Tyrion
Tyrion was laughing and joking with his uncle when he saw Jaime leave with Ser Barristan, he thought it strange until he heard the older man mention Trant, what that fool had thought he was doing trying was beyond him. But he knew it wasn't Trant's idea to try have Jon and Joy removed while they were breaking their fasts, no that idea could only be his sisters.
He had smiled when he heard of Jon standing up to the man, stupid though it was of the boy, but Jon was protecting his cousin and Tyrion would have expected nothing less of him. He wished he'd been there to see Jaime punch Trant but he'd heard and the story was being spread now, how his brother had knocked Trant on his ass and had him removed from the rock was something he'd heard with varying degrees of truth, from more than one Lord.
"Where's Jaime going?" Gerion asked.
"He and Ser Barristan are off to discuss something uncle." Tyrion said hoping Gerion wouldn't pry more.
"What?" his uncle asked.
"I heard Ser Barristan mention Trant." Tyrion said and awaited for the storm that would surely follow.
Gerion had to be talked out of gutting Trant when he heard, kingsguard or not it wouldn't have made a difference, he had heard when Joy spoke that Trant had raised his hand, the only reason the man wasn't dead right now was that Jon had warned him off and Jaime had arrived a few minutes later. If Trant had actually struck the girl or Jon for that matter, then nothing anyone would have done or said would have saved he man's life.
His uncle was rarely angry, Gerion was perhaps the most easy going man Tyrion had ever known, but he was a father and a protective one at that, it was why he'd taken so completely to Jon. Seeing him with his daughter, seeing the two interact was something that even Tyrion couldn't help but smile at, so he could imagine how it felt for Gerion to see it.
"Trant will get his, that I promise." Gerion said and Tyrion felt a chill run down his spine, this was so much worse than he had thought and he almost felt sorry for Meryn Trant.
"Jon's having fun." his uncle said as he pointed to the back of the hall.
Tyrion looked out to see he was indeed having fun, Jon was with the Tyrell's and all four of them seemed to be having the time of their lives, they were laughing and joking and he could see the smile on his uncle's face as he watched them. Today had been something he never expected, the duels were the highlight of the tourney just as his brother had hoped and seeing Jon win made even he, feel proud of the boy.
He watched as Jon and the Tyrell girl whispered together before nodding to the two boys, there was a small discussion and the younger Tyrell boy Loras, made his way to a couple of his guards while Jon went to Jors and Alyrs, Tyrion's attention flit between the two of them, each discussing things with their respective guards, Jon seemingly being more persuasive, as after a moment Jors and Alyrs smiled and nodded.
Whatever they were up to Loras was having no luck and Tyrion watched as his sister made her way over to him, within a few seconds the guards seemed to get on board with what she asked and Tyrion saw them follow Margaery and Loras back to their older brother where they were joined by Jon and his guards, they all spoke for a moment or two before leaving the hall. Just where are you going Jon Tyrion wondered, before laughing and turning back to his uncle.
Olenna.
Olenna was enjoying the feast, this trip itself though tiring had been very productive and the opportunities they'd encountered, would ensure they would be growing strong for a long time to come. Lord Arryn though a dull man was not slow witted and she had enjoyed the conversation they had, after Mace had told her the terms he'd offered for the loan she'd felt no need to renegotiate, her son had actually done an admirable job during this tourney and barring her conversation with Jaime Lannister she'd barely gotten involved in anything directly.
Jaime Lannister was a conundrum though, they had agreed a good deal with him, one which gave the Lannister's better terms than the old agreements with Tywin had. But with the increase in trade the deal overall meant they'd come out better and make far more coin from the arrangement. But it was the conversation she had privately with him that concerned her.
She had looked at it from every angle she could, his sister sat the throne and his nephew would follow Robert and be king, married to her granddaughter if Olenna had her way. Yet Jaime Lannister had insinuated that he may not be in full support of the crown and had actually signaled it explicitly by removing their financial support. Why? What was his game? What was he up to? These questions had been giving her a headache ever since she spoke to him.
"Are you all right mother?" she heard her son say.
"What, oh yes, I'm fine." she replied and saw her son look worriedly at her, normally she'd have scolded him or hit him with some of her famous barbs, but he had done good work and she felt no need to undermine him, besides she had bigger fish to fry.
