one he hadn't even considered, simply assuming there was no point in going against Renly who had the might of the Stormland's and most of the Reach on his side. He probably had the largest army out of all the claimants currently.

"It could work, and there isn't much choice elsewhere for them. The Vale is a no because I doubt Lysa is going to pledge her forces, and the current two heirs are male. Unless they betroth Myrcella to either Robyn or Harrold, they'll get nowhere there. They can't get the Riverland's due to your connection, nor can they get the North for the same reason. They will not go to Dorne because the Martell's despise the Lannister's for what they did to Elia and my siblings. I highly doubt they would seek an alliance with the Iron Island's. If we can turn the Reach from them, this leaves them only with the Crownland's or Stormland's. The Crownland's Lords aren't keen on them as they were supporters of my family apart from House Darklyn who are now extinct. The Stormland's aren't going to go anywhere near them if they find out that neither of the children were Robert's, and especially now with what they've supposedly done to Ser Barristan."

"The Lannister's only hope is a bunch of lesser Lords which Tywin will take as a massive insult, or he goes with the Tyrell's. Let's run this by your mother right now and see what she thinks. She has much more political training than we do considering she's the one who done the negotiating with Lord Walder. Plus, she also negotiated with Varys on my behalf which was not an easy task."