Olenna Tyrell learns of a hidden prince and brings him to Highgarden to watch over him as he grows strong and so that he will take his birthright with her granddaughter by his side. But plans don't always work. Gods and magic and men and Jon himself have different ideas of what they want. From the Reach to King's Landing to Dorne and the Wall, Jon will travel and fight and find pleasure and companionship and friends.
AU story that will mostly follow parts of the first two books, of Jon going to the south to be a ward of House Tyrell and squire for Garlan Tyrell. He will have multiple partners, many of which will be wives and concubines and paramours, and generally make Westeros a different and debaucherous place by the time he sits the throne. Read the tags before opening as this is a harem fic.
Notes:
Disclaimer:
I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire or A Game of Thrones. George RR Martin's great story and characters are his own. This is purely a fictional story that I just wanted to make using his wonderful world and characters.
Also this is my first fanfic so please be kind. And enjoy.
This story has been inspired by many works. This one is particular is inspired by:
Snow and Flowers by ShitMyPants
The Wolf King by Jess_Targaryen
Bound Together by BlackLight2181 and Longclaw_1_6
The World is Ours by (They orphaned this work so I forget who originally wrote it)
Seeds of the Northern Kingdom by Sigil_of_House_Throckmorton
The King and His Wives by Tessa_H_Dillinger
The Chosen Seven by MayorHaggar
There are aspects from all that inspired me which you might see as you read. There are many more that influenced me to write as well, but I would say these ones are the biggest influence for this specific story. If you haven't already, please read them. They are quite good and desire some love.
Also the tone is semi-serious as one can only get so serious with a harem fic. So there will be an attempt at a cohesive plot with a bunch of smut and attempts at character development/growth. Not every relationship tagged will be there from the get go and will take time to develop. The harem will also have issue in it and will try to develop and solidify as the story goes. There will be plot holes and issues and whatnot since this is my first longform story, so please bear through any roughness and point it out nicely if you can. This story will also follow book canon for about the first half, ie it will follow closely to Game of Thrones and mostly follow Clash of Kings, everything afterwards should mostly break from canon.
Be sure to read the tags.
Chapter 1: Olenna / Eddard
Summary:
Olenna learns a secret
Ned must come to terms with this
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
The Queen of Thorns
Olenna looked down at the series of letters and papers that would consume her morning. One was from Jon Arryn talking about new taxes put upon the Reach. The new King Robert was still pissed about the Reach opposing his rebellion. Had her foolish son had a tenth of her brains he would've had his armies at the Trident and Rhaegar would be king. And we would've been rewarded, though Olenna. These new taxes were supposed to humble the mighty Reach. Olenna would pay them. Better this than to fall further from grace.
The next scroll was an invitation by Lord Rowan to a tourney at Golden Grove. What a bore, thought the Queen of Thorns, why watch boys hit each other with sticks. The next three scrolls were much of the same. One was at Old Oak, the next at Ashford, and the third at Crakehall. The Queen of Thorns sighed and grabbed the invitations and threw them in the hearth. Good kindling for tonight's fire, thought Olenna, we can go to tourney's when the grandchildren are older.
After shifting through various invitations for feasts or melees or tourneys and more correspondence from various lords about the new taxes and the announcement of a royal birth, all of which seemed to waste her time, she was down to a thick scroll with two small notes on it. The first note was from her good daughter, Alerie. So, Olenna snatched it to read what the foolish girl had to do with this.
Dear Mother,
I received this scroll from my father, who got it from his uncle.
He says that it would be of interest to you.
This is why I haven't opened it.
Yours, Alerie
The Queen of Thorns lost count with the number of times she has told that stupid girl to not call her mother. At least she has enough brains to not look at things not addressed to her. Lord Oaf would've broken the seal without thinking. Olenna grabbed the other small note, and it was exactly what Alerie said. It was indeed from Lord Layton and the name of Gerold Hightower did pique her interest. The White Bull had a letter for her. So, she broke the seal and unrolled the scroll. Which had two scrolls rolled over each other. One was a longer letter by Lord Leyton, probably giving an explanation, and the other was Ser Gerold's mystery letter.
Ser Gerold's letter felt old, and its natural state was to be rolled. The letter had to have been at least two years old and this was the second time that anyone had opened it. There was some wax from when someone opened it. But this piece of parchment seemed somewhat neglected and to Olenna's old fingers she could feel every day it remained unopened.
Olenna put the letter down gently before grabbing the one form Lord Leyton. She read it and it explained a lot. Lord Leyton had discovered the letter from his uncle almost a fortnight ago. It was lost in his desk for nearly two years. He didn't know when it got to him, but it was written shortly before the Old Bull had died. Lord Leyton explained that he read the letter and realized the treason that laid in it. He explained that he didn't know what he should do with it, so he passed it onto her.
Typical man. Pass on the hard work to a woman, thought Olenna before finishing the letter. Lord Leyton explains that he has confirmed one of the facts, the marriage was lawful. Marriage between who Olenna would have to read Ser Gerold's letter. Lord Leyton also says that whatever plans she makes he would support her. He finishes with an apology as giving this letter to her has made her a traitor in the eyes of the new king. He already sees us as traitors, so what is a little more treason. She then reached for the old letter and did her best to keep it flat.
She read the letter once. Then Twice. Then for a good measure she did it thrice. For once in a long while the Queen of Thorns didn't know what to think or feel. She was nervous and joyful. She had a way of raising her family higher than ever and also completely destroy it. So, she read it a fourth time.
Dear nephew or whichever Targaryen loyalist this reaches,
The Usurper is a liar and completely wrong. His cause is built on a lie. His war for his love is false. The woman he claims to love was not kidnapped or raped. She was escaping from a terrible marriage. The only just part of his rebellion was his friend Stark's familial deaths and the call for their heads.
Everything else is a lie. The Lady Lyanna ran away from her betrothed to the arms of the glorious Prince Rhaegar of the House Targaryen. They married in secret on the Isle of Faces and in a Sept. The prince claimed the precedent of his Valyrian ancestors and of past kings.
The prince planned on overthrowing the Mad King, but this Rebellion has stopped his plans. We have received word here at the Tower of Joy that the prince is dead, his first wife and children are dead, and his mad father was betrayed. Though this news is grim we loyal supporters can rally around the new child of Rhaegar.
The Lady Lyanna is pregnant and will give birth soon. This child will have a stronger claim than Prince Viserys and the child in the true Queen Rhaella's belly. We can rally around this child and stop the Usurper. This is the prince that was Promised as Prince Rhaegar has called him. A bringer of a golden age.
If we loyal few here at the tower die carry on our cause. We know that Stark is coming. That winter is coming for us.
-Lord Commander Ser Gerold Hightower, the White Bull, and loyal knight
-Ser Arthur Dayne, the Sword of the Morning
-Ser Oswell Whent
After this fourth reading Olenna quickly grabbed her quill. Before she does anything, she must confirm as much of this as she could. She began writing a letter to Lord Leyton. She wanted to know how he confirmed the marriage of Lyanna and Rhaegar. She would double check this for him. If they did marry, then this child would be legitimate and not a bastard. This would make things so much easier for her plans. She then reread the letter once more to learn of what else she needed to confirm.
Everyone knew that Eddard Stark fought three Kingsguard at the Tower of Joy. He found his sister dead and tore down the tower. Olenna could send a few discrete servants to the ruins to search for anything. She knew she had to confirm the child. Eddard was an honorable man so him breaking is vow with the context of this letter made his bastard the one she would have to investigate. The only reason a man of such honor would sully themselves would be to protect their family, thought Olenna, Eddard's honor would have him protect his nephew by making him his son.
She would have to find people that knew Rhaegar or met the prince at some point. Those that could see the prince in a bastard boy. Once she has done that they would go north and watch the boy. If they see anything of Rhaegar in him that could be enough proof. She would also have to find someone that knows Ser Gerold's handwriting to confirm that he wrote this letter. Lord Leyton should know what a letter in his uncle's hand should look like, but she might as well confirm this as well.
If she can find something of Rhaegar in the boy, if she can confirm the wedding and if she can confirm the writing of the White Bull this should be enough proof of Lord Eddard's treason and what House Tyrell can use to rise. Though proof from the ruins of the Tower of Joy is doubtful, it would just add confidence to her plans. She figures that this should all take the better part of the year. Once she gets her proof, she will contact the honorable Lord of Stark. An alliance with the boy as a ward and secret betrothal between him and little Margaery. She could even soften the Winter Lord with cheaper grain shipments.
The Queen of Thorns smiled as she wrote letters and commands. The next few months will require discretion and be tiring, but it would be worth it. Her house rises today.
Eddard
The halls of Winterfell were warm and filled with noise. House Stark has a new child, a daughter, which is cause for celebration. Lord Eddard drank his ale as his lords drank and ate to the health of the babe Lady Sansa Stark. There was also celebration for the crown. They had received a raven of the Queen's second pregnancy. She had already given birth to a girl, named Princess Myrcella of House Baratheon, over four moons ago. So, the Lords of the North are using this to celebrate and messy their liege lord's hall.
There was the Greatjon in the corner, with two mugs larger than Ned's head in each hand and laughing so loudly Eddard could've sworn the Great Hall shook. He saw lord Karstark and Lord Glover arguing and seeming to settle a debate by showing which was stronger. There were loud roars when Galbart Glover slammed the hand of Rickard Karstark into a platter of potatoes. There was also a few from the mountain clans spilling ale and laughing at some japes they heard.
As long as no blood was spilled, whether on accident or on purpose, Ned didn't care. The lords' antics were quite amusing, and the quiet wolf laughed and smiled more than once while watching them. He laughed loudly when he saw two little boys, one with a head of red-brown and the other with a head of dark, brown, climbed on a table and kick a platter of sausages on the head of Lord Hornwood, who was pawing at a maid in his lap. Eddard laughed while pointing to the nanny, who had entered the room with a frantic look on her face, where the missing boys had gone.
Robb and Jon were quite upset to be dragged back to bed which amused all the lords that were near them. There were japes of 'Wolf's Blood' from all that had seen what happened. The only part of the revelry that brought down his mood was the absence of his beautiful wife. Her labors had worn her down and so she couldn't attend the feast. Maester Luwin had assured him that she will be fine after a break from her duties, but Ned still felt downhearted for celebrating when his wife couldn't.
The joy of the hall died down hours later. Much wine was spilled, and more food was ate. Winterfell's stores took a beating after tonight.
As the host and liege lord, Ned felt he had a duty to stay for most of the night. He drunkenly made his way to his room and decided to pass by the nursery. He had a desire to see his boys again this night and to see his new daughter. When he arrived there was the regular nanny who was asleep in a chair in the corner, and there was a comely nanny he couldn't recall, looking at the boys.
She seemed older than him but still quite young, no older than thirty years. She was stood tall above Jon seemingly studying the boy. The alcohol most likely played a role in fogging what he was seeing, so he cleared his throat. This caused the nanny to jump and spin around.
"My lord," said the Nanny she curtsied low with accent from somewhere south.
"What are you doing over my son," asked Ned using his lord's voice.
"The little lord was making a fuss. I was about to comfort him so he would sleep. My apologizes my lord", replied the nanny.
"No need for apologies. It is understandable. How are my children?"
"They are excellent, my lord. Aside from the boys' breakout. They have been mostly peaceful. Lady Sansa sleeps very well. Only wakes to feed"
"Good. Good. Now it is I who must apologize for I don't recognize you. Are you new in these halls?"
"For the most part, my lord. I have been at Winterfell for nearly half a year. I started in the kitchens but requested to move to the nursery. I have always loved children. So being a nanny and wet nurse is a job I enjoy", quickly said the nanny.
"Well, I hope they don't give too much trouble. Now I will leave goodnight, um…," said Ned.
"Megette. Meg if it pleases your lordsip," said the nanny.
"Goodnight Megette," said Ned.
Eddard turned to leave the room. When he turned back, he could've sworn that Meg was studying Jon again and looked as if she was writing something. He shook off this though as him being drunk.
Ned continued to his rooms. Once he arrived, he pushed open the door far harder than he intended. He then proceeded to tear open the tapestries that blocked the windows, letting in the cool, northern air. He sloppily removed his clothing, falling over a few times in the process and fell onto his bed, falling asleep immediately. Promise me. He dreamt his usually nightmare. Promise me, Ned.
The morning came with the morning sun glaring through his open windows right on his face. His head felt like it was being split open by an axe. Ned turned over groaning with pain. He threw off his furs and slowly dressed for the day. His hangover was slowing his normal routine.
He walked to the hall and could here to sounds of boys running and yelling. When he opened the door Ned saw the sight of Robb chasing Jon. They were yelling at each other and laughing. The noise made Ned's head hurt, but the sight of his boys playing gave him joy. He saw two nannies standing to the side of the hall right next to the wall, watching the boys while quickly eating a small bowl of porridge.
Ned arrived at the high table where his wife was already eating. He gave her a kiss on her cheek and filled his own plate as he sat down. As he broke his fast, he glanced over to Megette and saw her and an older nanny, another who he didn't recognize. He was uncomfortable with the fact that he didn't know his own servants. New servants were normal for a growing lordly family. He would get to know them with time. But the two women were looking as if they were studying Jon once more and whispering to each other. This made Ned's stomach leap a little. No one knows. I shouldn't be paranoid. No one knows who Jon is. They are watching just making sure Jon does fall and get trampled by Robb, thought Eddard.
After breaking his fast, Ned kissed his Catelyn, who was still slowly eating, and left the hall. He made his way to his solar to go through letters and correspondence and ready himself for the day. As he walked a part of Ned felt guilty. He remembered how he and his siblings would run these halls. The wounds of his family's death were still fresh although they had died almost three years before. He would do anything to bring his father, brother, and sister back.
Before arriving to his solar he saw the sight of both nannies making their way to Maester Luwin, both had small scroll. They don't know. No one knows. There is nothing wrong with anyone sending letters, thought Ned. He entered his solar, sat at his desk, and rubbed his head with a sigh. There were many pieces of parchment and a few scrolls. The day before his desk was cleared and now it was a mess. This is the life of a lord.
He went through the parchments and letters. Many were invitations to melees in the North and Tourney's in the south. A few births from various lords. Requests for extensions on taxes. Most of it wasn't too important and Ned was able to clear his desk once more. Ned stood up from his desk when he noticed a piece of parchment near the door. It wasn't there when Ned arrived, and Ned didn't know when the parchment was put under the door. He quickly made his way to the door and opened it.
