Highgarden 295 AC.
Ashara
Her excitement over what Ned had told her didn't last as long as she hoped it would, in fact, it lasted just as long as it took her brother to arrive, Arthur soon spelling out some home truths. So as she and Cregan made their way to where the Starks were staying she felt more nervous than happy, more worried than relieved. Cregan though was far more excited, far more curious about the night ahead and so she tried to look forward to it as much as he was.
After Ned had left her earlier that day she had got ready to go look for her son but as she was doing so Arthur had come to check up on her and make sure things went well. She had explained that Ned was to tell his children, that Cregan would get to meet with his cousins and that they would soon know of him. The mere idea of it bringing a smile to Arthur's face, but it was when she told him of Ned's plan that things became more real.
" He would have my nephew raised as a bastard, what is it with Stark, is that the only idea he has, first Jae, now Cregan."
" He already is being raised as one, we all are Arthur, or is your name not Sand?"
" It's different Ash, we're pretending, you, me, Cregan, we're pretending because we must, but when Jae takes his throne we won't need to pretend any longer." Arthur said.
"And when is that Arthur? I wish to be myself again, for Cregan to be himself, this allows that and there's also the North to think of."
" We can sign papers, have Jae declare it so, take Cregan from the line of succession. He doesn't need to give up his name Ash." her brother said shaking his head.
" We both know that wouldn't work, be it people moving against the Starks, people trying to use Cregan, what of his children Arthur, or his children's children, we'd be potentially setting up conflicts years in the making."
" So this is your answer?"
" It is an answer is it not?" she said a little angrily.
" What of Jae?"
" Jae?" she asked confused.
" I assume you wish to do this now?"
" Ned said he'd speak to the king, allow me to come forward without fear."
" What of Jae, Ash? People assume you're his mother, what happens when you claim one but not the other."
" I…"
" If they know that you're not his mother then it makes them look closer Ash. If you're not his mother, then who is? We're not ready for the risk."
" Arthur I."
" I know Ash, this is not what I wished for you, but we're in this now, we must play it out."
" I'll speak to Ned."
It had been like someone throwing cold water over her face, the small little ideas she had about being herself once more, the idea of Cregan resolving issues with his future all gone in moments. It wasn't just Jae to consider either, it was Arthur too she soon realized, and so she had sat down with Cregan and swapped one lie for another. She felt terrible that she was making him do so, but she knew it was needed, for now at least.
" Your uncle came to see me today." she said to her son when she found him, both of them walking in the gardens with Dusk by their side "Your uncle Ned."
" He knows?" he asked excitedly.
" He does, he wishes us to join him for dinner, he wants to tell his children."
" I can meet them, I can meet them truly?"
" You can. Cregan you can be yourself with them, but not fully, not how I wished, for now at least."
" I don't understand?" he said confused.
" I know my love, but for Jae and for Arthur we must still remain hidden, especially here, especially now."
" Because of the stag?"
" Partly, we can't have people asking questions about Arthur, about Jae, so if they ask you then Arthur is who he says he is Ser Daeron Sand a friend of your fathers who claimed you as his nephew."
" And Jae?"
" Is Jon Snow."
" Very well mother, but we can meet them, meet my cousins?"
" We can and you can be who you're supposed to be with them." she said and he smiled happily at the thoughts.
When they arrived at the Stark's rooms it was Ned himself who opened the door and as they walked inside she saw Jae and his cousins all sitting around the table, leaning in to Ned she asked for a moment with him and Jae alone. As Cregan walked in and sat beside Robb and across from Sansa, Arya, and Bran, she walked with Jae and Ned to a corner of the room. She explained quietly to both of them of her choice and was glad that Ned looked so reticent, just as she was for Jae being there, for him clearing it up and making his uncle more willing to do as she asked.
With that done they sat down and began to eat, the children looking to her all through the meal and the oldest boy looking to Cregan and to Jae more than once. She saw how both Jae and Cregan had the two girls and the youngest boy in almost constant laughter, how the oldest would join in and she hoped that once the truth was out they'd still feel the same. Looking to Ned she nodded and waited while he had his children quieten, though it took the girls some time to do so.
"I have something I need to tell you all, something that we must keep to ourselves for now." Ned said and she saw Sansa look to Jae and he lean forward to whisper in her ear.
"What is it father?" the oldest boy, Robb asked.
"Most of you know the story of my brother, of your uncle Brandon and what happened to him and I'll not go into it now other than to say the truth of things is not what you've heard. Earlier today I found out even more of that truth, I found out that your uncle had a child, a boy, that you all have another cousin."
"Cregan." Sansa said looking to him "The wolf, that's why you have a wolf?" she asked.
"It is, Cregan is your cousin, your uncle Brandon's son." Ned said.
She looked around the table and saw both girls smiling at her son who looked a little more nervous now. She saw young Brandon, a boy who looked as different from his namesake as could be, with his auburn hair and blue eyes, she saw him smile. While Robb looked both happy and worried and was torn between looking at Cregan and his father, leaving Ashara in no doubt what it was that concerned the boy.
"I want us to get to know him, get to know his mother, but for now we must keep this amongst ourselves. For reasons I'll not get into, we must not allow anyone to know of Cregan other than who people think him to be. I promise when I can, when I'm able I'll tell you all why, but for now I ask you to promise me you'll do this."
One by one the children promised and then the questions began, what did her son like, who was she, would he come to visit them at Winterfell, why had he named his wolf so. Jae whispered in her ear that he'd be back before doing the same to Sansa and then leaving, while Ned asked Robb to go with him for a moment. Ashara just sat there looking at her son, the smile beaming on his face as he was accepted by three of his cousins, as they spoke excitedly to him, and she looked forward to the day when they could all speak the truth openly.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Sansa.
