A few days later
It was day eight of his reign. The tournament was set to start two days hence. Jon was just finishing up another tedious session of oath-takings in the throne room when the large doors opened. His Kingsguard immediately took a more alert stance, hand on the pommel of their sword, ready to defend their King and future Queen. Jon's gaze wandered to the end of the hall curious to see what was causing this disturbance. Such an occurrence had not happened before. His frown disappeared quickly and a happy smile broke over his face when the large dark silhouette of his uncle flanked by a white direwolf entered his line of vision.
Only a few women kept their gaze on the young King, who looked even more handsome now that a real smile graced his already comely features. The others present were gaping at the new arrivals. Almost everyone stood frozen to the spot. The unlucky ones standing close to the aisle were backing away and several exclamations of surprise and fear rang throughout the hall.
Uncle Benjen and Ghost not minding the reaction their appearance caused swiftly crossed the room. They had eyes only for Jon and halted closer to the throne than protocol strictly allowed. Benjen Stark swiftly knelt and pledged his allegiance loud and clear. Ghost lowered his front legs and bowed his head in submission. Jon smiled at Ghost's theatricals and realised that this encounter would made tongs waggle throughout the realm even more than his short flights with Dany on Rhaegal already did.
He had risen from his throne when they neared but instead of pronouncing the usual response from high up, he descended the stairs glad that his leg had healed well enough to do that without limping. He put his hand on his uncle's shoulder when he pronounced the formal lines with heartfelt emotion. His words had never rung so true. Uncle Benjen would always have a place by his side. Both men smiled genuinely at each other.
A quick gesture to Davos and his loyal Hand formally ended the court session and ushered everyone outside. Jon took off his crown and coat and handed them to Ser Gerold. Then he guided Dany closer and performed the by all parties highly anticipated introductions.
Uncle, may I present to you my betrothed, Princess Daenerys of House Targaryen? Dany, this is my most esteemed Uncle, Prince Benjen of House Stark who, as I already explained to you on more than one occasion, is as dear as a father to me."
Uncle Benjen didn't hesitate and pulled the Princess into a warm embrace. "Pleased to meet you, Princess. Jon told me much about you and it seems he didn't exaggerate."
"I'm pleased to meet you as well, Prince Stark." A welcome smile graced her features.
"Call me Uncle Benjen. I will be your good-uncle soon enough. When is the wedding by the way?"
A reply had to wait for a bit because Ghost made his presence known by nudging Jon impatiently. Jon made sure that the doors were firmly closed before he allowed Ghost to put his front legs on his shoulders. He embraced his direwolf and without uttering a single word he conveyed his relief to Ghost that he had made the long journey without looking any worse for the wear. If anything he looked stronger and larger. After a lengthy greeting, he released him and turned to Dany to complete the introductions. Ghost waited patiently back on all fours until his human had spoken the necessary words. "Dany, this is my loyal companion and fiercest protector, please meet Ghost. He is very much willing to allow you to become a member of his pack."
Dany slowly reached out her hand and let Ghost sniff it. When she saw how gently the large direwolf first smelled her hand and then licked it tentatively, she ran her other hand over the white fur of the wolf's head. Her eyes were moist when she looked at Jon. "He is gorgeous, Aegon. You are so blessed."
"I am." Jon's hand covered hers and together they petted the direwolf. "I hope you can get used to him. Ghost is accustomed to staying close to me, day and night." His eyes searched hers but she returned his look calmly.
"I'll certainly try on my end." She promised. "Should I leave you and your uncle alone for a bit?"
"If you don't mind?" Jon took her hands in his and looked grateful.
She gave him a sweet kiss on his cheek and after a long lingering look between the two of them and a nod toward Uncle Benjen, she freed her hands and left through the side door, Ser Barristan following close behind.
Benjen turned to him as soon as Daenerys was out of sight. "My, my, you have all the luck in the world, my boy. She is not only beautiful and kind but loves you to pieces as well."