He looked through and down the hall. There wasn't anyone here. It was a long shot of catching the individual that placed the parchment. There was barely any noise so he couldn't tell if the person was running away. The only sounds of movement were that of guards switching stations. Ned closed the door and picked up the parchment. As he read it felt like someone dropped him from the Broken Tower.
-To Lord Eddard Stark,
I know you are a Northerner that hates the games of the south. So, I will be upfront with you:
I have discovered your secret. I know your who your bastard's parents are and that you are not his father. I know he should be king and will want to help him be so.
I don't think you plan on crowning him and I won't do so unless he wants us to. I don't want you to fear. My house is with him, and I will help him grow strong. I wanted to let you know so when can work out our alliance and offer preliminaries of him being our ward. I will give you whatever you want. Whether it be grain or gold, or both. My price is my granddaughter be his queen.
He will be safe here or wherever he goes. He will be raised to be the king he should be. I don't give threats so don't take this as one. This is a dangerous game we both play. I would prefer to win it. I also don't think you are stupid as you are not my son, but please burn this after you read it.
-Dowager Lady of Highgarden, Olenna Tyrell
He read it once more before throwing it in his hearth. Ned's heart was racing as the worse thing that could've happened, had happened. It isn't just a someone. It was the Lady of the Reach, the Queen of Thorns. Ned didn't know a lot about her, but he knew if she wanted something she almost always got it. He simply went back to his desk and sat down. He couldn't ignore the letter. The Queen of Thorns would just send more and be less discrete about it.
Ned hated politics and this was nothing but pure southern games. He saw no way out of it. So, he would begin with his demands. As much as he hated it, he had the important piece to the scheme. As long as he had Jon the Queen of Thorns had threats that would ruin her house as well. They couldn't harm each other. So, he made a list of demands for grain for his people and gold to repair Moat Cailin. He also wanted guarantees of Jon's safety and he would try to postpone send Jon away for as long as he could.
Eddard Stark now has to play the game. Sorry Lyanna. I tried.
Notes:
Thank you for reading my fic. This is my first fanfiction so I hope you enjoyed it. I will try and update as frequently as I can.
This story will eventually have smut and is ultimately a harem fic. I will try my best to build up to it and make it a real story that is mostly serious, it will just have some smut in it. Since this is my first story, somethings will just go easy for the group and somethings might not be so serious plot, character interactions, and whatnot-wise. Just so you know. It will also be mostly following canon for the first half, ie Game of Thrones and Clash of Kings.
The final harem will be Falia Flowers, Margaery Tyrell, Myrcella Baratheon, Tyene Sand, Sansa Stark, Arianne Martell, Wynafryd Manderly, Val, Ygritte, and Daenerys Targaryen. This is the order that the wives enter the harem as the story goes by. I won't add the relationship tags for each couple until it come close to it being real in the story or there is a lot of interactions between the girls and Jon. Or just them being in the story for a good chunk. This is so I don't tease fans of a particular ship until there is some substance for them to enjoy.
There will also be various other partners for Jon in the story, he just doesn't marry them. They might just be lovers, paramours, one night stands, or might be concubines. For example, Cersei and Amerei are two that will be in this category. Some characters are aged up a bit and I will include any of these changes in a different author's note, and other author's notes when more younger characters enter the story.
If you don't like harem fics or stories with smut in them, this will not be a story for you. If you don't like any of the parings then this story will not be for you. I won't be removing anyone from my list, and I might only add more. If you don't like this fic I am sorry and I hope you find one you enjoy more, please don't be rude. This harem will also be slowly built and there will be some issues that are solved later as I am trying to make it as serious and realistic as you can for a harem.
Since this is my first Fanfic and first longform story, things might go a bit easier for Jon and everyone than they might in canon or with a more experienced writer. Things won't go perfectly though and there will be characters dying and some hiccups and problems and issues, but for the most part these things won't be as pronounced as other stories. I am trying have this story be as serious as I can be, but it is a harem fic so I can only be so serious. The Harem will also have hiccups and complications to it so things won'tbe perfect until the harem solidifies toward the end of the story.
Also there will be plot holes and issues things I try that don't work and just general awkwardness. I am sorry for these but I am trying to learn and trying to be better so I am trying my hand at different things to see how well I write them. This story is an experiment in my resolve to write a longform story and all that entails so there will be problems with it.
Any criticisms and critiques are welcome as long as they aren't entirely rude. I will try to answer any questions as best as I can. I will also try to update frequently.
EDIT (1/1/23): Character tags in this story will show POV characters. This either will be POVs already out in the story, chapters I am currently writing, or have planned in my outline and notes. There will be a bunch of characters in this story and I need to save tags for relationships and whatnot.
EDIT (1/22/23): I added a few more relationship tags. These Jon relationships are getting closer to coming out for Sansa and Cella, or at least I am getting to close to writing them for the Dornish girls. The Robb one isn't close yet, but there is some for the Sam one. I am thinking of changing my policy of waiting to change the relationship tags as I state in this chapter and other ones. But I will still do so slowly. So new comers from different tags, welcome!
Chapter 2: Olenna / Jon
Summary:
Olenna sends her proposal to Ned
Jon plays with his siblings.
A time skip of four years from the previous chapter.
Notes:
Disclaimer:
I do not own A Song of Ice and Fire or A Game of Thrones. George RR Martin's great story and characters are his own. This is purely a fictional story that I just wanted to make using his wonderful world and characters.
Also this is my first fanfic so please be kind. And enjoy.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The Queen of Thorns
Olenna felt as though she would lose her appetite. The Lord Oaf of Highgarden was prattling on about one thing or another and she was tired of it. Her son was eating his fill, which is surprising because to her he already filled his chair and almost filled the one next to him. If only one of her children inherited anything from her. Listening to her son and watching him eat made her want to leave.
"Would you stop flapping your mouth you fool? The rest of us wish to eat our meals in peace," hissed Olenna which got the desired results of Mace closing his mouth for a moment.
"Mother?," whined Mace.
"Yes. I am your mother. Good to know you have some ability for basic thoughts" said Olenna and this shut him up for good, "Now should some restraint and stop talking"
This made her grandchildren giggle with little Margaery giggling the most. The children had been talking amongst themselves with the three boys entertaining their younger sister. This warmed her heart which allowed her the be able to deal with her son's eating habits. Olenna turned her focus on her grandchildren.
Willas was making faces at Margaery which she was laughing heartily at. The laughter of the children did much to ease her mood and made her son forget that he was chastised. Mace started to speak quietly to knight which was fine by Olenna. She could now eat and think in peace. She was waiting for response from the great Northern Lord of Stark.
For the past four years the Queen of Thorns and the Quiet Wolf had been corresponding and a wonderful relationship between the North and the Reach has bloomed because of it. The first response from the cold lord was exactly what she expected. He was pissed that someone discovered his lie. He made demands. He also, surprisingly, made a few subtle threats. This amused Olenna most of all for she knew they were hollow, but the fact that the lord was capable of subtly was a good sign.
Olenna gave into the Eddard's demands. She gave cheap grain to all of the North. The northerners, as a result, started to almost exclusively buy grain from the Reach with the Riverlands supplementing them. This made the North seem to forget that over five years before they were on opposite sides of the rebellion. This saved money for many in the North and whispers have come down that most northern lords were improving their castles because their lord advised them to. There have also been many feasts and a few towns grew in size. The North was growing all because of Highgarden's grain.
Olenna even gave a gift to the North with a ten thousand gold dragon donation. These deals and gifts were played off as the Tyrells trying to get in good graces with the crown. To the rest of Westeros, the Reach was trying to curry favor with King Robert by making an ally of his closest friend. This has worked as almost no one made questions or have made any moves, besides maybe the Spider and the Old Lion both of whom had sent spies in Highgarden to confirm Highgarden's stated intentions.
She was glad that Lord Stark was a man that listened to those that were better at the game than him. Every suggestion she made he carried out, though in a northern way, that slowed things, so that his lords didn't give offense. They both allowed loud whispers to leave their halls, with a few obvious missives left out for little birds and the others.
Everyone by now knew that the Reach wanted a child of the North for fostering. There were then further whispers of a possible marriage but nothing definitive. What most got wrong was which child would come south. Most though the heir Robb. Some thought the first daughter born to the icy lord, Sansa. No one would guess that it was the bastard, Jon Snow.
The other details the realm prattled on about was which Tyrell would either get a squire or handmaiden. Would it be an uncle or cousin, or was the family waiting for Garlan to get his spurs? Would Lady Margaery get a new handmaiden, or would she attend Lady Alerie, or gods forbid, the Queen of Thorns herself? This part of the speculation always made Olenna smile. It was an amusing notion. A little girl attending to an old lady. The thought made her snicker at her plate.
Nothing was definitive. Olenna was leaning toward Garlan. More prestigious for a future king, was the thought she always had. Garth the Gross or other lesser Tyrells was also in her mind. More fitting for a boy all saw as a bastard, was the thought that battle the other.
As she thought her thoughts, the rest of her family was finishing their meal. Margaery demanded she ride on her brother's shoulders, as she always did. This time it was Garlan who carried her. Willas was crippled and could no longer carry her long distances, though he did try on occasion. Loras was just a year older than the girl, but he even made an attempt to carry his sister, especially after Margaery would bat her eyes and pouted a little. This girl could get anything she wanted. When she is a woman, she will be able to get more still, thought Olenna. She will need to start training the girl soon.
Willas made some joke as they left the hall that made Garlan laugh shaking his shoulders which had Margaery bouncing on his shoulders. The girl of six years laughed at her brother.
"More Gar, more. Like my pony.," giggled Margaery and her brother obliged her.
Her grandchildren warmed her heart and this sight confirmed who she would have Rhaegar's son squire for. She wanted Marge to be close to the boy so why not have him close to one of her favorite brothers. She briefly watched her grandchildren walk away. All garbed in the green and gold of Tyrell, they were the future of her house.
The Queen on Thorns turned on her heels and made her way to her solar. She last told Lord Stark that she would inform him of her choice. Now that she had, she wouldn't delay in telling him. She knew he had no spies, but she would act as though Eddard Stark watched her moves and knew she took this plot seriously.
The walk was long since she was old. Had she been ten years younger it would have taken her mere moments, but now it took her the better part of an hour. Outside her solar was Erryk and Arryk. One was on the left side of her door and the other on the right. She didn't know which was which, but they knew her well enough that Right opened her door as she neared it and closed it behind her as she cleared it.
She sat at her desk with a sigh. She looked out of her window to see the image of Garlan helping Margaery plant a few flowers in her garden. I must ask Stark for a few winter roses. That would make the boy more at home here. And be a subtle clue of his mother, thought Olenna. The sight of her grandchildren simply reinforced the idea that young Jon Snow should squire for Garlan. The boy will forever be close to Marge. She just needs to start training her granddaughter before the boy arrives. Most likely two years until he arrives. Marge will be a girl but can get the foundations to wrap Jon around her finger, she thought.
Olenna grabbed a small piece of parchment. Dabbed her quill and wrote:
-Stark,
It will be Garlan. You will receive an official request by my son when the time comes.
I think two years at least. Send word of anything you need.
-Tyrell
Stark liked short messages if most of his correspondence could be used as proof. A short message would be welcome for him. She made to deliver it to one of her spies when she stopped. Nothing about this was treasonous or needed discretion. Why shouldn't she feed a few rumors.
Olenna turned to seal the letter with her personal seal, a smaller rose similar to that of the official Tyrell rose but distinct enough to be her own. She used her own pale green wax so that her correspondence wasn't confused with that of her son. She then summoned either Left or Right, which ever came in when she called, and sent him to the maester. She could use one of his birds. This made things easier for a moment.
She needs to educate her granddaughter and wait at least two years. Once the boy is here things could both get more dangerous and easier.
Jon
Jon looked out his window and was amazed as during the night a fresh layer of snow had fallen. He stared in awe and watched servants shuffle across the grounds, making paths in the snow showing where they had come from. From this high up he couldn't tell who they were, but they must be doing something in the kitchen as that was where they were struggling towards.
While watching servants went about their duties, Jon got more and more excited. He was going to play in this snow and make Robb play with him. They could build a fort and throw snowballs at each other. This was going to be a fun day.
Jon quickly threw on some warm clothes and ran down to the halls to the nursery where Robb would be. Many guards and servants jumped out of his way as he torn through Winterfell. He laughed with glee.
When he got to nursery he burst through the door and looked around. There was six people in the room. Nanny Megette was tending to his little sister Sansa while Robb sat at a table eating some eggs and bacon. Nanny Melessa was holding his newest sister, Arya. Then in the corner was Old Nan knitting.
Jon ran up to old Nanny Melessa and cooed at Arya. The babe reached her little hand at Jon who gave her his hand. She grabbed tightly to his finger and gurgled. Jon giggles her. Although she is still very young, she was his favorite sister. She looked just like him. She had the same dark brown hair and was always happy to see him. Jon pulled away his hand and tickled her neck before running to Robb.
"Robb there is snow. Let's go play", said Jon with a glee in his voice.
"Really?!," said Robb as he quickly finished off his eggs and moved to put on warmer clothes.
"Slow down boy. Finish you bacon then we will dress you," scolded Nanny Megette.
Robb handed two pieces to Jon and finished a half piece. His bacon was finished, although Nanny Megette gave an exasperated sigh but also had a small smile on her face. She gave Sansa to Old Nan who continued feeding her and walked over collect Robb's snow clothing. She put the clothes on Robb who kept moving impatiently. He wanted to go outside already.
Jon finished the Bacon and what little eggs were on Robb's plate as he hadn't eaten anything. Just after he cleaned off the plate Robb ran over to him and grabbed his hand. They raced through the castle trying to beat each other outside. Jon was able to win only because Robb got trapped by a guard moving across their path. Jon laughed at Robb and declared victory.
"That wasn't fair. Stupid Tom stopped me," whined Robb.
"No, you just slow," teased Jon with a laugh.
"It wasn't fair," said Robb, "New race. First one to heart tree gets other's dessert"
Jon gasped and scrunched his face determined to not lose his dessert. Though he knew Lady Stark wouldn't let him have Robb's dessert, but she would be very glad for Robb to have his.
Robb counted down from three. The two ran and at once were slowed down by the thick snow. They both fought the snow valiantly and neither were able to get a lead. There was too much snow, and they were too small for this to be anything but a battle against snow. Jon looked for some sort of advantage and noticed that a few feet to his right was a path already carved by a servant. So, Jon quickly turned left and made his way to the path. Robb laughed at his half-brother and got further ahead.
