Highgarden 295 AC.
Jaime.
While he along with the rest of the crowd had cheered Jon's win, he unlike most hadn't been surprised when he didn't turn up for the feast. He had heard later that Jon had met Joy in her room for their story and that he had spoken briefly to Margaery, but Jaime knew what it was that was on his king's mind. Getting up early the next morning he kissed his wife, checked on Joanna, and made his way to the sparring yard.
He found him with Arthur and Ghost, Jon turning and twisting as he brought his sword to various parts of the training dummy. Walking over he grabbed a tourney sword and took his position waiting for Jon to notice him. When he did Jaime tapped the ground three times and they began, Jon putting even more effort and power into each swing. Had he not already expected Jon's upset then he'd have thought it unusual, but even Arthur was getting more and more used to Jon's routines.
"My cousins were singing your praises last night." Jaime said.
"They shouldn't" Jon replied.
"No they should, what you did to Hardyng, Tion enjoyed it immensely."
"Oh." Jon said and it was even more clear now that Jaime had been right.
"Have you your gift for Margaery?" he asked and Jon's swing lost some of its power.
"Aye, I don't know when to give it to her though, before or after."
"Not during?"
"People would talk." Jon said as his movements began to quicken.
"Let them talk, your sister is fostering with her Jon, Loras, and your friendship is known, gifting her on her nameday would not be thought of how you think." Jaime said and saw Jon nod.
He had noticed it yesterday and it was even more clear this morning but Jon was getting even faster, as he looked up at he expression on his face though Jaime was taken aback. The blow that Jon caught him with next surprised them both, so much so that Jon actually stopped to look at him and Jaime found he was was once again face to face with a ghost.
"My lord?"
"Walk with me Jon." he said trying to shake the image of the prince from his head.
They walked through the gardens, Ghost running off ahead of them to check no one was in there way he suspected. When they reached the secluded area he sat down, Jon deciding to stand and for a few moments there was silence before eventually, Jon began to speak.
"I messed up." Jon said resignedly.
"You did."
"I was so concentrated on Martyn especially given what had happened with Tion, I was so focussed on him that I couldn't protect them."
"Protect who?" he asked though he knew full well.
"Loras, Robb, Cregan I left them alone, I wasn't there for them." Jon said with a sigh as he looked to the ground
"You're not supposed to be." he said and Jon's head snapped back up to look at him.
"I am, of course, I am, they're my friends."
"Who are old enough to protect themselves, Arthur who do you protect in a fight?"
"The king." Arthur said simply.
"Even at the risk to everyone else?" Jon asked and Jaime was surprised as he knew that Jon wasn't that naïve.
"Your life is the most important." Arthur said.
"It's not, Loras, Robb, Cregan, if that was a real fight I'd have lost them." Jon said.
"If that was a real fight you'd be dead." Arthur said and Jaime looked at him.
"You should have concentrated on your own safety first and foremost "Jaime said and he shook his head when Jon went to speak "No you need to learn this and learn it now, of course, you protect your friends. If you are able you protect them but Jon you can't do so at the cost of yourself, not even in a mock fight like a melee."
"They are my friends, my blood." Jon said angrily.
"They are old enough to fight and compete, do you think they blame you for their losses?"
"They should." Jon said looking to the ground again.
"No, you deserve blame for what you did but not because they lost, you deserve blame because you almost did so too." Jaime said.
"I don't understand." Jon said looking to him.
"Arthur and I were brothers." he said and then quickly added when Arthur looked at him "Are brothers."
"In a fight I would try to protect my brother, but not at the expense of the king, nor even my own life." Arthur said.
"Was it that way at the Tower of Joy?" Jon asked.
"I saw Gerold fall and then saw Oswell fall, I couldn't reach them, I needed to fight the men in front of me because there was something far more important that I needed to be alive to protect." Arthur said softly.
"Me." Jon said resignedly.
"You." Arthur said a smile on his face.
"When I was sitting in the Throne Room I had thought I'd done what was needed, I didn't think, had I then…"
"It's not your fault." Jon said reaching out and putting his hand on his shoulder.
"Aye, just as your friends falling is not yours Jon."
"I… its in me Jaime, Arthur, I can feel it, I need to do it. I don't know how to stop it, but I can't lose anyone else, I can't." Jon said shaking his head.
He grabbed him then and held him tightly, Jon not sobbing but he could feel the need coming off him, feel his breathing at first quickly and then as it calmed down. No matter how many times he tried to teach him this lesson it hadn't taken and he wondered if he needed a different tack. For now, though he just gave the boy the comfort he could, knowing that this as much as anything was what Jon needed.
It was Jon who moved from him and he was pleased to see the smile appear on his face. As he told him then that the boy he'd faced last was a Bolton squired in the Vale, Jaime saw a gleam in Jon's eye.
"What?" he asked wondering what plan he had.
"He gives us an in to the Vale." Jon said "Just like Beric does in the Stormlands."
"Beric?" he asked confused for a moment.
"Aye, Lord Beric is to marry Arthur's sister, his squire is Arthur's nephew. He's a good man and I've spoken to him more than once."