She turned her gaze to the hall, trying to take her mind from Jaime Lannister for a moment, the Tully heir really was a floppy fish she thought as she saw the red headed man hold court with some of the other fools from the Riverlands, although as she looked at how the Blackfish was looking at his nephew from his seat at the table with the Vale lords she smirked, now there was a real man she thought.
The Vale lords themselves were the usual arrogant, entitled people they always were, these fools wouldn't mix business with participating in a tourney, not the thing we do she'd heard Yohn Royce say to a trader who tried to organize a deal with them. She had actually cheered Jaime Lannister's bastard squire when he was fighting Royce's son, knowing a defeat to a bastard would be something they'd hate.
Although when she him wave at her granddaughter she immediately changed her mind and hoped the Royce lad would beat him senseless, the older boy though had stood no chance and she watched as the bastard beat him in no time at all, a part of her had felt happy, Loras had taken the boy all the way, while no one else came even close. She had searched the hall for the bastard from the moment she came to this feast and was glad to see that he was not sitting with her grandchildren this time, Kevan Lannister's work she assumed.
Thoughts of her grandchildren drew her gaze to their table only to find they were not there, she quickly searched the hall and couldn't see them anywhere, turning to her son she asked him if he knew where they were.
"Mace, where are Margaery and the boys?"
"What's that mother?" her son said turning from his conversation with Jon Arryn.
"Margaery and the boys Mace, do pay attention."
"What about Margaery and the boys mother?" he asked bewildered, gods her son could be an insufferable fool at times.
"Where are they Mace?" the agitation very clear in her voice now.
"Why they're over at the table…." Mace said before finally realizing they weren't there.
She quickly sent left or was it right to find one of their guards, finding her grandchildren was the top priority, this was not like them, Margaery wouldn't just leave without telling her, her granddaughter was more considerate than that.
The Blackfish
His nephew was a fool Brynden realized as he heard the boy speak, he feared for the day when the boy was making the decisions as the lord of Riverrun. Given how the boy was now he'd need a good kick up the arse before he'd ever amount to anything, damn you Hoster if you weren't such an old fool I'd have been teaching the boy he thought, before he shook his head while his nephew made another stupid statement.
The boy hadn't taken part in the melee, had been beaten easily in the joust and yet was sitting there speaking like he had won the damn tourney himself. What irked him most was his disparaging of the young man who'd won the duels, while he held no love for Ned Stark's bastard and felt the boy a stain on his family's name, the boy had shown great skill and talent today and he deserved credit for that if nothing else.
It wasn't just his nephew and the other Riverland Lordlings as he had begun to refer to Edmure's group of useless heirs and spares who were disparaging the lad, some of the Lords of the Vale had not taken too well to seeing Yohn's lad beaten by a bastard. Brynden shook his head at that, which side of the sheets you were born on may determine most things in your life, but your skill at combat wasn't one of them.
"How did that bastard make it into the duels anyway."
"He's Jaime Lannister's squire."
"But he's a bastard."
Brynden listened to the moaning lords of the Vale and had enough, he got up from his seat and went to sit beside his friend Yohn Royce, perhaps he'd get a decent level of conversation out of the one man in the Vale he completely respected. As he walked past the table where Yohn's two sons were sitting he heard more of the same from that table.
"How did you lose to bastard Robar, I mean seriously a bastard." Harold Hardying said smugly.
"At least I made it to the damn final, Harry you arse." Robar replied.
"Only to be beaten in a blink of an eye, how's your hand by the way." Waymar said with a smirk.
"It's fine." Robar Grumbled.
The Blackfish smiled as he walked past them, the boys wrist was badly bruised he was lucky it hadn't been broken, when the bastard had brought his sword down on it he'd used the flat side rather than the edge, if he hadn't then Robar wouldn't be sparring again for a couple of moons, as it was he'd be out for a sennnight at least.
He made it to where Yohn was holding court, Lord Redfort and Lord Corbray listening on as he talked about the tourney. He smiled at the man and Yohn moved a seat from the table for him to sit on.
"Ah Brynden, I was just telling Horton and Lyonel here of our fight and how you managed to best me" Yohn said a large smile on his face.
"I got lucky old friend that's how." Brynden said to laughs all round.
The four men continued to talk, about the melee and how lucky neither of them were to have faced Thoros's flaming sword, about the Joust being won by a northerner of all things. Finally they got around to talking about the squire's duels.