"What you doing? You going wrong way, dummy", laughed Robb.
Although Robb stopped laughing as Jon quickly passed him. Jon laughed as he saw Robb struggle to the same path that Jon was on, but Jon got too much of a lead and entered the Godswood. The layer of snow was considerably smaller in here, whether that be because of the hot springs or favor of the gods, Jon didn't care or notice. It was much easier to run through the snow here. After a minute of running, he was able to make it to the white heart tree putting his hand on the old tree.
The great old weirwood both awed and scared Jon and for a moment it looked like it was sad that Jon won. A red drop of sap fell from the tree's eye, and this made Jon removed his hand quickly. As he did so Robb caught up to Jon.
"You cheated," shouted Robb.
"No. I was smart. I walked were the servants walked," replied Jon falling on his back panting.
Robb grunted and joined Jon on the ground. As Jon laid on the ground, he began to move his arms and legs. Robb joined him both boys laughing. As they did this Jon saw a black bird with a small something that looked like parchment on its leg fly over the godswood and go to the castle. This happened a lot and Jon remembers asking and being told was these birds were doing, but he couldn't remember what Maester Luwin or his father had told him.
While Jon watched the black bird, he didn't notice Robb standing up and gathering up a large armful of snow. Just as the bird left his view Jon got a face full of snow and heard Robb laugh a hearty laugh at his brother's sputtering and shock. Jon quickly recovered though and made a ball of snow throwing it at Robb. The snowball hit him on his face knocking him over. Robb then retaliated with a snowball of his own and this had the two boys running around the great weirwood throwing snow at each other.
Jon laughed with Robb laughing with him. Jon only stopped his running when he saw someone walking toward him. His sudden stopped caused Robb to get a good shot at the back of Jon's head and he almost threw another snowball when he saw the figure as well.
The figure turns out to be that of pretty Nanny Megette walking toward them and in her arms was a small child with auburn hair, the same as Robb.
"Lady Sansa wants to play with you boys, and you will play nicely with her like the good older brothers you are," spoke Nanny Megette and the boys simply nodded.
All of the children listened to her. The other servants teased it was only because she was good looking and the boys liked this, but Meg used this to better complete her job.
As Nanny Meg got closer the two boys sat down in front of the face of the weirwood. Meg then sat Sansa in the lap of Jon. The little girl giggled and picked up some snow. She happily threw it at Robb who picked up a pinch and did the same. Jon grabbed two strands of Sansa's soft, auburn hair and flicked the strands. This made his sister titter with laughter.
Jon looked up and saw Nanny Meg smile down at them. She was always his favorite. She was pretty and gave him sweets, more sweets than either of his siblings. She also told him of her old homes. A place called King's Landing and another place called Highgarden. Jon knew the first was where the king was. That was from Maester Luwin's lessons. He didn't know where to other was. But her sweets and smiles and stories that she gave just to him made Jon feel special.
Sansa got out of Jon's lap and pulled on his hand to get up. She started to run around the weirwood. Jon and Robb jogged after her. They would get close poke her a few times or dribble snow on her head. Then the boys would purposely slow down so Sansa could get a lead and repeat what they did. She sniggered every time her brothers caught up to her.
Feeling a slight stitch in his side, Jon stopped and got out of the way of his siblings. The boy looked up holding his side and saw another black bird flying across the godswood. This one also was holding another piece of parchment, but this parchment was much larger than the earlier one. This made Jon wonder why birds were carrying parchment, but he was interrupted by Sansa throwing a handful of snow on his back.
Jon quickly turned around and grabbed his sister, tickling her until she begged him to stop. The children played for another hour until Nanny Megette told them they must go inside so they can warm up. Sansa walked most of the way holding both of her brother's hands while Jon held onto Nanny Meg's hand.
When they left the godswood everything seemed to have changed. All of the guards and servants were moving hurriedly, all of them quickly talking to each other. Every guard and servant had a look of either worry or eagerness. Jon knew that something had happened. Something important. The servants usually didn't move this quickly and look this worried. Jon was able to pick up a few words from a group of guards near the entrance of the Great Keep.
"Lannisport" "Burned" "Ironborn" "King" "Banners" "Honor" "Glory" "Squids" were all that he heard.
Jon only knew a few of these words so he was mostly just confused. The Great Hall was busy, and Jon saw Maester Luwin leaving through another door as they entered. His father was sat on stone high seat with Ice leaning next to him. He had a stern look and seemed gloomier than ever.
This was a wonderfully fun day, but Jon would mostly remember the face of his father as this day was when he would leave for war.
Notes:
Once again this is my first fanfic so please be kind.
So these years are adjusting ages and confirming the years some character were born for this story:
Willas Tyrell - born 274
Garlan Tyrell - born 275 start of the year
Wynafryd Manderly - born 282
Falia Flowers - born 282 late in the year
Wylla Manderly - born 284
Myrcella Baratheon - born 285 beginning of the year
Sansa Stark - born 285 midyear
Mostly every other character has their same birth year as canon. Some might change later and I will let you know if they do in my story.
The first three chapters will be put out in the span of one week. Chapter 3 will be released on Friday. I will try with all others to do it on a weekly basis.
Any criticisms and critiques are welcome as long as they aren't entirely rude. I will try to answer any questions as best as I can. I will try to update frequently.
Chapter 3: Eddard / Jon
Summary
Eddard
The day that he wished never would come had arrived. For the past half hour Ned just looked at the scroll with the official seal of Highgarden. The wax was the proper color of green, unlike Olenna's far paler green. The rose in the seal was much larger than what the Queen of Thorns used as well. Ned knew that this was from the Lord of Highgarden. This was the official request from the Lord of Highgarden that Olenna told him would come.
The great Lord of the North took a final deep breath and broke the seal. It confirmed what he thought while proving that Olenna was a greater force than he could've imaged.
-To Eddard of the House Stark, Lord of Winterfell, and Warden of the North,
Greetings my Lord. My dear mother, the Lady Olenna Tyrell, has informed me she has been communicating with her for the last few years about a fostering with your son, Jon Snow, being a squire for Garlan. Today I have the glorious news of my son Garlan having gained his knighthood.
The Lady Olenna has told me to inform you of when I sent my son to come and collect yours. As I send this letter, he left Highgarden for a boat to take him to the North. He should arrive by the next moon.
I hope he arrives swiftly and given a grand welcome. All at Highgarden and in the Reach wait for his return with your son.
-Sincerely Mace of the House Tyrell, Lord of Highgarden, Warden of the South, Defender of the Marches, and High Marshal of the Reach
Southern Lords and their pompous titles. Damn you, Olenna. You send for my boy with almost no warning. You send Ser Garlan before letting me know. Damn you woman, thought Eddard. He had hoped he might have a few moons, not a fortnight, until Jon was taken from him.
Ned left his solar and started to walk through the halls of the ancient seat of House Stark to look for his bastard son. The grey walls of the castle were brightened by the noon sun and a cloudless day. The guards along the walls greeted him with many 'my lord'. Ned first looked in the yard in which only a few men-at-arms were practicing their skills. Ned left with the sounds of metal clanging receding behind him.
Then Ned went to the Nursery and the boy's room. Both were empty. Next, he went to look at Robb's room. The two boys were quite close which warmed Ned's heart. When he got to Robb's room he knocked and found the room was also empty. Ned asked a nearby guard who replied with Robb hasn't been here since the morning and Jon wasn't with him.
Ned then went to Sansa's room. The two haven't been as close as they once were, but Jon still occasionally read to his little sister. He knocked on her door and was greeted by his daughter.
"Papa," Squealed Sansa as she ran over to him to give him a hug.
"Sansa, my sweet, have you seen your brother?" asked Ned.
"I saw Robb at break fast. Then he went to use swords," said the girl simply.
"How about Jon? Have you seen him?"
"No. He did promise to read a story tonight"
"Thank you sweetling," said Ned with a smile.
He kissed the top of Sansa's head and allowed her to continue practicing her needlework. He gently closed the door and continued his search. The boy wasn't in lessons with Luwin, and he wasn't in the kitchens. None of the guards currently on duty have seen him.
Ned decided to look in the Great Hall before finally checking out the godswood to see if the boy was there. The old hall was empty except for a few servants sweeping and wiping the tables and his wife was sitting at the high table having her luncheon. She looked up at him and smiled. As he got closer to Catelyn her face looked down to his hand which still had the scroll from Mace in it. She saw the green wax and her smile faltered.
Catelyn knew about the negotiations. He had told her part of the story, mainly what Olenna told him her official story was. That the Tyrells were using the North to get into the good graces of the King. The Reach was giving the North good trade deals and a gift of gold to show that the Tyrells are supporting the former rebels. This was all because the king wouldn't let them close, so they are trying the North. Catelyn also knows that they are looking for a fostering.
Catelyn wanted either Robb or Sansa while Ned knew it wouldn't and couldn't be either of them. Last year he finally told her it would be Jon squiring for Garlan Tyrell and Cat wasn't happy. She raged at him and didn't speak a word to him for a week. After she pleaded with him to ask for them to take Sansa, and with the only bit of dishonor he had truly done, he lied to his wife. He feigned to send a message to Olenna and after receiving another missive from the Queen of Thorns he told Cat that the Tyrells still wanted Jon.
This made Cat angry once more and she only uttered a few words to him for a few days until she accepted. The idea of Jon leaving made his wife happy but the idea of him at a powerful southern hall seemed to make her hate the boy even more.
"Cat, have you seen Jon?" asked Ned.
"No. I have not. Have you asked the Tyrells to change who they are taking?" snapped Catelyn.
"No and Ser Garlan is on his way. He will be here within a fortnight"
"What!? Why wasn't I informed?"
Eddard held up the missive and said, "I was just informed. So, if could kindly start to prepare for his arrival. Also ask Maester Luwin to send a raven to White Harbor so they know to expect him"
Catelyn simply nodded although there was a slight smile on her face. Ned kissed her cheek and thanked her as he left the Great Hall. Eddard made to go to the godswood and passed the yard again and saw Theon Greyjoy practicing with his bow. Ned felt some joy for the youth when he managed to get a bullseye.
Ned nodded at the guard near the entrance of the godswood and made his way down the old path passing the sentinel trees, oaks ironwood, and other trees that made up the small forest. Further down the path was the clearing which was where the old weirwood sat. Ned saw that there were three people at the ancient tree. Two little boys were swinging wooden swords at each other with a comely young woman watching them.
The nanny Megette was watching Robb and Jon spar. She was encouraging the boys and giving each praise. All of his children loved Meg and she always good with them, although she had a sweet spot for Jon. This gave Ned the suspicion that she was in Olenna's employ, but he never confronted her about it. Meg noticed him and spoke.
"Boys your father is here," said Meg sweetly.
The boys stopped and turned to watch their father. Ned walked up to them complementing their form before saying.
"Jon, I must have a word with you," said Ned motioning his son to walk with him.
"You can tell me in front of Robb. I will tell him anyway," said Jon.
"Alright," was all Ned said as he found a boulder to sit on.
He motioned to the ground for his sons. They boy quickly sat down in front of him waiting for him to speak.
"I don't know if you boys know, but I have been trying to establish a fostering in the Reach. I have just received word- ", said Ned but was interrupted.
"Mother told me. She said you were trying to get me to go south and that you wer- ", said Robb quickly before seeing his father's hand up.
"No Robb. Your mother told you wrong. It was Jon that is going south not you,"
"What!?," exclaimed both boys with Robb looking at Jon who was looking at Ned.
"Why me father? I am not a Stark. I am a Snow. Why would they want me? They must have made a mistake," said Jon.
This puzzled Ned. Who told Jon that he wasn't a Stark. Why would he think they wouldn't want him. It took Ned a moment to remember that the world thought him a bastard. Something Ned was foolish to forget.
"Who told you this Jon?" asked Ned.
"Many people. Lady Sta- I mean some…people. A few servants and guards," replied Jon with a sheepishness in his voice.
Ned's face hardened at the unfinished name. Damn it Catelyn, thought Ned. He took a deep breath before continuing.
"Well, the Tyrells want you Jon. You will be the squire of Garlan Tyrell, the son of Mace Tyrell, the Lord of Highgarden. This is a great honor, just like when I became a ward for Jon Arryn. I know you will bring pride to House Stark," said Ned with the boys thankfully holding their tongues, "Ser Garlan is on his way now and will be here in a fortnight"
"He will be here that soon. That isn't a lot of time to say goodbye", said Jon with his eyes full of worry and a little watery.
Ned laughed slightly and ruffled his son's hair, "Then you best start now. When he arrives, I will ask him how long he plans to stay, but I image it will be no more than a day or two. Now go have some luncheon"
The boys stood up and grabbed their wooden swords and put them in their little sheaths. The began to run toward the Great Hall. Megette was also starting to stand and walk after the boys, she had a smile on her face. Now would be a good time to ask her.
"My lady, a word if you'd please," asked Ned.
"Of course, my lord," said Meg.
"Are you in the Lady Olenna's employ?" asked Ned not caring about subtlety.
The woman blink once with her smile disappearing, "Yes, my lord. The good Lady had sent me here almost six years ago. She wanted me to observe young Jon Snow and confirm who she thought he was"
"Why? Why would she send you here?"
"She told only me and the late Melessa that she knows about a secret princeling in the North. We were supposed to observe and report what we saw"
"Why you two?"
"Melessa worked in the Red Keep for a long time she knows Valyrian features and what a young, um Targaryen, might looked like. She also witnessed a certain prince when he was young. She knew who Jon was quite quickly. She luckily left for Highgarden a few moons before the Sacking"
"Aye, she makes sense, but why you"
"Because I was of Reach descent that grew up in King's Landing. Olenna trusts those from the Reach most of all," said Meg before stepping forward and whispering, "I remember a young Prince Rhaegar coming to parts of city to play his harp. I saw every performance he did. I was later a maid in the Red Keep where I saw him often enough. In a certain light I can see that Jon has his father's eyes. I left the Red Keep a fortnight before the Sack and went to the Reach. The land of my father and my grandfather"
"Are you highborn?" asked Ned.