"Dondarrion?"
"Aye."
"What are you planning?" he asked with a chuckle.
"With Beric I've simply invited him to the Rock, we could perhaps give him some trade and feel him out. I saw how he looked at Joffrey and I doubt he wishes to serve such a king."
"And with the Bolton?"
"That's more difficult, but I think we could bring him on board. Even if it doesn't do anything for us in the Vale, the Bolton's are one of my uncle's strongest Bannerman, Roose is not a pleasant man, his heir may be better."
"Speak to Richard about them both before you make any plans Jon, let him take a look into them. What do you plan to do about the Blackfish?"
"I don't know, with Bran squired to him and now with Bran and Myrcella to be wed, I think we need to bring him in but you know his house words?" Jon asked.
"Family, Duty, Honor." he replied.
"Aye and Family comes first." he said and Jaime nodded.
"Jon about the melee." Jaime said.
"I understand, you're not the first person or even the second." Jon said looking to Arthur "Who'd told me I was a fool." he chuckled.
"As your Hand it's my duty to do so." he said with a small laugh himself.
"Thank you." Jon said looking to him and Jaime knew he meant for more than the talk.
"Come, let's break our fast, that wolf of yours is looking at me as if I was a piece of bacon, or gods forbid a sausage." he said with a laugh.
He would speak to Oberyn and get him to reinforce the point also. If they had to do it every day he fought then they would as he needed to know, the only thing he should take from a fight was his life, even if it cost others theirs.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Jojen.
He'd not had much of a chance to spend time with Jon since he'd arrived here, Loras he had and he and Meera had both met with Cregan. His sister despite there being a tourney on and her own interest in fighting had spent more time with Sansa and the other girls, and had met both Margaery and Joy. But Jon seemed to have no time and he felt a little upset that he'd not gotten to speak to him.
Even now as he walked with him he was a bit annoyed knowing that the reason he'd come to him wasn't to spend time with him, or to ask how he was, but because he wished his help. As they walked through the gardens with Walder and Jors behind him Jojen tried to put these feelings to one side but found it hard to do so.
"I know." Jon said and Jojen turned to look at him.
"What?"
"That I've not spent time with you, with Meera, that I've not been the best friend." Jon said sadly.
"Jon."
"No, I know, I wish I could say it'll be different or that I'm sorry, which I am. It's just, gods Jojen the time, I've no time. I'm not even there yet and I've no time."
"It's alright."
"No it isn't, I've been no good to anyone while I've been here. You know I came here hoping to spend time with Margaery and I've spent less time with her than I did when she came to the Rock. It's her nameday, she's who we came here for and I've spent less time with her than I did when she came to mine."
"I understand, I had hoped that Lyarra would be here." he said and blushed.
"You've kept in touch?" Jon said as they walked further into the gardens.
"Aye, I had hoped the Greatjon would have brought her with them but he didn't"
"Looks like we both didn't get what we wished for from this trip." Jon said and he couldn't help but chuckle.
"You should come to Greywater Watch." he said a moment later.
"I'd like that, we should arrange that, Jojen I'm sorry can you tell Meera from me that I'm sorry?"
"Aye."
The area he'd walked him to was empty but quite open and Jojen saw Lord Stark, Sansa, Robb, Arya, and Bran sitting there along with the wolves. He was surprised to see Lady Jonelle was there also but thought nothing of it, as they walked closer he saw Sansa was playing with a small brown bird and he looked to see Jon was as surprised as he.
"It seems someone started without us." Jon said and Sansa opened her eyes as the bird flew away.
"It seems someone never told me I could fly too." Sansa said and Jon chuckled.
"Lord Stark, Jojen will help when you head back, he and Meera and Lord Reed will join you and he'll give you the instructions that I can't. Listen to him and do as he says, he knows more of this than any of you." Jon said looking to Arya and Bran and then to him.
"Are you going to teach us to be a wart?" Bran asked.
"It's a warg stupid." Arya said laughing.
"That's what I said a Warg." Bran said emphasizing the last word.
"Aye, I'm going to try and then Jojen will teach you how to manage it better."
Jojen sat down with Arya and Bran while Jon sat down with his uncle, brother, and sister, as he looked at the two he thought on to what Jon said, to the doors and how he had just opened them.
"Close your eyes." he said and they both did so "Now I want you to think of your wolves, think of what they look like, of what they might be looking at."
He looked on as both tried and failed to do so, Arya opening one eye to look to see where Nymeria was before closing it again and then saying what she'd seen with her open eye.
"You can't look at it Arya, you need to think it, to imagine it, can you see it yet?"
"No." she said clearly frustrated.
"Bran?"
"I can see it, Summer is rolling in the grass." Bran said and Jojen turned to see the wolf was doing just that.
"Good now look closer, can you see a door?"
"Aye, it's open, I'm walking inside." Bran said.
The boy's eyes shot open a moment later and he looked almost scared as he looked at Jojen, backing up slightly in the grass.
"Bran are you alright?" Jonelle said moving to him.
"I saw it, I saw the grass through Summer's eyes." he said almost fearfully.