"Robar was unfortunate in that final Yohn, that bastard tricked him." Horton Redfort said.
"Aye, we all know they're Trickster's Yohn." Lyonel added.
"The lad was better than Robar, it's that simple my lords, there's no shame in being beaten by the better man." Yohn said and Brynden smirked.
"But he's a bastard Yohn." Horton Redfort said shaking his head.
"A lord's Bastard, he's Ned Stark's natural son." Yohn said before quickly realizing his error.
"Oh, I'm so sorry Brynden, I didn't mean." he said apologetically.
"It's fine old friend, you speak the truth, I have no love for the boy he's a shame on our sweet Cat, but the boy's talent is beyond question and he won fair and square." the Blackfish said and Yohn nodded in agreement to the two other men's amazement.
Jaime.
Jaime and Barristan walked to the back of the garden, it was a small clear place and wasn't overlooked, what they needed to speak of now could cost his king his life and Jaime could no longer take any chances. But the cat was out of the bag and plans would need to be made, firstly Jaime knew there were some things Barristan would need to know and then they would need to decide just exactly how he'd fit into their plans going forward.
"So what do you intend to do." Barristan asked.
"Crown my king of course."
"But, what, how." Barristan stumbled trying to come up with the question on his mind.
"One at a time Barristan." Jaime said and after shaking his head Barristan laughed.
"Can you prove he's Rhaegar's son?"
"Trueborn son, Barristan."
"What?, How?"
"They were married on the Isle of Faces, and at a sept in Harrenhall,"
"But Elia?"
"Rhaegar and Elia had their marriage annulled, she wanted to go home to Dorne."
"What about the children."
"Aegon remained the heir, Jaehaerys was second in line."
"Jaehaerys," Barristan said smiling.
"Aye, Jaehaerys Targaryen the third of his name."
"Stark had all the documents, along with some other items which I'll show you later"
"Stark, what's his role in your plan?" Barristan asked.
"Stark has no role in my plan," Jaime said angrily, he was relieved that Barristan didn't seem to want to push it.
"So what exactly is your plan, a war?"
"Do you see any other way the stag will give up the throne?" Jaime said the agitation clear in his voice.
"I don't want a war Barristan, but if it's the only way to put the king on the throne then so be it."
Jaime watched as Barristan stood there silently contemplating the true nature of what he'd agreed to, for him it was simple, crown Jon by any means necessary but would it be the same for his former brother.
"So be it, if it's to be war then I'll stand with you and the king, I swear it." Barristan said and Jaime sighed in relief.
"So what do we do now?" Barristan asked.
"We wait Barristan, until the time is right we wait and we prepare, for now you stay where you are if you find out anything we need to know then you can pass it on to me. I'll make the arrangements for a secure way of communication and let you know."
"You wish me to be a spy?" Barristan said aghast.
"No Barristan, but if you learn of any threat to the king or to his throne then I'd expect you to act as his kingsguard and help eliminate those threats." Jamie replied as Barristan nodded in acceptance.
"The king doesn't know yet Barristan, it's not time for him to know, so for now it's just me and you." he added.
"Very well Jaime, when do you plan on telling him?"
"We're not prepared enough yet, once I know I can protect him if the truth was revealed I'll tell him, until then I'll continue to strengthen the west, once he knows the truth he'll decide how we proceed."
"What will you tell him about his grandfather?" Barristan asked and Jaime shook his head, it was time, if they were in this together then it was time he told Barristan the truth.
"I'll tell him his grandfather was a mad man obsessed with burning people alive, that when my father's forces reached the gates of king's landing he ordered me to bring him his head." Jaime said quietly.
"So that's why you stabbed your king in the back, to save your father." Barristan's anger clear in his voice.
"No, I stabbed him because he ordered Rossart to light the wildfire caches."
"What?"
"You know what he was like Barristan, his obsession with fire, how it excited him, you and I both to our shame, stood outside those chambers while he raped the queen after burning someone alive, we kept true to our oaths and allowed a mad king to do as he pleased,"
"I asked Jonathor one time, weren't we supposed to protect her, do you want to know what he told me, yes Jaime but not from him, how was that right Barristan? How was it right we let that monster hurt his wife, our queen and claim we were good and true knights?" Jaime's said his voice shaky now and tears beginning to well in his eyes.