She had a cousin, another cousin, and she kicked herself for not figuring it out sooner. Jon had told her that the wolves belonged to Starks and Cregan had one which could only mean he was a Stark too. She knew then that was why Jon had changed the subject when she had asked about it, and it annoyed her a little that he hadn't told her the truth. Something he must have noticed as he leaned in to whisper in her ear and told her they would talk later and he would tell her everything.
Cregan she already liked, he was fun, he reminded her of Jon, of Robb and she wondered now if it was a Stark trait. Had she had noticed those things before she knew or if it was just how he was himself. He made her laugh, he made Arya and Bran laugh, he was nice and sweet and she was happy he was her cousin, happy he was her kin. When Jon left she found herself closing her eyes as she went searching for the door, just as she had done more than once now.
Her connection with Fang was growing much stronger, she could sense things with her wolf that she was sure now she'd ignored before. Looking through her eyes she found Fang with Ghost and Dusk, the other wolves were in her father's and siblings' rooms, while those three were together in Jon's. She saw Jon check in on them and give each a rub and then walk to tell Joy her story, not even a family dinner getting in the way of that and she smiled at how thoughtful her brother was.
"Sansa, Cregan says he'll take me and Lyanna to the stalls tomorrow before the tourney, will you come?" Arya said excitedly.
"I can't Arya, I have things to do on the morrow, can we all do something together another time?" she asked and Arya looking at her strangely.
"I'd like that Sansa, I'd like that very much." Cregan said with a smile.
"We can still go though right?" Arya asked and Cregan leaned forward and whispered in her ear and Sansa thought he not only looked a little like Jon then but was almost doing as Jon would do which brought a smile to her face.
When her father came back Robb seemed much more relaxed and he too joined in and so Sansa looked to the woman, Lyarra, Joy's tutor, Cregan's mother, and her… oh by the seven why hadn't she thought of that. Getting up from her chair she walked over to the woman and asked if she could sit down beside her before doing so when she was bid.
"I wished to speak to you, to get to know you some more, aunt." she said and smiled when the woman did.
"I'd like that very much niece." Lyarra said and for the next hour or so they chatted about almost everything, Lyarra being as nice as Cregan and reminding her of Arya's new governess.
Their father had explained it to Robb and Sansa earlier about Jonelle and Arya practically worshipped the ground the woman walked on, Sansa finding her to be a true northern lady just like Lady Dacey, though she didn't carry a mace. He had also told them he'd speak to them about their mother, something she knew Robb wished to know more on.
For her she had felt surprisingly less upset than she had thought she would be, she didn't wish her father and mother to part, but she also knew there were things about her mother she was unaware of. There was a side to her that Sansa had either tried not to see or that her mother had hidden from her, a side she saw most clearly when she had come to visit Highgarden.
"You lost in your head again little sister." she heard Jon's voice as he sat down beside her, Lyarra having gone to speak to Arya, Robb and Bran.
"What, I was just thinking." she said a half-smirk on her face.
"Not warging."
"How did you know?" she asked surprised.
"I didn't, but I know the temptation, the urge to see through Ghost's eyes."
"I just wished to see where you'd gone?"
"You know where I went" he said and she giggled.
"I wanted to be sure." she said and he nodded.
After saying her goodbyes to her father and siblings, Jon, Cregan, her aunt, and herself all walked to Jon's room. Cregan talking Dusk and walking with his mother to his own after she bid them goodnight, while Jon, she and their two wolves walked to her room. She was glad she'd not bumped into the man they had earlier again, something about him made her shiver, and Jon clearly didn't like him, nor did the wolves and she knew then what Jon had said was right.
" Jon, why did Fang and Ghost behave that way with that man?" she asked when they left the wolves in Jon's room before heading to dinner.
"The wolves know better than us Sansa, just like they can see better, run faster, smell better, they know. Promise me if Fang ever acts oddly around someone, ever growls or acts strange you'll pay attention, she's warning you about them, warning you to be careful, she's protecting you, protecting her pack."
" I promise Jon." she said and he had kissed her cheek.
Reaching her room she was surprised Jon walked in with her, even more so that he sat down on her bed and asked her to do likewise.
"I know you have questions, about Cregan, about his mother, about whether I knew, ask them of me and I'll tell you the truth Sansa, I promise." Jon said.
So he had told her, he had asked her to keep it to herself for now, that the secret was just as dangerous as his own, that she would one day be able to speak it aloud but for now it needed to be unspoken. Lyarra was Ashara Dayne, she and her uncle had been married, though there were no witnesses to it. When he had told her that she found herself worried, not for herself but for Robb, did this make Cregan the heir to the North?.
"He doesn't wish it Sansa, he wants no part of it, he wants a family that is all. To be part of our family which he is, is he not?"
"He is, he's pack." she said and Jon smiled at her.
He told her then why he hadn't told her when he had spoken of his own secret, why he had wished for her father to tell them, and had needed him to know first. When she realized who Ser Daeron really was she was amazed, Ser Arthur Dayne, The Sword of the Morning. For a girl who loved reading of chivalrous knights and tourney's, he along with Aemon the Dragonknight epitomized all she held dear.
That he was guarding her brother's back, was part of his Kingsguard, not only made her feel proud of Jon but more relaxed about his safety. Something she rarely had been since the attack in the Riverlands, now though she could rest easy knowing he had the greatest knight in Westeros guarding him, that her brother would be safe and protected.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you earlier little sister, sorry I had to keep this to myself. I promise though from here on I'll tell you it all, I'll never lie to you Sansa, I swear it."
"I know Jon." she smiled.
"To that end, I have some news for you."
As she went to sleep that night she couldn't help but think someone needed to write this tale down, a hidden prince guarded by the greatest knight in Westeros, working in secret to regain his throne and avenge his family. The tale had almost everything it would need, including now a beautiful maiden, a girl to grow up to be a queen, that it was her best friend and brother the tale referred to only made it better.