"That's good Bran, there's nothing to be scared about." Jonelle said and Jojen watched as Bran looked to the woman and then to him.
"There isn't?" he asked doubtfully.
"No, it's not, it's a good thing, now let's try again." Jojen said.
It was soon clear that the boy was a natural, something that surprisingly Arya was not. After a few moments where he couldn't get Arya to concentrate he gave up, rising to his feet he walked over to Jon and whispered in his ear. Jon it seemed was having more luck then he, Robb had Grey Wind licking his hand while Lord Stark sat with a smile on his face. Sansa he could only guess was flying and he hoped Jon spoke to her about that, you could get lost in the clouds very easily while you were warged in a bird.
As Jon walked over to speak to Bran and Arya he waited until the others opened their eyes and spent the next couple of hours showing them how to better use their connection. He then explained how the more they warged the easier it became and told them he'd speak to them more when they traveled. Looking over to Jon and then to Arya who was clearly in her wolf at that point, he wondered if it was Jon's own magic or whether he was just more in tune with warging than he.
Whatever the reason, it was clear he'd helped Arya when he could not but maybe that was because he understood his sister better, maybe he knew how to get through to her more so than Jojen did. By the time they'd headed back to the keep he was hungry and had greatly enjoyed spending the day with the Starks and his friend, he hoped Meera's day was as good also and that Jon would soon take him up on his offer to come to the Neck.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Wyman.
While he loved feasts even he was getting tired of them, the one the day the tourney ended, the one the next night and the next and the soon to be the end feast, and then finally the nameday one for Lady Margaery. Though at least that one and the end feast would be different, as it was he woke up and felt barely able to move. True he'd over indulged the night before and he shook his head as he really should know better.
He dressed and went to break his fast, for once not eating, and as he was sitting down he saw Jon walk in and surprisingly coming to his table rather than the Lannister's one. After asking if he could be seated and receiving a nod from him, Jon took a seat next to Wylla though a little away from Wynafred and he couldn't help but chuckle at boys and their sense of honor.
"What brings you to my table Jon? not that we don't welcome the visit."
"I fear I've been most neglectful my lord, all the hospitality you've shown me, and yet I've not supped with you once during the tourney."
"It's understandable Jon, you did have a melee to win after all." he said with a laugh which both Wylis and Jon returned.
"Well I think it's been most remiss of you Jon, a girl may think you dislike her or have forgotten that we're friends." Wylla said smirking.
"Perish the thought my lady." Jon said and he saw his granddaughter smile more fully "I never forget my friends, which is yet another reason for my coming to your table my lord."
"It is?"
"Aye, I was wondering do you have plans for lunch?" Jon asked and he had to resist the urge to smirk himself as Jon's expression made it clear this wasn't to be an ordinary lunch.
"I'm sure my plans could be changed."
"Then I'll have Jors escort you to the summer garden, my lord, I'm sure you'll find the lunch enlightening."
"I'm sure I will."
After saying his goodbyes to both Wylla and Wynafred and congratulating his granddaughter on her betrothal, saying how happy he was that he'd soon be able to call the Manderley's kin, something which made Wyman's chest puff out in pride. Wyman watched as instead of going to his table Jon sat with more of the Northern Lords and seemed to pay attention to one young lad in particular.
"Wylis, that boy, who is he?" he asked his son not recognizing the boy Jon was speaking to.
"That's Roose's lad, Jon beat him in the finale, Domeric."
Roose's heir, that was interesting as his father hadn't come here or left the Dreadfort in a long while. He resolved to find out more about the boy and had he been anyone else's son other than Roose Bolton's he may have asked Wylla to speak to him, but he'd not have his granddaughter near a flayed man if he could help it.
Wyman found he rest of the morning seemed to crawl along, he met with Kevan and spoke of the deal they were doing with the Velaryons. Kevan wondering why they were giving them such a large cut before they then spoke on Raymun Darry. The king had wished them both brought into the Essosi trade and had promised that whatever shortfall they found wouldn't come from his end or Kevan's for long.
"You know why he wishes this Kevan."
"Aye, I know, it just seems like we're giving them coin, even the ships Aurane has brought to us don't compare to our own."
"Which is why we have them doing runs down the Essos coast, we're not losing much on this and you know Jon, if he says we'll earn it back then I believe him."
"I do too, its just gods have you seen the hat?" Kevan asked and Wyman laughed loudly.
"And here I had thought to buy you one similar." he said and Kevan laughed this time "We should both get one, even if only for the next time we meet with him."
"Aye we should Wyman, you should come visit Lannisport Wyman, I'm sure Dorna would love to have you to our home."
"I will, we'll arrange it soon you have my word on it Kevan." Wyman said as they were interrupted by Jors "I need to go, we'll speak later Kevan?"
"Aye." Kevan said with a nod.
He followed after Jon's guard, walking down the corridor and then out to a garden, finding Jon sitting at a table with Lady Olenna and her grandson all three of them speaking softly. It was Jon himself who noticed him first and rose to his feet, Wyman bidding the older woman and the young man to remain seated as he took his own.
"Lord Wyman, may I introduce you to Lady Olenna and Lord Willas Tyrell."