"That day in the throne room, I..I… when he gave the order I knew, I knew what I had to do, so I went after the pyromancers and I stopped them and when I returned and he realized what I'd done, he stepped down from the throne and said "I am a dragon and I will have my fire, burn them, burn them all."
"What choice did I have Barristan? What was I supposed to do?, I was a boy of ten and six and I was the only one who could stop him, what else was I supposed to do?" Jaime said angrily.
Barristan just stood there in shock, all these years he had thought Jaime Lannister the blackest of knights, a man with no honor, a false brother of the kingsguard and it turned out he was the truest of them all. Jaime had found their prince's son, the heir to the throne and he had begun the process of regaining his birthright, but more than that in slaying Aerys Jaime had saved thousands, hundreds of thousands, he had protected the weak, protected the innocent and Barristan like everyone else had judged him an oath breaker because of it.
"You did the right thing Jaime, you are a true knight." Barristan said placing his hand on Jaime's shoulder.
"I failed as a knight, I failed Elia and the children, I should have gone to them, protected them, but I… I.. I thought they were safe I never could have imagined, my father, what he did, what kind of a man does that…." Jaime looked at Barristan his eyes pleading for something, anything.
"Jaime, your not your father, you're a better man and that's all you can be, had you gone to Elia and the children first then the city would have burned and you, them and thousands of innocents would have died along with them, but you stopped that, you saved those people."
"You don't understand, I failed him Barristan, I failed Rhaegar, he told me to protect his children and I failed." Jaime said his tears falling freely now.
"You didn't fail Jaehaerys, out of all of us you're the only one who didn't fail Rhaegar, thanks to you we still have a chance Jaime, you have no idea how grateful I am because of it." Barristan said as Jaime looked at him.
The two men stood in silence for a few moments Jaime regaining some of his composure, he felt as if a large weight had been lifted from his chest, a weight he'd carried for seven years, he nodded at Barristan and the two men made their way from the garden. Jaime felt an enormous sense of relief his king now had two men in his corner and for Jaime the burden was suddenly a lot lighter.
Should anything happen to him, he knew Barristan would protect Jon and even though they had yet to make contingency plans, just knowing he had a man like Barristan looking out for the king made him believe that they could do this, they could and would do this.
Jon.
The town's feast was an altogether much more fun affair, Garlan and Loras were enjoying themselves and Margaery hadn't stopped smiling since they got here. They were standing by a large table which was filled with food and drink, their guards were relaxed and there was no protocol being followed, people were just having fun, it didn't matter here if you were a lord's son or daughter or a bastard squire.
A little while earlier.
" Jon this other feast is it still going on?" Margaery asked.
" Aye, it'll probably finish long after this one."
" We should go." she said smirking.
"What, we can't, what would father say." Loras said shakily.
" Never mind father, what would Grandmother say." Garlan quickly added.
" We'll be back before they notice, come on Gar, Loras, where's your sense of adventure.." Margaery said teasingly.
" I don't know if we should Margaery." Jon shook his head as he spoke to her.
" Please Jon, this is so dull," she said her eyes wide and pleading.
He had never stood a chance, he thought Joy was easily able to get him to do as she wished, it seems Margaery had the same ability, she sent Loras to get their escort and he had gone to get Jors and Alyrs finding them easy to convince, Loras had been not so lucky it seemed and he had watched as Margaery had done what he had failed to do.
It had been a really good idea to come here though, compared to the other feast this was so much more lively, as they stood there he refilled Margaery's cup with some of the sweetened berry juice she seemed to like so much, getting a huge smile in return.
Suddenly chairs were moved and tables pushed to clear a large space in the middle, Jon was confused, what was going on, what where they doing, he turned to Margaery who's smile if anything had gotten bigger.
"Oh lovely, dancing." she said and Jon gulped.
Jon had never really danced before, it was not something someone of his station was supposed to take part in, he'd heard Lady Catelyn say when his brother had asked why he wasn't part of the lessons. He watched as a blond girl came over to ask Garlan to dance and turned hoping to see Margaery ask Loras, but found to his dismay Loras wasn't there and instead was talking to some boys at a different table, he turned to see Margaery look at him expectantly.
"Ehmm, I haven't really done this before, but I ehmm, would you like to dance Margaery."