Jon hugged his uncle now, clinging to him for a while. "I'm so glad you made it here safe and sound."
"And I was glad to hear the report of the peaceful transition from Baratheon to Targaryen dynasty. Although I am sorry to have missed your first days as King, Nephew. That crown on your head takes some getting used to."
Jon removed the crown from his head and took a step back. "Join me in my room for a moment? I want to talk to you in private. My Kingsguards will stay in the hallway there."
One by one Benjen Stark greeted the three Kingsguards who stood at a discreet distance with a nod and a smile. After stepping closer to Ser Gerold and whispering a few words into the knight's ear he turned back to his nephew. "Of course I'll join you in your room. Lead the way."
Jon by now knowing his way around the Red Keep, at least to the more frequently used rooms, walked him to his temporary quarters and closed the door behind him and Ghost. His uncle looked around. "Not impressed, Jon."
Jon raised his eyebrows and smiled disarmingly while he put his crown on a side table and pointed at a chair for his uncle to sit in. "I transfer to my new quarters on my wedding day. I was assigned these temporary accommodations because I chose to adhere to the advice of the Maester not to climb stairs if I could help it. I am mostly recovered now though. I started my daily trainings again this morning."
Both men sat down on simple wooden chairs that stood at the foot of Jon's modest bed. Ghost sat on the other side of Jon and put his head in the young man's lap. Benjen smiled when he saw how Jon and Ghost cherished each other's company. He turned his chair a fraction so he could stretch his legs.
"I see now that we have even more to talk about. I didn't know you had been hurt." His uncle remarked seriously and studied his nephew from head to toe.
"I got wounded during the battle near Hardhome. Just a nasty cut on my right thigh and a smaller one on my left arm, courtesy of the army of the death. I'd prefer it if we kept the battle stories for another time. There are lots of other topics that we need to catch up on. We can make a start now. I have until supper. You know, you are lucky to arrive on a day that we dine in small company. Tomorrow we hold another grand royal banquet to which you are formally invited of course, Prince Stark." Jon inclined his head slightly. His right hand was absently petting Ghost's head and the wolf was clearly enjoying the attention.
Benjen rolled his eyes. "I don't feel like a Prince. But I will enjoy meeting my brother again. And after our sibling reunion has been celebrated, or perhaps I might wait a few days, I will have a few choice words to say to my elder brother."
"Tell me first?" Jon asked. "Perhaps together we can make sense of the situation. I gather you are talking about Robb's behaviour?"
"I am. He is a good lad, truly. Only he needs someone to remind him that he is not yet qualified to rule the same way his father does. He needs someone to keep him grounded. I have pondered the issue a lot. Weeks on horseback riding along a well-kept Kingsroad that I have travelled often ever since you were born, gave me ample time to let my mind wander. More so the latter part, since I had a protector and needn't be so alert all the time." He reached out and scratched Ghost behind his ears.
"Anyway, I remembered all you told me about how Robb behaved when he was in your company. Each time he acted out, you could get him to see reason and he became a better person the longer he spent time with you and was away from Winterfell. Apparently you got through to him in a way I did not."
Benjen looked at Jon who nodded slowly while he mulled over his uncle's words.
"However, once he is apart from you and back under his mother's influence, he grows convinced of his own consequence once more. When his father is away, Robb's word is law and his mother encourages him to use this authority in every aspect of his daily routines. I also noticed that when he read letters from you or when you were mentioned and he was confronted with all the ways you outshine him, not only did Lady Catelyn get irritated but also Robb's resentment built. The best thing would be for Ned to return to Winterfell and for Robb to travel so he can learn how the world outside of Winterfell works. I would like for him to spend some time with you here in King's Landing. My hope is that here, amongst all sorts of nobles and knights, he will learn by example how you can be respected even if you are humble at times when dealing with your lesser and that you do not need to conceal the fact that you heed the advice of others."