"My lady, Lord Willas."
"Lord Manderly." the young man said as the Queen of Thorns just looked at him.
"You can of course speak freely here my lord, you're among friends." Jon said trying to put him at ease, not that he needed to.
"Of course Jon, I'm puzzled though as to the nature of this meeting?" he asked.
"I believe you and Lady Olenna can both help each other out my lord, the Reach's goods I have no doubt would be much appreciated in Essos, and given the way the Ice cabins work they are now much more easily transported."
"Aye, I could see how that would work." he said his mind turning over the possibilities.
"I'm sure that both of you and Lord Willas can come to an arrangement that is mutually beneficial my lord. I hope you'll forgive me if I don't stay." Jon said standing up and he bid them all to keep their seats as he walked away.
Wyman found that the lady wished them to have their lunch before they discussed business, though it was soon clear from her questions that she was also taking the measure of him. The small barbs at his weight soon stopped and whatever test she had put him through he had clearly passed.
"Jon thinks very highly of you Lord Wyman." Olenna said looking at him.
"As do I him my lady."
"I believe congratulations are in order my lord, Jon told us of his brother and your granddaughter." Lord Willas said.
"A happy match my lord, much like Jon's own." he said and saw Olenna smirk.
"I think the verbal jousting can be dispensed with Wyman." Olenna said.
"It can Olenna."
"Our own fruits and the Arbor's wines along with grains and some other items would be best to start with I would think." Olenna said.
"I'd keep the grain my lady, the fruits though there is a large market for, the wine also, for yourself though perhaps the fruits would be best." he said offering her the chance for House Tyrell's greatest profit.
"It would but we must share the wealth Wyman, I think Jon wishes for us all to prosper."
"He does." he said with a smile.
By the time he was done he'd organized a truly incredible deal, the Lannisters too would benefit as they would use both his and Kevan's ships, four in total on this route alone. Working it out in his head when he walked back to his room to prepare for the end feast that night, Wyman would more than treble the outlay they were giving Raymun and Monford.
Jon once again proving true to his word and if the demand increased, something which he had no doubt it would, the ice trade in Essos being a good example of that, then it would be far more before it was done. He found himself whistling as he dressed, growing strong Olenna had called it and he couldn't agree more, it had been all he had been doing since the Tourney of Lannisport.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Oberyn.
He had spoken to his nephew after Jaime had asked him but he had gone a different way about it, instead using Ellaria to get his point across. His paramour was far better at while not making the boy feel guilty, putting across just how important he was to all of them. Not just he as the king, but Jon, the boy he was and the man he would be, Oberyn had only needed to sit back and watch.
" Are you to be so careless with your life in a true fight nephew?" Ellaria said.
" I.."
" Has our family not lost enough? You are all that remains, you are Elia and Aegon and Rhaenys, you are Rhaegar and Lyanna, Jon if you fall then it was all for nothing." Ellaria said.
" They are my friends, is it not right I try to protect them?"
" What of how we'd feel if you fall Jon? What of Margaery?" Ellaria said and even Oberyn looked to her but just saw her shaking her head and so he said nothing " Forget that there are those who wish to see you crowned nephew, there are those of us who wish to see you grow old and have a family of your own."
" I'm sorry aunt."
" Good, now next time you will think more clearly, don't upset me, nephew. I may seem nice but I'm really not." Ellaria said before hugging Jon and smiling at him over the boy's head.
" You are nice. Fierce but nice." Jon whispered and Oberyn saw Ellaria kiss the boy's cheek.
He had to hand it to her the boy who had left their room was certainly more aware of how his being harmed affected those around him. When he had asked her about why she had gone so heavy, Ellaria just laughed, unlike Obara, Jon would actually listen to her she had said. Seeing him now at the end feast he could see that the boy had clearly done that.
Around the room the feast felt different, more like there was a reason for it compared to some of the ones they'd attended while here. Giving that the prize's and each of the champions would be honored and that it was almost time to depart Highgarden, he himself had looked more forward to it.
Nym and Tyene were flirting with some knights of the Stormlands and Lord Renly was sitting with the Tyrells making conversation with a clearly bored Margaery. While Obara sat with them beside the Lords of the North, both Ellaria and he finding the northerners far more pleasant company than some of the others. The Lannister's had treated his paramour as she deserved to be treated, Lady Olenna too had treated her well, Mace though be it because of him or his own bigotry had not.
"Your graces, my Lord and Ladies, it's time for the prize giving." a herald said before calling up Prince Jalabhar to collect his prize for winning the archery.
"I thank you Lord Tyrell, your graces." Jalabhar said the note for 5,000 gold dragons in his hand.
He watched then as Jon walked up to collect his prize for the horse race, Willas standing up to present it.
"Congratulations to you Jon, perhaps a stallion to go with your mare?" Willas asked and handed Jon the note for the 1,000 gold dragons that he was sure his nephew would find some way to gift away, the small dagger he now carried just one example of Jon's generosity.
"I thank you, my lord, I believe a stallion to be most welcome." Jon said as he walked back to his seat.