"Not that I know. My mother was the bastard of some lord from the Reach. The name was either Tyrell or Tarly or something else with a 'T.' She grew up in Oldtown before going to King's Landing. There she worked at a tavern. After a while, my father, a new knight with a large sack of gold offered my mother, a pretty buxom maid, a thousand gold dragons for her maidenhead and a fortnight of her time which she would do whatever he wanted. She accepted, as she had no coin, and then nine moons later I was birthed. He said he was a Fossoway or a Florent or something"
"So, you are Megette 'Waters'"
"I prefer Megette Flowers. It is a kinder name. Also, no one from those houses know I exist if you are wondering. I am just one of many forgotten planted seeds"
The two looked at each other. Ned had guessed her age wrong. She was younger than him or of a similar age. Her travels and employment made her look older than she was. Or it was the North that made her look aged. She looked at him with her pretty blue eyes waiting for him to speak.
"Did you know Garlan was coming?" asked Ned.
"Not until last night. Olenna sent me a letter that came by rider in the night," answered Meg holding up a piece of parchment with a familiar pale green wax, "You may read it if you want"
Ned sighed before saying, "I won't go through your correspondence as long as you tell me what Olenna tells you from now on"
"I doubt that she will send me another letter here. She told me I was coming south with my young king. To make his journey more familiar and to ensure a piece of Winterfell comes with him, was all she told me" Said Meg before she added "If you approve of course, my lord"
Ned thought for a moment. He knew Olenna wouldn't appreciate him stopping Meg leave. Meg also has been a good servant and should be able to leave whenever she wants. She also was honest when Ned finally asked.
"I won't stop you. Olenna is an intelligent woman to have you leave with Jon. He will be happy to have you with him," said Ned.
Megette smiled brightly which made her look like her true age of six and twenty. She curtsied low and quickly walked away to join the boys who would most likely be close to finished with their luncheon when she arrives.
Ned watched her leave before turning toward the weirwood. He sat down in front of it and closed his eyes. He prayed that Lyanna would forgive him. He prayed that no one else would discover who he was. He finally prayed that they gods would watch over Jon for Starks didn't do well in the south.
Ned opened his eyes and heard a rustle along the edge of godswood. Ned made his way toward the noise when he saw a small white stick coming out of the ground. No. Not a stick. A weirwood sapling, thought Ned. He quickly looked at the heart tree and back at the sapling. He knew this would go south with Jon. The gods would watch over him.
Jon
Today he would leave his home.
They had received word from White Harbor that the party with Ser Garlan Tyrell had arrived. Lord Wyman had sent a bird telling father that ten men had landed, and he was hosting them for the night before they set off for Winterfell.
Then father had summoned the entire household two days ago to greet the arrival of the men from the Reach. Everyone came down except for Lady Stark who claimed she wasn't feel well. Jon heard his father something about what sounded like 'pregnancy' but Jon wasn't sure.
Since the men were making the journey to collect him, Jon was able to be in the front row to greet them. Equal to my siblings. His father even had him stand to his left, where Lady Stark would normally stand. Robb was to his right, with Sansa next to him holding the hand of Arya. Bran was still in the nursery for he was too young to greet guests. Theon had also joined them, but he was in his usual spot behind the family. There were various guards and maids that joined to greet the party, not many but a respectable amount. Even Nanny Megette was also here, standing next to Theon.
Lord Stark had sent Jory Cassel to meet the party of Ser Garlan and escort them during the last leg of their journey. The family had stood before the southern gate waiting for them to arrive. The cool northern air was something that Jon was going to miss. Father and Nanny Meg had told him it is much warmer in the south which made Jon feel uncomfortable. Until they told him, Jon always found the cold as a source of comfort.
There was the sudden sound of a horn, and the gates began to open. Through them ten men on horseback came thundering into the southern courtyard in a column. Two had the typical armor of Winterfell and wore the greys of the north. They had Jory leading them through the gate. Bringing the rear of the party were two knights that bore the merman of House Manderly.
Between the servants of Winterfell and those of House Manderly were five who had the colors of Green and Gold. Those of my foster house. One of the figures was holding the banner of House Tyrell and besides him was a handsome, broad man, barely out of boyhood, with a small growing beard. He had two golden roses on his tunic and Jon knew this was the man he would squire for.
The party dismounted their horses and made their way to Stark Household which stood high and proud meeting the eyes of Ser Garlan who had a bright smile on his face. Father had introduced all of his siblings, Ser Garlan greeted them all with a smile and Jon saw Sansa blush at the attention she got from the handsome knight. Then father had turned toward Jon and clapped him on the shoulder.
"This is your squire Ser Garlan, my son Jon Snow," said father with a booming pride.
Ser Garlan looked Jon over, analyzing him before saying, "You have the look of a great knight, Jon. With proper training you might be the one of the greatest"
Jon swelled with pride at Garlan's words, and he even did so now as he continued to pack.
Jon remembered father and Garlan speaking after all had left the courtyard. Garlan said he would stay two nights and three days. That night would be a feast and have Garlan get to know Jon and his family. Tomorrow Garlan would assess Jon's skill and those that had taught him so far. The third day they would leave Winterfell, but Garlan said they would leave around midday to give Jon time to say goodbye.
The feast was glorious. He sat at the high table next to his father and Ser Garlan. Jon didn't know if it was because it was in Jon's honor, or that Winterfell was doing all it could to make Garlan think highly of the North. Jon told Ser Garlan all about Winterfell and his life so far, giving him a few details on his training and education. Robb and Sansa also contributed to telling Garlan many things about the same subjects. Garlan smiled and laughed at them, telling Jon that Garlan's sister, Margaery would be happy to have another companion saying that Jon reminded him of his other brothers and himself.
Garlan even went around talking to the guards and servants. He drank with Rodrik and Jory. The talked with Luwin and father. He japed with guards. Jon could see the mood of those in the hall went from happy but protective of Jon to that of elation knowing Jon was going to be well cared for. As Jon went to bed, he even heard the guards speaking highly of the south. Praising Ser Garlan, House Tyrell, and the Reach.
The next morning Jon was woken early by Ser Garlan, who said this would be the normal time they would rise. Garlan walked Jon through how to dress and attend to Garlan. Whenever Jon made a mistake, Garlan would laugh with a good nature behind it. He told Jon that he wouldn't get everything right the first time, or even the tenth time.
After Garlan donned his armor, they went to the yard. Ser Garlan warmed up by facing three men at once and requested to spar with Jory, Rodrik, and a few guards that helped train Jon. Garlan said he wanted to see how well Jon's teachers were in order to know where to take Jon. Garlan finished each spar with praise and each man left with a heathy respect for the new knight. Just as Garlan finished sparring with Ser Rodrik Cassel Robb and Theon arrived, and little Sansa even came to watch them from above.
Garlan then turned to Jon and told Jon to show his skill. With encouragement and a few teaching words from Ser Rodrik, Jon had fought Ser Garlan. Jon showed Garlan all he knew and tried his best. He managed to get a hit on Ser Garlan, though thinking of it now Ser Garlan might've let him, but Jon never felt prouder of himself.
Ser Garlan then did the same with Robb and offered his brother some praise and pointers. He then did the same with Theon. All boys left with a bit of pride and a hunger for doing better.
This continued until midday which Garlan and Jon went to clean up and have luncheon. Today there was boar and venison with some potatoes and other vegetables, and some fresh bread. It was the greatest and most filling luncheon Jon had in his entire life.
After luncheon, Garlan followed Jon to his lessons with Maester Luwin. Garlan watched from the back of the room as Luwin finished his lessons on the North, talking about Torrhen Stark 'The King Who Knelt'. Maester Luwin also went over basic mathematics skills and how to balance ledgers. Luwin ended the lesson with a treat of a brief history of the Reach and had Garlan speak some about his home.
After the a few hours the lessons ended, the sun was close to being gone from the sky, and Ser Garlan stayed behind to speak with Luwin. Jon followed Robb and Theon who were talking about the Reach. Theon proudly stated that the Ironborn regularly raided the Reach when the old ways were still around. Robb was more interested in the armies that could be fielded and the battles that were fought.
Jon joined them and was excitingly talking about the knights and tourneys. They all went to the Great Hall for supper where another, smaller feast was being held. Ser Garlan joined them about an hour later laughing at a jape that Jory had made. This feast was similar like the last one except all of the children were asking Garlan about the Reach and stories he had, and for the fact that Lady Stark had joined them.
He talked about Garth Greenhand and the Field of Fire. He talked about tourneys and melees. He talked for most of feast past the time when the children had to go to bed. Jon was able to stay up longer since he was Garlan's squire and had to attend to him. This was the second night in a row that Jon went to sleep with a smile on his face.
These memories brough Jon to the present where he finished packing his trunk and looked around his room. He double checked everything making sure all was packed and once he saw that his room was empty he dragged his trunk to the southern courtyard. Once there a few guards lifted his trunk into a wagon that would accompany them to White Harbor.
In it was three other trunks. Two were the clothes and belongings of Megette Flowers. The Last one was filled with more than a few books about the North, its history, the Wall, and the lands beyond it. Garlan said these were to help Jon remember home and that his grandmother had requested them. There was then a small pot with a sapling of a weirwood sticking out of it. Father had said that it was to bring the gods with him and ask Garlan if it could be planted in Highgarden for Jon. Garlan accepted and personally placed the sapling in the wagon. There was even a bush of winter roses to also be planted as a gift from the North. The other items where the ones Jon was most proud of. His father had given him two gifts. One was a completely wrapped long sword that Jon would get when he was deemed him ready. The entire thing was wrapped with multiple rolls of cloth. He even held the sword before it went into the cart and it was incredibly light. Jon couldn't wait to use it. The other was a breastplate with the Stark direwolf running across it, one remarkably similar to that which his father wore during the Rebellion.
Ser Garlan met him there and told him to return in an hour saying that Jon is to say his goodbyes and return.
Jon quickly ran to look for his siblings. He found Sansa who cried when he told her he was leaving. He gave her a great big hug and said he would write to her, for Robb to read to her, and send gifts when he could. She gave him a kiss on his cheek.
He then found Arya in the nursery being attended by the new nanny. Arya ran over to him babbled that she would go with him. Jon laughed and ruffled her hair which caused her to laugh with him. He gave her a hug and kissed the top of her head. He would regret not having more time with her.
Jon then encountered Lady Stark when he was going toward the yard. She simply walked past with, not acknowledging that he was there with her.
Robb was found with Theon in the yard. Robb watched Theon practice with his bow. Theon was walking to get a fresh quiver of arrows and saw Jon first
"Snow. You finally leaving us and relieving us of a burden," sneered Theon.
"No Greyjoy. I am being relieving of your ugly face," shot back Jon which got him a glare from Theon who went back to practicing.
Robb came over to Jon and gave him a hug, "Next time I see you, you will be a knight. That means you could be my master-at-arms. See you Snow"
"See you next time Stark. I hope you prove to be a better challenge in the yard in a few years," said Jon with a laugh that was joined by Robb.
"Don't worry Snow. I will knock you on your arse when we next cross blades," said Robb with a large smile.
The two brothers embraced once more before Jon went back to the southern courtyard.
As Jon entered the courtyard, he saw his father talking to Ser Garlan. They looked serious but friendly. As they saw Jon arrive Ser Garlan turned to mount his horse and Lord Stark walked over to Jon.
He knelt and embraced Jon before saying, "You may not have my name, but you have my blood. You will do your house and family proud. I know you will"
Jon looked at his father and without thinking he asked, "Will you tell me of my mother? Who was she?"
Father's face fell and whitened sand said, "The next time we meet, we will talk about your mother. I promise"
Jon was then embraced once more and walked over to his own horse. He joined Ser Garlan who was joined by his four men and the two Manderly knights, as well as Nanny Megette.
The group left with the rattle of the wagon and Jon looked back once more. As the gates closed, he saw the face of his father, who was looked quite sad and had a paler than usual. Jon could've sworn that he saw father mouth something just as the gates slammed shut.
Jon remembered the journey from Winterfell as being quite an adventure. The vast grey landscape of the North brought a comfort and a sadness to Jon. It felt good to see his homeland one last time as he knew that it would be at least ten years before he saw it again.
Ser Garlan and the knights he came with made comments of the landscape. The knights were critical of the grey landscape saying they preferred the immense green of the south, especially of the Reach. Ser Garlan continued to impress Jon and defended the North. He pointed out the simplistic beauty that could be found here. He also stated multiple times how the vastness of the North was awe-inspiring to him.
They camped once on the halfway point to White Harbor where they sat around a fire and told stories. The Reach knights and Manderly knights told bawdy tales about laying with women and maidens, all of which confused Jon as he didn't know why going to sleep with a girl was wrong. He had Sansa and Arya sleep in his bed many times when they were scared, especially during a thunderstorm. They even whimpered like the knights were saying, so Jon was even more confused.
Nanny Megette, with bright red cheeks, scolded the knights after their third tale. The knights then switched to tell tales of their deeds which Garlan would comment on the things they said, either confirming the outrageous claim or making a jape at their expense. All were having fun and Jon enjoy these tales far more as they didn't confuse him.
As the night grew, the group then told a few ghost stories, and this is where Jon participated. He remembered a few of Old Nan's stories and had all of the knights listening. With a little help from the Manderly knights he told the story of the Night's King and the Rat Cook. When he was telling a tale of the Others, Ser Garlan was able to sneak around one of his Reach knights and startled him. The knight fell to the ground after giving a gasp of surprise. The others around the fire laughed at him and the man joined their laughter after a getting off the ground. They went to sleep soon after this and Jon dreamt pleasant dreams.
They woke up early the next few days and made it to White Harbor. Ser Garlan made a comment of how they were nearly a day and a half a head of his schedule. This fact had surprised the Lord of White Harbor, Wyman Manderly, who was expecting them the next day. He told them as much and said that the ship that would take them to King's Landing was still two days away.
Their welcome feast was far less grand as it was suddenly thrown together. Still Jon thought this was one of the best feast he had ever been to. Lord Wyman offered them so much food, of such high quality, that Jon thought after one meal he would be as large as the Manderly lord himself.
After the food was eaten, Lord Manderly brought in his personal bard who sang many songs for those gathered. Jon listened to the music and watched people dance. Some already had too much wine and stumbled through their dances. Jon watched and listened for a few minutes until he felt a soft hand pulling him.
The granddaughter of Lord Wyman, Wynafryd, was pulling him to dance. The girl was quite pretty and surprised Jon by wanting to dance with him. He remembers the feasts of Winterfell. Through a combination of Lady Stark, Robb, and his bastard status, no girl would want to dance with him. He remembers girls wanting to dance with Robb since he was trueborn and the heir. They ignored him because he was the bastard and because Lady Stark would glare at any who would try and ask him. He was lucky if he could get a servant girl to dance for even a few moments.