Jon's face fell when his uncle's words registered. The hand stroking Ghost stilled. "Do you mean to say that one of the reasons you fell out was because of me? Lord Reed did not mention that in his letter."
Benjen Stark shook his head and tried to amend his words. "First of all we did not fall out as such. I should have been more careful, tempered my speech somewhat when I spoke about this with Howland Reed. I was still feeling hurt. Rob and I," he sighed, "Rob and I uh, let's say we merely agreed after several uh altercations that my presence was not really needed at Winterfell any longer. Secondly, it was not about you. Not really. Your name only came up when our disagreement was well underway."
Jon pursed his lips and ignored Ghost who was quietly begging for attention by rubbing his head against his thigh. "Then please enlighten me. What did you disagree about that caused him to chase you away? Because that is what happened, no matter how carefully you attempt to phrase it now." Jon looked at his lap and was mollified when he saw two loyal eyes looking at him as if they commiserated with everything he said. He ran his hand through the white fur again and Ghost relaxed visibly. Jon calmed down a bit as well.
His uncle no longer concealed the hurt that shone in his blue eyes. "I blame my brother. He instructs his son to rule with absolute authority, and forbids him to heed the advice of others. I told you this before. During my stay at Winterfell, we often disagreed. He even admitted that his father, in one of his messages…" Benjen faltered and swallowed. He immediately tried again. "Uh that my brother had ordered him to ignore my help and to turn down the offers of help from others as well. According to Robb, his father absolutely forbade the founding of anything resembling a small council to govern the North.
Benjen and Jon exchanged a meaningful glance. Benjen Stark swallowed again and searched for the right turn of phrase. "It all uh worsened when he started to disagree with me just because he could, whether it made sense or not. Things kind of escalated from there. In our last big uh discussion he accused me of always favouring you and that he knew for sure that I was counting the days before I could leave Winterfell and hurry south to you."
Jon gently pushed Ghost's head out of his lap and the wolf moved so his large head now warmed his human's feet. This way, Jon was able to lean forward slightly and put his hand on his uncle's knee in a comforting manner. "I'm sorry you had to endure all that, Uncle. But are you sure you were patient enough with Robb? He was largely traumatised not that long ago."
Benjen put his hand on top of Jon's. "I know that he was. Believe me. That doesn't mean he can act like a spoilt brat all the time. It is not as if he doesn't know what he is doing. Besides, I always formulated my advice as diplomatically as possible and made sure he knew it was just that, advice that he could heed or ignore, nothing more, nothing less."
Benjen Stark in order to defend himself in Jon's eyes, momentarily forgot that he wanted to spare Robb. No longer concealing how deeply Robb had wounded him with his behaviour he blurted out, "He hurt me on purpose, Jon. He chose his words deliberately. He clearly intended to drive me away. That last night when he was drunk, the things he called me in front of witnesses. The way he exerted his authority over me, humiliated me for all to hear …"
"Because he wanted his father to be proud of him." Jon explained his cousin's behaviour but turned his hand that lay on his uncle's knee upwards so he could grasp his uncle's hand better and squeezed it in support. When his uncle met his eyes, Jon smiled wanly and continued.
"The root of the problem as you stated yourself was caused by Uncle Ned. He wants his son to rule the North with neither proper preparation nor experience and forces him to do it entirely on his own. And then he burdens his young heir with expectations so high that almost anybody would fail. As you pointed out, Robb has not seen much of the realm. He has hardly left Winterfell. He had never been allowed take part in negotiations with their bannermen nor attended trade talks before his father went south. Add to that his recent imprisonment and torture. Don't misunderstand me, Uncle. I know that he was in the wrong, totally in the wrong but," Jon threw his uncle an apologetic look. "I can't help but feel sorry for him, Uncle Benjen. I hate the fact that he hurt you but I so long to help him."