She slept that night and dreamed of Jon sitting the throne, Margaery beside him wearing a crown, surrounded by men wearing white cloaks. She dreamed of being the sister of a king, goodsister to a queen, and of wearing her own white dress and being married in front of the Heart Tree, of standing in a Sept while her husband walked down the aisle, his cane hitting the ground with each step.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Dacey.
She had enjoyed immensely her mother and sister's reactions to her babe, each of them coming to see her as soon as they'd arrived. Even before properly greeting their liege lord or king they'd come, her mother, her sisters, and her goodsister along with her own babe.
"Where is she?" her mother asked when she opened the door.
"Really, just her is it mother, not glad to see me at all."
"You, I've seen all your life, now where is my granddaughter." her mother said smirking.
She walked her into their room to the small crib Jon had gotten made for them, a smaller carry version of the much larger one he'd had made for them in Casterly Rock. The man who'd made it had also made Lynesse's and the craftsmanship was exquisite, the designs of bears and lions everywhere. Her mother reached it far before she did and by the time Dacey got there she was cooing over Joanna, laughing while her daughter played with her fingers.
"A fine little cub, both a bear and lion." her mother said and she felt her heart swell in pride at that.
"Where is my niece?" Lyra said and soon she and Jory were doing just as her mother had, even little Lyanna smiling as she played with the babe.
She had spent most of the day catching up with her family, Lynesse telling her of Gerold and her mother alternating between holding Joanna and telling her of the changes to Bear Island. When it came to talk of the tourney Lynesse was surprised when she said she was competing.
"I haven't had a good fight in more than a year, if it goes on much longer I'll forget how to swing a mace." she said laughing.
"What of the babe?" Lynesse asked.
"Joanna will be fine, her father can hold her while I beat men up." she said and her mother and sisters laughed, Jory and Lyra also competing too.
When the king and queen arrived she had been glad not to have to greet them herself, the queen especially given all the stories Jaime had told her about his sister, stories Tyrion had confirmed. She hadn't hidden from her and she knew the woman would no doubt come at some point to see her, and to see Joanna. But she was glad it would be on her terms, in her rooms and not her going to visit the queen in her own.
The note which arrived from the queen didn't arrive on its own and she tried not to laugh at the man who brought it as he seemed almost terrified by the large white wolf who sat at her door.
"Tell her grace I'd be most happy to see her, but it will need to be here as I don't wish my daughter to get a chill." she lied and the man more eager to get away from Ghost than anything else almost ran off "What are you dong here?" she said then to the white wolf as she rubbed his head, Ghost just licking her hand and walking uninvited into her room.
She followed behind the wolf as it walked to Joanna's crib and sat down his red eyes focused on the door and she wasn't sure if it was Jon or the wolf she loved more at that moment. Reaching down she rubbed it's fur again and then climbed on the bed to wake her still sleeping, husband.
"Get up you lazy sod." she said pushing him over onto his side.
"Leave me be woman." he chuckled.
"We have a visitor." she said drawing his attention to Ghost.
"What's he doing here?" Jaime asked sitting up in his bed.
"I think he's here to protect me from your sister." she chuckled and handed him the note, watching as the last vestiges of sleep left his face when he read it.
"If you don't wish her here you don't need to allow her, I could tell her you're ill, or simply not allow her to meet Joanna."
"No I'll not hide from her, not from anyone, besides telling her I'm ill and then competing in the melee may seem odd." she said and he laughed.
"Aye it would. You should have your family with you, guards too, especially him." he said pointing to the wolf.
"You think Jon sent him?" she asked.
"I don't know, remember what he did at the Heart Tree? I asked Jon about it, went to thank him and he looked at me like I was the mad king, he had no idea what I was talking about." Jaime said and she found herself looking at the wolf once again.
"So perhaps we should thank the wolf. Thank you Ghost." she said and the wolf she swore nodded at her before laying his head down and watching the door once again.
It took some time for Jaime to get ready and they broke their fast later than anyone else. Cersei would be arriving before lunch and her daughter's new protector walked alongside her when she carried Joanna to her mother's room. Jaime had placed his own personal guards on her even though she had tried to deny him, but in the end, he was right, it wasn't just her protection, it was Joanna's too.
"Give me her." her mother said when she opened the door.
Dacey just smiling as she handed her the babe and followed her into the room, Ghost now walking alongside her mother making it perfectly clear who he was protecting.
"Why've you got the white wolf?" her mother asked and she told her some if not all of the truth about Cersei.
"You think she'd try and harm my granddaughter." her mother said softly so as to not startle the babe but it was clear she was furious.
"I think it better not to take the risk, I'd like you and the girls to be there with me, just in case."
"She won't find it odd that you're not alone?"
"Not that I care, but you're my family, it would be only natural you'd be there."
"Aye, we'll be there."
She arrived just after they did, a little later than she said she would be and Dacey rolled her eyes at the powerplay, as if it mattered. She could sense the hate in her eyes when she saw her, the disgust in her eyes when she saw her mother and sisters and finally the surprise when she saw the white wolf laying by the crib suddenly stand up and look at her.
"Your grace, it's not safe with the wolf here, we should have it removed" an ugly looking dead faced Kingsguard said.
"That's quite alright Ser Mandon, I'm sure I'm in no danger in my Goodsister's presence."
"Indeed your grace, Ghost only attacks those he perceives a danger and what could be further from that than yourself." Dacey said and watched the smile tighten.
"And this must be your family, my goodfamily now." Cersei said her words laced with contempt.
"Aye that they are your grace, My mother Lady Maege Mormont, my sisters Jory and Lyra."
"A pleasure to meet you my lady, ladies." Cersei said.
"Your grace."
"I've been wishing to meet you for a long time Lady Dacey, to meet the woman who captured my brother's heart so completely." Cersei not even bothering to show she was looking her up and down.
"And I you, your grace, your brothers, uncle, and aunt have told me so much about you." she said catching her by surprise.
"May I meet my niece Lady Dacey?"
"Of course your grace." she said and they walked over to the crib where Joanna was sleeping.