But Lady Stark and Robb weren't here and Wynafryd seemed to not care that he was a bastard. She had some of the prettiest brown hair Jon had ever seen. It was put in a tight braid that went over her left shoulder. Jon even thought her hair was prettier than Nanny Megette. Wynafryd also smelled very pleasant. To Jon, who didn't have much experience with pleasant smells, she smelled like fresh apples. She also had a pleasant voice and asked him all about himself and never once did she ask about Robb or anything other than him.
Jon learned that she was a year older than him, and she had a sister, Wylla, a year younger than him. He remembers seeing Wylla earlier in the night. She was an image of her older sister but had thrown a small tantrum and was sent to bed. Jon also learned a little more about House Manderly. About how they were from the Reach, before fleeing North, and how they owed House Stark a for the kindness that was given. Maester Luwin was going to teach them about the Manderlys in about two moons, but Jon wouldn't get those lessons. So, he just listened to Wynafryd.
The two children never changed partners and danced through many songs. When they were sent to bed Wynafryd dragged Jon by his to sow him his chambers while he was at New Castle. Wynafryd left him at his door with a grand smile and wished him goodnight.
The next day started with him training and attending to Ser Garlan. By midday he was sent to take lessons with Maester Theomore. When he arrived, Wylla paid no attention to him while Wynafryd quickly made room for him to sit next to her. Jon barely paid attention to the maester as Wynafryd kept whispering to him and playing a foot game with him.
After lessons, Jon remembered that Wynafryd kept following him around for the remainder of the day. She watched his late day training and sat next to him during the next feast. When the music started once more, she made Jon dance with her. Jon found her a pleasant experience and wished he had a few more days with her as she would be a nice friend. After a few songs, Garlan came up to Jon and told him they would leave early in the morning, and that he should get some sleep.
Wynafryd convinced Jon to dance to one more song before she escorted him back to his room. They talked as they walked, and Jon noticed a distinct blush that wasn't leaving the girl. When they arrived at his room, he turned to say goodbye and enter when she spoke.
"Wait Jon," whispered Wynafryd.
She closed her eyes and leaned into Jon. Jon saw her lips pucker and instinctively turned to let her kiss his cheek, like he would for his sisters. But Wynafryd was too fast and caught most of his lips. Jon froze and didn't know what to do but turned his head, so her mouth was connected to the rest of his.
Jon remembers holding there for a few good moments before. Wynafryd pulled away with the greatest smile he had seen and skipped to her rooms. Jon was a bit shocked but fell asleep content. Maybe this fostering won't be so bad.
The party bound for the Reach left early in the morning. The Sun was just starting to rise above the horizon when they set off. This was Jon's first time on a boat, and he hated every minute of it. He barely ate as he threw up everything he ate. The Reach knights laughed at his expense. It was made even worse when Garlan tried to train with Jon on the ship which made him stumble and fall more times than he could count. He also threw up on Garlan a few times and on the deck. Nanny Meg was quite kind and helped Jon clean up his sick. She also put a stop to this type of training which Jon was thankful for.
They travelled eastward at first to get out of the Bite before going southward down the Narrow Sea. They briefly made landfall in the Fingers of the Vale. This honestly made Jon's seasickness even worse as once they began moving again, he lost any constitution he developed for the sea. Seeing this Garlan requested the captain not stop until Dragonstone at least. The captain obliged after receiving a large purse from Ser Garlan.
A few days later they made land once more at Dragonstone. The captain wanted to sell some of his wares and would leave for King's Landing in the morning. Garlan had purchased four rooms. Jon and Garlan would share one room, the four knights shared two rooms between them, and Nanny Meg had a room all to herself. The supper he ate that evening was the only food that he was able to keep down for his entire trek south of White Harbor. The island was even a strange comfort, like that of his home.
Jon noticed the knights take a few bar wenches up to their rooms and never saw them again for the rest of the night. Garlan got a bit drunk, and Meg helped Jon take Ser Garlan to his bed. This was the most pleasant sleep Jon had since his interaction with Wynafryd. He had a pleasant dream, one where he flew in the air on the back of a grey dragon. Behind him a white haired woman rode on a black dragon of her own with a white dragon and a green dragon chasing them. The two landed to a crowd of a few women and many children.
The trip from Dragonstone to King's Landing was the best leg of the voyage. The island seemed to reinvigorate Jon and he even successfully trained with Garlan on the rocking ship without falling or vomiting. In fact, after leaving Dragonstone he never once heaved, retched, or puked.
The only time he got close to doing either of those things was when they had gotten into a range to smell King's Landing. The intense smell of shit and people was so strong that Jon was pulled away from his daydreaming of his earlier journey. When they finally could get a clear view of the city, Jon was impressed.
The Red Keep was significantly smaller than what Jon had expected, especially since he was comparing it to Winterfell. The Red keep did have a certain regality to it that Winterfell would never have. The Red Keep was to hold kings and their court while Winterfell was to hold back winter and its armies.
The city itself was far larger than any he had seen. The winter town around Winterfell could barely be counted as a city and White Harbor was large and had a dignity to it. King's Landing put them to shame in terms of its scale and its wondrousness. King's Landing didn't have any true organization when compared to White Harbor, but the monuments raised up over the years in the city made up for this. By the docks Jon could see both the Red Keep and parts of the Sept of Baelor. Jon studying the city didn't notice the small party there to welcome them to the city.
As the group collected their belongings and left the ship down the dock, all but Jon stopped and fell to their knee. Jon still looking at the city with awe nearly ran into a large man. Jon quickly looked at the person he ran into. He was red faced with black hair and blue eyes with a golden crown on his head. Jon then snapped to his kneeling companions and fell hard to his knee in a panic.
After a moment, the king started to laugh and beckoned for them to stand.
"Boy let me get a good look at you," boomed King Robert Baratheon and the king grabbed Jon and looked at his face, "Ha, you are the perfect image of your father. Isn't he Jon?"
"He is you grace. Looking at him, I feel as if I am transported years ago when Ned first arrived in the Eyrie," spoke an old man, who Jon realized was the Hand of the King Jon Arryn.
Jon looked around at their greeting party and saw five knights in brilliant white cloaks with enameled white armor. Next to the king was a pretty girl who had to be a few moons older than Sansa but with golden curls and emerald eyes, looking at him and his group. Ser Garlan and Nanny Meg had flanked Jon without him noticing.
King Robert motioned for a few servants to grab the groups luggage and said, "We have a feast to welcome you tonight and some good rooms for all you. You are the guests of honor tonight"
"Thank you, your grace" said Ser Garlan and Meg at the same time.
Jon's stunned silence made the king laugh once more and gave Jon a painful slap in the back, "Boy you must tell me of your father. I get so few words from him I want stories of how you and your siblings drive the Quiet Wolf mad. Har"
The journey to the Red Keep was a pleasant one. The road they travelled smelled considerably less than the rest of city and Jon told King Robert of the time he and Robb stole some freshly laundered clothes they could, wore what they could, and jumped into the hot springs and was telling another of the countless stories of Robb convincing him to go steal sweets. King Robert laughed at every detail with Princess Myrcella giggling with her father. Jon Arryn also gave a laugh while the five Kingsguard knights ignored everything he said.
The group made it to the courtyard of the Red Keep which reminded Jon of Winterfell. There were servants moving across as they completed their jobs and guards lined the walls, some joking and some being serious. A couple of stableboys emerged as they came to a stop.
"Kingslayer! Show our guests their quarters," roared King Robert toward one of the knights that accompanied them before turning to Jon and Ser Garlan, "We feast tonight so you better be ready to eat. You are the guests of honor and Jon I want more stories"
The king left them and four of the white cloaks followed him leaving one behind. Ser Jaime Lannister removed his helmet exposing his handsome face and long golden hair. He looks like he could be a king himself. The knight looked at the group and grunted with displeasure and waved his hand for them to follow.
Ser Garlan and Megette both glared at the knight at the back of his head. Jon knew that Jaime killed the Mad King but didn't know why this should bring disdain. He slew a monster of a man. That is worthy of a song. Jaime seemed to know they were glaring at him as he spoke.
"Say your peace my lady and good ser. I am sure you have something original thought to throw my way," sneered the Kingslayer.
"I have no words for a man without honor," shot Megette and Ser Garlan put a hand on her shoulder softly and shook his head.
"Just as I thought, a predictable comment," said Jaime.
They walked the rest of the way in silence although Jon felt awkward. The air between everyone was tense and Jon didn't know what to do.
They arrived at their chambers which were quite large. Every had their own room which amazed Jon after spending the last week sharing a room on a ship. The four knights entered their rooms with Garlan entering his with one last look at Ser Jaime who was strangely still stand with them.
Jon turned and saw the knight looking at him, seeming to examine him for a second which made Jon uncomfortable. Jaime's face was unreadable, so Jon didn't know what to do until he finally blurred out, "Why did you kill the Mad King?"
Jaime examined him for a moment longer seeming shocked to be asked such a thing and sneered, "Why would I waste my breath on you, bastard"
Jon felt like he was punched in the stomach. He was somewhat used to people looking down on him for being a bastard, but this was something else. No one, besides Lady Stark, said that word with such venom behind it and it hurt Jon. Meg put a hand on Jon's shoulder while she glared at the Kingslayer.
"Jon goes and get ready for the feast. I will help you in a moment," said Megette moving Jon through his door before she turned to the Kingslayer.
It took an hour before Jon felt any semblance of normal after such an insult. Nanny Megette had helped him dress in his best clothes while she comforted him. After he was all dressed, she left, and Ser Garlan entered to take him to the Great Hall. Along the way the two ran into Princess Myrcella once more with Ser Arys Oakheart trailing behind her.
"Hello Ser Garlan and hello Ser Jon," said the princess with a bright smile.
She Arys grunted with amusement when the princess called Jon a 'ser.' He also positioned himself so that he mostly blocked Jon, so that the Princess didn't have to see him.
"Greetings Princess," said Jon and Ser Garlan together ignoring what Ser Arys was doing.
The princess smiled once more and skipped away. Ser Arys sent a glare down at Jon before walking faster to catch up with his charge.
Jon felt his heart fall once more and realized that his fostering might not be as grand as he first thought.
Margaery
After two hours with her grandmother being lectured about how she could get people to do whatever she wanted them to, Margaery really wanted to get up and leave. Marge already knew how to get people to do what she wanted. For her brothers, she had to just add some sweetness in her voice, and they would do anything. For the servants, she just had to give them a good pleading look and pout a little. For father and mother, she just had to ask as she knew they would do anything for their only girl.
Marge thought her grandmother was being stupid, as she knew Margaery could manipulate anyone. So, now Marge was starting to drift away and look away from grandmother. The old lady noticed immediate and stopped talking for a moment. This made Marge know she had messed up.
"Am I boring you child? I am trying to teach you how to be a powerful, formidable woman like I am, and you aren't listening," scolded Olenna.
"Well, I already know how to get people to do things I want," said Margaery and said exactly how she gets people to do what she wants.
"These are things a child does, and they don't always work. You must know how a woman can get those to do as she wants," said Olenna shaking her head with every word.
"Alright grandmother"
"I won't continue to bore you child. This will be the end of this week's lessons, but I do have some work for you to do," said Olenna with a smile as Margaery perked up at the last part, "I want you to befriend our ward, Jon Snow. He has been here for nearly two moons, and you haven't even attempted to talk to him. So, in three moon turns, I give you a challenge that you and him to be the greatest of friends"
"But he is a bastard. Mother said I shouldn't-," started Marge before she was interrupted.
"Your mother is a fool that doesn't know what she is talking about. She is clouded by the foolishness that is spat by the most devout. I have more wisdom in this matter than she does. You shouldn't care that he is a bastard. Befriend the boy. Make him yours"
"But isn't it mean to manipulate someone to be my friend and continue to manipulate after they are my friend"
"It isn't manipulation if you are genuine and you both gain something. He gets a beautiful new friend to make his new home more comfortable and you get practice at making people like you beyond just getting them to give you sweets"
Margaery was a bit confused by this and said, "Alright. But I also get a friend from it"
"Yes child, you also get a friend from it. A powerful friend. Now go and find him," said Olenna with the second part confusing her even more.
How is Jon Snow a powerful friend, questioned Marge in her mind. She pushed the thought aside and for the next fortnight she went about her task. And for the next fortnight she failed.
At first, she tried what worked on her brothers. She made Jon go on walks with him. She batted her eyes and used her sweet voice and everything. This didn't work. Jon was just as distant as ever. He was courteous but Margaery could tell he wasn't a friend. He seemed to be more patronizing with her requests and at times annoyed.
This made Marge annoyed at not succeeding in the first week, but she also was sad. She noticed that her brothers acted much the same way that Jon did which made Margaery doubt how her brothers felt about her.
Her first lesson since her grandmother gave her the task of befriending her family's ward was the shortest, she had ever had since she started almost a year ago. Her grandmother had simply asked if she had succeeded in her task, and Margaery was honest as she always was with her grandmother and said no. Her grandmother laughed and told her to try harder then sent her out of the room.
The next week was much the same. She tried to get Jon to help her in her own garden. He tried to talk about something at Winterfell, but she moved the conversation away from the cold lands he came from to talk about how nice the weather here was. She whispered to him during lessons with Maester Lomys. They were talking about the North and Margaery thought he already knew enough about the North, so they didn't have to pay attention. He seemed offended at this.
There were only two time the northern boy seemed to enjoy her company. One was when she watched him train with her brothers and she asked him to explain all that she saw. She was surprised when she actually understood what he told her. Her brothers seemed to make sword fighting sound dull and confusing while Jon made her feel like could take up a sword herself. Not that I would. I know I am not meant to swing swords, though Margaery after Jon left her to get clean.
The other time Jon seemed to like spending time with her was when they went riding around the lands of Highgarden. They rode with Loras and Garlan for a couple of hours and it was a grand time. The boys made jokes and talked about sparring and other lessons that they had. Marge joined in talking about her lessons with her septa and even talked about her lessons with grandmother. The boys listened to her talk with a genuine interest and made more jokes at her expense which made her laugh instead of feeling down. They ended the ride with a race back home which Jon won with a large lead, winning ten gold dragons from Loras and a day off from Garlan. When Marge congratulated him, he gave her the first real smile he saw from her.
The next lesson with grandmother was longer than the first. Margaery reported her failures but noted a few of what she saw as successes.