Benjen sighed. "Me too, Jon. But you see, I did nothing but help him for a time. Hells, I even abandoned your cause and missed the first days of your reign only to be resented for it by the very person I wanted to help." He shook his head. "I had to give up for a while. He said things that made it impossible for me to stay."
Benjen gently withdrew his hand and rubbed his chin. He took a deep breath. "Let us drop that subject for now. I need to talk to my brother about this and hopefully we can find a solution. Let me enjoy my time here with you now. I'm so glad I finally got here and can talk openly and honestly with you again."
A knock on the door interrupted their conversation. Ser Gerold stepped inside the room.
"Prince Stark, we did as you requested. May we bring the item inside?"
Jon stared at his uncle, a question in his eyes. His uncle nodded at Ser Gerold and two men ushered a large tree inside the room with some difficulty.
Jon's eyes widened and a broad smile broke over his face. "Lord Reed gave this to you, I presume?"
"You presume right. He told me you had asked for a weirwood sapling and although he had previously planned to bring it along himself, he was not sure that he would reach King's Landing in time for the wedding. It was the largest one he had available. It slowed me down some but seeing your eyes light up just now, made it worth all the hassle it caused me."
Jon circled the tree that two apprentice guards had brought in. It was still slender but already stood as tall as he was. Jon waited until the apprentices had left and hugged his uncle. Ser Gerold smiled when he closed the door. He had often wondered about the Seven and the Old Gods. It didn't matter much though. If his King was happy, then all was good in the realm.
Jon in the meanwhile had released his uncle and both men had regained their seats. Ghost was sniffing the tree curiously.
"I owe you one, Uncle."
"Then by all means, oblige me. I want to hear all about your encounter with the former King. Did your cousin's vision really happen? Did you truly kneel before Robert Baratheon?"
***
Supper that night was a casual affair. Benjen Stark greeted everyone most heartily. Both brothers were visibly content to see each other again and embraced warmly. They quickly consented to keep to neutral topics for now and speak privately on the morrow. Prince Oberyn teased Benjen about his new status of Prince of the North asking him with mock deference whether he was still allowed to address him as Stark or Benjen.
Lady Ashara was the only one who needed to be formally introduced to Prince Benjen of House Stark. She had become a regular companion during their meals. Princess Daenerys often invited her to have another female companion present. Ghost just sniffed her hand once and then wormed himself under the table and lay quietly opposite Jon's feet. He slept through the entire meal and the only downside of his position was that the chair opposite Jon stayed empty to accommodate the direwolf's large body.
This time Benjen was given the seat to Jon's left and he started the conversation by asking whether Lady Dayne still remembered meeting him. Knowing full well that everyone present was already familiar with the story of their awkward dance at Harrenhal, Lady Ashara had no qualms teasing Benjen Stark.
"Has your dancing prowess improved over the years, Prince Stark? Or do the Ladies still need to protect their toes?"
Benjen Stark faltered for a moment but then quickly regained his composure. "I have received, on occasion, some compliments from more than one dance partner. I heard there will be a champion's ball and a wedding feast in the coming days. Would you be so kind as to accept my hand for one dance at the event of your choice? After your remarks, my Stark honour must be redeemed."
"Then I have no choice but to graciously accept, Prince Stark. I promise to reserve you one dance at each event." She inclined her head formally but her eyes looked teasingly into his.
When the conversation fell silent, Davos introduced the news that Lord Frey had suffered an apoplexy whilst reading the raven proclaiming King Aegon of House Targaryen the Sixth as King of the Seven Kingdom as well as his upcoming wedding to Princess Daenerys of House Targaryen. The old Lord was paralysed and consequently bedridden. Nevertheless they were to expect a small delegation of sons of Lord Frey to descend on the capital to swear their allegiance in his stead. They would arrive in the capital accompanied by several of their maiden kin to join the ones already in King's Landing.
Frey jokes were exchanged by all then. The most prominent one being Jon pouting that he had been the only male in the realm to have been overlooked by House Frey. He lamented that everyone else had been deemed suitable enough to become a good-son of Walder Frey whilst he had never received a single one of the abundance of infamous letters plaguing the nobles of the realm.