"I'd be delighted to Jon, don't worry you'll be fine just follow my movements, think of it like a duel." Margaery said that lob sided grin clear on her face.
They moved out into the clearing, Jon looked around at where people were placing their hands on each other before trying to copy them, he moved closer and his hand slipped forcing him to lose his balance, as he corrected himself his head lightly clashed with Margaery's forcing a small grunt from the girl, he turned to walk away embarrassed but she grabbed his hand and smiled at him.
As the music began he tried to follow along, his movements were not quite right though making a boy behind him snigger, he smiled as Margaery looked at the boy and gave him a scowl stopping the boy in his tracks, she turned to him and smiled and they began to move to the music, this time finding it much easier.
"See I told you, you'd be fine." Margaery said her smile beaming at him.
"I'm just lucky your so good."
"You are aren't you," Margaery said and the two of them laughed.
They danced another three times, Jon finding the moves easier as they danced more, by the time they finished the third one the smile on Margaery's face was constant he too was enjoying himself, but they had to call it a night and make their way back to the other feast as they were already in danger of being missed as it was.
"Did you have fun?" Jon asked her as they walked over to Garlan and Loras.
"Very much so, thank you for dancing with me good Ser." Margaery said with a giggle.
"It was my pleasure my lady." Jon said with a bow as they both laughed.
They didn't stay long after that, once they reached Garlan and Loras all four of them made their way back to the hall where the other feast was going on, as they reached it Jon saw Jaime and Ser Barristan walk towards them.
"Jon, my lords, Lady Margaery." Jaime said with a nod.
"Lord Jaime, Ser Barristan." Garlan and Loras quickly said looking at the two greatest living swordsman like the icons they were to them.
"Lord Jaime it's been a wonderful tourney, you must be so proud of it and of your squire for winning the duels." Margaery said making Jon blush a little.
"I am indeed Lady Margaery, and Jon has always made me proud," Jaime said looking at him.
"Ser Barristan, it's a pleasure to meet you, I'm sure my brother's would be most interested in speaking to you." Margaery said as both Loras and Garlan eagerly agreed.
"Of course my lady I'd love to speak to your brothers." Barristan said and motioned for them to walk with him.
"Lady Margaery you don't mind if I steal young Jon here for a second do you.?" Jaime asked with a smirk.
"Of course not my lord, Jon thank you for the dance."
"It was a pleasure my lady." Jon said watching her raise her eyebrow before smiling and noticing the smirk on Jaime's face.
As Margaery walked away Jon walked over to Jaime who motioned to the small garden he'd just left,, they both headed in that direction neither saying a word, before Jaime began the teasing.
"So, made some new friends Jon?" Jaime said his smirk clear on his face.
"I bet she's much more formidable than her brother." he teased making Jon frown.
"So where were you all coming back from?"
"Ehmm. We stopped by the other feast, Margaery wanted to go and." Jon said sheepishly.
"Ah, no worries, Jon I'm just playing with you, your way too easy." Jaime said laughing before Jon shook his head and laughed with him.
When they entered the garden Jaime pointed to a small seating area and they both made their way to it and sat down. After a few quite moments Jaime stood up and looked at him making Jon nervous.
"I'm proud of you Jon, today, what you did, you were incredible." Jaime looked down at him his smile beaming on his face.
Jon couldn't help himself, he jumped from his seat and threw his arms around Jaime hugging the man who made this all possible, without Jaime he'd be back at Winterfell being the shame of House Stark and instead here he was being welcomed and appreciated, it was almost too much for him and he felt his eyes water.
Two days later.
Jaime.
They assembled at the front of the castle to say their farewells to the king and queen and Jaime was happy to see them go. Robert had been his usual self and while that had annoyed him especially since he was wearing a crown that didn't belong to him, though truth be told he had barely caused Jaime any real headaches. The same could not be said for his sister, after he threw her from his bed she had not tried to seduce him again and he was glad of it, however the looks she gave him ranged from hate to lust and he didn't believe their issues were anywhere near resolved.
As he saw the King make his way towards him he signaled and everyone knelt on one knee, Robert waved him up and as he stood he noticed Cersei staring at him, he kept his features as straight as he could resisting the urge to frown at her.
"Your Grace." he said as he bowed his head.