"So, what are you doing that keeps this boy from seeking you out to be a friend?" said Olenna with a patronizing tone that Margaery hated.
"I don't know," said Marge both clueless as to the answer and trying to get her grandmother to tell her what to do.
"Then it looks like you need another week"
"No wait. Uh…he seems to not…um…like it when I talk about myself and things I like. He isn't interested in the things I like. He seems to hate me"
"Perfect. Some of that is true, but the boy doesn't hate you. He might be interested in somethings you like as well. So, you have two successes, what did you do there?"
Margaery thought for a moment remembering what they did and took another moment to digest what here grandmother just said.
"I was asking him about things he likes. I listened to him explain about sparring and he seemed to make more sense. I even asked him questions," said Margaery, "He then enjoyed riding with us. He actually appeared to listen to what I said during the ride. He also liked it when I praised his riding"
"Yes child. Exactly. So, what must you do now?" said Olenna.
"Ask him about what interests him. Ask about the North and swords and other boyish things?"
"Yes and no child. Show interest in him but not too much. He knows you are trying to do something to him. I suspect he thinks it might be a prank or jape at his expense. So, you must be subtle. Being subtle will be what you learn from this experience and best be able to be a powerful woman"
"But how grandmother. How do I ask him what he likes, but not also ask him?"
"He is from the North. During a meal ask a question or two of the food of the North. During lessons about the North or anything that involves them ask Jon about the topic at hand. Read a few of the books I got from Lord Stark and have Jon catch you reading one. After reading the books ask Jon his opinion and take his input seriously. Watch him in the yard and go for rides with him. Ask him what he likes"
Grandmother took a breath and allowed Margaery to digest all she was just told. Margaery replayed the advice in her head before looking up and allowing her grandmother to continue.
"The lesson in subtly will be doing all this without him thinking you are trying to trick or insult him. After a ride with him or after he spars ask him to help you in your garden. There talk to him about things you both like. Maybe after a while plant the bush of winter roses and make your garden remind him of home. After he catches you reading a book about his home offer to give him a similar book about the Reach or ask him for recommendations. Have some northern cuisine for a luncheon occasionally"
Grandmother stopped for a moment to allowed Margaery time to digest this new speech before finishing.
"Do all of this and more. Whatever you think of. If you show some interest in things, he enjoys he might be interested in what you enjoy. In fact, I know he is the type of boy to try and be your friend after you make a real effort to be his. From there you can build a beautiful relationship and a stronger bond than any could make. Now I gave you three moons to do this task and so you will concentrate on it entirely. We won't have any lessons together until this time has passed. Succeed child and the realm will be better for it"
The last part confused Marge, but she went about her task with a great vigor.
She did it slow at first. She was no longer as selfish as she was when she first started her task. For the next fortnight whenever Jon talked about the North Marge listened. Whenever she could watch him spar, she did. If she could ask a question about his interests she did. She no longer interrupted him and did her best to do both, talk about what she wanted to and talking about what he wanted to.
The next moon, she started to read about the North. Every book grandmother had, she had consumed and after reading them all once she tried to get Jon to catch her reading them. It took almost a week and only after they had luncheon together. They talked together about the homeland of Jon until the sun had set. As they were walking to their chambers to change Jon asked for any recommendations to read about the Reach and the south.
The rest of the moon turn was her almost always watching his spars and going on rides. By the turn of the moon, she even surprised Jon with a meal of northern food. He loved it and was the happiest he had been.
The final moon saw the two of them almost always spend more time together. They always sat near each other at meals and even talked during lessons like she would with her cousins. Jon surprised Margaery once more by showing up to her garden to help without her asking. When he did this for a second time Marge asked him to help her with a special job.
She took his hand and led him to where the winter roses were kept. It was kept in a larger pot than it arrived as the plant was thriving under the watch of the Tyrells. She helped Jon carry the plant to her own garden space. Once there they started to dig a hole for the bush. The transplant took most of the morning as they kept messing up usually with someone having the bush fall on them. After many laughs about getting covered with some much dirt, the bush was finally in its new home.
The two left each other with bright smiles and happy with what they had done. Marge still had another fortnight left, but she knew she had succeeded. Margaery Tyrell made her first true friend. A friend that would be her greatest for the rest of her life.
Notes:
Chapter 5 will be out either be Sunday or Monday because it is quite short. Chapter 6 will be out next Friday.
As always any criticisms and critiques are welcome. I will try to answer any questions I can. I will try to update frequently.
Chapter 5: Margaery
Summary:
Margaery bonds further with Jon and make her garden special to her friend.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Margaery
The sound of steel clashing against steel was something that Margaery didn't think she would ever enjoy. She sat at the training yard, setting down a new tunic for Loras and started to work on one she was making for Jon. The sound of the swords was a pleasant sound her such work. When done well it sounded to her like music, and Jon sparring with her brothers made the best for the best song.
She watched the three fighting. Garlan said today they would have four total bouts. The first was Loras and Jon against Garlan. The two boys did quite well for being so young and seemed to come close to beating Garlan, which made them quite cocky. Garlan was able to exploit this and had the two boys on their backs before they knew what happened to them.
The second was Jon and Garlan against Loras. This was a more one sided fight as Loras was pummeled by the duo. The third bout was Garlan and Loras against Jon. To Margaery's surprise Jon lasted longer than Loras did. He even managed to knock Garlan on his arse which she gave a loud cheer for, but this distracted the northern boy who was tackled by Loras and yielded to her older brother.
The current bout was a free-for-all. The three had started equally against each other and had to both defend and attack. She was eager to see how this would go.
Their master-at-arms, Ser Vortimer Crane, had signaled for them to start and the three charged each other. Loras was the first to collide swords with both Jon and Garlan, knocking the two back briefly. He then went on the defensive as Jon came at him energetically, but had to pull off as Garlan tried to take advantage. This back and forth between the three lasted for a few minutes and Margaery was engaged in the entire fight.
It only ended after Jon and Loras took advantage of Garlan over extending his offensive, worked together wordlessly, and managed to get him to yield. The two looked at each other for a moment before attacking each other. Jon stayed in a defensive stance and allowed Loras to over extend his assault just as Garlan had. The northern boy then quickly went on the offensive and was able to flatten Loras, forcing him to yield.
Margaery cheered for her friend which earned her a glare from Loras and a smile from Garlan.
The boys left to clean up and change from their sweaty clothes which left Marge to finish Jon's tunic. She took a grey tunic and was embroidering the cuffs, collar and the hem. She had already put a black direwolf on the right breast of the shirt. She thought she could finish it by the end of the week. Jon had so few clothes of a nice quality and so she wanted to make him a few outfits for his tenth name day, which was still a year away.
Margaery was able to get halfway through embroidering the left cuff when she heard foot steps approach. She quickly shoved the unfinished garment in her bag when she say Jon arrive.
"Are you making more clothes for your me and your brothers?" asked Jon with smile.
"Possibly. Although you just ruined your next name day surprise. Shame on you Snow," replied Marge with a laugh and offered her hand to Jon to help her stand.
Jon held her hand and helped her up grabbing her bag for her. Marge quickly took the bag from him and wrapped her arm around his as they walked toward her garden.
"You must escalate every gift I give you, don't you," said Jon with an exasperated tone.
"Since when have I ever tried to do such a thing," said Marge with mock offense.
"Well last year I was able to get you a hawk as a late name day gift, so you got me a new horse. One of the best from your Willas' own breeding stock. This year I got you a dress so now you are making me more than one outfit"
"Well it is good you can recognized patterns Snow, though this won't be your gift for this year. Although, I do love the dress you got me so I need to outdo your gift with a few outfits"
"How many is a few?"
"You will see in less than a year Jon. You will see," said Margaery with a teasing smile, "Also before we arrive I need you to close your eyes. I have your late name day gift for you"
She watched the boy close his dark eyes as she led him to her garden. It wasn't going to be a real surprise as he helped her dig the hole yesterday and it was of a substantial size. He probably could guess what might go in it. So this most likely wasn't a surprise for him but she wanted to treat it like one anyways.
She stopped him at the entrance and poked him forward, commanding him to open his eyes. Next to the hole was the white weirwood sapling that followed from the North. For almost a year and a half the sacred tree of the old gods had stayed in increasingly larger pots as no one knew where to properly plant it since there were already three in the godswood. After a day of grooming the growing winter rose bush Margaery had the idea of having it here. A nice safe place for Jon to commune with his gods, near her.
Jon for a long while just looked at the tree. He seemed to blink a few times before turning toward her.
"I figure that this would be a good place for the weirwood. This way you could properly pray here to it instead of it being in a pot," said Marge quickly before adding, "I know it isn't the proper godswood but I hope this will do. A little more intimate. Don't you think. At least Megette Flowers thought so"
Jon looked at her for a moment before giving her a quick hug. It happened so fast that Marge barely had time to react before he pulled away looking embarrassed. She gave him a smile and together they planted the young tree.
The two stayed together in the garden for another hour, trimming and caring for the various flowers there. Jon suggested they start to try and plant other things like food crops and maybe another tree or two. Marge just nodded and would think about it. Well we will have two godswoods now. These were good suggestions and she would like to know how to care for other plants. The two separated after this so that Margaery could clean up and meet grandmother for her next lessons.
Her grandmother greeted her with a smile saying, "It was quite nice of you to plant the weirwood in your garden. I am sure Jon appreciated it"
Fearing she was being scolded Marge said, "Well he spends so much time there. Having a tree isn-"
"It is a good thing girl. I am not a septa saying you are going to burn in the seven hells for planting a white tree. Do you two have any other plans?"
"Well we were thinking of a few more trees, maybe try and cultivate some crop foods. Like potatoes and such. Just for fun and to learn. We hope to have this be a godswoods just for Jon"
Her grandmother nodded at this before moving onto her next lesson. Marge was to continue learning new skills, mainly she was to perfect hunting and be able to ride a horse well. She is then to learn a new languages, Valyrian, which Jon will join her in doing. This with her usual training to be a proper lady and keeper of a household would take up most of her time.
Grandmother didn't really teach her anything new and just told her to keep practicing her manipulation techniques and to keep trying to get others to want to do anything for her. Grandmother said that her skills were good for a girl and she won't get more lessons in the matter until she is a few years older.
These lessons were now going to be more checking in with Margaery until Olenna decided she was old enough to start to learn to manipulate people like a woman would. This was something that excited and worried Margaery. Right now this sounded like she might dishonor herself by doing.
"Now if there isn't on your mind, go have some supper," said Olenna.
"Actually I do have a question. It has been on my mind though it might be best not to ask. It is about Jon and him being here," said Margaery, "Not that I want him gone, or think ill of him, but why is Jon with us. Mother was talking once again about how Highgarden isn't a place for bastards. My brothers weren't there to defend him as they normally and it wasn't my place to question my mothers thoughts"
Grandmother frowned a little, "I have my reasons for having him here. Your mother is foolish for questioning such things. Jon may be a bastard but he is a good lad and your friend. Has your mother been trying to get rid of Jon?"
"Yes grandmother. Please don't let them send Jon away. I am sorry for asking"
"Don't be sorry for being curious my dear. Be sorry you didn't try an be subtle. Next time you want to ask about something sensitive, do so without directly doing so. Understood?"
Margaery nodded and left the room and felt her face burn. She didn't mean to insinuate anything about Jon or her grandmother. Or even make grandmother angry with her parents. Marge trusted that she had a good reason for having Jon come here. Margaery resolved to never questioned Jon's place here again. In fact, she vowed to make sure no one else questioned his position either.
He was her greatest friend and she couldn't think of Highgarden without him.
Notes:
This chapter was quite short which is why I posted it earlier than I normally would with other chapters. Some of my chapters are single POV which allows me to not melt my brain trying to make a larger chapter. Overall, if a single POV chapter is relatively short I will have a week with a double post like this week. But if they are of a substantial length then they will be part of the weekly release schedule I have planned.
Chapter 6 will be released on Friday with Chapter.
As always any criticisms and critiques are welcome. I will try to answer any questions I can.
Chapter 6: Jon / Olenna
Summary:
Jon travels and makes a new friend
Olenna writes some letters
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Jon
Jon was starting to not like leaving Highgarden. Just like most lords when Jon is introduced to them, Lord Randyll Tarly was a right prick.
Lord Randyll was courteous enough when they first arrived. While Ser Garlan had quarters fit for the son of his liege lord, Jon was taken to rooms higher than a squire and a bastard should receive. During that night's feast Lord Randyll learned of Jon's natural-born, and calmly but sternly had him removed from the higher squire table and down to furthest spot from the high table as he could, at the very back of the hall. Jon then had to spend an hour to find where his new chambers were, his trunks looking as though they were thrown in the new, significantly smaller room.
All the knights and servants barely paid attention to him and didn't serve him. Going about his duties took thrice as long as he was stonewalled by all those, he asked to assist him. The only one that would spar with him was Ser Garlan and Jon wasn't allowed to eat in the hall.
Over the past year Jon and Ser Garlan had gone around the Reach and visiting lords and ensuring allegiance and loyalty to House Tyrell. They feasted and attended a few minor tourneys and melees. It was fascinating to visit many parts of the Reach. So far, they went to Ashford and Cider Hall with Horn Hill being the third and last seat they would visit this year.
House Fossoway at Cider Hall was kind enough to him. He sat with the more prominent squires and was allowed in their great hall without needing the presence of Ser Garlan. The servants helped him when requested and a few knights and almost all of the squires spared with him. They had a far kinder sense of treating those that were unfortunate enough to be baseborn. Jon didn't know that this was because they were trying to marry Ser Garlan to one of the daughters of House Fossoway.
House Ashford was quite neutral in most respects. He could mostly go as he pleased, as long as he was on some sort of business for Ser Garlan. The servants treated him like any other squire. They weren't eager to help like at Highgarden or Cider Hall, but they also never hindered him in his duties. Knights paid no attention to him, but some did allow their squires to spar with Jon. Mostly Jon had to train with guardsmen. Overall, the stay at Ashford was something Jon would have to expect to be the most common wherever they travelled.
Horn Hill was a different manner. Everything Jon heard about southerner's being absolute pricks was true here. Jon at first was awed by Horn Hill and their Lord. Randyll Tarly was the only man to defeat King Robert on the field and so Jon thought he must be a great man.
Jon figured out that he was a fool to think so. Luckily, there weren't any further feasts until they would leave, and the melee would last a day at most, so Jon didn't have to endure much more of this. The only bright spot was when Jon ran into a porky boy of a similar age of him. The son of Lord Randyll, Samwell Tarly.