A bit later the subject changed to the tournament that was to start on the day after next and then to the wedding and coronation ceremony. For practical reasons, Jon and Dany had agreed to hold the ceremony in the Grand Sept of Bailor on the day following the conclusion of the tournament. That way nobody needed to linger in King's Landing any longer than necessary. Many nobles had arrived in the capital almost two moons ago when King Robert had initially announced the tournament and would be glad to finally return to their homes.
Jon and Dany issued an invitation to all present to witness their intimate exchange of their wedding vows in the Godswood set for the night before the pompous wedding in the Sept. They would need to slip away from the champion's celebration but Jon did not want to delay another day and refused to say his vows in the Sept and honour the Seven first. To him the Old Gods were the only ones who could truly bless their union. When Lady Ashara had objected that she was not really kin, Dany insisted that she would be most welcome and that they counted on her to be present. Everyone supported these words and the she relented and thanked them for the honour.
Later in Dany's bedroom, Jon brought up the subject of her ladies-in-waiting wondering if despite her age, Lady Ashara would not make an excellent candidate.
"That thought had crossed my mind also. For the moment, she certainly acts as one but I do not want to appoint anyone officially before our honeymoon is over." She blushed. "I will only bring Irri with me and she will make herself scarce."
Jon nodded. "Irri has only been present at breakfast and once or twice at lunch, never during supper. How come?"
Dany sighed. "I wanted to elevate her to the status of Lady-in-Waiting but she talked about it with Lady Dayne and I needed to concede that I did not think about all the repercussions. A Queen can't ignore protocol and changing the rules must be done gradually."
"I know." Jon pulled her closer to her. "Everything was so simple when we imagined all this and made plans on Dragonstone. Reality and protocol resists us every step of the way. I can't even talk to Ser Arthur when I want to."
Dany laughed suddenly. "Poor Queen and unfortunate King are feeling sorry for themselves. The smallfolk should hear us."
"Count our blessings, eh," Jon kissed her.
"That's one at least," she said, touching his mouth with her fingers as soon as he released her mouth.
Jon smiled and looked at Ghost who was eying them curiously from where he lay in front of the door. Dany had not protested when Ghost had refused to leave Jon's side and had entered her bedroom as if it was the most normal thing in the world. 'And that is as it should be.' Jon thought while he looked into his direwolf's eyes. Ghost put his head on his front legs and relaxed.
Jon turned his attention back on Dany when he noticed her leaning towards him. He immediately reciprocated and pulled her closer, his mouth covering hers again. 'Only five more nights.' He would count that as a blessing too.
Interlude 37 : A matter of opinion
"How can he be a Targaryen?" The head cook was stirring the soup with more vigour than necessary. "His hair is dark and curly and his eyes are almost black. I served here when Prince Rhaegar was a toddler. I saw him grow up. Now that boy was a real Targaryen with deep purple eyes and silver white hair. I bet he was taller than this new King as well."
"All those pompous nobles kneel before him, so it must be true." James, the senior footman ventured but made sure to keep his tone non-committal so that Cook, known for his foul temper would not take offense. Cook liked him anyway since James brought in all the gossip he overheard while waiting on the table of the King.
The cook had stopped stirring and gestured wildly with the large spoon. "These lazy good for nothing highborns are all cowards and wouldn't dare to question his claim. The only thing that makes me consider the possibility that he might be half-Targaryen after all is that the three White Cloaks and Ser Barristan the Bold support his claim. I've never known more honourable men than those knights. It was very welcome news to learn that the three missing ones survived the Rebellion."
"They sure look pretty in their uniform. Did you see the new sigil?" A small young girl that was peeling potatoes couldn't resist joining the conversation. A plump matron named Gilean slapped the side of the young servant's head. "Keep your mouth shut when the senior staff is talking, girl."