"Such a beautiful babe." Cersei said her voice almost strangled.
"I thank you your grace." she said as Joanna woke opening her eyes.
When she saw them looking at her something must have clicked in Cersei, something strange as for he briefest moment she saw a genuine smile on her face before she reached in to touch her cheek. So concentrated were both of them on the babe that neither saw Ghost's haunches raise, nor his teeth become bared and no one in the room heard him change position.
Where before he was facing the door, now he was facing the queen herself and had she noticed she'd have realized he was ready to pounce, his muscles tensed, his teeth bared, he was ready to spring and attack if needed.
"I had hoped she'd have blond hair like my family, but I suppose it's more fitting that she takes after your own." Cersei said her voice dripping with condescension.
"And yet she's clearly Jaime's daughter." Dacey said and watched as the queen's hand shook.
"She is my niece it is true." Cersei said bitingly.
"And your own children your grace?" she said and the queen's head turned so quick she thought she may snap her neck.
"What of them?" Cersei said a grimace on her face.
"They are well your grace?" she asked with a smile.
"They are, have you met them my lady, seen them?"
"I haven't met them no, I've seen them though, they do you proud your grace, it's clear with the crown prince especially just how much of you is in him." she said and almost laughed when Cersei smiled proudly.
"Joffrey is what a true prince should be."
"He is." she said and so wrapped up in her own pride was she that Cersei never noticed the sarcastic tone Dacey used.
"I hope we can speak again soon Lady Dacey, perhaps you and my niece could come visit the Red Keep, I'd so like to see you both again." Cersei said and she nodded.
"I look forward to it your grace."
"Lady Maege, ladies, Lady Dacey I look forward to getting to know you all better."
"As do we you, your grace." her mother said and they watched as the queen walked from the room.
Once she had Dacey walked back to the crib and took her daughter out holding her close as she sat down on the chair.
"That woman is a cunt." her mother said and she couldn't agree more.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Cregan.
While he had enjoyed the dinner this was far more fun, walking with his cousin and her friend much more to his liking. Arya was a little bundle of energy and together with Lyanna Mormont there was no telling what would take her attention as they walked. Dusk and Nymeria walked behind them for now, but both wolves had been taking time to run off ahead of them and run back to check if they were alright.
With the melee due later that day he had gone to his cousin early finding her already dressed and waiting, and then finding them joined by Lyanna Mormont not much later. Now as they walked around the stalls he was glad he'd eaten and rested well, as just trying to keep up with them was tiring.
"Damn it's not open." Arya said.
"What's not?" he asked.
"The candied apple stall, Jon bought us some the other day, they're so good"
"You're hungry?" he asked and she shook her head.
"No but I could eat a candied apple, Lyanna too, couldn't you."
"Couldn't I what?" Lyanna said her attention having been obviously elsewhere and Cregan looked on while the two girls spoke quickly to each other.
"Eat a candied apple."
"I could faster than you." Lyanna said smirking.
"No you couldn't."
"Wanna race?"
"We can't stupid, it's closed." Arya said smugly.
"Then how about a real race." Lyanna said rushing off with Arya racing behind her.
"Arya, Lyanna." he shouted but they were soon out of sight.
As he moved after them he heard his name being called and turned to see Joy with some of her guards walk towards him.
"Joy?"
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming here?" she asked annoyed.
"I, didn't know you would wish to come, besides I was with Arya and Lyanna." he said and she scowled.
"And not me?"
"Sorry, do you wish to join us my lady?" he asked and she nodded before laughing.
"Us, there's just you Cregan."
"They ran off, come help me find them."
He found them soon enough both girls drinking water and clearly out of breath, looking anything but the ladies of the two houses they were. Hair messed up, sweat running down their faces, clothes in disarray, if this was what ladies of the North were like then the rest of the realm could learn from them he felt.
"That's what you get for running off." he said laughing as both girls glared at him, almost matching expressions on their faces, though they were soon replaced with curiosity when they saw Joy "This is Lady Joy Hill, the heir to Castamere."
"We met, she got Jon to buy us the candied apples." Arya said and he thought he saw a little jealousy on her face.
"Candied apples yummy Cregan." Joy said and he watched as the two girls looked at each other while Joy looked them both over carefully.
"Well, unfortunately, the stall is closed." he said.
"Candy sticks yummy too." Joy said and he saw Arya and Lyanna look much more interested now.
"Fine, we'll get candy sticks."
By the time they reached the stall things had moved on with the girls, Joy seemingly deciding she'd heard enough to not play her game. He had asked Jon about it one day, how she seemed to switch almost at will, one moment being almost childlike and the next being the refined lady she was.
" Joy likes to play both for the fun of it and also because people relax more, they show you more of themselves when they think you're not so smart."
" I don't understand?"
" You see Walder there?"
" Aye."
" For years Walder couldn't speak, could only say one word, Hodor. It got so much that not only did people think it his name but they thought him a fool, an idiot, do you think Walder is a fool?"
" No."
" But if you had would you be worried what he'd think, would you try and play a mummer with him around."
" No."
" Exactly, Joy has figured it out better than all of us, what started as a game as a way to have fun, as a way to be a child has developed, oh that part is still there and we play and have fun. But so is the other, she also uses it for her own reasons, uses it to know who she can and cannot trust."
He was looking at it in full use now, Joy at first being the child and then the lady and all three girls seeming to come to some understanding between them. After buying the candy sticks they walked around the stalls some more and then walked down to the river. The Mander flowed in front of them, though this part was no more than a stream and after taking a seat by the tree he and Joy began to talk as the wolves ran off to play.
"I like them, they're fun." Joy said as they looked to see Arya and Lyanna mock spar with some sticks they'd found.
"I like them too." he said and she looked at him curiously.
"Do you…"
"What do we have here then, girls playing warrior." he heard the snort and he looked to see Joffrey and Margaery along with their guards walk into view.