Jon was struggling to use the Library at Horn Hill. The servants and attendance seemed to snatch most books from his hands thinking he would tear them just by being a bastard. He was able to finally find a book that they allowed, one about the Blackfyre rebellions. Of course, they would only a allow a book centered around a bastard. Jon sat down to read just for something to do.
Across from the table was a portly boy about the same age as Jon, slowly consuming a stack of five great books. They didn't acknowledge each other at first. It wasn't until the boy closed his third book and look up and realized that he wasn't alone.
With a start the boy fell backwards out of his chair colliding with the hard floor. He whimpered with pain causing Jon to run over and help him back up.
"Are you alright?" asked Jon quite concerned.
"Ye…yes. I…I just did…didn't expect to…um…be joined by anyone," said the boy struggling to catch his breath.
"Aye. I could tell," said Jon with a smile sticking out his hand, "I am Jon Snow, natural son of Lord Eddard Stark"
The boy surprised him by grabbing Jon's hand, "I am Samwell Tarly, son and heir of Lord Randyll Tarly"
At this Jon's face fell. Samwell noticed and quickly said, "Don't hold that against me. Please. I know how he is"
"I won't as long as you don't look down upon me for being a bastard like most here," said Jon challenging the easily frightened boy to say something.
"Oh. Right! Bastards from the North are snows. I should've remembered that" said Samwell but quickly added, "I don't care that you are a bastard. My father might be happy that I would keep such bold company for once"
Jon gave a small laugh before asking about what Sam was reading. The two boys went into a fun conversation about books. Usually, Jon only talked to Margaery about such things as most other boys his age just wanted to talk about swords and fighting. While Jon enjoyed such talks, it was nice to change things every once in a while.
The two stayed there until the evening meal which had Jon left the boy with a smile to look for a way to feed himself. After he ate, he reported to Ser Garlan to see what he needed for the next day's melee. There wasn't much he had to do. Ser Garlan said he needed to polish his armor and ensure his shield had no chips in it.
That evening Jon fell asleep content. The bar was so low that a small conversation with a boy his own age was all he needed to not absolutely hate his day.
Most of the next day went the same as it had for the last few days, being refused by the servants, and having the scrounge for a meal in a lord's hall with full larders. The high point was watching the melee with the lowborn that came to watch. Ser Garlan performed exceptionally well and was able to win handily. Afterwards he spoke with Sam as discreetly as he could. He didn't want to bring the wrath of Lord Randyll on him or Samwell.
The feast was better than the first as most of the knights and guards were quite drunk and Jon was able to sneak some decent food and some fine wine for himself. The other squires ignored him instead of throwing their usual insults. Jon got quite drunk himself and passed out in his quarters.
The final day at Horn Hill was the most neutral of them all. First, he had been woken up by an amused Ser Garlan. He didn't scold Jon for drinking but made sure he didn't make a habit of it by having Jon go about his usual duties.
Jon packed all of their luggage and did his damndest to get their horses ready without the help of stableboys. The entire experience was a good learning experience for him. He learned more about how to care for his knight than anywhere else. Here he had to do everything himself. He had to care for the horses without assistance and other duties that he could use when he was a knight himself.
There was no splendor to the goodbye Lord Randyll gave them. He gave his farewell to Ser Garlan and simply left with a small glare a Jon. The only one that stayed around long enough to watch them leave was Samwell, who Jon gave a small wave and thanked him for his time.
A few hours later Jon finally spoke to Ser Garlan, "I apologize ser. You deserve more respect than what Lord Tarly gave you. I feel like he had a lower opinion on you because your squire was a bastard"
"Lord Tarly is a prickly man. While I don't care about your birth, many here in the Reach will. They will most likely think I am mad for having a bastard from the North as a squire. I will be courteous to them even if they won't be to me. You did well for a boy of ten by not letting them get to you," said Ser Garlan with a stern but proud voice.
Jon simply didn't talk much after this. He hated others thought less of Ser Garlan because of him. He also started to really hate being a bastard and hated seeing how others treated him.
In all honesty it made Jon question his position. Why would the Tyrells want a bastard. Why would they keep him around. He wasn't trueborn so marriage was off the table. Other noble sons weren't wards of Highgarden to forge bonds with each other. Why do they have me here? Surely Robb would be a better ward, not me, thought Jon, then he could marry Margaery and. His thoughts went darker and deeper from there. He didn't know where it came from or why these envious feelings arose from him.
Jon took a deep breath to clear his mind. When they arrived back at Highgarden, he would pray to the gods to not have many more instances like that of Horn Hill.
The Queen of Thorns
Olenna watched from a window as she watched the two brown haired children pat down the dirt around a cherry tree sapling. Margaery had her long hair in a northern style braid going down her back while Jon had recently had his hair shortened at the orders of Lady Alerie. Jon must've made some sort of jape as Margaery was shaking with laughter.
Olenna was quite proud of the two. Olenna was afraid that Margaery was taking too long to form a friendship with the boy but once Olenna planted the seeds, the friendship bloomed. In time the two will begin to see each other in a different light. Hopefully, they are smart enough not to do anything to unbecoming of their perceived station, thought Olenna, at least not until Jon knows his secret and a betrothal of some sort has been made.
For now, she just watched the two enjoy each others company and smiled. The sun lowered and the two left to wash up for supper. Olenna stayed for a few moments thinking of the future. She needs to message Lord Stark about when he tells Jon the boys secret. Olenna will pressure him to do so sometime, for she knows that the winter lord won't if totally had his way.
Second, she will get an official approval from the Lord of Winterfell for a betrothal between his nephew and her granddaughter. She could do both in the same letter. Once the pressure for the truth comes out Jon needs definitive bonds for an alliance. The Tyrells have been loyal to House Targaryen for their rise, but a bonding of blood will make that loyalty absolute. She might as well give Eddard an update on his nephew.
Third she knows she is old and must have some sort of plan for Margaery to know the truth about her friend. This thought has kept Olenna up more than a few nights. Dying before her scheme comes to some sort of fruition was the only thing that truly scared her. So, she must leave something for Margaery to read to ensure someone of skill is able to continue in her absence. Olenna knows this could be dangerous, but it needs to be done. Just in case the worse happens.
Olenna decided to complete these thoughts when they were still fresh in her head. Tonight, after supper. With that thought she went to the great hall.
The supper was the usual extravagance that her son loved. Her son had three trays full of fireplums, another large pot of spiced potatoes, more than a few trays of various vegetables, and a roasted pig. Mace even had a bard strumming a lyre in the corner. Olenna rolled her eyes at the table but made her way to her usual spot next to Margaery.
The girl was talking with the northern boy about what sounded like the Ironborn. Olenna remembered that Jon lived with the heir to the Iron Islands for a few years. Olenna filled her plate and listened closely to the future couple.
"…Theon was a bit of prick. Overconfident as ever. Always boasting about how great the Old Way was. How the Iron Islands were worse because they were forced to stop," said Jon.
"Well, it is better for the rest of the realm. The Reach is far more prosperous because there the Ironborn can't raid us," said Margaery.
"It is the same in the North. Theon always was received glares from the northerners whenever he mentioned the Old Way…"
Olenna decided to tune out the two as they weren't adding anything new to the discussion of the Ironborn. All knew those godsforsaken islands was inhabited by utter fools. Olenna briefly turned her attention toward her son and his wife. This was a mistake as Olenna could feel herself get stupider with every word her son said.
Mace was going on about how he defeated Robert Baratheon. Doing as he usually did, taking credit for the work that those under him did. His wife nodded encouragingly while Willas looked bored. Olenna loved her oldest grandson as he was the only boy, she seemed to see herself truly in. Garlan was smart and kind but didn't have a knack for politics. He was fine in the role of being a warrior and guardian for her House. Loras was much the same, just without the smarts which could do some harm.
She would just have to live long enough to ensure that the boy does nothing foolish to ruin any of the schemes and plans.
Olenna ate a few bites of the pig and allowed herself to enjoy the fireplums. She looked around the table once more. The table was mostly quiet with the family concentrating on their food. Her son was still talking, not bothering to keep his mouth shut. Olenna simply looked away once more and turned her ear to Margaery and Jon once again.
"…yeah, Theon even mention a bizarre marriage custom," said Jon.
"Marriage, I thought they just emerged from the sea, like fish," said Margaery.
"More like squids, but Theon said that during the times of the Old Way when they took women, they could be their salt wives. Their children were trueborn like those from their rock wife"
"So, they had multiple wives. So interesting"
"Aye. But it was different from that. I don't know exactly. Theon could explain it better…"
Olenna glanced at Margaery who didn't look offended or aghast at the customs of the savage Ironborn. Olenna marked it up to youth. Once she is grown, she wouldn't find such things interesting.
The meal was one of the quieter ones she had. She didn't dislike it as it gave her time to think of what to write to Lord Stark.
After filling her belly, Lady Olenna stood and excused herself. She gave Marge a kiss on her cheek and made her way to her solar. For half and hour Olenna went around lighting candles so she could see properly what she was doing. She grabbed a piece of parchment and wrote.
wrote.
-Eddard,
Jon Snow is doing quite well. He has befriended all here at Highgarden and is truly thriving here. He and my granddaughter are quite close and maybe get closer. I would encourage them to do such only if Jon is told a painful truth. One only you can tell him.
Once this wound has healed, we can have a secret bond between them. This will surely strength Jon, the North, and the Reach.
I won't tell you what to do but I recommend you truly think of telling your son. If you truly don't or refuse to entertain the idea, I will take manners in my own hand.
Send your response via a messenger. And burn this once read.
-Olenna
She looked over the letter. It was vague enough to fool the dumbest, but any with half a brain will know about the want for betrothal and hopefully no more than that. Olenna folded the parchment and sealed it with her pale green wax. She would send this with one of her spies.
Olenna took another piece of parchment to write the far more dangerous letter.
-Margaery,
I hope to tell you all of his in personal one day, but incase old age gets me first I don't want you to be unknowledgeable about the secret for House Tyrells rise.
Your friend Jon Snow isn't the son of Eddard Stark, nor is he a bastard. He is the trueborn son of Rhaegar Targaryen. He is the rightful King of the Seven Kingdoms, and this is why he is with us. We are raising him to be a king and our leader.
I have also been raising you to be queen. This you know, but you won't marry any Baratheon but our ward. You will be Jon's queen and he will be your king. Should I die, I want you to take this heavy burden.
He is what will allow our House to rise higher than any other. Help him every way you can. You will be the next Alysanne, I know it.
I am sorry you had to learn this through a letter, but death is not something even I can change.
-Your Grandmother.
Olenna folded the letter and sealed it. She then opened the secret compartment in her desk. She gently squeezed the folded parchment and gently put it away. In a few years she would tell Margaery about the letter and when and how to retrieve it.
For now, she just has to continue to make Jon and Margaery into the perfect rulers.
Notes:
Chapter 7 will be out next Friday and be full of awkward kids being awkward. It will bit longer than this one and it will be followed up with chapter 8 on the Sunday afterwards as it is another short chapter, but chapter 8 will have some brief explicit smut.
As always any criticisms and critiques are welcome. I will try to answer any questions I can.
Chapter 7: Margaery / Jon
Summary:
Some early teenage awkwardness and attraction ensures.
Margaery hawks with Jon and goes for a ride. She then talks briefly with Olenna.
Jon trains and goes to an orphanage with Margaery. He is awkward and has to deal with some uncomfortableness because of his friend.
Notes:
Two years have passed since the last chapter
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
Margaery
She laughed once again at the memory of the hawk landing on Jon's arm.
A few days ago, Margaery had convinced Garlan to allow Jon a morning away from his duties of being a squire. She wanted to do a new activity with him. They had ridden around the lands, walked through the mazes of Highgarden, planted more plants than she could count, and talked about nearly every book in the Highgarden library. While she enjoyed all of these, she wanted to do something new with him.
Margaery had taken up the hobby of hawking nearly two years ago. She was quite young at first and couldn't hold the bird on her own, but now she was two and ten years of age. She knew she had the strength and bravery to handle the bird. She still needs attendants and someone to assist her, but she could mostly do it on her own.
Since she had mastered something that Jon hadn't, Marge thought this would be a perfect way to spend the morning with Jon. They had ridden out after they broke their fast. Margaery wore her riding leathers, as a dress wasn't appropriate for such an activity, and couldn't help but notice that Jon stared at her for a moment before he saw her looking. He blushed a little before following her and the servants in mounting his horse. Megette Flowers was accompanying them as a chaperone for the two with Ser Eddison Flowers, the master hunter of Highgarden, coming to assist and lead the two through this hawking adventure.
The group passed through a small village near Highgarden and Margaery waved to its inhabitants. A few greeted her and she did her best to address every single one. They arrived at a field in which they would conduct their hawking. They all dismounted their horses. Ser Eddison Flowers removed the birds from their cages and had each one fly a few loops above their heads.
As they flew Marge and Jon put on their thick leather gloves for when the birds would land. After they did so they stuck out their arms and the master hunter summoned the birds to land. Margaery accepted the bird without a flinch. Jon, however, nearly fell when the bird landed a close to his face. Marge started to giggle at the boy.
They released their birds who circled high above them in the cloudless sky and dove quickly to the ground. Margaery's came back with a rabbit while Jon's had a squirrel. They continued the process with a few different birds and went though three different fields. Margaery had a laugh every time the birds landed as Jon had never got used to the birds landing on his arm. He always seemed shocked.
In total, they had caught ten rabbits, six squirrels, and nine songbirds. Ser Eddison Flowers had put all the small, dead animals in a basket as they were collected by the birds.
"My good ser, I think we should donate these animals to the nearby village. Some free meat should be a welcome surprise," said Margaery with a smile.
"Of course, my lady. You are quite kind," said Ser Flowers.
The village elder was incredibly happy for the gift saying the animals would go to the families with the greatest need. When they started to leave the village, Margaery and Jon fell further behind from the group. Marge then proclaimed they would meet up with the others in an hour. She and Jon then left before anyone could say anything or follow them.
"There is a creek nearby. First one there has to buy me a dress," yelled Marge.
Margaery stood on her horse kicking it into a fast gallop. She heard Jon match her pace behind her. During a straightaway she looked behind her and saw that Jon wasn't looking ahead but at her arse. He didn't seem to notice that she caught him, so she kicked her horse again and raised her rear a bit higher, feeling herself blush as she did something so brazen. A few moments later she spotted the creek. She slowed her horse down, lowering her self into the saddle on her horse, and she could've sworn she heard Jon give a whine.