"Those knights look even more formidable than before the Rebellion." Gilean addressed the cook as she added more flour to the mixture that she was kneading. "But the King even with dark hair looks very handsome. No wonder the Princess is head over heels."
"I never understood that custom. The only two left of their house and they marry one another." James chimed in.
"Royals follow no rules. They just do as they please." The cook grumbled and checked the ingredients that had been laid out for him to create the meat pies for tonight's supper. "Though I must admit that I have had no complaints so far. Not even when you added too much salt to the bread yesterday, Gilean. At least the new King is not too fussy."
"My brother who has a position in the City Guard spotted the dragons yesterday. If he has dragons, he must be a real Targaryen." Gilean was quick to continue her favourite topic. "My brother's wife even claims she saw the new King and his betrothed riding the green dragon when she was out on the docks two days ago to buy some fish."
"Just what we needed, dragons in King's Landing. We were damned lucky that the Mad King had no dragons." The cook muttered and slammed his fist on the table. "Where are those onions that I ordered? Don't tell me these shrivelled abominations are all I have to work with." He turned to a small boy that sat crouched in the corner trying to be inconspicuous. "You there, make yourself useful and go ask the head housekeeper to come down here and explain herself. Tell her to bring the key to the cabinet with the spirits. I'll need a thimbleful for the sauce I'll be making later."
The young boy quickly got to his feet and hurried out of the kitchen. He ran along the corridor and sprinted up the stairs. He was still catching his breath when he overheard two guards that were patrolling the hallway. He made sure to stay out of sight.
"Think we will be going back north anytime soon?" A tall guard asked his shorter colleague.
"I don't think so. I heard Lady Stark is coming to the capital with her daughters. Too bad the King is betrothed. Lady Sansa would have made a beautiful Queen." Joni knew this younger one that had answered. Not by name no, but the man had once allowed him to hide when he was not where he was supposed to be. In his mind Joni called him his guard-friend.
"Is that why you always choose a redhead in the brothel. You fancy Lady Sansa?" He heard the tall one say.
Joni's guard-friend blushed. "For heaven's sake. Keep your voice down. I don't go around spilling your secrets, do I? Or were you so drunk that you don't remember how you described your secret fantasies to me the other day. I might fancy Lady Sansa but you dream of rescuing the fair blond Princess from her ogre of a Nephew. You even told us how you dreamt that the fair maiden Princess offered you her virginity after you rescued her and then described at length what you would do to her once you had her on your furs."
Now it was the taller guard's turn to look embarrassed. "My dreams don't hurt anyone and you must admit that the Princess is a beauty. And I bet you she is still a virgin. How could a man resist? She passed me by the other day and I could get a whiff. She smells even sweeter than she looks."
Joni had to strain his ears to hear that last part since both guards disappeared from sight when they turned around the corner. The young boy quickly crossed the hallway and climbed the other staircase hoping that the housekeeper was supervising the cleaning of the royal bedroom as usual at this time of the day.
Two young housemaids were busy making a very large bed and didn't see him come in.
"Today the King smiled at me and asked for my name." Sirai, a junior maid sighed. "He looks even more handsome when he smiles. I think he fancies me."
"Don't be silly, Sirai. The King is just being polite and kind. I heard others tell me the exact same thing." This time it was Nila who spoke up. The young errand boy liked Nila. She always ruffled his hair and said he reminded her of her younger brother. Once she even gave him a small piece of cake her mistress had left on her plate.
"Has he asked for your name too?" Sirai asked Nila.
"No, but then I have never encountered him in a hallway. Just ask the guards. The first time he sees them, he asks for their names and then the next time he greets them by it. He remembers them all."
"Next time," Sirai swallowed. "Next time he will speak my name?" She almost swooned.
"Aye." The young messenger made his presence known. "He knows my name and wasn't mad when I bumped into him by accident."
Nila walked over to him and straightened his wayward locks. "Joni, how many times must we tell you to mind where you are going?"