"Lord Jaime, you did your father proud, it was an incredible tourney, a fitting send off, I look forward to seeing you in Kings Landing soon my lord," Jaime almost grimaced at the insincerity in Robert's voice, Jon Arryn must have coached him this morning he thought.
"Thank you your grace."
"Brother, it's been a pleasure." Cersei said as she smiled at him.
"Indeed my queen." he replied looking at her suspiciously.
"Lord Jaime, I thank your for your hospitality," Jon Arryn said stiffly.
"Their Graces and yourself Lord Hand are always welcome at Casterly Rock."
Jaime watched out of the corner of his eye as the king and queen made their way down the line, catching his sister's grimace as she stood before Tyrion, her stilted way of saying Tyrion's name leaving no one in doubt of her true feelings, he caught his breath as Robert made it to where Jon was standing.
"Ah, there he is the star of the tourney, I hope you'll come defend your crown at the next tourney in King's landing young Snow. I mean to have a duel take place in that and I want the champion to take part, so what say you lad, will you come fight in front of you king once more." Robert said a huge smile on his face.
"Your grace, I'd be honored to. " he heard Jon quietly reply.
"Ah, that's the spirit lad, perhaps we can even get your father to come eh lad, he'd be proud to see you fight, I know I was, you showed them all, good lad." Robert said slapping his hand so hard on Jon's shoulder that even Jaime grimaced at the force of it, although Jon just smiled and nodded at the king.
"Your grace." he watched as Jon greet the queen respectfully, Robert already making his way to his horse.
"Jon Snow, you've made quite an impression young man, I see a bright future ahead of you." Cersei said sweetly her smile beaming at Jon and Jaime almost had a seizure, until he saw the smile change when she looked at him, replaced now with one much more devious and malicious. Jaime almost felt like choking the life out of her as she turned back to Jon.
"A bright future indeed." she said before walking to her carriage while Jon just shook his head in confusion.
"Ah, young Jon, it's been a pleasure to meet you, when next I speak with your father I shall tell him what a credit you are to your family." Jon Arryn said the smile on his face genuine at least.
"Thank you my lord, it's been an honor to meet the man who fostered my father." Jon said smiling at the blue eyed falcon lord.
Jaime smiled as Ser Barristan nodded from his horse, he had shown him the heirlooms that Stark had held onto for the king and the older man was as stunned and awed as he had been when he held Dark Sister. He had read the letters and seen the proof and if there was ever any doubt in his loyalty to Jon that had ended last night.
Finally the signal was given and the king's procession moved out, Jaime wasn't the only one glad to see them gone, the sense of relief around the castle was almost palpable, most of the other lords had already left and it was just the Tully's and the Tyrell's of the major lords that he'd need to see off.
"Good, now this place can get back to normal." he said as Tyrion, Gerion and Jon walked towards him.
"Normal nephew, when has this place ever been normal." Gerion said as he laughed.
Mace.
Mace watched as Garlan beat yet another boy in the temporary sparring area he'd set up in the yard of their residence, it was a shame his older son had not been able to compete in the duels, he'd have won for sure, although Mace was incredibly proud of how well Loras had done. Considering what the bastard did to the boy in the final, Loras had been very unlucky to have drawn the bastard early stopping him from making it to the final, after all he'd given the boy his hardest match in the duels and that was something to be proud of.
He was looking forward to going home to Highgarden, while he loved tourneys this one had been quite taxing, he'd made deals and held meetings and that was not how he preferred to spend his time at a tourney, tourneys were for enjoying and this one had been entirely too much work. Although his deal with Lord Arryn would probably not have happened if he had decided to just enjoy himself and his mother had been more friendly than usual since then, something Mace was very glad of.
His children had given them all a scare last night but when he saw then enter the hall accompanied by Ser Barristan he had been extremely relieved, in fact looking at how at ease his beautiful rose was walking with Ser Barristan beside her only made him more determined she be the queen she was born to be. When his mother chastised the children Mace had wanted to interject, but it was far better to let his mother handle such things, it was a woman's work after all.
"Good show Garlan." he shouted down as his son won another round.
He looked to where Margaery and her friends were watching on with great interest and smiled, but then he saw the bastard and his guards enter the yard, he was confused what did they want here, he was about to go down to ask them to leave when he saw Loras rush over to shake the bastard's hand.
"You made it, we thought you might not." Loras said smiling.