It was Walder's turn next with 10,000 gold dragons his prize, though it was the respect of the warriors in the room the man had truly earned and it was Ser Garlan who presented this prize.
"Well done Ser Walder, I think I speak for all in this room when I say it was an incredible performance." Ser Garlan said handing him the note.
"I thank you Ser Garlan." Walder said humbly.
"Ser Walder, your king wishes to speak to you." Robert said and Oberyn almost laughed loudly at the ridiculousness of the statement, the fat stag no more Walder's king than he was his.
"Your grace?" Walder said looking to Robert.
"A fine performance Ser, were you guarding any other man than Ned's lad I'd ask you to join the Kingsguard." Robert said to excited whispers of those thinking they'd see a new one cloaked.
"Were I guarding anyone else your grace then I would consider it, but my grandmother's last wish was for me to protect a lad she thought of as kin, and so my life is sworn to another."
"Then the realms loss is young Jon's gain Ser Walder and I and his father can rest easy knowing that you stand at his back."
"Your grace." Walder said with a small bow.
The king then got up to go do what he far too loudly said was a piss and so they had to wait until he returned, though he then surprised them all when he did so and didn't take his seat. When Jon walked up to collect his second prize even Oberyn could feel the tension in the room, the way the king was looking at him forcing both his and Arthur's hands to their hips.
"I asked Lord Tyrell to allow me to present this prize myself, so forgive me for not taking my seat." the king said to a quietened room "A few years ago I saw a boy fight in a squires duel and at no more than six namedays show his mettle. Lord Jaime told me then that these boys were the future, these were the future knights of the realm."
He looked on as Ser Barristan walked to the king and as he pulled out his sword and handed it to Robert.
"Jon Snow, your king asks you to take a knee." he watched then as Jon looked to Barristan who nodded and then did as the king bid "Rise Ser Jon, Rise now as a Knight of the Realm." the king said and tapped him on both shoulders.
He, Jon, Arthur, Jaime, all of them looked on in disbelief, he saw Jon's sisters smiling broadly and saw Margaery subtly wipe her eyes but it was Jon's expression which he'd remember later. While he smiled Oberyn could see it was forced, his teeth pressing down hard on themselves. He was sure it was only the sound of the clapping that covered the grinding of the boy's teeth or the stiffness of his words when he spoke.
"I thank you, your grace, for this honor." Jon said and Oberyn was relieved to see the broad smile on Robert's face and the fact he looked to Ned Stark more than Jon after it.
"It is we who are honored, Ser Jon." Robert then said.
Robert handed Barristan back his sword and slapped Jon hard on the back before walking back to the table. The rest of the night passed quickly, Jon seemed almost lost in his head, so much so that Ellaria got worried about him. They were speaking on it in his room after the feast had ended when the knock came to the door.
"Prince Oberyn, if you'd follow me." Jors said softly.
He followed him outside walking through the corridors and out into the garden, surprised to see Ghost sitting there waiting for them. All three of them then walking to the secluded area at the back and when he got there he saw Jon, Arthur, Jaime, and Ser Barristan and it was clear Jon was angry.
"Good you made it." Jaime said and he nodded to him before looking to Jon "Kneel." Jaime said to Jon and Oberyn looked as confused as his nephew did "Kneel.".
"Why?" Jon asked and Jaime just put his hand on the boy's shoulder and he then did as he was bid while Jaime took his sword out.
"Jaehaerys Targaryen, In the name of the warrior I charge you to be brave. In the name of the father I charge you to be just. In the name of the Mother I charge you to defend the young and the innocent and In the name of the maid I charge you to protect all women. Arise Ser Jaehaerys a true knight of the realm." Jaime said as he placed his sword back in his hilt.
"Thank you." Jon said and Oberyn could see the tears in his nephew's eyes.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Renly.
His squire took his nipple in his mouth, the boy's lips and tongue sending a surge straight to his groin and he felt himself stiffen, but the day was upon them and the keep was far too busy. Noises in the night were one thing, as they would be drowned out by the other noises, noises in the quietness of the early morn however would not. So reluctantly he moved the boy from his chest and kissed his lips before rising.
As he dressed he looked back at the bed and saw the boy's pert arse uncovered, the sheet having fallen off him and he sighed wishing it was still night or that he was back in Storm's End. As he finished dressing he told the boy to get up and get ready for the day, and as he did so Renly found himself thinking that there was nothing so beautiful or so tempting in this world as a boy on the cusp of manhood.
His squire was one of Lady Mertyn's grandsons, the youngest and prettiest of them all, a lad of three and ten Namedays, Michael had come into his service less than a year ago and into his bed not long after. He only wished it had been sooner and then he'd not be in the predicament that he now was. Once they were both ready they walked to break their fasts and he knew that the mockingbird would come to call not long after.
"My lord you seem troubled." Michael said and Renly just shook his head.
"No, it's just the early morning and not being fully awake." he said and they walked into the room.
Taking his seat he looked to see Margaery sitting with the Starks, Lannisters, her brother, and the new knight. His eyes going from Loras to Jon Snow, both were handsome boys he felt, and while at first, it was Loras who had grabbed his attention it soon became the Stark bastard who did so. No boy should look that pretty he thought and sighed before he then smelt the mint behind him.