"But I am the fastest and the King was not mad. He is nice. Much nicer than that fat grumpy one we had before. I like King Aegon!"
"Don't we all." Nila remarked drily and looked pointedly at Sirai.
"Don't look at me like that. He is a King, he is young and handsome, not to mention a dragonrider and a war hero. And he has the kindest eyes I have ever seen. How can a girl not lose her heart to him?"
"But he will marry the most beautiful Princess in the entire realm very soon." Joni stated the obvious.
"Yeah, a virgin bride. I overheard her talking with her handmaiden. You know the strange Essosi one? The Princess had her moonblood today. Better now than on her wedding day." She moved around the bed and bumped into the boy.
"Why are you still here, Joni?" Sirai said with a severe look on her face. If Cook hears you have been dallying."
"Sirai!" Nila admonished her. "Don't tell on the boy and don't scare him. Do you want to trade places and work with Cook all day?"
Sira shook her head. "No way in Seven Hells. And I wasn't going to tell on Joni. The brat is useful. Who else would inform us when the coast is clear so we can sneak out undetected to visit our male friends every seventh day?"
Joni was quick to speak up. "Now it is your turn to help me. I am looking for the main housekeeper. Cook needs her in the kitchen at once. Do you know where she is?"
"She is downstairs tending personally to the King's temporary quarters."
Joni was sprinting down the stairs before she had finished her sentence. He knew very well where the brave, nice King was sleeping.
"A King in such a shabby room and everyone just nods and lets him do as he pleases. I saw him mount the stairs two steps at a time this morning. That leg of his is healed all right." Joni heard the housekeeper muttering to another servant girl, one he didn't know by name. He studied her thoroughly so he could describe the new maid to Lord Varys.
"The new King acts very strange. I overheard him speaking with the fat one, Lord Tarly. You know who I mean?" The housekeeper continued.
"I do." The nameless maid replied demurely.
"Well he called him Jon. Not my King, not your Grace, not even Aegon. Just Jon. And that is not all. Did you know that his Grace has no manservant? He dresses himself and if he needs assistance he asks a Kingsguard."
The young maid made a strange noise. Apparently that reaction encouraged the housekeeper to continue her diatribe.
"Not just any guard. A White Cloak. Can you imagine that? The Sword of the Morning, the noble Ser Arthur Dayne performing the duties of a manservant as if he were some lowly squire? Someone needs to speak up. This can't continue. If word gets out, our young King will become a laughingstock. And have you seen how he always wears the same outfit? No one will take him seriously. No Jerrel, tuck that corner in again. Even if the bed is not fit for a King, at least his furs will be arranged as best we can."
"Oh but they will take him seriously. How can they not? Our Targaryen King has dragons and I am told he is the best swordsman in the entire realm. They claim that he can beat Prince Oberyn, spear against sword, mind you. And my friend was present in the courtyard at Dragonstone a while back where he saw with his own eyes how the King bested your noble Sword of the Morning, Ser Arthur."
"Don't believe everything they tell you. And don't fall for the King's pretty face." The housekeeper warned.
Jerrel, the young maid blushed and Joni made sure to remember her name. He liked how soft her voice sounded when she defended the nice King. He listened carefully when she spoke again.
"My lover, he told me that he received a letter from Winterfell from his younger brother. The letter states that Prince Aegon – he was no King yet when he stayed at Winterfell – took on four armed men at once and beat them soundly. He fought with a sword in each hand."
"Just like Ser Arthur?" Joni spoke before thinking, betraying his position.
Joni, what are you doing here?" The housekeeper turned and finally spotted him.
The young boy smiled at the housekeeper and made a small bow. "You are wanted in the kitchen, Ma'am. Cook wants you to bring the key of the spirit cabinet as well."
Even though he would have liked to have heard more, he would earn some extra sweets later when he told Lord Varys all that he had learned today. He had memorised all the words, even the strange one: moonblood.
*