"I promised didn't I." the dark haired boy replied.
"Garlan's been so eager to fight you Jon, I've never seen him this excited."
He watched as his son and the other boy, Jon apparently, went to where Garlan was waiting with a determined look on his face. The two boys shaking hands before Garlan showed him where the sparring swords were kept, what's this are they to fight, this should be fun he thought as he nodded to the servant to bring him some wine.
"What's going on Mace?" Alerie said as she and his mother finally came outside.
"Garlan and the bastard who won the duels are to have a spar my dear."
"Oh isn't that fun, the young lad is quite talented." Alerie said her smile beaming at the thought of seeing her son fight a quality opponent.
"His name is Jon, Mama." his daughter said as she joined them.
"What's that dear?" Alerie asked.
"His name is Jon, he's our friend." Margaery said a tad annoyed to Mace's surprise.
"Your friend?" he heard his mother ask.
"Yes, he's our friend, mine, Loras's and Garlan's, he's been so kind to us all and has told us so much about Lannisport, where and where not to shop and who can be trusted to be fair and he's been nothing but pleasant to all of us" his daughter said and Mace couldn't help the small feeling of pride he felt as his daughter defended the bastard to his mother, although he was still a bastard and he'd need to have a talk with her later because of it.
Everyone sat down as the boys returned, a sense of anticipation bubbled in his chest as he watched Garlan and Jon face off. The two boys moved quickly, the swords crashing together, on and on it went with neither getting a clear hit on the other, finally after quite a few minutes Garlan began to get the upper hand, his parries and ripostes just that much sharper than the younger boys, the two backed off and he watched as they readied themselves for another flurry.
This time it looked like Jon was getting the upper hand until his son spun and caught the younger boy completely by surprise, the force of his swing almost causing him to lose his sword before Garlan managed to catch the boy's arm forcing him to drop his sword, he watched his son point his sword at Jon's throat and heard him yield, before he smiled at his son and held his hand out to be shook. It seemed the boy was a good loser and Mace felt a little bit of respect for the lad for it, Garlan was an excellent swordsman and the boy was no slouch, it was no shame to have been beaten, he reached over to grab his glass and smiled a proud smile at his wife, he didn't notice the small lob sided smile on his daughter's face.
Jon
Jon broke his fast with Joy sitting beside him, the two of them eagerly waiting for Jaime to have them called to make the journey to Lannisport, both for different reasons. Joy loved the ride in the carriage, she'd look out the window and point things out while either Jon and Gerion would play along with her. For Jon he wished to say his goodbyes to the Tyrell's and though he was sad to see them go, he wanted to make sure he didn't miss them before they did, he noticed Gerion enter the hall and gave him a smile.
"You two ready then."
"Aye, we are, aren't we Joy, ready."
"leady, Yon."
"Go on adventure Joy." Jon said as he leaned down to face her.
"Wentur, Wentur." the little girl said excitedly.
"Come to papa princess" Gerion said holding his arms out as she ran to him, he grabbed her up and spun her making her laugh.
They made their way down to the yard and Jon and Joy got in the carriage, Gerion riding his horse this time since Jon was coming with them. As they sat there Jon pulled down the blind and held onto Joy as she moved to the window.
"Going to say bye bye to Margaery, Joy?" he asked playfully.
"Bye Bye Argy, " Joy said making him laugh.
The journey into Lannisport seemed to take no time at all, the time spent in the carriage divided between Joy looking out the window and shouting at the horse's and Jon trying not to have a heart attack when she occasionally tried to open the door.
"No Joy, door bad."
"Here look at the horsey Joy, horsey pretty, say hello to the pretty horsey." Jon said as he tried to divert her attention from the door handle she was getting fascinated with.
"Horsey, pwetty horsey, lolo horsey." Joy said in a sing along voice and Jon felt his heart beat slow down thankfully.
When they reached the building the Tyrell's were already in the process of leaving and Jon heaved a sigh of relief that they'd made it. He and Joy got out of the carriage and he took her hand and went looking for Margaery and her brothers, while Jaime, Tyrion and Gerion waited to bid her parents and grandmother farewell. He very soon came across all three of the Tyrell siblings as they were heading to the awaiting wheelhouse's and horses.
"Jon, we hoped you'd make it." Margaery said a huge smile on her face when she saw him and Joy.