"Lord Renly."
"Lord Baelish, come join us." he said reluctantly.
"I will my lord, thank you." Littlefinger said taking a seat "A fine tourney was it not, surprising in so many ways." Littlefinger said.
"It was, I long to return home though my lord, I find the time here to seem almost endless."
"It has been long, but worthwhile I hope, besides we could never miss the Lady's Nameday feast after accepting her family's hospitality for so long now could we?" Littlefinger said pointedly.
"Of course not my lord."
"I assume you purchased a suitably impressive gift my lord?" Littlefinger said looking at him.
"I hope so, though it seems my attempts to impress the lady have at least been more successful than the prince's." he said with a smirk.
"For now my lord, though I shall be most pleased if you prove true."
Watching the man leave he cursed ever getting involved with him, cursed his attraction, and the lengths he'd gone to deny it. It had been bad enough not being able to perform with the girl, but when he became aroused upon seeing her brother the brothel keeper had quickly pounced.
" We never judge, nor do we deny what our clients request Lord Renly, we are here to provide a service, to indulge their desires and to help them fulfill their greatest wishes." Littlefinger had said with a smile.
Fulfill them he had, over and over again and when Littlefinger asked for a favor he knew he was fucked. Were he being blackmailed over a woman then he could go to Robert, his brother would have taken the man's head, he had even considered sending men after him himself, but in the end, had relented.
" Get close to the rose, they wish to be tied to the royal family and you're a member are you not, get close to her, offer the betrothal and all of this goes away. Do this right my lord and you remain in my favor and there are delights I can offer you've not even thought of."
" And if I do it wrong?" he asked worriedly.
" Lord Renly, we really don't need to think about that now do we."
As he watched Littlefinger walk away he saw Margaery laugh at something Jon Snow said he knew he was far closer to failure than success. When he saw the boy smile and saw Margaery touch his shoulder he felt his jealousy rise, not at the boy, but at the girl as he wished the hand to be his.
"I dislike that man." Michael said when Littlefinger had left the room.
"Everyone dislikes that man, come eat up, we have a long day ahead of us and I feel myself up for a ride."
"That quiet place by the stream my lord?" Michael asked eagerly.
"Aye, I think so."
It took them another hour to get their horses ready and he, Michael and his guards rode out, and soon he was glad of the solitude. He was surprised no one came here, that so lost were they in the keep and the gardens they missed the beauty of this place, the serenity. They crossed the stream and after leaving his guards outside they entered into the cave, the dark pool at the back their destination once again.
He was undressing before he reached it, Michael was even quicker than he and within a moment they were covered in the cool water, the boy swimming towards him. As he felt his lips on his, as he felt his hand on his chest he couldn't help but think that it would be nice to stay in this cave forever.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Margaery.
As she broke her fast laughing and japing with Jon, Loras, and the rest she thought this was her best nameday by far. Not only was she looking forward to the feast later, knowing that she'd get her presents and her dance with Jon, but it was also the fact of being able to spend the whole day with him and with her friends.
Despite not needing to spend time with the prince, and not being forced to because of how he acted, she had still needed to act proper. So she and Jon had been close but not too close and she had instead of spending all her time with her friends, done as she was bid and played the gracious hostess. She found out quickly though that some of the people she had to be with were either dull or had their own agendas.
"Right, shall we go for our ride?" Jon asked.
"Aye, that sounds like a fine idea." Loras said both boys looking to her.
"You would have me ride dressed like this?" she said smirking.
"Hmm, yes on second thoughts hands up who thinks we should leave Margaery behind?" Jon said and she glowered at him, even more, when Joy raised her hand up and giggled.
"Very well then since I'm not wanted." she said pretending to be hurt.
"Oh please forgive us my lady, why only a day a knight and I'm already failing to protect the fair maiden, whatever shall I do" Jon said and she giggled as she slapped his shoulder finding her hand unwilling to leave it.
"I and the rest of these fair ladies will make ready, you boys can look after the horses as penance for Jon's laxity." she said to giggles from the girls and frowns from the boys, Jon smirking at her prompting her to stick her tongue out at him as they left.
When they arrived outside she was happy to see all the horses lined up and so she, Sansa, Mira, her cousins, Arya, Lyanna, and Joy along with Wynafred and Wylla mounted and the party set off. They wouldn't be riding too far but all in all there was a rather large group, and pretty soon they began to separate into smaller ones.
Ahead of her Joy was trying to get Arya and Lyanna to race her, Cregan and Robb rode with Wynafred and Wylla while Loras spoke to Sansa, Mira, and her cousins. Leaving her alone to speak to Jon who rode close to her, her true knight now and she still couldn't help but smile at that. She had been so happy for him even when he himself was not and after he told her why and what had happened later she found him more willing to celebrate.
Something they had done early the next morning by taking a few far too brief moments together to walk through her favorite parts of Highgarden's gardens. Now as he brought Winter even closer she began to wonder what gift he had gotten her, knowing that he had gotten her something special.