"Your grace." Cregan said as he and Joy stood up.
"Oh look it's the bastards too, where is the other one, where is Jon Snow? I'd have thought him with you, especially with that one." Joffrey said looking to Joy a sneer on his face.
"Your grace, maybe we should, perhaps we should head back, the tourney is due to begin in a little while." Margaery said trying to make the prince leave.
"We don't need to, why we're privileged to see our own melee here, look at those two, are they even girls?" Joffrey said laughing.
"They are my friends' cousin." Joy said and he watched as the expression changed on the prince's face.
"Cousin, we're not related you little bastard. Do you even know who your mother is, some whore no doubt, you may be my uncle's whelp but you're no kin of mine."
"Then I am most grateful for it your grace. I find I'd rather be the daughter of a whore than the son of a queen if this is how a prince acts." Joy said and while he admired her backbone, he saw immediately how wrong it was of her to say it.
"Why you little bastard." Joffrey said and he moved towards Joy his hand reaching for a small knife he carried on his hip.
Time seemed to stand still, he moved in front of Joy and watched as Margaery was almost pushed to the ground when the prince shrugged her hand away. Arya and Lyanna came running up the hill from the stream and as the prince took his knife out he saw the black blur and heard the scream as the knife fell to the ground.
"Ahhhh." the prince screamed and Cregan watched on as the blood dripped from his hand as then he fell to the ground also and cried, as both Dusk who had bitten him and Nymeria who was growling at the guards bared their teeth, Dusk howling loudly a moment later.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Ned.
He had not got to spend as much time with his newly discovered nephew as he'd have liked, and they'd not covered what it was the boy wished for his own future. Not that he doubted his mother and Jon in what they'd told him but he'd like to hear it from Cregan's mouth. The dinner had gone well, though he had been surprised to be pulled aside by Ashara and by what she had said to Jon and himself, even if he could see now the reason for it.
It was Robb's reaction he'd not counted on, his son clearly thinking of his own future and so he had pulled him aside to try and assuage his doubts about what this would mean for him.
" I know you have questions, go ahead ask them?" he said as he stood facing his son.
" Is he, am I….is he the heir to Winterfell?"
" He doesn't wish it Robb, the situation is complicated, but he doesn't wish it."
" But he is isn't he?" Robb sighed.
" We can't prove Cregan's birth Robb, can't prove him true and because of that even if he did want it, it would create too many problems, with our bannermen, legally, for generations to come. His mother knows this, Cregan does too, so that along with other reasons including what your cousin wishes for himself have made them decide they don't want to contest the succession, they want no part in Winterfell."
" Other reasons?"
" It's complicated but had your uncle lived then your grandfather was intent on removing him as heir for defying his will. But even before that, it seemed Brandon didn't wish to be heir, didn't want to be lord, he never wanted for his son to have to grow up and be the Lord of Winterfell."
" Why father?"
" You understand it son, what it means to be my son, to be the future Warden of the North, your life will be different than Bran's, more full of duty and obligation than your brothers will. Some look forward to that while others do not, it seems your uncle was one who didn't and who also didn't wish it for his son."
" And you do?"
" I believe you'd make a great Lord of Winterfell, so aye, I do."
" Father, I..wish to speak to you of Lady Wynafred."
" You like the girl?" he asked a small smile on his face.
" I do, but it's more than that, those duties, those obligations, they include who I'm to be matched to don't they?"
" They do son, we need to think who's the best match politically as much as anything else."
" And Lady Wynafred?"
" It would be a very good match and if you care for the girl even more so."
" I do."
" Then I shall speak to Lord Wyman when I can."
" Thank you father, for speaking to me on this, for helping."
" Always Robb. Try with your cousin will you, he seems like a good lad."
" He is father."
He had slept well after the dinner, Lya laying on the floor at the end of his bed. His nephew seemed well on the way to being accepted by his children, Arya even asking him to take her to the stalls that morning. He knew Jon would speak to Sansa, his nephew having perhaps the closest relationship of all with his oldest daughter and not only did Robb seem to like Cregan, but he seemed to accept that he was no threat to him. That his son also wished for a match with Lady Wynafred filled him with joy also, Jon had been right, he had known, and the thoughts that both of them would be betrothed to girls they cared for made him feel so much better than he had dared hope.
Though he knew that meant he would soon have to face the other betrothal issue, the one he would have to reject. He had seen enough of the prince during the altercation with Jon and Joy to see where Jon's doubts about the boy had come from, but was it enough of a reason to reject the betrothal? enough so that Robert would accept it? He doubted it and was playing it over in his mind when the note came.
"My lord." Jory said handing him the note.
"Who from?" he asked.
"One of Lady Olenna's large guards my lord." Jory said as he opened the note.
Lord Stark.
A party has been spotted and should arrive in the next hour, Lord Howland Reed and his family along with some of his men and Ser Brynden Tully along with some Lords and Knights of the Vale. As is custom we shall welcome them to Highgarden, perhaps you'd like to join us?
Lady Olenna Tyrell.
Howland was coming, Brynden to, he asked Jory to fetch Bran as the rest of his children had gone about their day already and rather than call them back he'd let them be. But he knew his son would enjoy meeting his granduncle again, especially given how excited had he been when he'd told him he was to squire for the man the following year.
When Bran arrived they made their way to the main entrance meeting up with Ser Garlan along the way, the knight giving him a warm smile and ruffling Bran's hair to a giggle from his son.
"God's I hate these things, I hope this is the last of them today, no offense to your lords, Lord Stark."
"I understand, it's one of the worst parts of responsibility, the formality." he said and Ser Garlan nodded.
"Aye, this is the second one this morning already, Lord Stannis and Lord Renly arrived not more than a couple of hours ago."
"The king welcomed his brothers?"
"No he did not, though I believe he broke his fast with them."