"I said I would, besides Joy wanted to say bye bye, didn't you Joy." he said turning to the little girl.
"Say bye bye to Margaery, Joy."
"Bye bye Argy." the little girl said as Margaery beamed at her before bending down to give her a hug.
"Bye Bye Joy, I'll miss you." she said hugging her tight.
"Miss ooh." Joy said causing them all to laugh.
Jon said his farewells to both Garlan and Loras the three boys having become quite friendly over the course of the tourney and he hoped he'd see them again soon, before he turned to say goodbye to Margaery.
"I guess this is goodbye then," he said sadly.
"For now Jon, you must come visit us at Highgarden, I'm sure both Garlan and Loras would love to see you there and I would too. No doubt we'll be having a tourney in the future, father does love his tourneys." Margaery said with a smile.
"Besides we both want rematch's." Garlan said as Loras nodded.
Jon shook both their hands before Loras hugged him and Margaery did likewise, Joy put her arms out eager for a hug of her own which Margaery once again was quick to do, they all began to walk from the building and when they reached outside they once again said their goodbyes. He watched as the boy's got onto their horses while Margaery went and got in the wheelhouse, her mother and grandmother apparently already inside and waiting.
Heading back over to where Jaime and Gerion were talking animatedly about something which they obviously found hilarious, he wondered where Tyrion was before he noticed him walking towards him. As the retinue made their way out of the courtyard he smiled when Margaery's head popped out of the wheelhouse's window and gave him and Joy a wave which they both returned.
A week later.
Jaime
Things had quickly gotten back into routine at the rock once everyone had left, he and Jon both returned to their schedule of sparring early in the morning and again in the mid evening. Jon had seemed even more determined and asked Jaime for pointers in where he could improve, apparently the loss to the older Tyrell irked him and Jaime couldn't help but admire his willingness to try make sure it didn't happen again.
He had tried to tell Jon that the boy was older and more experienced and that he hadn't used the thin sword he'd used in the final. but Jon insisted the boy was better than him and if he wanted to beat him then it was up to him to improve. So Jaime had begun training him on different lessons to even further improve his strength and speed.
As he sat there breaking his fast after a particularly strenuous sparring session he worried if he was pushing the boy too far, but each time he'd slacken his intensity Jon would insist he work him harder so he had done. Now though he watched as the determined young man he'd been training was gone and the young boy had returned, he was sitting there and he and Joy were eating and playing or playing and eating, whichever way you'd call their version of breaking their fasts.
His uncle and Tyrion were alternating from breaking their own fast to watching Joy wrap the boy even further around her finger, as instead of eating from her own plate Joy had been attempting to eat from Jon's. So intent was she to take food from his plate that Jon had in the end moved some of his own and placed some of hers to the side of it so she would at least eat the food she was able too.
He watched as Jon took a quick small swallow from his cup while Gerion and Tyrion fell around in complete hysterics as Joy reached her little hand to drink some too, he saw Jon grimace and he too began to laugh as he wondered if this too was a battle he'd lose.
"No Joy Yucky." Jon said as he tried to place the cup on the table the grimace even clearer on his face.
"Me dwink Yon." Joy said as her hand grabbed the cup and pulled it towards her causing it to spill all over Jon's tunic, the whole table laughed loudly as Jon grimaced even more before Joy spoke softly.
"boo boo Yon." Joy said as Jon gave her a forced smile.
Gerion quickly got up and lifted her from Jon who was covered in the sweetened milk, before his uncle looked at him apologetically only for Jon to smile and wave it off.
"Say sorry to Jon, princess." his uncle said.
"Sowwy Yon." Joy said
Jon didn't answer her though and instead just smiled and shook his head which he found a bit unusual, as his uncle walked from the room to clean Joy up, Jaime looked over to see Jon stand up shakily, he watched as he took a couple of steps before he collapsing on the floor. Jaime jumped up from his seat and rushed to where Jon was lying on the floor, please no, oh gods no he thought as he reached the unconscious boy.
"Somebody get a Maester." he heard Tyrion shout as he turned Jon over onto his back, the sight of the blood leaking from his nose almost forced his heart to stop, he grabbed the boy in his arms and ran from the room, he heard Jon moan painfully as he did so, but he'd make it to Creylen quicker than the Maester would make it to him.