"What?" she said when she caught him looking at her.
"You're so pretty when you're thinking." Jon said and she looked at him with her eyebrow raised and her lopsided smile on her face.
"I'm not sure I like you putting limits on my prettiness." she said and he laughed loudly.
"As if anyone could." he said when he was done.
"So, have you gotten me a present?" she asked teasingly.
"A present? For why my lady is there some event coming up which would require me to do so?" he said looking at her his face blank.
"Jon."
"Margaery."
"Jon." she said and they both began to laugh.
"Of course I got you a present Just Margaery." he said then and she began to wonder what it could be.
"May I ask what it may be Just Jon?."
"You may ask, I'll not tell but you may ask." he said and she giggled.
The rest of the day was spent playing around, Jon told them all the story of good queen Alysanne and she found herself entranced as the others were in how he told it. She like the rest of the girls almost swooned as he described what Jaehaeyrs and Alysanne had together, her eyes searching for his throughout and finding him looking at her each time.
She was almost unwilling to head back to the Highgarden when the time came, but Jon whispered in her ear that she'd not get her present if she did not and so she reluctantly agreed.
"I look forward to our dance Just Margaery." he said later as they walked towards her room.
"As do I Just Jon." she said looking around and seeing they were alone she then leaned forward to kiss his lips.
The dress she had made was already laid out and after taking a warm bath and calling for the maids, she was joined by her mother who would be doing her hair herself. She felt nervous when she walked to the Grand Hall, the King, and Queen standing in front of her, the prince off to one side. While she'd not be sitting with him, protocol demanded he accompany her and so she stood beside him but she refused his arm when offered.
Taking her seat she looked around to find Jon and soon saw him, his hair was tied back and she wished to run and grab whatever it was he used to do so, instead though she found herself looking at his face, seeing him smiling at her and so forgot about his hair for now. The courses were her favorites and she sent the first course down to her friends, knowing she could get away with it as it was her nameday.
"You look incredible my dear." her father said leaning in close and she turned and kissed his cheek.
"Thank you father, for this, it's wonderful." she said and he blushed and blustered and so she kissed his cheek once again.
All too soon the time came for her presents, the King and Queen gave her a small but exquisite jewelry box which she thanked them for. Her father gave her a matching necklace and earrings set and her grandmother gave her a beautifully drawn book. Willas gave her a set of prize hawks and Garlan and Leonette an absolutely incredible tapestry. As the gifts piled up she found herself looking forward to her friend's presents and it was Sansa who came up first.
"Lady Margaery, I hope you like it and accept this gift from someone most happy to call you a friend."
"I thank you Lady Sansa." she said as she opened the package, the lace inside was so delicate it could barely be seen.
Her friend had made her shawl covered with both golden and blue roses, the winter rose of the North, and as she looked at it she began to see a pattern. She thanked her once again and brought the shawl to her lap so it was out of sight and when she fixed it into how it would be worn she smiled beamingly. How she had done it she didn't know, but the roses formed a garland, a crown of winter ones with the golden ones leading up to it.
Loras gave her a comb and brush, both were silver yet engraved with the golden rose and as she lifted them she felt how incredibly light they were. As he walked back to his seat it was then that she saw him, and she felt her heart almost stop in anticipation as she looked at the box in his hand.
"Lady Margaery, in honor of you Nameday I hope you like it." Jon said and she knew his simplicity of words was due to those around them.
"I thank you Ser Jon." she said and smiled as she opened it.
The pin was ivory and had a green and blue gemstone set in the middle of it, it was incredibly pretty and yet she felt a little disappointed, she smiled and looked to Jon to see he was watching her intently. Knowing there was something she was missing she took the pin and placed it on her dress and saw him smile back at her as he walked to his table.
She was glad by the time the dancing started, though annoyed it took so long to finally get to dance with Jon. She had needed to endure a dance with the prince, the first of the night, and then a dance with Lord Renly who's tiara seemed an odd choice for a gift to her mind. Though his conversation with her was more annoying than that, and when Jon strode forward after their dance she was almost happy to see the glare he directed at the lord.
"I do not like that man." Jon said as they danced.
"I wonder why." she said back with a giggle forcing his attention to turn to her.
"Can we meet later, there's something I wish to do?" he asked and she nodded "I'll send Jors when it's clear."
"Thank you for your gift." she said smiling.
"Do you like it?"
"I do it's.."
"Simple." he said and though she wished not to she found herself agreeing "I have so few things which belonged to my family, even less of them that could be gifted. That pin is one of them, it belonged to Shiera Seastar and she gifted it to the man she loved, Brynden Rivers. When I met with my uncle at the wall he gave me that and some other things."
She almost felt herself begin to cry and so instead she placed her head on his shoulder and she closed her eyes, he had been even more thoughtful than ever and given her something he could or would give no one else. While the music played and she danced she found herself thinking about his gift, even more, his gift one of love.
Highgarden 295 AC.
Jon.
Since the victory in the melee he had rushed around as if he had no time whatsoever, fitting in so much over the next few days that he had barely had time to catch a breath. He had spoken to Beric and to Domeric Bolton, inviting both to Casterly Rock, he and Richard had gone over some plans and he'd tried to meet with as many people as he could.