That explained a lot, he had wondered why Robert hadn't sent for him already this morning. He'd pouted like a child when he'd told him that he would be having a family dinner the previous evening. Almost demanding he cancel it and eat with him instead, thankfully common sense prevailed and he was spared the sight of his friend gorging himself on food and wine.
To say he was shocked at both his appetites and his behavior was an understatement, even after what Jon had said about him. To see him openly grope the servant girls was nothing new, but to do so while trying to hold a conversation with him was. For someone who wished his company constantly, Robert couldn't even bring himself to reign in his tendencies when they were together.
"Lord Stark." Ser Garlan said before nodding and walking to his father's side.
"Ser Garlan."
He lined up alongside the Tyrell's all of them there except for Margaery and Loras and when he saw his old friend riding his horse it brought him back to a time many years past. He'd not see Howland in over ten years, not seen Lady Jyana during that time either. Now to see them both riding, to see his friend's children with them, Ned found the smile on his face to be one of his most genuine.
He saw Bran looking excitedly to Brynden and he noticed the rest of the party that rode with Howland, some of his crannogmen, and the Lords of the Vale. Seeing Yohn and his sons, Lord Horton Redfort, Ser Eustace Hunter, Lord Lyonel Corbray, and some of the other familiar faces he was brought back in time yet again. He noticed a young lad wearing House Bolton colors and then remembered that Roose's heir was squiring in the Vale, and quickly made a note to speak to the boy.
It felt like it took an age for the introductions and finally his old friend was standing there in front of him for the first time in many years.
"Howland." he said and greeted his old friend warmly.
"Ned, you know my wife Lady Jyana and my children Meera and Jojen."
"I do, Lady Jyana a pleasure to see you again." he said kissing her hand. Though small and slight Lady Jyana was as far from the typical look of a crannogwoman as could be. She was still incredibly beautiful and though wearing riding clothes she was as always dressed very elegantly.
"Meera, Jojen." it's good to see you again."
"You too Lord Stark."
He told Howland they'd speak later when he had settled and said his hello's to Yohn and the others, Brynden immediately laughing and japing with Bran. He didn't even have a chance to get back into the keep when the servant Robert sent found him and while he had no wish to, he had really no other choice but to join the man for an early lunch. Brynden said he'd allow Bran to show him the grounds for the tourney and so he nodded and went off to Robert, disappointed to find him drinking already.
"Ned come join me. One thing about the damn roses, they know a good wine."
"It's too early for me your grace." he said taking a seat.
"Piss on that your grace stuff, I'll not have you be like the rest of them, not you, Ned."
"Robert." he said uncomfortably.
"Ha, still the same even after all these years, I had thought you'd changed when I heard of Cat."
"That was different, I had no choice." he said stiffly.
"Ah, I know that Ned, gods you're still so serious all these years later. You're almost as bad as Stannis, he actually chided me, Ned, me the bloody king and he chided me for not greeting him. Bloody fool arrives late and I'm in the wrong."
"You should have met him Robert, he's your brother, and a stickler for protocol."
"Aye, perhaps I should, I've missed you Ned, you're my brother, you've always been my brother." Robert said softly "Speaking of which I wished to speak to you about…" he never got to finish as at that point the queen came storming in.
"What are you going to do about them. About those filthy beasts?" the queen said angrily and since he'd rose when she entered Ned just stayed on his feet.
"Beasts, what the hell are you talking about woman?"
"Those filthy beasts, the wolves, one of them has maimed my son." she said angrily and Robert looked to him.
"Ned?"
"I'm unaware of this your grace, but if you'll excuse me I'll go get to the bottom of it."
"Aye, thank you Ned."
He practically ran from the room, finding Jory running to him to inform him what occurred, and then he along with his captain and more of his guards set off to find his daughters, sons, and nephews and their wolves, wondering what the hell had happened.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Jon.
Robb had learned some new tricks it seemed, he was also trying his hardest to pay him back for his prank on him when he had gone to Braavos. Though he hadn't yet decided what it was he would do to him. Instead, he was doing his damndest to knock him on his arse in the sparring ring. But Robb wasn't the only one who'd learned new tricks, Arthur had taught him, Loras, and Brienne some too as had the Fiery Hand guards that Melisandre had brought with her.
So as Robb added in quicker moves, as he practically danced around the sparring ring, Jon decided to use some of those he had learned too. When Robb saw him switch hand's he was lost, the strikes from Jon catching him completely by surprise and soon he was yielding.
"How did you do that?"
"When my shoulder was hurt I couldn't spar, during my recovery I tried to use my left hand and was damn awful with it, those two putting me on the ground in minutes." he said pointing to Loras and Brienne who were practicing spear to sword "So I decided to try and train using my left as much as I can, I'm no more than a beginner with it, but it can catch people out."
"I thought I'd get you." Robb said smirking when he shook his head.
"You may still, that's the thing brother no matter how good you are, one slip, one distraction, and you're done for."
"That's what Syrio said. Though he said it better." Robb said rolling his eyes at him.
"Oh did he Stark." Jon said moving his sword up.
"He did Snow." Robb said laughing.
He never got to take a strike, the wolf's howl and Grey Wind running off soon stopping all thoughts of a spar, he didn't even need to look to Robb to know he was running after him. Both of them trying desperately to keep up with the grey blur in front of them, when they finally caught up Jon saw a group of the crown's guards angrily arguing with their own.
"Jon." he heard Joy's voice say and he'd not heard her ever sound so scared as she ran to him and grabbed him tightly.
"Joy, what happened, are you hurt?"
"Jon, please you have to stop them." she said panicked.
The next few minutes were perhaps the closest to a full-scale battle Highgarden had come to in its history. More and more of the Royal Guards arrived including Ser Barristan and a tall pockmarked faced one, Ser Richard Horpe he believed. Then his uncle, Jaime, Gerion, and more Lannister guards arrived and while he held Joy in his arms, he saw Robb speak to Arya and Lyanna Mormont and Cregan being spoken to by Ser Barristan.
"What happened Joy?"