Marge slid off her horse and led her horse to the creek to drink. Without looking she could feel Jon's eyes on her rear once again. She felt her face redden.
"You now owe me a new dress Snow. I would like one of in the colors of House Stark," said Margaery, not turning around for she couldn't allow Jon to tease her for such an intense blush.
"Um…Yeah. Wait. Why in the colors of House Stark?" asked Jon bringing his horse next hers.
"I wanted to get your attention," said Margaery turning around trying to hide her blush, "Now that I do, I just think I would look good in the colors. Don't you think, Snow?"
"You look good in any color Marge…I m-mean…um…w-what," stuttered Jon.
Margaery laughed, "It is nice that you think so Jon. I should wear more colors since I will always look good in yours eyes"
The two stood in silence as their horses drank. Marge felt a little awkward, but she wasn't entirely uncomfortable. She before never realized that Jon looked at her this way. She knows that she is starting to develop a woman's body, grandmother had warned her about such attentions. That old men and eager boys would look at her in new and unusual ways, but Margaery enjoyed the new attention Jon gave her.
After the horses drank their fill the two lead them toward Highgarden. Margaery thought that the horses deserved to have a bit of a break after being used for a good portion of the morning. They walked and talking about nothing of important. Eventually, they remounted their horses when Highgarden was able to be seen in the distance and rode at a nice trot.
"Is there anywhere as beautiful the Reach?" asked Margaery to no one.
"I think the North could compete with the Reach. Especially when the summer snows would fall. I don't think there is a piece of land that can compete with the godswood of Winterfell. When it is covered in snow it is absolutely heavenly," said Jon looking off into the distance at nothing.
Margaery looked at Jon and felt her heart flutter for a second, "Would you take me there sometime? I would like to see anything that can compete with the Reach's beauty"
"If you convince Ser Garlan to go northward, then I will show you all of Winterfell and we could walk through the godswood for as long as you want"
"How about when you get your knighthood? Would you take me then"
"J-Just you?" said Jon turning redder than Margaery was earlier.
"Why not," said Margaery shrugging and getting ahead of her friend so he couldn't see her own blush.
Why am I being so bold. I never would have said such things before. They trotted once again in silence. The awkwardness came back, but Margaery seemingly started to enjoy it far more than before. She wanted to tease Jon and make him blush some more.
As they rose over a hill, they were able to see Highgarden clearly. The great white walls and greenery were far clearer now. I can tease Jon some more during another race, thought Margaery.
"How about another race Jon?"
"What does the winner get? Just so I know it is something I care to win"
"Anything they want whenever they want. It is an open promise that the loser must do anything. Deal?"
"Fine, Marge. I will make you regret this"
Margaery smiled and kicked her horse once more. She decided to slow Jon down the same way and stood and hunched over exaggeratedly. For a moment it seemed to work, but then Margaery felt a rush of wind past her.
Jon tore down the road past her kicking up a cloud of dust. Margaery was shocked for a second, realizing she couldn't do the same trick on Jon twice. Marge tried to catch up with Jon but the lead he gained wasn't lessening. Margaery laughed at herself and conceded in her head. She made a good show of trying to win, but she knew she couldn't win against Jon when he actually tried.
Once they arrived in Highgarden Jon handed their horses to a stableboy. Margaery stared at Jon with a playful smile.
"Well Marge, you now owe me anything I want, whenever I want it," said Jon smirking.
Smirking back at him Margaery purred, "Of course. Just tell me what you want me to do and I will do it"
Jon raised an eyebrow, "T-Truly?"
"Absolutely. I will even put it in writing if you so want. Now go to the yard, Snow. I am sure my brother is expecting you by now"
Margaery snapped around and walked away from Jon. She could feel his eyes on her once more. Margaery's heart fluttered feeling strangely flattered. She would change, grab her needles, and go watch the sparring.
By the time she arrived in her usual spot overlooking the training yard, Jon was already drenched with sweat. His burgeoning muscles looked appealing to her make her want to run her hands over his arms. He was currently fighting two guardsmen at once. This was the same training that Garlan had done when he first was starting to master his swordplay. Of course, Garlan now fought against three or four other men and Jon would be in the same position soon.
After downing one of his opponents, Jon was then defeated by the other. Garlan said something about Jon knowing where his opponents are and told him to take a break for a few minutes. Margaery found herself watching Jon move around the yard. As he drank from a flagon of water spilling some of it on his chest, Jon briefly looked up at her and smiled. This made Margaery's heart flutter and her stomach felt weird again. Is something wrong with me? Why is my chest doing this?
Margaery didn't get much needlework done as she couldn't keep her eyes off of Jon. She almost exclusively cheered for Jon, almost ignoring any feat that Garlan made. When Jon waved at her she smiled and immediately gave him a small wave back with a slight blush on her face. Finally, the sun was lowering, and Jon and Garlan left to go clean up for supper.
The moment Jon left her sight, Margaery felt a peculiar sadness, wishing she could always have him in her sights.
Looking longingly at the spot she saw Jon leave; Margaery didn't notice the sound of a cane approaching her. With a sigh Olenna Tyrell sat in the seat next to Marge. For almost five minutes Margaery didn't notice that anyone had joined her. Olenna gave a cough which made the girl jump and turn to see her had interrupted her daydreaming.
"Anything going on in that particular spot child," asked grandmother, "Or have you lost your wits already"
"Oh…uh. N-Nothing grandmother. I was just…staring. I-I mean lost in t-thought. Nothing more," said Marge trying a smile to convince her grandmother.
Grandmother just looked at her like she was an idiot, "Girl I know that look. I was young once. Many, many years ago. But I still have my wits and my memory. I know what it is like to pine after some cute boy Who was in that spot?"
"Uh…n-no o-one, grandmother"
"You won't fool me child. Tell me who it was?"
"Um…Don't be angry at him…but it w-was…uh Jon Snow," said Margaery rushing through his name.
For a moment Olenna just stared until she gave a laugh. Then curiously she nodded in what seemed like approval.
"That northern boy is turning out to be quite a handsome lad. In a few years, every girl and lady that lays eyes on him will desire to have him in their chambers," said grandmother.
"What? No one else will have him…h-he is mine," said Margaery, though she knew this was foolish. Jon was a bastard, and she was the trueborn daughter of a great lord.
"Well. I won't tell anyone as long as you don't pine for him so obviously. Be careful and don't do anything foolish. You are still a lady," said Olenna before smirking and adding, "at least not yet"
Once again Marge was confused by something that her grandmother had said to her. Whenever the topic of Jon Snow came up, her grandmother would defend the boy, speak some sort of riddles, and just confuse any who talked about the boy. Marge didn't know what to make of any of it. Grandmother approved me, the perfect rose of Highgarden, desiring a bastard boy. Why? What is Jon Snow to her?
Margaery looked once more at the spot at the exit for the yard and sighed. I know I can't have him. I shouldn't want him. But damn everyone else. The faith, the realm, and even her family. Jon Snow will be hers in anyway that she can have him. Even if it means sharing him in some capacity with another or running away to Essos to live as commoners. I will have him no matter what.
Jon
Jon ducked, parried Ser Leo's blade, then spun around to get Addam the Guard to back off. With some room to operate, Jon hammered at Ser Leo forcing him to his knee. Just as the knight was going to yield, Addam was attacking Jon once again.
Jon swung around to parry the attacks. Ser Leo weakly stood back up and limped over to help the guardsman. Jon sword collided with Ser Leo's. The two looked at each other until Jon kicked him in the gut. Leo fell over yielding. Addam tries to take advantage but Jon was on him too fast. Their swords clanged together, Addam was able to push Jon backwards for a moment.
The two looked at each other, panting. Jon looked up and saw Margaery watching him. She gave him a slight smile and mouthed something encouragingly at him. Jon took a breath and aggressively pummeled Addam. The guard quickly collapsed to one knee and dropped his sword. Jon kicked it away and pressed his own to the guard's neck.
"Do you yield?" asked Jon.
"Of course, I bloody yield. Damn it Jon, I am going to be sore for a week," grunted Addam.
"Well done Jon. You are doing better than most squires at two and ten by far. Addam an ale?" said Ser Leo, grasping the guard by his shoulder and walking away.
Jon put his sword back in the rack for training blades. Margaery was clapping for him and yelled her congratulations.
"Well done Jon. You are close to mastering fighting two opponents. Next time I will have you try three. See if you can handle it. By years end you will almost exclusively fight against three men," said Ser Garlan clapping Jon on the back, "Also I have asked Maester Lomys to provide you with books about tactics and strategy. I want you to read them before your next bit of training starts"
"Thank you, Ser Garlan, I look forward to the extra challenge and new lessons," said Jon with exhaustion in his voice.
Garlan laughed, "Now go get cleaned up. My sister has requested that you escort her to the nearby orphanage"
Jon nodded and saw that Margaery was staring at him. He gave her a wave and she responded with a blush and a wave of her own. This confused Jon but he shrugged it off. He quickly scrubbed off his sweat and changed into one of the garments that Margaery had made for him. It was a dark grey tunic with golden trim around the cuffs and hem. On his breast was a small black direwolf. He wore a newer pair of light brown trousers. He wouldn't stand out in a crowd of nobles, but to a bunch of lowborn children, he might as well of been a great lord.
Jon met Margaery who was standing at one of the side gates of Highgarden. She wore her hair up in an elaborate bun. Her green dress was tighter than she usually wears around Highgarden. This, however, wasn't unusual for Margaery's trips to visit young children. The less opportunity some of the young children have to grab a part of her would be better. Jon remembers one time a small child ripped part of her dress off, exposing her lower legs.
Jon smiled at the memory as he mounted his horse, remembering how he and her laughed that evening as they ate their supper.
"What are you smiling at, Snow," said Margaery.
"That time that little boy tore your dress. I remember the shock of the guards and the caregiver," said Jon.
"That was funny but also quite embarrassing. Everyone could see my legs"
"What Marge? Are you afraid to show a little skin?"
"Never around you, Snow"
Jon was stunned into silence by such a brazen comment. Margaery laughed and sped up her horse.
The two made it to the orphanage, within half an hour. The caregiver met them with a smile. She led him and Margaery into the building. The kids were all in the main room in a half circle.
"Good evening, Lady Margaery," said the children in unison.
"Good evening children. How have you all been?" said Margaery in the sweetest voice Jon had ever heard.
All of the children started to tell Margaery of how their week had been. Margaery listened to every single child with a brilliant smile which caused her eyes to twinkle. Jon looked at her and for a moment she looked at Jon. She gave him what he could've sworn was a lascivious smile. She held his eyes for a intense moment, and he felt his pants tighten. Not now. Please not now. Think of Lady Olenna and not her beautiful, stunning granddaughter.
Jon instinctively covered his front and looked away from Marge. Jon could've sworn that he heard her giggle in his direction. After Jon's situation improved, he looked back at the Tyrell who had a big book in her lap. All of the children were at her feet listening to her.
After an hour, a few of the children had fallen asleep. Margaery finished her page when the caretaker of the orphanage told the others to go to bed. Jon helped carry those that were asleep and tucked them in their beds. As Jon lifted the last child, he saw Margaery watching him again. He flushed and hurried to put the little boy down.
Outside, Margaery was holding onto his horse with hers no where to be seen.
"What happened to your horse?" asked Jon.
"I donated it to the orphanage. Their horse is getting quite old and would need to replace him sometime soon," said Margaery before smirking, "I also figured that we could ride together on your horse. Willow should be strong enough to hold us both, don't you think?"
Jon coughed and felt awkward once more. Knowing that he wouldn't be able to speak a real word, Jon simply nodded rapidly and mounted his horse. He held out his hand to help Margaery up.
The girl swung her legs over the horse with ease and slipped back in between Jon's legs. She looked back at him with a challenging smirk. Her face was inches away from his. For a moment he wants to learn forward to kiss her like he did with Wynafryd nearly four years ago. But he didn't which caused Margaery to drop the smirk from her face.
"Make haste to Highgarden my good ser. We must be back before my parents send out the guards to look for me," said Margaery with mock concern.
"The journey would take nearly half an hour with two horses. The both of us on one will take twice the time," said Jon putting his arms around Margaery to grab the reins.
"Oh well. More time for us to be alone together," said Margaery sinking further into him.
Jon did his best to move backwards without offending her. He failed and swore in his head as his pants tightened once more. Margaery briefly stiffened, confirming for Jon that she could feel something before she continued to slide backwards and stopped moving.
For Jon, the hour-long ride back to Highgarden was awkward, and toward the end it was quite painful. The two talked about various things, even practicing High Valyrian with each other. Jon, surprisingly, picked up the language far quicker than Margaery in the year or so that they started to learn the language. So, to help Margaery, Jon usually went to her chambers for an hour after supper to help her practice.
For now, Jon was using this impromptu practice session to try and lessen the stiffness in his groin. Every time he felt like things were settling down, Margaery would move, whether on purpose or not Jon couldn't say, and all progress was lost. Jon felt his breath quicken as time went on and did his best to cover it up.
Eventually, the two made it through the side gate they left from. Jon helped Margaery down first before dismounting and handing Willow off to the stableboy. Marge stared at Jon with a nice, lewd smile.
"I think it is best we…uh…tidy up before supper. See you in a few, Snow," said Margaery purring the last few words causing Jon to shutter.
Jon watched the beautiful girl leave and couldn't help himself as his eyes drifted downward. The tighter dress had allowed her developing womanly body to be shown off more than it normally would. Jon felt pain in his groin as the sight caused him to rise once more.
Jon quickly, and painfully, left for his chambers where he would definitely tidy himself really well and change his small clothes. I need to control myself some more around her because I don't want her father to order me to be gelded.
"No he won't," whispered a voice that he was too tired to notice.
Notes:
Chapter 8 is another shorter single POV one so it will be out on Sunday. We get to see more of Sam and his divergent from his canon self. It includes a brief bit of smut.
Chapter 9 will be out next Friday. We will go to Oakenshield were we meet a particular bastard. This is where things will get a bit hotter but not too hot. Yet. Plus a melee that I know isn't a typical canon melee.
A reminder that this is my first fanfic so any awkward writing, point out and I will fix as best as I can. Also a reminder that this is a harem fic that will have smut. Smut is something I am new at writing so bear with me. We are starting to get to this territory so please tell me how I did.
As always any criticisms and critiques are welcome. I will try to answer any questions I can.