While Robert was a king who didn't do his duty, Jon had found out to his dismay that the duty left no time for anything else. He knew he would need to organize his time better, he and Jaime would need to sit down and discuss things and he would need to delegate even more than he had already done so.
On top of that though he had been feeling guilty over not being with his friends when they had needed him in the melee, something that they, Jaime, Oberyn, and even his uncle Ned had all told him he was being stupid about. He got their points, he really did but it didn't make it feel any lesser to him, he didn't feel any less guilty until Ellaria pointed out what it was that he risked.
After that he began to understand it a little better, though he then found himself blindsided by being named a knight by a man he had no respect and quite a bit of hatred for. He had been ashamed to kneel in front of the man and he wondered if he was now to wear his knighthood as a badge of that shame, but after Jaime knighted him later that night he had explained it to him.
" Jon Snow doesn't exist, he's who you've been forced to be and his knighthood means whatever you wish it to. Jaehaerys Targaryen is who you are, he is my king and I knighted him because no man deserves it more than he."
So he had welcomed it and when people called him Ser it was to Jaime he looked, he also knew that it gave him even more of an opportunity in regards to Tommen, that he had now been knighted by his father made it even more likely he could get the boy as his squire.
Tonight though all of that seemed forgotten, instead as it always was it was Margaery he found himself thinking on, his gift had been warmly received but he knew it had confused her and he wished to speak to her on it.
"You could at least pretend you wish to dance with me."
"I could also ask Arya to dance instead." he said and Sansa glared at him.
"No, you promised me more than one dance and you're a knight now and knights can't break promises to ladies." she said as she stuck her tongue out at him.
"You are a lady tonight, not a little bird?" he said and she looked at him.
"I wasn't…"
"Sansa, I saw you, I know it's tempting but you can't, and more than that you shouldn't do it all the time."
"I know Jon, it's just..How do you not?" she asked her voice full of genuine curiosity.
"I only do it when it needs to be done, I check in on Ghost every so often and I keep the links attached, but I don't do it for fun it's too dangerous."
"Dangerous?" she asked worriedly.
"Not with Ghost or Fang, we're tied to them and they are to us, but with other animals, birds especially."
"Why birds?"
"We can see things down here all the time, even though the wolves have better vision or smell and our own is heightened when we're with them, we can still understand it, but we can't fly so…" he said letting her figure it out for herself.
"So when we do we can get lost in it."
"Aye, so be careful, I prefer my sister to a little bird." he said with a chuckle.
"I will." Sansa said kissing his cheek.
He eventually got his chance to dance with Margaery and seeing her wear the pin made him long to tell her the truth of it, even though his mind had been racing all day with the thoughts of another truth. She had been surprised at the story and he knew then she had been initially disappointed with the gift, but thankfully once he'd explained she had welcomed it. The rest of the night went by in a blur and all he could think of was of meeting her later, of seeing her there and of what he wished to say and do.
Laying on his bed he went searching for his sister, finding her and Lygaron to be sleeping in the cave and both were happy to feel Tyrion's presence near them. He didn't speak to Rhaenix and instead allowed her to rest, he instead getting up and dressing, the red shirt and black outfit was one he'd not worn in some time. Once ready he left his room sending Ghost and Jors to Margaery's while he and Walder walked outside the keep.
"You are sure of this Jon?" Walder asked.
"I am, you can do it?"
"I can if you're sure." Walder said and he nodded relaxing the man.
When Jors and Margaery met up with them he leaned in and whispered in her ear, after which she looked him in the eye and nodded before she moved forward to kiss him. Holding her hand they walked through the gardens and eventually made it to their destination, the Three Singers seemed to shine in the moonlight and leaving Margaery with Jors he walked and took his place, Walder standing in front of him.
"Who comes before the old gods this night?" Walder said keeping his voice low though it still echoed loudly in the quietness of the night. Jon turned his head and looked back a few feet away to see Margaery and Jors standing there.
"Margaery of House Tyrell comes here to be wed, a woman grown, trueborn and noble she comes to beg the blessings of the gods. Who comes to claim her?" Jors said.
"Jaehaerys of House Targaryen, Rightful King of the Andals, Rhoynar and the First Men comes to claim his queen, who gives her?" he said surprised at how firm his voice was.
"Ser Jors of House Whitewolf, Kingsguard to the rightful king and queen." Jors said as he and Margaery walked the final few feet and joined them.
"Lady Margaery do you take this man?" Walder asked.
"I take this man."
"Jaehaerys Targaryen do you take this woman?"
"I take this woman." Jon said taking her hand in his and leading her to the tree.
"What the gods have joined in this sacred oath is true and forever, let it be known that Jaehaerys and Margaery are one now and always." Walder said.
Jon knelt down with Margaery following and bowing his head he prayed to the old gods, he prayed to make his wife happy, to keep her safe and vowed to love her always. Standing back up he looked in her eyes, saw her smile, and moved closer to kiss her, holding his wife in his arms and wishing he'd never have to let her go.