As she told him he felt it then, felt his dragon began to rise, the fire threatening to overwhelm him. The poncy prince had threatened her, scared her, he looked over her shoulder and saw her father walk towards them.
"Joy, here's papa, he'll wait with you while I see what's happening, I'll be back in a moment."
"Promise." she said tearfully.
"Promise." he replied kissing her forehead.
"Jon?" Gerion asked.
"I'll sort it out, she's scared Gerion." he said as quietly as he could, Gerion nodding as he handed Joy to him.
He walked over to see Cregan speaking angrily to Ser Barristan and to see Jaime and his uncle arguing with the knight too.
"We need to bring him to the King, he wishes to get to the bottom of this." Ser Barristan said.
"Then we'll bring him ourselves, you have my word on that Ser Barristan." his uncle said.
"I also have my orders Lord Stark, you may join us but the lad needs to come with us now, the girl too."
"No." he said and Ser Barristan looked to him.
"I'm sorry Jon, but we have no choice." Ser Barristan said and he saw the knight was trying his best to say things without words.
"Joy is upset Ser, she needs to be with her father, to stay with people who care for her so she can be calmed down, being taken away by knights, even gently, would do her far more damage than today's events already have, surely his grace could understand. My uncle's given his word and I'm sure Lord Jaime would too, we'll bring them both to his grace momentarily."
"Very well, we'll wait." Ser Barristan said and he gave him a smile.
Getting the full story from Cregan only made his anger even worse, looking around at the now six wolves he wondered where Ghost had been, having not seen the wolf since he let him out the night before. He walked back over to Joy and Gerion, and once again Joy grabbed him tightly in an embrace while Gerion looked at him worriedly.
"Speak to Cregan." he whispered and lifting the girl he turned and began to walk back to the keep, Ghost and the wolves following behind him.
He met Loras and Brienne on the way, Joy leaning against his shoulder her sobbing having stopped though she hadn't said a word. After explaining it simply to his friends he walked the rest of the way to the main door and then to his room. Asking them to give him a few moments with Joy before they'd need to go to see the king. He sat down on the bed and stroked her hair, and then rubbed her back softly trying his best to make her feel better, to feel less scared.
His anger was still there but it had been joined by blame, joined by guilt. Was he the cause of this? Had his attempt to show the prince up to protect Sansa, ended up hurting Joy? Hurting Cregan? Had he been so blinded by one thing, he'd missed out on the others?. Or was this something the prince would have done anyway, was this who he really was? A petty vindictive coward, just like his mother.
"Joy we need to go to see the king."
"No." she said shaking her head and he felt her tremble against him.
"We need to explain what happened, for you and for Cregan."
"I'm frightened Jon."
"I know, but I'll be with you, I'll hold your hand, do you think I'd ever let anyone hurt you?"
"No." she said shaking her head.
"Look at me." he said and she looked to him her eyes still red from where she'd been crying "I'll protect you always, I promise."
"Promise." she said and he nodded before kissing her cheek.
He helped her down to her feet and took her hand walking with her towards the main hall where the King was waiting, whatever they tried to do in here he'd be ready for, whatever it took to keep her safe he would do. He looked to Arthur, to Walder and Jors, all of them hearing what had happened, Arthur putting his full helm back on but showing he knew and they began to walk.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Margaery.
She stood in the room with her grandmother and brother, Willas having being called for advice. After telling them what had happened and finding out what the king planned the talk had turned to what she should do, what she should say.
"The truth grandmother, I'll speak the truth."
"It's not that easy child, the crown won't take kindly to the truth." her grandmother said.
"Then they can go to the seven hells." she said.
"Margaery." Willas said.
"No Willas, he took out a knife, a knife for a little girl, people need to know of this."
"It's not that easy Margaery." her brother said.
"It is, what would Jon think of me if I lied? If I stood there and claimed I didn't see?"
"He'd understand." Willas said.
"Have you seen him with Joy, Willas, even where it not what I should do, have you seen him with Joy?"
"Aye."
"Then you're a fool if you think he'd understand, if you think he'd ever forgive me for not standing up for her." she said and her grandmother nodded.
"She's right, he loves that girl, no she's right, the crown can go to the seven hells."
She felt relieved when they walked to the hall though not so much when they got there, the queen was in full rant and the king content to allow her. She looked at Cregan who stood there with his mother in the middle of the floor, the boy standing silently while around the room the expression on the Lannister guards and the Lannister's themselves were furious.
"You set your wolf onto a prince, attacked a prince of the realm, have you any idea of the sentence for maiming a prince, for attacking my son." Cersei basically shouted.
"Enough, you've scared the boy enough. What have you to say lad?" the king asked.
"Prince Joffrey seemed angered by Lady Joy your grace, he called her a bastard, said she was no kin of his." Cregan said and she watched as Gerion Lannister made a move forward only for Jaime to place a hand on his chest stopping him.
"You did what?" the king said turning to his son, Joffrey standing there with a far larger bandage than the wound would need she felt.
"The bastard is lying, they attacked me."
"I demand he's punished appropriately, Joff's hand may never be the same again." Cersei said and she watched the king sigh.
"Who am I to believe, where is Lady Joy, Lady Margaery?"
"I'm here your grace." she said stepping forward just as Jon and Joy arrived with his guards, Jon giving her a reassuring nod.
"What say you Lady Margaery, what happened this morn?"
She told them then of walking with the prince and coming across Arya and Lyanna Mormont sparring with sticks, which made people laugh, and both girls frown. She told then of how Joffrey had spoken, of what he'd said to Joy and what Joy had said back and she ignored the scowl on Cersei's face as she did so.
"You lying bitch." Joffrey said and moved only for the King to look at him.
"You apologize now, do it or so help me I'll maim you proper." the king said and Joffrey half heatedly apologized "Continue Lady Margaery."
She told him then of how Joffrey had become enraged and moved towards Lady Joy, how he reached for the knife at his hip, and how Cregan had stood in front of Joy. Then how the black wolf came form nowhere and bit the prince's hand forcing the knife to fall to the ground.
"He had a knife in his hand?" the king said and she thought he looked ashamed.
"He did your grace."
"I thank you my lady and you have my apologies you had to see that. Lady Joy do you have anything to say?".
She watched as Jon walked with her to the center of the room, holding her hand and nodding down to her, and as Joy told the same story as she had, as she had assumed Cregan had. Looking on as Jon never once looked anywhere but at Joy's face, as he watched her speak and as his fingers squeezed her hand to make her know he was with her, she felt herself smile knowing he was hers and she was his.
"I thank you, my lady, I'm sorry you were put through that, I'll deal with my son. Lady Lyarra I'll not punish your boy however he was wrong to speak to a prince in such a fashion, perhaps you'll see to his own punishment." the king said and it was clear by his tone that he knew Cregan would face none.
"I will your grace."
"Good, then let that be the end of it." he said and made to get up.
"What of the wolf, the beast maimed my son, is he to be unpunished too?" Cersei said incredulously.
"I forgot about the damn wolf." the king said "Fine, Ser Ilyn see to it." he said and then there was uproar.
Jon had to grab a crying Joy, each of the Stark children moved angrily. Even Sansa needing to be held back by her brother, Lord Stark moved to the center of the room and looked to the king.
"Your grace, surely not?" Ned Stark said.
"It's a damn wolf Ned, they're not pets."
"The wolf was a gift from me, your grace, if anyone is at fault for its actions than it's I." Jon said as he held Joy.
"I've made my decision lad, the wolf must die."
"No." Gerion Lannister said moving forward.
"No, you dare say no the king?" Cersei said.
"I do when he's been led astray by a vengeful woman, you may be my queen but I swear it you are no family of mine, not after this day." Gerion said and she watched the queen's face drop "The wolf stood in protection of my child, had I been there I'd have taken his damn hand off myself, so if you wish to punish the wolf, then you'll need to punish me first. By the law of the land any accused is allowed a trial by combat, I stand as the wolf's champion." Gerion said to loud noise.
"I can't allow this." the king said.
"I'm afraid you have no choice, your grace, you wish to harm the wolf, then by the laws of the land you must accept a champion to stand in his place, am I wrong Ser Barristan?" Gerion said.
"I'm afraid he's right your grace, once the offer's been made it must be accepted."
"Dammit, I'm not having a trial of combat for a wolf." the king said.
"Then you must remove the sentence on the wolf, your grace." Gerion said.
"No, you cannot." Joffrey shouted and then was silenced with a glare.
"Ser Boros." the king said and the knight stood forward.
"Your grace."
"You were guarding my son this morn were you not?"
"I was you grace." the knight said worriedly.
"Well since you failed in protecting him this morn, you have the chance to regain your honor, you and Lord Gerion will fight on the morrow, a yield will be acceptable, do you agree Lord Gerion?"
"I do your grace."
"Good, we'll decide this then." the king said as he walked out of the room.
She wished to go to Jon then but her grandmother whisked her from the room far too quickly and it wasn't until later that night that she actually got to speak to him. The feast they had for Stannis and Renly's arrival was subdued after the day's events, even if she had been forced to dance with Renly twice. But there were some notable absences, no Lannister's or Starks attended and Jon and Joy didn't either.
"Loras where's Jon?" she asked after the second dance with Renly.
"I think he's with Joy, he has been for most of the day."
She got up and walked to her grandmother and parents feigning tiredness and then excused herself to the king, walking down the corridor she hadn't made it very far when she was stopped by Lord Baelish.
"My lady, I had hoped to speak to you." Littlefinger said.
"I'm afraid I'm most tired my lord, perhaps another time?"
"Indeed my lady, I wished to apologize for his grace, he is not usually like that." he said a false smile on his face.
"As you say my lord, but I can only go with how he behaved today as my guide."
"Perhaps if you and he were to spend some time together you'd see the truer side of the prince."
"Truer than today, I doubt that very much my lord, if you'll excuse me."
"My lady." he said and she could feel his eyes watching her as she walked away.
He wasn't in his room and so it was to Joy's she went finding his guards all outside, given the events of the day the melee had been called off and would instead be held on the morrow. Margaery though felt no desire to see it or take part in any of this tourney any longer, when Jon opened the door she was relieved to see him smile at her and invite her in, though he did so quietly.
"She's just drifted off, come let's sit." he said and they moved to the chair he had by the bed and Jon picked it up and carried it to the other one which was placed further away.
"How is she?"
"Scared, upset, angry and worried about her father." he said and she looked to see Ghost laying in the bed beside her, the girl's arms around the wolf's side.
"So you gave her a big fluffy pillow." she said and he chuckled.
"Jealous Just Margaery?" he said smirking.
"Very much so, Just Jon."
"Thank you for today, for sticking up for her."
"Always." she said and then exhaled deeply when he took her hand.
"I'm sorry we've not spent as much time together as I'd have liked."
"Jon, I..the prince, you know why I've had to?" she asked nervously.
"What? Did you think I..Marge I understand, I may not like it, but I understand."
"You may not like it?" she said cheekily.
"I very much don't like it." he said and she felt his fingers entwine with her own "Remember what I told you about dancing?" he asked and the fact his fingers were now softly caressing her palm made her unable to think straight.
"No..I…"
"One day we'd be able to dance in public, with no fear of anyone seeing, do you remember that?"
"Aye, I do." she smiled.
"One day, we'll be able to be who we are Margaery, just you and I, with no one able to tell us how we should act when we're together, no one to tell us to hide how we feel."
"Jon, grandmother."
"Is right, for today, but one day." he said leaning forward.
"One day." she said and he kissed her, this one far better than their first, almost as if they were learning about each other, about what they liked, what they felt and she couldn't help but think that one day they could do this whenever they wished.